Removal guide Scam Alerts

Remove Security Defender virus (Uninstall Guide)

By Stelian5 min read

Security Defender is a computer virus,which pretends to be a legitimate security program and claims that malware has been detected on your computer,however if you try to remove these infections,it will state that you need to buy this product before being able to do so.
Apart from the bogus scan results,Security Defender will display other fake security alerts that are designed to think that your data is at risk or that your computer is severely infected.These messages include:

System Security Alert
Vulnerabilities found
Background scan for security breaches was finished. Serious issues were detected. Safeguard your system against exploits, malware and viruses right now by activating Proactive Defense.
System Security Alert
Unknown program is scanning your system registry right now! Identity theft detected.

In reality, none of the reported issues are real, and are only used to scare you into buying Security Defender and stealing your personal financial information.

Advertisements

As part of its self-defense mechanism,Security Defender 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.
This rogue antivirus has also modified your Windows files associations so that whenever you are trying start a program, Security Defender will block this operation and it will instead display a bogus notification in which will report that the file is infected.The text of this alert is:

Security Defender Firewall Alert
iexplore.exe is infected with Trojan-Clicker.Js.Agent.op. Private data can be stolen by third parties, including credit card details and passwords.

If your computer is infected with Security Defender,then you are seeing the following screens:
[Image: Security Defender]

[Image: Security Defender virus]

Advertisements

[Image: Security Defender Firewall Alert]

[Image: Security Defender Warning]
Security Defender is a scam, and you should ignore any alerts that this malicious software might generate.
Under no circumstance should you buy this rogue security software as this could lead to identity theft,and if you have, you should contact your bank and dispute the charge stating that the program is a scam and a computer virus.
Registration codes for Security Defender
As an optional step,you can use the following license key to register Security Defender and stop the fake alerts.
Security Defender License Key: xOxZxLxWxIxTxFxQxCxNxYxKxVxHxSxE
Please keep in mind that entering the above registration code will NOT remove Security Defender from your computer , instead it will just stop the fake alerts so that you’ll be able to complete our removal guide more easily.

Advertisements

Security Defender – Virus Removal Instructions

STEP 1: Remove Security Defender malicious files with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

Malwarebytes Chameleon technologies will allow us to install and run a Malwarebytes Anti-Malware scan without being blocked by Security Defender.
This infection will not allow you to open your web browser, so you’ll need to right click on the Internet Explorer’s icon or any other browser’s icon, and select Run As (Windows XP) or Run as Administrator (Windows Vista, 7 and 8).This should allow you to open your web browser, so that you’ll be able to download Malwarebytes from the below link.
If you still can’t open your web browser, you’ll need to download this registry fix on a clean computer and then transfer the program to the infected computer. You can transfer the files via a CD/DVD, external drive, or USB flash drive.

  1. Download Malwarebytes Chameleon  from the below link, and extract it to a folder in a convenient location.
    Download Malwarebytes ChameleonOpens the download page in a new tab.
    [Image: Extract Malwarebytes Chameleon utility]
  2. Make certain that your infected computer is connected to the internet and then open the Malwarebytes Chameleon folder, and double-click on the svchost.exe file.
    [Image: Double click  on svchost.exe]
    IF Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will not start, double-click on the other renamed files until you find one will work, which will be indicated by a black DOS/command prompt window.
  3. Follow the onscreen instructions to press a key to continue and Chameleon will proceed to download and install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for you.
    Malwarebytes Chameleon press key
  4. Once it has done this, it will update Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, and you’ll need to click OK when it says that the database was updated successfully.
    Malwarebytes Chameleon updating its database
  5. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now attempt to kill all the malicious process associated with Security Defender.Please keep in mind that this process can take up to 10 minutes, so please be patient.
    Malwarebytes Chameleon killing malware
  6. Next, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will automatically open and perform a Quick scan for Security Defender malicious files as shown below.
    [Image: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware scanning for Security Defender]
  7. Upon completion of the scan, click on Show Result
    [Image: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware scan results]
  8. You will now be presented with a screen showing you the malware infections that Malwarebytes Anti-Malware has detected.
    Make sure that everything is Checked (ticked),then click on the Remove Selected button.
    [Image:Malwarebytes removing virus]
  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: Remove Security Defender rootkit with HitmanPro

In some cases,Security Defender will also install a rootkit on victims computer.To remove this rootkit we will use HitmanPro.

  1. Download HitmanPro from the below link,then double click on it to start this program.
    Download HitmanProOfficial Sophos download. Free scan, free 30-day trial to remove threats.
    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)
  2. HitmanPro will start and you’ll need to follow the prompts (by clicking on the Next button) to start a system scan with this program.
    HitmanPro scanner
    HitmanPro installation
  3. HitmanPro will start scanning your computer for Security Defender malicious files as seen in the image below.
    HitmanPro scan after Security Defender
  4. Once the scan is complete,you’ll see a screen which will display all the infected files that this utility has detected, and you’ll need to click on Next to remove this malicious files.
    HitmanPro scan results
  5. Click Activate free license to start the free 30 days trial and remove all the malicious files from your computer.
    HitmanPro 30 days activation button

STEP 3: Double check for any left over infections with Emsisoft Emergency Kit

  1. You can download Emsisoft Emergency Kit from the below link,then extract it to a folder in a convenient location.
    Download Emsisoft Emergency KitOpens the download page in a new tab.
  2. Open the Emsisoft Emergency Kit folder and double click EmergencyKitScanner.bat, then allow this program to update itself.
    EmergencyKitScanner.bat file
  3. After the Emsisoft Emergency Kit has update has completed,click on the Menu tab,then select Scan PC.
    Emsisoft Emergency Kit scan tab
  4. Select Smart scan and click on the SCAN button to search for Security Defender malicious files.
    Emsisoft Emergency Kit smart scan
  5. When the scan will be completed,you will be presented with a screen reporting which malicious files has Emsisoft detected on your computer, and you’ll need to click on Quarantine selected objects to remove them.
    Emsisoft Emergency Kit removing malware

Advertisements

If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove Security Defender from your machine, please start a new thread in our Malware Removal Assistance forum.

Advertisements

Finish the cleanup. Keep protection on.

Follow the removal steps above, then consider ongoing protection against malicious software and unwanted advertising.

Affiliate links We may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. How we’re funded

MalwarebytesSCAM & MALWARE PROTECTION

Go beyond a one-time scan.

Malwarebytes can detect and remove malware and unwanted programs. Premium Security adds real-time protection against new threats.

  • Scam Guard for suspicious messages
  • Real-time malware protection with Premium
Explore MalwarebytesExplore features on the official website
AdGuardAD & TRACKER BLOCKING

Reduce unwanted ads and redirects.

AdGuard filters ads and trackers while you browse. It can help reduce exposure to advertising that sends you to unwanted pages.

  • Blocks intrusive ads and pop-ups
  • Filters trackers while you browse
Explore AdGuardExplore features on the official website

Features vary by device and plan. These tools add protection; they do not guarantee that a website or offer is trustworthy.

Join the discussion

27 comments

Share your experience or ask a question about this article.

Discussion

  1. Janice

    I’m indebted to you. You are a wonderful person. No other article I could find was of any help. They kept missing the point that I couldn’t execute any program with this infection. You saved me. Thank you so much.

    ReplyReport

Report a comment

Reports are private and reviewed by a moderator.

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
More from Stelian →

MalwareTips community · since 2009

Stuck on a step? 75,000+ members can help you for free.

Post your question on the forum and our volunteer malware removal experts will walk you through it, step by step.

75K+members
999K+forum messages
100K+forum topics
17+years online

Previous

Remove My Super Cheap ads (Uninstall Guide)

Next

Remove Malta Police Force virus (Ukask Scam)

Share