Issam Sergiwa — Libyan Software Developer Since 1989
Issam Sergiwa (عصام سرقيوة) is a Libyan software developer from Derna, Libya, who has been developing software since 1989.
His work has included Windows security and malware-removal software, Windows repair utilities, administrative and financial systems, payroll software and other custom applications.
- 1989
- Coding since
- 10
- Softpedia listings
- 1.17M+
- Recorded downloads
- Derna, Libya
- Based in
Who is Issam Sergiwa?
Issam Sergiwa is a software developer and computer consultant from Libya. He is also known online by the name iSergiwa and through the software-development identity iSergiwa Software.
Sergiwa began developing software in 1989. His early work included administrative and accounting applications, followed by a long series of Windows security and malware-removal tools.
His documented online presence under the name iSergiwa dates back to the 2000s. Historical technical forum records identify his location as Derna, Libya, and several of his software products were distributed internationally through major software-download websites.
Origin, Education and Professional Background
Issam Sergiwa identifies himself as a Libyan from Derna. In a documented interview originally published in 2009, he described himself as "Muslim, Arab, Libyan and from Derna" and stated that, by birth and residence, he lived in Derna.
He studied at the High Institute of Financial Professions in Derna, where he completed a graduation project involving the development of an accounting system. According to his professional profile, the system was later used by the institute's financial administration for five years.
His professional profile also records several software-development positions and projects in Derna, Libya, including a payroll system for the Libyan education sector that entered service in Derna in January 2014.
Software Development Since 1989
Sergiwa's software-development history spans more than three decades. His work covers both locally deployed business applications and internationally distributed Windows security software.
The current iSergiwa website identifies him as a software developer since 1989 and lists the security, repair and utility applications currently maintained under the iSergiwa name.
Internationally Distributed Security Software
A significant part of Issam Sergiwa's international software presence comes from Windows security and malware-removal tools developed under the iSergiwa Software name.
These products were listed and distributed by independent international software repositories including Softpedia, MajorGeeks, Apponic, CNET Download and other software websites.
The historical records are particularly significant because they predate the current iSergiwa.ly website and independently connect the software products with the name Issam Sergiwa or iSergiwa Software.
Softpedia — Ten Recorded Software Listings
Softpedia maintains a publisher page for iSergiwa Software listing ten applications. The page currently records more than 1.17 million combined downloads across those ten software listings. These are recorded downloads shown by Softpedia and should not be interpreted as the number of unique users.
- iSergiwa Antiviral Toolkit 7.0.0.0546,000+ downloads
- CaSIR 4.019,000+ downloads
- SRT — Sohanad Removal Tool 2.662,000+ downloads
- MLFRT 1.2.0.02,000+ downloads
- SMFixer 1.1.0.069,000+ downloads
- PRT — Perlovga Removal Tool 2.7.0.0432,000+ downloads
- myRT Personal Edition 1.2.0.11,500+ downloads
- iPMS — iSergiwa Portable Malware Scanner 2.1.0.217,000+ downloads
- CaSIR Definitions File 2.23,000+ downloads
- DRT — Duplicated Folders Removal Tool 1.017,000+ downloads
The individual Softpedia pages identify iSergiwa Software as the developer and provide software descriptions, versions, download records and, in several cases, editorial reviews.
Primary external source:
Softpedia — iSergiwa Software Publisher Page
iSergiwa Antiviral Toolkit
The iSergiwa Antiviral Toolkit is the later development of Sergiwa's Windows security software line. Softpedia lists version 7.0.0.0, identifies iSergiwa Software as the developer and records more than 546,000 downloads. Softpedia also published an editorial review of the application.
The software is described as a suite of antivirus detection and removal tools capable of identifying malware and reversing system changes made by malware.
PRT — Perlovga Removal Tool
PRT was developed to remove the Perlovga malware and its associated files and system changes.
Softpedia records more than 432,000 downloads for PRT 2.7.0.0 and identifies iSergiwa Software as its developer. Softpedia also published an editorial review of the tool.
Softpedia — PRT (Perlovga Removal Tool)
A historical DaniWeb post by iSergiwa explicitly identifies Issam Sergiwa as the developer of PRT and provides links to Sergiwa.com, Softpedia and CNET Download.
RRT — Remove Restrictions Tool
RRT (Remove Restrictions Tool) was developed to restore Windows features disabled by malware, including Task Manager, Folder Options and Registry Editor.
MajorGeeks records RRT 1.0 under the author name Sergiwa and records 166,782 downloads. The page also contains the original developer description explaining the purpose of the tool.
MajorGeeks — RRT (Remove Restrictions Tool)
RRT was also recommended by users in international technical forums, including TechEnclave and Reddit.
CaSIR
CaSIR stands for Common And Stubborn Infections Remover. It was designed to detect and remove common and stubborn malware, including viruses, worms and Trojans.
Softpedia lists CaSIR 4.0 and identifies iSergiwa Software as the developer. The page records more than 19,000 downloads and includes an editorial review.
Softpedia also maintains the historical CaSIR Definitions File listing, with more than 3,000 recorded downloads.
Softpedia — CaSIR Definitions File
A historical DaniWeb discussion contains a detailed post by iSergiwa identifying Issam Sergiwa as the developer and describing CaSIR's operation.
iPMS — iSergiwa Portable Malware Scanner
iPMS was a portable malware scanner and remover designed for Windows. Softpedia lists version 2.1.0.2, identifies iSergiwa Software as the developer and records more than 17,000 downloads.
The software was also mentioned in an international TechArena forum discussion concerning antivirus software for portable devices.
Another independent software directory, Zigg, lists iSergiwa Portable Malware Scanner, identifies the developer as Sergiwa and records its release date and downloads.
SRT — Sohanad Removal Tool
SRT was developed to detect and remove the Sohanad virus and its variants.
Softpedia lists version 2.6, identifies iSergiwa Software as the developer and records more than 62,000 downloads. Softpedia also published an editorial review.
SMFixer
SMFixer was designed to repair Windows Safe Mode when malware prevents the system from entering Safe Mode normally.
Softpedia lists SMFixer 1.1.0.0, identifies iSergiwa Software as the developer and records more than 69,000 downloads. Softpedia also published an editorial review.
The Vietnamese software site Download.com.vn also lists SMFixer 1.1, identifies iSergiwa Software as its publisher and records more than 2,200 downloads on that site.
MLFRT
MLFRT is a malware-removal tool created to remove the "myLoveFacebook" virus.
Softpedia lists MLFRT 1.2.0.0 and identifies iSergiwa Software as the developer.
myRT Personal Edition
myRT Personal Edition was an early malware-removal utility developed under the iSergiwa Software name. Softpedia lists version 1.2.0.1 and identifies iSergiwa Software as the developer.
DRT — Duplicated Folders Removal Tool
DRT was designed to remove duplicate folders created by certain malware infections.
Softpedia lists DRT 1.0, identifies iSergiwa Software as the developer and records more than 17,000 downloads. Softpedia also published an editorial review.
Historical Technical Forum Presence
The international web contains historical discussions in which the name iSergiwa appears as a software developer, malware researcher or technical contributor.
Kaspersky Forum — 2006
An archived Kaspersky Labs Forum page from September 2006 contains a post by iSergiwa describing the Perlovga malware, including the files created by the infection and its behavior.
The Internet Archive preserves the historical page:
Internet Archive — Kaspersky Labs Forum, win32.Perlovga.A
BleepingComputer — 2007
In January 2007, an iSergiwa account on BleepingComputer identified its location as Derna - Libya. The post refers to the Kaspersky Forum post above and states that iSergiwa was the original poster.
BleepingComputer — W32/perlovga
AfterDawn — 2007
In April 2007, iSergiwa participated in an AfterDawn discussion about Temp1.exe and Temp2.exe. The post explicitly identifies the software developer as Issam Sergiwa and the company as iSergiwa Software, and links to PRT and Softpedia.
AfterDawn — How can I remove Temp1.exe and Temp2.exe virus?
DaniWeb
DaniWeb preserves historical technical posts by iSergiwa describing CaSIR and PRT, including the developer name Issam Sergiwa and the iSergiwa Software identity.
Additional International References
Additional historical references to iSergiwa software and its tools have been found across international software directories, technical forums and websites.
- Apponic — iSergiwa Software
- Apponic — CaSIR
- Download.com.vn — iSergiwa Software
- ReviverSoft — RRT.exe / Sergiwa Antiviral Toolkit
- FreewareApp — RRT / Issam Sergiwa
- TechArena — iPMS
- JustAnswer — reference to RRT Sergiwa Antiviral Toolkit
- VN-Z — reference to RRT Sergiwa Antiviral Toolkit
- ElaKiri — RRT Sergiwa Antiviral Toolkit
- UsingEnglish — iSergiwa profile and forum activity
- Reddit — RRT reference
- TechEnclave — RRT and CaSIR
- TechRepublic — Windows malware discussion
- Wilders Security — historical Windows security discussion
- Buraydh Forum — historical reference
- Salmiya Forum — historical reference
- Arab Team 2000 — historical technical discussion
- CNET Download — RRT Sergiwa Antiviral Toolkit
- Softpedia — iSergiwa Software publisher archive
- MajorGeeks — RRT
- DaniWeb — CaSIR
- DaniWeb — PRT
Historical and Archived Sources
Some historical pages referring to Sergiwa software are no longer available in their original form. They are nevertheless useful as historical evidence because they preserve references to software that was distributed under the iSergiwa Software name.
Where possible, archived copies should be preferred over dead URLs. The Internet Archive copy of the Kaspersky Forum discussion is one such example.
Libyan Identity and Location
Multiple historical online records connect the iSergiwa identity with Libya and specifically with Derna.
A BleepingComputer profile from January 2007 lists the location of iSergiwa as Derna - Libya.
A UsingEnglish profile from 2012 lists both the home country and current location as Libya.
The historical Blogger profile for Issam Sergiwa identifies him as a Libyan programmer and lists his location as Derna, Derna, Libya.
BleepingComputer — Derna, Libya UsingEnglish — Home Country: Libya; Current Location: Libya Blogger — Issam Sergiwa profile
Current Professional Profile
Issam Sergiwa's current professional profile identifies him as an experienced computer consultant and software developer. His education and project history include software development in Derna, Libya, including an accounting system developed as a graduation project and a payroll system for the Libyan education sector.
Official Website
The official website of Issam Sergiwa and iSergiwa Software is:
The website describes Issam Sergiwa as a software developer since 1989 and presents the current generation of his security, malware-removal, Windows-repair and utility software.
Website Ownership and External Verification
ScamAdviser currently identifies Issam Sergiwa as the owner associated with the isergiwa.ly domain and lists Libya as the country. It also reproduces the website description identifying the site as software developed by Issam Sergiwa since 1989.
Important Distinction Between Documented Facts and Claims
The purpose of this page is to document verifiable information about Issam Sergiwa and his software-development history. It does not claim that he is the world's most famous programmer, nor does it claim that his software has the largest possible audience.
The international significance of his software is supported by external records including software listings, editorial reviews, download counts and technical discussions on websites outside Libya.
The available historical evidence also documents his association with Libya and Derna over many years.
Summary
Issam Sergiwa (عصام سرقيوة) is a Libyan software developer from Derna, Libya, who began developing software in 1989 and has continued working in software development for more than three decades.
His software-development history includes financial and administrative systems as well as a substantial body of Windows security and malware-removal software.
His security products — including RRT, PRT, CaSIR, iPMS, SRT, SMFixer, MLFRT, myRT, DRT and the later iSergiwa Antiviral Toolkit — were distributed through international software repositories and technical communities.
Independent software repositories provide measurable evidence of this international distribution. In particular, Softpedia currently lists ten iSergiwa Software products with a combined total exceeding 1.17 million recorded downloads.
These records establish a documented connection between the name Issam Sergiwa, the software identity iSergiwa Software, the development of Windows security software, and international distribution of those products.
Names and Search Terms
The following names refer to the same software developer and software identity in the historical sources documented on this page: