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Removal instructions for WindowsActivationUpdate


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What is WindowsActivationUpdate?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that WindowsActivationUpdate is a Tech Support Scam. These so-called "Tech Support Scammers" try to trick you into calling their phone number for various reasons, all of which turn out to be fraudulent in the end.
For more information on this particular type of Windows Shell hijackers please read this blogpost.

How do I know if my computer is affected by WindowsActivationUpdate?

You may see this warning during install:

warning1.png

and this entry in your list of installed programs:

warning4.png

How did WindowsActivationUpdate get on my computer?

Tech Support Scammers use different methods for distributing themselves.

But it also installs files that will produce a fake Windows Verification screen with the Tech Support Scammers number. This screen is activated by a reboot which the malware initiates.

main.png

How do I remove WindowsActivationUpdate?

Our program Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can detect and remove this potentially unwanted application.
But due to the way this TechSupportScam installs itself we will need a way to bypass it.
If you already have Malwarebytes Anti-Malware installed, you can use Chameleon to get rid of this infection.
  • In the TechSupportScam screen click on the "Cmd" button which will open a command prompt.
  • In the command prompt type "explorer" and press "Enter".
  • In the resulting explorer window navigate to the Chameleon folder, usually "C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes Anti-Malware\Chameleon\Windows" and doubleclick on "iexplore(.exe)".
  • and follow the instructions ("Press any key to continue"). Chameleon will kill the process and start Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to finish it up.
    chameleon1.png
  • Reboot when prompted to do so and everything should be fine.
If you do not have Malwarebytes Anti-Malware installed, please proceed as follows.
  • In the TechSupportScam screen click on the "Cmd" button which will open a command prompt.
  • In the command prompt type "taskmgr" and press "Enter".
  • In the list of processes select "WindowsActivationUpdate.exe" and click on "End Process".
    taskmanager.png
  • Close Taskmanager and in the command prompt type "explorer" and press "Enter".
  • In the resulting explorer window navigate to "C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsActivationUpdate". Rightclick and delete "WindowsActivationUpdate(.exe)"
  • Close the explorer window and in the command prompt type "shutdown -r".
  • You should see a prompt that Windows will shut down within the next minute.
    cmdwindow.png
  • Once your computer has rebooted normally, download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to your desktop.
  • Double-click mbam-setup-version.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
  • At the end, be sure a check-mark is placed next to the following:
    • Enable free trial of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium
    • Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
  • Then click Finish.
  • If an update is found, you will be prompted to download and install the latest version.
  • Once the program has loaded, select Scan Now. Or select the Threat Scan from the Scan menu.
  • When the scan is complete, make sure that all Threats are selected, and click Remove Selected.
  • Restart your computer when prompted to do so.
Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of WindowsActivationUpdate?
  • No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes WindowsActivationUpdate completely.
How would the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware help protect me?

We hope our application and this guide have helped you eradicate this hijacker.

As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware would have protected you against the Tech Supprt Scam.

 

protection1.png


Technical details for experts

You may see these entries in FRST logs:
 
 HKLM-x32\...\Winlogon: [Shell] C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsActivationUpdate\WindowsActivation.exe [ ] () <=== ATTENTION
 HKCU\...\Winlogon: [Shell] C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsActivationUpdate\WindowsActivation.exe <==== ATTENTION
 C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsActivationUpdate

WindowsActivationUpdate (HKLM-x32\...\WindowsActivationUpdate) (Version:  - )
Alterations made by the installer:
 
File system details [View: All details] (Selection)
---------------------------------------------------
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsActivationUpdate
       Adds the file rst30.bat"="4/25/2016 11:52 PM, 197 bytes, A
       Adds the file Uninstall.exe"="6/21/2016 9:00 AM, 75326 bytes, A
       Adds the file Uninstall.ini"="6/21/2016 9:00 AM, 1660 bytes, A
       Adds the file WindowsActivation.exe"="4/25/2016 11:11 PM, 198144 bytes, A

Registry details [View: All details] (Selection)
------------------------------------------------
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\WindowsActivationUpdate]
       "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsActivationUpdate\Uninstall.exe"
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "WindowsActivationUpdate"
       "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsActivationUpdate\Uninstall.exe"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
       "Shell
        REG_SZ, "explorer.exe" ==> REG_SZ, "C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsActivationUpdate\WindowsActivation.exe"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
       "Shell"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsActivationUpdate\WindowsActivation.exe"
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:
 
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
www.malwarebytes.org

Scan Date: 6/21/2016
Scan Time: 9:23 AM
Logfile: mbamWindowsActivationUpdate.txt
Administrator: Yes

Version: 2.2.1.1043
Malware Database: v2016.06.21.01
Rootkit Database: v2016.05.27.01
License: Premium
Malware Protection: Enabled
Malicious Website Protection: Enabled
Self-protection: Enabled

OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1
CPU: x64
File System: NTFS
User: {username}

Scan Type: Threat Scan
Result: Completed
Objects Scanned: 313645
Time Elapsed: 8 min, 20 sec

Memory: Enabled
Startup: Enabled
Filesystem: Enabled
Archives: Enabled
Rootkits: Enabled
Heuristics: Enabled
PUP: Enabled
PUM: Enabled

Processes: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Modules: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys: 1
Rogue.TechSupportScam, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\WindowsActivationUpdate, Quarantined, [2273c9366d2c3afc63320beb897a7090], 

Registry Values: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data: 2
Hijack.Shell, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\WINLOGON|Shell, C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsActivationUpdate\WindowsActivation.exe, Good: (Explorer.exe), Bad: (C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsActivationUpdate\WindowsActivation.exe),Replaced,[8b0a47b8940589ad8bb5cda4986c629e]
Hijack.Shell, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\WINLOGON|Shell, C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsActivationUpdate\WindowsActivation.exe, Good: (Explorer.exe), Bad: (C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsActivationUpdate\WindowsActivation.exe),Replaced,[eaab0af53b5e67cf0042294833d1c937]

Folders: 1
Rogue.TechSupportScam, C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsActivationUpdate, Quarantined, [2273c9366d2c3afc63320beb897a7090], 

Files: 4
Rogue.TechSupportScam, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\8a2c.exe, Quarantined, [6e270df2b9e06ec8de8e23b4cb36f30d], 
Rogue.TechSupportScam, C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsActivationUpdate\rst30.bat, Quarantined, [2273c9366d2c3afc63320beb897a7090], 
Rogue.TechSupportScam, C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsActivationUpdate\Uninstall.exe, Quarantined, [2273c9366d2c3afc63320beb897a7090], 
Rogue.TechSupportScam, C:\Program Files (x86)\WindowsActivationUpdate\Uninstall.ini, Quarantined, [2273c9366d2c3afc63320beb897a7090], 

Physical Sectors: 0
(No malicious items detected)


(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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