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This forum contains self-help guides on removing common malware and viruses. These guides can be advanced so please use them at your own risk.
If after following the self-help guide, or you can not find an appropriate guide, then you can receive step-by-step instructions directly from one of our experts by following the instructions in this topic: Preparation Guide For Use Before Posting A Hijackthis Log
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How to remove SpyDawn (Removal Instructions)
What these programs do:
SpyDawn is a rogue
anti-spyware application that is installed on your computer without your permission
using Trojans and other malware. These types of programs are typically installed
when a user installs what they think is an audio or video codec, but in reality
is a Trojan that downloads and installs SpyDawn. When run, SpyDawn pretends to
be a anti-spyware application but instead provides exaggerated or fake results of
Spyware found on your computer. In order to clean the found items you must purchase
the full commercial version of the SpyDawn software. These false results are actually
used as a scare tactic to have you purchase the SpyDawn. It goes without saying
that you should not purchase this software.
Spydawn Screenshot
When infected with this software you will also see fake taskbar alerts stating
that you have running spyware applications on your computer. This is another
scare tactic used to have you purchase the software. When you click on the alert
it will load SpyDawn and run a scan as described above. The title for this fake
security alert is System alert! and the text for this alerts is:
System has detected a number of active spyware applications
that may impact the performance of your computer. Click the icon to get rid
of unwanted spyware by downloading an up-to-date anti-spyware solution.
Confirm that the file SmitfraudFix.exe now resides
on your desktop, but do not double-click on the icon as of yet. We will use
it in later steps. The icon will look like the one below:
Next, please reboot your computer into Safe
Mode by doing the following:
Restart your computer
After hearing your computer beep once during startup, but before the
Windows icon appears, press F8.
Instead of Windows loading as normal, a menu should appear
Select the first option, to run Windows in Safe Mode.
When you are at the logon prompt, log in as the same user that you had
performed the previous steps as.
When your computer has started in safe mode, and you see the desktop, close
all open Windows.
Now, double-click on the SmitFraudfix icon that should be residing on your
desktop.The icon will look like the one below:
When the tool first starts you will see a credits screen. Simply press
any key on your keyboard to get to the next screen.
You will now see a menu as shown in the image below. Press the number 2
on your keyboard and the press the enter key to choose the
option Clean (safe mode recommended).
The program will start cleaning your computer and go through a series of
cleanup processes. When it is done, it will automatically start the Disk Cleanup
program as shown by the image below.
This program will remove all Temp, Temporary Internet Files, and other files
that may be leftover files from this infection. This process can take up to
a few hours depending on your computer, so please be patient. When it is complete,
it will close automatically and you will should continue with step 11.
When Disk Cleanup is finished, you will be presented with an option asking
Do you want to clean the registry ? (y/n). At this
screen you should press the Y button on your keyboard and
then press the enter key.
When this last routine is finished, you will be presented with a red screen
stating Computer will reboot now. Close all applications.You should now press the spacebar on your computer. A counter will appear
stating that the computer will reboot in 15 seconds. Do not cancel this countdown
and allow your computer to reboot.
Once the computer has rebooted, you will be presented with a Notepad screen
containing a log of all the files removed from your computer. Examine this
log, and when you are done, close the Notepad screen.
Your computer should now be free of the SpyDawn
infection.
If you are still having problems with spyware after completing these instructions,
then please follow the steps outlined in the topic linked below:
These steps may appear to be long and daunting. They are, though, quite easy to
do and consist of so many steps only because I have written them in an extremely
detailed manner.
Print out these instructions as we will need to close every window that
is open later in the fix.
Download FixSD.reg
to your desktop by right clicking on the following link and then selecting
Save Link As or Save File as,
depending on your browser.
Confirm that the file SmitfraudFix.exe now resides
on your desktop, but do not double-click on the icon as of yet. We will use
it in later steps. The icon will look like the one below:
Go to your desktop and double click on the FixSD.reg file
that you downloaded earlier. When it asks if you would like to merge the information,
press the Yes button and then the OK button.
Click on the Start button and then select the Run
option.
In the Open: field type c:\windows\system32
and then press the OK button.
When the folder appears, if it says These files are hidden,
click on the Show the contents of this folder option.
We now need to make it so you can see hidden files.
Click on the Tools menu and select Folder Options.
Click on the View tab.
Under the Hidden files and folders category select
Show hidden files and folders.
Uncheck Hide protected operating system files.
Press Apply and then OK.
If you still can not see the file, then undo these changes and skip
to step 11.
Scroll through the list of files in this folder and look for higehsg.dll.
Right-click on higehsg.dll and select rename.
Rename the file to higehsg.dll.bad.
Look for the file xkrdk.dll and rename the file to xkrdk.dll.bad
Look for the file geplxss.dll and rename the file to geplxss.dll.bad
Look for the file tvomnc.dll and rename the file to tvomnc.dll.bad
Note: Please rename any of the above files that
you may find. If you do not find any of these files, then you should post
a note about it in the Am
I Infected? forum.
After you rename the file, you can close the System32 folder window.
Next, please reboot your computer into Safe
Mode by doing the following:
Restart your computer
After hearing your computer beep once during startup, but before the
Windows icon appears, press F8.
Instead of Windows loading as normal, a menu should appear
Select the first option, to run Windows in Safe Mode.
When you are at the logon prompt, log in as the same user which you
had done the previous steps.
When your computer has started in safe mode and you see the desktop, click
on the Start Menu button.
Click on the Control Panel option.
Double-click on the Add or Remove Programs icon.
Find the entry for SpyDawn 3.1
and double-click on it to uninstall them if found. Follow the prompts to uninstall
the program, but do not allow it to reboot the computer if it asks.
When it has completed uninstalling you can close Add or Remove Programs
and your Control Panel.
Delete the following files and folders (Do
not be concerned if this folder does not exist):
Now, double-click on the SmitFraudfix icon that should be residing on your
desktop.The icon will look like the one below:
When the tool first starts you will see a credits screen. Simply press
any key on your keyboard to get to the next screen.
When the tool first starts you will see a credits screen. Simply press
any key on your keyboard to get to the next screen.
You will now see a menu as shown in the image below. Press the number 2
on your keyboard and the press the enter key to choose the
option Clean (safe mode recommended).
The program will start cleaning your computer and go through a series of
cleanup processes. When it is done, it will automatically start the Disk Cleanup
program as shown by the image below.
This program will remove all Temp, Temporary Internet Files, and other files
that may be leftover files from this infection. This process can take up to
a few hours depending on your computer, so please be patient. When it is complete,
it will close automatically and you will should continue with step 25.
When Disk Cleanup is finished, you will be presented with an option asking
Do you want to clean the registry ? (y/n). At this
screen you should press the Y button on your keyboard and
then press the enter key.
When this last routine is finished, you will be presented with a red screen
stating Computer will reboot now. Close all applications.You should now press the spacebar on your computer. A counter will appear
stating that the computer will reboot in 15 seconds. Do not cancel this countdown
and allow your computer to reboot.
Once the computer has rebooted, you will be presented with a Notepad screen
containing a log of all the files removed from your computer. Examine this
log to see what files were found, and when you are done, close the Notepad
screen.
We next perform an online scan with Panda to find any possible inactive
remnants from this infection: Panda
Online
Once you are on the Panda site click the Scan your PC
button
A new window will open...click the Check Now button
Enter your Country
Enter your State/Province
Enter your e-mail address and click send
Select either Home User or Company
Click the big Scan Now button
If it wants to install an ActiveX component allow it
It will start downloading the files it requires for the scan (Note:
It may take a few minutes)
When download is complete, click on Local Disks to
start the scan
When the online scan has been completed, let it remove what it finds, and
then you can close Internet Explorer.
Your computer should now be free of the SpyDawn infection.
If you are still having problems with spyware after completing these instructions,
then please follow the steps outlined in the topic linked below:
BleepingComputer.com can not be held responsible for problems that may occur
by using this information. If you would like help with any of these fixes, you
can post a HijackThis log in our HijackThis
Logs and Analysis forum.
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