VAV (vav.exe) Removal Instructions
May 20th, 2008 | by Alex |VAV.exe Descriptions:
VAV.exe, or simply VAV , is a file that associated with a rogue anti-spyware application called Vista Antivirus 2008. Don’t be fooled. VAV is a fake software by itself but advertises itself as a removal tool. This annoying rogue antispyware application is back after changing its face mask. It is believed that it is a variant of XP Antivirus 2008. As a matter of fact, it is one of the latest counterfeit anti-spyware softwares that causes troubles for so many innocent computer users today.
If you happen to see this file in your computer, you need to remove it immdiately.
Download SpyHunter* Spyware Detection Utility.
Stop VAV Processes:
(Learn how to do this)
vav.exe
Find and Delete these VAV Files:
(Learn how to do this)
vav.exe
%desktopdirectory%\Vista Antivirus 2008 3.2.lnk
%program_files%\vistaantivirus2008\ieas.db2
%program_files%\vistaantivirus2008\uninst.exe
%program_files%\vistaantivirus2008\vav.exe
%program_files%\vistaantivirus2008\vav.exe
%program_files%\vistaantivirus2008\uninst.exe
%programs%\Vista Antivirus 2008 3.2.lnk
Remove vistaantivirus2008 Registry Values:
(Learn how to do this)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\software\vistaantivirus2008
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\uninstall\Vista Antivirus 2008
Download SpyHunter* Spyware Detection Utility.
11 Responses to “VAV (vav.exe) Removal Instructions”
By don on Jun 8, 2008 | Reply
i have vav.exe in task manager, but i couldn’t stop it ’cause i have no admin right. what should i do?
By Tom on Jun 20, 2008 | Reply
I picked up this virus and my McAfee program does not recognize/ offer any protection against it. All the service rep did was offer to connect me to a fee based virus-removal service. Thanks for the above information on removal. I hope it works.
FYI: My version of the virus also installs a few programs in a folder within program files called PCHEALTH. It has processes named 1.exe, 2.exe, 3.exe, 4.exe, 5.exe which basically creates html pop-ups containing security warnings with links to further downloads.
By todd on Jun 27, 2008 | Reply
Mine installed PCHEALTH as well, I found it in the registry under:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\uninstall\PCHEALTH
By Fred on Jun 27, 2008 | Reply
My infection with this virus also installed some .exe files in the Windows directory that loaded on start up. They were named sys##.exe. They were executed from the run/run once registry entries. I was skeptical of the download and even ran my virus scanner against it before running it, but alas… Also had items to clean up in the Program Files\PCHEALTH directory.
By sam on Jun 30, 2008 | Reply
start > run > msconfig and press enter an window should pop up press the startup tab and press disable all button and press apply and restart that should stop vav.exe to run in
the start up
By Dave on Jul 6, 2008 | Reply
So I have a similar problem with a twist: I apparantly got a lot more than vav.exe because my task manager is greyed out and if I go to Start I can’t get to All Programs (it’s not even there). This has me baffled right now. I am logged in as administrator and if I try to run Regedit through windows explorer it tells me that the administrator has turned off rights to this. Now what? I’m stuck!! I set a system restore point not too long ago so is there a way to get back to this? I can’t get a CMD prompt since I can’t do Start>Run…so…any thoughts?
By dale on Jul 7, 2008 | Reply
i have the same problems as dave. I was able to get into the folders but I can not find anything and my task manager is greyed out and nothing i try to get to in the start menu is there. During start up I have tried restoring and that has not worked either. Any suggestions?
By Dave on Jul 9, 2008 | Reply
I found a couple of extra files:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\vav.cpl
C:\WINDOWS\Prefetch\VAV.EXE-1F37EF2C.pf
The .cpl file listed Vista Antivirus 2008 in it’s properties and although the .pf file has no data directly relating it to the ‘antivirus’ it is in the prefetch folder so should not cause any issues if deleted.
By AL on Jul 15, 2008 | Reply
Hello,
Thanks for your advice (Todd & Dave), I think it solved the issue.
God Bless.
AL
By George on Aug 16, 2008 | Reply
This file had my fooled and i tryed to buy it, giving them my debit card number. What the best thing for me to do? Will they try to take money out?
By Antrina Ray on Feb 4, 2009 | Reply
I purchase vista antivirus 2008 last night. My computer was scanned. I rebooted my computer overnight. When I turned on my computer this morning, I am not able to access the internet. It is telling me that it is unsafe. I am not sure where to go from here.