Total Vista Security

Total Vista Security is a potentially unwanted program that was promoted on its own website as a legitimate application. Total XP Security uses common trick as any other rogue security programs and that is via browser hijacking. Any search results will be pointed to a malicious online virus scanner websites that will function to download this malware on visitors computer. Once inside the system, Total XP Security will alter system settings and registry adding its own entry that will make itself to run when Windows is started. With this threat loaded, it is very much capable of updating itself by attempting to contact a remote server and download additional files. Enhanced Total XP Security can be able to kill any antivirus programs installed and make them unusable.

Be aware that this rogue program was created in the sole purpose of encouraging its victim to spend for the Total XP Security registration code. Expect that all of its activities on the infected computer was aimed to mislead users for the said purpose.

What are the Symptoms of Total Vista Security Infection?

A virus scan will be run just after its installation. “Infection found” will be displayed and prompt its victim to obtain the Total Vista Security activation key to remove these infections.

It will modify Windows Registry and add the following entries:

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe\shell\open\ command “(Default)” = “av.exe” /START “%1″ %*
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\secfile\shell\open\ command “(Default)” = “av.exe” /START “%1″ %*
• HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe\shell\open\command “(Default)” = “av.exe” /START “%1″ %*
• HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\secfile\shell\open\command “(Default)” = “av.exe” /START “%1″ %*
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\FIREFOX.EXE\shell\open\command “(Default)” = “av.exe” /START “firefox.exe”
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\FIREFOX.EXE\shell\safemode\command “(Default)” = “av.exe” /START “firefox.exe” -safe-mode
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\IEXPLORE.EXE\shell\open\command “(Default)” = “av.exe” /START “iexplore.exe”
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center “AntiVirusOverride” = “1″
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center “FirewallOverride” = “1″

The threat will drop the following malicious files:

• %UserProfile%\AppData\Local\av.exe
• %UserProfile%\AppData\Local\REgth7834T
• %UserProfile%\AppData\Local\[Random]

How to Remove Total Vista Security Manually

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

2. Remove Registry entries that the threat added. 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

3. 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.

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

How to Easily Remove Total Vista Security

1. Download and run Removal Tool to remove Total Vista Security