Removal instructions for XP Security 2012 (and its clones)

[Metallica]

Please note that this rogue uses many names which depend on your version of Windows, among others.

If your computer is running Windows XP you can follow the instructions below. If your computer is running Windows Vista or Windows 7, please follow the instructions posted here.

What is XP Security 2012?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that XP Security 2012 is a fake anti-malware application. These so-called "rogues" use intentional false positives to convince users that their systems have been compromised. Then they try to sell you their software, claiming it will remove these threats. In extreme cases the false threats are actually the very trojans that advertise or even directly install the rogue. You are strongly advised to follow our removal instructions below.

How do I know if I am infected with XP Security 2012?

This is how the main screen of the rogue application looks:

You will find this icon in your taskbar:

And see these warnings:

How did XP Security 2012 get on my computer?

Rogue programs use different methods for spreading themselves. This particular one was installed by a trojan.

How do I remove XP Security 2012?

Please download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware from here

If you are unable to do this from the infected computer directly, transfer the file from another computer.

Download the mbam-setup.exe to your desktop.

Now make sure extensions are shown. To do this, please look here

Then rename the mbam-setup.exe: to mbam-setup.com:

Then launch mbam-setup.com in order to install Malwarebytes' Anti-malware

Once Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is installed, navigate to your Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware folder and locate the mbam.exe in there:

rename it to mbam.com:

Now doubleclick mbam.com to launch Malwarebytes' Anti-malware.

• Click the "Update" tab and click the "Check For updates" button.
  
• Once the program has loaded and updates were downloaded, select "Perform Quick Scan", then click Scan.
  
• The scan may take some time to finish,so please be patient.
  
• When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
  
• Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
  
• When disinfection is completed, a log will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to Restart, so please allow MBAM to restart.
  
• The log is automatically saved by MBAM and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.
  

You will be prompted to reboot the computer. Once this has been done, please rename mbam.com back to mbam.exe.

You'll see that it will be able to run again.

Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of XP Security 2012?

• No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes XP Security 2012 completely.
  

How would the full version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware help protect me?

We hope our application has helped you eradicate this malicious software. If your current security solution let this infection through, you might please consider purchasing the FULL version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware for additional protection.

As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware would have protected you against the XP Security 2012 rogue. It would have warned you before the rogue could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.

Technical details for experts

Signs in a HijackThis log:

One running process with a non-revealing name.

Alterations made by the installer:

  File System
  ===============
    In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data
      Adds the file 157850g1p046c522p184r5dtv4q8"="10:00 30/11/11 7334 bytes
    In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Application Data
      Adds the file 157850g1p046c522p184r5dtv4q8"="10:00 30/11/11 7334 bytes
    In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Temp
      Adds the file 157850g1p046c522p184r5dtv4q8"="10:00 30/11/11 7334 bytes

  Registry
  ===============
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe\DefaultIcon]
      "(Default)"="'%1'"
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe\shell\runas\command]
      "IsolatedCommand"="'"%1" %*'"
      "(Default)"="'"%1" %*'"
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe\shell\open\command]
      "IsolatedCommand"="'"%1" %*'"
      "(Default)"="'"C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\hml.exe" -a "%1" %*'"
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile]
      "Content Type"="'application/x-msdownload'"
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command]
      "IsolatedCommand"="'"%1" %*'"
      "(Default)
        '"%1" %*' ==> '"C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\hml.exe" -a "%1" %*'"
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\runas\command]
      "IsolatedCommand"="'"%1" %*'"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\IEXPLORE.EXE\shell\open\command]
      "(Default)
        'C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe' ==> '"C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\hml.exe" -a "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe"'"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\ESENT\Process\hml\DEBUG]
      "Trace Level"=""
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe]
      "Content Type"="'application/x-msdownload'"
      "(Default)"="'exefile'"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe\shell\runas\command]
      "IsolatedCommand"="'"%1" %*'"
      "(Default)"="'"%1" %*'"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe\shell\open\command]
      "IsolatedCommand"="'"%1" %*'"
      "(Default)"="'"C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\hml.exe" -a "%1" %*'"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe\DefaultIcon]
      "(Default)"="'%1'"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\exefile]
      "Content Type"="'application/x-msdownload'"
      "(Default)"="'Application'"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\exefile\shell\runas\command]
      "IsolatedCommand"="'"%1" %*'"
      "(Default)"="'"%1" %*'"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\exefile\shell\open\command]
      "IsolatedCommand"="'"%1" %*"'
      "(Default)"="'"C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\hml.exe" -a "%1" %*'"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\exefile\DefaultIcon]
      "(Default)"="'%1'"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows]
      "Identity"="168691820"

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.51.2.1300
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: 8277

Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702

11/30/2011 10:08:43 AM
mbam-log-2011-11-30 (10-08-43).txt

Scan type: Quick scan
Objects scanned: 141741
Time elapsed: 1 minute(s), 8 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 1
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 0
Registry Values Infected: 1
Registry Data Items Infected: 2
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 1

Memory Processes Infected:
c:\documents and settings\{username}\Desktop\hml.exe (Trojan.FakeMS) -> 1436 -> Unloaded process successfully.

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Infected:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe\shell\open\command\(default) (Hijack.ExeFile) -> Value: (default) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Data Items Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\IEXPLORE.EXE\shell\open\command\(default) (Hijack.StartMenuInternet) -> Bad: ("C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\hml.exe" -a "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe") Good: (iexplore.exe) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command\(default) (Broken.OpenCommand) -> Bad: ("C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\hml.exe" -a "%1" %*) Good: ("%1" %*) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
c:\documents and settings\{username}\Desktop\hml.exe (Trojan.FakeMS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

As mentioned before the full version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware could have protected your computer against this threat.

We use different ways of protecting your computer(s):

• Dynamically Blocks Malware Sites & Servers
  
• Malware Execution Prevention
  

Save yourself the hassle and get protected.

[Metallica]

This is a list of all the different names that you may find on this rogue:

XP Antispyware 2012

Vista Antispyware 2012

Win 7 Antispyware 2012

XP Antivirus 2012

Vista Antivirus 2012

Win 7 Antivirus 2012

XP Security 2012

Vista Security 2012

Win 7 Security 2012

XP Home Security 2012

Vista Home Security 2012

Win 7 Home Security 2012

XP Internet Security 2012

Vista Internet Security 2012

Win 7 Internet Security 2012

Thanks to Grinler for making that list.

If you come across any names that we may have missed, feel free to PM me.