XP Antispyware 2012 Removal

January 14, 2012 webmaster Rogue, 0

What is XP Antispyware 2012?

XP Antispyware 2012 looks like a genuine antivirus application but it is a virus in disguise. It will deceive computer users and make them believe that an ongoing attack persists. XP Antispyware 2012 simulates what appears to be a virus scan, but it will provide only fabricated and false detection. Threats identified by this fake antivirus program do not exist on the system. By manipulating the results, authors of XP Antispyware 2012 hope to convince user that the licensed version of the program is essential to clean the system.

You must be aware that this rogue changes names based on the target computer’s operating system. It can be installed as Vista Antispyware 2012 or Win 7 Antispyware 2012. The malware also uses random names on each installation to avoid easy detection by antivirus programs using pattern files. What is more daunting about this malware is its ability to disable security applications. Getting more help from an associated Rootkit Trojan, XP Antispyware 2012 can complete more harm than reported.

The primary goal of XP Antispyware 2012 is to control the computer. Once it dominates the PC, it will start providing a number of fake security scans and fake warnings. To mislead user even more, this malware will react to every execution of programs and state that it is infected. Next, it advises victim to purchase the registration key for XP Antispyware 2012 to remove all threats and regain computers normal operation.

Do not get worried about the reports published by this fake security programs. In fact, the sole infection needs to eliminate from the computer. Follow the removal guide on this page for free and instant removal.

Type	Rogue
Sub-Type	FakeAV
Aliases	Vista Antispyware 2012, Win 7 Antispyware 2012
OS Affected	Windows XP

What are the Symptoms of XP Antispyware 2012?

It is common for rogue security application to produce unnecessary threat detection to deceive victims. In fact, XP Antispyware 2012 will disclose a number of non-existing Trojans, virus and worms on the compromised computer. Some of these infections may include Trojan-SMS.SymbOS.Viver.a, Trojan-SMS.J2ME.RedBrowser.a, Happy_II.506, P2P-Worm.Win32.Franvir and so much more.

From time to time, this rogue security program also displays fake system tray alerts. Alert messages vary from blocked programs, firewall alert, system hijack, privacy threat and malware intrusion. These fake warnings are additional scare tactics by XP Antispyware 2012 to persuade victims into obtaining the registration key.

Malware Intrusion
Sensitive areas of your system were found to be under attack. Spy software attack or virus infection possible. Prevent further damage or your private data will get stolen. Run an anti-spyware scan now. Click here to start.

Follow these Procedures to Remove XP Antispyware 2012

Procedure 1: Manual Removal

1. Please use the serial code below to activate XP Antispyware 2012.
Once the rogue program has activated, you will regain access to Internet and needed tools like task manager and registry editor. Keep in mind that entering this code will not remove the malware. This step will just reverse all changes the rogue software has made to the computer.

Serial Code: 3425-814615-3990

2. Restart your computer in Safe Mode
- After Power-On the computer, just before Windows start, press F8.
- From the selections, Select Safe Mode.

3. Remove Registry entries added by XP Antispyware 2012. You MUST BACKUP YOUR REGISTRY FIRST.
- Click Start > Run.
- Type in the field, regedit.
- Navigate and look for the registry entries mentioned above and delete if necessary.

4. Delete malicious files that the threat added:
- Base on the given location above, browse and delete the file.
- If no location is given, click Start>Search> and search for the files.
- If cannot be deleted, press Ctrl+Alt+Del to access Task Manager, see if the file is running in the process. If it is, select the file and click End Process. Perform file delete again.

5. Scan computer with Antivirus Program
- Update antivirus program.
- Scan computer and delete all detected threats.

Procedure 2: Scan PC with Removal Tool

To remove XP Antispyware 2012, download the suggested tool by clicking on the button below. This tool is effective in getting rid of Trojans, viruses and malware.

1. After downloading, please install the program using the default settings.
2. At the end of the installation, please make sure that it will download necessary updates.
3. Once update has completed. The tool will launch.
4. Thoroughly scan the computer and remove all threats detected by this anti-malware program.

Scan and Remove Rootkit Trojan

A Trojan often drops malware using an advance technology known as rootkit. It hides the installation of XP Antispyware 2012 from your anti-virus program and injects malicious code to running Windows processes. To complete the clean-up process, you also need to scan and remove rootkit Trojan.

1. Download aswMBR from Avast server. Save it to your computer.

2. Double-click on the file aswMBR.exe to run the program.
3. If it prompts you to download the latest Avast! virus definition, please click Yes. This is necessary to identify most recent version of the Trojan as well as hidden files of XP Antispyware 2012.

4. Click on Scan button to start checking your computer for presence of rootkit Trojan and other viruses. It will display a message "Scan finished successfully" when done.

5. Click Fix or FixMBR to start removing infection. If aswMBR contains the latest Avast! virus definition file, it will automatically clean infected files on your PC.

Troubleshooting Guides

After removing a virus from your computer, the next move is to fix any damages caused by the infection. Most anti-virus programs are not designed to fix issues and errors initiated by XP Antispyware 2012. Here are some troubleshooting steps you need to perform on the PC after being compromised.

Fix and Restore Internet Connection After XP Antispyware 2012 Infection

Windows Vista and Windows 7:
1. Go to Start > Run. Type cmd in the box (Search Program and files) and press Enter on keyboard.

2. It will display a command prompt. Type the following and press Enter on keyboard after each command.
netsh int ip reset reset.log
(Press Enter on keyboard)

netsh winsock reset catalog
(Press Enter on keyboard)

3. Exit the command prompt window and please restart the computer.

Windows XP:
1. You will lose access to network services when XP Antispyware 2012 spoils your Winsock settings. Click on the download button bellow to get a fresh copy of Winsock.Zip. Unzip the file on a proper directory. It will decompress a file called Winsock.reg.

2. Right-click on Winsock.reg file, select Merge to add the value to your Windows registry. Press OK on the next prompt to confirm merging.
3. Restart the computer.
4. After the reboot, go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > Communications. Select Network Connections.
5. Right-click on Local Area Connection, select Properties from the list.

6. On General tab, click on Install. It will open a new window.

7. Select Protocol from the list. Next, click Add.

8. If it prompts for the location, click on Have Disk...
9. Type C:\Windows\inf in the Browse section. Click OK.
10. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). Click OK to confirm.
11. You may now restart the computer.

Unhide Non-System Files and Folders

XP Antispyware 2012 brings you more harm in such a way that it will hide all files and folders. You can change attributes of hidden files and folders manually but be careful with system files because they are set to be hidden to avoid accidental deletion. To unhide only non-system files and folders, follow this procedure.

1. Download the program Unhide Non-System Files. This is a free tool. Download page will open in a new window.

2. Once downloaded, double-click on the file to launch the program.

Note: If Smart Screen Filter is active, it alerts you that the file is "not commonly downloaded and could harm your computer". To proceed, please click on Actions. Select Run anyway from Smart Screen Filter pop-up.

3. When the program is running, please click on Start button to begin the restoration of your hidden files.

Steps to Restore Shortcut Links and Start Menu Icons

If XP Antispyware 2012 stays long enough on the infected computer, it can cause more damages than expected. It modifies the look of the system and hides shortcut links and Start Menu icons. Perform these steps to restore shortcut links and missing icons.

1. Download the program Rogue Killer. This tool does not only fix certain problems cause by XP Antispyware 2012 infection, it also finds and destroy presence of malicious files and registry entries.

2. After downloading the file, double-click to run the program.

Note: If Smart Screen Filter is active, it alerts you that the file is "not commonly downloaded and could harm your computer". To proceed, please click on Actions. Select Run anyway from Smart Screen Filter pop-up.

3. When launch, the tool will run a scan on the computer and check it for presence of malware. Please let it scan the computer for remnants of XP Antispyware 2012.

4. Click on the ShortcutsFix button on right side of the interface. This action will restore missing shortcut links and Start Menu icons. The scan would take a few minutes.

Protect your PC from XP Antispyware 2012 or Similar Attack

Turn On Security Features of your Internet Browser

Internet Explorer - Activate SmartScreen Filter

Internet Explorer versions 8 and 9 has this feature called SmartScreen Filter. It helps detect phishing web sites and protect you from downloading malicious files online. You may have avoided XP Antispyware 2012 virus if this has been active on your PC.To turn on SmartScreen Filter, follow these steps:

1. Please open Internet Explorer.
2. On top menu, select Tools (IE 9). For IE 8, please look for Safety menu.
3. Select SmartScreen Filter from the drop-down list and click on Turn on SmartScreen Filter.

4. Please restart Internet Explorer.

Google Chrome - Enable Phishing and Malware Protection

With Google Chrome's Phishing and Malware Detection feature, you will have lesser risks browsing the web. It will display a warning when the site you are trying to visit is suspicious. To enable Phishing and Malware Protection, please do these steps:

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Click on the Wrench icon located on top right corner of the browser.
3. Select Settings from the drop-down list.
4. Click on Under the Hood from the left panel.
5. Mark the Enable phishing and malware protection under Privacy settings.

6. Please restart Google Chrome.

Mozilla Firefox - Block Attack Sites and Web Forgeries

Phishing and Malware Protection is a built-in feature on Firefox version 3 or later. It warns you when a page you are trying to visit contains phishing content or an attack site designed to drop threats on the computer. To help you keep safe while browsing the Internet using Firefox, please follow this guide:

1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. On top menu, click on Tools. Then select Options from the list.
3. Select Security and put a check mark on the following items:

• Warn me when sites try to install add-ons
• Block reported attack sites
• Block reported web forgeries

Install a Decent Anti-malware Program

After successfully removing XP Antispyware 2012 from the infected computer, it’s about time to keep it that way. To prevent the malware from coming back, you must protect the computer with anti-malware program. It does not only guard malware but also keep your private data safe while browsing the web.

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