How to remove the SpywareKnight (Removal Instructions)
SpywareKnight is a rogue anti-spyware application that uses aggressive advertising, popups, and Internet Explorer start page hijacking. Popups will display alerts stating that you are infected with various malware including one called Win32.Trojan.Dropper.
If you start Internet Explorer your homepage will be about:blank and contain text stating that you are infected with Trojan.DLoader/LX and that you should install either Spyware Knight or SpySoldier to remove it. These popups and warnings are fake and are only being displayed to scare you into purchasing the commercial versions of SpywareKnight and SpySoldier. Needless to say, you should not purchase these programs.
Tools Needed for this fix:
SmitFraudFix.zip Symptoms in a HijackThis Log:O4 - Startup: spywareknight.lnk = C:\Program Files\SpywareKnight\spywareknight.exe
- Next, please reboot your computer into Safe Mode by doing the following:
a. Restart your computer
b. After hearing your computer beep once during startup, but before the Windows icon appears, press F8.
c. Instead of Windows loading as normal, a menu should appear
d. Select the first option, to run Windows in Safe Mode.
e. When you are at the logon prompt, log in as the same user which you had done the previous steps.
f. When your computer has started in safe mode and you see the desktop.
g. Click on the Start button and then select the Control Panel menu option.
h. When the Control Panel opens double-click on the Add or Remove Programs icon.
i. When the Add or Remove Programs window opens look for the SpywareKnight 1.2 entry and double-click on it. This will launch the uninstall program for SpywareKnight.
j. When the uninstall programs has started click on the Yes button when it asks if you would like to uninstall the program. Then click on the OK button when it tells you the program has been successfully uninstalled to finish the uninstall..
k. Close all open Windows.
Now, double-click on the SmitFraudfix icon that should be residing on your desktop.The icon will look like the one below:
2. When the tool first starts you will see a credits screen. Simply press any key on your keyboard to get to the next screen.
3. You will now see a menu as shown in the image below. Press the number 2 on your keyboard and the press the enter key to choose the option Clean (safe mode recommended).
4. The program will start cleaning your computer and go through a series of cleanup processes. When it is done, it will automatically start the Disk Cleanup program as shown by the image below.
5. This program will remove all Temp, Temporary Internet Files, and other files that may be leftover files from this infection. This process can take up to a few hours depending on your computer, so please be patient.
6. When it is complete, it will close automatically and you will should continue with step 11.
When Disk Cleanup is finished, you will be presented with an option asking Do you want to clean the registry ? (y/n). At this screen you should press the Y button on your keyboard and then press the enter key.
7. When this last routine is finished, you will be presented with a red screen stating Computer will reboot now. Close all applications. You should now press the spacebar on your computer. A counter will appear stating that the computer will reboot in 15 seconds. Do not cancel this countdown and allow your computer to reboot.
8. Once the computer has rebooted, you will be presented with a Notepad screen containing a log of all the files removed from your computer. Examine this log, and when you are done, close the Notepad screen.Your computer should now be free of the SpywareKnight infection.
