ADW_SPROTECT

Identifying the Grayware Files

Download the latest spyware pattern file and scan your computer. Note the path and file name of all files detected as ADW_SPROTECT.

To restart in Safe Mode:

• For Windows 2000 users

1. Restart your computer.
2. Press F8 when you see the Starting Windows bar at the bottom of the screen.
3. Choose the Safe Mode option from the Windows Advanced Options menu then press Enter.

• For Windows XP users

1. Restart your computer.
2. Press F8 after the Power-On Self Test (POST) routine is done. If the Windows Advanced Options menu does not appear, try restarting then pressing F8 several times when the POST screen appears.
3. Choose the Safe Mode option from the Windows Advanced Options menu then press Enter.

• For Windows Server 2003 users

1. Restart your computer.
2. Press F8 after Windows starts up. If the Windows Advanced Options menu does not appear, try restarting again and pressing F8 several times afterward.
3. On the Windows Advanced Option menu, use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode then press Enter.

• For Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 users

1. Restart your computer.
2. Press F8 after the Power-On Self Test (POST) routine is done. If the Advanced Boot Options menu does not appear, try restarting and then pressing F8 several times after the POST screen is displayed.
3. On the Advanced Boot Options menu, use the arrow keys to select the Safe Mode option, and then press Enter.

• For Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 users

1. Access the Charms bar by moving your mouse pointer to the upper right corner of the screen.
2. Move your mouse pointer down and click Settings>Change your PC Settings.
3. In the left panel, click General.
4. In the right panel, scroll down to the bottom to find the Advanced startup section, then click the Restart now button and wait for the system to restart.
5. In the Advanced Startup menu, click Troubleshoot>Advanced Options>Startup Settings>Restart and wait for the system to restart.
6. In the Startup Settings menu, press 4 to enable safe mode.

To delete the registry key this malware/grayware/spyware created:

1. Restart your computer in Safe Mode. For instructions on how to do this, you may refer to this page. If the preceding step requires you to restart in safe mode, you may proceed to #2.
2. Open Registry Editor. To do this:
   » For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 users, click Start>Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter.
   » For Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 users, click the Start button, type regedit in the Search input field then press Enter.
   » For Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen, click Run, type regedit in the text box provided, and then press Enter.
3. In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software
4. Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
   AppDataLow - Only in Windows XP and lower OS versions
5. In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE
6. Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
   SP Global - Only in Windows XP and lower OS versions
7. Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
   SProtector - Only in Windows XP and lower OS versions
8. In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT>VirtualStore>MACHINE>SOFTWARE
9. Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
   SP Global - Only in Windows Vista and Windows 7
10. Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
    SProtector - Only in Windows Vista and Windows 7
11. In the left panel of the Registry Editor window, double-click the following:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software>Classes>VirtualStore>MACHINE>SOFTWARE
12. Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
    SP Global - Only in Windows Vista and Windows 7
13. Again Still in the left panel, locate and delete the key:
    SProtector - Only in Windows Vista and Windows 7
14. Close Registry Editor.

To stop the malware/grayware from running when certain files are opened:

For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003:

1. Right-click Start then click Search....
2. In the File name* input box, type the name of the file that was detected earlier.
3. In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer then press Enter.
4. Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
   *Note: The file name input box title varies depending on the Windows version (e.g. Search for files or folders named or All or part of the file name.).

For Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 (R2):

1. Open a Windows Explorer window.
   • For Windows Vista, 7, and Server 2008 users, click Start>Computer.
   • For Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012 users, right-click on the lower left corner of the screen,then click File Explorer.
2. In the Search Computer/This PC input box, type the name of the file that was detected earlier.
3. Once located, select the file then press SHIFT+DELETE to delete it.
   *Note: Read the following Microsoft page if these steps do not work on Windows 7.