Antivirus Smart Protection

What is Antivirus Smart Protection?

Antivirus Smart Protection is a clone of its previous versions, Malware Protection Center, Internet Security Guard, and Home Security Solutions. Like its predecessors, Antivirus Smart Protection is a fake computer security program that attempts to sell a non existent license to unsuspecting computer users.

The core purpose and functionality of this bogus computer program is similar to previous versions: the rogue scanner self-installs on your computer without approval and modifies the registry of your operating system so that you are forced to observe a fake security scan each time you start your computer.

To further scare you into believing that your computer has security issues, Antivirus Smart Protection mimics the detection of various malware and spyware on your computer.

Do not attempt to remove the 'detected' files manually - this rogue program merely imitates the process of a security scan, and you should not trust the results. By removing the 'detected' files manually, you could harm your operating system. The interface of Antivirus Smart Protection is 'borrowed' from the legitimate antivirus program, Microsoft Security Essentials.

This devious tactic is designed to trick less computer literate people into believing that it is a real security program. Following the fake security scan, you are asked to purchase a license for Antivirus Smart Protection in order to remove the supposedly detected threats.

Do not buy it - it is a scam. If you have already paid for Antivirus Smart Security, contact your credit card company and dispute the charges, explaining that you have been tricked into buying a fake computer security program. Use this removal guide to completely remove Antivirus Smart Protection from your computer.

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Quick menu:

• What is Antivirus Smart Protection?
• STEP 1. Remove Antivirus Smart Protection using a registration key.
• STEP 2. Remove Antivirus Smart Protection using Safe Mode with Networking.

Antivirus Smart Protection removal:

Before downloading, enter the Antivirus Smart Protection registration key in the registration window. Click the Help icon (at the top right corner of the main window of Antivirus Smart Protection), then click Register Now.

U2FD-S2LA-H4KA-UEPB
or
K7LY-R5GU-SI9D-EVFB

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.

Antivirus Smart Protection 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: [Antivirus Smart Protection] “%AllUsersProfile%\\_.exe” /s /d

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 Antivirus Smart Protection from your computer.

6. After removing Antivirus Smart Protection, reset your Hosts file. Do not skip this step, since 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 websites, despite observing legitimate URLs in address bar.

It is difficult to determine if a site is genuine when the Hosts file is modified. 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 antivirus smart protection rogue and other rogue antivirus programs:

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

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