Folders Became Shortcuts – How toRemove Shortcut Virus

please i need help, my c drive folders are turning into shortcut I have tried everything but could not

removed the short cut virus from my computer and pen drive. I scanned my pc with most famous

antiviruses such as Avast, Avira, semantec endpoint, essentials these four didn’t detect any virus in my pc

.I used malware bytes then, it detected 98 objects infected i removed them with it so i thought the virus has

been cleaned. But when i plugged my already formatted and empty pen drive in my pc and copied a folder

from my pc into a pen drive after a few while it converted into a shortcut of 1k with .lnk file extension.. What

shall I do to remove the shortcuts? Please Help

Shortcut Virus Description

Shortcut Virus is a severely nasty virus that activates malicious codes on your PC to turn your files and

folders into shortcuts. In most instances, spam email, free download software and codes on malicious

websites are used by virus maker to spread this shortcut virus. Once Shortcut Virus infects your PC, it adds

codes into your boot-up section, then it will be always be activated when you launch PC. This virus mainly

targets on removable devices such as USB Flash Drive / Pen Drive / Memory Stick and external hard drive,

and it also infects folders and files on C Drive. It hides almost all the files and folders on your C Drive and

removable devices by making them become shortcuts, then it will be impossible for you to access these

files and folders.

More severely, Shortcut Virus cannot be detected and removed by antivirus software, since it keeps

changing its codes, names and location. Therefore, it can do evil things on your PC without restriction.

Shortcut Virus will download other malware to damage your files and get your money, it needs to be

removed as early as possible. To protect your files and get your healthy PC back, please follow the manual

removal guide below to eliminate Shortcut Virus. If you have any problems during the process, please

contact Online Expert to help you:

More problems caused by Shortcut Virus

Sluggish Performance – Shortcut Virus strikingly slow down your system speed;

Slow Launch – It takes a long time to complete system launching due to the startups

added by Shortcut Virus;

System Freezing / Crashing – Your computer encounter more system crash since Shortcut

Virus damage your important system files;

Programs cannot be run – Shortcut Virus disables many of your system programs;

System Errors – Shortcut Virus adds, changes or replaces Keys and Values on your

Registry, triggering various system errors;

Unwanted ads, popup and website – Shortcut Virus harasses you with annoying ads and

displays page you haven’t requested;

Malfunction of Antivirus or Firewall – Shortcut Virus makes your firewall and antivirus

software disabled;

Installation of Malware – Shortcut Virus installs malicious programs without your

permission.

Get Rid of Shortcut Virus Manually

Step1: Bootup your computer in Safe Mode with Networking:

Reboot your infected PC

Keep pressing F8 key before Windows start-up screen shows

Use the arrow keys to select “Safe Mode with Networking” and press Enter.

Step2: Stop Shortcut Virus processes in the Windows Task Manager by Pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del keys

together

random.exe

Step3: Show all hidden files:

Close all programs so that you are at your desktop.

Click on the Start button. This is the small round button with the Windows flag in the lower left

corner.

Click on the Control Panel menu option.

When the control panel opens click on the Appearance and Personalization link.

Under the Folder Options category, click on Show Hidden Files or Folders.

Under the Hidden files and folders section select the radio button labeled Show hidden files, folders,

or drives.

Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide extensions for known file types.

Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide protected operating system files

(Recommended).

Press the Apply button and then the OK button.

Step4: RemoveShortcut Virus Virus associated files

%System%\setting.ini

%System%\setup.ini

%AllUsersProfile%\Application Data\~

%AllUsersProfile%\Application Data\~r

%AllUsersProfile%\Application Data\.dll

%AllUsersProfile%\Application Data\.exe

%AppData%[trojan name]toolbarstats.dat

%AppData%[trojan name]toolbaruninstallIE.dat

%AppData%\Protector-[random 3 characters].exe

%AppData%\Protector-[random 4 characters].exe

Step4: Terminate these Registry Entries created by Shortcut Virus.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments “SaveZoneInformation” = ’1́

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\system “DisableTaskMgr” = ’1́

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Download “CheckExeSignatures” = ‘no’

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main “Use FormSuggest” = ‘yes’

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced “Hidden” = ’0́

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced “ShowSuperHidden” = 0́

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\InternetSettings “CertificateRevocation”=0

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System “DisableTaskMgr” = 1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run: [avsdsvc] %CommonAppData%\ifdstore\security_defender.exe /min