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System Defender

System Defender Removal

Few things are as irritating when we're online as pop-ups.  Besides being a nuisance, however, these little ads can be an indicator that System Defender is installed on your computer.

What is System Defender?

System Defender is a rogue antivirus program.  It, and others like it, is designed to goad users into purchasing unnecessary and ineffective antivirus protection.  It does this through aggressive use of pop-ups and false scan results.

Is System Defender Installed on My Computer?

When System Defender is installed on your computer, you will likely notice the increase in pop-ups first.  The rogue antivirus program runs fake security scans and presents a list of dangers that your computer faces.  While are false also, the warnings look legitimate.  A typical one reads:

WARNING! SystemDefender has detected SPYWARE objects on your computer!
Malicious objects found on your computer, if not cleaned immediately, are likely to lead to:

Window slowdowns, freezes, and crashes
Computer unpredictable or erratic behavior
Your internet surfing privacy violation
Your local and online access passwords theft

The threat is sufficient to cause many people to download and purchase System Defender.

Another common indicator that a rogue antivirus program is installed on your computer is that it runs much slower than normal.  Starting your machine or switching between tasks takes longer.  If you notice this happening, it could mean that System Defender has been downloaded into your system: it is residing in your resident memory and using valuable system resources in order to run continually.

You may also notice that your browser start page keeps switching, even when you reset it and reboot your computer.  System Defender hijacks your homepage and redirects you to its website, urging you to purchase "needed" spyware protection.  This is a good sign that your system is harboring System Defender or another rogue antivirus program.

What Risk Does System Defender Present?

The main risk involved with System Defender is that you will be deceived into spending your money on a useless product.  When you download System Defender, you may think this is the answer to your problems.  Instead, you are left with the same problems - pop-ups, warning messages, and slow performance - as well as with the potential that more problems may develop.

These are mostly irritants, but it is possible that System Defender can make your system more vulnerable to other problem programs.  These may cause their own set of problems in addition to those you're experiencing with System Defender. 

How Did System Defender Get Into My System?

Rogue antivirus programs usually follow similar methods in order to install themselves in your system.  The first is if you elect to download the program.  This obviously allows System Defender to install itself.  You can do this by going to their website or clicking on the pop-up ads or warning messages.  Even when you click "No," it may still download. 

Another method that System Defender uses to get into your computer system is to catch a ride with a Trojan horse.  This can happen when you download free videos.  A Trojan known as Zlob disguises itself as a video codec.  Rogue programs such as System Defender are often bundled into with Zlob, which means you can pick it up if you download the video. 

You can also inadvertently install System Defender when you visit adult sites.  Even clicking on a link within the site can invite a Trojan carrying the rogue program in.  Sometimes, opening or following links contained in a spam email message can also do this.

How Do I Remove System Defender?

To prevent any permanent damage to your computer, it is wise to remove System Defender as soon as possible.  You may have already tried by using the Add/Remove Programs utility.  This may have hidden some of the traces, but chances are good that System Defender is still lurking in your system.  The same is true if you used your current antivirus program.  System Defender is not a virus, so these scans won't detect the threat, nor will they be able to remove it. 

Instead you have the option of removing System Defender automatically, with the help of a software program, or manually.  First, let's look at automatic removal.  This is a suitable choice for anyone who has System Defender installed in their system.  You can purchase products like ParetoLogic's XoftSpySE that are made for the express purpose of detecting and removing rogue antivirus programs.  These are convenient and easy to use, even for people with limited technical ability.  What's more, they can remove the entire rogue program without causing more damage to your computer.

This is a risk you take when you remove System Defender manually.  It is possible that you may not remove each and every file and registry associated with the rogue program.  If you don't, System Defender will be able to recreate itself and remain in your system.  Another risk is that you delete a necessary file by accident.  This is why you should not attempt to remove System Defender manually unless you have a lot of technical knowledge and experience dealing with your system registry.  If you do, or if you have a professional guide to help you, you can try the following:

Stop SystemDefender processes:

SystemDefender.exe

Delete Registries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallSystemDefender HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun"SystemDefender" = ""C:Program FilesSystemDefenderSystemDefender.exe" hide"                                                           HKEY_USERSSoftwareSystemDefender
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWARESystemDefender

Delete Files:

SystemDefender.lnk
SystemDefender.url
Uninstall SystemDefender.lnk

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