Release History

Build 138 (2011-12-28)

Hitman Pro is called HitmanPro. On Twitter use #HitmanPro.
FIXED: On Windows XP the Shell Integration caused the desktop to lock when right clicking in Start Menu or Quick Launch.
FIXED: Scan at Startup performed Quick Scan when setting was set on Default Scan.
FIXED: 'File objects scanned' incorrectly reported the number of file objects scanned.

Build 137 (2011-12-23)

Hitman Pro is now called HitmanPro. On Twitter use #HitmanPro.
NEW: Added Scanning for Malware Remnants.
This new feature scans the File System and Registry for common malware related paths (files, folders, keys). The Remnant Scan combines a multi-threaded local scan with cloud based confirmation. In 3.6.0 we are detecting only a few hundred remnants; more will be added to the cloud in the coming weeks. We are still fine tuning the tooling on the backend.
NEW: Added new Scheduler to allow scanning Daily, At Startup, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun at specific times. The scheduler is a process called hmpsched.exe.
NEW: Shell integration by using a Shell Extension which adds an icon to the context menu and also allows multiple selected files to be scanned.
NEW: Added 'Goto location' to context menu to highlight the file in Windows Explorer.
NEW: Added 'Show information' to context menu to expose more internal information to the end user. Tip: the information can be copy-pasted.
NEW: Added third opinion scan using VirusTotal.
To use this feature you enter your personal VirusTotal Public API Key on the Advanced tab under Settings.
NEW: Added detection for files signed with weak Authenticode signatures (RSA 512-bit keys).
NEW: Added chevrons to highlight items in the result list that are running [PID] or start by [Run], [Service] or [Driver].
NEW: Added detection and repair for the HOSTS file that was altered by malware.
NEW: Added /clean command line switch to automatically quarantine and remove malware.
NEW: Added the option to disable the automatic upload of suspicious files to the Scan Cloud.
IMPROVED: Cloud Assisted Miniport Hook Bypass.
IMPROVED: Detection and removal of Sinowal, Mebroot rootkit.
IMPROVED: Removal of TDL4 (and variants) on systems where Boot Configuration Data (BCD) was persistently malformed by TDL4. Removing TDL4 from those systems could cause a non-bootable system (BSOD). HitmanPro now repairs BCD before removing TDL4 (or variants).
IMPROVED: NTFS Parser to work better with heavily fragmented files.
IMPROVED: Direct Disk Access now always scans using the lowest possible level.
IMPROVED: Firefox and Chrome cookie scan.
CHANGED: For regular users Early Warning Scoring (EWS) is no longer available from the Next button. Expert users can re-enable the EWS scan mode on the Advanced tab under Settings.
INFO: 3.6.0 is currently only available in English.

Build 131 (2011-10-28)

Updated internal embedded whitelists.

Build 130 (2011-09-28)

Improved detection of RDP Worm Morto.
Improved detection of Sinowall/Mebroot.

Build 129 (2011-08-10)

Detects and removes latest ZeroAccess rootkit.
Improved detection of Sinowall rootkit.
Improved removal of 64-bit version of ZeroAccess rootkit.
Improved kernel-mode guard to block code injection attacks on Hitman Pro scan and removal process.
Improved Cloud Assisted Miniport Hook Bypass to support detection of detours.
Improved Crusader's watchdog.
Added Romanian language.

Build 127 (2011-07-15)

Added detection and removal of the ZeroAccess rootkit. Read our blog for more information.
Added kernel mode guard to block code injection attacks on Hitman Pro scan and removal process.
Added DACL monitor on Hitman Pro executable.
Added 'Follow us on Twitter' button on Welcome pane.
Added license information bar above the navigation buttons.
Added Proxy tab under Settings.
Fixed a bug regarding the auto activation of the free license.
Fixed several minor GUI issues.
Updated Swedish language.

Build 126 (2011-07-07)

Detects and removes Popureb rootkit.
Various stability improvements.

Build 125 (2011-06-19)

Fixed a crash while scanning miniport drivers on FAT32 filesystems.
Updated SQLite library.

Build 124 (2011-06-17)

Version 3.5.9
Added Cloud Assisted Miniport Hook Bypass feature. Read our blog for more information.
Added Mebroot/Sinowal detection and removal.
Added removal of new variant of Trojan Vundo.
Added Master Boot Record (MBR) protection when restoring infected MBR to counter rootkit watchdogs.
Added repair for BCD testsigning. Testsigning is a feature of 64-bit Windows that, when enabled, allows loading of non-signed drivers on 64-bit Windows. Testsigning is typically abused by 64-bit bootkits.
Added Registration on Setup dialog.
Improved corrupted/damaged file handling.
Improved removal of malware files that change their file security.
Hitman Pro won't check for a program update when the last check was less than 2 hours ago.
Fixed a crash that was caused by a bug introduced in build 121 (64-bit only).
Fixed a crash when Compatible Disk Mode was selected and the cloud uploader failed to get access to the file.
Fixed a displaying problem when a filename was too long causing visual overlap.
Fixed a problem during activation of a new key when the license files were read-only.
Close button is now disabled during malware removal process.
Product Activation is now performed on a separate thread.
Several minor user interface improvements.
Updated Brazilian-Portuguese language (thanks Bruno).
Updated internal embedded whitelist.

Build 121 (2011-05-04)

Added detection and removal of latest TDL4 bootkit.
Improved behavioral scan.
Improved removal engine.
Added Indonesian language.
Updated Czech language.

Build 119 (2011-02-02)

Added support for Windows 7 and 2008 Service Pack 1.
Improved method of replacing infected system files.
Updated internal embedded white list.
Added Bulgarian language.
Updated Swedish language.

Build 118 (2010-12-16)

Added ability to change values in raw registry hives (bypassing Windows APIs).
Improved the removal of rootkit drivers that are set to start at boot.
Improved scan speed (5-15% on traditional hard disks).
Added ability to repair an invalid security zone. An invalid zone prohibits running ActiveX controls on for example the Microsoft Management Console.
Added ability to repair the NoFolderOptions policy.
Changed the default "Delete" action label on infected critical system files into "Replace". The old text confused some users. Please note that Hitman Pro never deletes critical system files or the master boot record. By design, Hitman Pro replaces (when available) infected files or code with verified clean safe versions and data.
Changed the "Do not delete" label into "Ignore".
Fixed a bug where the command line arguments did not propagate after an update. This could result in the Hitman Pro window to appear while scanning silently.
Removed the AV Ballot window.
Added Buy Now button on Free/Trial license.
Updated End-User License Agreement (EULA): The "Free License" permits you to use one copy of the Software solely for personal, noncommercial purposes.

Build 117 (2010-11-09)

Fixed the check box under Settings related to the LNK exploit protection (thanks CloneRanger).
Updated German language (thanks Adric).
Updated Polish language.
Updated internal embedded whitelist.

Build 116 (2010-10-12)

Version 3.5.7.
Added support for Alternate Data Streams (ADS).
Added new Setup dialog that is displayed after the EULA.
Users using Hitman Pro from an USB stick no longer have to use the /noinstall switch.
Improved Early Warning Scoring related to gossip classifier which improves detection of 0-day rogues.
Add new command line switches for corporate environments:
/nostartboot - does not install the 'Scan at startup' component
/nostartmenushortcut - does not create start menu shortcuts
/nodesktopshortcut - does not create desktop shortcut
Fixed occasional product activation problems.
Fixed a problem where the Scan at startup would not honor the Default scan mode.
Updated Botan crypto library.
Updated libpng library.
Updated SQLite library.
Updated several translations.
Several minor improvements.

Build 115 (2010-09-11)

Contains complete removal of 'Here You Have' worm.
Added process hardening to Hitman Pro's malware removal service (Crusader).
Improved detection and removal of malware related registry keys.
Improved detection and removal of malware starting through Autorun.inf.
Improved cloud communication so that it reverts to fixed IPs when DNS queries are compromised by malware.
Fixed a problem resetting the ACL on malware files.
Fixed 'Scan at startup' setting so that 'Scan method' is now remembered.
Added /lic=PRODUCTKEY command line switch which is useful in corporate environments.
Several minor improvements.
Fixed a Windows Vista related problem (build 114).

Build 112 (2010-08-31)

Added support to remove the latest TDL3 rootkit from the Master Boot Record (sector 0) on 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows.

Build 111 (2010-08-26)

Improved Force Breach (thanks Sky69).
Several other minor improvements.

Build 110 (2010-08-21)

Removes new variant of Bamital/Drooptroop trojan that is infecting explorer.exe and winlogon.exe or wininit.exe.
Improved detection of infected system files protected by Windows File Protection.
Improved replacement of infected system files with clean original versions.
Improved handling of 16-bit MS-DOS files.
Improved detection and removal of specific malware starting as library (DLL).
Improved Early Warning Scoring (EWS) regarding malware faking file dates.
Fixed a problem updating uninstall information (date and version).

Build 109 (2010-08-03)

Added universal detection of the LNK vulnerability.
Added automatic disabling of the Hitman Pro LNK Exploit Protection when Windows is not vulnerable for attacks abusing the LNK vulnerability. Ex. when Security Update KB2286198 (MS10-046) is installed.
Note: Since Microsoft no longer supports Windows 2000 and Windows XP RTM, SP1 and SP2, the Hitman Pro LNK Exploit Protection remains available for these operating systems.

Build 108 (2010-07-30)

Added option to protect the computer against Windows shortcut vulnerability. Read more about our solution against this high risk vulnerability here: Protection against LNK vulnerability
Added Chinese (Traditional) language.
Updated Polish language.

Build 107 (2010-07-20)

Added detection and removal of the Stuxnet malware.
Added MS-DOS COM file format support.
Added /nocookies command line switch.
Fixed a problem with the 64-bit updater.
Fixed support for Sophos SafeGuard.
Fixed French language.
Added Chinese (Simplified) language.

Build 106 (2010-07-09)

Added compatibility with TrueCrypt full disk encrytion (thanks BoerenkoolMetWorst).
Fixed a problem in the driver that caused a BSOD on some systems.
Fixed a problem with the right-click scan on non-NTFS drives (thanks Avinash).
Fixed a problem with the right-click scan under Compatible Disk Access.
Fixed a problem with the activation on Korean or Japanese systems (thanks Jun).
Updated internal white lists.
Updated several languages.

Build 105 (2010-06-22)

Fixed a problem related to the removal of specific versions of the TDL3 rootkit.

Build 104 (2010-06-21)

Latest TDL3 (aka Alureon) Rootkit detection and removal. Also works in Early Warning Scoring mode (ex. when the computer does not have an Internet connection to consult the Scan Cloud).
Added a sticky TDL3 Rootkit detection message. This message appears when the hard disk stack contains a reference to a hidden driver, typical TDL3 behavior.
Improved removal of Trojans and Rootkits that are protected by a Kernel thread.
Added removal of adware and adult related Tracking Cookies in Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome. Removal of these Tracking Cookies is of course free, does NOT require a license.
Improved Internet connection detection. I.e., when the connection is ex. hijacked by a local proxy, Hitman Pro will now attempt to bypass it.
Authenticode certificates are now handled on a separate thread.
Improved handling of files that contain resources with specially crafted data to make Anti-Virus software crash.
Small improvement in the hash classifier when performing a right-click scan.
New Anti-Virus Ballot Screen which appears when the computer is not protected by an Anti-Virus program, or when the computer is using an AV program that is not compatible with the Windows Security Center. This screen does not appear when you purchased a Hitman Pro license.
Return of the AV Scan Cloud vendor icons on the Welcome page.
Improved the Intelligent removal of malware related remnants.
Updated the French language strings.
Updated graphics. More color and detail.
Updated internal Whitelists.
Several other minor improvements.

Build 98 (2010-04-27)

Added WinHTTP prerequisite check.
A message is displayed on computers running Windows 2000 pre-SP3 and Windows XP RTM.
Fixed a problem on computers receiving the message:
"The procedure entry point EncodePointer could not be located in the dynamic link library kernel32.dll"
Added Czech language
Added Swedish language

Build 97 (2010-04-24)

Version 3.5.5
Added Quick scan which only scans load point locations and in memory objects.
You typically use the Quick scan when you just want to check whether malware is active on the computer.
You can choose Quick scan from the split button on the Welcome dialog or specify the /quick command line switch.
Improved the overall scan performance on systems protected by an active on-access AV scanner.
Fixed a memory leak reducing memory consumption by 20-40MB compared to previous versions.
Replaced WinInet by WinHTTP network stack for internet communication. This allows more proxy options and also allows Hitman Pro to run under different accounts like SYSTEM. This is particularly useful in corporate situations.
Improved the Scan-at-startup by postponing the scan until the computer has started up (hard disk activity is near idle).
Postponing the startup scan improves the overall computer startup speed. Hitman Pro monitors the "Avg. Disks Queue Length" Performance Counter to determine whether the computer finished starting applications. Hitman Pro postpones the startup scan up to a maximum of 5 minutes. After that, the scan is started, despite hard disk activity.
Changed the Scan-at-startup from default normal scan to Quick Scan.
Fixed a problem with the Winsock repair functionality on 64-bit platforms. Thanks Rein.
Added Advanced tab under Settings allowing proxy configurations:
- Use Internet Explorer settings (default)
- Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Protocol (WPAD)
- Proxy Automatic Configuration URL (PAC)
- Manual proxy configuration
- Proxy authentication
Added Compatible Disk Access mode.
This mode uses the Windows API for accessing the disk. This makes Hitman Pro compatible with hard disk snapshoting tools like Rollback RX and AyRecovery. Note that this mode reduces the chance of finding complex rootkits. You can change the Disk Access mode on the Advanced tab under Settings.
Added License tab under Settings.
Added Apply to all to the drop down action menu of a detected item.
Added hyperlink to the finish page allowing the scan log to be exported as XML.
Added /ews command line switch.
Added /noupload command line switch.
Added /quick command line switch.
Added /debug and /debug:full command line switch. Use this switch to generate a mini dump if the program crashes.
Updated internal white lists.
Lots of minor internal changes.
Added Arabic language
Added Polish language
Built using Visual Studio 2010.

Build 92 (2010-03-05)

Detects and removes TDL3 rootkit version 3.273
Added detection and repair for rogues changing .exe file assignment
Updated language strings

Build 91 (2010-02-27)

Detects and removes TDL3 rootkit version 3.27 (actively spreading since Feb. 23).
TDL3.27 rootkit authors solved a bug that allowed disk access through SPTI. TDL3.27 (or newer) now monitors SPTI and serves the uninfected bytes when trying to read the hard disk driver from disk. Hitman Pro now uses different methods to detect this highly advanced rootkit.
The rootkit's authors are actively watching the security industry, monitoring which tools can detect and remove their creation. Each update shakes off a few tools making this rootkit one of the most resilient malware to date.
Improved removal on files with specific permissions.
Added XML logging.
Watch our Blog as a post on Logging will appear shortly.
Added command line switches:
/log=C:\Folder\ (make sure the path ends with a backslash)
/log=C:\File.xml
/noinstall
Added registry value LogPath which behaves the same as the /log= command line switch.
Added Hungarian strings.
Updated Russian, Estonian, and Greek strings.

Build 90 (2010-02-16)

Fixed removal of malware related jobs configured in the Windows Task Scheduler.
Updated Italian, French and Portuguese-Brazilian language strings.

Build 89 (2010-02-12)

Added Force Breach. When holding the left Ctrl-key while starting Hitman Pro (hold until its window appears) will terminate all non-essential processes that run in the user's context. This is particularly useful when a fake/rogue anti-malware application is killing every process you want to start. See movie.
Added resolution changer. In Safe Mode scenario's where the computer boots in 640x480 the resolution is automatically increased by Hitman Pro to 800x600.
Added browser history crawler to correlate possible malware to visited (black listed) sites. The crawler currently supports Firefox and Internet Explorer.
Added ability to restore Desktop Wallpaper when repairing the Desktop Wallpaper policy.
Improved Early Warning Scoring.
Improved detection of remnants.
Several minor bug fixes.

Build 87 (2010-02-03)

Updated removal technology to handle TDL rootkit version 3.24 (updated variant of the Google Redirect Virus)
Added initial support for keyboard commands.
Some minor fixes.
Updated internal whitelists.

Build 86 (2010-01-18)

Ability to fix the Google Redirect Virus (TDL)
Some minor fixes.

Build 85 (2010-01-15)

Added removal of TDL3 rootkit version 3.2 (aka TDL3+).
This rootkit infects the hard disk driver (usually atapi.sys or iaStor.sys) and redirects Google search results.
Improved detection and removal of fake/rogue anti-malwares (scareware).
Fixed a occasional crash while scanning on Windows 7.
Fixed a crash related to DEP/NX.
Fixed a rare crash when user closes the window.
Added a reminder panel when the removal license has expired.
Remembers Do Not Repair actions.
Added Destop Wallpaper policy repair.
Added Portuguese-Brazilian language.
Updated several language strings.
Several minor bug fixes.

Build 84 (2009-12-23)

Added caching to the Gossip classifier.
Fixed a problem relating the Winlogon Shell registry value to a threat. The Shell value is reset upon removal of the threat.
Fixed the empty result view which is related to the 'Report this file as Safe' functionality.

Build 83 (2009-12-22)

Fixed a problem in detecting active Internet Connection.
Fixed the empty result view which is related to the 'Report this file as Safe' functionality.

Build 82 (2009-12-21)

Fixed a problem reading data from encrypted hard drives.
Early Warning Scoring (EWS) is no longer on the Settings screen. Also, it is no longer remembered as a default scan. It now needs to be selected manually from the new split button "Next" on the Welcome screen. Note that EWS is not meant to run on a daily basis. It is intended for experts only as it potentially lists non-malware files. EWS can also be used when the Internet connection is disabled or unavailable.

Build 81 (2009-12-18)

Added Quarantine and History functionality under Settings.
Changed the default action to Quarantine on malware items that are recognized by just one AV partner.
Malware items are excluded from the scan result list when the item was reported by the user as safe and the item was recognized as malware by just one AV partner. The reported as safe item will reappear when the item is classified as malware by two or more AV partners.
Fixed a problem handling ShellServiceObjectDelayLoad items.
Vista laptop computers running Intel(R) Turbo Memory Driver iaNvStor.sys cannot use the new disk access mode to detect and remove TDL3 rootkit. This is due to iaNvStor.sys incorrect implementation of specific I/O control codes. Users who suspect a TDL3 infection should disable this specific Intel driver (the iaNvStor.sys is non-essential) and run Hitman Pro again.
Hitman Pro build 79 and 80 stopped working when this driver was present.
Removed the Windows 7 Task Bar integration as it causes random program stops. The issue is still under investigation.
Updated internal whitelists.

Build 80 (2009-12-01)

Fixed a problem removing TDL3 rootkit infection from systems with specific third party drivers.
As of build 79, Hitman Pro is digitally signed with a new Microsoft Authenticode certificate.

Build 79 (2009-11-30)

Detects AND removes the TDL3 rootkit.
Hitman Pro 3.5 is one of the first applications that can remove the TDL3 rootkit.
Detailed information about TDL3 can be read here.
Improved alternate disk access mode.
Improved removal engine.
Improved behavioral scan engine.
Fixed a problem with 'Scan with Hitman Pro' checkbox under Settings.
Updated internal whitelists.
Added Turkisch language.

Build 78 (2009-11-02)

Version 3.5.3
Added the Compatible with Windows 7 logo. Hitman Pro 3.5 successfully completed Microsoft's testing regime to prove it can be readily installed and run reliably on Windows 7.
Fixed a problem in handling the $MFT bitmaps.
Added alternate disk access mode when the default mode (kernel driver) is blocked by a rootkit (some variants of TDSS/Alureon).
Added detection and removal of malicious autorun files on removable drives.
Improved scan speed on files that have an authenticode certificate.
Improved detection and removal of fake/rogue anti-malwares (scareware).
Improved removal of fake/rogue anti-malware collaterals.
Used a different counter to determine the total scan time (more accurate).
Added a timer on the scan window that indicates the scan time.
Small improvements in screen updates.
Fixed several translation typos.
Added Catalan language.

Build 76 (2009-10-05)

Version 3.5.2
Added Winsock repair functionality.
When Hitman Pro deleted a malicious Winsock LSP protocol driver it now repairs the LSP chain.
With previous versions, this problem resulted in having Internet connection problems.
Fixed a problem where specifc directories where not scanned due to non-resident $I30 NTFS-indexes (index fragmentation).
Improved detection of malicious Mozilla Firefox extensions and plugins.
Improved detection of malware that starts through a scheduled task (Windows Task Scheduler).
Fixed a problem with the network enumerator (port scan).
Added Windows 7 taskbar integration. The progress bar is now also displayed in the Taskbar button.
This feature works for Windows 7 build 7600 (RTM) or newer only.

Build 75 (2009-09-24)

Added the "Show 'Scan with Hitman Pro' on files and folders in Windows Explorer" option under Settings.
This feature is also known as the much requested 'right-click scan'.
Note: Scanning a folder does not scan recursively due to volume reasons.
Updated the internal whitelist.

Build 74 (2009-09-22)

Fixed a problem where files are not correctly uploaded to the scan cloud. Thanks to simisg.
This problem first occurred in build 72.

Build 73 (2009-09-19)

Added Macedonian language texts to the user interface.

Build 72 (2009-09-17)

Fixed a problem reading a specific fragmented $MFT table which caused a scan to complete under 10 seconds.
Fixed the inability to disable daily scanning on certain computers in Settings. Thanks to firzen771.
Fixed determining the initial state of the 'Create restore point' checkbox in Settings.
Fixed handling high DPI font sizes.
Added Greek language texts to the user interface. Thanks to Ippokratis.

Build 70 (2009-08-28)

Improved detection of zero-day malware.
Improved detection of auto starting malware.
Fixed a problem in handling authenticode certificates when malware infected a code signed PE-file.
64-bit: Updated the internal whitelist.

Build 69 (2009-08-14)

Fixed a problem when scanning during boot.

Build 68 (2009-07-24)

Changed Crusader removal tactics to handle specific new rootkits.
Updated the internal whitelist.

Build 67 (2009-07-17)

Added option to report a file as safe. This will also set the default action on that file to "Do not delete" (locally).
Improved dynamic detection and removal of fake/rogue anti-malware traces.
Fixed a potential issue which could cause the removal engine not to timeout when removing a particular malicious driver.
Updated the internal whitelist.

Build 66 (2009-07-10)

Fixed a problem in handling cloud responses resulting in files not being uploaded.
Improved detection and removal of fake/rogue anti-malwares (scareware).
Fixed a typo in the Estonian language file.
Added Spanish language to the user interface.

Build 65 (2009-06-30)

Improved intelligent cleanup of registry, file and folder references.
Improved detection and removal of fake/rogue anti-malwares (scareware).
Improved Scan Cloud scanning capacity.
Added more rules to Early Warning Scoring (EWS) to help experienced users with zero-day malware.
Updated the internal whitelist.
Added Italian language texts to the user interface.
Updated the user interface with a red banner when malicious software is detected.

Build 59 (2009-06-04)

Finetuned timeouts concerning Scan Cloud (fixes "Upload failed").
Added Estonian language texts to the user interface. Thanks to Lauri SC.

Build 58 (2009-06-03)

Initial public release of Hitman Pro 3.5.