Do you know what Smart Protection 2012 is?
Smart Protection 2012 is rogue antivirus software which was designed by the same scammers who created System Tool, Security Sphere 2012, as well as Security Shield. The purpose of this application is to convince inexperienced users that their computers are infected, thus, they need to pay money in order to remove the malware. However, Smart Protection 2012 is the only malware in this case. It can get into the system through malicious websites, as well as together with the infected video codec. In addition, it is programmed to be installed on the targeted computer without the knowledge of the user.
As Smart Protection 2012 gets into your computer, it will start changing registry entries, and the rogue will be started every time system starts. After that, the computer will be bombarded with fake security warnings:
Warning: Your computer is infected
Detected spyware infection!
Click this message to install the last update of security software...
Smart Protection 2012 Warning
Your computer is still infected with dangerous viruses. Activate antivirus protection to prevent data loss and avoid theft of your credit card details.
Click here to activate protection.
Smart Protection 2012 Warning
Intercepting programs that may compromise your privacy and harm your system have been detected on your PC.
Click here to remove them immediately with Smart Protection 2012
Besides, you will be unable to launch your antivirus software, or any other executable file on the system. In case you want to run Notepad, the following message will be displayed on the screen:
Warning!
Application cannot be executed. The file notepad.exe is infected.
In addition to being unable to launch executable files, you will experience other changes on the system: the entire system will be paralyzed as the rogueware creators based Smart Protection 2012 on rootkit techniques when the infection is hidden from being detected. Despite that, Smart Protection is also capable of disabling Registry Editor, Task Manager and even entering Windows Safe Mode. In this way, even a computer-savvy user can have difficulties doing a manual removal of the rogueware.
However, according to the research done there is a very easy way to get rid of the annoying messages of Smart Protection 2012. Use the following key in order to “activate” the rogueware:
AA39754E-715219CE
The annoying messages will not be displayed. In addition, it will be much easier to remove Smart Protection 2012 from the system due to the fact that after “activation” you can enter the forbidden directories of the system, run the executable files and launch legitimate antivirus software.
In non-techie terms:
Smart Protection 2012 is fake antivirus software which resembles a legitimate application and gets into your computer with the purpose to steal your money. With fake warnings and messages it tries to convince you to pay money in order to remove all the threats detected. Due to its ability to slow the performance of your computer, as well as being able to freeze the entire system, you must remove Smart Protection 2012 with a secure and legitimate antimalware tool as soon as possible.
Aliases: SmartProtection2012.