PC Hell: How to Remove Alfacleaner

Alfacleaner Removal Instructions and Help

What is AlfaCleaner and How Did it Get on My Computer?

alfacleaner.jpg (35334 bytes)

Alfacleaner is a "spyware removal program" that has been known to install itself when visiting a WMF exploit-infected web page.

This exploit affects Windows XP/2000 and Windows 2003 Server-based computers. Microsoft describes the exploit in its security bulletin this way:

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in the Graphics Rendering Engine because of the way that it handles Windows Metafile (WMF) images. An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by constructing a specially crafted WMF image that could potentially allow remote code execution if a user visited a malicious Web site or opened a specially crafted attachment in e-mail. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system.

This exploit, and other similar unpatched problems, open the way for a variety of trojans, viruses, spyware and other malware to attack the system. Most of these attacks happen through a automatic download from an infected webpage. Which means if you do not have the patch loaded for this Windows Meta File (WMF) Exploit, you could visit a particular web page and become infected.

This exploit is also responsible for the various problems Spyaxe, SpySheriff, Spy Trooper, etc.

You'll see a new icon in the system tray when you are infected by this problem. This file is associated with the intell321.exe file shown in the Hijackthis log.

You'll also see a new icon on your desktop alfacleanericon.jpg (1959 bytes) and your desktop background will probably show the following message:

infection.jpg (23296 bytes)

HijackThis will show various problem files, a typical Hijackthis log infected with this issue will look similar to this:

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [lich] C:\windows\system32\lich.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [intell321.exe] C:\WINDOWS\System32\intell321.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AlfaCleaner] C:\Program Files\AlfaCleaner\AlfaCleaner.exe
O23 - Service: AlfaCleanerService - AlfaCleaner.com - C:\Program Files\AlfaCleaner\ACServer.exe

What's the Best Way to Remove Alfacleaner?

Intentionally infecting a test computer with Alfacleaner, I have come up with a multiple step approach to cleaning the system. Unfortunately, because this exploit opens the doors for several different trojans, viruses, and spyware to attack your computer, you'll need a few pieces of software to effectively delete these problems.

Before attempting this removal procedure, download the following removal tools to your desktop and install them.

SmitRem by NoahdFear - Tool to remove Spyaxe, SpySheriff, PSGuard, WinHound, and other issues
Ewido Anti-Malware - Highly recommended anti-malware, anti-spyware program
HijackThis 1.99.1 - Essential tool for finding spyware, virus, trojan, and other problems
CCleaner - Free tool for removing temporary files, cookies, history, and cleaning up registry problems

Removal Procedure

1) Download the programs above to your desktop, extracting and install them. Then update the signatures for Ewido Anti-Malware. Once this is complete, reboot your computer in Safe Mode

2) Open the SmitRem folder and double-click on RunThis.bat to start the SmitRem removal procedure. Besides removing particular files that it looks for, the tool also runs the Disk Cleanup tool to remove temporary files on the hard drive that may contain problem files. For a Tutorial on using SmitRem click here

3) After SmitRem has finished, open Ewido Anti-Malware and run a full system scan deleting anything it finds.

4) Open Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs and uninstall the following programs

Alfacleaner
Desktop Uninstall

5) Search for and manually delete the following directories and files if they remain.

nvctrl.exe
ntzl.exe (Associated with Trojan.LowZones)
ntpsg.exe
intelli321.exe
lich.exe (Associated with Trojan.LowZones)
C:\Program Files\AlfaCleaner

6) While still in Safe Mode, run CCleaner. Analyze and Clean files it finds, then click on the Issues button on the left side of the screen and Scan and Fix any Registry issues CCleaner discovers. Run both the Registry Scanner and the File Analyzer until nothing else is found.

7) Run Hijackthis and Remove any leftover issues. If you are not sure, if a line in Hijackthis is a problem, reboot in normal mode and use the Online HiJackthis Scanner to see if the file is a threat. Just copy and paste your Hijackthis log file into the scanner and let it analyze it for you. Although its not perfect, it will give you an idea if your system is clean or still needs some work. Do not delete anything with Hijackthis unless you are absolutely sure what the file is and what it does.

8) Reboot computer in Normal mode

9) Fix your desktop wallpaper by going to Control Panel, double-click on Display, on the Desktop tab, make sure the background wallpaper is correct, then click on Customize Desktop and click on the Web tab. On this tab is usually where active components such as web pages have taken over your desktop. Delete any problems here and click OK twice to leave the Display settings.

10) Go into Control Panel, Internet Options, and click on the Security tab. Many times, the Trojan.LowZones files change your security to the Lowest level. Click on Default level and return your settings to Medium.

Congratulations! Your computer should be free from Alfa Cleaner. However, now that your computer is running better, scan your system for other problems and patch this problem exploit before you visit another webpage. Follow the instructions below to download the patch for this exploit. If for some reason, you are still experiencing problems or have files that you are not sure of, you can email me a Hijackthis log and I'll see if I can help.

Scan your computer with online virus scanner like Housecall, BitDefender, or ETrust or download and install an antivirus program and run a complete scan. A list of online scanners is below, some however will only scan but not remove issues.

Online Virus Checkers
Trend Micro Housecall - will scan and remove threats
BitDefender Scan Online - will scan and remove threats
Ewido Online Scanner - will scan and remove threats
Panda Activescan - appears to only scan for but not remove threats
McAfee FreeScan - appears to only scan for but not remove threats
eTrust Antivirus Web Scanner - will scan and remove threats
Symantec Security Check - will scan and remove threats
Dr.Web Online Check - user can upload and test for threats on particular files

Trojan Scanner
TrojanScan by WindowsSecurity.com

Free Antivirus Programs to Download
ANTI-VIR
AVAST
AVG

You may also want to run a thorough scan for adware/spyware using Ad-aware SE, Spybot Search and Destroy, or Microsoft Antispyware now known as Windows Defender as well to make sure your system is absolutely clean of other malware.

Update Windows with the Latest Patches

Visit Windows Update and download any Critical Updates for your computer

How to Patch the WMF Exploit

Click on the following link to visit Microsoft's Security Bulletin for the WMF exploit
and download the patches available.

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS06-001:
Vulnerability in Graphics Rendering Engine Could Allow Remote Code Execution (912919)

WMF Exploit Patch Downloads

Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 – Download the update
Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 1 and Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 – Download the update
Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition – Download the update
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 – Download the update
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with SP1 for Itanium-based Systems – Download the update
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition – Download the update