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Smart Defragmenter

For Information and Removal of Smart Defragmenter

9^th November 2010

Why Should You Remove Smart Defragmenter?

Imagine holding a file of important work and throwing it all over your office.  Every time you wanted to work on a project, you had to search from one place to another, looking for various pieces of the file.  It would be an absurdly inefficient way to work, but our computers experience something very similar as they become fragmented.  A good defragmenter program can rearrange files and make them more easily accessible, boosting your system's performance.  A rogue program can create pop-ups and false warning message, impeding performance.  How do you tell the difference between a good defrag program and a rogue like Smart Defragmenter?

What is Smart Defragmenter?

A rogue program is one which claims to offer solutions to the issues you are experiencing with your system.  In fact, though, rogues like Smart Defragmenter are the source of these issues; they can no more resolve them than they can actually scan your system.  An elaborate ad campaign is launched to persuade you of serious problems that can only be resolved when you purchase the full software.  This program offers no substance beyond its pop-ups and false alarms.

This rogue is a clone of System Defragmenter.  It is not associated with the legitimate and highly-regarded Smart Defrag  program.

Transmission Mode

Rogue antivirus and optimization programs depend on Trojans to enter your system.   Smart Defragmenter is associated with fake video codecs and updates.  If you were going to watch a video online, for instance, you may see a pop-up that said you needed to update your Flash player to view.  Because Flash is legitimate, you agree.  This allows the Trojan to enter, and it then deposits its malware and rogue programs.  Besides false video codecs and updates, it is possible to allow Trojans to gain access when you visit sites with gaming, adult, free or shareware, and pirated content.  Conducting searches for trending content also typically yields a host of malicious sites.  You will then have the "free" or "trial" version of the rogue.

The "full" or "licensed" version is user-installed.  After the free version produces dire pop-up and scan warnings (all false), many users, understandably, opt to purchase the protection afforded by the program.  Unfortunately, there is neither any security or fragmenting issues with your computer, nor is there any resolution to be expected from this rogue.

Is Smart Defragmenter Installed in My System?

Because Smart Defragmenter and other rogues can enter without your computer without your knowledge, it is important to know the signals that it has taken up residency.  This rogue, as with others, is designed to launch themselves whenever you open Windows.  It begins one of its false scans: while it doesn't actually scan, it does divert your system resources and make your computer more sluggish.  It will become more time-consuming to run even routine tasks, like switching between browser windows or opening a legitimate program. 

Smart Defragmenter is also able to block legitimate programs from running.  When you try to do so, it will issue a warning, such as the following:

• Critical Error: Hard Drive not found. Missing hard drive.
• Critical Error: Windows can't find hard disk space. Hard drive error.
• Critical Error: Windows was unable to save all the data for the file \System32/496A8300. The data has been lost. This error may be caused by a failure of your computer hardware.
• RAM temperature is 83 C. Optimization is required for normal operation.

You will see new icons on your taskbar. When you click on them, they will display similar warnings.

Scan result windows are also common.  "Smart Defragmenter" is written at the top left corner, accompanied by a block-like logo.  It will list several categories, such as settings and options, hard drive, RAM memory, proactive data protection, etc.  It will also indicate that several of these areas are "In Danger," and that you should run the scan.  If you opt to, it will say that it needs to run in safe mode and present a fake safe mode screen.  This is all an elaborate ad; your hardware is quite likely trouble-free. 

  Removing Smart Defragmenter

The presence of this rogue optimization program will become more obvious; as it does, it is important to remove it from your system.  Admittedly, this is easier said than done.  Why?  These programs, while they may be unoriginal, are designed to be very hard to get rid of.  Typically, you could just uninstall it or run your antivirus program.  These methods will be unsuccessful because:

• Rogues are designed to evade these methods and can bury and replicate themselves in your system registry.
• Rogues are not classified as viruses, so it is possible that your antivirus program does not have them in its definitions files.

What can you do to remove Smart Defragmenter?  Arguably the best solution for the most people is automatic removal via a reputable software program.  Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (Malwarebytes has free malware removal) and PC Tools' Spyware Doctor are two of the options available, and will do the job efficiently, safely, and quickly.  After you run the software, it is a good idea to run your antivirus software and update its definitions to ensure your machine is as clean as possible. 

There is another option, but it is not as easy as automatic removal.  Manual removal can be very effective, but it comes with its own risk.  You have to carefully delete every file and registry key associated with the rogue without deleting any necessary functions.  This can be time-consuming and painstaking work.  There is the risk that you will leave the program partially intact.  If you have the technical experience, the instructions below will help you remove Smart Defragmenter.  If you have less experience or encounter any type of trouble, please feel free to contact us.  We are happy to provide some technical assistance to guide you through the process and ensure your system is safe.  When you are ready to proceed, use your Windows Explorer Tools menu to show hidden files and folders.  After you complete the steps below, go back and reverse this setting.  It is always a good idea to make a backup before you start. 

Stop Processes:

[random].exe
winsp2up.exe

Delete Registry Values:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run "[random]"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run "winsp2up.exe

Delete DLL:

%Temp%\winsp2upd.dll

Delete Files:

%UserProfile%\Desktop\Smart Defragmenter.lnk
%Temp%\[random]
%Temp%\[random].bmp
%Temp%\[random].exe
%Temp%\winsp2up.exe

Delete Folder:

%UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\Smart Defragmenter

Removing Smart Defragmenter Automatically/Safely

For free automatic removal we recommend using Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. This program is widely recommended by reputable third-party sites, so you can be reasonably confident of its ability to safely get rid of Smart Defragmenter and any hidden Trojans. As a precaution we recommend double checking your system with Spyware Doctor. This program requires paid registration to enable deletions, however it has a money back guaranteed and is the top of the line in malware removal. It should catch malware that evades Malwarebytes and block anything that tries to reinstal itself.

Remove Smart Defragmenter Now:

1. Download and install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and Spyware Doctor  
2. Run Reimage PC Repair Online to check for malware damage and repair if required.
3. Run a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
4. Remove all the detected infections (free).
5. Run a scan with Spyware Doctor
6. Remove any remaining infections
7. Reboot and rescan with Spyware Doctor. Your computer should now be clean.

Important note: If Malwarebytes is blocked by malware then run Chameleon (Start Menu → All Programs → MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware → Tools → Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Chameleon). If you need further help removing Smart Defragmenter please email us at info@removeadware.com.au or call for personal assistance on toll-free number 888-655-3453, within the USA and Canada.

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