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Windows Prime Shield

Also Known As: Windows Prime Shield Virus
Damage level: High

What is Prime Shield?

Windows Prime Shield is a fake antivirus program, which employs fake security threats detection to scare unsuspecting PC users into believing that their operating system is infected with high-risk malware. This program is created by cyber criminals who use 'exploit kits', malicious websites, and fake online security scanners in order to distribute this rogue antivirus software.

After successful infiltration, Windows Prime Shield blocks the user's desktop and continually performs fake security scans, which imitate the detection of various security infections. To remove the supposedly-detected malware, this bogus software demands activation of 'ultimate protection' (by purchasing a full version of the software).

windows prime shield

PC users should be aware that Windows Prime Shield is a scam. Purchasing the license key is equivalent to sending your money to cyber criminals - you will lose your money and your computer will remain infected with a fake antivirus program. This fake security scanner originates from a family of rogue antivirus programs called "FakeVimes".

Computer users who observe Windows Prime Shield on their desktop are dealing with a fake antivirus program - ignore the fake security scans and do not purchase the useless license key. This is a scam.

Previous versions of this rogue antivirus program were named Windows Prime BoosterWindows Virtual Protector, and Windows Accelerator Pro. The aforementioned programs merely imitate the behavior of legitimate antivirus programs - they hold no virus definition database or virus scan engine.

Note that these programs mimic the detection of identical security infections on all computers infiltrated. To avoid system infection with Windows Prime Shield, keep your operating system and installed programs up-to-date and use legitimate antivirus and anti-spyware programs.

Do not trust online security scanner pop-ups, which scan computers for security infections and offer download of antivirus programs in order to eliminate supposedly-detected security infections. Computer users already dealing with this rogue antivirus program should use this removal guide to eliminate Windows Prime Shield from their computers.

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Quick menu:

Windows Prime Shield removal:

Complete these steps to access your desktop:

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

Windows Prime Shield settings

2. Select "Allow unprotected Startup".

Windows Prime Shield enabling unprotected startup

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

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

Windows Prime- Shield accessing My Computer

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

Windows Prime Shield accessing appdata

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

Windows Prime Shield renaming executable

7. In the opened menu select "Rename". Change the file name of "svc-[random letters].exe" to "fake.exe".

Windows Prime Shield renaming executable step 2

8. After renaming the "svc-[random letters].exe" file, restart your computer. Next time the operating system boots, Windows Prime Shield will be inactive and will not block access to the 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 Shield removal using a registry key:

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

Windows Prime Shield registration step 1

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

Windows Prime Shield registration step 2

3. After entering this registry key, Windows Prime Shield imitates the removal of previously 'detected' security threats and allows 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 Shield from your computer.

Windows Prime Shield 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.

Starting Windows in Safe mode with networking

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 the user attempts to access the Internet. To remove proxy settings: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. In the opened menu select "Internet Options".

Removing proxy setings from Intenret Explorer step 1

In the opened window, select "Connections" tab.

Removing proxy settings from Internet Explorer step 2

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

Removing proxy settings from Internet Explorer step 3

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

Removing proxy settings from Internet Explorer step 4

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 Shield 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:

Other tools known to remove Windows Prime Shield:

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 windows prime shield virus and other rogue antivirus programs:

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

To protect your computer from windows prime shield 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.

If you have additional information on windows prime shield virus 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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Windows Prime Shield Virus QR code
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