KB225571.exe Threat Level:

KB225571.exe is a Trojan attached to a scam email that pretends to be a security update from Microsoft.

This KB225571.exe email reads:

From: securityassurance@microsoft.com
Subject: Security Update for OS Microsoft Windows

Dear Microsoft Customer,

Please notice that Microsoft company has recently issued a Security Update for OS Microsoft Windows. The update applies to the following OS versions: Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows Millenium, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista.
Please notice, that present update applies to high-priority updates category. In order to help protect your computer against security threats and performance problems, we strongly recommend you to install this update.
Since public distribution of this Update through the official website http://www.microsoft.com would have result in efficient creation of a malicious software, we made a decision to issue an experimental private version of an update for all Microsoft Windows OS users.
As your computer is set to receive notifications when new updates are available, you have received this notice.
In order to start the update, please follow the step-by-step instruction:
1. Run the file, that you have received along with this message.
2. Carefully follow all the instructions you see on the screen.
If nothing changes after you have run the file, probably in the settings of your OS you have an indication to run all the updates at a background routine. In that case, at this point the upgrade of your OS will be finished.
We apologize for any inconvenience this back order may be causing you.
Thank you,
Steve Lipner
Director of Security Assurance
Microsoft Corp.

—–BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE—–
Version: PGP 7.1

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K5XVCU4DSR4U1O02I6P359WMXY57YN7EOS92HP45DJ3OUS6PNT39UAD096VJFHS1D
G8OUTM7IJRX488C2FVQCGW24FA4FCS87GS40TPRSA7JH2EQVOKGQZ88E4VIFOM24T
L6PYLW6IQ8U8M1J2OPGRLWMJ0PGPT6QJXB15MSY3AIHB1CB1NM5I2MT2A5W6Q97K5
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—–END PGP SIGNATURE—–

Attachment: KB225571.exe

If you open this KB225571.exe attachment, you’ll probably launch a Trojan that’ll give a hacker control over your computer.

I’m sure identity theft sounds like a fun weekend, but if you’d rather spend your weekend otherwise — church? Family? Strip club? — I can show you how to get rid of KB225571.exe for free.

Next time you get an email about a software update, type the software’s website into your browser and download the application directly from that trusted site. Opening email attachments you aren’t expecting is almost always a bad idea.

Do You Have KB225571.exe?

When you’re infected with badware — whether it’s KB225571.exe, spyware, adware, a Trojan, or a virus — there are a few key symptoms. Have you noticed…

• Slow computer performance: It just takes one parasite like KB225571.exe to slow your computer dramatically. If your PC takes longer than usual to reboot, or if your Internet connection is unusually slow, you may be infected with KB225571.exe.
• New desktop shortcuts or switched homepage: Badware like KB225571.exe may change your Internet settings to redirect your homepage to another site. Badware can even add desktop shortcuts to your PC.
• Annoying popups: Badware can bombard your computer with popup ads, even when you’re not online. Through these popups, you may be tricked into downloading more spyware.

How to Remove KB225571.exe Manually

Before we get started, you should backup your system and your registry, so it’ll be easy to restore your computer if anything goes wrong.

To remove KB225571.exe manually, you need to delete KB225571.exe files. Not sure how to delete KB225571.exe files? Click here, and I’ll show you. Otherwise, go ahead and…

Stop KB225571.exe processes:

Note: In any KB225571.exe files I mention above, “%UserProfile%” is a variable referring to your current user’s profile folder. If you’re using Windows NT/2000/XP, by default this is “C:\Documents and Settings\[CURRENT USER]” (e.g., “C:\Documents and Settings\JoeSmith”). If you have any questions about manual KB225571.exe removal, go ahead and leave a comment.

How Do You Remove KB225571.exe Files?

Need help figuring out how to delete KB225571.exe files? While there’s some risk involved, and you should only manually remove KB225571.exe files if you’re comfortable editing your system, you’ll find it’s fairly easy to delete KB225571.exe files in Windows.

How to delete KB225571.exe files in Windows XP and Vista:

1. Click your Windows Start menu, and then click “Search.”
2. A speech bubble will pop up asking you, “What do you want to search for?” Click “All files and folders.”
3. Type a KB225571.exe file in the search box, and select “Local Hard Drives.”
4. Click “Search.” Once the file is found, delete it.

How to stop KB225571.exe processes:

1. Click the Start menu, select Run.
2. Type taskmgr.exe into the the Run command box, and click “OK.” You can also launch the Task Manager by pressing keys CTRL + Shift + ESC.
3. Click Processes tab, and find KB225571.exe processes.
4. Once you’ve found the KB225571.exe processes, right-click them and select “End Process” to kill KB225571.exe.

How to remove KB225571.exe registry keys:

Because your registry is such a key piece of your Windows system, you should always backup your registry before you edit it. Editing your registry can be intimidating if you’re not a computer expert, and when you change or a delete a critical registry key or value, there’s a chance you may need to reinstall your entire system. Make sure your backup your registry before editing it.

1. Select your Windows menu “Start,” and click “Run.” An “Open” field will appear. Type “regedit” and click “OK” to open up your Registry Editor.
2. Registry Editor will open as a window with two panes. The left side Registry Editor’s window lets you select various registry keys, and the right side displays the registry values of the registry key you select.
3. To find a registry key, such as any KB225571.exe registry keys, select “Edit,” then select “Find,” and in the search bar type any of KB225571.exe’s registry keys.
4. As soon as KB225571.exe registry key appears, you can delete the KB225571.exe registry key by right-clicking it and selecting “Modify,” then clicking “Delete.”

How to delete KB225571.exe DLL files:

1. First locate KB225571.exe DLL files you want to delete. Open your Windows Start menu, then click “Run.” Type “cmd” in Run, and click “OK.”
2. To change your current directory, type “cd” in the command box, press your “Space” key, and enter the full directory where the KB225571.exe DLL file is located. If you’re not sure if the KB225571.exe DLL file is located in a particular directory, enter “dir” in the command box to display a directory’s contents. To go one directory back, enter “cd ..” in the command box and press “Enter.”
3. When you’ve located the KB225571.exe DLL file you want to remove, type “regsvr32 /u SampleDLLName.dll” (e.g., “regsvr32 /u jl27script.dll”) and press your “Enter” key.

That’s it. If you want to restore any KB225571.exe DLL file you removed, type “regsvr32 DLLJustDeleted.dll” (e.g., “regsvr32 jl27script.dll”) into your command box, and press your “Enter” key.

Did KB225571.exe change your homepage?

1. Click Windows Start menu > Control Panel > Internet Options.
2. Under Home Page, select the General > Use Default.
3. Type in the URL you want as your home page (e.g., “http://www.homepage.com”).
4. Select Apply > OK.
5. You’ll want to open a fresh web page and make sure that your new default home page pops up.

KB225571.exe Removal Tip

Is your computer acting funny after deleting any KB225571.exe files? I recommend using a program like File Recover from PC Tools. File Recover saves deleted files that otherwise can’t be recovered by Windows operating sytem.

Want to save time finding KB225571.exe files? Download Spyware Doctor, let it find the KB225571.exe files for you, and then manually delete KB225571.exe files.

How Did You Get KB225571.exe?

Wondering how KB225571.exe ended up on your PC? If you’re infected with KB225571.exe or other badware, perhaps you were using…

• Freeware or shareware: Did you download and install shareware or freeware? These low-cost or free software applications may come bundled with spyware, adware, or programs like KB225571.exe. Sometimes adware is attached to the free software to “pay” developers for the cost of creating the software, and more often spyware is secretly attached to free software to harm your computer and steal your personal and financial information.
• Peer-to-peer software: Do you use a peer-to-peer (P2P) program or other application with a shared network? When you use these applications, you put your system at risk for unknowingly downloading an infected file, including applications like KB225571.exe.
• Questionable websites: Did you visit a website that’s of questionable nature? When you visit malicious sites that are fishy and phishy, badware may be automatically downloaded and installed onto your computer, sometimes including applications like KB225571.exe. I recommend you use Firefox web browser, if you don’t already.

Understanding KB225571.exe

If you’re infected with KB225571.exe, you should know what you’re fighting. I’ll explain some definitions related to KB225571.exe.

KB225571.exe May Be a Backdoor

“Backdoor” describes a parasite that gets past your system’s normal means of authentication, remotely accesses your PC, or otherwise enters your system without being detected. Trojans and worms often use backdoor methods to access your computer and steal your personal and financial information and/or install more malware into your PC.

KB225571.exe May Be a Trojan

Trojans install themselves secretly onto your computer, most often through your downloading a simple email attachment (often Trojans pose as harmless pictures). Most Trojans are able to gain complete control over your PC after installation. With this control, the Trojan and the hacker behind it may change your system settings, delete important files, steal your passwords, and watch your computer acitivity.

Infection Methods of KB225571.exe and Other Trojans

Most Trojans infect your computer by tricking you into launching an infected file. This poisoned file could disguised as a small file, such as a jpeg or other email attachment, or it might be downloaded via a website or FTP.

• Email: Your PC may be infected with a Trojan when you download infected email attachments, or sometimes even when you simply open an email. Many Trojans exploit security holes in Microsoft Outlook. You may be able to reduce your chances of getting infected by a Trojan by using a spam-blocking software.
• Websites: Your PC may be infected with a Trojan when you visit a rogue site. Many Trojans exploit security holes in Internet Explorer web browser so that by simply visiting a website you may unknowingly download a Trojan.
• Open ports: If your computer runs programs that provide file-sharing functions – such as AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), MSN Messenger, and more – you may open your computer up to vulnerabilities. Using file sharing through these applications may create a network that gives attackers the opportunity to remotely access your computer.