Removal instructions for Windows Efficiency Reservoir

[Metallica]

What is Windows Efficiency Reservoir?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Windows Efficiency Reservoir 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 Windows Efficiency Reservoir?

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

You will find these icons on your desktop and in your taskbar:

And see these warnings:

How did Windows Efficiency Reservoir get on my computer?

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

How do I remove Windows Efficiency Reservoir?

Our program Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can detect and remove this rogue application.

• Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to your desktop.
  
• Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
  
• At the end, be sure a check-mark is placed next to the following:
  
  • Update Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
    
  • Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
    

  [*]Then click Finish.

  [*]If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.

  [*]Once the program has loaded, select Perform quick scan, then click Scan.

  [*]When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.

  [*]Be sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected. Reboot your computer if prompted.

  [*]When completed, a log will open in Notepad. The rogue application should now be gone.

Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of Windows Efficiency Reservoir?

• No, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware removes Windows Efficiency Reservoir 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 Windows Efficiency Reservoir 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:

C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Protector-ogpl.exe

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Inspector] C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Protector-ogpl.exe

Alterations made by the installer:

File System
===============
In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs
Adds the file Windows Efficiency Reservoir.lnk"="13:30 07/04/12 873 bytes
In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data
Adds the file Protector-ogpl.exe"="13:30 07/04/12 2068480 bytes
Adds the file result.db"="13:31 07/04/12 580 bytes
Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Macromedia\Flash Player\macromedia.com\support\flashplayer\sys\#local
Adds the file settings.sol"="13:30 07/04/12 102 bytes
In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop
Adds the file Windows Efficiency Reservoir.lnk"="13:30 07/04/12 841 bytes

Registry
===============
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\system]
"ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin"="0"
"ConsentPromptBehaviorUser"="0"
"EnableLUA"="0"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\_avp32.exe]
"Debugger"="'svchost.exe'"
< hundreds more of these >
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\reged.exe]
"Debugger"="'svchost.exe'"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\regedit.exe]
"Debugger"="'C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Protector-ogpl.exe reg'"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\taskmgr.exe]
"Debugger"="'C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Protector-ogpl.exe task'"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"Inspector"="'C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Protector-ogpl.exe'"

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.60.1.1000
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: v2012.04.07.04

Windows XP Service Pack 3 x86 NTFS
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702
{username} :: MBAM-D3E8C91ACC [administrator]

4/7/2012 1:35:48 PM
mbam-log-2012-04-07 (13-35-48).txt

Scan type: Quick scan
Scan options enabled: Memory | Startup | Registry | File System | Heuristics/Extra | Heuristics/Shuriken | PUP | PUM
Scan options disabled: P2P
Objects scanned: 166085
Time elapsed: 57 second(s)

Memory Processes Detected: 1
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Protector-ogpl.exe (Rogue.FakeAV) -> 980 -> Delete on reboot.

Memory Modules Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Detected: 758
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\~2.exe (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
< hundreds more of those >
HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\IMAGE FILE EXECUTION OPTIONS\TASKMGR.EXE (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Values Detected: 2
HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run|Inspector (Rogue.FakeAV) -> Data: C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Protector-ogpl.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\taskmgr.exe|Debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Data: C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Protector-ogpl.exe task
-> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Data Items Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Files Detected: 4
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Protector-ogpl.exe (Rogue.FakeAV) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\setup2.exe (Rogue.Installer.SFXGen1) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\Windows Efficiency Reservoir.lnk (Rogue.WindowsEfficiencyReservoir) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Windows Efficiency Reservoir.lnk (Rogue.WindowsEfficiencyReservoir) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

(end)

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.