Removal guide Scam Alerts

Remove PC Defender Plus (Removal Instructions)

By Stelian6 min read43comments

PC Defender Plus is a computer virus,which will report that malware was detected on your machine however if you try to remove these infections, it will state that you need to buy this product before being able to do so.
In reality, none of the reported issues are real, and are only used to scare you into buying PC Defender Plus and stealing your personal financial information.
As part of its self-defense mechanism,PC Defender Plus has installed a rootkit, which has disabled the Windows system utilities, including the Windows Task Manager and Registry Editor,and will block you from running certain programs that could lead to its removal.
PC Defender Plus has also modified your Windows files associations,and now whenever you are trying to run a program with a .exe extension ,PC Defender Plus will display a bogus notification in which will report that malware was detected,in an attempt to scare you.
If your computer is infected with PC Defender Plus,then you are seeing this screens:
PC Defender Plus virus

PC Defender Plus while scanning

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PC Defender Plus Warning
PC Defender Plus is a scam and you should ignore any alerts that this malicious software might generate.
Under no circumstance should you buy PC Defender Plus as this could lead to identity theft,and if you have, you should contact your credit card company and dispute the charge stating that the program is a scam and a computer virus.

PC Defender Plus – Virus Removal Guide

STEP 1 : Start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking

  1. Remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from your computer, and then restart your computer.
  2. Press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts.Please keep in mind that you need to press the F8 key before the Windows start-up logo appears.
    Note: With some computers, if you press and hold a key as the computer is booting you will get a stuck key message. If this occurs, instead of pressing and holding the “F8 key”, tap the “F8 key” continuously until you get the Advanced Boot Options screen.
  3. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode with Networking , and then press ENTER.
    [Image: Safemode.jpg]

STEP 2: Repair your Windows Registry from PC Defender Plus malicious changes.

Smart Fortress 2012 has changed your Windows registry settings so that when you try to run a executable file (ending with .exe ) , it will instead launch the infection rather than the desired program.

  1. Download the registryfix.reg file to fix the malicious registry changes from PC Defender Plus.
    Download RegistryFix.regOpens the download page in a new tab.
  2. Double-click on registryfix.reg file to run it. Click “Yes” for Registry Editor prompt window,then click OK.
    [Image: fix registry]

STEP 3: Run RKill to terminate known malware processes associated with PC Defender Plus.

RKill is a program that will attempt to terminate all malicious processes associated with PC Defender Plus,so that we will be able to perform the next step without being interrupted by this malicious software.
Because this utility will only stop PC Defender Plus running process, and does not delete any files, after running it you should not reboot your computer as any malware processes that are configured to start automatically will just be started again.

  1. While your computer is in Safe Mode with Networking ,please download the latest official version of RKill.Please note that we will use a renamed version of RKILL so that PC Defender Plus won’t block this utility from running.
    Download RKillYour download starts right away.
  2. Double-click on the iExplore.exe icon in order to automatically attempt to stop any processes associated with PC Defender Plus.
    [Image: run-rkill-1.png]
  3. RKill will now start working in the background, please be patient while the program looks for various malware programs and tries to terminate them.
    [Image: run-rkill-2.png]
    IF you are having problems starting or running RKill, you can download any other renamed versions of RKill from here.
  4. When Rkill has completed its task, it will generate a log. You can then proceed with the rest of the guide.
    [Image: PC Defender Plus rkill3.jpg]

WARNING: Do not reboot your computer after running RKill as the malware process will start again , preventing you from properly performing the next step.

STEP 4: Remove PC Defender Plus malicious files with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware FREE

  1. Download the latest official version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware FREE.
    Download MalwarebytesFree official installer. Your download starts right away.
  2. Start the Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware installation process by double clicking on mbam-setup file.
    [Image: Malwarebytes Installer]
  3. When the installation begins, keep following the prompts in order to continue with the setup process. Do not make any changes to default settings and when the program has finished installing, make sure you leave both the Update Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware and Launch Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware checked. Then click on the Finish button. If Malwarebytes’ prompts you to reboot, please do not do so.
    [Image: Finishing Malwarebytes installation]
  4. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start and you’ll be prompted to start a trial period , please select ‘Decline‘ as we just want to use the on-demand scanner.
    [Image: Decline Malwarebytes trial]
  5. On the Scanner tab,select Perform quick scan and then click on the Scan button to start scanning your computer.
    [Image: Starting a full system sca]
  6. Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware will now start scanning your computer for PC Defender Plus malicious files as shown below.
    [Image: Malwarebytes scanning for malicious files]
  7. When the scan is finished a message box will appear, click OK to continue.[Image: Malwarebytes scan results]
  8. You will now be presented with a screen showing you the malware infections that Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware has detected.Please note that the infections found may be different than what is shown in the image.Make sure that everything is Checked (ticked) and click on the Remove Selected button.
    [Image: Infections found by Malwarebytes]
  9. Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware will now start removing the malicious files.After completing this task it will display a message stating that it needs to reboot,please allow this request and then let your machine boot in Normal mode.

STEP 5: Remove PC Defender Plus rootkit with HitmanPro

  1. This step can be performed in Normal Mode ,so please download the latest official version of HitmanPro.
    Download HitmanProOfficial Sophos download. Free scan, free 30-day trial to remove threats.
  2. Double click on the previously downloaded fileto start the HitmanPro installation.
    [Image: HitmanPro Icon]
    IF you are experiencing problems while trying to start HitmanPro, you can use the Force Breach mode.To start HitmanPro in Force Breach mode, hold down the left CTRL-key when you start HitmanPro and all non-essential processes are terminated, including the malware process. (How to start HitmanPro in Force Breach mode – Video)
  3. Click on Next to install HitmanPro on your system.
    [Image: Starting HitmanPro]
  4. The setup screen is displayed, from which you can decide whether you wish to install HitmanPro on your machine or just perform a one-time scan, select a option then click on Next to start a system scan.
    [Image: HitmanPro installation screen]
  5. HitmanPro will start scanning your system for malicious files as seen in the image below.
    [Image: HitmanPron scanning for PC Defender Plus]
  6. Once the scan is complete,you’ll see a screen which will display all the malicious files that the program has found.Click on Next to remove this malicious files.
    [Image: HitmanPro scan results]
  7. Click Activate free license to start the free 30 days trial and remove the malicious files.
    [Image: Activate HitmanPro license]
  8. HitmanPro will now start removing the infected objects.If this program will ask you to restart your computer,please allow this request.

STEP 6: Double check for any left over infections with Emsisoft Emergency Kit

  1. You can download Emsisoft Emergency Kit from the below link.
    Download Emsisoft Emergency KitOpens the download page in a new tab.
  2. After the download process will finish , you’ll need to unpack EmsisoftEmergencyKit.zip
    Unpack Emsisoft Emergency Kit
  3. Open the Emsisoft Emergency Kit folder and double click EmergencyKitScanner.bat.
    Click on EmergencyKitScanner.bat
  4. A pop-up will prompt you to update Emsisoft Emergency Kit,and you’ll need to click the Yes button to allow this request.
    Update Emsisoft Emergency Kit
  5. After the Update process has completed,click on the Menu tab and then select Scan PC.
    Scan tab on Emsisoft Emergency Kit
  6. Select Smart scan and click on the SCAN button to search for PC Defender Plus malicious files.
    Emsisoft Emergency Kit smart scan
  7. Emsisoft will now start scanning your computer for malicious files.When the scan will be completed,you will be presented with a screen showing you the infections that Emsisoft has detected.
    Make sure that everything is Checked (ticked) and then click on Quarantine selected objects.
    Emsisoft smart scan results
  8. Emsisoft Emergency Kit will now start removing the malicious files.If during the removal process Emsisoft will display a message stating that it needs to reboot, please allow this request.
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If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove PC Defender Plus from your machine, please start a new thread in our Malware Removal Assistance forum.

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43 comments

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Discussion

    1. Stelian PiliciTeam

      In reply to Chris

      Hello Chris,
      Yes,you can uninstall all the programs that we’ve used to remove this infection.
      Stay safe!

      ReplyReport
  5. Lin

    a friend’s laptop was infected with this crap and i use your instructions to repair his laptop. works perfectly now. thanks!

    ReplyReport
  6. Nikie

    Thank you so much for your post, it really helped me out, but there’s one thing! When I was running Rougekiller, it said that I had ZeroAccess. Then I just deleted all the detected files and fixed my shortcuts. Then I ran another scan and it didn’t detect ZeroAccess anymore. But now I am not sure whether I still have it or not. Could you please help me out, I’m so scared! (I’m 16 years old… So… Yeah…)

    Thanks anyways!

    ReplyReport
  9. Mike Hill

    Instruction to rid computer of pc defender plus was a success Thanks and good work it is appricated.

    ReplyReport
  11. Amina

    When I restart my computer instead of the Advanced Boot Options screen showing up I get a screen that says to select the boot device. Following, 1st Floppy drive, PM-LITE-ON COMBO SOHC-5235K, PS-HL-DT-ST RW/DVD GCC-4480B, 3M-ST3500418AS, 4M-ST3320620AS. Which one am I suppose to choose?

    ReplyReport
    1. Stelian PiliciTeam

      In reply to Amina

      Hello Amina,
      Lets try to fix your computer,please run the below tools while in Normal Mode;
      STEP 1: Run a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware in Chameleon Mode in Norman mode:

      1. Download Malwarebytes Chameleon from here and extract it to a folder in a convenient location
      2. Make certain that your PC is connected to the internet and then open the folder where you extracted Chameleon to and double-click on the Chameleon help file and then follow the onscreen instructions to use it.
      3. If the Chameleon help file itself will not open, then double-click each file one by one until you find one that works, which will be indicated by a black DOS/command prompt window.
      4. Follow the onscreen instructions to press a key to continue and Chameleon will proceed to download and install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for you
      5. Once it has done this, it will attempt to update Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, click OK when it says that the database was updated successful
      6. Next, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will automatically open and perform a Quick scan
      7. Upon completion of the scan, if anything has been detected, click on Show Result
      8. Have Malwarebytes Anti-Malware remove any threats that are detected and click Yes if prompted to reboot your computer to allow the removal process to complete
      9. After your computer restarts, open Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and perform a Full System scan to verify that there are no remaining threats

      STEP 2: Run a scan with RogueKiller

      1. Please download the latest official version of RogueKiller.
        RogueKiller Download Link (This link will automatically download RogueKiller on your computer)
      2. Double click on RogueKiller.exe to start this utility and then wait for the Prescan to complete.This should take only a few seconds and then you can click the Scan button to perform a system scan.
      3. After the scan has completed, press the Delete button to remove any malicious registry keys.
      4. Next we will need to restore your shortcuts, so click on the ShortcutsFix button and allow the program to run.

      STEP 3 Please perform a scan with HitmanPro as seen on the guide.
      If you are having problems starting this program please use the ForceBreach mode as described in the guide.

      STEP 4: Run a scan with ESET Online Scanner:

      1. Download ESET Online Scanner utility.
        ESET Online Scanner Download Link (This link will automatically download ESET Online Scanner on your computer.)
      2. Double click on the Eset installer program (esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe).
      3. Check Yes, I accept the Terms of Use
      4. Click the Start button.
      5. Check Scan archives
      6. Push the Start button.
      7. ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer. Please be patient as this can take some time.
      8. When the scan completes, push Finish

      Waiting for your reply to tell me how everything is running!
      Good luck.

      ReplyReport
  12. Nate

    Thanks man, this lovely virus kinda scared me a bit good to know yall geeks got this type of stuff under control

    ReplyReport
  13. SImon

    PC Defender Pro won’t let me run Rkill or any other version under a different name. Help!

    ReplyReport
    1. Stelian PiliciTeam

      In reply to SImon

      Hello Simon,
      Lets try to fix your computer,please run the below tools while in Normal Mode;
      STEP 1: Run a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware in Chameleon Mode in Norman mode:

      1. Download Malwarebytes Chameleon from here and extract it to a folder in a convenient location
      2. Make certain that your PC is connected to the internet and then open the folder where you extracted Chameleon to and double-click on the Chameleon help file and then follow the onscreen instructions to use it.
      3. If the Chameleon help file itself will not open, then double-click each file one by one until you find one that works, which will be indicated by a black DOS/command prompt window.
      4. Follow the onscreen instructions to press a key to continue and Chameleon will proceed to download and install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for you
      5. Once it has done this, it will attempt to update Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, click OK when it says that the database was updated successful
      6. Next, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will automatically open and perform a Quick scan
      7. Upon completion of the scan, if anything has been detected, click on Show Result
      8. Have Malwarebytes Anti-Malware remove any threats that are detected and click Yes if prompted to reboot your computer to allow the removal process to complete
      9. After your computer restarts, open Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and perform a Full System scan to verify that there are no remaining threats

      STEP 2: Run a scan with RogueKiller

      1. Please download the latest official version of RogueKiller.
        RogueKiller Download Link (This link will automatically download RogueKiller on your computer)
      2. Double click on RogueKiller.exe to start this utility and then wait for the Prescan to complete.This should take only a few seconds and then you can click the Scan button to perform a system scan.
      3. After the scan has completed, press the Delete button to remove any malicious registry keys.
      4. Next we will need to restore your shortcuts, so click on the ShortcutsFix button and allow the program to run.

      STEP 3 Please perform a scan with HitmanPro as seen on the guide.
      If you are having problems starting this program please use the ForceBreach mode as described in the guide.

      STEP 4: Run a scan with ESET Online Scanner:

      1. Download ESET Online Scanner utility.
        ESET Online Scanner Download Link (This link will automatically download ESET Online Scanner on your computer.)
      2. Double click on the Eset installer program (esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe).
      3. Check Yes, I accept the Terms of Use
      4. Click the Start button.
      5. Check Scan archives
      6. Push the Start button.
      7. ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer. Please be patient as this can take some time.
      8. When the scan completes, push Finish

      Waiting for your reply to tell me how everything is running!
      Good luck…

      ReplyReport
  14. Choong

    Hi Pals, this is great and helped me a lot, finally based on your step-by-step guide, managed to get rip of the stubborn piece of malware.

    Thanks a lot!

    ReplyReport
    1. Stelian PiliciTeam

      In reply to ang

      Hello Ang,
      Lets try to fix your computer,please run the below tools while in Normal Mode;
      STEP 1: Run a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware in Chameleon Mode in Norman mode:

      1. Download Malwarebytes Chameleon from here and extract it to a folder in a convenient location
      2. Make certain that your PC is connected to the internet and then open the folder where you extracted Chameleon to and double-click on the Chameleon help file and then follow the onscreen instructions to use it.
      3. If the Chameleon help file itself will not open, then double-click each file one by one until you find one that works, which will be indicated by a black DOS/command prompt window.
      4. Follow the onscreen instructions to press a key to continue and Chameleon will proceed to download and install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for you
      5. Once it has done this, it will attempt to update Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, click OK when it says that the database was updated successful
      6. Next, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will automatically open and perform a Quick scan
      7. Upon completion of the scan, if anything has been detected, click on Show Result
      8. Have Malwarebytes Anti-Malware remove any threats that are detected and click Yes if prompted to reboot your computer to allow the removal process to complete
      9. After your computer restarts, open Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and perform a Full System scan to verify that there are no remaining threats

      STEP 2: Run a scan with RogueKiller

      1. Please download the latest official version of RogueKiller.
        RogueKiller Download Link (This link will automatically download RogueKiller on your computer)
      2. Double click on RogueKiller.exe to start this utility and then wait for the Prescan to complete.This should take only a few seconds and then you can click the Scan button to perform a system scan.
      3. After the scan has completed, press the Delete button to remove any malicious registry keys.
      4. Next we will need to restore your shortcuts, so click on the ShortcutsFix button and allow the program to run.

      STEP 3 Please perform a scan with HitmanPro as seen on the guide.
      If you are having problems starting this program please use the ForceBreach mode as described in the guide.

      STEP 4: Run a scan with ESET Online Scanner:

      1. Download ESET Online Scanner utility.
        ESET Online Scanner Download Link (This link will automatically download ESET Online Scanner on your computer.)
      2. Double click on the Eset installer program (esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe).
      3. Check Yes, I accept the Terms of Use
      4. Click the Start button.
      5. Check Scan archives
      6. Push the Start button.
      7. ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer. Please be patient as this can take some time.
      8. When the scan completes, push Finish

      Waiting for your reply to tell me how everything is running!
      Good luck…

      ReplyReport

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Written by

Stelian

Stelian leverages over a decade of cybersecurity expertise to lead malware analysis and removal, uncover scams, and educate people. His experience provides insightful analysis and valuable perspective.

61,116 articlesWriting since 2011
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