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Grinler

Aug 22 2007, 10:28 AM

How to remove MalwareAlarm (Removal Instructions)

What these programs do:

MalwareAlarm is a rogue anti-spyware program in the same family as SpySheriff. MalwareAlarm is installed on your computer through misleading web pages, popups, and through the use of Trojans and other malware. Once installed, the Trojans may display alerts on your screen stating that you may be infected with malware.

When run, MalwareAlarm will show exaggerated results and false positives and will only remove them if you purchase the software. This is a tactic to scare you into purchasing the software as the reported malware does not actually exist on your computer.

MalwareAlarm Screenshot

This guide will remove the MalwareAlarm infection and other common malware that are typically bundled with these types of programs.

Tools Needed for this fix:

SmitFraudFix (Automated Fix)

Symptoms in a HijackThis Log (Not all symptoms may be present):

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Windows update loader] C:\Windows\xpupdate.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MalwareAlarm] C:\Program Files\MalwareAlarm\MalwareAlarm.exe

Add/Remove Programs control panel entry:

MalwareAlarm

Guide Updates:

08/22/07 - Initial guide creation.

Choose the removal method you would like to use:

Manual Removal (Should be used if automated method does not work.)

Manual Removal Instructions for MalwareAlarm:

These steps may appear to be long and daunting. They are, though, quite easy to do and consist of so many steps only because I have written them in an extremely detailed manner.

Print out these instructions as we will need to close every window that is open later in the fix.
Download SmitfraudFix.exe from here and save it to your desktop:

SmitFraudFix.exe

Confirm that the file SmitfraudFix.exe now resides on your desktop, but do not double-click on the icon as of yet. We will use it in later steps. The icon will look like the one below:
Next, please reboot your computer into Safe Mode by doing the following:
1. Restart your computer
2. After hearing your computer beep once during startup, but before the Windows icon appears, press F8.
3. Instead of Windows loading as normal, a menu should appear
4. Select the first option, to run Windows in Safe Mode.
5. When you are at the logon prompt, log in as the same user which you had done the previous steps.
When your computer has started in safe mode and you see the desktop, click on the Start Menu button.
Click on the Control Panel option.
Double-click on the Add or Remove Programs icon.
Find the entry for MalwareAlarm and double-click on it to uninstall if found. Follow the prompts to uninstall the program, but do not allow it to reboot the computer if it asks.
When it has completed uninstalling you can close Add or Remove Programs and your Control Panel.
Delete the following files and folders (Do not be concerned if these files and folders do not exist):

C:\Program Files\MalwareAlarm\
C:\Windows\xpupdate.exe
Close all open Windows.
Now, double-click on the SmitFraudfix icon that should be residing on your desktop.The icon will look like the one below:
When the tool first starts you will see a credits screen. Simply press any key on your keyboard to get to the next screen.
When the tool first starts you will see a credits screen. Simply press any key on your keyboard to get to the next screen.
You will now see a menu as shown in the image below. Press the number 2 on your keyboard and the press the enter key to choose the option Clean (safe mode recommended).

The program will start cleaning your computer and go through a series of cleanup processes. When it is done, it will automatically start the Disk Cleanup program as shown by the image below.

This program will remove all Temp, Temporary Internet Files, and other files that may be leftover files from this infection. This process can take up to a few hours depending on your computer, so please be patient. When it is complete, it will close automatically and you will should continue with step 25.
When Disk Cleanup is finished, you will be presented with an option asking Do you want to clean the registry ? (y/n). At this screen you should press the Y button on your keyboard and then press the enter key.

When this last routine is finished, you will be presented with a red screen stating Computer will reboot now. Close all applications. You should now press the spacebar on your computer. A counter will appear stating that the computer will reboot in 15 seconds. Do not cancel this countdown and allow your computer to reboot.
Once the computer has rebooted, you will be presented with a Notepad screen containing a log of all the files removed from your computer. Examine this log to see what files were found, and when you are done, close the Notepad screen.
We next perform an online scan with Panda to find any possible inactive remnants from this infection: Panda Online
1. Once you are on the Panda site click the Scan your PC button
2. A new window will open...click the Check Now button
3. Enter your Country
4. Enter your State/Province
5. Enter your e-mail address and click send
6. Select either Home User or Company
7. Click the big Scan Now button
8. If it wants to install an ActiveX component allow it
9. It will start downloading the files it requires for the scan (Note: It may take a few minutes)
10. When download is complete, click on Local Disks to start the scan
When the online scan has been completed, let it remove what it finds, and then you can close Internet Explorer.

Your computer should now be free of the MalwareAlarm infection.

If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow the steps outlined in the topic linked below:

Preparation Guide For Use Before Posting A Hijackthis Log

This is a self-help guide. Use at your own risk.

BleepingComputer.com can not be held responsible for problems that may occur by using this information. If you would like help with any of these fixes, you can post a HijackThis log in our HijackThis Logs and Analysis forum.

If you have any questions about this self-help guide then please post those questions in our AntiVirus, Firewall and Privacy Products and Protection Methods forum and someone will help you.