How to remove Antivirus Protection (Uninstall Instructions)

Posted by Grinler on September 18, 2008 @ 11:09 PM · Views: 2,074

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What this programs does:

Antivirus Protection is a rogue anti-spyware that is promoted through misleading and false advertisements on the web. When visiting certain sites, you will be presented with a pop-up stating that your computer has a security problem and that you should press the OK button to run an online scan. Regardless of the button you press on the pop-up you will be brought to a page showing a fake online anti-malware scanner, that when finished, states that you are infected and should download Antivirus Protection in order to clean your computer. This scanner, though, is just an ad and has no idea what is running on your computer.

If you decide to download and install Antivirus Protection, the program will be configured to start automatically when your computer loads. Once started, Antivirus Protection will scan your computer and list a variety of exaggerated results that cannot be removed unless you first purchase the program. These results, though, are typically harmless and are only being shown to scare you into purchasing the software. This program can also cause your computer to run slower because it is always running in the background and using valuable resources such as your computer's memory.

Antivirus Protection screen shot
For more screen shots of this infection click on the image above.
There are a total of 3 images you can view.

This guide will walk you through removing the Antivirus Protection program and its associated malware for free.

Threat Classification:

• Information on Rogue Programs

Advanced information:

View AntivirusProtection files.
View AntivirusProtection Registry Information.

Add/Remove Programs control panel entry:

Antivirus Protection 3.3.0

Tools Needed for this fix:

• Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

Symptoms that may be in a HijackThis Log:

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AntivirusProtection] C:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\antivirusprotection.exe /scanstartup

Guide Updates:

09/18/08 - Initial guide creation.

Automated Removal Instructions for AntivirusProtection using Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware:

1. Print out these instructions as we will need to close every window that is open later in the fix.
   
   
2. Download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, or MBAM, from the following location and save it to your desktop:
   
   Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Download Link
   
   


3. Once downloaded, close all programs and Windows on your computer, including this one.
   
   
4. Double-click on the icon on your desktop named Download_mbam-setup.exe. This will start the installation of MBAM onto your computer.
   
   
5. When the installation begins, keep following the prompts in order to continue with the installation process. Do not make any changes to default settings and when the program has finished installing, make sure you leave both the Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware checked. Then click on the Finish button.
   
   
6. MBAM will now automatically start and you will see a message stating that you should update the program before performing a scan. As MBAM will automatically update itself after the install, you can press the OK button to close that box and you will now be at the main program as shown below.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. On the Scanner tab, make sure the the Perform quick scan option is selected and then click on the Scan button to start scanning your computer for AntivirusProtection related files.
   
   
8. MBAM will now start scanning your computer for malware. This process can take quite a while, so we suggest you go and do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan. When MBAM is scanning it will look like the image below.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
9. When the scan is finished a message box will appear as shown in the image below.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   You should click on the OK button to close the message box and continue with the Antivirus Protection removal process.
   
   
10. You will now be back at the main Scanner screen. At this point you should click on the Show Results button.
    
    
11. A screen displaying all the malware that the program found will be shown as seen in the image below. Please note that the infections found may be different than what is shown in the image.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    You should now click on the Remove Selected button to remove all the listed malware. MBAM will now delete all of the files and registry keys and add them to the programs quarantine. When removing the files, MBAM may require a reboot in order to remove some of them. If it displays a message stating that it needs to reboot, please allow it to do so. Once your computer has rebooted, and you are logged in, please continue with the rest of the steps.
    
    
12. When MBAM has finished removing the malware, it will open the scan log and display it in Notepad. Review the log as desired, and then close the Notepad window.
    
    
13. You can now exit the MBAM program.
    

Your computer should now be free of the Antivirus Protection program. If your current anti-virus solution let this infection through, you may want to consider purchasing the PRO version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future.

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 AntivirusProtection Files:

%UserProfile%\Desktop\Antivirus Protection.lnk
%UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\Antivirus Protection
%UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\Antivirus Protection\Antivirus Protection.lnk
%UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\Antivirus Protection\Uninstall.lnk
%UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\Antivirus Protection\Website.lnk
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\Antivirus Protection.url
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\antivirusprotection.exe
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\AntivirusProtection.manifest
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\uninst.exe
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\Logs
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\Logs\ObjectsFound.log
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\Logs\ObjectsRemoved.log
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\Sound
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\Sound\notify.wav
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\processes.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\spydb.exe
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\version.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\AdRoar
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\AdRoar\description.html
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\AdRoar\files.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\AdRoar\filespaths.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\AdRoar\fixedregistry.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\AdRoar\processes.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\Alexa Related
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\Alexa Related\description.html
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\Alexa Related\fixedregistry.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\BroadcastPC
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\BroadcastPC\description.html
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\BroadcastPC\files.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\BroadcastPC\filespaths.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\BroadcastPC\fixedregistry.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\BroadcastPC\processes.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\Browser Hijack
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\Browser Hijack\helper.dll
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\Cookies
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\Cookies\description.html
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\Cookies\files.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\Cookies\filespaths.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\Cookies\fixedfiles.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\Cydoor
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\Cydoor\description.html
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\Cydoor\fixedfiles.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\Cydoor\fixedregistry.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\Cydoor\processes.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\Cydoor\registry.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\Cydoor\registrypaths.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\eAcceleration
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\eAcceleration\description.html
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\eAcceleration\fixedregistry.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\eUniverse
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\eUniverse\cookies.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\eUniverse\description.html
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\eUniverse\files.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\eUniverse\filespaths.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\eUniverse\fixedregistry.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\eUniverse\processes.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\FSG
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\FSG\description.html
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\FSG\fixedfiles.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\FSG\processes.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\GAIN
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\GAIN\cookies.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\GAIN\description.html
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\GAIN\fixedfiles.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\GAIN\fixedregistry.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\GAIN\processes.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\HuntBar
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\HuntBar\description.html
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\HuntBar\fixedfiles.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\HuntBar\fixedregistry.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\HuntBar\processes.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\IBIS Toolbar
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\IBIS Toolbar\description.html
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\IBIS Toolbar\files.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\IBIS Toolbar\filespaths.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\IBIS Toolbar\fixedregistry.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\IBIS Toolbar\processes.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\KeenValue.PerfectNav
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\KeenValue.PerfectNav\cookies.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\KeenValue.PerfectNav\description.html
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\KeenValue.PerfectNav\fixedregistry.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\MarketScore
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\MarketScore\cookies.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\MarketScore\description.html
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\MarketScore\fixedfiles.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\MarketScore\fixedregistry.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\MarketScore\processes.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\New.Net
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\New.Net\description.html
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\New.Net\files.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\New.Net\filespaths.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\New.Net\fixedregistry.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\New.Net\processes.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\New.Net\providers.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\New.Net\uninstallers.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\StartNow.HyperBar
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\StartNow.HyperBar\description.html
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\StartNow.HyperBar\fixedfiles.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\StartNow.HyperBar\fixedregistry.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\TopMoxie(WebSavings)
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\TopMoxie(WebSavings)\description.html
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\TopMoxie(WebSavings)\files.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\TopMoxie(WebSavings)\filespaths.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\TopMoxie(WebSavings)\fixedregistry.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\TopMoxie(WebSavings)\processes.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\TV Media
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\TV Media\description.html
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\TV Media\files.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\TV Media\filespaths.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\TV Media\fixedregistry.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\TV Media\processes.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\Twain-Tech
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\Twain-Tech\description.html
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\Twain-Tech\files.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\Twain-Tech\filespaths.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\Twain-Tech\fixedregistry.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\Twain-Tech\processes.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\VX2
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\VX2\description.html
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\VX2\files.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\VX2\filespaths.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\VX2\fixedregistry.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\VX2\processes.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\WebHancer
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\WebHancer\description.html
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\WebHancer\files.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\WebHancer\filespaths.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\WebHancer\fixedregistry.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\WebHancer\processes.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\WebHancer\providers.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\WebSearchToolbar
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\WebSearchToolbar\description.html
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\WebSearchToolbar\files.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\WebSearchToolbar\filespaths.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\WebSearchToolbar\fixedregistry.txt
c:\Program Files\Antivirus Protection\SpyWares\WebSearchToolbar\processes.txt

Associated AntivirusProtection Windows Registry Information:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\AntivirusProtection.exe
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Antivirus Protection
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Telecom Advance
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Telecom Advance\Antivirus Protection
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run "AntivirusProtection"