Security Master AV

What is Security Master AV?

Security Master AV is a fake computer security program derived from the same family of bogus anti-spyware programs as Home Safety Essentials, Security Guard, My Security Engine, and many others. This rogue scanner was created by Internet criminals to imitate legitimate security programs and sell the non existent full version.

The most common tactic of proliferating Security Master AV is by using a misleading online security scanner pop-up.

Do not trust these online security scanner messages - they are part of a scam used to distribute fake security programs such as Security Master AV. When installed on your computer, this fake scanner modifies the registry of your operating system in order to block legitimate security programs, disable your Task Bar and other Windows functions.

Furthermore, it creates random files on your hard drive, which future fake security scans 'detect' as security threats. If you choose to remove these 'detected' threats after the mimicked security scan, you will be encouraged to purchase a license for Security Master AV.

Do not buy this license. Security Master AV is a typical rogue security scanner - useless in terms of security protection for your computer and you should remove it when you see its main window on your desktop.

Security Master AV will display the following fake security warning messages to scare you into believing that your computer has security issues:

"Warning! Virus detected. Threat Detected: Trojan-Spy.HTML.Citifraud"

"System alert. Suspicious software which may be malicious has been detected on your PC. Click here to remove this threat immediately using Security Master AV."

"Warning! Identity theft attempt detected. Hidden Connection IP: Security Risk: High Target: Microsoft Corporation Keys."

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Quick menu:

• What is Security Master AV?
• STEP 1. Remove Security Master AV using a registration key.
• STEP 2. Remove Security Master AV using Safe Mode with Networking.

Security Master AV virus removal:

Before downloading, enter the Security Master AV registration key in the registration window:

K7LY-H4KA-SI9D-U2FD

If you cannot download or run the spyware remover, try running the registry fix (link below). It enables execution of programs. Download the registryfix.reg file, double click it, click YES, and then OK.

"Security Master AV" virus removal instructions (on infected computer):

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.

Here is a video demonstrating how to start Windows in "Safe Mode with Networking":

Windows XP users:

Windows Vista / 7 users:

Windows 8 users:

2. Open Internet Explorer, click Tools and select Internet Options. Select "Connections".

 

 

3.Click LAN settings, if 'Use a proxy server for your LAN' is checked, uncheck it and press OK.

 

 

 

 

 4. Download HijackThis and save it to your desktop. Some malicious programs are able to block HijackThis, so when you click the download link, in the Save dialog, rename HijackThis.exe to iexplore.exe and only then click the Save button.

After saving the file to your desktop, double click it. In the main HijackThis window click the “Do a system scan only” button. Select the following entry (place a tick at the left of the entry):

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Security Master AV] "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\345d567\SM345d.exe"

After selecting the required entry, click "Fix Checked". After this procedure you can close HijackThis and proceed to the next removal step.

5. Download legitimate anti-spyware software to fully remove Security Master AV from your computer.

6. After removing Security Master AV, reset your Hosts file. Do not skip this step, as this malware modifies your Hosts file, and you will encounter browser redirect problems.

The Hosts file is used to resolve canonical names of websites to IP addresses. When it is changed, the user may be redirected to malicious sites, despite observing valid URLs in address bar. When the Hosts file is modified, it is difficult to determine if the site is genuine.

To fix this, please download the Microsoft FixIt tool, that restores your Hosts file to the Windows default.Run this tool when downloaded and follow the on-screen instructions. The download link is below:

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:

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 security master antivirus and other rogue antivirus programs:

To protect your computer from security master antivirus 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 security master antivirus or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

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