Defense Center - How Safe Is Your PC?
For as long as computer technology has existed, there has also been the technology to damage PCs. While people have become more and more dependent on these machines, viruses have been devised to compromise them in many ways. Computer viruses have become so prevalent that a multitude of anti-virus software has been introduced to PC users either over the internet or purchased in stores. The update processes required on a daily basis are a part of your PC's daily life, lulling you into believing your newest update of av software has kept your computer clean. Unfortunately, the computer geniuses have managed to go one step further and create a malicious program that pretends to be an anti-virus program, complete with links to different types of PC scanning and even an update link. This software is called Defense Center, and it is a rogue software program that will do its best to ruin your computer.
What is Defense Center?
Defense Center is usually installed through using malware or fake anti-malware programs that use scare tactics such as deceptive warnings and fake scan results to scare you into believing you have an infected computer and you need to purchase this rogue program to fix it. Since its appearance looks as official and above board as other genuine programs, it can be easy to fall for its ruse.
What happens when Defense Center is initialized?
When Defense Center is installed, there are several things that can happen:
1. It will disable your computer's Task Manager.
2. It will sit dormant for a certain amount of time before starting to give you alerts on your Windows Taskbar.
3. Once you click on the alerts, it will install itself on your computer and start advising removal of your completely legitimate anti-malware or anti-virus programs.
It is easy to see that the resulting chaos from this rogue Trojan software can easily trick you into removing programs you need for your computer to work. This can be devastating.
Removing Defense Center
Defense Center removal is not an easy task, especially for those with little computer experience. If you are unsure of your computer skills, do not attempt to remove it manually, as it could damage your computer if not done properly. There are several steps to removing it with a spyware remover:
1. Reboot your computer into Safe Mode
2. Download XoftSpySE Anti-Spyware
if you don't already have it, and install it. Follow through all prompts and use default settings.
3. Once installed, have it perform a full scan, a process that can last for awhile. You can check on it periodically until a message appears saying the scan was successful.
4. It will show you all of the malware on your computer and at this point you can instruct it to remove all. It may or may not require a reboot for the changes to take place.
Manual Defense Center Removal
Files:
c:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Favorites_favdata.dat
Path c:\Program Files\Defense Center\ remove the following:
1.virus.mp3
2.update.ico
3.Uninstall.exe
4.splash.mp3
5.settings.ico
6.scan.ico
7.help.ico
8.defhook.dll
9.defext.dll
10.defcnt.exe
11.def.db
12.buy.ico
13.activate.ico
14.about.ico
Path %UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\Defense Center\ remove the following:
1.Update.lnk
2.Settings.lnk
3.Scan.lnk
4.Defense Center Support.lnk
5.Defense Center.lnk
6.Buy.lnk
7.Activate.lnk
8.About.lnk
Path %UserProfile%\Desktop\ remove the following:
1.youporn.com.lnk
2.troj000.exe
3.spam003.exe
4.spam001.exe
5.pornotube.com.lnk
6.nudetube.com.lnk
7.Defense Center Support.lnk
8.Defense Center.lnk
Registry Entries:
1.HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREProgram Groups
2.HKEY_USERSS-1-5-21-861567501-152049171-1708537768-1003_Classessecfile
3.HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallDefense Center
4.HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareClassessecfile
5.HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionpoliciessystem "DisableTaskMgr" = "1"
6.HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun "Defense Center"
7.HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{5E2121EE-0300-11D4-8D3B-444553540000}
8.HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREDefense Center
9.HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTsecfile
10.HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionShell ExtensionsApproved "{5E2121EE-0300-11D4-8D3B-444553540000}"
11.HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesSystem "DisableTaskMgr" = "1"
Remove Defense Center Automatically/Safely
Recommended tools for removing Defense Center. Choose the best solution for you:
- XoftSpySE Anti-Spyware 7.0 - a safe and reliable method to remove Defense Center.
- Spyware Doctor 2010 - an award-winning and very capable antispyware program.
- STOPzilla 5.0 - an excellent performer with great technical support.
These antispyware products are constantly being updated to detect and remove new variants of Trojans and malware. XoftSpySE's database was last updated on September 1st, 2010. Make sure your system is up-to-date, check for Windows security updates.
If you require personal assistance removing Defense Center even after using one of the recommended tools, email us at info@removeadware.com.au for help. Describe the problem and attach a recent XoftSpySE log file to save us a bit of time.
This webpage was created to provide information on Defense Center removal. We do not own or endorse Defense Center.
