How to Remove Rootkit.boot.harbinger.a?

I started getting BSOD a few minutes ago, and then I restarted the computer and run the security scan. The scan result said my computer has been infected with a threat called Rootkit.boot.harbinger.a. Is it dangerous? Everytime I try to remove it, it keeps coming back again and again after reboot.  Now my computer was occasionally shutting down and some google searches were being redirected. How do I get rid of it permanently from my computer?

Rootkit.boot.harbinger.a Virus Description:

Rootkit.boot.harbinger.a is a well-known Rootkit that can help intruders gain access to compromised systems and install other threats to a target computer. Rootkits are extremely dangerous, sometimes they can be easily detected, but others are becoming increasingly difficult to find because they filter queries and are able to hide executables and remove their entries from the task manager. This offensive infection mostly attacks Windows operating system. It can be installed on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 computer without giving any warning or notification. And once it is inside, it creates countless troubles on your computer such as monitor traffic and keystrokes, create a “backdoor” into the system for the hacker’s use, alter log files, attack other machines on the same network,or even alter existing system tools to escape detection.

Different from other common Rootkits, this one can infect the MBR (Master Boor Record) of your computer, thus you will experience blue screen of death or system crash or freeze randomly. It also slows down your system significantly. This includes starting up, shutting down, playing games, and surfing the web. If you think this is a small virus and has nothing to worry about, you are completely wrong. A Rootkit is hard to remove because it is good at hiding its presence on the compromised computer. Even the most advance antivirus products still get failed to pick it up. Rootkit.boot.harbinger.a can come again and again after removal. Research shows this type of threat also has the ability to steal password and other sensitive personal information from the compromised computer. Therefore, it is highly recommended to remove Rootkit.boot.harbinger.a manually and safely.

Infected Symptoms Are Listed Below:

It can bypass the legit security tools and destroy your computer secretly.
It prevents you from opening some application because the files are corrupted.
It can make your browser redirected to all kinds of malicious websites.
It is able to allow remote hacker access the compromised system for illicit purpose.

How Do This Virus Get On Your Computer?

From malicious drive-by-download scripts from corrupted porn and shareware / freeware websites.
Through spam email attachments, media downloads and social networks.
When clicking suspicious pop-ups or malicious links.
Open unknown email or download media files that contain the activation code of the virus.

Note: No matter how does the virus access your PC, users should know that there are no tools can remove this pesky Trojan automatically at this moment, it is suggested users not spend much time in downloading or paying any security software which claims can delete this stubborn virus. It is totally useless. To completely get rid of Rootkit.boot.harbinger.a, professional manual guide is needed.

About Trojan Virus Removal:

Currently many computer users had the same experience that this virus couldn’t be removed by any anti-virus applications. So the manual approach is always required to combat this virus. And here is the step-by-step removal guide for all computer users.

1. End the malicious process from Task Manager.

Once Rootkit.boot.harbinger.a virus is installed, computer user may notice that CPU usage randomly jumps to 100 percent. At any time Windows always has many running processes. A process is an individual task that the computer runs. In general, the more processes, the more work the computer has to do and the slower it will run. If your system’s CPU spike is constant and remain at a constant 90-95%, users should check from Task Manager and see if there is a suspicious process occupying system resources and then end it immediately.

(The name of the virus process can be random.)

Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to quickly bring up Task Manager Window：

2. Show hidden files and folders.

Open Folder Options by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Appearance and Personalization, and then clicking Folder Options.

Click the View tab.

Under Advanced settings, click Show hidden files and folders, uncheck Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) and then click OK.

3. Open Registry entries. Find out the malicious files and entries and then delete all.

Attention: Always be sure to back up your PC before making any changes.

a. Press Windows key + R to open Run box. In the “Open” field, type “regedit” and click the “OK” button.

Then a Registry Editor window will pop up as the following picture shows:

b. Search malicious files and registry entries and then remove all of them:

%AllUsersProfile%\[random]
%AppData%\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Templates\[random]
%AllUsersProfile%\Application Data\.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\[random]
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Temp

Video Shows You How to Safely Modify Windows Registry Editor:

Rootkit.boot.harbinger.a is probably one of the most difficult infections to remove from your computer because it can be right back after every removal. That is because this well-known rootkit equips with advanced technology and it can hide deep in the infected system and has the ability to disable antivirus programs. It makes many PC users annoyed and frustrated. Once this threat is running, it also takes action to change the browser setting, DNS settings and LAN settings to make the system at lowest security level to allow further infection and attack of your computer. As mentioned above, we have known that Rootkit.boot.harbinger.a is a stealthy virus that can cause great damage to your operating system and even to your hardware. Don’t hesitate to remove it from your computer once it is found.

Note: If you are not knowledgeable enough to be able to distinguish the location of this virus, or you are afraid of making mistake during the manual removal, please contact experts from Yoocare Online Tech Support for further help.

Published by & last updated on April 3, 2014 8:12 am