How to remove Spyware Protect 2009

Do you have popups from Spyware Protect 2009 on your computer claiming that your system is infected and under attack? Has your browser been hijacked and directing you to the Spyware Protect purchase web site automatically? These warning alerts, popups and messages are fake. Spyware Protect 2009 is malicious software (malware) and needs to be removed. Here's what I did to restore my system:

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Malwarebytes has a tool that can remove malicious software from your computer. Download and save the following files to a USB (from a safe computer):
   1. mbam-setup.exe (latest version) from www.malwarebytes.org.
   2. The manual update file mbam-rules.exe (found on their web-site as a link to GT500.org.

2. Rename the file mbam-setup.exe to mb.exe and copy it to the desktop of the infected computer. Double click the file to begin installation. Follow the prompts. Change the destination directory and folder name for installation to Malware. You will notice that the program seems to hang during the final stage of installation. Hang in there! It does take quite some time.

3. Now that Malwarebytes is installed go the Malware folder (under program files) and rename the mbam.exe file to mba.exe.

4. Double click on the manual update file mbam-rules.exe on your USB to run the setup and update. Reboot your computer.

5. After reboot is complete go back to Malware folder and double click on the mba.exe file to launch Malwarebytes. Click on perform full scan to scan the computer thoroughly. Remove all detected threats once the scan is completed. Reboot the computer again to ensure that the infected files that could not be deleted are deleted. Go back to the Malware folder and change the name of mb.exe back to mbam.exe.

Tips & Warnings

• This rogue software is capable of disabling the computer from running the Malwarebytes software. Therefore, the renaming of the Malwarebytes installation file is essential. It is also capable of disabling the Malwarebytes program from launching after installation. I tried launching Malwarebytes after installation and nothing happened. It only worked once I rebooted the sytem.
• Make sure you keep your antivirus programs updated.

[winansphd]

on 4/17/2009 I also spent hours trying to fix the spyware protect 2009 problem on my laptop! I found this (using my other computer) and it worked like a charm!! I did experience the hang time during the download,so thanks for the heads up about that!!

[kdeezy]

on 4/9/2009 somehow my post didn't post completely. but it's "spybot search and destroy". Make sure it says jsut that too. hit the update button, then scan computer. Once done, click "fix selected problems". You should be all set. Good luck!

[kdeezy]

on 4/9/2009 I'm not disagreeing with this aritcle, but I know and easier and quicker way of removing Spyware Protect 2009. Simply go to download.com and download "Spybot Search

[appugujju]

on 4/5/2009 This guy is a genius. My office laptop got infected. The official antivirus that we have, "Trend Micro", couldnt detect/remove this Spyware Protect 2009 after 3-4 attempts. Then I found this help eHow. It's simple. It's prefect. Worked well to remove that crapy virus. Only confusion was in the Step-2's "Follow the prompts". Some more details would help none-geeks like me. Overall. Thank you soooo much.

[ntal]

on 3/10/2009 This was wonderful advice and saved me a lot of time. Thank you very much!