Friday 19 November 2010

How to remove Scan Disk (Uninstall Instructions)

Scan Disk is a fake defragmenter and system optimization tool. It is promoted through the use of trojans, fake online scanners and other malicious websites. It can be also distributed via facebook, twitter or other social networks. Basically, Scan Disk will infect your computer to make you think that you have some really serious problems, e.g. hard drive errors, corrupted memory, bad sectors and other stuff. Then this bogus program will try to make you buy its software to fix supposedly found errors and other computer problems. Do not fall victim to Scan Disk because it is nothing more but a rip-off rogue, scam. If you got this annoying program on your computer then please follow the removal instructions below to remove Scan Disk and any other related malware from your computer for free using legitimate anti-malware software.

A screen shot of Scan Disk
ScanDisk is clone of Ultra Defragger, Quick Defragmenter and HDD Defragmenter. As a typical scareware, it will pretend to scan your hard drives and memory for problems. Of course, it will find some critical hard drive and computer memory errors. By the way, it displays the same problems (11 errors) on each infected computer. How rude. Probably the biggest problem is that Scan Disk won't allow you to run other programs on your computer. It will state that this program is corrupted or cannot be found. The fake message reads:
Windows detected a hard drive problem.
A hard drive error occurred while starting the application.


However, if you attempt to run a program enough times it will eventually work. So, don't give up easily. After the fake scan it will display a list of errors:
Drive C initializing error
Bad sectors on hard drive or damaged file allocation table
Read time of hard drive clusters less than 500 ms
Hard drive doesn't respond to system commands
Furthermore, it will display fake alert from your Windows taskbar. Some of the fake alerts that you will see are:
Critical Error!
Damaged hard drive clusters detected. Private data is at risk.
Critical Error
Hard Drive not found. Missing hard drive.
Critical Error
Windows can't find hard disk space. Hard drive error
As you can see, Scan Disk is not a legitimate program. It reports non-existent errors to scare you into purchasing the bogus program. If you have already purchased it then you should contact your credit card provider and dispute the charges or even cancel your credit card. Then please follow the removal instructions below. Please note that Scan Disk and additionally installed malware can download more malicious code onto your computer. Although, you can remove Scan Disk manually, we strongly recommend you to use anti-malware software listed below. And finally, if you have any questions or other information about this malware, please leave a comment. Good luck and be safe online!


Scan Disk removal instructions using Process Explorer (in Normal mode):

1. Download Process Explorer and end Scan Disk process:
  • [SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe
2. Download free anti-malware software from the list below and run a full system scan.
NOTE: in some cases the rogue program may block anti-malware software. Before saving the selected program onto your computer, you may have to rename the installer to iexplore.exe or winlogon.exe With all of these tools, if running Windows 7 or Vista they MUST be run as administrator. Launch the program and follow the prompts. Don't forget to update the installed program before scanning.

3. New threats appear every day. In order to protect your PC from such (new) infections we strongly recommend you to use ESET Smart Security.


Scan Disk removal instructions (in Safe Mode with Networking):

1. Reboot your computer is "Safe Mode with Networking". As the computer is booting tap the "F8 key" continuously which should bring up the "Windows Advanced Options Menu" as shown below. Use your arrow keys to move to "Safe Mode with Networking" and press Enter key. Read more detailed instructions here: http://www.computerhope.com/issues/chsafe.htm


NOTE: Login as the same user you were previously logged in with in the normal Windows mode.

2. Download free anti-malware software from the list below and run a full system scan.
NOTE: in some cases the rogue program may block anti-malware software. Before saving the selected program onto your computer, you may have to rename the installer to iexplore.exe or winlogon.exe With all of these tools, if running Windows 7 or Vista they MUST be run as administrator. Launch the program and follow the prompts. Don't forget to update the installed program before scanning.

3. New threats appear every day. In order to protect your PC from such (new) infections we strongly recommend you to use ESET Smart Security.


Scan Disk associated files and registry values:

Files:
  • %Temp%\[SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS]
  • %Temp%\[SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe
  • %Temp%\dfrg
  • %Temp%\dfrgr
  • %Temp%\[SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS].dll
  • %Temp%\tmp2.tmp
  • %UserProfile%\Desktop\Scan Disk.lnk
  • %UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\Scan Disk\
  • %UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\Scan Disk\Scan Disk.lnk
  • %UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\Scan Disk\Uninstall Scan Disk.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 CHARACTERS]"
  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run "[SET OF RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe"
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