Solution:
NOTE: Close all instances of Internet Explorer before performing the succeeding clean instructions.
Terminating the Malware Program
This procedure terminates the running malware process.
- Open Windows Task Manager.
• On Windows 98 and ME, press
CTRL%20ALT%20DELETE
• On Windows NT, 2000, XP, and Server 2003, press
CTRL%20SHIFT%20ESC, then click the Processes tab.
- In the list of running programs*, locate the process:
Freevideo5.EXE
- Select the malware process, then press either the End Task or the End Process button, depending on the version of Windows on your computer.
- To check if the malware process has been terminated, close Task Manager, and then open it again.
- Close Task Manager.
*NOTE: On computers running Windows 98 and ME, Windows Task Manager may
not show certain processes. You can use a third party process viewer such as
Process Explorer to terminate the malware process.
On computers running all Windows platforms, if the process you are looking for is not in the list displayed by Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue with the next solution procedure, noting additional instructions. If the malware process is in the list displayed by either Task Manager or Process Explorer, but you are unable to terminate it, restart your computer in safe mode.
Editing the Registry
This malware modifies the computer's registry. Users affected by this malware may need to modify or delete specific registry keys or entries. For detailed information regarding registry editing, please refer to the following articles from Microsoft:
- HOW TO: Backup, Edit, and Restore the Registry in Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows ME
- HOW TO: Backup, Edit, and Restore the Registry in Windows NT 4.0
- HOW TO: Backup, Edit, and Restore the Registry in Windows 2000
- HOW TO: Back Up, Edit, and Restore the Registry in Windows XP and Server 2003
Removing Autostart Entry from the Registry
Removing autostart entry from the registry prevents the malware from executing at startup.
If the registry entry below is not found, the malware may not have executed as of detection. If so, proceed to the succeeding solution set.
- Open Registry Editor. Click Start>Run, type REGEDIT, then press Enter.
- In the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>
Windows>CurrentVersion>Run
- In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
Winsystem = "%System%\Winsystema\Freevideo5.EXE -n"
(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System on Windows 98 and ME, C:\WINNT\System32 on Windows NT and 2000, and C:\Windows\System32 on Windows XP and Server 2003.)
Removing Other Added Key from the Registry
- Still in the Registry Editor, in the left panel, double-click the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>
Windows>CurrentVersion>Uninstall
- In the same panel, locate and delete the key:
{54F57503-99C7-466D-883D-D41BAD9FB247}
- This malware also creates the following registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software>Freeware
However, this key may be used by other legitimate applications. If you are certain that there no other applications in your computer that use this key, you may delete this key. Otherwise, you may leave this key, as it can no longer serve malicious purposes once this malware is removed from your system.
- Close Registry Editor.
Deleting the Malware Folders
- Right-click Start then click Search... or Find..., depending on the version of Windows you are running.
- In the Named input box, type:
$hf_mig$
- In the Look In drop-down list, select the drive that contains Windows, then press Enter.
- Once located, select the folder then press SHIFT%20DELETE.
- Repeat steps 2 to 4 to delete the folder Winsystema.
Important Windows ME/XP Cleaning Instructions
Users running Windows ME and XP must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of infected computers.
Users running other Windows versions can proceed with the succeeding solution set(s).
Running Trend Micro Antivirus
If you are currently running in safe mode, please restart your computer normally before performing the following solution.
Scan your computer with Trend Micro antivirus and delete files detected as
WORM_AGENT.FZS. To do this, Trend Micro customers must download the latest virus pattern file and scan their computer. Other Internet users can use HouseCall, the Trend Micro online virus scanner.
Trend Micro offers best-of-breed antivirus and content-security solutions for your
corporate network,
small and medium business,
mobile device
or home PC.