Internet Security Guard is a rogue anti-spyware program from the Rogue.VirusDoctor family. This program is classified as a rogue as it displays false information in order to trick you into purchasing the program. This infection is spread via two methods. The first method is through web sites that state they are an online anti-malware scanner called Windows Web Security. When you visit these sites you will be presented with a page that pretends to scan your computer for infections. When it is done, it will state that your computer has numerous infections and that you need to download a program to clean your computer. It is important to remember that any time you encounter a web page that states that your computer is infected, you should not believe them as the majority of these pages are scams trying to get you to install the actual infection. The second method that can be used to install this rogue is through hacked web sites that install Internet Security Guard on to your computer without your knowledge by exploiting vulnerabilities in your outdated programs.
Once Internet Security Guard is installed on your computer it will be configured
to start automatically. It will also create numerous harmless files that will then detected
by the program as malware when it scans your computer. The files that are created are:
%UserProfile%\Recent\ANTIGEN.exe
%UserProfile%\Recent\cb.drv
%UserProfile%\Recent\CLSV.dll
%UserProfile%\Recent\eb.dll
%UserProfile%\Recent\energy.exe
%UserProfile%\Recent\energy.tmp
%UserProfile%\Recent\fan.sys
%UserProfile%\Recent\fix.sys
%UserProfile%\Recent\FW.drv
%UserProfile%\Recent\gid.dll
%UserProfile%\Recent\PE.exe
%UserProfile%\Recent\ppal.sys
%UserProfile%\Recent\SICKBOY.tmp
%UserProfile%\Recent\sld.sys
%UserProfile%\Recent\SM.dll
%UserProfile%\Recent\SM.exe
%UserProfile%\Recent\snl2w.drv
%UserProfile%\Recent\tjd.tmp
When the program scans your computer it will detect numerous infections, including the files listed above that it created in the first place, and then prompt you to remove them. When you attempt to remove them, though, it will state you are unable to unless you first purchase the program. As the scan results for this program are false, please do not get scared into purchasing the program.
Internet Security Guard screen shot
For more screen shots of this infection click on the image above.
There are a total of 7 images you can view.
While Internet Security Guard is running it will also display fake security warnings
that are designed to make you think that your computer has a severe computer
security problem. These warnings may state that viruses have been found, that your computer is under attack, or that someone is accessing your private information. Some examples of these fake alerts are listed below:
Address space conflict
Warning! Access conflict detected
An unidentified program is trying to access system process address space.
System Message
Your PC may still be infected with dangerous viruses. Internet Security Guard protection is needed to prevent data loss and avoid theft of your personal data and credit card details. Click here to activate protection.
Memory access problem
WindowsErrorForm has encountered a problem at address 0x1FC408.
We are sorry for the inconvenience.
Just like the scan results, all of these security alerts are fake and should be ignored.
Without a doubt, Internet Security Guard is a scam that was created to trick
you into thinking your computer was severely infected so that you will then purchase it. For no reason should you purchase this program, and if you have, you should
contact your credit card company and dispute the charge. To remove Internet Security Guard and related malware, please follow the steps in the removal guide
below.
Threat Classification:
Advanced information:
View Internet Security Guard files.
View Internet Security Guard Registry Information.
Tools Needed for this fix:
Symptoms that may be in a HijackThis Log:
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Internet Security Guard] "%CommonAppData%\79b35\ISa76.exe" /s /d
Guide Updates:
01/15/12 - Initial guide creation.
Automated Removal Instructions for Internet Security Guard using Malwarebytes Anti-Malware:
- Print out these instructions as we may need to close every window that is
open later in the fix.
- It is possible that the infection you are trying to remove will not allow
you to download files on the infected computer. If you run into this problem
when following the steps in this guide you will need to download the files
requested in this guide on another computer and then transfer them to the
infected computer. You can transfer the files via a CD/DVD, external drive,
or USB flash drive.
- Reboot your computer into Safe Mode with Networking using
the instructions for your version of Windows found in the following tutorial:
How
to start Windows in Safe Mode
When following the steps in the above tutorial, select Safe Mode with
Networking rather than just Safe Mode. When the computer reboots
into Safe Mode with Networking make sure you login with the username you normally
use. When you are at your Windows desktop, please continue with the rest of
the steps.
- This infection changes your Windows settings to use a proxy server that
will not allow you to browse any pages on the Internet with Internet Explorer
or update security software. Regardless of the web browser you use, for these
instructions we will first need need to fix this problem so that we can download
the utilities we need to remove this infection.
Please start Internet Explorer, and when the program is open, click on the
Tools menu and then select Internet Options
as shown in the image below.
- You should now be in the Internet Options screen as shown in the image below.
Now click on the Connections tab as designated by the blue
arrow above.
- You will now be at the Connections tab as shown by the image below.
Now click on the Lan Settings button as designated by the
blue arrow above.
- You will now be at the Local Area Network (LAN) settings screen as shown
by the image below.
Under the Proxy Server section, please uncheck the checkbox labeled Use
a proxy server for your LAN. Then press the OK button
to close this screen. Then press the OK button to close the
Internet Options screen. Now that you have disabled the proxy server you will
be able to browse the web again with Internet Explorer.
- Now we must end the processes that belong to
Internet Security Guard
so that it does not interfere with the cleaning procedure. To do this, please
download RKill to your desktop from the following link.
RKill
Download Link - (Download page will open in a new tab or browser window.)
When at the download page, click on the Download Now button
labeled iExplore.exe download link. When you are prompted
where to save it, please save it on your desktop.
If you are unable to connect to the site to download RKill, please go back
and do steps 3-6 again and make sure the infection has not reenabled the proxy
settings. You may have to do this quite a few times before you can get RKill
downloaded. If you still cannot download the RKill program on the infected
computer, you should download it to a clean computer and copy it to the infected
one via a USB flash drive or CDROM.
- Once it is downloaded, double-click on the iExplore.exe
icon in order to automatically attempt to stop any processes associated with
Internet Security Guard
and other Rogue programs. Please be patient while the program looks for various
malware programs and ends them. When it has finished, the black window will
automatically close and you can continue with the next step. If you get a
message that RKill is an infection, do not be concerned. This message is just
a fake warning given by
Internet Security Guard
when it terminates programs that may potentially remove it. If you run into
these infections warnings that close RKill, a trick is to leave the warning
on the screen and then run RKill again. By not closing the warning, this typically
will allow you to bypass the malware trying to protect itself so that RKill
can terminate
Internet Security Guard
. So, please try running RKill until the malware is no longer running. You
will then be able to proceed with the rest of the guide. Do not reboot
your computer after running RKill as the malware programs will start again.
If you continue having problems running RKill, you can download the other
renamed versions of RKill from the RKill
download page. Both of these files are renamed copies of RKill, which
you can try instead. Please note that the download page will open in a new
browser window or tab.
- Now you should download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, or MBAM, from the following
location and save it to your desktop:
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Download Link
(Download page will open in a new window)
If you are unable to connect to the site to download Malwarebytes', please
go back and do steps 3-6 again and make sure the infection has not reenabled
the proxy settings.
- Once downloaded, close all programs and Windows on your computer, including
this one.
- Double-click on the icon on your desktop named mbam-setup.exe.
This will start the installation of MBAM onto your computer.
- 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. If MalwareBytes' prompts you to reboot, please do not do so.
- 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.
- On the Scanner tab, make sure the the Perform
full scan option is selected and then click on the Scan
button to start scanning your computer for
Internet Security Guard
related files.
- 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.
- 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
Internet Security Guard
removal process.
- You will now be back at the main Scanner screen. At this point you should
click on the Show Results button.
- 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.
- 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.
- You can now exit the MBAM program.
- As this infection also changes your Windows HOSTS file, we want to replace
this file with the default version for your operating system. Please note
that if you or your company has added custom entries to your HOSTS file then
you will need to add them again after restoring the default HOSTS file. In
order to protect itself,
Internet Security Guard
changes the permissions of the HOSTS file so you can't edit or delete
it. To fix these permissions please download the following batch file and
save it to your desktop:
hosts-perm.bat
Download Link
When the file has finished downloading, double-click on the hosts-perm.bat
file that is now on your desktop. If Windows asks if you if you are sure you
want to run it, please allow it to run. Once it starts you will see a small
black window that opens and then quickly goes away. This is normal and is
nothing to be worried about. You should now be able to access your HOSTS file.
- We now need to delete the C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc\HOSTS
file. Once it is deleted, download the following HOSTS file that corresponds
to your version of Windows and save it in the C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc
folder. If the contents of the HOSTS file opens in your browser when you click
on a link below then right-click on the appropriate link and select Save
Target As..., if in Internet Explorer, or Save Link As..,
if in Firefox, to download the file.
Windows
XP HOSTS File Download Link
Windows
Vista HOSTS File Download Link
Windows
2003 Server HOSTS File Download Link
Windows
2008 Server HOSTS File Download Link
Windows
7 HOSTS File Download Link
Your Windows HOSTS file should now be back to the default one from when Windows
was first installed.
- Now reboot your computer.
- As many rogues and other malware are installed through vulnerabilities found
in out-dated and insecure programs, it is strongly suggested that you use
Secunia PSI to scan for vulnerable programs on your computer. A tutorial on
how to use Secunia PSI to scan for vulnerable programs can be found here:
How to
detect vulnerable and out-dated programs using Secunia Personal Software Inspector
Your computer should now be free of the
Internet Security Guard
program. You may want to consider purchasing
the PRO version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types
of threats in the future, as if you had the real-time protection component,
that comes with the paid for version, activated it would not have allowed this
infection to install.
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 Using Malware Removal Tools and Requesting Help
Associated Internet Security Guard Files:
%AppData%\Internet Security Guard\
%AppData%\Internet Security Guard\cookies.sqlite
%AppData%\Internet Security Guard\Instructions.ini
%AppData%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Internet Security Guard.lnk
%CommonAppData%\79b35\
%CommonAppData%\79b35\ISa76.exe
%CommonAppData%\79b35\ISG.ico
%CommonAppData%\ISEUG\
%CommonAppData%\ISEUG\ISKIYFOAG.cfg
%UserProfile%\Desktop\Internet Security Guard.lnk
%UserProfile%\Recent\ANTIGEN.exe
%UserProfile%\Recent\cb.drv
%UserProfile%\Recent\CLSV.dll
%UserProfile%\Recent\eb.dll
%UserProfile%\Recent\energy.exe
%UserProfile%\Recent\energy.tmp
%UserProfile%\Recent\fan.sys
%UserProfile%\Recent\fix.sys
%UserProfile%\Recent\FW.drv
%UserProfile%\Recent\gid.dll
%UserProfile%\Recent\PE.exe
%UserProfile%\Recent\ppal.sys
%UserProfile%\Recent\SICKBOY.tmp
%UserProfile%\Recent\sld.sys
%UserProfile%\Recent\SM.dll
%UserProfile%\Recent\SM.exe
%UserProfile%\Recent\snl2w.drv
%UserProfile%\Recent\tjd.tmp
%UserProfile%\Start Menu\Internet Security Guard.lnk
%UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\Internet Security Guard.lnk
File Location Notes:
%UserProfile% refers to the current user's profile folder. By default, this is C:\Documents and Settings\<Current User> for Windows 2000/XP, C:\Users\<Current User> for Windows Vista/7/8, and c:\winnt\profiles\<Current User> for Windows NT.
%CommonAppData% refers to the Application Data folder for the All Users Profile. By default, this is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data for Windows 2000/XP and C:\ProgramData\ in Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.
%AppData% refers to the current users Application Data folder. By default, this is C:\Documents and Settings\<Current User>\Application Data for Windows 2000/XP. For Windows Vista and Windows 7 it is C:\Users\<Current User>\AppData\Roaming.
%CommonAppData% refers to the Application Data folder in the All Users profile. For Windows XP, Vista, NT, 2000 and 2003 it refers to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\, and for Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 it is C:\ProgramData.
Associated Internet Security Guard Windows Registry Information:
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\3
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{3F2BBC05-40DF-11D2-9455-00104BC936FF}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\IS9c5_8027.DocHostUIHandler
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\_avp32.exe
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\ackwin32.exe
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\adaware.exe
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\av360.exe
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\McSACore.exe
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\zapsetup3001.exe
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\zatutor.exe
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\zonalm2601.exe
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\zonealarm.exe
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes "URL" = "http://findgala.com/?&uid=8027&q={searchTerms}"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer "PRS" = "http://127.0.0.1:27777/?inj=%ORIGINAL%"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Download "RunInvalidSignatures" = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\5.0\User Agent\Post Platform "879905773703"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\5.0\User Agent\Post Platform "feed/7.1.08027"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer "DisallowRun" = "1"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun "0" = "msseces.exe"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun "1" = "MSASCui.exe"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun "10" = "avgscanx.exe"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun "11" = "avgcfgex.exe"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun "12" = "avgemc.exe"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun "13" = "avgchsvx.exe"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun "14" = "avgcmgr.exe"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun "15" = "avgwdsvc.exe"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun "3" = "egui.exe"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun "4" = "avgnt.exe"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun "5" = "avcenter.exe"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun "6" = "avscan.exe"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun "7" = "avgfrw.exe"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun "8" = "avgui.exe"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun "9" = "avgtray.exe"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run "Internet Security Guard"
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes "URL" = "http://findgala.com/?&uid=8027&q={searchTerms}"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Download "CheckExeSignatures" = "no"
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 ask for malware removal assistance in our Virus, Trojan, Spyware, and Malware Removal Logs forum.
If you have any questions about this self-help guide then please post those questions in our Am I infected? What do I do? and someone will help you.
