Removal instructions for Micorsoft Essential Security Pro 2013

[Metallica]

What is Micorsoft Essential Security Pro 2013?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Micorsoft Essential Security Pro 2013 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 Micorsoft Essential Security Pro 2013?

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

You will find this icon in your taskbar:

And see these warnings:

How did Micorsoft Essential Security Pro 2013 get on my computer?

Rogue programs use different methods for spreading themselves. This particular one was offered as a movie with explicit content.

How do I remove Micorsoft Essential Security Pro 2013?

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 Micorsoft Essential Security Pro 2013?

• No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes Micorsoft Essential Security Pro 2013 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 Micorsoft Essential Security Pro 2013 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\{username}\Desktop\MESP.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\MESP.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WindowsSecurity] C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\MESP.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [WindowsSecurity] C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\MESP.exe

Note: the location and filename are random.

Alterations made by the installer:

File System
===============
In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop
Adds the file settings.data"="07:39 31/10/12 37804 bytes

Registry
===============
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe\DefaultIcon]
"(Default)"="'%1'"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe\shell\runas\command]
"IsolatedCommand"="'"%1" %*'"
"(Default)"="'"%1" %*'"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe\shell\open\command]
"IsolatedCommand"="'"%1" %*'"
"(Default)"="'"C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\MESP.exe" -a "%1" %*'"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile]
"Content Type"="'application/x-msdownload'"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command]
"IsolatedCommand"="'"%1" %*'"
"(Default)"="'"C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\MESP.exe" -a "%1" %*'"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\runas\command]
"IsolatedCommand"="'"%1" %*'"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"WindowsSecurity"="'C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\MESP.exe'"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe]
"Content Type"="'application/x-msdownload'"
"(Default)"="'exefile'"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe\shell\runas\command]
"IsolatedCommand"="'"%1" %*'"
"(Default)"="'"%1" %*'"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe\shell\open\command]
"IsolatedCommand"="'"%1" %*'"
"(Default)"="'"C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\MESP.exe" -a "%1" %*'"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe\DefaultIcon]
"(Default)"="'%1'"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\exefile]
"Content Type"="'application/x-msdownload'"
"(Default)"="'Application'"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\exefile\shell\runas\command]
"IsolatedCommand"="'"%1" %*'"
"(Default)"="'"%1" %*'"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\exefile\shell\open\command]
"IsolatedCommand"="'"%1" %*'"
"(Default)"="'"C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\MESP.exe" -a "%1" %*'"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"WindowsSecurity"="'C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\MESP.exe'"

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.65.1.1000
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: v2012.10.31.03

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

10/31/2012 7:43:06 AM
mbam-log-2012-10-31 (07-43-06).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: 174973
Time elapsed: 46 second(s)

Memory Processes Detected: 2
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\MESP.exe (Trojan.Ransom) -> 224 -> Delete on reboot.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\MESP.exe (Trojan.Ransom) -> 1572 -> Delete on reboot.

Memory Modules Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Detected: 2
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run|WindowsSecurity (Trojan.Ransom) -> Data: C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\MESP.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run|WindowsSecurity (Trojan.Ransom) -> Data: C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\MESP.exe -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Data Items Detected: 1
HKCR\exefile\shell\open\command| (Broken.OpenCommand) -> Bad: ("C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\MESP.exe" -a "%1" %*) Good: ("%1" %*) -> Quarantined and repaired successfully.

Folders Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Files Detected: 1
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\MESP.exe (Trojan.Ransom) -> Delete on reboot.

(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.