Description

• AntiSpywareMaster installs itself via Trojan horse viruses and malicious websites. Once installed, it launches a fake system scan that inevitably determines your computer is infected with spyware. AntiSpywareMaster then provides instructions for downloading the "full version" of itself to remove the infections. In addition, AntiSpywareMaster connects to the Internet, slows your computer and launches pop-up advertisements.
  
  

Automatic Removal

• You may be able to remove AntiSpywareMaster by running an up-to-date anti-malware program. There are several free anti-malware programs available online, including Microsoft Security Essentials, created by Microsoft and compatible with Windows operating systems. AntiSpywareMaster disables certain anti-malware programs, however, and blocks access to certain security websites. As a result, you may need to remove AntiSpywareMaster manually.
  
  

Manual Removal

• Manual removal is recommended if AntiSpywareMaster disables your anti-malware application, your anti-malware fails to detect AntiSpywareMaster or your Internet access is temporarily blocked. It should be noted, however, that manual removal is a technical process which, if done incorrectly, can cause significant system-wide failure. To remove AntiSpywareMaster manually, end the following processes as well as delete the registry values, files and directories shown.
  
  Press "Ctrl+Shift+Escape" to open the Task Manager. Right click the following processes and select "End Process" from the pop-up menu:
  
  AntiSpywareMaster.EXE
  
  asm.exe
  
  It's a good idea to back up the registry before making changes. Click "Start," type "regedit" into the search field and press "Enter" to open the Registry Editor. Click "Computer" in the left pane, select "File," then "Export," type "registry backup" and click "Save." You can restore the registry in the event of an error by opening the Registry Editor, clicking "File," "Import" and selecting the backup file. Now that the registry is backed up, right click each of the following registry entries and select "Delete" from the pop-up menu. If you have trouble locating a registry entry, click "Edit," "Search," type the name of the entry into the search field and click "Find Next" until you find the key you're seeking.
  
  Remove the following keys from the registry via Registry Editor:
  
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\AntiSpywareDeluxe
  
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AntiSpywareMaster
  
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{5222008A-DD62-49c7-A735-7BD18ECC7350}
  
  HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\clsid\{80ced3d6-ece9-48ba-8df8-2503d8d87c2b}
  
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\Microsoft\windows\currentversion\uninstall\antispywaremaster
  
  Click "Start," type "cmd" into the search field and press "Enter" to open the Command Prompt. Type the following commands at the Command Prompt to remove files and directories associated with AntiSpywareMaster, pressing "Enter" after each:
  
  del AntiSpywareMaster 7.3.exe
  
  del asm.exe
  
  rmdir antispyware master
  
  

Prevention

• To prevent malicious programs, including AntiSpywareMaster, from infecting your computer in the future, run an up-to-date anti-malware application. In addition, avoid clicking on pop-up advertisements and opening email attachments from senders you do not recognize. Finally, turn on the Windows Firewall. To do this, click "Start," select "Control Panel and " type "firewall" into the search field. Click "Windows Firewall," then click "Turn Windows Firewall On or Off," "Turn On Windows Firewall" and "OK."