Windows Private Shield

Last Update: May 21, 2012 webmaster 1

Windows Private Shield is a bad software in disguise. It will produce fake findings on security status of the PC and tries to elude victims that there are a number of threats in it. No matter how convincing the tactics may be, please bear in mind that it is still a rogue program. This kind of software is created in the sole purpose of persuading computer users into buying a useless product, and that includes Windows Private Shield.

The malware on this topic originates from a large group of fake security programs. There are a hundreds clones of it. In fact, this is a name-changing virus that contains similar console and infection process. Most of the time, their authors will use a Trojan so that these malware may reach a target computer. Also, there are a number of this malware that you may download from public servers if you are not cautious when using the Internet.

To protect your system against Windows Private Shield, we highly recommend that you obtain a protective version of genuine anti-malware program. Moreover, if the malware has already invaded the computer, we suggest the same solution. Because anti-malware does not only protect, it is widely used as malware remover that has vast resources in removing threats like Windows Private Shield.

Type	Rogue
Sub-Type	FakeAV
OS Affected	Windows

What are the Symptoms of Windows Private Shield Infection?

Here is how the malware will look like once it is installed and running on your computer.

It will modify Windows Registry and add the following entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run “Inspector”
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Settings “UID” = “rudbxijemb”
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\ashDisp.exe
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\divx.exe
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWAREHKEY_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\_avpcc.exe
\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\mostat.exe

The threat will drop the following malicious files:
%CommonStartMenu%\Programs\Windows Private Shield.lnk
%Desktop%\Windows Private Shield.lnk
%AppData%\W34r34mt5h21ef.dat
%AppData%\result.db
%AppData%\Protector-[random 3 chars].exe
%AppData%\Protector-[random 4 chars].exe
%AppData%\NPSWF32.dll

Follow these Procedures to Remove Windows Private Shield

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 Windows Private Shield 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 Windows Private Shield files with SuperAntiSpyware

We have provided a tool that you can use to remove Windows Private Shield from the computer in a much simpler way. Click the Download SAS button below to obtain the free version from their official server.

1. Download the portable version of SuperAntiSpyware.

2. Save the file on your hard drive. SAS portable is using random filename so that it can elude malware from blocking your download. When finished downloading, double-click on the file to install the program.
3. There is no need to change anything on the setup process. Just install the program with its default configuration.

4. During installation, SuperAntiSpyware will check for database update from their server. It needs an Internet connection during this process.
5. After the setup. SAS will run and is now ready to scan the computer for harmful components related to Windows Private Shield.
6. Click on Scan your Computer... to begin the process.

7. When done scanning, it will display a list of identified infected items. You may remove it directly or place them in quaratine folder.
8. You may now restart the computer.

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 Windows Private Shield 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.

Protect your PC from Windows Private Shield 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 Windows Private Shield 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

Windows Antivirus 2012 has found critical process Windows Pro Safety Release