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Internet Defender

Also Known As: Internet Defender Rogue
Damage level: High

What is Internet Defender?

Internet Defender is a fake antivirus program that attempts to mimic a legitimate program called Windows Defender. Internet criminals have ‘borrowed’ the interface of a legitimate security program in order to trick unsuspecting computer users into purchasing a nonexistent license for their fake program called ‘Internet Defender’.

This program is distributed by various misleading methods. For example, your computer could have been infected with Internet Defender via online security scanners or fake program updates.

When installed, Internet Defender will block almost all Windows functions so that you will be unable to use your Internet browser and other functions.

Internet Defender fake antivirus program

When your computer is infected with this software, your desktop will be blocked and you will be unable to launch legitimate Windows programs. The easiest way to remove this rogue program from your PC is to enter a retrieved registration code.

Internet Defender will then behave as if you have purchased a license.

In addition, Internet Defender edits your Hosts file in such a way that when you enter legitimate websites, you are redirected to rogue ones. This program is a scam and you should remove it from your PC immediately.

This bogus program will perform fake security scans and display fake security messages in an attempt to persuade you to purchase a useless license. If you have bought this program, you should contact your credit card company and dispute the charges.

In certain cases, it is advisable to cancel your credit card, since hackers may use your entered banking information to steal further funds from your account. Internet Defender is rogue software, useless, and should be removed.

The following security warning messages will be shown if your computer is infected with Internet Defender:

 

“Internet Defender. External software is trying to control a variety of your system files. This may lead it to break into some of the data in your system. Click here to protect remote access to your PC and delete these programs.”
“Internet Defender. Spyware.IEMonster process found. The virus is going to send your passwords from Internet browser (Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Outlook, and others) to third parties. Click here for further protection of your data with Internet Defender.”
“Internet Defender Firewall Alert. Suspicious activity in your registry system space was detected. Rogue malware detected in your system. Data leaks and system damage are possible. Please use a deep scan option.”
“Internet Defender. Firewall Alert. Internet Defender has prevented a program from accessing the Internet. ‘iexplore.exe’ is infected with a Trojan. This worm has tried to use ‘iexplore.exe’ to connect to remove host and send your credit card information.”
“Internet Defender. Firewall Alert. Your computer is being attacked from a remote machine! Block Internet access to your computer to prevent system infection. Attacker IP: Attack type: RCPT exploit.”

 

 Ignore these fake warning messages and remove this bogus program from your computer as soon as possible.

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Quick menu:

Internet Defender removal:

Before downloading the remover for Internet Defender, enter a retrieved activation key. In a main window of Internet Defender, click the Activate button (the button is located at the top of the main window of this fake program) and enter this key: D13F-3B7D-B3C5-BD84 This will make the removal process of Internet Defender easier.

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

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

Video showing how to start Windows 8 in "Safe Mode with Networking":

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.

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

Other tools known to remove Internet Defender:

If you are unable to remove Internet Defender, 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 Defender processes:

[random].exe

Remove these Internet Defender registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run "[random]"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run "[random]"

Delete these Internet Defender files:

[random]_.mkv
[random].avi
[random].ico
[random].lnk
Internet Defender.lnk
[random].dll
Internet Defender.dll

Delete these Internet Defender dll files:

[random].dll
Internet Defender.dll

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 defender rogue and other rogue antivirus programs:

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

To protect your computer from internet defender 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 defender 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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Internet Defender Rogue QR code
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