How to remove Awola 6.0 (Removal Instructions)

Posted by Grinler on March 16, 2008 @ 11:03 AM · Views: 9536

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What this programs does:

Awola 6 is a rogue anti-spyware program that is installed through the use of Trojans. Once installed, Awola will scan your computer and display a variety of found infections. These infections do not exist, except for the trojan that it installed Awola in the first place. In order to remove any of these so-called infections, though, you must first purchase a license of the software.

The Trojan that installs Awola also displays fake security alerts from the Windows taskbar. The fake security alerts being displayed in your Windows taskbar will be titled Your computer is infected! and contain the following text:

Windows has detected spyware infection.

It is recommended to use special antispyware tools to prevent data loss.

Windows will now download and install the most up-to-date antispyware for you.

Click here to protect your computer from spyware.

Below are screen shots of the Awola program and the fake security alert.

Awola 6 Screenshot

This guide will walk you through removing the Awola 6 program.

Threat Classification:

• Information on Rogue Programs

Advanced information:

View Awola 6.0 files.
View Awola 6.0 Registry Information.

Tools Needed for this fix:

• SmitFraudFix

Symptoms that may be in a HijackThis Log:

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Microsoft Windows Adapter 5.1.3214] C:\Documents and Settings\forensic\Application Data\atofs.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Awola6] "C:\Documents and Settings\forensic\Application Data\Awola6\Awola6.exe" /MIN

Guide Updates:

03/16/08 - Initial guide creation.

Automated Removal Instructions for Awola 6.0 using SmitFraudFix:

1. Print out these instructions as we will need to close every window that is open later in the fix.
   
   
2. 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:
   
   
   
   


3. 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 that you had performed the previous steps as.
      
      
4. When your computer has started in safe mode, and you see the desktop, close all open Windows.
   
   
5. Now, double-click on the SmitFraudfix icon that should be residing on your desktop.The icon will look like the one below:
   
   
   
   
6. When the tool first starts you will see a credits screen. Simply press any key on your keyboard to get to the next screen.
   
   
7. 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).
   
   
   
   


8. 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 11.
   
   
9. 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.
   



10. 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.
    
11. 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, and when you are done, close the Notepad screen.
    

Your computer should now be free of the Awola 6.0 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

Associated Awola 6.0 Files:

%UserProfile%\Application Data\atofs.exe
%UserProfile%\Application Data\Awola6\Awola6.exe
%UserProfile%\Application Data\Awola6\settings.ini
%UserProfile%\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\KTM7CXI7\setupr6jiw6iq[1].exe
%UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\Awola6\Awola Anti-Spyware 6.0.lnk
%UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\Awola6\Uninstall Awola Anti-Spyware 6.0.lnk

Associated Awola 6.0 Windows Registry Information:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run "Awola6"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run "Microsoft Windows Adapter 5.1.3214"