XP Defender Pro

March 19, 2010 webmaster Rogue, 0

What is XP Defender Pro?

XP Defender Pro also known as XP Defender, is a forged program that uses harmful means of invading a computer. XP Defender Pro will alter various system and Internet browser settings. It will also make changes on the system registry so that it will run each time Windows is started. User of the infected PC will see continuous pop-up alerts and warning messages coming from the Windows taskbar as it keeps on endorsing XP Defender Pro. It states that having this product is the only way to resolve computer problems. Internet browser will also be redirected to various fake error web pages that will lead users into downloading another security risk.

Remove XP Defender Pro immediately with your trusted anti-virus and anti-malware programs. Update them to have a better database and bale to recognize linked files presently residing on computer. Never purchase XP Defender Pro because it will not help in resolving computer issues. It was not designed to protect the system neither remove a virus from it.

Type	Rogue
Sub-Type	FakeAV
OS Affected	Windows

What are the Symptoms of XP Defender Pro Infection?

A self-run virus scan will be displayed by XP Defender Pro and alarms user of various threats detected.

It will modify Windows Registry and add the following entries:

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe\shell\open\command “(Default)” = “%UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\ave.exe” /START “%1″ %*
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\secfile\shell\open\command “(Default)” = “%UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\ave.exe” /START “%1″ %*
• HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe\shell\open\command “(Default)” = “%UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\ave.exe” /START “%1″ %*
• HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\secfile\shell\open\command “(Default)” = “%UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\ave.exe” /START “%1″ %*
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\FIREFOX.EXE\shell\open\command “(Default)” = “%UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\ave.exe” /START “%Program Files%\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe”
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\FIREFOX.EXE\shell\safemode\command “(Default)” = “%UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\ave.exe” /START “%Program Files%\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe” -safe-mode
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\IEXPLORE.EXE\shell\open\command “(Default)” = “%UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\ave.exe” /START “%Program Files%\Internet Explorer\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 file:

• %UserProfile%\AppData\Local\ave.exe
• C:\Program Files\XP Defender Pro

Follow these Procedures to Remove XP Defender Pro

Procedure 1: Manual Removal

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

2. Remove Registry entries added by XP Defender Pro. 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.
- Restart Windows.

Procedure 2: Scan PC with Removal Tool

To remove XP Defender Pro, download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 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 Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

Protect your PC from XP Defender Pro or Similar Attack

Turn On Security Features of your Internet Browser

For safe browsing, each browser programs have their own features for blocking malicious Internet traffic. This feature is capable of detecting whether the site you are trying to visit is listed as harmful and infected with viruses. Phishing and malware web sites will not escape the filtering applied by your browser if the feature is active. Here are the safety features for corresponding Internet browsers.

• Internet Explorer - Smart Screen Filter
  This feature of Internet Explorer will check web pages for harmful entities. SmartScreen Filter immediately alerts you if it found the page suspicious. View complete information from this page.
• Google Chrome - Phishing and Malware Protection
  Safe browsing feature of Google Chrome uses a technology that protects the computer against virus and malware attacks that may arise while browsing the web. Click here to activate this feature.
• Mozilla Firefox - Block Attack Site and Web Forgeries

Install a Decent Anti-malware Program

Aside from having up-to-date anti-virus software, your computer will be safer if it is protected by anti-malware program. Anti-malware not just blocks malicious files from entering the computer but also checks if the web site you are trying to visit contains harmful elements.

XP Smart Security 2010 XP Security Tool