Smart Engine

Last Update: May 31, 2012 webmaster 1

Smart Engine is a notorious type of security program found to be coming from the same group who created My Security Shield. The malware will attempt to play tricks on victim’s real-time protection by acting the same as real antivirus. It will detect threats that are not present on the computer only to prove its worth. In short, Smart Engine will employ deceptive tactics to persuade users. Among the things it will produce are fake scan results and bogus security alerts.

This potentially unwanted software will be installed on the target computer by another Trojan infection. Typically, it infects a computer who visits unknown
websites and fake anti-virus web pages. Some malicious web sites will pose as a multimedia hosts that allows visitors to view free video. It will prompt
visitors to download a player required to watch the movie. Thus, the malware will get inside once users execute the advice.

No matter how Smart Engine got into the system, its payload is constant and damaging.

Type	Rogue
Sub-Type	FakeAV
OS Affected	Windows XP, Windows Vista

What are the Symptoms of Smart Engine Infection?

It will modify Windows Registry and add the following entry/entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\3
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{3F2BBC05-40DF-11D2-9455-00104BC936FF}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MS345d_2129.DocHostUIHandler
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes “URL” = “http://findgala.com/?&uid=2129&q={searchTerms}”
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes “URL” = “http://findgala.com/?&uid=2129&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 “control/7.02129″
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run “Smart Engine”
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes “URL” = “http://findgala.com/?&uid=2129&q={searchTerms}”
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Download “CheckExeSignatures” = “no”

The threat will drop the following malicious files:
%UserProfile%\AppData\Smart Engine\cookies.sqlite
%UserProfile%\AppData\Smart Engine\Instructions.ini
%UserProfile%\Recent\cid.drv
%UserProfile%\Recent\DBOLE.exe
%UserProfile%\Recent\delfile.sys
%UserProfile%\Recent\fan.dll
%UserProfile%\Recent\grid.sys
%UserProfile%\Recent\kernel32.exe
%UserProfile%\Recent\kernel32.sys
%UserProfile%\Recent\PE.dll
%UserProfile%\Recent\runddlkey.drv
%UserProfile%\Recent\SICKBOY.drv
%UserProfile%\Recent\std.dll
%UserProfile%\Recent\tjd.sys

Follow these Procedures to Remove Smart Engine

Procedure 1: Manual Removal

For users with technical skills in dealing with computer problems, executing this manual removal is enough to stop the malware. However, we highly recommend running anti-malware scan to remove other hidden files. For users who are not tech-savvy, you must skip this step. Start on Procedure 2 and proceed onwards. Automatic removal takes longer to accomplish but is less difficult to execute.

1. Restart your computer in Safe Mode with Networking

- After turning On the power of the computer, just before Windows start, press F8.
- From the selections, choose Safe Mode with Networking. Please use keyboard's arrow up/down to navigate between selections and press Enter to proceed.

2. Remove Registry entries that the threat added. You MUST BACKUP YOUR REGISTRY FIRST.
- Press [Windows Key] + [R] on your keyboard.

- Type regedit in the Open box.
- Navigate and look for the registry entries mentioned above and delete if found.

3. Delete malicious files that the threat added:
- Base on the given location above, browse and delete all Smart Engine 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.

4. Scan computer with Antivirus Program
- Connect to the Internet and update your anti-virus program.
- Run a scan on the computer and delete all detected threats.

Procedure 2: Scan and remove Smart Engine files with MalwareBytes Anti-Malware

To remove Smart Engine, download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware by clicking on the button below. This tool is effective in getting rid of Trojans, viruses and malware.

1. Save the file on your hard drive or any accessible location.
2. Install the program after downloading. Setup with default configuration, there is no need to change anything.
3. Before the installation completes, please put a check mark on "download update."
4. It will launch on itself after installation. The tool will also initiate an update and will require connection to its server.
5. Thoroughly scan the computer and remove all threats detected by this anti-malware program. If it requires you to reboot Windows, please proceed.

Procedure 3: Run Another Scan Using RogueKiller

1. Click the button below to Download the program RogueKiller. This tool is effective in finding malware components left inside your computer.

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

Note: When using Internet Explorer 8 or 9, SmartScreen Filter will alert you that the file is "not commonly downloaded and could harm your computer." To proceed, please click on Actions. Select Run anyway from SmartScreen Filter pop-up.

3. During the first time of launching the software, it will run a scan check the computer for presence of threats. Let the scan to finish.

4. Click on the Scan button on right side of the console. See image below for reference. Be sure that you have check mark on MBR Scan, Check Faked, and AntiRootkit. RogueKiller will scan the computer for infected registry entries, driver, and files.

5. After scanning, the tool will display a list of identified threats. Please look at all the tabs to view infected components associated with Smart Engine and other threats.

6. Select infected items and make sure that it has a check mark. Usually, the program will select all malicious items.

7. Click Delete on the Options area to remove selected items. Do the same on all tabs that contains infected elements.

8. Please restart Windows.

Troubleshooting Guides

Removing Smart Engine from an infected PC may not resolve all issues. Most of the time, there are inconsistencies left by the malware like disabled Internet connection, hidden files and folders, and missing shortcut icons. You may solve these errors by performing the following steps.

Fix and Restore Internet Connection After Smart Engine Infection

1. Please run RogueKiller once more./p>

2. Go to Options and click on the following buttons one at a time:

• Host Fix - The tool will restore the original Windows Hosts file.
• Proxy Fix - It will remove proxy settings on your Internet browser that was configured by the malware.
• DNS Fix - Clicking on this button will reverse changes made by the rogue program on your DNS Settings.

3. You may now restart the computer.

Steps to Restore Shortcut Links and Start Menu Icons

During the presence of Smart Engine, it will perform some changes on the registry that will result to missing shortcut links and Start menu icons. The following steps will help you restore these settings back to normal.

1. Open RogueKiller once again. We will use this tool to restore missing items in your Start menu and desktop.

2. Go to Options and click on the ShortcutsFix button. This will restore missing shortcut links and Start Menu icons. The scan would take a few minutes.

Unhide Non-System Files and Folders

Smart Engine 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: When using Internet Explorer 8 or 9, SmartScreen Filter will alert you that the file is "not commonly downloaded and could harm your computer." To proceed, please click on Actions. Select Run anyway from SmartScreen Filter pop-up.

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

Protect your PC from Smart Engine 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 Smart Engine 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's 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 Customize and control Google Chrome (3-Bars Icon) located on top right corner of the browser.
3. Select Settings from the drop-down list.
4. Once on the settings page, click on Show advanced settings... at the bottom of the page to see the rest of the Chrome setup.
5. Locate Privacy section and mark 'Enable phishing and malware protection'.

6. Please restart Google Chrome. New settings keep your browser safe while surfing the web.

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

License expiration error – pop up System Defragmenter