Securebit Free Antivirus

What is Securebit Free?

The Securebit Technologies Free Antivirus fake antivirus program attempts to coerce computer users into calling Securebit support for assistance. When installed on users' computers this program mimics a scan of the system for security infections.

It then states that the user's 'PC Health Status' is poor and requires attention. In fact, this program has none of the features required to run legitimate security scans - Securebit Free Antivirus reports non existent security threats in the hope that computer users fall for the scam and call the '24/7 Virus Removal Helpline'.

PC users should be aware that none of the security infections 'identified' by this program are genuine, and moreover, using the virus removal helpline could result in the loss of $49.99 for bogus malware removal services.

Do not call the toll free numbers provided within this program, and furthermore, do not allow remote access of your computer to any technicians referred by Securebit.

After installation, this rogue security scanner configures itself to start automatically on each system startup and generates fake security warning messages stating that the user's computer is infected with high-risk malware.

If you observe Securebit Free Antivirus on your computer, your PC is infected with fake antivirus software. Do not trust it or use the 'Virus Removal Helpline' - it is a scam.

Securebit Free Antivirus rogue software is promoted using drive-by-downloads, P2P networks, and fake downloads. In the case of fake downloads, Internet users are promised legitimate software, but instead, receive this bogus security scanner.

This particular fake antivirus program differs from other rogue security programs (such as System Care Antivirus, Win 7 Security Cleaner Pro, etc.) since it does not coerce users into purchasing a full version, but rather, attempts to trick unsuspecting PC users into calling the virus removal helpline.

Securebit free antivirus also has the capability to lock computer screens, thus behaving like ransomware viruses by displaying a message claiming that the user's computer is potentially infected (or 'Windows has stopped working'). It then advises PC users to call the rogue virus removal helpline.

Do not trust Securebit Free Antivirus - use the removal guide provided to eliminate this scam from your computer.

A fake security warning message generated by Securebit Free Antivirus:

Warning: Unable to clean all files.
Contact customer service for complete cleaning.
USA/Canada Toll Free: 1-800-862-2015

Free Antivirus
Infected files have been detected on your PC.
36 Infected files found.
It is recommended that you run a full scan and clean your PC.
For Support Call 1-800-862-2015 (Toll Free US/Canada)

This computer is potentially infected.
Antivirus has blocked some features of windows.
Please contact support for removal and clean up.

WINDOWS HAS STOPPED WORKING

Symptoms:
When working in Windows, you may receive the following error
Windows has stopped working. Windows is restarting
Additionally, you may notice the screen flicker just before or after the error message appears.
Cause:
This issue can be caused due to any the following issues:
You may be using outdated or corrupted hardware drivers
System files on your PC may be corrupt or mismatched with other files
You may have a Virus or Malware infection on your PC
Some applications or services running on your PC may be causing Windows to stop working
Resolution
To resolve this issue you need to determine what is causing Windows to stop working, try the troubleshooting steps below to help determine the issue.
Scan your PC for Virus or Malware infections
Start your PC in Safe Mode to check for start-up issues
Start your PC is Clean Boot environment and troubleshoot the issue
If problem persist, contact support confer. Toll Free 1(800) 862 2015

Antivirus
Infected files have been detected on your PC.
5 Infected files found.
It is recommended that you run a full scan and clean your PC.
For Support Call 1-800-862-2015 (Toll Free US/Canada)

24/7 Virus Removal Helpline
USA 1-800-862-2015
UK 0-800-883-0862

A screenshot of the deceptive message, 'Windows has stopped working', which blocks computer screens and used to force PC users into calling a rogue virus removal helpline:

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Quick menu:

• What is Securebit Free?
• STEP 1. Remove Securebit Free using a removal software.
• STEP 2. Remove Securebit Free using Safe Mode with Networking.
• STEP 3. Remove Securebit Free manually by deleting files.

Securebit Free Antivirus removal:

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.

Securebit Free Antivirus 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":

Step 2

We now need to remove the proxy settings. This fake antivirus program adds a proxy to your Internet connection settings to display various errors when you attempt to access Internet. To do this, open Internet Explorer, click Tools and select Internet Options. Then select the "Connections" tab.

 

In the "Connections" tab, click LAN settings, if "Use a proxy server for your LAN" is checked, uncheck it and press OK.

 

Step 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 - Global Startup: Antivirus.exe

After selecting the required entries, click "Fix Checked" and these entries will be removed. After this procedure, close HijackThis and proceed to the next removal step.

Step 4
Download legitimate anti-spyware software to fully remove Securebit Free Antivirus from your computer.

Step 5
After removing Securebit Free Antivirus, you will need to reset your Hosts file. Don't skip this step, this malware modifies your Hosts files, and you will encounter browser redirect problems if malicious entries will not be removed from 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:

After completing these steps, your computer should be clean.

Other tools known to remove Securebit Free Antivirus:

• Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

Manual Securebit Free Antivirus removal:

1. Start Task Manager - Press ctrl+alt+del (or ctrl+shift+esc) and and look for a process called Antivirus.exe After locating it, right click on its name and select "Open file location".

2. Return to the Windows Task Manager window and select Antivirus.exe process, click "End Process". After killing this process, you can remove its associated file.

3. Open "Microsoft System Configuration Utility" ("MSCONFIG"). Click on the start icon, Type MSCONFIG in the search box, in the opened window click on the Startup tab, uncheck "FreeAntivirus" and click OK. A message will pop up reporting that you must restart your computer before these changes will take effect. Click on "Restart" and your computer will automatically reboot.

If you were unable to remove Securebit Free Antivirus using the steps above, use this manual removal instruction. Use it at your own risk. If you do not have strong computer knowledge, you could harm your operating system. Be careful and use it only if you are an experienced computer user. (Instructions on how to end processes, remove registry entries...)

End these Securebit Free Antivirus processes:

antivirus.exe

Delete these Securebit Free Antivirus files:

%mydocuments%\­activation.txt

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 24/7 virus removal helpline fake phone support and other rogue antivirus programs:

To protect your computer from 24/7 virus removal helpline fake phone support 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 24/7 virus removal helpline fake phone support or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

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