What is Smart Defender Software (Smart Defender virus)?
Smart Defender is a term used to describe a family of dangerous rogue software (rogue Anti-Spyware), and is malware, categorized as Scareware. The term Smart Defender relates to XP Smart Defender, Vista Smart Defender, Win Smart Defender, Win 7 Smart Defender, Win 8 Smart Defender, Smart Defender Pro, Smart Defender Plus, and a variety of other similar malicious titles.
Scareware such as the Smart Defender virus infect computer systems most likely without detection, but there are instances where the software distributors first engage in social engineering by promoting the malicious Smart Defender program as a free and legitimate Antivirus or Anti-Spyware program used to scan for malware and remove found threats, as well as complete system maintenance and firewall tasks, in order to trick unsuspecting victims to download the rogue Smart Defender software voluntarily.
Furthermore, Smart Defender is fake software, that initiates fraudulent scans, and displays unrealistic results and notifications that states the particular computer is infected with malware, or facing some sort of issue (even though the computer may only be infected with the Smart Defender virus) to cause anxiety, shock, or fear. This second use of social engineering is orchestrated to persuade victims to activate or register the fake Smart Defender software. Please note, paying to activate or register Smart Defender software is extremely dangerous and will not remove the Smart Defender software or magically cause Smart Defender to become legitimate. You do not want to give your personal information, such as your credit card numbers and home address to cyber criminals. Rogue software such as Smart Defender is often linked to credit theft, extortion, and identity theft.
If your computer is infected with Smart Defender rogue software, if Smart Defender is difficult to remove, or if you suspect additional malware has infected your computer system, please use the instructions in this tutorial to remove Smart Defender and related malware.
Anvisoft Smart Defender (Anvi Smart Defender) Information
This article is not in relations to Anvisoft Smart Defender software, though Anvi Smart Defender uses unethical marketing practices to persuade users to download their software. Anvi Smart Defender is not recommended.
Smart Defender Dangers and Symptoms
- Smart Defender, as stated above likely installs to a computer without detection and can be contracted by downloading compromised freeware, shareware, codecs, and torrents, or falling victim to phishing attempts in emails and social media spam. Windows Smart Defender can also be contracted from websites that hosts malware, including drive-by-download websites, and websites that have been negatively affected (hacked) by third-parties. Installments of rogue software via compromised sites and email messages is often initiated when victims accidentally click malicious links.
- Smart Defender displays pop-up notifications that states it detected fake issues, fake including critical issues, fake system updates, fake tracking updates, and notification about fake malicious threats.
- Smart Defender “pretends” to scan a computer system for malware, viruses, and issues, and displays fraudulent results. Even if a computer is infected with additional malware, Smart Defender programs such as XP Smart Defender, Vista Smart Defender, Win Smart Defender, Win 7 Smart Defender, Win 8 Smart Defender, Smart Defender Pro, Smart Defender Plus, and other rogue software will not scan for and display legitimate computer threat results.
Common fraudulent Smart Defender notifications and scan results have been detailed below:
System Security Alert! Vulnerabilities found Background scan for security breaches has been finished. Serious problems have been detected. Safeguard your system against exploits, malware and viruses right now by activating Proactive Defence.
System Security Alert! Unknown program is scanning your system registry right now! Identify the theft detected!
Attention: Danger! Alert! System scan for spyware, adware, Trojans and viruses is complete. XP Smart Defender Pro detected 31 critical system objects. These security breaches may be exploited and lead to the following: Your system becomes a target for spam and bulky, intruding ads; Browser crashes frequently and web access speed decreases; Your personal files, photos, document and passwords get stolen; Your computer is used for criminal activity behind your back; Bank details and credit card information gets disclosed.
XP Smart Defender Firewall Alert Iexplore.exe is infected with Trojan.JS.Fraud.ba. Private data can be stolen by third parties, including credit card details and passwords. Windows recommends activate XP Smart Defender
Tracking software found! Your PC activity is being monitored. Possible spyware infection. Your data security may be compromised. Sensitive data can be stolen. Prevent damage now by completing a security scan.
System Security Alert! Vulnerabilities found Background scan for security breaches has been finished. Serious problems have been detected. Safeguard your system against exploits, malware and viruses right now by activating Proactive Defense.
System Security Alert! Unknown program is scanning your system registry right now! Identify the theft detected!
Virus infection! System security was found to be compromised. Your computer is now infected. Attention, irreversible system changes may occur. Private data may get stolen. Click here now for an instant anti-virus scan.
System Security Alert! Vulnerabilities found Background scan for security breaches has been finished. Serious problems have been detected. Safeguard your system against exploits, malware and viruses right now by activating Proactive Defense.
How to remove Smart Defender Rogue Software
- Antivirus & Anti-Malware Software – Scan, detect, and remove Smart Defender and third party malware
- System Restore – Restore computer to date and time before infection
- Uninstall Smart Defender – Windows Uninstaller
- Safe Mode With Networking – Troubleshoot internet access and remove malware
- Manually Remove Smart Defender (Advanced) – Remove Smart Defender process, files, and registry entries
1. Antivirus & Anti-Malware Software
To automatically remove Smart Defender, Smart Defender Pro, and related malware, we recommend running a full system scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. View other Antivirus recommendations.
Instructions: 1. Install Malwarebytes 2. Update the software 3. Perform full scan (Image).
2. System Restore
Perform a system restore to an automatic restore point created by Window’s each week and during system updates, including installments of new software such as XP Smart Defender, Vista Smart Defender, Win Smart Defender, Win 7 Smart Defender, Win 8 Smart Defender, Smart Defender Pro, Smart Defender Plus, and other programs.
System Restores can be used to remove entire installments without harming your computer or removing any data including documents, images, and videos.
3. Uninstall Smart Defender
If possible, given the particular Smart Defender program, you may be able to simply uninstall Smart Defender using Window’s Uninstaller.
How To Uninstall Smart Defender From Control Panel
- Start > Settings > Control Panel > Uninstall a Program or Add/Remove Programs.
- Serch for Smart Defender in the list of installed programs and click Uninstall. Smart Defender programs include: XP Smart Defender, Vista Smart Defender, Win Smart Defender, Win 7 Smart Defender, Win 8 Smart Defender, Smart Defender Pro, Smart Defender Plus, and a variety of others.
4. Safe Mode With Networking
Safe Mode with Networking can be used to troubleshoot internet access (Safe Mode can be used to simply access the system) and install software to remove the Smart Defender virus and relating malware.
1. Restart your computer.
2. Before Window’s launches tap the F8 key constantly to access the appropriate menu. Use the keyboard arrow keys to navigate to and highlight the Safe Mode with Networking option and press ENTER.
3. You can now access the internet to install legitimate software such as Malwarebytes to remove Smart Defender and relating malware from your computer, or use the advanced manual removal instructions below with caution.
5. Manually Remove Smart Defender (Advanced)
Stop Smart Defender Process
1. Access Window’s Task Manager typing Ctrl+Shift+Esc.
2. Find and remove the Smart Defender process, which may be similar to the processes detailed below. Also compare this list to the list of files below.
[rnd].exe smartdefender.exe smartdefenderpro.exe
Remove Smart Defender Files
Search for and delete Smart Defender related files. The files detailed below are associated with fake Windows Smart Defender software.
Smart Defender PRO.lnk smartdefender.exe smrtdefp.exe Uninstall.exe Smart Defender PRO0.dll Smart Defender PRO.dll Smart Defender PRO3.dll LabelCommand.dll Smart Defender PRO Setup.exe _addon.exe temp.dll W3asbas.exe %UserProfile%\Application Data\Smart Defender PRO %UserProfile%\Application Data\Smart Defender PRO\smrtdefp.exe %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Temp\smrtdefp.exe %CommonAppData%\pcdfdata\[random].exe %CommonAppData%\pcdfdata\vl.bin %CommonAppData%\pcdfdata\support.ico %CommonPrograms%\XP Smart Defender\XP Smart Defender.lnk %CommonAppData%\pcdfdata\uninst.ico %CommonAppData%\pcdfdata\config.bin %CommonPrograms%\XP Smart Defender\XP Smart Defender Help and Support.lnk %CommonAppData%\pcdfdata\defs.bin %CommonAppData%\pcdfdata\app.ico %CommonDesktopDir%\XP Smart Defender.lnk
Repair And Remove Smart Defender Registry Entries
1. Access Window’s Registry Editor by navigating to the Start Menu and typing regedit into the search bar, followed by pressing Enter.
2. If you are not experienced with repairing or removing Registry entries, keys, etc, please do not proceed. Search for Smart Defender registry entries below and remove or repair as needed.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe\ [RANDOM_2] HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe\shell HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe\shell\open\command = “”%CommonAppData%\pcdfdata\[RANDOM].exe” /ex “%1″ %*” HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe\shell\runas\command = ‘”%1″ %*’ HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe “Content Type” = ‘application/x-m’ HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe\DefaultIcon “(Default)” = ‘%1′ HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe\shell\open\command HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe\shell\runas\command HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run pcdfsvc = “%CommonAppData%\pcdfdata\[RANDOM].exe /min” HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe\DefaultIcon HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe\shell\open HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe\shell\runas HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe\shell\runas\command “IsolatedCommand” = ‘”%1″ %*’ HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Smart Defender PRO HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run "Smart Defender PRO" HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Smart Defender PRO HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Smart Defender PRO HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Smart Defender PRO HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run "Smart Defender PRO"
