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Internet Security Essentials

Also Known As: Internet Security Essentials Rogue
Damage level: High

What is Internet Security Essentials?

Internet Security Essentials is a rogue anti-spyware program, which comes from a family of misleading applications called ‘Fake.Vimes’. It will report various fake infections and encourage you to purchase a fake license to eliminate these threats.

Ignore the warning messages, they are fake. Imitated security scans are run and security warning messages are displayed only to fool you.

Do not buy this program, it is a scam. You will lose your money and your PC will remain infected.

If you have already bought this fake program, you should contact your credit card company and dispute the charges. This fake scanner is distributed through infected websites.

Internet Security Essentials rogue program

After infection, this bogus program will modify your Hosts file so that you will be redirected when you try to access legitimate websites. This program will block your desktop and stop legitimate Windows applications from running.

This program is a total scam and you should remove it from your computer immediately. Internet Security Essentials is distributed by Internet criminals who use fake online security scanners to trick computer users into downloading and installing fake software. Fake online security scanner pop-ups are incorporated to direct users to misleading websites - these then serve as a distribution point for various malicious programs (including Internet Security Essentials).

Whilst this program may have the appearance of a legitimate security suite, it has no virus definition database, and thus no information regarding any security issues that may be on your computer. Internet Security Essentials has been proven to be a rogue program and it should be eliminated from your computer's hard drive.

Use the information provided to help you in the removal of this bogus program.

This bogus program displays the following security warning messages in an effort to persuade you to purchase a fake license:

“System Alert. Internet Security Essentials has detected potentially harmful software on your system. It is strongly recommended that you register Internet Security Essentials to remove all found threats immediately.”
“System Warning. No real-time malware, spyware, or virus protection was found. Click here to activate.”
“Warning! Identity theft attempt detected. Hidden connection IP: 128.154.26.11 Target: Microsoft Corporation keys.”
“Warning Warning! Virus detected.”

Ignore these fake warning messages and remove Internet Security Essentials from your computer as soon as possible.

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Quick menu:

Internet Security Essentials removal

1. Start your computer in Safe Mode. Click Start, click Shut Down, click Restart, click OK.

During your computer starting process press the F8 key on your keyboard multiple times until you see the Windows Advanced Option menu, then select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.

alt

2. Open Internet Explorer, click Tools and select Internet Options. Select Connections, then click LAN settings, if 'Use a proxy server for your LAN' is checked, uncheck it and press OK.

internet-explorer-options internet explorer internet connections

internet options lan settings internet explorer proxy settings

3. Download legitimate anti-spyware software to fully remove Internet Security Essentials from your computer.

If you are unable to remove Internet Security Essentials, you can use these manual removal instructions. Use them at your own risk, since if you do not have strong computer knowledge, you could harm your operating system.

Use them only if you are an experienced computer user. (Instructions on how to end processes, remove registry entries...)

End these Internet Security Essentials processes:

[random].exe

Remove these Internet Security Essentials registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon "Shell" = "%UserProfile%\Application Data\[random].exe"

Delete these Internet Security Essentials files:

%UserProfile%\Application Data\[random].exe

Summary:

The fake antivirus programs (also known as "rogue antivirus programs" or "scareware") are applications that tries to lure computer users into paying for their non-existent full versions to remove the supposedly detected security infections (although the computer is actually clean). These bogus programs are created by cyber criminals who design them to look as legitimate antivirus software. Most commonly rogue antivirus programs infiltrate user's computer using poop-up windows or alerts which appear when users surf the Internet. These deceptive messages trick users into downloading a rogue antivirus program on their computers. Other known tactics used to spread scareware include exploit kits, infected email messages, online ad networks, drive-by downloads, or even direct calls to user's offering free support.

A computer that is infected with a fake antivirus program might also have other malware installed on it as rogue antivirus programs often are bundled with Trojans and exploit kits. Noteworthy that additional malware that infiltrates user's operating system remains on victim's computer regardless of whether a payment for a non-existent full version of a fake antivirus program is made. Here are some examples of fake security warning messages that are used in fake antivirus distribution:

Fake pop-up used in rogue antivirus distribution example 1

Fake pop-up used in rogue antivirus distribution example 2

Computer users who are dealing with a rogue security software shouldn't buy it's full version. By paying for a license key of a fake antivirus program users would send their money and banking information to cyber criminals. Users who have already entered their credit card number (or other sensitive information) when asked by such bogus software should inform their credit card company that they have been tricked into buying a rogue security software. Screenshot of a web page used to lure computer users into paying for a non-existent full version of internet security essentials rogue and other rogue antivirus programs:

example of a webpage used to collect payments for fake antivirus programs

To protect your computer from internet security essentials rogue and other rogue antivirus programs users should:

  • Keep their operating system and all of the installed programs up-to-date.
  • Use legitimate antivirus and anti-spyware programs.
  • Use caution when clicking on links in social networking websites and email messages.
  • Don't trust online pop-up messages which state that your computer is infected and offers you to download security software.

Symptoms indicating that your operating system is infected with a fake antivirus program:

  • Intrusive security warning pop-up messages.
  • Alerts asking to upgrade to a paid version of a program to remove the supposedly detected malware.
  • Slow computer performance.
  • Disabled Windows updates.
  • Blocked Task Manager.
  • Blocked Internet browsers or inability to visit legitimate antivirus vendor websites.

If you have additional information on internet security essentials rogue or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

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