Windows Problems Remover, Windows Health Center, Windows Shield Center Removal Instructions

Just a few days ago we reported finding the Windows Antispyware Solution scareware and today we came across another three different names for basically the same Trojan that pretends to be legitimate security software: Windows Problems Remover, Windows Health Center and Windows Shield Center (and there are even more names, see list below). It's not especially noteworthy because we have posted multiple articles about this rogue program in a last few months. The rogue program impersonates legitimate security software, reports false scan results and asks to pay for a full version of the program to remove the threats. It blocks other programs on your computer and displays fake security warnings. If you somehow ended up with Windows Problems Remover, Windows Health Center or Windows Shield Center malware, please follow the steps in the removal guide below to remove it from your computer. Please read our previous post about Windows Security & Control for more detailed analysis. The methodology and removal instructions are basically the same for this rogue program not matter how it calls itself. If you have any questions, please leave a comment. Good luck and be safe online!

Cyber-criminals change rogues' names very often. This removal guide run under quite a few different names, which I have listed below:

Rogue Names:
Windows Passport Utility	Windows Stability Center	Windows Process Regulator
Windows Power Expansion	Windows Simple Protector	Windows Expansion System
Windows Background Protector	Windows Support System	Windows Emergency System
Windows Efficiency Magnifier	Windows Threats Removing	Windows Remedy
Windows Troubles Remover	Windows Servant System	Windows Defence Center
Windows Error Correction	Windows Debug System	Windows Perfomance Manager
Windows Troubles Analyzer	Windows Processes Organizer	Windows Privacy Agent
Windows Express Settings	Windows Optimal Tool	Windows Safety Guarantee
Windows AV Software	Windows Express Help	Windows User Satellite
Windows Optimal Settings	Windows Optimal Solution	Windows Care Tool
Windows Wise Protection	Windows Software Guard	Windows Software Protection
Windows Safety Protection	Windows Problems Protector	Windows Lowlevel Solution

Windows Troubles Remover


Windows Privacy Agent


Windows Care Tool

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Removal instructions:

1. Rename the main executable of the rogue program:

In Windows XP:
C:\Documents and Settings\[UserName]\Application Data\[SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe
C:\Documents and Settings\[UserName]\Application Data\Microsoft\[SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe

In Windows Vista/7:
C:\Users\[UserName]\AppData\Roaming\[SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe
C:\Users\[UserName]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\[SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe



Alternate location:


Look for xmrmuy or similar file and rename it to malware. Then restart your computer. This should disable the rogue program. After reboot, please continue with the rest of the removal process. NOTE: By default, Application Data folder is hidden. If you can find it, please read Show Hidden Files and Folders in Windows.

OR you can download Process Explorer and end rogue's process.



2. Download shell-fix.reg. Double-click to run it. Click "Yes" when it asks if you want to add the information to the registry. This file will fix the Windows Shell entry.
3. Download free anti-malware software from the list below and run a full system scan.

• MalwareBytes Anti-malware
• SUPERAntispyware
• Spybot S&D
• Hitman Pro 3.5

NOTE: in some cases the rogue program may block anti-malware software. Before saving the selected program onto your computer, you may have to rename the installer to iexplore.exe or winlogon.exe With all of these tools, if running Windows 7 or Vista they MUST be run as Auto Infoistrator. Launch the program and follow the prompts. Don't forget to update the installed program before scanning.

4. New threats appear every day. In order to protect your PC from such (new) infections we strongly recommend you to use ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

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Alternate removal instructions (in Safe Mode with Networking):

1. Reboot your computer is "Safe Mode with Networking". As the computer is booting tap the "F8 key" continuously which should bring up the "Windows Advanced Options Menu" as shown below. Use your arrow keys to move to "Safe Mode with Networking" and press Enter key. Read more detailed instructions here: http://www.computerhope.com/issues/chsafe.htm


NOTE: Login as the same user you were previously logged in with in the normal Windows mode.

2. Download free anti-malware software from the list below and run a full system scan.

• MalwareBytes Anti-malware
• SUPERAntispyware
• Spybot S&D
• Hitman Pro 3.5

NOTE: in some cases the rogue program may block anti-malware software. Before saving the selected program onto your computer, you may have to rename the installer to iexplore.exe or winlogon.exe With all of these tools, if running Windows 7 or Vista they MUST be run as Auto Infoistrator. Launch the program and follow the prompts. Don't forget to update the installed program before scanning.

3. New threats appear every day. In order to protect your PC from such (new) infections we strongly recommend you to use ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

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Associated files and registry values:

Files:

In Windows XP:

• C:\Documents and Settings\[UserName]\Application Data\[SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe
• C:\Documents and Settings\[UserName]\Application Data\Microsoft\[SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe

In Windows Vista/7:

• C:\Users\[UserName]\AppData\Roaming\[SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe
• C:\Users\[UserName]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\[SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe

Registry values:

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon "Shell" = '%UserProfile%\Application Data\[SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe'
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon "Shell" = '%UserProfile%\Application Data\Microsoft\[SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe'
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\egui.exe "Debugger" = 'svchost.exe'
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\ekrn.exe "Debugger" = 'svchost.exe'
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\msascui.exe "Debugger" = 'svchost.exe'
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\msmpeng.exe "Debugger" = 'svchost.exe'
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\msseces.exe "Debugger" = 'svchost.exe'

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