System Repair Virus (2013)

What is System Repair?

System Repair is a fake hard drive scanner that displays fabricated hard disk drive errors with the purpose of scaring PC users into purchasing the full version. When this rogue infiltrates users' computers, it modifies the operating system settings and registry entries, configuring itself to start automatically on each system start-up.

Moreover, System Repair hides users' desktop icons and Start menu entries. These tactics are employed to give the appearance that the system has acquired serious hard drive-related issues. Note that System Repair does not delete computer users' files - it simply hides them.

This rogue hard drive scanner is similar to fake antivirus programs, however, it uses slightly different tactics in order to coerce users into paying for the full version.

Whilst fake antivirus software generally mimics the detection of various viruses and Trojans, System Repair supposedly 'identifies' hardware issues. In both cases, the rogue software is developed in the hope that computer users will fall for these alerts and pay for the full versions in order to fix their computers.

If you see System Repair running on your computer, your PC is infected with a rogue hard drive scanner. Ignore the warning messages and statements regarding potential data loss possibilities - this is a scam. The correct way to deal with System Repair is to eliminate it from your computer.

System Repair is distributed using Trojans, malicious websites,and drive-by downloads. To protect your PC from this rogue software, always use legitimate antivirus and anti-spyware programs. Keep your computer operating system and installed software up-to-date - this drastically reduces the chances of security issues arising.

The System Repair fake system optimizer originates from a family of rogues called Rogue.FakeHDD. Previous variants were called File Recovery and Data Recovery. Note that none of the error messages displayed by this software are authentic. Therefore, use the removal guide provided to eliminate this scam from your PC.

A fake error messages generated by System Repair:

Windows detected a hard disk problem.
A potential disk failure may cause loss of files, applications and documents stored on the hard disk. Please try not to use this computer until the hard disk is fixed or replaced. Scan and fix (recommended) Cancel and reboot.

Hard Drive Failure - The system has detected a problem with one or more installed IDE/SATA hard disks. It is recommended that you restart the system.

Your computer is in critical state. Hard disk error detected. As a result it can lead to hard disk failure and potential loss of data. It is highly recommended to repair all found errors to prevent loss of lives, applications and documents stored on your computer.

Hard drive boot sector reading error - During I/O system initialisation, the boot device driver might have failed to initialise the boot device. File system initialisation might have failed because it did not recognise the data on the boot device.

System block were not found - This has most likely occurred because of hard disk failure. This may also lead to a potential loss of data.

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Quick menu:

• What is System Repair?
• STEP 1. Remove System Repair using a registration key.
• STEP 2. Remove System Repair using Safe Mode with Networking.
• STEP 3. Restore hidden desktop icons.

System Repair removal:

Wait for System Repair to finish its fake hard disk drive scan, click "Repair 7 Issues" button, in the opened window choose "I already have an activation code. Click here to activate" and enter this information (use one of the provided registry keys):

Registration E-mail: mail@email.com

Activation Key:
56723489134092874867245789235982
08869246386344953972969146034087
08467206738602987934024759008355

By entering this information you will make the removal process of System Repair less complicated. This rogue software will behave as if you have already purchased the full version and will stop generating fake error messages, thus allowing you to run your installed software, etc.

Note that entering the retrieved registry key does not remove System Repair from your computer. Use the button below to download the recommended malware removal software, install it ,and run a full system scan to completely remove this rogue from your PC.

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

Notice that System Repair hides some of your files (desktop shortcuts, Start Menu items, etc.) If after the removal of the rogue, you cannot find your files, please use the following instructions.

If you were unable to remove System Repair using the provided instructions, follow these steps:

System Repair removal using Safe Mode with Networking:

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.

Video showing how to start Windows 7 in "Safe Mode with Networking":

2. Click Start then click Run. (Click Windows logo in Windows 7 and Windows Vista)

In Windows XP, when the Run dialogue appears, enter this text: www.pcrisk.com/download-spyware-remover and then press ENTER. In Windows 7 and Windows Vista you can type this line directly into the search field and then press ENTER.

After pressing enter, the File download dialogue of recommended malware removal software will appear. Click Run and follow the on-screen instructions.

3. After removing System Repair, reset your Hosts file:

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 seeing legitimate URLs in address bar. It is difficult to determine sites are genuine when the Hosts file is modified.

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

Complete these steps if after removal of System Repair your Desktop icons or files are hidden:

Step 1
System Repair hides most user files. If you cannot see your files, do not panic - your files are not removed, they are simply hidden.

After removing this rogue, please download and run this tool to unhide your files (download link below). It is important to run this tool only when System Repair has been removed from your computer. This unhide files tool is useless if run on an infected computer.

When the unhide files tool finishes, your windows desktop icons may still be missing. To fix missing desktop items, download this .REG file. Double click it, click "Yes", and then click "OK". Reboot your computer, and your desktop should now be visible.

Step 2
Reboot your computer and check if everything is OK. Check to see if you can locate all of your files, and if some remain missing, open My Computer, Click Tools, then select Folder Options... and under View tab select radio button "Show hidden files and folders", press OK.

Now you will see all hidden files and folders. To unhide them, Right click on the file or folder, select Properties and uncheck "Hidden" Check box.

That's it! You're done.

Additional removal instructions that can be used to eliminate System Repair:

Remove System Repair using a new user account.

System Repair removal using System Restore.

System Repair removal using a Rescue Disk.

If you cannot access the Internet, please follow these instructions.

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 system repair rogue and other rogue antivirus programs:

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

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