How to remove PCCleaner?
What is PCCleaner?
PCCleaner is a rogue anti-spyware program – one of the many fake spyware removers roaming the internet today. This scam is no different than any other rogue out there: PCCleaner infects the system by using trojans, such as Zlob or Vundo, and uses various tactics to prove it’s legitimacy, which is rather a difficult task for an illegitimate program.
Once inside and active, PCCleaner floods the user with endless popups and fake system notifications to "inform" him of an infection. This infection is most likely non-existent, but disinformation is the whole point of these attacks, since PCCleaner hopes to be purchased as the first anti-spyware tool, which comes to mind, or, rather, the one, which your browser will redirect you to.
PCCleaner’s website isn’t any different than any other rogue’s: there is actually less useful content in pc-cleaner.com than most rogue websites provide, there is no contact information, there is no legitimate payment system (as a matter of fact, if you remove the end part of the URL, you find a payment form for UltimateFixer – another rogue) and the domain’s registration is rather weird.
PCCleaner is a scam and should be treated as such: do NOT download or buy it and block pc-cleaner.com using your HOSTS file.
PCCleaner is Extremely dangerous
PCCleaner is a corrupt Anti-Spyware program PCCleaner may spread via Trojans PCCleaner may display fake security messages PCCleaner may install additional spyware to your computer PCCleaner may repair its files, spread or update by itself PCCleaner violates your privacy and compromises your security
Manual PCCleaner removal
Important Note: Although it is possible to manually remove PCCleaner, such activity can permanently damage your system if any mistakes are made in the process, as advanced spyware parasites are able to automatically repair themselves if not completely removed. Thus, manual spyware removal is recommended for experienced users only, such as IT specialists or highly qualified system administrators. For other users, we recommend using automatic spyware removal applications found on 2-viruses.com.
Stop these PCCleaner processes:
Disable these PCCleaner DLL files::
Remove these PCCleaner Registry Entries:
Remove these PCCleaner files:
PCCleaner is classified as Rogue Anti-Spyware. After infecting a user’s system, it proceeds to scare its victim into buying the “product” by displaying fake security messages, stating that your computer is infected with spyware and only PCCleaner can help you to remove it after you download the trial version. As soon as the victim downloads PCCleaner trial version, it pretends to scan your computer and shows a grossly exaggerated amount of non-existent errors. Then, PCCleaner offers to buy the full version to fix these false errors. If the user agrees, PCCleaner does not only fix the errors, but it also takes the user’s money and may even install additional spyware into the victim’s computer.
Some Rogue Anti-Spyware, such as PCCleaner, may offer users to buy it after the victim clicks on a banner or a pop-up while surfing the internet. Usually, a Trojan is installed to a victim’s computer after clicking on the advertisement. It then proceeds to download or even install PCCleaner, which is another way for Rogue Anti-Spyware to spread itself.
Most of rogue Anti-Spyware, such as PCCleaner, is nearly impossible to remove manually.
I cannot find any of these files. I keep running the virus and anti-spyware programs to get rid of it, and it keeps on doing its thing. What can I do?
Drogovska
I have had a friend of mine tell me that the only way to remove this particular spyware is to do so manually.
I downloaded, installed, and ran Spyware Doctor on a full system scan and PC-Cleaner still is flashing its virus warnings. How can I get rid of this?
Update: I downloaded and ran Malwarebyte’s Anti-Malware (free version), ran a full system scan, and that found and got rid of PC-Cleaner finally.