Security Shield 2012 is an updated version of rogue antispyware program called Security Shield. It is from the same family of malware as System Tool, Security Tool, etc. The program pretends to be a legitimate antivirus tool but, in reality, it hijacks browsers, blocks legitimate Windows applications, displays various fake security alerts and detects numerous false infections. This fake security program will state that all you have to do in order to cure your computer is purchase the full version of the software. Important to note, Security Shield 2012 is unable to detect and remove any infections, so do not pay for the bogus software, simply ignore all that it will display you.
SecurityShield is distributed mostly through the use of trojans, infected websites and other malicious software. Moreover, cyber criminals also use various other misleading methods to distribute their bogus software, e.g. Twitter, Facebook and spam emails. Do not fall victim to the fake security software because it is nothing more but a scam. Remember that the rogue is a highly dangerous application and you need remove Security Shield 2012 as soon as possible. Please follow the removal guide below to remove this malware from your computer for free using legitimate antimalware software.
During installation, Security Shield 2012 will configure itself to run automatically when your computer loads. Next, it will add a few entries into the HOSTS file so that when you open Google, Yahoo or Bing, you will be redirected to various misleading websites. Immediately after launch,, this malware will perform a scan and report a lot of various infections that will not be fixed unless you first purchase the software. Important to know, all of these infections are a fake and do not actually exist on your computer. Thus do not trust the scan results, you should ignore them!
While Security Shield 2012 is running, it will block most legitimate Windows applications, so that when you will try to run an application, your computer will display a fake security warning that states:
Security Shield 2012
{program} is infected with “Worm.Win32.Autorun.bnb”. Do you want to register your copy and remove all threats now?
SecurityShield will also display various fake security messages and warnings that inform that your PC in danger. It is just an attempt to make you think your computer is infected with all sorts of malicious software. Some of the alerts are:
Intercepting program that may compromise your privacy and
harm your system have been detected on your PC.
Click here to remove them immediately with Security Shield 2012
Some critical system files of your computer were modified by
malicious program. It may cause system instability and data
loss.
However, like false scan results above, all of these security messages are just a fake and has been displayed to trick you into purchasing so-called full version of Security Shield 2012. You should ignore all of them!
As you can see, all Security Shield 2012 virus does is fake and you should stay away from the malicious application! If your PC has been infected with the rogue, then ignore all it gives you and follow the removal instructions below in order to remove Security Shield 2012 and any associated malware from your computer for free.
Use the following instructions to remove Security Shield 2012 (Uninstall instructions)
It is possible that the rogue will not allow you to run a malware removal tools, then you will need to reboot your computer in Safe mode with networking.
Restart your computer. After hearing your computer beep once during startup, start pressing the F8 key on your keyboard. On a computer that is configured for booting to multiple operating systems, you can press the F8 key when the Boot Menu appears.
Instead of Windows loading as normal, Windows Advanced Options menu appears similar to the one below.
Windows Advanced Options menu
When the Windows Advanced Options menu appears, select Safe mode with networking and then press ENTER.
Security Shield 2012 virus changes Internet Explorer proxy settings to use a malicious proxy server that will not allow you download or update security software. So, you should complete this step to fix this problem.
Run Internet Explorer, Click Tools -> Internet Options as as shown in the screen below.
Internet Explorer – Tools menu
You will see window similar to the one below.
Internet Explorer – Internet options
Select Connections Tab and click to Lan Settings button. You will see an image similar as shown below.
Internet Explorer – Lan settings
Uncheck “Use a proxy server” box. Click OK to close Lan Settings and Click OK to close Internet Explorer settings.
Now you should download Malwarebytes Anti-malware and remove all Security Shield 2012 associated malware.
Download MalwareBytes Anti-malware (MBAM). Once downloaded, close all programs and windows on your computer.
Double-click on the icon on your desktop named mbam-setup.exe. This will start the installation of MalwareBytes Anti-malware onto your computer. Once installation is complete, you will see window similar to the one below.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Window
Now click on the Scan button to start scanning your computer for Security Shield 2012 associated malware. This procedure can take some time, so please be patient.
When the scan is finished a message box will appear that it has completed scanning successfully. Click OK. Now click “Show Results”. Make sure all entries have a checkmark at their far left and click “Remove Selected”.
Security Shield 2012 may change the Windows system HOSTS file so you need reset this file with the default version for your operating system.
Please download OTM by OldTimer from here and save it to desktop. Run OTM, copy, then paste the following text in “Paste Instructions for Items to be Moved” textarea (under the yellow bar):
:Commands
[resethosts]
Click the red Moveit! button. Close OTM.
Your system should now be free of the Security Shield 2012 virus. If you need help with the instructions, then post your questions in our Spyware Removal forum.
Security Shield 2012 removal notes
Note 1: if you can not download, install, run or update Malwarebytes Anti-malware, then follow the steps: Malwarebytes won`t install, run or update – How to fix it.
Note 2: your current antispyware and antivirus software let the infection through ? Then you may want to consider purchasing the FULL version of MalwareBytes Anti-malware to protect your computer in the future.
Oh Lord! Thank you SO MUCH for the help!
Still, I would like to ask you to email me some pieces of advice what to do in case the computer slows down after the removal.
thank you
You are my saviour. Thanks! this blog is a big help.
I ran this software on my computer which is infected with the Security Shield 2012 virus. The software said that it did not detect ANY malicious software. Hence, it did not remove this virus. HELP!
I am so grateful! Thank you. Like a charm 🙂
Dittos on the above Thank Yo. Worked like a charm
Thank you for this invaluable service. Excellent presentation and instructions. Even an older guy like me– operating in a state of panic– was able to follow without a mis-step. Now for a nice big drink!
Thank u! This saved me $139 that dell was trying to charge me to fix my computer! I am so grateful.
million thanx. those malwares were annoying..
Had problems installing the Malware bytes. came across a suggestion that windows “system restore” being effective for this. Tried that. In a few minutes everything is back to normal.Very easy and effective
thanks a million, appreciated
MANY THANKS. I am relieved! This worked nicely.
what happens if i gave them my credit card number???
I can’t even tell you how grateful I am. I couldn’t even get on the internet, so I used my cell phone to get to this site, followed the well explained instructions, and my computer was up and running within minutes. Gratias!!!
Thanks so much! Worked great. Now I can be productive again!
aweeesomeeee!!! worked like a charm! hope it doesnt come again
omg thank you so so much for this!!!! So glad I came across this site!! you rock!
Thank you sooooo much. Followed ur steps in removing windows protection unit spyware and computer is back up and running.
thank U…and keep up the good work
Thanks.. it done magically.. damn malwares, hope it will not happen again~
Thanks a lot …. works very nice…. I am relieved from big bug tension
so cool….
Was so freaking out because I had my report the next day and this Security Shild sh*t won’t let me open any software.
Definitely a BIG HELP! Thank you so much!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!
This worked even when it looked liked it wouldn’t or couldn’t or didn’t at several points.
I couldn’t get on the internet either and had to put malwarebytes on a flashdrive using my duaghter’s computer.
First, where the instructions say uncheck that proxy box, my box wasn’t checked so I thought this isn’t going to work.
I think it was after I hit the scanning button that Malwarebytes said the install was 97 days old and to get update, but it couldn’t because I wasn’t on the internet, but I scanned anyway thinking it probably won’t work.
After I hit the remove button, Malwarebytes says that the computer must be restarted. I didn’t know if it meant again in safe mode, but I let the computer just restart normally and there was that darned Security Shield window again.
My heart sank. At another site someone who also tooted Malwarebytes said to run it again after you restart, but that stupid Security Shield wouldn’t let me. I still couldn’t get to my google page, I tried several times to upgrade the Malwarebyte software.
After the 4th or 5th try over maybe 15 minutes, all of a sudden I could get the Malwarebyte upgrade successfully after which it said nothing was detected. I’m thinking “Oh no, Security Shield even affected Malwarebyte”, but when I ran another scan, Malwarebytes detected nothing. Not only that, I noticed that Security Shield annoying pop up window was gone, and I could now get to my Google homepage.
I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GRATEFUL MALWAREBYTES!!
And I am even more grateful that it was free.
I encourage everyone to use it and don’t give up even it it looks daunting or impossible.
ThaNk you soooooo much , quick easy and brilliant fix solution! 🙂
Thank you so much the directions work perfectly
Omg thanks so much. I too had to use my cell phone to find what is spyware was now my computer is free of the virus I’m so gratefuls
THANK YOU SO MUCH! I followed the clear instructions step by step without any problem. The malware now appears to be completely gone. I am so relieved. Thanks again.
This is really brilliant. It worked very well for me. Much thanks.
Screw this company back. Here’s the “activation code” for Security Shield 2012 “64C665BE-4DE7-423B-A6B6-BC0172B25DF2” this will make getting rid of this fraud much easier!
just to say thank you…
roger