Security Tool
From Wiki-Security, the free encyclopedia of computer security
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Security Tool is a rogue anti-malware application that appeared in the fall of 2009. It is closely related to System Security and Total Security 2009, and it is most likely from the same creators.
How Security Tool Behaves
During the first year of its existence online, Security Tool relied heavily on getting people to download its program voluntarily. Typically, what happens with this method of infection is that you get a pop-up message on a website that says your computer is infected with viruses and that by clicking on the window, you can get a free system scan or download a free anti-virus software. Clicking on this window leads to a website with a fake ad for the fake Security Tool software, after which you are able to download Security Tool. Only afterwards does anyone who falls for this realize that they have downloaded something malicious.Less commonly in the early stages of its existence, Security Tool was also spread by a Trojan that would be hidden in a fake update or bundled with some other download. As time has gone on, Security Tool has been spreading more and more through Trojan infections. In October 2010, it was reported that Security Tool was spreading through fake Adobe Flash Player updates and that this method of infection began with adult websites in Poland.
Security Tool engages in some relatively common scare tactics to get you to believe you must pay for its "full" or "updated" version. It will configure itself to run on startup, so that as soon as you begin Windows the first thing you see will be a fake Security Tool "system scan" window. Security Tool will start running a fake scan and claim that your computer is infected with 41 viruses. (For some reason, it always tells people this same number, 41 viruses.) Be careful here, because the things that Security Tool picks out as viruses are actually just Windows components, and deleting them can really cause problems.
From the main Security Tool "scan" screen, there will be options to buy the full version or to update the software. If you click "update," it will show a progress bar, but there will be absolutely no actual activity or communication over the network that would correspond to an update. It's all for show. Security Tool doesn't actually have the capability to protect anything. It just puts on a show to scare you into thinking you have to buy its software. Some of the other things that it does include preventing other programs from running and claiming they are "infected," creating extremely frequent pop-ups that warn you of phony urgent security issues, and sometimes even interfering with your ability to access the Internet.
Remember that you do have a choice, and you don't have to pay money to the scam artists who created System Tool. Paying for System Tool will not change anything, and contrary to what System Tool wants you to believe, it can be removed.
To check your computer for Security Tool, download
SpyHunter Spyware Detection Tool.
SpyHunter spyware detection tool is only a scanner meant to assist you in detecting Security Tool and other threats. If you detect the presence of Security Tool on your PC, you have the opportunity to purchase the SpyHunter removal tool to remove any traces of Security Tool.
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Detection of Security Tool (Recommended)
Security Tool is difficult to detect and remove. Security Tool is not likely to be removed through a convenient "uninstall" feature. Security Tool, as well as other spyware, can re-install itself even after it appears to have been removed.
You also run the risk of damaging your computer since you're required to find and delete sensitive files in your system such as DLL files and registry keys. It is recommended you use a good spyware remover to remove Security Tool and other spyware, adware, trojans and viruses on your computer.
Run a Security Tool scan/check to successfully detect all Security Tool files with the SpyHunter Spyware Detection Tool. If you wish to remove Security Tool, you can either purchase the SpyHunter spyware removal tool to remove Security Tool or follow the Security Tool manual removal method provided in the "Remedies and Prevention" section.
Method of Infection
There are many ways your computer could get infected with Security Tool. Security Tool can come bundled with shareware or other downloadable software.
Another method of distributing Security Tool involves tricking you by displaying deceptive pop-up ads that may appear as regular Windows notifications with links which look like buttons reading Yes and No. No matter which "button" that you click on, a download starts, installing Security Tool on your system. Security Tool installs on your computer through a trojan and may infect your system without your knowledge or consent.
If you think you may already be infected with Security Tool, use this SpyHunter Spyware dectection tool to detect Security Tool and other common Spyware infections. After detection of Security Tool, the next advised step is to remove Security Tool with the purchase of the SpyHunter Spyware removal tool.
Symptoms
Security Tool may attempt to change your computer's desktop, hijack your browser, monitor your Internet browsing activities, change system files, and can do this without your knowledge or permission. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to remove all traces of Security Tool from your computer.
Remedies and Prevention
Security Tool, as well as other Spyware, are constantly evolving and becoming more advanced to avoid detection. Security Tool along with its variants can install in different locations and even when you try to uninstall it you find they reappear when you reboot your computer.
Install a good anti-spyware software
When there's a large number of traces of Spyware, for example Security Tool, that have infected a computer, the only remedy may be to automatically run a Spyware scan from a good anti-spyware software designed to detect Security Tool and other types of spyware.
Remove Security Tool manually
Another method to remove Security Tool is to manually delete Security Tool files in your system. Detect and remove the following Security Tool files:
Processes
- %UserProfile%\Application Data\4946550101\4946550101.exe
Other Files
- %Program Files%\SecurityTool
- %UserProfile%\Desktop\Security Tool.lnk
- %UserProfile%\Application Data\4946550101
- %UserProfile%\Application Data\4946550101\4946550101.cfg
- %UserProfile%\Application Data\4946550101\4946550101.bat
- %UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\Security Tool.lnk
Registry Keys
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run “SecurityTool”
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Vista Antivirus 2010
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SecurityTool
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SecurityTool
- AF4DA69B-E1D6-469A-855B-6445294857D4
- a791a998-ae9a-42cb-b833-45279b64dd30
- 7F23592B-8F2C-4C08-83A8-BBE01BF9CC64
- 7897A556-0E82-49F4-8C80-D0983CBF0352
- 77DC0B63-ff35-4ba9-8BE8-aa9EB676FA02
External links
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If you believe your computer is infected with spyware, |
- McAfee Threat Center - Library of detailed information on viruses.
- How Spyware And The Weapons Against It Are Evolving
- Crimeware: Trojans & Spyware
- Windows System Update - Latest bug fixes for Microsoft Windows
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