Data Recovery (S.M.A.R.T Repair version) is the fresh version of fake defragmenters that attack PCs worldwide. It replaces its predecessor Smart HDD and shares the same design. The “Data Recovery” name was already used by the same family of malware. “Smart Repair” Data Recovery is closely related to Rogue Antiviruses, as it displays fake, unrealistic warnings without performing actual scan to force PC owner into purchasing some software. The difference is that fake disk defragmenters display computer hardware errors instead of software ones. Its name is very similar to legitimate anti-malware programs.
For example, “Smart” Data Recovery will display such errors :
Hard Drive Boot Sector Reading Error
During I/O system initialization, the boot device driver might have failed to initialize the boot device. File system initialization might have failed because it did not recognize the data on boot device.
System blocks were not found
This is most likely occurred because of hard disk failure.
This may also lead to a potential loss of data.
What “(S.M.A.R.T Repair” Data Recovery fails to explain is how your system booted at all without boot sector. Thus it is clear that these messages are faked. Such rogues display more different warnings and errors, some even unrelated to hard disk. All of them can be ignored.
One cannot ignore the fact that Data Recovery “virus” might hide your documents and programs to simulate hard disk failure. In most cases the files are just hidden, and you can unhide them later on. In some cases files might be moved to %TEMP% (aka temporally folder). Thus I suggest running various cleaners ONLY after you have fully recovered after Data Recovery infection.
To remove Smart Data Recovery we recommend following steps :
- 1. Scan your PC with anti-malware programs like spyhunter, Spyhunter or Hitman Pro. We recommend these programs as they perform quite well against rootkit infection that accompanies this fake HDD rogue.
- If you have problems launching anti-malware programs, try fake-register it with key 08869246386344953972969146034087. Repeat the scanning with anti-malware program.
- Make sure you see hidden files and folders. We have a guide on viewing all the hidden files here.
- If you want to delete the files manually, you can open the folder with “Smart” Data Recovery files and rename them. You will be able to delete the files after reboot. Anti-malware programs should delete them as well.
- You can unhide all the documents now.
- Re-scan with anti-malware programs (Spyhunter or Spyhunter ) and TDSS killer.
Remember, that the most likely cause of this infection is opening links and attachments. “Smart” Data Recovery infection might be prevented by using full version of anti-malware programs that warn about these infections.
Video removal instructions for “Smart Check/Repair” Data Recovery
NOTE: There is a legitimate program with name “Smart Data Recovery”. It does not install on its own. Malware makers and makers of legitimate software are not related. If in doubt, scan with anti-malware tools.
Automatic Malware removal tools
(Win)
Note: Spyhunter trial provides detection of parasites and assists in their removal for free. limited trial available, Terms of use, Privacy Policy, Uninstall Instructions,
(Mac)
Note: Combo Cleaner trial provides detection of parasites and assists in their removal for free. limited trial available, Terms of use, Privacy Policy, Uninstall Instructions, Refund Policy ,
thank you very much for this. i didnt know if this was a real data recovery program. i had norton but it expired so this was the only reason why i would be interested. thank you again for this information. i am very glad i asked before buuying the full verison
Hi me too, I would like to thank you as I’m currently trying to remove this dangerous soft.
thanks
Spyhunter isn’t free to remove all the files…
Y: If you want, delete detected files manually. It kills the malware process during the scan, thus it is much easier to remove infection.
So this just happened to me last night on my gateway desktop. It has windows vista on it and I have read the instructions however my screen is completely black and I can’t get into anything. I connect to my desktop via Verizon MiFii because there are no other Internet options were I live. I don’t have the money to take it to say Best Buy to the Geek Squad. I’m using the Internet on my phone to research and post. Can someone PLEASE help me???
Thanks a lot for this … I was about to go to my network management department to change my HDD … Now I solved all problems !
O God..Help Me…PLease…
I told someone i was going to Sue Linden Lab for ignoring the abuse reports i made aginst people who was trolling me and for ignoring the abuse reports i made on other stuff…that is when the person told me not to sue linden lab or he will do somthing bad to me.. just mins after telling him that he can not stop me from sueing Linden Lab my PC got infected with this virus and i trid to remove it with Malwarebytes Anti-Makware but it only removed it from the “safe mode part”.. not the hole conputer.. when i go out of safemode it is still there and it freezes my pC up.. not leting me close the window.. and the virus starts to spam me with yellow pop ups and “deletes evrything on my hard drive”.. i use to have enuff proof to sue Linden Lab utill all the stuff i had got deleted OMG.. Help me get my items back and help me get rid of the virus!
Piratekitty
Do a full system scan from Safe mode with networking. Not the fast scan. Also, try other removers.
BEWARE!!!!!!!!
My desk top was infected wednesday (6/19/2012) with the S.M.A.R.T virus. It started by taking down my screen saver and then started hiding all my icons until only my email/internet was left. I foolishly went on the S.M.A.R.T website and started putting my info in to purchase their “removal of virsuses” for $89.50…..When the next page came up (after i had given my debit card info) it asked for my phone # and the last four of my SSN…..I then “X” out. I called my tech and he came right away and removed all 78,000 files S.M.A.R.T had put on my computer. My computer works great now! The tech told me that they would charge the 89.50 and “clean up the computer” only to have it come back in 2 months and they would then charge $49.00 for the “next clean up”. I also canceled my debit card as the tech told me that they could steal my idenity! THEN yesterday a woman called me to “see how my computer was running?”……I told her her scam didn’t work and that i was reporting her/her company to the police. She hung up on me.
Larry:
Something fishy with a company that claims that HDD rogue infected 78 000 files on the PC. Such huge number of infected items is not likely with such parasites, as it does not keep too many versions of itself.
Hello, my SMART virus is away, but my icoons and my computer/my documents are still hidden, how can I get them back??
@Sander Hide/Unhide all the folders on your computer.
@Briced
How do you Hide/unhide all the folders on the computer?
thanks
I can’t even access the control panel. I just tried doiong a system restore to a few days ago and it seems to have worked!
“smart” recovery is not being called “file recovery”. i just want to say thank you to who ever made this website because this was scary. thank you so much spyhunter found everything and fixed it for me in minutes. thank you guys so much!!
misspelled that “smart recovery” is now being called “file recovery” also
@Giedrius Majauskas (admin)
my computer is only a week old how does something like this happen to get into the computer in the first place?
Sadariah : lack of antivirus or anti-malware is usual causes. Also, use Chrome instead of Internet Explorer or Firefox, disable Java if you do not need it.