Vista Antispyware 2010 also known as Vista Antivirus 2010, Vista Guardian, Vista Antivirus Pro and Vista Internet Security 2010 is a rogue antispyware program that reports false infections and shows numerous fake security alerts as an attempt to trick you into buying the software. This program is installed through the use of trojans. When the trojan is started, it will download and install Vista Antispyware 2010 (Vista Antivirus 2010 or Vista Guardian) onto your computer.
During installation, Vista Antispyware 2010 (Vista Antivirus 2010 or Vista Guardian) will register itself in the Windows registry to run automatically every time when you start an application (files with “exe” extension). The rogue also uses this method of running to block the ability to run any programs, including security applications.
Once running, Vista Antispyware 2010 (Vista Antivirus 2010 or Vista Guardian) will start a system scan and list a large amount of infections. All of these infections are fake, so you can safely ignore them. What is more, while the rogue is running, it will display fake security alerts and notifications with “Spyware infection has been found” or “Tracking software found” header. However, all of these alerts are fake.
Last but not least, Vista Antispyware 2010 (Vista Antivirus 2010 or Vista Guardian) will hijack Internet Explorer and Firefox and display fake warnings when you opening a web site.
As you can see, Vista Antispyware 2010 (Vista Antivirus 2010 or Vista Guardian) is scam, it is designed with one purpose to scare you into thinking that your computer in danger as a method to trick you into purchasing the full version of the program. If your computer is infected with this malware, then most importantly, do not purchase it! Uninstall the rogue from your PC as soon as possible. Use the removal guide below to remove Vista Antispyware 2010 (Vista Antivirus 2010 or Vista Guardian) from your computer for free.
Use the following instructions to remove Vista Antispyware 2010 (Vista Antivirus 2010, Vista Guardian, Vista Antivirus Pro or Vista Internet Security 2010)
Step 1. Repair “running of .exe files”.
Method 1
Click Start, Run. Type command and press Enter. Type notepad and press Enter.
Notepad opens. Copy all the text below into Notepad.
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe]
[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\secfile]
[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\secfile]
[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe\shell\open\command]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command]
@="\"%1\" %*"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe]
@="exefile"
"Content Type"="application/x-msdownload"
Save this as fix.reg to your Desktop (remember to select Save as file type: All files in Notepad.)
Double Click fix.reg and click YES for confirm.
Reboot your computer.
Method 2
Click Start, Run. Type command and press Enter. Type notepad and press Enter.
Notepad opens. Copy all the text below into Notepad.
[Version]
Signature="$Chicago$"
Provider=Myantispyware.com
[DefaultInstall]
DelReg=regsec
AddReg=regsec1
[regsec]
HKCU, Software\Classes\.exe
HKCU, Software\Classes\secfile
HKCR, secfile
HKCR, .exe\shell\open\command
[regsec1]
HKCR, exefile\shell\open\command,,,"""%1"" %*"
HKCR, .exe,,,"exefile"
HKCR, .exe,"Content Type",,"application/x-msdownload"
Save this as fix.inf to your Desktop (remember to select Save as file type: All files in Notepad.)
Right click to fix.inf and select Install. Reboot your computer.
Step 2. Remove Vista Antispyware 2010 (Vista Antivirus 2010 or Vista Guardian) associated malware.
Download MalwareBytes Anti-malware (MBAM). Once downloaded, close all programs and windows on your computer.
Double-click on the icon on your desktop named mbam-setup.exe. This will start the installation of MalwareBytes Anti-malware onto your computer. When the installation begins, keep following the prompts in order to continue with the installation process. Do not make any changes to default settings and when the program has finished installing, make sure a checkmark is placed next to “Update Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware” and Launch “Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware”. Then click Finish.
MalwareBytes Anti-malware will now automatically start and you will see a message stating that you should update the program before performing a scan. If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
As MalwareBytes Anti-malware will automatically update itself after the install, you can press the OK button to close that box and you will now be at the main menu. You will see window similar to the one below.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Window
Make sure the “Perform quick scan” option is selected and then click on the Scan button to start scanning your computer for Vista Antispyware 2010 (Vista Antivirus 2010 or Vista Guardian) infection. This procedure can take some time, so please be patient.
When the scan is finished a message box will appear that it has completed scanning successfully. Click OK. Now click “Show Results”. You will see a list of infected items similar as shown below.
Note: list of infected items may be different than what is shown in the image below.
Malwarebytes Anti-malware, list of infected items
Make sure all entries have a checkmark at their far left and click “Remove Selected” button to remove Vista Antispyware 2010 (Vista Antivirus 2010 or Vista Guardian). MalwareBytes Anti-malware will now remove all of associated Vista Antispyware 2010 (Vista Antivirus 2010 or Vista Guardian) files and registry keys and add them to the programs’ quarantine. When MalwareBytes Anti-malware has finished removing the infection, a log will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to Restart.
Note: if you need help with the instructions, then post your questions in our Spyware Removal forum.
Vista Antispyware 2010 (Vista Antivirus 2010 or Vista Guardian) creates the following files and folders
%AppData%\av.exe
%AppData%\WRblt8464P
Vista Antispyware 2010 (Vista Antivirus 2010 or Vista Guardian) creates the following registry keys and values
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe\shell
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe\shell\open
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe\shell\open\command
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe\shell\start
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe\shell\start\command
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\secfile
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\secfile\shell
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\secfile\shell\open
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\secfile\shell\open\command
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\secfile\shell\start
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\secfile\shell\start\command
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe\shell\open\command | @ = “”%AppData%\av.exe” /START “%1″ %*”
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe\shell\open\command | IsolatedCommand = “”%1″ %*”
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe | @ = “secfile”
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe | Content Type = “application/x-msdownload”
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\secfile\shell\open\command | @ = “”%AppData%\av.exe” /START “%1″ %*”
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\secfile\shell\open\command | IsolatedCommand = “”%1″ %*”
I recently removed the virus but it messed up my laptop and its programs. I cannot open ANY programs anymore. Is there a way to fix this problem?
I got MWB downloaded but it says nothing found. and the desktop icon has the little windows shield in the corner. help!!
I don’t want to pay for spydoctor how do i get that off?
My Computer was infected with Vista Guardian 2010. I have just used Avira Antivir FREE version and it has removed the infection successfully.
Alisha, use first step above.
George, try disable and then enable UAC.
Brittany, open the page, scroll down and click to Malwarebytes direct download link. Once downloaded, run it.
I tried this method but the dang virus wouldn’t let me do anything! It shut me out of everything! And now on top of all that I can’t boot it up at all. Not normally and not in safe mode… is this another of the virus’ scare tactics and if it is how do I get around it? I REALLY don’t wanna give best buy 200$ to fix this…
Reese, if you can`t boot your computer in all modes, including Normal mode and Safe modes, then try Last good configuration.
Thank you so much! Method one didn’t work, but the second one did. I used a flash drive and a second computer to get the malwarebytes. Thank you, thank you!
omg.. i think it worked.. one complete week of trying to get rid of this damn thing and I finally think it’s ok.. thank you, thank you so much.. perfect information.. and i am illiterate. If I can do it, anyone can.. what a lifesaver..
oh yea and one more thank you.. to patrick.. your added info reeeaaallly helped…
Thank you very much Sir. Your Method 1 worked and the anti spyware vista has been removed. Thank you very so much. I did-not have to do the Method 2 since the method 1 took care of all the problem. Thank you again. Please try to teach these people who cause such nuisance a lesson.
Just to say thanks for this, I have no idea how I managed to get Virus Antispyware on my PC, but this got rid of it quickly and efficiently.
Thanks a bunch, method 1 worked great and very quick. Big lifesaver, thought I was in some deep stuff there for a bit. This has encouraged me to back up all my personal stuff again. Thank you very much again
thank you so much that stuff pops up and the most annoying of times.
this virus is evil thanks for the advise
method 1 is kickass
THANK YOU SO MUCH PATRIK!! It worked absolutely fine! I almost lost my cancer research data and projects due to this $#%$#%#% virus/malware/GodknowsWhat…. But thanks so much for this great forum!!! Cheers!!!
this damn thing was not allowing me to open any of the web browsers so I used my girlfriend’s laptop to download the set up file and copy to my laptop.
First I tried SpyDoctor and it detected some 52 infections!!!!
@Patrik: Malwarebytes showed only 10 infections, so does that mean Spy Doctor is also a fake antivirus?
hi, i insalled this program, when im starting computer, just at the beginig when desktop shows up its working but when “my protection” crap is turning on MalwareBytes turns off. i have”my protection” and “vista anitvirus” -.- help pls
sorry for my english
Wiktor, open a new topic in our Spyware removal forum. I will help your.
Thanks alot! I was worried because Malware wouldnt open up and method 1 didnt work but when i tried method 2 it did. So glad. Thanks ^^
Thank you sooo much buddy, your first method worked perfectly, by the way guys, i found a way to access internet explorer temporairily while you got that antivirus piece of shit on your computer.
When you open explorer the thing pops up saying Allow / Deny or something, pop open task manager and remove “Ave” from Processes, then so deny and you got the web too yourself for a good 1-5 minutes.
I’m not sure how it helped but i felt like i had to say something, THANKS AGAIN!
Thank you !!! yipieeeee
Used method 2 worked gr8! Thanks a lot
Hi,
I got hit by the Vista virus 2 days ago and ran the steps you recommended. It seemed to eliminate the virus, however, it came back. I repeated the steps several times and it seemed to work again.
However, the next time I went online I got hit by multiple hijack attempts of my browser, and now things are even worse. The virus seemed to have changed my ability to properly use my keyboard, ie. when I type the letter “o” it comes out as the numeral “6”. Multiple keys are effected so I cant really go to any websites (you cant type .com when you can’t type the letter “o”)
and just opening explorer invites more hijack attempts. I ran malwarebytes again, along with several other programs (webroot, ad-aware, threatfire) and they all show no viruses or malware, but my system is crashing. Can you help???
Thanks!
Dave, try scan you computer with DrWeb CureIt and Kaspersky Virus Removal tool.
If you guys aren’t just THE BEST! Thank you! Your manual instructions worked like a charm. Got it on the first try. Awesome! Thanks again! Made me enjoy my EASTER a whole lot more! 🙂
This worked perfectly, I will recommend to all who have this virus! EASY AND WORKS PERFECT! THANKS VERY MUCH!”!!!
it wont let me open the malwarebtyes program, it just keeps saying windows microsoft has stopped working everytime i try????? please help me!!