Steps To Remove “XP Smart Security” From Your PC

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XP Smart Security 2010

XP Smart Security is a rogue antivirus program that is installing itself on many people’s computers and is consequently causing a large number of errors and problems for your PC. This infection is normally contracted from the Internet and comes from a website that has a fake image of the Windows control panel, which cons you into downloading the tool. Unfortunately, although this program may look legitimate, it does not do anything but ruin your PC. Here’s what you need to do to remove the virus…

What Is The Smart XP Security Virus?

The Smart XP Security virus is a program that is installed from the Internet. It acts like an “official” antivirus program, in that it attempts to scan your PC for errors and shows them on its screen…. however, the big problem with this tool is that it does not do anything to help protect your PC from viruses – all that you see on screen is fake. This program has been designed to con you into buying the upgrade, so the hackers who developed it can steal your money.

How To Remove Smart XP Security From Your PC

Step 1 – Remove Registry Keys Created By Smart XP Security

1)  Click Start->Run (or WinKey+R). Input: “command”. Press Enter or click OK.

2) When the command prompt loads, type “notepad” into the Window to load up notepad:

3) When notepad loads, copy the following text into it:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareClasses.exe]
[-HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareClassessecfile]
[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTsecfile]
[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.exeshellopencommand]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTexefileshellopencommand]
@=””%1″ %*”

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.exe]
@=”exefile”
“Content Type”=”application/x-msdownload”

4) Save the file as a “.reg” file on your desktop:

5) When saved, double click the file you just created and let it edit the registry. This will change the various parts of the registry which Smart XP Security needs, preventing it from loading. When this has completed, restart your PC into normal mode and follow the steps below:

Step 2 – Download & Install Malaware Bytes

• Download Here

Malware Bytes is a free spyware & malware removal tool which you can download here.  You need to install it on your PC and then let it scan your system. If you don’t have access to the Internet (because XP Smart Security blocked it) then you should download this tool on another PC and then transfer the installation file via CD or USB pen.

Using this tool is very simple. You need to select the type of scan you want to perform and then press “Scan” to get the tool to do the task. This will send Malware Bytes through your system and it will identify all the infected files, removing them for you. This automated tool is the best way to remove the infection because it gets 95% of it.

Step 2 – Clean Out The Registry

• Download This Registry Cleaner Tool

XP Smart Security is very effective at removing the actual infection from your PC, it does not finish the job properly… and ends up leaving a series of settings on your PC. These are kept in the ‘registry’ database and can actually allow the infection back onto your PC. In order to fully protect yourself, it is recommended that you download a registry cleaner and then use it to remove any of the infected ‘XP Smart Security’ registry keys that can still cause problems. This tool is automated and is very easy to use.

What This Removal Process Does:

Kills Processes

• av.exe ave.exe

You should open up the “Task Manager” by clicking CTRL + ALT + DEL and then click on the “Processes” tab. This will then display a list of running processes, where you should then be able to find the listed files above. Click on each one and then click on the “End Process” button to stop the program from running. You can see an example of how that works below:

• Download This Registry Cleaner

In order to prevent Antispyware Soft coming back on your PC, you need to remove all the registry entries it has entered. This important, because many people leave these intact and end up having the problem come back again. Registry entries store the settings and options for the program, and by using a registry cleaner, you can remove them all and get your computer fit and healthy again. This is highly recommended