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Windows Antivirus Suite

Also Known As: Windows AntiVirus Suite Scam
Damage level: High

What is Antivirus Suite?

Windows Antivirus Suite is a fake antivirus program, which imitates the detection of high-risk security threats in order to scare unsuspecting PC users into purchasing a 'full version' to supposedly eliminate these reported security infections.

Computer users should be aware that this program should not be trusted - it is a scam created by cyber criminals who make money from users who fall for the fake security warning messages and purchase license keys for this rogue antivirus program.

This bogus software infiltrates operating systems via hacked websites, which display fake Microsoft Security Essentials alert messages to trick Internet users into downloading and installing Windows Antivirus Suite.

Windows Antivirus Suite

After successful infiltration, this rogue antivirus program modifies the registry entries of an affected operating system by disabling execution of installed software, blocking the Task Manager, and configuring itself to start automatically on every system Startup.

The goal of Windows Antivirus Suite is to make operating systems unusable so that users purchase 'ultimate protection' (the 'full version'). Note that paying for this program is equivalent to sending your money and credit card information to cyber criminals. Do not buy this program - it is a scam.

Windows Antivirus Suite is identical to previous variants named Windows Antibreach Helper and Windows Antibreach Suite.

This rogue antivirus program originates from a family called FakeVimes. Cyber criminals responsible for creating bogus software from this family, simply change the names of these fake antivirus programs and employ identical user interfaces and functionality.

To avoid system infection with fake security scanners such as these, do not download security software as encouraged by online pop-up messages indicating 'detected' security infections on your computer. These messages are widely used by cyber criminals for rogue antivirus distribution.

PC users who wish their computing experience to be as safe as possible should use legitimate antivirus and anti-spyware programs and keep their operating system and installed software up-to-date.

How does Windows Antivirus Suite infect user's computer?

This fake antivirus program infiltrates operating systems using fake online security warning messages. When landing on a malicious or hacked website, users are presented with the fake Microsoft Antivirus message: "Message from webpage - Microsoft Antivirus has found critical process activity on your PC. You need to clean your computer to prevent the system breakage".

Fake Windows Antivirus pop-up distributing Windows Antivirus Suite

In the second step of this scam, users are presented with another fake message, which is supposedly derived from Microsoft Security Essentials: "Microsoft Security Essentials Alert. Microsoft Security Essentials detected potential threats that might compromise your privacy or damage your computer. You need to clean your computer immediately to prevent the system crash".

Fake Microsoft Security Essentials alert pop-up distributing Windows Antivirus Suite

Clicking the "Clean computer" button downloads Windows Antivirus Suite on the victim's computer.

Windows Antivirus Suite installing on victims computer

PC users who observe Windows Antivirus Suite scanning their computers for security infections should use this removal guide to eliminate this fake antivirus program from their computers.

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Quick menu:

Windows Antivirus Suite removal:

Complete these steps to access your desktop:

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

Windows Antivirus Suite settings

2. Select "Allow unprotected Startup".

Windows Antivirus Suite unprotected startup

3. After selecting "Allow unprotected Startup", close Windows Antivirus Suite.

4. Access "My Computer" - double click on the "My Computer" icon.

Windows Antivirus Suite accessing My Computer

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

Windows Antivirus Suite accessing appdata folder

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

Renaming the executable file of Windows Antivirus Suite step 1

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

Renaming the executable file of Windows Antivirus Suite step 2

8. After renaming the "svc-[random letters].exe" file, restart your computer. Next time the operating system boots, Windows Antivirus Suite 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 Antivirus Suite removal using a registry key:

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

Removing Windows Antivirus Suite using registration key step 1

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

Removing Windows Antivirus Suite using registration key step 2

3. After entering this registry key, Windows Antivirus Suite imitates the removal of previously 'detected' security threats and will allow 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 Antivirus Suite from your computer.

Windows Antivirus Suite 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 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 the "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 Antivirus Suite modifies your Hosts file 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 Antivirus Suite:

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 antivirus suite scam and other rogue antivirus programs:

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

To protect your computer from windows antivirus suite scam 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 antivirus suite scam 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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