Windows Prime Booster

What is Prime Booster?

Windows Prime Booster is a fake antivirus program, which uses fake security scans in order to scare PC users into purchasing a useless license key. This rogue program is created by cyber criminals and should not be trusted. Computer users should be aware that none of the security infections supposedly 'identified' by this program actually exist on their systems.

Windows Prime Booster mimics the detection of identical security threats on each computer infiltrated. This bogus software often infects users' operating systems via fake online security scanners in an attempt to trick PC users into downloading the rogue antivirus program.

Immediately following successful infiltration, Windows Prime Booster restarts the operating system and loads automatically on the next system Startup.

The program blocks users' desktops and imitates a legitimate antivirus program by performing a fake computer security scan. The main purpose of this scam is to trick users into 'activating ultimate protection' (purchasing a license key) for the fake security scanner.

Paying for the full version of Windows Prime Booster is equivalent to sending your money to cyber criminals - you will lose your money and your computer will remain infected with a rogue antivirus program.

PC users who have already paid for this scam should contact their credit card company and dispute the charges, explaining that they have been tricked into purchasing a fake antivirus program.

Windows Prime Booster originates from a family of fake security scanners called FakeVimes. Previous variants were named Windows Virtual Protector, Windows Accelerator Pro, Windows Premium Shield, and Windows Efficiency Console.

To avoid system infection with rogue antivirus programs such as these, keep your operating system and installed programs up-to-date. In addition, use legitimate antivirus and anti-spyware programs.

Computer users who observe Windows Prime Booster scanning their computers for security infections should ignore this program and use the removal guide provided to eliminate this scam from their computers.

Windows Prime Booster blocking execution of Internet Explorer and other installed programs:

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Quick menu:

• What is Prime Booster?
• STEP 1. Prime Booster removal - deleting safe-[random letters].exe file.
• STEP 2. Remove Prime Booster using a registration key.
• STEP 3. Remove Prime Booster using Safe Mode with Networking.

Windows Prime Booster removal:

Complete these steps to access your desktop:

1. Wait until Windows Prime Booster completes the fake security scan and click "Settings" (at the top of the main window).

2. Select "Allow unprotected Startup".

3. After selecting "Allow unprotected Startup", close Windows Prime Booster.

4. Access "My Computer". Double click on "My Computer" icon.

5. Navigate to C:\Users\[YOUR USER NAME]\AppData\Roaming

6. Locate a file named "safe-[random letters].exe" and click your right mouse button over this file.

7. In the opened menu select "Rename". Change the filename of "safe-[random letters].exe" to "fake.exe".

8. After renaming the "proto-[random letters].exe" file, restart your computer. Next time the operating system boots, Windows Prime Booster will be inactive and not block access to Internet.

6. Download legitimate anti-spyware software to completely remove this rogue antivirus program from your computer.

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.

Windows Prime Booster removal using a registry key:

1. Click on the question mark icon (at the top of the main window of Windows Prime Booster) and select "Register".

2. In the opened window, enter this registry key: 0W000-000B0-00T00-E0001

3. After entering this registry key, Windows Prime Booster will mimic the removal of previously 'detected' security threats and allow execution of installed programs. Note that entering this registration key will not remove this rogue antivirus program - it simply makes the removal process less complicated.

4. Download legitimate anti-spyware software to completely remove Windows Prime Booster from your computer.

Windows Prime Booster removal using Safe Mode with Networking:

Step 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":

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

Step 2

Remove proxy settings from Internet Explorer. This rogue antivirus adds a proxy to the user's Internet connection settings in order to display various errors when attempting to access the Internet. To remove proxy settings: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. In the opened menu select "Internet Options".

In the opened window select the "Connections" tab.

In the "Connections" tab, click on "LAN settings".

If "Use a proxy server for your LAN" is checked, uncheck it and click OK.

Step 3

Download legitimate anti-spyware software to completely remove this fake antivirus program from your computer.

Step 4

After removing this rogue software, reset your Hosts file. Do not skip this step, since Windows Prime Booster modifies your Hosts files and you will encounter browser redirect problems if malicious entries are not eliminated.

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:

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 windows prime booster virus and other rogue antivirus programs:

To protect your computer from windows prime booster virus 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.

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