XP SecurityCenter
From Wiki-Security, the free encyclopedia of computer security
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XP SecurityCenter is a rogue anti-virus application that first appeared in May 2008. XP SecurityCenter intentionally mimics legitimate Windows components and Microsoft programs, while generating constant warnings about fake infections, in order to scare you into paying money for a "full" version that doesn't exist. XP SecurityCenter is part of a scam and has no actual affiliation with Windows or Microsoft.
XP SecurityCenter has its own website, which is made to look as if it is a real site for real anti-virus software, complete with bogus seals and awards from trusted sources (e.g., PC Magazine). This site offers free "trial" downloads of XP SecurityCenter, along with fake testimonials and tabs that give the appearance of a site selling a real product with technical and billing support. Windows logos are all over the site, because the simple fact of the matter is that a lot of people will blindly trust a site that looks as if it is associated with Windows. So, some people do wind up with XP SecurityCenter on their computers in this way. More commonly, though, what happens is that a Trojan hidden in a plugin or codec download infects the computer first, and then causes XP SecurityCenter to be downloaded.
XP SecurityCenter is meant to give you the impression that it has somehow always been there, or that it is not out of place because it is something that is just part of Windows. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. XP SecurityCenter looks very realistic, with a home screen that uses the Windows Security Center shield logo, along with typical Windows fonts and styling. It has several options and controls on the left, and the “status” of several components on the right. XP SecurityCenter will frequently claim that scans have found horrible viruses on your computer, and in order to remove them, you need to go from the trial version to the full version for $49.95. If you do not click on the prompts to go to the payment site, the warning pop-ups will only keep coming back, over and over again. The viruses these warnings claim that XP SecurityCenter has found are not real viruses; they're all made up, although XP SecurityCenter may create a few files with the names of them so that it can "find" them later.
XP SecurityCenter is definitely more of a "nag screen" type rogue anti-virus program than one that prevents you from using your computer, since it mostly causes pop-ups that promote itself without interfering directly with other programs. On the other hand, XP SecurityCenter can consume a huge amount of memory, leaving insufficient memory for other programs to run, and the problem may become severe enough to cause the system to crash.
If you do decide to purchase the “full” version of XP SecurityCenter in the vain hope that doing so will cause this malware to go away, you are sadly mistaken. All you will get in return for your money is an animation that XP SecurityCenter will play when it claims to be "removing" a threat. No matter what you do, XP SecurityCenter does not actually have the ability to detect or remove threats.
To check your computer for XP SecurityCenter, download
SpyHunter Spyware Detection Tool.
SpyHunter spyware detection tool is only a scanner meant to assist you in detecting XP SecurityCenter and other threats. If you detect the presence of XP SecurityCenter on your PC, you have the opportunity to purchase the SpyHunter removal tool to remove any traces of XP SecurityCenter.
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Detection of XP SecurityCenter (Recommended)
XP SecurityCenter is difficult to detect and remove. XP SecurityCenter is not likely to be removed through a convenient "uninstall" feature. XP SecurityCenter, 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 XP SecurityCenter and other spyware, adware, trojans and viruses on your computer.
Run a XP SecurityCenter scan/check to successfully detect all XP SecurityCenter files with the SpyHunter Spyware Detection Tool. If you wish to remove XP SecurityCenter, you can either purchase the SpyHunter spyware removal tool to remove XP SecurityCenter or follow the XP SecurityCenter manual removal method provided in the "Remedies and Prevention" section.
Method of Infection
There are many ways your computer could get infected with XP SecurityCenter. XP SecurityCenter can come bundled with shareware or other downloadable software.
Another method of distributing XP SecurityCenter 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 XP SecurityCenter on your system. XP SecurityCenter 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 XP SecurityCenter, use this SpyHunter Spyware dectection tool to detect XP SecurityCenter and other common Spyware infections. After detection of XP SecurityCenter, the next advised step is to remove XP SecurityCenter with the purchase of the SpyHunter Spyware removal tool.
Symptoms
XP SecurityCenter 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 XP SecurityCenter from your computer.
Remedies and Prevention
XP SecurityCenter, as well as other Spyware, are constantly evolving and becoming more advanced to avoid detection. XP SecurityCenter 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 XP SecurityCenter, 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 XP SecurityCenter and other types of spyware.
Remove XP SecurityCenter manually
Another method to remove XP SecurityCenter is to manually delete XP SecurityCenter files in your system. Detect and remove the following XP SecurityCenter files:
Processes
- XPSecurityCenter.exe
DLLs
- XunLeiBHO_Now.dll
- mp3avi.dll
- windivx.dll
- VideoMP3.dll
- alisj.dll
- sysdivx.dll
- PowerVideo.dll
Other Files
- XP SecurityCenter
- %ProgramFiles%\XPSecurityCenter
Registry Keys
- XP_SecurityCenter
- Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\XP Security Center.exe
- F10587E9-0E47-4CBE-84AE-7DD20B8685CC
- 09D72564-27E2-4F12-8AB6-03F83E4567DE
- 2B659BB5-3E85-4BC6-BAFC-98FEDFF3AE99
- 741403DD-46A4-4D58-8FA7-427335C3BBF6
- 0EEDB911-C5FA-486F-8334-57288578C627
External links
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- 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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