Removal instructions for GuardWWW Rating Options

[Metallica]

What is GuardWWW?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that GuardWWW 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 GuardWWW?

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



You will find these icons on your desktop and in your taskbar:



And see these warnings:





How did GuardWWW get on my computer?

Rogue programs use different methods for spreading themselves. This particular one was installed by a trojan.

How do I remove GuardWWW?

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 GuardWWW?

• No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes GuardWWW 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 GuardWWW rogue. It would have warned you before the rogue could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.





Technical details for experts

Signs in a HijackThis log:

CODE

C:\DOCUME~1\{username}\LOCALS~1\Temp\bwn2bwlb.exe
C:\Program Files\GuardWWW Software\GuardWWW\GuardWWW.exe

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [bwn2bwlb.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\bwn2bwlb.exe

Note: bwn2bwlb.exe is a random name

Alterations made by the installer:

CODE

  File System
  ===============
    In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Desktop
      Adds the file GuardWWW.lnk"="20:15 08/02/10 763 bytes
    Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\GuardWWW
      Adds the file 3 Uninstall.lnk"="20:15 08/02/10 1684 bytes
      Adds the file 2 Homepage.lnk"="20:15 08/02/10 1154 bytes
      Adds the file 1 GuardWWW.lnk"="20:15 08/02/10 1677 bytes
    In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Temp
      Adds the file 00001254"="20:15 08/02/10 123392 bytes
      Adds the file 0wzn2v5l.exe"="20:15 08/02/10 1731960 bytes
      Adds the file bwn2bwlb.exe"="20:15 08/02/10 360960 bytes
    Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Temp\nsu3.tmp
      Adds the file time.dll"="20:15 08/02/10 10752 bytes
    Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Temp\nsx5.tmp
      Adds the file nsProcess.dll"="20:15 08/02/10 4096 bytes
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files\GuardWWW Software\GuardWWW
      Adds the file uninstall.exe"="20:15 08/02/10 79015 bytes
      Adds the file GuardWWW.exe"="20:15 08/02/10 1632768 bytes
    In the existing folder C:\WINDOWS\system32
      Adds the file bwn2bwlb.exe"="20:15 08/02/10 360960 bytes
    In the existing folder C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\prtprocs\w32x86
      Adds the file 00006426.tmp"="20:15 08/02/10 123392 bytes
    In the existing folder C:\WINDOWS\Temp
      Adds the file 00005a33.sys"="20:15 08/02/10 28800 bytes

  Registry
  ===============
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\GuardWWW]
      "Install_Dir"="'C:\Program Files\GuardWWW Software\GuardWWW'"
      "Lang"="'English'"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\GuardWWW]
      "NoRepair"="1"
      "NoModify"="1"
      "UninstallString"="'"C:\Program Files\GuardWWW Software\GuardWWW\uninstall.exe"'"
      "DisplayName"="'GuardWWW'"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\GuardWWW]
      "AgentsSettings"="1"
      "CurrentVersion"="'771eb5b6f272744584a5567cff88f8a7366f8ef260c23f5a86085090aafc207e72b5d80f49cc
40e6fe1a68549cc2fec250005f1d928731a48cfefe767d1b60536ee506cf8d6e737c0703e7bf42a7
1
d0d920952073b30cbc1787205aa27af763220f6f2603fae70fffe2635cb0a742751'"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
      "bwn2bwlb.exe"="'C:\WINDOWS\system32\bwn2bwlb.exe'"

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware log:

CODE

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.44
Database version: 3709
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702

2/8/2010 8:52:01 PM
mbam-log-2010-02-08 (20-52-01).txt

Scan type: Quick Scan
Objects scanned: 137248
Time elapsed: 3 minute(s), 37 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 1
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 3
Registry Values Infected: 1
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 3
Files Infected: 11

Memory Processes Infected:
C:\Program Files\GuardWWW Software\GuardWWW\GuardWWW.exe (Rogue.Multiple) -> Unloaded process successfully.

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\GuardWWW (Rogue.GuardWWW) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\GuardWWW (Rogue.GuardWWW) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\GuardWWW (Rogue.GuardWWW) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Values Infected:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\bwn2bwlb.exe (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> Delete on reboot.

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\GuardWWW (Rogue.GuardWWW) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\GuardWWW Software (Rogue.GuardWWW) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\GuardWWW Software\GuardWWW (Rogue.GuardWWW) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Files Infected:
C:\Program Files\GuardWWW Software\GuardWWW\GuardWWW.exe (Rogue.Multiple) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\WINDOWS\system32\bwn2bwlb.exe (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Temp\bwn2bwlb.exe (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Temp\00001254 (Trojan.Downloader) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Temp\0wzn2v5l.exe (Rogue.Installer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\prtprocs\w32x86\00006426.tmp (Rootkit.TDSS) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\GuardWWW\1 GuardWWW.lnk (Rogue.GuardWWW) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\GuardWWW\2 Homepage.lnk (Rogue.GuardWWW) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\GuardWWW\3 Uninstall.lnk (Rogue.GuardWWW) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\GuardWWW Software\GuardWWW\uninstall.exe (Rogue.GuardWWW) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Desktop\GuardWWW.lnk (Rogue.GuardWWW) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

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.