ByteDefender is a rogue anti-spyware application which emulates legitimate antispyware programs. Similarly to its other rogue ant-spyware, This malware tries to trick the user into paying for the license of the software. This malware application gets installed via Trojans that get delivered to users by getting downloaded from malicious websites along with fake audio or video codec packs. Once installed, The virus begins to perform endless fake security scans on the system, returning results that show that the computer is under threat from many non-existent malicious programs. It also displays and endless stream of fake warning pop-ups from the Windows taskbar warning about how much of the threat the user’s system is facing. The aim of all this activity is to try and trick the user in to purchasing software license for the ‘full’ version of this malware by claiming that the currently installed ‘trial’ version is insufficient to completely scan the system. System Security puts this request forward through its very authentic-looking GUI, through the warning pop-ups, and at the end of each fake scan. However, it must be noted that the so-called ‘full’ version is just as incapable of scanning or cleaning out any malware from any computer system as the ‘trial’ version is.
How did I get Infected?
In most cases people get infected because they do not have a good antivirus if any installed on their computer. Most free clients do not provide the type of protection you need online. Having updated virus definitions as well as up front protection is a must.
Byte Defender
» Download Byte Defender Removal Software
As soon as you find a copy of this malicious software installed on your computer, you should take steps to delete ByteDefender. Removal involves the stopping of processes, removal of files and folders and the deletion of registry entries.
Manual Removal Procedures
The first step you must take in order to remove this is to stop the following processes:
- ByteDefender.exe
- Uninstall.exe
The next step in ByteDefender removal is to delete the following files and folders:
Windows XP:
- c:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\ByteDefender.lnk
- c:\Program Files\ByteDefender Software
- c:\Program Files\ByteDefender Software\ByteDefender
- c:\Program Files\ByteDefender Software\ByteDefender\ByteDefender.exe
- %UserProfile%\Desktop\ByteDefender.lnk
Windows Vista/7:
- c:\Users\%USER%\Documents\Start Menu\Programs\ByteDefender.lnk
- c:\Program Files\ByteDefender Software
- %UserProfile%\Desktop\ByteDefender.lnk
Registry Removal Proedures
File deletion alone is not sufficient to completely remove this threat alone. The following keys and settings should be removed from the Windows Registry for complete removal:
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ByteDefender
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ByteDefender
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\ByteDefender
Now it is safe to say that your computer is completely devoid of anything to do with this threat. Be sure and run a full antivirus scan to ensure you have no other threats.
Byte Defender Directories:
- c:\Program Files\ByteDefender Software
Outside Resources:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-bytedefender
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