AntiMalwareGuard

Posted: June 16, 2008

Threat Metric

The Threat Meter is a malware assessment that SpywareRemove.com's research team is able to give every identifiable malware threat. Our Threat Meter includes several criteria based off of specific malware threats to value their severity, reach and volume. The Threat Meter is able to give you a numerical breakdown of each threat's initial Threat Level, Detection Count, Volume Count, Trend Path and Percentage Impact. The overall ranking of each threat in the Threat Meter is a basic breakdown of how all threats are ranked within our own extensive malware database. The scoring for each specific malware threat can be easily compared to other emerging threats to draw a contrast in its particular severity. The Threat Meter is a useful tool in the endeavor of seeking a solution to remove a threat or pursue additional analytical research for all types of computer users.

The following fields listed on the Threat Meter containing a specific value, are explained in detail below:

Threat Level: The threat level scale goes from 1 to 10 where 10 is the highest level of severity and 1 is the lowest level of severity. Each specific level is relative to the threat's consistent assessed behaviors collected from SpyHunter's risk assessment model.

Detection Count: The collective number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular malware threat. The detection count is calculated from infected PCs retrieved from diagnostic and scan log reports generated by SpyHunter.

Volume Count: Similar to the detection count, the Volume Count is specifically based on the number of confirmed and suspected threats infecting systems on a daily basis. High volume counts usually represent a popular threat but may or may not have infected a large number of systems. High detection count threats could lay dormant and have a low volume count. Criteria for Volume Count is relative to a daily detection count.

Trend Path: The Trend Path, utilizing an up arrow, down arrow or equal symbol, represents the level of recent movement of a particular threat. Up arrows represent an increase, down arrows represent a decline and the equal symbol represent no change to a threat's recent movement.

% Impact (Last 7 Days): This demonstrates a 7-day period change in the frequency of a malware threat infecting PCs. The percentage impact correlates directly to the current Trend Path to determine a rise or decline in the percentage.

Threat Level:	10/10
Infected PCs:	6

First Seen:	July 24, 2009
OS(es) Affected:	Windows

AntiMalwareGuard is the latest version of older rogue security programs that are known for blocking applications and hijacking web browsers, in addition to creating fake infection alerts. The polished and professional-looking interface AntiMalwareGuard shows off belies its true functions, which are to attack the infected PC and misinform its user until they're fooled into purchasing a registration key. AntiMalwareGuard and related threats are known to infect PCs through the use of Trojans masquerading as fake movie player updates – be wary around websites that request you to download an update from an insecure source.

AntiMalwareGuard's Less Anti or Guard, but Definitely Malware

AntiMalwareGuard pretends to be a general anti-malware program, but has none of the features AntiMalwareGuard claims to have, and even gets into your computer in a deceitful manner! The majority of infections by AntiMalwareGuard are reported to take place when the PC user visits a malicious website with a fake video player. On clicking the video player, you're told that you require an ActiveX codec update to play the movie; if you do this, you'll only get infected by a Trojan, which will, in turn, infect you with AntiMalwareGuard.

The most obvious sign of AntiMalwareGuard being present is its tendency to create various fake alerts and pop-ups. These warnings are created to make you think that your PC has many different system problems, but AntiMalwareGuard can't detect real threats like viruses or Trojans. Some examples of AntiMalwareGuard's warnings include:

AntiMalwareGuard
Viruses have been found in your system. We highly recommend you to get license for AntiMalwareGuard to remove immediately harmful software.

“It is highly recommended to get a full version of AntiMalwareGuard protection software in order to fix all malicious codes. Click here to start registration and have all the malware away from your PC thereafter.”

AntiMalwareGuard Firewall Alert
Suspicious activity in your registry system space was detected. Rogue malware detected in your system. Data leaks and system damage are possible. Please use a deep scan option.

AntiMalwareGuard
Your computer is being attacked from a remote machine!
Block Internet access to your computer to prevent system infection.
Attacker IP: [ip address]
Attack type: RCPT exploit

Harmful software detected
AntiMalwareGuard has detected malicious software that may cause crash of your computer. Click Remove All button to remove them now.

Avoid giving AntiMalwareGuard the money AntiMalwareGuard wants for its services, since doing this will put your credit card and related personal information in significant danger. Since AntiMalwareGuard has no real anti-malware features, there's no point in registering AntiMalwareGuard.

Guarding Yourself Against AntiMalwareGuard (the Fraudulent Guardian)

While you're busy trying to ignore its fake alerts, AntiMalwareGuard will attack your computer in less readily-visible ways that can cause more serious damage:

AntiMalwareGuard may stop applications from launching either at random or specifically to disable anti-malware and security programs. You may see an error like the one below when AntiMalwareGuard does this:
Security Alert
Virus Alert!
Application can't be started! The file [application file] is damaged. Do you want to activate your anti-virus software now?
AntiMalwareGuard infects your Registry, which lets AntiMalwareGuard run without your permission whenever Windows starts. This puts AntiMalwareGuard in a good position to flaunt its fake system scan features and allows AntiMalwareGuard to continue to interfere with other operations on your PC.
Even your browser isn't safe from AntiMalwareGuard; you may experience errors that stop you from visiting websites or a changed homepage that places you at AntiMalwareGuard's home site. AntiMalwareGuard may also redirect you from search results or during random intervals, once again forcing you towards malicious websites.

If you're ready to delete AntiMalwareGuard and get on with your life without its security-reducing attacks, you'll want to acquire a real anti-malware scanner with full database threat updates. Restarting in Safe Mode will disable less advanced PC threats like AntiMalwareGuard, which will give you the opportunity you need to remove AntiMalwareGuard with the help of an exhaustive system scan.

Technical Details

File System Modifications

Tutorials: If you wish to learn how to remove malware components manually, you can read the tutorials on how to find malware, kill unwanted processes, remove malicious DLLs and delete other harmful files. Always be sure to back up your PC before making any changes.

The following files were created in the system:

AntieMalwareGF[1].exe

File name: AntieMalwareGF[1].exe
Size: 1.05 MB (1054904 bytes)
MD5: 7567742efcbdea970bc7e85e18227058
Detection count: 89
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: December 11, 2009