Windows Internet Watchdog is a fake antispyware program. Like other malware from the Win32/FakeVimes family, it distributed through the use of fake online scanners and other misleading websites. When you visits one of these websites, a security notification will appear, it will claim that your’s computer have been compromised by malware and advise to perform an online scan. Important to know, the online scan is totally fake! Once, you click the notification, a would-be online scanner will appear and it will simulate a scan. It will then claim to have found malware and it will advise you to download and install Windows Internet Watchdog to clean your PC. Don`t download and start it or otherwise you can end up with the fake antispyware program on your PC. Remember, this malware is a highly dangerous software! If your computer have become a victim of it, then need remove Windows Internet Watchdog as soon as possible!
When running, Windows Internet Watchdog configures itself to run every time when Windows loads. Next, the rogue will start a system scan and detect a lot of infections to make you think that your computer is infected with spyware, viruses, adware, trojans, rootkits, worms, keyloggers, information stealers and other form of malicious threats. The fake antispyware program uses the real names of infections to make the scam look more realistic. In order to remove the supposed infections you will be asked to pay for a full version of the program. Important to know, all these “infections” are fake. So, you may easily ignore the scan results.
Moreover, while Windows Internet Watchdog is running, it will display various security alerts. Some of the alerts are:
Trojan activity detected. System integrity at risk. Full system scan is highly recommended.
Warning! Identity theft attempt detected
Hidden connection IP: xx.xxx.xxx.xxx
Of course, like false scan results above, all of these alerts are just a fake. You can safely ignore the fake alerts.
As you can see, Windows Internet Watchdog is absolutely useless. Its a dangerous software. The scan results and warnings and alerts that generated by the rogue are totally fabricated and must by no means be trusted! Use the Windows Internet Watchdog removal instructions written below to see how it can be deleted manually. The detailed guidelines can be followed by anyone as it really does take you step-by-step.
Step by step instructions on how to remove Windows Internet Watchdog from Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows XP.
The rogue will not allow you to run a malware removal tools, then you will need to reboot your computer in Safe mode with Command Prompt.
Restart your computer. After hearing your computer beep once during startup, start pressing the F8 key on your keyboard. On a computer that is configured for booting to multiple operating systems, you can press the F8 key when the Boot Menu appears.
Instead of Windows loading as normal, Windows Advanced Options menu appears similar to the one below.
Windows Advanced Options menu
When the Windows Advanced Options menu appears, select Safe mode with Command Prompt and then press ENTER.
Once Windows loaded, command prompt (black window) opens. In the command prompt type explorer.exe and Press Enter. Your desktop will now appear. Run Notepad and write the text below to Notepad:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
“GuardSoftware” =-[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
“Shell”=”explorer.exe”
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 in Normal Windows mode.
Now you should download Malwarebytes Anti-malware and remove all Windows Internet Watchdog associated malware.
Download MalwareBytes Anti-malware (MBAM). Close all programs and Windows on your computer.
Double Click mbam-setup.exe to install the application. 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.
If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
Once the program has loaded you will see window similar to the one below.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Window
Select Perform Quick Scan, then click Scan, it will start scanning your computer for Windows Internet Watchdog infection. This procedure can take some time, so please be patient.
When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the 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 that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected for start Windows Internet Watchdog removal process. When disinfection is completed, a log will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to Restart.
Your system should now be free of the Windows Internet Watchdog virus. If you need help with the instructions, then post your questions in our Spyware Removal forum.
Windows Internet Watchdog removal notes
Note 1: if you can not download, install, run or update Malwarebytes Anti-malware, then follow the steps: Malwarebytes won`t install, run or update – How to fix it.
Note 2: your current antispyware and antivirus software let the infection through ? Then you may want to consider purchasing the FULL version of MalwareBytes Anti-malware to protect your computer in the future.
Note 3: If you follow this guide above to remove Windows Internet Watchdog let us know how you managed by sending us your comments please.
