AdvancedXPDefender Removal Process (remove AXP Defender)

May 13, 2008 – 11:07 am

AXPDefender Explanation

AdvancedXPDefender is a fake anti-spyware program that was discovered to record computer user’s activities including keystrokes. AdvancedXPDefender, once installed, has the tendency to create popups or alert messages that are meant to scare computer users into thinking that they need to purchase the full AdvancedXPDefender program.

AdvancedXPDefender may come from the Zlob or Vundo Trojan infection or directly from the AdvancedXPDefender.com website. AdvancedXPDefender.com is a malicious website that distributes and sells the AdvancedXPDefender program.

The Trojan infection that installs AdvancedXPDefender can be contracted from a fake video codec download or a browser security hole. We strongly suggest that all computer users be mindful of the programs running on your system. If you notice your system slowing drastically then you may have a rogue anti-spyware program such as AdvancedXPDefender installed on your system. You should not purchase the AdvancedXPDefender program even if it looks like a convincing anti-spyware program.

AdvancedXPDefender may be referred to as Advanced XP Defender, AXPDefender or AXP Defender which are all the same malicious program.

Are you getting popups from AXPDefender? Have you identified that you have AXPDefender installed on your computer? Do you wish to remove AXPDefender completely from your computer?

Why should you remove AXPDefender?

If AXPDefender resides on your computer, it can potentially damage your personal files or you may end up losing data stored on your system. Research has shown that AXPDefender may have the ability to make your computer vulnerable to remote attacks which could result, initially, in loss of money, possibly identity theft, and, eventually, a painstaking AXPDefender removal process.

How can you manually remove AXPDefender

Manual removal of AXPDefender may not be for everyone. Each manual AXPDefender removal step must be followed delicately to completely remove all related files and registry entries from your computer. If you are unsure or have doubts about editing your system registry, then we recommend that you use the automatic AXPDefender removal process.

AXPDefender can be removed manually by following the steps below.

1. With all programs closed, click the Start Menu and go to the Control Panel.
2. Locate the Add/Remove Programs icon and double click it.
3. Locate AXPDefender in the list of programs. If you find it, select it and remove it. If you cannot find AXPDefender, you can continue to step 5.
4. Restart your computer.
5. Close all open programs and windows on your desktop.
6. Open your registry editor (regedit) program by going to Start Menu, type in regedit, and click OK.
7. Find all of the following registry entries and delete them. If you do not know how to do this, then you can read how to edit the registry in Windows.

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\uninstall\axpdefender
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\axpdefender\axpdefender softid
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\axpdefender\axpdefender scandepth
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\axpdefender\axpdefender programversion
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\axpdefender\axpdefender registrationurl
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\axpdefender\axpdefender domain
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\axpdefender\axpdefender installationid
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\axpdefender\axpdefender automaticallyupdates
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\axpdefender\axpdefender backgroundscantimeout
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\axpdefender
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\uninstall\axpdefender uninstallstring
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run axpdefender
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\axpdefender\axpdefender scansystemonstartup
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\axpdefender\axpdefender proxyport
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\axpdefender\axpdefender minimizeonstart
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\axpdefender\axpdefender registrationdiscurl
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\axpdefender\axpdefender daysinterval
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\axpdefender\axpdefender guiversion
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\axpdefender\axpdefender advid
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\axpdefender\axpdefender
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\uninstall\axpdefender displayname
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\axpdefender\axpdefender\settings
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\axpdefender\axpdefender scanpriority
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\axpdefender\axpdefender proxyname
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\axpdefender\axpdefender lasttimestamp
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\axpdefender\axpdefender engineversion
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\axpdefender\axpdefender installdir
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\axpdefender\axpdefender backgroundscan
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\axpdefender\axpdefender databaseversion
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\axpdefender mguid

8. You may need to return to this removal process for removing AXPDefender. You can do this easily by bookmarking or adding a favorite to this page by clicking here. If you are using the FireFox web browser you can press the keys Ctrl and D simultaneously to bookmark this page.

   Image 1. Bookmark PCHubs removal process

   

9. Delete all of the following files that are associated with AXPDefender from your computer.

   %common_programs%\advanced xp defender\advanced xp defender.lnk
   %common_programs%\advanced xp defender\license agreement.lnk
   %program_files%\axpdefender\license.txt
   %program_files%\axpdefender\axpdefender.exe
   %program_files%\axpdefender\axpdefenderskin.dll
   %common_desktopdirectory%\axpdefender.lnk
   %common_programs%\advanced xp defender\how to register.lnk
   %common_programs%\advanced xp defender.lnk
   %program_files%\axpdefender\database.dat
   %program_files%\axpdefender\mfc71.dll
   %program_files%\axpdefender\mfc71enu.dll
   %common_programs%\advanced xp defender\uninstall.lnk
   %common_programs%\advanced xp defender\register.lnk
   %program_files%\axpdefender\uninstall.exe
   %program_files%\axpdefender\axpdefender.exe.local
   %program_files%\axpdefender\msvcr71.dll

   If you need a better understanding on how to search for these files then you can read how to find and search for files and folders here.

   If you have issues deleting any of the previously listed files that are associated with AXPDefender, you can try rebooting your computer into safe mode. Booting into safe mode may allow certain malicious files to be deleted. If you are wondering how to boot into safe mode, you can read our process for starting a computer in safe mode here.

   Image 2. Select “Safe Mode with Networking”

   

10. After locating and deleting the previous files you must remove all directories associated with AXPDefender by going to the C:\ProgramFiles\AXPDefender folder, select it, and delete it. In some cases you may not be able to find this directory. You can still continue to the next step.

11. Restart your computer. You do not need to boot into safe mode at this point. You should have removed AXPDefender completely from your computer. If you find that AXPDefender is still on your computer, you can repeat the steps again or go to the automatic AXPDefender removal process.

Automatically Remove AXPDefender

Automatically remove AXPDefender for free. Free automatic AXPDefender removal process.

Do you wish to automatically remove AXPDefender from your computer? Are you looking for a free method to remove AXPDefender from your computer? If so, you can utilize the free automatic AXPDefender removal process below. Each step is designed to aid in the use of the program SmitfraudFix, which is a free tool created by S!Ri to remove parasites such as AXPDefender. Just so you know there’s no guarantee that SmitfraudFix or any other spyware remover will remove AXPDefender completely. These instructions are provided as a guide and are to be used at your own risk.

1. Download the SmitfraudFix tool to your computer by using our free download link here. Save the downloaded file to your desktop.

   Image 1. Save SmitfraudFix.exe

   

2. Restart your computer into safe mode. Safe mode will allow malicious files that are normally loaded into memory to be easily deleted by the SmitfraudFix program. Do you want to learn how to boot into safe mode? If so, you can follow our process on how to boot into safe mode here.

3. After booting into safe mode, double-click on the SmitfraudFix.exe icon that should be located on your desktop. Follow the on-screen instructions. Option number 2 should be selected once the program starts.

   Image 2. Click on SmitfraudFix.exe icon

   

4. After SmitfraudFix performs the initial removal processes it will ask you “Do you want to clean the registry?” Select Y for yes.

   Image 3. For “Do you want to clean the registry?,” select Y for yes

   

5. Once SmitfraudFix has finished the registry clean you can restart your computer now.
6. AXPDefender should be removed from your computer. If not, you can start the automatic removal process over. It may take more than one try in some rare cases.

There’s no guarantee that SmitfraudFix will remove all files due to the complex nature of new spyware files that are ever-changing. If necessary, you may need to get help from a person who knows about computer and spyware.

(Disclaimers: These instructions are provided to you for free and to be used at your own risk. The free removal process for AXPDefender is not guaranteed to work in all circumstances. We are not responsible for any damages.)