Remove Security Tool (Removal Instructions)

By neha on Sep 25, 2009 | Reply

i like xp vista is slow

By Mai on Oct 7, 2009 | Reply

I tried manually removing this virus but it kept coming back. I also couldn’t go in some of the folders (access was denied).

I purchased Webroot with Spy Sweeper. I did a full system scan and it said there were no infections.

So I waited til the virus came back, and took security’s tool DIRECTLY to my Anti-Virus system so it can scan it. It said the file was fine! I am going nuts.

By Killa on Oct 12, 2009 | Reply

I removed “Security Tool” by booting into safemode, the tool was not in program files\security tool. It was in %user profile%\application data\*A RANDOM NUMBER*\randomnumber.exe

it was in hkcu\software\microsoft\run\

and it had an install .bat(batch) file that ran at startup to re-initiate the infection.

By Dave on Oct 12, 2009 | Reply

How I got rid of SecurityTool. …

Download SuperAntiSpyware free version.
If you can get it to run on your infected machine do so and click Full Scan.
If SecurityTool shuts down your machine during scan then reboot and hold down CTRL ALT DEL to boot into safe mode where you can stop the SecurityTool program in Windows Task Manager (this may need a few attempts).
Once SecurityTool has stopped then click New Task.
You are now looking for SuperAntiSpyware program. To find it click Browse and locate the program.
Run the program to scan your machine and delete the Malware. One done you can reboot normally.

By Nice try. on Oct 16, 2009 | Reply

However, I am completely annoyed with anti-virus software trying to get me to pay money.

My computer’s safety should not be something I have to pay for.

Forget it.

By Chris on Oct 20, 2009 | Reply

I can’t even open some programs. I have tried downloading Spyware Doctor and some other free anti-virus programs and it won’t work. I think my only option at this point is to reboot but I have a lot of data on my computer I don’t want to lose. This is frustrating.

By Mary on Oct 20, 2009 | Reply

I followed Killa’s suggestion on a friends ‘puter that had been infected and it worked. Boot up in safe mode, right click on the Security Tool icon to locate the file location, then delete the file. I shut her ‘puter down completely, waited 15-20 seconds then fired it back up. I restarted 2-3 times to ensure the virus didn’t regenerate. I didn’t find a .bat file…

By Michi on Oct 21, 2009 | Reply

Downloaded Spyware Doctor but it won’t run. No more Security Tool popups but I can’t open Control Panel to get to Add/Remove Programs or others under CP. Also lost my desktop icons completely. Thank goodness I can still open Start menu. I have to shut down Zonealarm’s firewall in order to get into Internet Exp. that was how I downloaded SpyWare Doc….like I said it won’t run. I’ll keep trying.

By George on Oct 21, 2009 | Reply

When I go into Safe Mode, I do not see anything that shows Security Tool. When in regular mode, I can not get my CA Security Center to open. Any other ideas. Please help

By hdave on Oct 23, 2009 | Reply

This malware seems to prevent the installation of other security programs I have tried to install. I was able to install windows sysinternals process explorer and kill most of the security tools processes but have been unable to manually remove the virus. Now I get no ui/gui at all only a blue background (it’s not the win blue background of a lockup). trying to start up in safe mode or any other mode than normal just results in an endless reboot loop. Hope someone has some new suggestions.

By JWalker on Oct 23, 2009 | Reply

After following the manual removal instructions in safe mode, I rebooted my computer and it ran fine. After another reboot the virus regenerated. Apparently the install.bat file was not removed, and caused the virus to come back. This problem was solved by disabling the ms-dos command prompt, since .bat files run ms-dos commands.

By Amy on Oct 24, 2009 | Reply

I got rid of Security Tool twice by booting in safe mode and right clicking on Security Tool, then going to properties and clicked Find Target File then deleted. The third time it came back, I was unable to boot in safe mood. I booted in debug mode and was able to download the free version of MalwareBot. It immediately picked out the file and put it in the vault. Have not had anymore problems. This has been the worst headache. This locks you out any place on your computer that you might would be able to get rid of it at. Even would let me on the internet, just not on any sites or downloads that had to do with removing it.

By Lynn on Oct 26, 2009 | Reply

hello this ssecurity tool wont allow me to remove it anything i down loaad to remove it it stops it and i cant open my taassk bar or control panel add /remove prograams it has taaken over my icons on desk top someone help pleasse

By Aaron on Oct 26, 2009 | Reply

This virus blocks all .exe files from loading, with a few exceptions. One of them is firefox.exe so rename hijackthis to firefox.exe and open it. Kill the randomly numbered process and proceed to run your virus scanner to clean it.

By mak on Oct 29, 2009 | Reply

contra Amy above — my understanding is that MalwareBot is another malware scam.

By Andrew C on Nov 8, 2009 | Reply

Hey all I just finally dealt with Security Tools, which I think came up while watching a movie online. My anti-virus and firewall were off to test other things.

Well I noticed all these links to downloading SpyDoctor, and with all the amazing comments, I was about to pay for it (even though a cost was not advertised).

SpyDoctor also seemed to know lots about this Security Tools ;S
It even showed the name SecurityTools as a problem found!

Well I kept looking and found SpyBot Search and Destroy, a very civilized program that asked you to donate what you thought the program was worth. It did find errors, but it did not work for removing SecurityTools.

I checked around my computer and found that I also had MalwareByte’s Anti-Malware and THAT WORKED! Boom a quick scan and ST is gone. THAT is the one to get. Its free.

By Marty W on Nov 13, 2009 | Reply

The best way to remove it… simple… boot up in safe mode, goto run and type ‘restore’ click the system restore icon and drop back 2 days… Security Tool all gone!!!

By Carlos T on Nov 15, 2009 | Reply

1. I used Hijack This and found two very suspisious keys in HKLM and HKU.

6706429.exe in both places.

2. I would seem that the software is using some sort of seed from the system clock to install itself, because the number may be different with each install.

3. Olny after I removed these keys and rebooted the system was I able to remove the executables.

4. Even though the files still existed, the KEY removal from HKLM and HKU caused the software not to load and allowed me to remove the files from “C:\ProgramData” (A hidden directory)

By Chris on Nov 26, 2009 | Reply

On Vista, this “fake-anti-virus” application started, guessing from a running bt download, and before rebooting I found this page.

I waited for the app to open a window, killed the process (#####.exe). I noticed a shortcut in my menu pointing at C:\programdata\#######.exe, so i deleted that file.

The desktop still hid all the icons if i focused on a window, so I started a McAffee scan. Somewhere through the scan Vista rebooted to finish some updates and the computer has been normal since.

I am running another scan now, but the only reg key I have found is HKLM – Software – 29631122 with a FirstRun entry (binary).

I need a good registry cleaner as it is chock full of uninstalled program entries.

By Carlo Schots on Dec 2, 2009 | Reply

A friend asked me to help him remove the Security Tool malware that locked up the applications on his computer. The removal instructions I found on the internet did not work, maybe because it was a Vista OS.
I solved the problem in 3 steps after booting in the safe mode (F8 while booting). In this mode Security Tool does not come up.
1/ Find: Security Tool. The two lnk files where found. Delete them and note the random number exe file they point to and the locations.
2/ Find: random number: delete the files with this random number name. Empty recycle bin.
3/ regedit: (to edit the registry) Edit Find: the same random number. Delete all the corresponding entries. Repeat Edit Find until you reach the end of the registry.
Reboot and start up normally.

By jenie on Dec 4, 2009 | Reply

you have to download malrebytes’anti-malware after downloading it just unplugged the internet connection so that security tool will not appear in your screen then restart your computer. Open malware then click run and follow the instruction.

By Jewell on Dec 5, 2009 | Reply

Thanks to Carlo Schots!! Security Tool was driving me to tears!! I’m not a computer wiz by any means and most of the instructions to get rid of this “computer held hostage/extortion scheme” were way over my head. Carlo Schots- You Rock!! Easy to follow; easy to do!! Thanks!!

By Steve on Dec 8, 2009 | Reply

I tried the same method as Mary,identically and
it worked.My computer has also speeded up considerably.Thank you Mary for your plain advice.

I found the path C:\Documents & Settings|All Users then had to type \Application Data\28864230 to reveal the icon to delete.

By stacey on Dec 9, 2009 | Reply

i have tried everything. Downloading virus remover, malware remover etc
all the ones i have gone on people have said it worked but it hasnt for me i download them and then security tool blocks them from opening.

I am going to go mad someone please help

By Stephen on Dec 10, 2009 | Reply

A friends computer had this in it and McAfee AntiVirus, but McAfee did not see it as a virus or malicious in any way. In a normal startup it would not allow a McAfee virus scan, nor would it allow task manager to be opened, or even the registry editor.

In order to remove it from the computer:
1) Boot windows into Safe Mode (Tap F8 repeatedly before windows boots to get a list of options, use arow keys to select Safe Mode and press enter).
2) After getting into safe mode find a shortcut to the program, right click and go to properties, in the properties window click on “Open File Location”, take a note of the name of the program for later.
3) Go “up” one level so you are looking at the folder the program is in, right click on the folder and click delete.
4) Search your computer for the name of the program without the .exe (usually a random set of numbers, in my case 26440218).
5) Delete anything matching that string of numbers exactly.
6) Open the registry editor by going to run (Start>Run in XP, Start>All Programs>Acessories>Run in Vista) and type regedit.
7) Click Edit>Find and search the registry for the name of the program without the .exe (the string of random numbers), ONLY delete entries specifically matching the name of the program, once an entry is deleted there is no undo.
Search many many times and delete the specific matches to your search until you get the message “Finished searching through the registry.”
9) Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer and let it boot normally and make sure that the program is no longer there. If it is still there follow these steps again until it goes away.
If that still doesn’t work then download one of the removal programs.

NOTE: Editing your registry incorrectly can lead to your computer not working, if your computer does not work the same as it did before you had the “Security Tool” then tap F8 repeatedly before windows boots until you get to the options screen and use the arrow keys to select “Restore Last Known Good Configuration” which will restore your registry to its last known working configuration.

By Slither on Dec 12, 2009 | Reply

It work. ST is gone. I boot windows into safe mode, then i went to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data then i found there the folder of ST(80910321), delete it then run the regedit then i click edit>find randomnumber then delete all the files that pop then reboot.. but the helpctr.exe wont run plz help me on that

By matt on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply

Just a quick note to everyone having trouble with “security tool”

FOLLOW STEPHEN’S INSTRUCTIONS!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU STEPHEN, YOU ARE A SAINT!!!

By Julia on Dec 14, 2009 | Reply

Following Stephen’s instructions was the perfect end to a very frustrating day. They work and are dead easy to follow. Thank you.

By Anita on Dec 15, 2009 | Reply

Follow Stephen’s advice! I have been working on deleting this thing for over 2 hours and Stephen’s instructions worked first time…thanks Stephen!!

By Ryan on Dec 15, 2009 | Reply

Step 1 – Restart Your Computer
Step 2 – Before the security tools actually runs hit cntrl alt delete then start the task manager.
step 3 – end the process of the security tools the name is usually a number.
step 4 – once you stopped that from working go to the shortcut, right click open file location
step 5 – go to that file location and delete everything.
step 6 – empty your recycle bin
step 7 – restart your computer and should be fine

hope that helps

By Chuck on Dec 18, 2009 | Reply

Thanks Ryan…it worked like a charm.
I only had one file in the shortcut location. It was in a folder with a similar name…I deleted both. This also seems to be the most simple method.

By Erik on Dec 19, 2009 | Reply

Easy removal of this crap program… get the Task Manager up quickly when you boot up. End any program that is listed as numbers, this is the security tools.

Right click on the shortcut for the Security Tools and select ‘properties’. Open the file location, it was Program Data for me. Select and Delete all files that are listed as numbers.

I did this and the Security Tools program is gone. Quite the pain in the butt…

By dustwolf on Dec 21, 2009 | Reply

I just got hit with this nasty virus on my laptop (XP Pro). A screen came up saying that “Security tools has successfully downloaded, although I didn’t download anything. I was just shopping for Christmas (some Christmas present I got!).

I figured it was one of those viruses, so I didn’t click on anything except I tried to bring up task manager so I could close the window. That didn’t work, it only brought up the full screen of this “security tools” and it started doing the fake scan.

I didn’t click anything, but just rebooted in hopes that I could get to either task manager soon enough to close down the program, or to explorer and get to a virus remover such as malwarebytes. That didn’t work either, the screen came up as soon as I rebooted, so I shut down again and tried going into safe mode. When doing that, the drivers only go halfway down and stop, then nothing.

I tried just rebooting normally, thinking if I signed up for that security tools with false info, at least I could get rid of the opening screen and access the net. Now when I try to reboot, I get nothing at all, just a black screen. Did I kill my computer by doing this the wrong way? Please help! Thank you in advance.

P.S. This is on my laptop and I do have my desktop that I’m using now. How can I safeguard (with strong preventative measures!) that something like this doesn’t happen on this one too?

By Dennis L on Dec 21, 2009 | Reply

Marty W rules!!! This piece of shit virus is finally off my computer. Simple instructions to follow. thx

By mattsimmo on Dec 24, 2009 | Reply

Having read everything here I did the following that – touch wood – has worked with Vista and the computer has been rebooted three times:
1. restarted my computer in safe mode by repatedly hitting F8
2. I then followed Stephen’s advice: “After getting into safe mode find a shortcut to the program, right click and go to properties, in the properties window click on “Open File Location”, take a note of the name of the program for later.”
3. Once I had found the location, I went to it and deleted that .exe file.
4. Since I now knew what the programme was called, I then followed the advice at the beginning of this website:
“Remove These Security Tool Registry Values:
(Learn how to do this)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run “SecurityTool”
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Vista Antivirus 2010
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SecurityTool
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SecurityTool”
5. Having found the files in the registry, I deleted them.
6. I then deleted the shortcuts and emptied the recycle bin.
7. I restarted my computer and downloaded SuperAntiSpyware (thanks Killa) which discovered another 2 files related to Security Tool and which are now eliminated.

I think finally the nightmare is over.

By ashley on Dec 24, 2009 | Reply

thank you stephen!!!

By Sam on Dec 25, 2009 | Reply

Blasted Security Tools tried to ruin my Christmas Day! I took the advice to start up in safe mode and just restore my laptop to the day before…worked! Hallelujah!

By Sam on Dec 25, 2009 | Reply

Yep Marty W saved the day!

By aimee on Dec 25, 2009 | Reply

dude, u r a god!!! xx

By JR L on Dec 27, 2009 | Reply

My mother-in-law had the same thing on her Vista machine.

I’m in St. Louis, but was able to remote in and take control of her machine. 2 weeks ago I installed Microsoft Forefront, as I get it free from work. Guess what? That worked! I was really surprised, as I couldn’t access the task manager, regedit, nothing.

Forefront did the trick!

By Darrin on Dec 27, 2009 | Reply

Thanks, it worked great and it is now gone.

By Darrin on Dec 28, 2009 | Reply

Guess I should have said thanks Ryan. Great info. Easy to follow and complete. Shitty ass virus is gone……….

By Mark on Dec 28, 2009 | Reply

On a vista system “security tool” blocked all access to booting into safe mode, or the task manager, and any access to do really anything. I put spyhunters detection tool to detect “security tool”, then Microsoft security Essentials. I seem to have fixed it without paying any money, I hope. both programs were loaded on to a zip drive.

By Raphael on Dec 30, 2009 | Reply

I did a similar thing like Ryan and it worked:

1) boot your infected laptop/pc;
2) click straight right mouse on the securitytool icon, copy the location path of the file into your explorer;
3) you won’t be able to delete the file, but you should be able to rename-it, in whatsoever;
4) reboot the machine, securitytool wont start, then go to explorer, delete the file;
5) double check with regedit if everything is gone;

thats it for now…

By James Best on Dec 30, 2009 | Reply

Stephen, you are a genius, i followed your tips step by step and got rid of the most annoying thing in my life lol! The security tool malware had spread itself twice onto my hard drive and with these instructions i wiped it off the face of the earth, FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS TO GET RID ONCE AND FOR ALL!!!

By Stephen on Dec 10, 2009 | Reply

A friends computer had this in it and McAfee AntiVirus, but McAfee did not see it as a virus or malicious in any way. In a normal startup it would not allow a McAfee virus scan, nor would it allow task manager to be opened, or even the registry editor.

In order to remove it from the computer:
1) Boot windows into Safe Mode (Tap F8 repeatedly before windows boots to get a list of options, use arow keys to select Safe Mode and press enter).
2) After getting into safe mode find a shortcut to the program, right click and go to properties, in the properties window click on “Open File Location”, take a note of the name of the program for later.
3) Go “up” one level so you are looking at the folder the program is in, right click on the folder and click delete.
4) Search your computer for the name of the program without the .exe (usually a random set of numbers, in my case 26440218).
5) Delete anything matching that string of numbers exactly.
6) Open the registry editor by going to run (Start>Run in XP, Start>All Programs>Acessories>Run in Vista) and type regedit.
7) Click Edit>Find and search the registry for the name of the program without the .exe (the string of random numbers), ONLY delete entries specifically matching the name of the program, once an entry is deleted there is no undo.
Search many many times and delete the specific matches to your search until you get the message “Finished searching through the registry.”
9) Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer and let it boot normally and make sure that the program is no longer there. If it is still there follow these steps again until it goes away.
If that still doesn’t work then download one of the removal programs.

NOTE: Editing your registry incorrectly can lead to your computer not working, if your computer does not work the same as it did before you had the “Security Tool” then tap F8 repeatedly before windows boots until you get to the options screen and use the arrow keys to select “Restore Last Known Good Configuration” which will restore your registry to its last known working configuration.

By Arlene on Jan 5, 2010 | Reply

Wow – this has now just costed me a whole morning’s fees, trying to get rid of this ‘virus’. What site to trust for a removal tool? I followed Steven’s tips, but “registry editing has been disabled by your administrator”. So I rebooted and it’s gone, but I think it’s just hiding, waiting, cause my antivirus (NOD32) just picked it up again, although I did another search and couldn’t find it. Holding thumbs. If it does appear again, I’ll just buy the an removal tool, but which one?

By Roza on Jan 6, 2010 | Reply

I got this earlier today, however as I am using vista, I kept getting prompted if I wanted to let it run cmd. Denied it, then it popped back up, shortly after I hit my “reset” button (shuts down computer at once) then I restartet in safemode, and the only file I can find is the lotsofnumbershere.exe

However, I got this true a website… Did not download anything. It simply spawned on my desktop and firefox crashed several times… Ima try to start normaly now, wish me luck

By Onetrakmindz on Jan 7, 2010 | Reply

Dude you rock!!

By Beth on Jan 8, 2010 | Reply

Thank you so much Stephen. YOU ROCK!!!! I spent countless hours trying to rid my computer of Security Tool. EVERYONE SHOULD TRY THESE INSTRUCTIONS. THEY WORK AND THEY ARE FREE. Thank you once again for being selfless and sharing your knowledge with the less skilled. You saved me a great deal of money.

By Walt on Jan 12, 2010 | Reply

Have Vista. Just removed “Security Tool” by: 1) Boot in safe mode 2)Use “system restore from Accesssories/System Tools/System Restore. Worked like a charm.

By Carol on Jan 15, 2010 | Reply

Followed Carlos’ instructions and that seems to have done it! thank you so much… i’ve been working on this for hours!

By melanie on Jan 17, 2010 | Reply

Thanks for your directions to remove Security Tool. It worked the first time. Thank you so much

By Jim on Jan 18, 2010 | Reply

Stephen, your directions worked perfectly on my wife’s XP machine. Thanks very much for sharing!

By Ann on Jan 20, 2010 | Reply

hi…my daughters gutted ..bought her computer for christmas an tonight found security tool.. been trying to follow stephens advice but once in safe mode the arrow keys are not working..
any advice plz xxxxx

By Ann on Jan 20, 2010 | Reply

its okies sorted now

BIG thankyou to RYAN XX
i now have a happy daughter ..

By Chris on Jan 21, 2010 | Reply

So what do you do when you cant get into safe mode? cant start any program in windows, everything is a “virus” according to Security Tools.
Is there some tool from which you can boot into and remove this annoying thing?

By King Kurt on Jan 21, 2010 | Reply

Thank you so much Carlo Schots and anyone else who has helped remove this terrible software… I have had a $2000 laptop out of avction for months but could not format it due to the important personal data I stand to loose so THANK YOU ALL for your advice. I would be happy to contribute money towards bringing the terrorists who make these programs to justice!!! They are “INTERNET TERRORISTS” that cause both personal and financial distress…

By Ann on Jan 22, 2010 | Reply

mine was the same ryan has given some very good advice..worked for me

By Taylor Elder on Jan 26, 2010 | Reply

Thank you Stephen, your advice helped me rid a friend’s computer of the virus.
You and everyone here ROCK!

By thorm on Jan 31, 2010 | Reply

GUYS

this is a lot easier!

just turn on your computer.

Look at ur desktop background. Smile

hold down ctrl+shift+esc in a while.

you are then able to navigate to the programs tab and close security tool.exe

Go to the bad files location and delete it.

Finally run ur antivirus app

Am I a fuckin’ genius or what?:p

By Ricky on Feb 2, 2010 | Reply

The solution can be much simpler than I have seen here although I’m no computer expert.

On Start up press and hold F11 key to access system restore. follow instructions BUT SET THE DATE OF RESTORE prior to the invasion of the Security Tool malware.

Problem solved.

By eric on Feb 6, 2010 | Reply

I just did this my own way…. i shutdown my computer then tured it back on… when its turning on use startup repair… i think its f11 …. it worked for me i gues cuz it restores ur computer to a time when it worked right. well try it if it works keep trying… i did it and im 17 lol

By JB on Feb 7, 2010 | Reply

Thank you to everyone who posted methods to fix this issue. .. It was a great help.

By Pippin on Feb 10, 2010 | Reply

Many thanks Stephen for your help. I got rid of it slightly differently because I couldn’t boot into Safe Mode. In XP I did Start Programs, found the name and, holding the cursor next to it, I got the file name and the number. Then all as you said.
Thank you again.

By eryn and shannon on Feb 13, 2010 | Reply

STEPHEN- YOU ARE THE BEST PERSON ALIVE!

By Laurie on Feb 13, 2010 | Reply

I wanted to thank Mary…I’m REALLY computer illiterate and was able to clearly understand what to do from her instructions and…it worked!!! I spent hours before finding her advice, then a few minutes later…completely cleared up. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that it’s out for the next few thousand times I log in!

By PJ on Feb 14, 2010 | Reply

I have Windows XP and yesterday Security Tool would not let me access anything and I mean anything!

Turned it off and then today, when I turned it on I pressed F8 for Safe Mode.

This then gave me the option of running the computer in safe mode or restoring to an earlier date. I chose restore and was able to go back to a previous date before the problem and this took care of. It’s completely gone.

Thank God…and good luck!

By Tiara on Feb 16, 2010 | Reply

Used Ricky’s advice, worked like a charm.
Thanks!:)

By Michael on Feb 18, 2010 | Reply

Dont know who said it first but just do what Ryan says!!! Fixed in minutes. Thought I was going to have spend money tomorrow on a pro!!!
Here it is again so you dont have to look-

Step 1 – Restart Your Computer
Step 2 – Before the security tools actually runs hit cntrl alt delete then start the task manager.
step 3 – end the process of the security tools the name is usually a number.
step 4 – once you stopped that from working go to the shortcut, right click open file location
step 5 – go to that file location and delete everything.
step 6 – empty your recycle bin
step 7 – restart your computer and should be fine

By Chadwick on Feb 20, 2010 | Reply

Thanks Marty W – your suggestion of using Restore worked and it was so easy!I have spent hours trying to delete this and following your instructions it was gone in 5 minutes.Brilliant!

By DaveNix on Feb 20, 2010 | Reply

A friend gave me his Vista os laptop 2hrs ago and said “have a go at that will you” what a nightmare loads of sites saying run this or that but it just wouldnt let me do anything in the end i did the following.

Downloaded a tiny programme called rkill to the desktop and rebooted, the second the desktop appeared ran rkill which stopped security tool before it could get going then ran malware bytes which removed it, after looking on here i could have renamed rkill as firefox or iexplorer and then it would have probably run.

By Eric on Feb 22, 2010 | Reply

Hey, I can not even start my computer, what should I do

By Josef on Feb 24, 2010 | Reply

Thank you all for the great advise. However, while there seem to be no signs anyware on my Vista system of this malware I still cannot open iexplorer, google chrome or any other browser. I tried doing a system restore and tried several points in the past but it always comes back with an error message. Has anyone else experienced this after removing everything and running scans (three different anti-spyware programs [incidently Norton will not execute either]) Any advise is appriciated!

By Kathy on Feb 26, 2010 | Reply

a big THANK YOU stephen!!! worked like a charm.

By Romain on Feb 27, 2010 | Reply

Thanks ryan it worked………..

By Pascal on Feb 27, 2010 | Reply

Thanks all! I followed instructions from Stephen on Dec 10, 2009 it worked perfectly on Windows 7.
Now I wish I can meet whoever programmed that SecurityTool garbage…

By rita on Feb 28, 2010 | Reply

Got windows message implying that Security Tool was one of their prods so downloaded, dumb fool, realised what i had done immediately but too late, so found which file it was stored in, dont know how i did it really i’m a bit numb when it comes to programmes but i think i went to propertys and into the security box which gives the option of allow on 4 processes or deny, got the edit and one by one edit each process to deny, when you come out all popups have gone the file pic on desctop has changed and the 2 icons on taskbar have gone. All i get now is my Bullguard telling me Security Tool has been stopped from entering malaware on my pc and i am still clean. I will find a good removal tool without paying but until then i appear to be ok. Hope this helps in the short term, quite proud of myself being a granny novice, need a slp round the head for getting conned into downloading it in the first place should have known better. Oh and I also did the ctrl-alt- delete to stop process running. Pig of a programme bring back hanging

By Ed on Mar 1, 2010 | Reply

I opened my computer in safe mode (F8 key), then went to System Restore. Restored it to a point before Security Tool infected my computer. Got rid of it. Seems too simple, but it worked for me.

By deji on Mar 2, 2010 | Reply

i had the same problem with security tool, now i have it removed thanks to stephen’s method.

By Steven.SA on Mar 4, 2010 | Reply

The system restore seemed to have worked for me.
My mom was on a forum where it said she had spyware and had to download security tool to remove it or our isp would be notified,She panicked and downloaded it

Start in safe mode, restore to a few days before you got it and all is good

By Bint Hasheem on Mar 4, 2010 | Reply

HOW TO REALLY TOTALY REMOVE IT FOR WINDOWS XP

PRINT THIS TO REMEMBER WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IF YOUR NEW TO PC WORLD.

1 Start in safe mode,THIS YOU DO BY PRESSING F8 SEVERAL TIMES WHILE RESTARTING YOUR PC.Then

2Restore to a few days before the security tool was there.

and after restore,

restart your pc and

ALHAMDULILLAAH IT works perfectos

By naty on Mar 5, 2010 | Reply

im in theprocess of deleting this virus im very computer illiterate so SOME ONE CHECK THIS AND TEL ME IF IM MISSING SOMETHING.
1.I WAS ON SAFE MODE
2.DELETED SECURITY TOOL SHORTCUTS
3.C;/PROG DATA;#######-COULD NOT BE DELETED THE ACTUAL FILE SO I DENIED ALL USERS FROM BEIN ABLE TO USE IT OR DO ANYTHING WITH IT
4.WENT BACK TO REGULAR WINDOWS AND DOWNLOADED HOUSECALL-IT WOULDNT LET ME B4 I WENT ON SAFEMODE AND CHANGED PROPERTIES
5.HOUSECALL FOUND 2 AND THEY WERE CLEANED
6.I REBOOTED MY COMPUTER AND ST WAS GONEBUT MY DESKTOP WAS STILL BLACK
7.I DOWNLOADED MALWAREBYTES.ORG AND FOUND 85 VIRUS OR BAD FILES I REMOVE SELECTED

NOW WHAT DO I DO TO CHECK IM NOT UNDERSTANDING REGISTERY EDIT THING PLEASE HELP I DONT WANT THIS TO COMEBACK…

By april on Mar 10, 2010 | Reply

Marty W…You are brilliant..thank you for the input! I downloaded so many stupid spyware helps, etc and then restored my computer and bam!…my desktop popped up!

By Dave on Mar 12, 2010 | Reply

Thank you to Stephen from December 10th!