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What is Windows AntiVirus Helper?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Windows AntiVirus Helper 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 AntiVirus Helper?

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

main.png

You will find this icon in your taskbar:

icons.png

And see these warnings:

warning1.png

warning2.png

warning3.png

warning4.png

How did Windows AntiVirus Helper get on my computer?

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

How do I remove Windows AntiVirus Helper?

Our program Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can detect and remove this rogue application. But since the rogue blocks all other programs you will have to boot into "Safe mode with networking".

Once you are in safe mode, you can continue with the instructions below.

  • 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 AntiVirus Helper?
  • No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes Windows AntiVirus Helper 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 AntiVirus Helper rogue. It would have warned you before the rogue could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.

protection1.png

Technical details for experts

Signs in a HijackThis log:

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ZSFT] C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\svc-ehnf.exe
Note: The filename is semi-random and looks like this: svc-****.exe where the asterisks represent a random letter.

Alterations made by the installer:

  File System  ===============    In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data      Adds the file data.sec"="06:58 05/03/14 2605 bytes      Adds the file svc-ehnf.exe"="23:22 27/02/14 1073152 bytes  Registry  ===============    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\k9filter.exe]      "Debugger"="'c:\windows\1.EXE'"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\mpcmdrun]      "Debugger"="'c:\windows\1.EXE'"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\mpsvc.dll]      "Debugger"="'c:\windows\1.EXE'"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\mpuxsrv.exe]      "Debugger"="'c:\windows\1.EXE'"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\msascui]      "Debugger"="'c:\windows\1.EXE'"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\msascui.exe]      "Debugger"="'"c:\windows\1.exe" /z'"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\MSconfig.exe]      "Debugger"="'c:\windows\1.EXE'"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\msmpeng.exe]      "Debugger"="'"c:\windows\1.exe" /z'"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\MSseces]      "Debugger"="'c:\windows\1.EXE'"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\bckd]      "ImagePath"="'33.sys'"    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]      "ZSFT"="'C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\svc-ehnf.exe'"
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.75.0.1300www.malwarebytes.orgDatabase version: v2014.03.05.02Windows XP Service Pack 3 x86 NTFSInternet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702{username} :: MBAM-D3E8C91ACC [administrator]3/5/2014 7:04:46 AMmbam-log-2014-03-05 (07-04-46).txtScan type: Quick scanScan options enabled: Memory | Startup | Registry | File System | Heuristics/Extra | Heuristics/Shuriken | PUP | PUMScan options disabled: P2PObjects scanned: 244848Time elapsed: 1 minute(s), 39 second(s)Memory Processes Detected: 0(No malicious items detected)Memory Modules Detected: 0(No malicious items detected)Registry Keys Detected: 10HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\k9filter.exe (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\mpcmdrun (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\mpsvc.dll (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\mpuxsrv.exe (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\msascui (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\msascui.exe (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\MSconfig.exe (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\msmpeng.exe (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\MSseces (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\BCKD (Trojan.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.Registry Values Detected: 1HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\bckd|ImagePath (Trojan.Agent) -> Data: 33.sys -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.Registry Data Items Detected: 0(No malicious items detected)Folders Detected: 0(No malicious items detected)Files Detected: 2C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\svc-ehnf.exe (Trojan.FakeAlert.RRE) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\data.sec (Malware.Trace.E) -> 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.
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