Windows XP Repair

16 June 2011 Rogue 0 Comment

Windows XP Repair is a fake hard drive utility and system optimization program that will be installed on computers without users knowledge. It commonly arrived as a tool coming from malicious web sites. Web site that were designed to propagate Windows XP Repair virus will utilize a drive-by-download method in order to automatically download and install the said program even without users intervention. Once Windows XP Repair is inside the computer, it will modify system files and registry. This will affect system’s operation particularly on start-up. The rogue application will be designated to run when Windows is started.

Once loaded, Windows XP Repair will display excessive pop-up alerts and messages. It will bombard the screen with scary reports to persuade users into purchasing the licensed version of the program. A system scan is also launched automatically only to provide fabricated results that will end in the endorsement of Windows XP Repair as the solution to this kind of computer problems. Never believe this rogue application, as a matter of fact it must be totally eliminated. Remove Windows XP Repair by following the procedures below, using only legitimate and trusted security application from known providers.

Screen Shot Image:

Damage Level: Medium

Systems Affected: Windows 9x, 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7

Windows XP Repair Removal Procedures

Manual Removal:
1. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del on keyboard to stop process associated to “Windows XP Repair”. When Windows Task Manager opens, go to Processes Tab and find and end the following process:
(random characters).exe

2. You need to update your installed antivirus application to have the latest database.
3. Thoroughly scan the computer and any detected threats must be removed. If removal is prohibited, it is best to quarantine the infected item. Manually locating and deleting of malicious files should also be performed. Please see files below that are related to Windows XP Repair Virus.
4. Registry entries created by Windows XP Repair must also be remove from the Windows system. Please refer below for entries associated to the rogue program. [how to edit registry]
5. Exit registry editor.
6. Get rid of Windows XP Repair start-up entry by going to Start > Run, type msconfig on the “Open” dialog box. A windows containing System Configuration Utility will be launched. Go to Startup tab and uncheck the following Start-up item(s):
(random characters).exe

7. Click Apply and restart Windows.

Windows XP Repair Removal Tool:
In order to completely remove the threat, click here to download and run Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. Sometimes, Trojans will block the downloading and installation of MBAM. If this happens, download it from a clean computer and rename the executable file before executing on the infected machine.

Using Portable SuperAntiSpyware:
To thoroughly remove the virus, it is best to do a separate scan of another security program so that other infected files not detected by anti-virus application can be remove as well. Click here to download and run SAS Portable Scanner.

Scan with Norton Power Eraser:
A free removal tool from Norton Antivirus was developed to remove unfamiliar threats without using the traditional AV signatures. Download the tool from this location and start scanning the computer for viruses.

Technical Details and Additional Information:

Malicious Files Added by Windows XP Repair:

C:\Documents and Settings\<Current User>\Start Menu\Programs\Windows XP Repair\
C:\Documents and Settings\<Current User>\Start Menu\Programs\Windows XP Repair\Uninstall Windows XP Repair.lnk
C:\Documents and Settings\<Current User>\Start Menu\Programs\Windows XP Repair\Windows XP Repair.lnk
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\[random].dll
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\[random].exe
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\[random].exe

Windows XP Repair Registry Entries:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run “[random].exe”
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run “[random]“