Removal instructions for My Security Shield

[Metallica]

What is My Security Shield?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that My Security Shield 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 My Security Shield?

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 My Security Shield get on my computer?

Rogue programs use different methods for spreading themselves. This particular one uses fake online scanners.

How do I remove My Security Shield?

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 My Security Shield?

• The rogue replaces your hosts file, so you may have to restore the old one. You can find third-party hosts file alternatives at hpHosts or at mvps.org or you can simply reset the default hosts file as outlined here by Microsoft.
  

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 My Security Shield 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:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\92e85\MS3be.exe

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [My Security Shield] "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\92e85\MS3be.exe" /s /d

Note: the folder- and file-name are random, but the filename will always start with MS.

Alterations made by the installer:

  File System
  ===============
	Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\92e85
	  Adds the file MSS.ico"="14:16 15/08/10 4286 bytes
	  Adds the file MS3be.exe"="21:39 04/08/10 3041280 bytes
	Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\MSCHZMZPS
	  Adds the file MSECHYLIVFS.cfg"="14:17 15/08/10 17911 bytes
	Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\My Security Shield
	  Adds the file Instructions.ini"="14:16 15/08/10 1215 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
	  Adds the file My Security Shield.lnk"="14:16 15/08/10 1772 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop
	  Adds the file 4611.mof"="14:16 15/08/10 334 bytes
	  Adds the file My Security Shield.lnk"="14:16 15/08/10 1754 bytes
	Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\MSSSys
	  Adds the file vd952342.bd"="14:16 15/08/10 12636 bytes
	Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\Quarantine Items
	In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu
	  Adds the file My Security Shield.lnk"="14:16 15/08/10 1754 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs
	  Adds the file My Security Shield.lnk"="14:16 15/08/10 1760 bytes
	In the existing folder C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc
	  Alters the file hosts
		14:00 28/02/06 734 bytes ==> 14:17 15/08/10 2672 bytes

  Registry
  ===============
	[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\xp_c83f0.DocHostUIHandler]
	  "(Default)"="'Implements DocHostUIHandler'"
	[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\xp_c83f0.DocHostUIHandler\Clsid]
	  "(Default)"="'{3F2BBC05-40DF-11D2-9455-00104BC936FF}'"
	[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{3F2BBC05-40DF-11D2-9455-00104BC936FF}]
	  "(Default)"="'Implements DocHostUIHandler'"
	[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{3F2BBC05-40DF-11D2-9455-00104BC936FF}\ProgID]
	  "(Default)"="'xp_c83f0.DocHostUIHandler'"
	[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{3F2BBC05-40DF-11D2-9455-00104BC936FF}\LocalServer32]
	  "(Default)"="'C:\DOCUME~1\METALL~1\Desktop\xp_c83f0.exe'"
	[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes]
	  "URL"="'http://findgala.com/?&uid=2121&q={searchTerms}'"
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options]
	  "Debugger"="'svchost.exe'"
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\_avp32.exe]
	  "Debugger"="'svchost.exe'"
<snipped many IFEO hijacks>
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\taskmgr.exe]
	  "Debugger"="'svchost.exe'"
	[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy
\StandardProfile\AuthorizedApplications\List]
	  "C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\xp_c83f0.exe"="'C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Desktop\xp_c83f0.exe:*:Enabled:My Security Shield'" 
	[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes]
	  "URL"="'http://findgala.com/?&uid=2121&q={searchTerms}'"
	[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer]
	  "IIL"="0"
	  "ltHI"="0"
	  "ltTST"="44174"
	  "PRS"="'http://127.0.0.1:27777/?inj=%ORIGINAL%'"
	[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\BrowserEmulation]
	  "MSCompatibilityMode"="0"
	[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes]
	  "URL"="'http://findgala.com/?&uid=2121&q={searchTerms}'"
	[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Download]
	  "RunInvalidSignatures"="1"
	  "CheckExeSignatures"="'no'"
	[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
	  "My Security Shield"="'"C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\92e85\MS3be.exe" /s /d'"

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.46
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: 4432

Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3
Internet Explorer 6.0.2900.5512

8/15/2010 2:28:14 PM
mbam-log-2010-08-15 (14-28-14).txt

Scan type: Quick scan
Objects scanned: 117277
Time elapsed: 3 minute(s), 54 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 1
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 760
Registry Values Infected: 16
Registry Data Items Infected: 8
Folders Infected: 1
Files Infected: 7

Memory Processes Infected:
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\xp_c83f0.exe (Rogue.MySecurityShield) -> Unloaded process successfully.

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\_avp32.exe (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
<snipped many IFEO hijacks>
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\zonalm2601.exe (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\zonealarm.exe (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Values Infected:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\my security shield (Rogue.MySecurityShield) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\Arrakis3.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\bdagent.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\bdreinit.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\bdsubwiz.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\bdtkexec.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\bdwizreg.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\egui.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\ekrn.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\install.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\livesrv.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\seccenter.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\taskmgr.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\uiscan.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\upgrepl.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\vsserv.exe\debugger (Security.Hijack) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Data Items Infected:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://findgala.com/?&uid=2121&q={searchTerms}) Good: (http://www.Google.com/) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://findgala.com/?&uid=2121&q={searchTerms}) Good: (http://www.Google.com/) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://findgala.com/?&uid=2121&q={searchTerms}) Good: (http://www.Google.com/) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-18\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://findgala.com/?&uid=2121&q={searchTerms}) Good: (http://www.Google.com/) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-19\SOFTWARE\Classes\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://findgala.com/?&uid=2121&q={searchTerms}) Good: (http://www.Google.com/) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-19\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://findgala.com/?&uid=2121&q={searchTerms}) Good: (http://www.Google.com/) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-20\SOFTWARE\Classes\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://findgala.com/?&uid=2121&q={searchTerms}) Good: (http://www.Google.com/) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-20\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\URL (Hijack.SearchPage) -> Bad: (http://findgala.com/?&uid=2121&q={searchTerms}) Good: (http://www.Google.com/) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Folders Infected:
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\My Security Shield (Rogue.MySecurityShield) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Files Infected:
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\xp_c83f0.exe (Rogue.MySecurityShield) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\92e85\MS3be.exe (Rogue.MySecurityShield) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\My Security Shield\Instructions.ini (Rogue.MySecurityShield) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\My Security Shield.lnk (Rogue.MySecurityShield) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs\My Security Shield.lnk (Rogue.MySecurityShield) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\My Security Shield.lnk (Rogue.MySecurityShield) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\My Security Shield.lnk (Rogue.MySecurityShield) -> 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.