Windows Necessary Firewall

Windows Necessary Firewall is a rogue security program that pretends to be affiliated with Microsoft by using the Windows icon and a comprehensive and user-friendly interface. However, Windows Necessary Firewall has no anti-virus or protective capabilities, although you may see faked simulations of these capabilities in the form of inaccurate infection warnings and other misleading alerts. Windows Necessary Firewall should be removed with anti-malware software as soon as you notice it on your computer, since Windows Necessary Firewall infections have been linked to web browser hijacks, the presence of Trojans and attacks on security-related programs.

Learning to Spot Windows Necessary Firewall's PC Break-Ins

Windows Necessary Firewall is another variation on rogue programs in an overarching family that includes such rogue threats as Windows Custom Settings, Windows Risks Preventions, Windows Safeguard Utility and Windows Oversight Center. Rogue programs in the Windows Necessary Firewall group can easily be recognized by system ratings displays, which create highly negative percentile scores for vague aspects of your PC like 'computer safety' and 'media components.'

These ratings are faked to encourage you to purchase a registration key for Windows Necessary Firewall, but since Windows Necessary Firewall has no real security functions, doing so would be a waste of money.

Windows Necessary Firewall and its clones also share a similar infection technique through the Fake Microsoft Security Essentials Alert Trojan. The Fake Microsoft Security Essentials Alert Trojan uses errors like the following prior to installing Windows Necessary Firewall and its relatives:

Microsoft Security Essentials Alert
Potential Threat Details
Microsoft Security Essentials detected potential threats that might compromise your private or damage your computer. Your access to these items may be suspended until you take an action. Click 'show details' to learn more.

Threat prevention solution found
Security system analysis has revealed critical file system vulnerability caused by severe malware attacks.
Risk of system files infection:
The detected vulnerability may result in unauthorized access to private information and hard drive data with a seriuos [sic] possibility of irreversible data loss and unstable PC performance. To remove the malware please run a full system scan. Press 'OK' to install the software necessary to initiate system files check. To complete the installation process please reboot your computer.

After this, your PC will be slammed into a reboot, only for Windows Necessary Firewall to start up automatically when Windows reloads.

Windows Necessary Firewall - Very Unnecessary Windows Software

Windows Necessary Firewall will recycle the same fake warnings and alerts that related rogue threats have been known to use, including:

System Security Warning
Attempt to modify register key entries is detected. Register entries analysis is recommended.

Warning!
Location: [application file path]
Viruses: Backdoor.Win32.Rbot

Warning!
Name: [application file name]
Name: [application file path]
Application that seems to be a key-logger is detected. System information security is at risk. It is recommended to enable the security mode and run total System scanning.

Warning! Database update failed!
Database update failed!
Outdated viruses databases are not effective and can't [sic] guarantee adequate protection and security for your PC!
Click here to get the full version of the product and update the database!

System component corrupted!
System reboot error has occurred due to lsass.exe system process failure.
This may be caused by severe malware infections.
Automatic restore of lsass.exe backup copy completed.
The correct system performance can not be resumed without eliminating the cause of lsass.exe corruption.

Warning! Running trial version!
The security of your computer has been compromised!
Now running trial version of the software!
Click here to purchase the full version of the software and get full protection for your PC!

You can also expect Windows Necessary Firewall to hijack your web browser, shut down applications (especially security-related programs like the Task Manager and anti-virus scanners), remain active without your permission and use excessive system resources. Attempting to launch or download anti-malware programs, or even visit anti-malware websites while Windows Necessary Firewall is active will typically result in Windows Necessary Firewall blockading you from your malicious software solutions.

To avoid browser hijacks and other problems that can prevent you from removing Windows Necessary Firewall, use Safe Mode or a CD-based boot to avoid Windows Necessary Firewall's startup Registry entries. After that, removing Windows Necessary Firewall and the accompanying Trojan shouldn't be problematic if you have access to high-quality anti-virus software.

However, removing Windows Necessary Firewall the way you would remove a normal program is highly inadvisable. Windows Necessary Firewall may remain on your PC even if it appears to be uninstalled, and attempting to remove all components (like Registry entries) manually can threaten the integrity of your operating system.

File System Modifications

• The following files were created in the system:
  

  #	File Name
  1	%AppData%\Microsoft\[RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe

Registry Modifications

• The following newly produced Registry Values are:
  HKEY..\..\..\..{Subkeys}HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Shell "%AppData%\Microsoft\[RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe"

Additional Information on Windows Necessary Firewall

• The following messages's were detected:
  

  #	Message
  1	System component corrupted! System reboot error has occurred due to lsass.exe system process failure. This may be caused by severe malware infections. Automatic restore of lsass.exe backup copy completed. The correct system performance can not be resumed without eliminating the cause of lsass.exe corruption.
  2	Warning! Running trial version! The security of your computer has been compromised! Now running trial version of the software! Click here to purchase the full version of the software and get full protection for your PC!
  3	Warning! Name: [application file name] Name: [application file path] Application that seems to be a key-logger is detected. System information security is at risk. It is recommended to enable the security mode and run total System scanning.
  4	Warning! Database update failed! Database update failed! Outdated viruses databases are not effective and can't [sic] guarantee adequate protection and security for your PC! Click here to get the full version of the product and update the database!
  5	System Security Warning Attempt to modify register key entries is detected. Register entries analysis is recommended.
  6	Warning! Location: [application file path] Viruses: Backdoor.Win32.Rbot
  7	Microsoft Security Essentials Alert Potential Threat Details Microsoft Security Essentials detected potential threats that might compromise your private or damage your computer. Your access to these items may be suspended until you take an action. Click 'show details' to learn more.
  8	Threat prevention solution found Security system analysis has revealed critical file system vulnerability caused by severe malware attacks. Risk of system files infection: The detected vulnerability may result in unauthorized access to private information and hard drive data with a seriuos [sic] possibility of irreversible data loss and unstable PC performance. To remove the malware please run a full system scan. Press 'OK' to install the software necessary to initiate system files check. To complete the installation process please reboot your computer.