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Antivirus Scan

Also Known As: Antivirus Scan Rogue
Damage level: High

What is Antivirus Scan?

Antivirus Scan is a malicious program that attempts to imitate a genuine security program. After installation, this fake antivirus software configures itself to run on each system start up.

It then performs a fake security scan and reports that your computer is infected with various spyware, malware, and viruses. These security warnings are fake and this program is created to scare people into purchasing a full version of the software.

The security scans are imitations only, and will not protect your computer.

Antivirus scan fake program

Do not buy this program, it is a scam. If you have already purchased this fake program, you should contact your credit company and dispute the charges, explaining that you have been tricked into purchasing fake security software.

After Antivirus Scan has infected your computer, the following security warnings may appear on your screen:

“Antivirus software alert. Infiltration alert. Your computer is being attacked by an Internet virus. It could be password-stealing attack, Trojan Dropper, or similar.”
“Windows Security Alert. Windows reports that your computer is infected. Antivirus software helps to protect your computer against viruses and other security threats. Click here to scan your computer. Your system might be at risk now.”

These security warnings are fake. You should remove Antivirus Scan as soon as possible.

Antivirus Scan uses these warning in an attempt to scare you into believing that your computer is being attacked by a wide variety of spyware and viruses.

In order to make the detection list more convincing, this program also generates security warning pop-up messages, which announce security threats. Be aware that Antivirus Scan does not scan your computer for security issues; these processes are merely imitated.

This bogus program has no legitimate virus definition database and ‘detects’ random, harmless files as being malware. Internet criminals responsible for creating this rogue program hope that you will fall for their trickery and purchase a license for Antivirus Scan to remove security threats that do not actually exist.

If you purchase this program, you will send your money to Cyber criminals and your computer will remain infected. Use the removal guide to remove Antivirus Scan.

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Quick menu:

Antivirus Scan removal:

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

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 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 – HKLM\..\Run: [audpdogk] C:\docume~1\user\locals~1\temp\akotrowvc\bewrtiagnz.exe
O4 – HKCU\..\Run: [audpdogk] C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\akotrowvc\yewrhiagnz.exe

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

4. After this procedure, you should be able to access your desktop. You should now download legitimate anti-spyware software to fully remove Antivirus Scan from your computer.

5. After downloading anti-spyware software, install it, update it, and then run a full system scan. Remove all infections found.

If you are unable to remove Antivirus Scan, 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 Antivirus Scan processes:

[random].exe

Remove these Antivirus Scan registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareqnpn7rjv93lf
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerDownload “RunInvalidSignatures” = ’1′
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerPhishingFilter “Enabled” = ’0′
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionInternet Settings “ProxyOverride” = ”
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionInternet Settings “ProxyServer” = ‘http=127.0.0.1:59274′
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionInternet Settings “ProxyEnable” = ’1′
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesAssociations “LowRiskFileTypes” = ‘.exe’
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun “”
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerDownload “CheckExeSignatures” = ‘no’

Delete these Antivirus Scan files:

%Temp%[random]
%Temp%[random>[random].exe

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 antivirus scan rogue and other rogue antivirus programs:

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

To protect your computer from antivirus scan 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 scan 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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