Monday 13 December 2010

How to Remove Smart HDD (Uninstall Guide)

Smart HDD is a rogue disk defragmenter that deliberately reports false threats and system errors on your computer. It’s from the same family as HDD Plus and HDD Rescue. This rogue is promoted through the use of trojan downloaders (recently trojan Hiloti) and fake online anti-malware scanners. Once installed, Smart HDD malware will prompt you to scan your hard drive disk and registry for errors. As you would expect, it will eventually find some hdd errors and registry problems. And, of course, as a typical rip-off rogue, it will prompt you to pay for a full version of the program to fix supposedly found system errors and other problems. In short, don’t buy it. Otherwise, you will give your money to the scammers who created this rogue program. Thankfully, we’ve got the removal instructions to help you to remove Smart HDD and related malware from your computer.

New GUI


Old GUI


While Smart HDD is running, it will block nearly all your programs and system tools to protect itself from being removed. It will display the following error message:
Windows detected a hard drive problem.
A hard drive error occurred while starting the application.


Then it will display a bunch of fake warnings and notifications saying that your private data is at risk or that your hard drive disk has some serious problems. Some of the fake alerts you may see when your computer is infected with Smart HDD:
Critical Error
RAM memory usage is critically high. RAM memory failure.
Critical Error
Windows can't find hard disk space. Hard drive error
System Restore
The system has been restored after a critical error. Data integrity and hard drive integrity verification required.
Oh, by the way, this fake program detects the same 11 errors on different computers, not matter if it’s an old PC or a new laptop. That’s not what you would expect from a legitimate disk defragmenter. Be advised, that Smart HDD usually comes bundled with rootkits. That’s why you manual removal is not recommended. Even if you delete Smart HDD’s files, it will come back again because of rootkits or other malware. In order to completely remove Smart HDD from your computer, please follow the removal instructions below. Also, if you have purchased this bogus program, please contact you credit card provider and dispute the charges. Last, but not least, you can leave a comment if you a have any questions about this malware. Any additional information about Smart HDD is ppreciated. Good luck and be safe online!


Quick removal:

1. Use debugged registration key and fake email to register Smart HDD malware. This will allow you to download and run any malware removal tool you like and restore hidden files and shortcuts. Choose to activate "Smart HDD" manually and enter the following email and activation code:

mail@mail.com
15801587234612645205224631045976 (new code!)

mail@mail.com
1203978628012489708290478989147 (old code, may not work anymore)



2. Download TDSSKiller and run a system scan. Remove found rootkits as shown in the image below. Reboot your computer if required.

3. Download recommended anti-malware software (direct download) and run a full system scan to remove this virus from your computer.


Alternate Smart HDD removal instructions:

1. Open Internet Explorer. If the shortcut is hidden, pelase Select Run... from the Start Menu or just hit the key combination CTRL+R on your keyboard. In the Open: field, enter iexplore.exe and hit Enter or click OK.



2. Download and run this utility to restore missing icons and shortcuts.

3. Now, please download TDSSKiller and run a system scan. Remove found rootkits as shown in the image below. Reboot your computer if required.



Please note that your computer might be rootkit free, not all version of Smart HDD comes bundled with rootkits. Don't worry if TDSSKiller didn't find a rootkit.

4. Finally, download recommended anti-malware software (direct download) and run a full system scan to remove this virus from your computer.

5. Smart HDD virus should be gone. If certain icons and shortcuts are still missing, please use restoresm.zip.



Smart HDD associated files and registry values:



Files:
  • %Temp%\[SET OF RANDOM NUMBERS]
  • %Temp%\[SET OF RANDOM NUMBERS].exe
  • %Temp%\[SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe
  • %Temp%\dfrg
  • %Temp%\dfrgr
  • %Temp%\[SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS].dll
  • %UserProfile%\[SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS].DAT
  • C:\WINDOWS\nwcacm.dll
  • %UserProfile%\Desktop\Smart HDD.lnk
  • %UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\Smart HDD\
  • %UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\Smart HDD\Smart HDD.lnk
  • %UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\Smart HDD\Uninstall Smart HDD.lnk
%Temp% refers to:
C:\Documents and Settings\[UserName]\Local Settings\Temp (in Windows 2000/XP)
C:\Users\[UserName]\AppData\Local\Temp (in Windows Vista & Windows 7)

%UserProfile% refers to:
C:\Documents and Settings\[UserName]\ (in Windows 2000/XP)
C:\Users\[UserName]\ (in Windows Vista & Windows 7)

Registry values:
  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run "[SET OF RANDOM NUMBERS]"
  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run "[SET OF RANDOM NUMBERS].exe"
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