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Malware Protection Center

Also Known As: Malware Protection Center Rogue
Damage level: High

What is Malware Protection Center?

Malware Protection Center is a fake computer security program that attempts to mimic the interface of Microsoft Security Essentials. This fake program is created by those responsible for Internet Security Guard, Home Security Solution, and others.

Like its previous versions, Malware Protection Center bears no relation to genuine computer security programs and contains no virus definition database or features offered by legitimate security suites. Malware Protection Center is a scam created to scare computer users into buying a non-existent license.

Malware Protection Center fake antivirus program

When your computer is infected with Malware Protection Center, you are forced to observe a fake computer security scan each time you boot your operating system. This scan results in the 'detection' of various Trojans, malware, and spyware.

Ignore these results - they are fake, and this scan is run simply to scare you into believing that your PC has serious security issues. Internet criminals hope you will click the 'Remove All' button after the fake scan and then transfer your money to their accounts.

Do not buy a license for Malware Protection Center - it is a useless program created with the purpose of stealing money from your credit card account. Ignore the fake security scans, warning pop-ups, and remove Malware Protection Center from your computer as soon as you notice it on your desktop.

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Quick menu:

Malware Protection Center virus removal:

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

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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.

Malware Protection Center virus 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.

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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".

internet explorer internet options

 

internet explorer internet connections

 

3.Click LAN settings, if 'Use a proxy server for your LAN' is checked, uncheck it and press OK.

internet options lan settings

internet explorer proxy settings

 

 

 

 

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: [Malware Protection Center] “%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 Malware Protection Center from your computer.

6. After removing Malware Protection Center, 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 the 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:

Other tools known to remove Malware Protection Center:

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 malware protection center rogue and other rogue antivirus programs:

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

To protect your computer from malware protection center 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 malware protection center 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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