|
SpyFalcon is the latest rogue anti-spyware program that dupes unsuspecting users into registering (paying) for a full version of the program in order to remove a supposed Spyware infection. SpyFalcon operates in the same manner as
SpyAxe and
SpywareStrike by issuing fake warning messages similar (and almost identical to) Windows Update Notification balloons.
Click
here for an example. Like SpyAxe and SpywareStrike, SpyFalcon infects the
host computer due to an exploit in MS Windows. The exploit can be resolved after
infection is removed and after visiting Windows Update Web site.
Both steps are explained in detail below. How to Remove SpyFalcon It is
recommended that you save these instructions to your desktop for later use.
- To begin: right click over top of the link
remove_spyfalcon.reg, select "Save Link As" or "Save File as", and save the
file to your desktop.
- Next, download
SmitRemFix by Noahdfear to your
desktop. Once downloaded, double click to uninstall all the files into a folder, but do
not run the program yet. SmitRemFix must be run in Safe Mode.
In safe mode:
- Click Start -> Control Panel; launch the Add / Remove Programs icon.
- Find the entry for SpyFalcon and double-click on it. 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 (if they exist):
C:\Windows\System32\dxmpp.dll
C:\Program Files\SpyFalcon\
- Close all open Windows; open the
SmitRemFix folder on your desktop.
- Double-click the RunThis.bat file to start the tool; follow the instructions. If
SmitRemFix finds an infection, it will start an uninstaller. Click on the Uninstall button to finish the removal. When complete,
SmitRemFix will close automatically.
- Your desktop may disappear for a split second as the
SmitRemFix removes any leftover files installed by the infection. When complete, it will close automatically and you will be back at your desktop.
- At this point, your computer should now be free of the SpyFalcon infection. To verify that your computer is free of infection, you may choose (optionally) to run PandaOnline scan:
http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan.htm
- Once this is complete:
a) Visit Windows Update to update your computer. Otherwise, Spy Falcon will
most likely re-infect your machine.
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
b) If you cannot visit Windows Update in Safe Mode, reboot your computer back to normal mode
and visit Windows Update.
After that, your computer should be clear of the infection (once and for
all).
-- Related newsletter articles:
2005/03/17 Spyware won't remove and keeps coming back! (safe mode)
2005/12/20 Remove SpyAxe (Removal Instructions) (safe mode)
2003/09/23 Change drive letter assignment? (safe mode)
2004/06/23 Cannot log into admin account (WinXP)? (safe mode)
2004/11/30 XP SP2 eBook: New Project Announcement (safe)
2004/03/11 What Spyware is safe to remove? (safe)
2004/07/06 Web page doesn't fit properly when printed? (mode)
2005/09/09 Systweak Memory Zipper Plus Review (safe)
2005/06/03 Remove Scratches from CD or DVD compact disc?, Part 2 (safe)
-- Recent articles (from all channels): 2008/05/12 Today in History: for Monday, May 12, 2008
2008/05/12 [ShellX 20080512]: 'Remote Manager', and 'Cyber Bandwidth ...
2008/05/12 Video Gaming Trade Group Struggling
2008/05/12 T-Mobile Finally Joins 3G Phone Race
2008/05/12 Apple Slammed by Environment Watchdog
2008/05/09 [ShellX 20080509]: 'Advanced Run', and 'Diver Windows Manager'
2008/05/09 Texas Refuses Facebook Friend Request
2008/05/09 Photo-Enforcement Technology Replaces Officers On Patrol
2008/05/09 Cuban Government Says 'Ok Computer'
2008/05/09 Excel Can E-Mail Your Weekly Reports For You!
2008/05/08 [ShellX 20080508]: 'Shell Enhancer', and 'Lansweeper'
2008/05/08 Xobni: MS Outlook Social Networking Technology for your Inbox
2008/05/08 Music Companies Jump on GTA IV Bandwagon
2008/05/08 Fascinating: Memristor to replace Binary
2008/05/08 Adobe Hopes To Make Flash Master Of The (Mobile) Universe
2008/05/08 Spiffy Envelopes and Labels in MS Word
2008/05/07 [ShellX 20080507]: 'Winbin2iso', and 'Loop Typer'
2008/05/07 Yahoo Adds Security Warnings To Search Results
2008/05/07 Apple to Lose Money on iTunes Movie Releases
2008/05/07 Amazon.com takes New York Tax to Court
2008/05/07 Need Glasses for the Slide Sorter View in MS PowerPoint?
2008/05/07 After Winning The DVD Format War, Blu-Ray Sales Tank
2008/05/06 [ShellX 20080506]: 'Visual Basic 6.0 Portable', and 'Double-...
2008/05/06 Yahoo Outsources to Jajah
2008/05/06 New HP Circuit Could Change Technology Forever
2008/05/06 Movie Downloads To Match DVD Release Dates
2008/05/06 Microsoft Ends Yahoo Bid
2008/05/05 [ShellX 20080505]: 'Ie7 Pro', and 'Desktop Ok'
2008/05/05 The WB Network Hops Online
2008/05/05 Microsoft Slashes Price of Xbox 360 Overseas
2008/05/05 Google CEO Wants YouTube to Take More of Your Money
|
