Defence Lab, which also uses the name of Defence Lab Removal Tools, is a rogue anti-malware program. Defence Lab uses scare tactics the same as any other rogue security program to trick users into purchasing a license to its full version. This malicious application reaches the user’s computer via Trojans that get downloaded along with fake video codecs. Once established on the user’s system, Defence Lab loads itself as a startup service at boot time. Defence Lab proceeds to perform a large number of fake security scans on the system, returning results that state that the computer is dangerously infected with a number of non-existent viruses. It also generates fake warning pop-ups from the Windows taskbar. Finally Defence Lab urges the user to purchase a license to the ‘full’ version of the software, claiming that the currently installed ‘trial’ version is incapable of cleaning the detected false ‘threats’. However, all users should be aware that this is a trick aimed at swindling their money, as no version of Defence Lab can scan or clean any computer.
The following sections outline how to remove Defence Lab from your computer. This requires the deletion of files and folders and the removal of registry entries that are related to Defence Lab.
File Removal Procedures
The first and only step in file removal needed to delete Defence Lab is to the remove the following files and folders from your hard disk:
Windows XP:
- %Program Files%\Defence Lab Software
- %Documents and Settings%\All Users\Desktop\Defence Lab.lnk
Windows Vista/7:
- %Program Files%\Defence Lab Software
- %User%\Desktop\Defence Lab.lnk
Now the file removal part of Defence Lab removal is complete. In order to certify this aspect it is recommended to scan the entire PC using genuine antivirus software such as Spyware Doctor with Antivirus.
Registry Removal Procedures
File and folder deletion alone is not sufficient to completely remove Defence Lab from your computer. For complete Defence Lab removal, the following registry entry should also be deleted:
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run “Defence Lab”
Now it is possible to say that you have truly removed Defence Lab from your computer.
Conclusion
Even though an inexperienced computer user may have full knowledge on how to remove Defence Lab, it is not recommended that they attempt it as any mistake made during removal could cause damage to the system. Therefore inexperienced users are advised to make use of a web-based malware scanning/cleaning service such as www.onlinecomputerrepair.org or legitimate antivirus software such as Spyware Doctor with Antivirus to permanently remove Defence Lab.