Hi everyone. I am using MS Essentials and windows firewall as well as full updates on pcs for protection against malicious software like Smart Fortress 2012. This particular one though passed undetected from MS essentials and infected the system (windows XP SP3). This virus mimics an antivirus program and among other things it does is to render the user unable of using control panel , his antivirus and also unable to log in safe mode. I've recently seen the same thing happen to other systems with windows 7 running, so I can't blame the use of an outdated OS like windows XP, Although MS has launched removal tools for such cases, is there any chance that essentials will have an update to catch these malicious software before they enter the system and remove them ?Besides the removal tool, does anyone have any proposals on how to remove that kind of malware and how one can be protected from such attacks? Thank you for your time.

Hello Alucardgrc, For a removal guide on Smart Fortress 2012, see Lawrence Abrams' Remove Smart Fortress 2012 Uninstall Guide http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-smart-fortress-2012 As regards MS Security Essentials, you should be posting on the appropriate forum http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/protect As to how to better protect: Strengthten your defenses and practice safer computing. Do not browse the web whilst logged in with administrator-rights account. Use standard-user-level account. Do not use or get files/stuff from peer-to-peer filesharing. Scan any USB-flash drive before using, even if it is from someone well-known to you. Slow down before clicking any links. And do not click links from unsolicated emails. Consider using Web of Trust add-on for your browser(s) http://www.mywot.com/en/download http://www.mywot.com/en/faq/add-on Insure that your Antivirus software is always up to date and scan at least once a week. Always keep current with Windows Updates. Each month on the 2nd Tuesday of the month MS releases security updates, some of which address pressing security issues. Make it a point to check Windows Updates on that late afternoon/evening. If these are business systems, your tech support/system admin should have that covered. Make certain that Automatic Updates is enabled. How to configure and use Automatic Updates in Windows http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525 Check on other update issues as well, visit http://secunia.com/software_inspector/ Secunia Online Software Inspector (OSI) See http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial174.html How to detect vulnerable and out-dated programs using Secunia Personal Software Inspector Download, install, and keep updated Spyware Blaster (free): http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html (all Protections should be enabled at all times) I'd recommend that you get and use MVP Mike Burgess' custom hosts file http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm See the FAQ page http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/hostsfaq.htm That would help to keep your browser away from known spyware/malware sites. Make regular backups of your system to removable media: DVD, USB external hard drive, etc. Having a total image backup of your system stored on DVD/CD is highly important. Get and make use of disk-imaging-backup utilities and save them to offline media. That way you have something to fall back to if a disaster hits. Examples of image backup software: Acronis True Image, or the free (for personal use) Macrium Reflect http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.asp or Paragon Backup & Recovery http://www.paragon-software.com/home/br-free/download.html You may use Microsoft Safety Scanner to scan your system http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx On some regular schedule, it is a good idea to do an online scan for viruses and malware. Here is a very short list of sites where this may be done: ESET Online Scanner http://www.eset.com/online-scanner Panda ActiveScan http://www.pandasecurity.com/homeusers/solutions/activescan/ Trend Micro Housecall http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ F-Secure Online Scanner http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols.shtml See the MS Safety article Six tips to help you stay safer online http://www.microsoft.com/security/family-safety/online-safety-tips.aspx Never, ever download free games, free tools, videos, mutli-media files or anything free unless you can be absolutely sure the source is safe ! Best regards. If you find this helpful, kindly click on the green triangle to vote as helpful. Maurice Naggar ~ MS-MVP (Oct 2002 - Sept 2010) DTS-L