Remove the VSCodec Pro Trojan (Uninstall Guide)

Posted by Lawrence Abrams on June 16, 2009 @ 01:01 PM · Views: 3,510

 

What this infection does:

VSCodec Pro is a video and audio codec package that is advertised through the use of Trojans. These Trojans, when installed, will constantly display alerts stating that there is something wrong with your video and audio settings on your computer. If you click on these alerts, it will then take you to the VSCodec Pro web site where you will be told that you need to purchase the program in order to fix your computer's video and audio configuration. This Trojan will also make it so that you are unable to open audio and video files on your computer. When you attempt to open one of these files, the file will be closed and you will be presented with an alert stating that there is something configured incorrectly so that you cannot run this type of media. The current text of these alerts are:

Fatal Error
Fatal Error! The media system on your computer is corrupt. Update your sound and video codec immediately to resolve this issue.

Fatal Erro (sic)
Windows can`t play the folowing (sic) media formats: AVI;WMV;AVS;FLV;MKV;MOV;3GP;MP4;MPG;MPEG;MP3;AAC;WAV;WMA;CDA;FLAC;M4A;MID. Update your video and sound codec to resolve this issue.

While this Trojan is running you will also find that the computer may begin to act slower. This is because the program is constantly monitoring what files you are opening in the event that it is a media file, which it will then close. This monitoring will use CPU power and memory that other legitimate programs would be better off using.

 

Fake alert
For more screen shots of this infection click on the image above.
There are a total of 2 images you can view.

 

If you are finding these types of alerts or behavior on your computer, please do not purchase the software it recommends as it is a scam. Instead, use the guide below to remove this infection and any related malware for free.

 

Threat Classification:

• Information on Rogue Programs & Scareware
• Trojan Horses

 

Advanced information:

View VSCodec Pro files.
View VSCodec Pro Registry Information.

 

Tools Needed for this fix:

• SmitFraudFix

 

Symptoms that may be in a HijackThis Log:

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [mediacodec.exe] %UserProfile%\Temp\mediacodec.exe

 

Guide Updates:

03-10-09 - Initial guide creation.

 

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Automated Removal Instructions for VSCodec Pro 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 VSCodec Pro 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 Using Malware Removal Tools and Requesting Help

 

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Associated VSCodec Pro Files:

%UserProfile%\Bleeping\Local Settings\Temp\mediacodec.exe

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, and c:\winnt\profiles\<Current User> for Windows NT.

 

Associated VSCodec Pro Windows Registry Information:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run "mediacodec.exe"