XP Antimalware also known as XP Antimalware 2010 is a bogus security application designed to deceive computer users by misinforming them about threats found on computer. When XP Antimalware scans a computer, it will display results about imaginary threats or virus infections that does not really present on the victims computer. Aside from that, it will also display various pop-up alerts and warning messages regarding possible security risks. In the end, just like any other rogue software, it will advise users to purchase the XP Antimalware registration key. After having the licensed version, users will just discover about its scam activities when it won’t remove any threats or virus but billed more that that of the promoted registered version amount.
What are the Symptoms of XP Antimalware Infection?
After installation, a local virus scanning will be exhibited followed by a prompt to purchase the XP Antimalware activation key.
It will modify Windows Registry and add the following entries:
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe\shell\open\command “(Default)” = “av.exe” /START “%1? %*
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\secfile\shell\open\command “(Default)” = “av.exe” /START “%1? %*
- HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe\shell\open\command “(Default)” = “av.exe” /START “%1? %*
- HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\secfile\shell\open\command “(Default)” = “av.exe” /START “%1? %*
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\FIREFOX.EXE\shell\open\command “(Default)” = “av.exe” /START “firefox.exe”
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\FIREFOX.EXE\shell\safemode\command “(Default)” = “av.exe” /START “firefox.exe” -safe-mode
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\IEXPLORE.EXE\shell\open\command “(Default)” = “av.exe” /START “iexplore.exe”
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center “AntiVirusOverride” = “1?
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center “FirewallOverride” = “1?
The threat will drop the following malicious files:
- %AppData%\ave.exe
- \Program Files\XP Antimalware 2010
How to Remove XP Antimalware Manually
1. Restart your computer in SafeMode
– After Power-On the computer, just before Windows start, press F8
– From the selections, Select SafeMode
2. Remove Registry entries that the threat added. You MUST BACKUP YOUR REGISTRY FIRST.
– Click Start > Run
– Type in the field, regedit
– Navigate and look for the registry entries mentioned above and delete if necessary
3. Delete malicious files that the threat added:
– Base on the given location above, browse and delete the file
– If no location is given, click Start>Search> and search for the files.
– If cannot be deleted, press Ctrl+Alt+Del to access Task Manager, see if the file is running in the process. If it is, select the file and click End Process. Perform file delete again.
4. Scan computer with Antivirus Program
– Update antivirus program
– Scan computer and delete all detected threats.
How to Easily Remove XP Antimalware
1. Download and run Removal Tool to remove XP Antimalware
