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Removal instructions for PCGuarder


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What is PCGuarder?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that PCGuarder is a fake anti-malware application. These so-called "rogues" use intentional false positives to convince users that their systems have been compromised. Then they try to sell you their software, claiming it will remove these threats. In extreme cases the false threats are actually the very trojans that advertise or even directly install the rogue. You are strongly advised to follow our removal instructions below.

How do I know if I am infected with PCGuarder?

This is how the main screen of the rogue application looks:

main.png

You will find this icon in your taskbar:

icons.png

And see these warnings:

warning1.png

warning2.png

warning3.png

warning4.png

How did PCGuarder get on my computer?

Rogue programs use different methods for spreading themselves. This particular one was downloaded from their site.

How do I remove PCGuarder?

Our program Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can detect and remove this rogue application.

  • Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to your desktop.
  • Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
  • At the end, be sure a check-mark is placed next to the following:
    • Update Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
    • Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

    [*]Then click Finish.

    [*]If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.

    [*]Once the program has loaded, select Perform quick scan, then click Scan.

    [*]When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.

    [*]Be sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected. Reboot your computer if prompted.

    [*]When completed, a log will open in Notepad. The rogue application should now be gone.

Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of PCGuarder?

  • No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes PCGuarder completely.

How would the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware help protect me?

We hope our application has helped you eradicate this malicious software. If your current security solution let this infection through, you might please consider purchasing the FULL version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for additional protection.

As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware would have protected you against the PCGuarder rogue. It would have warned you before the rogue could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.

protection1.png

Technical details for experts

Signs in a HijackThis log:

C:\Program Files\pcguarder\pcguarderstart.exe
C:\Program Files\pcguarder\pcguarder.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [pcguarderstart.exe] C:\Program Files\pcguarder\pcguarderstart.exe

Alterations made by the installer:



File System
===============
Adds the folder C:\Program Files\pcguarder
Adds the file uninst_pcguarder.exe"="09:15 02/03/13 128048 bytes
Adds the file pcguarderu.exe"="09:14 02/03/13 117288 bytes
Adds the file pcguarderstart.exe"="09:15 02/03/13 18472 bytes
Adds the file pcguarderlog.txt"="09:18 02/03/13 73 bytes
Adds the file pcguarderd.dll"="09:14 02/03/13 935983 bytes
Adds the file pcguarder.exe"="09:14 02/03/13 869920 bytes
Adds the file EGutil.dll"="09:15 02/03/13 153128 bytes
Adds the folder C:\Program Files\pcguarder\SpeedBackup


Registry
===============
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\pcguarder]
"inspectTime"="'0915'"
"inspectDay"="'2013-03-02'"
"day"="'2013-02-26'"
"DBupdate"="'2013-03-02'"
"popup"="'TRUE'"
"today"="'2013-03-02'"
"ver6"="'20121022'"
"ver5"="'20121022'"
"ver4"="'20121022'"
"ver3"="'20121023'"
"ver2"="'20121022'"
"ver1"="'20121022'"
"pcguarder_nic"="'08:00:27:31:D0:7C'"
"code1"="'pcguarder'"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ActiveX Compatibility]
"vcnpcgrd"="'1036169'"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"pcguarderstart.exe"="'C:\Program Files\pcguarder\pcguarderstart.exe'"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\pcguarder]
"NoRepair"="1"
"NoModify"="1"
"DisplayIcon"="'C:\Program Files\pcguarder\uninst_pcguard'"
"UninstallString"="'C:\Program Files\pcguarder\uninst_pcguarder.exe'"
"URLInfoAbout"="'http://www.pcguarder.net'"
"HelpLink"="'http://www.pcguarder.net'"
"DisplayVersion"="'1.2'"
"DisplayName"="'pcguarder'"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\EGN\AV-SCAN pro]
"KEEP_DAY"="'7'"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer]
"pcguarder_pcguarder"="'1'"


Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.70.0.1100
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: v2013.03.02.04

Windows XP Service Pack 3 x86 NTFS
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702
{username} :: MBAM-D3E8C91ACC [administrator]

3/2/2013 9:20:38 AM
mbam-log-2013-03-02 (09-20-38).txt

Scan type: Quick scan
Scan options enabled: Memory | Startup | Registry | File System | Heuristics/Extra | Heuristics/Shuriken | PUP | PUM
Scan options disabled: P2P
Objects scanned: 180533
Time elapsed: 37 second(s)

Memory Processes Detected: 2
C:\Program Files\pcguarder\pcguarder.exe (Rogue.PCGuarder) -> 1304 -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Program Files\pcguarder\pcguarderstart.exe (Rogue.PCGuarder) -> 1008 -> Delete on reboot.

Memory Modules Detected: 1
C:\Program Files\pcguarder\EGutil.dll (Rogue.PCGuarder) -> Delete on reboot.

Registry Keys Detected: 2
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\pcguarder (Rogue.PCGuarder) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKCU\SOFTWARE\EGN\AV-SCAN PRO (Rogue.Trace) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Values Detected: 2
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run|pcguarderstart.exe (Rogue.PCGuarder) -> Data: C:\Program Files\pcguarder\pcguarderstart.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKCU\Software\EGN\AV-SCAN pro|KEEP_DAY (Rogue.Trace) -> Data: 7 -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Data Items Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Detected: 2
C:\Program Files\pcguarder (Rogue.PCGuarder) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Program Files\pcguarder\SpeedBackup (Rogue.PCGuarder) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Files Detected: 8
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\pcguardersetup.exe (Rogue.Agent.K) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\pcguarder\EGutil.dll (Rogue.PCGuarder) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Program Files\pcguarder\pcguarder.exe (Rogue.PCGuarder) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Program Files\pcguarder\pcguarderd.dll (Rogue.PCGuarder) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\pcguarder\pcguarderlog.txt (Rogue.PCGuarder) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\pcguarder\pcguarderstart.exe (Rogue.PCGuarder) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Program Files\pcguarder\pcguarderu.exe (Rogue.PCGuarder) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\pcguarder\uninst_pcguarder.exe (Rogue.PCGuarder) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

(end)

As mentioned before the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware could have protected your computer against this threat.

We use different ways of protecting your computer(s):

  • Dynamically Blocks Malware Sites & Servers
  • Malware Execution Prevention

Save yourself the hassle and get protected.

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