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Cleanup Antivirus

For Information and Removal of Cleanup Antivirus

Cleanup Antivirus

Cleanup Antivirus is one in a long line of rogue antivirus programs that share the goal of convincing computer users to buy ineffective and expensive software.  Knowing how to recognize such a program is vital in helping you keep your system running safely and optimally.

The Rogue Cleanup Antivirus

Rogue antivirus programs create warning messages and scan results that are nothing more than an elaborate ad campaign driven to persuade you that the only way to resolve security threats to your system is to buy their software.  These can be quite convincing, so it is important to know how to spot them.  Pop-ups and false scan results are perhaps the most visible signs of Cleanup Antivirus's presence, but the rogue program can also slow your computer's performance and change your settings.

Where Cleanup Antivirus Comes From

No one would knowingly install a rogue antivirus program onto their computer, so Cleanup Antivirus depends on other methods to gain access.  The most common is with a Trojan horse.  Just like the Greek myth, these virtual Trojan horses carry in unwelcome visitors like Cleanup Antivirus.  Adult sites, as well as those with gaming content, free videos, and social networking, are often targets for Trojans, but it is becoming more common for rogue sites to appear high on search results for current and trending topics.  In some cases, you must click on an image, ad, banner, or video in order to allow the Trojan access.  In others, just visiting the site is enough.

Cleanup Antivirus can be very persuasive, and some computer users opt to purchase the program, not realizing that it is a rogue.  The repeater pop-ups and security scans create a false sense of urgency, and many people act quickly out of a desire to protect their systems and their data.  This makes being able to recognize rogue programs even more essential.

Is Cleanup Antivirus In My System?

Rogue programs are designed to enter your computer quietly via Trojans and then remain hidden and inactive for a period of time.  During this time, you will not notice anything different in your computer, but Cleanup Antivirus is altering your security settings.  These programs, which are not viruses, are sophisticated in that they can evade detection and removal by ordinary antivirus programs.  After they have changed your settings, they can operate openly with impunity and you will begin to see changes.

Slow operation.  One of the characteristics of rogue antivirus programs is that they remain resident in your background, meaning that whenever you turn on your computer, Cleanup Antivirus will launch itself and divert your system resources for its own use.  Everything from booting up your computer to loading websites will take longer.

Changed browser settings.  Cleanup Antivirus is able to change your browser settings in order to direct you to rogue websites at every opportunity.  You may find that your homepage has been changed, and even after restoring your settings and rebooting, it will revert back to the rogue site. You may be redirected to rogue sites when you conduct a search or attempt to navigate to a site.  This serves two purposes for the rogue program: one, it exposes you yet again to the message that you need to buy Cleanup Antivirus, and two, it serves to reinforce the idea that there are security issues you need to address.

False scans.  Each time you start your computer, Cleanup Antivirus goes through the motions of running a scan.  You will receive a results window which tells you that you are not protected from viruses, spyware, and phishing, and that your firewall and automatic updates have been disabled.  It will tell you it has found several threats, and you have the option to "Clean Now."  Doing so will direct you to a rogue website where you will be urged to buy Cleanup Antivirus in order to remove these threats.  Never do this, and certainly never enter in any of your personal or credit card information.  A false scan from Cleanup Antivirus will have this program's name printed at the top left corner, with the option to "Activate ultimate protection."  Always look for the name; if it isn't from your legitimate program, these threats are not real.

Pop-ups.  Perhaps the most irritating sign that Cleanup Antivirus is in your system is the constant pop-ups.  These may appear randomly on your screen, or you may see them after you click on a flashing icon on your system tray or desktop.  The following are common:

An unauthorized program has been prevented from accessing your PC remotely. #Port:433 from 75.32.121.16

This one attempts to appear legitimate by using an IP address, but remember that it is just an ad.

An unauthorized software C:/Program Files/Internet Explorer/Iexplore.exe which is potentially malicious and able to modify system files has been prevented from being installed on your PC.

Cleanup Antivirus has detected potentially harmful software in your system.  It is strongly recommended that you register Cleanup Antivirus to remove all found threats immediately.

Cleanup Antivirus Removal

If left in your system indefinitely, Cleanup Antivirus can continue to impede performance, and it can leave your system open to other forms of malware.  Removing Cleanup Antivirus as soon as possible is important, and you have two options.  First, though, what will not work?

• Uninstalling or deleting the program. Rogue programs are designed to evade these basic tactics, and failure to remove every trace can allow Cleanup Antivirus to replicate itself.
• Running your current antivirus program. Rogue antivirus programs are not viruses; they alter your computer's settings so they can evade these programs.

What may work?

• Manual removal. If you are familiar with your system registry and have a lot of patience, it is possible to remove Cleanup Antivirus manually. You must remove each file, DLL, directory, and registry key associated with the program or it may be able to replicate itself. These programs are adept at hiding, so it is easy to miss one or two. It is also easy to inadvertently delete a necessary file. Manual removal instructions are below.

What will work?

• Automatic removal with a program like Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (Malwarebytes has free malware removal) . XoftSpy is not an antivirus program; instead, it has been designed specifically to deal with rogue antivirus programs. Following the directions will restore your computer quickly, safely, and effectively so Cleanup Antivirus is eradicated.

Remove Registry Entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareCleanUp Antivirus

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet Explorer "PRS" ="http://127.0.0.1:27777/?inj=%ORIGINAL%"

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerDownload "RunInvalidSignatures" = "1?

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionInternet Settings5.0User AgentPost Platform "App/7.00195?

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun "CleanUp Antivirus"

Remove Files:

%Documents and Settings%All UsersApplication Data[randomsymbols]

%Documents and Settings%[UserName]Application DataCleanUp Antivirus

%Documents and Settings%[UserName]Application DataMicrosoftInternet ExplorerQuick LaunchCleanUp Antivirus.lnk

%Documents and Settings%[UserName]Application DataCleanUp Antiviruscookies.sqlite

%Documents and Settings%[UserName]DesktopCleanUp Antivirus.lnk

%Documents and Settings%[UserName]Start MenuCleanUp Antivirus.lnk

%Documents and Settings%[UserName]Start MenuProgramsCleanUp Antivirus.lnk

%Program Files%Mozilla Firefoxsearchpluginssearch.xml

Removing Cleanup Antivirus Automatically/Safely

For free automatic removal we recommend using Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. This program is widely recommended by reputable third-party sites, so you can be reasonably confident of its ability to safely get rid of Cleanup Antivirus and any hidden Trojans. As a precaution we recommend double checking your system with Spyware Doctor. This program requires paid registration to enable deletions, however it has a money back guaranteed and is the top of the line in malware removal. It should catch malware that evades Malwarebytes and block anything that tries to reinstal itself.

Remove Cleanup Antivirus Now:

1. Download and install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and Spyware Doctor  
2. Run a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
3. Remove all the detected infections (free).
4. Run a scan with Spyware Doctor
5. Remove any remaining infections
6. Reboot and rescan with Spyware Doctor. Your computer should now be clean.

Important note: If Malwarebytes is blocked by malware then run Chameleon (Start Menu → All Programs → MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware → Tools → Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Chameleon). If you need further help removing Cleanup Antivirus please email us at info@removeadware.com.au or call for personal assistance on toll-free number 888-655-3453, within the USA and Canada.

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