Security Cleaner Pro

What is Security Cleaner Pro?

Security Cleaner Pro is a rogue antivirus program, which aims to trick unsuspecting PC users into purchasing a license key in order to remove supposedly-identified security infections.

In fact, no security infections reported by this program are genuine - Security Cleaner Pro mimics the detection of various malware and viruses in order to scare PC users into believing that their computers are infiltrated with high-risk security threats. Note that this rogue software generates an identical list of supposedly-detected security infections on all computers infiltrated.

This bogus program is developed by cyber criminals and distributed using 'exploit kits', which infiltrate users' computers via security vulnerabilities detected within outdated software. Common sources of fake antivirus programs such as Security Cleaner Pro are malicious websites, drive-by downloads, and infected email messages.

After successful infiltration, this bogus software modifies registry entries of the infected operating system and configures itself to launch on each system start-up. Furthermore, this fake security scanner hijacks Internet browsers (Internet Explorer) and blocks execution of installed software.

In addition, this rogue program makes operating system modifications, disables the Task Manager, and continually generates fake security warning pop-ups. For added authenticity, cyber criminals responsible for developing this rogue program have created a professional user interface.

In fact, it is a scam. Computer users should not be tricked into buying the fake license key. The correct way to deal with Security Cleaner Pro is to remove it from your PC. A previous variant developed by these cyber criminals was named Sinergia Cleaner.

Security Cleaner Pro has no virus definition database or virus scan engine - it is merely a fake antivirus program created by cyber criminals with the sole purpose of tricking PC users into purchasing a fake license key.

Note that by purchasing this bogus software, PC users not only send their money to cyber criminals, but also divulge their banking information - this could lead to further thefts from their accounts.

Screenshot of Security Cleaner Pro payments page (cyber criminals request $99.90 USD for a fake license key):

The best way to protect your computer from these fake antivirus programs is to keep installed programs (Flash, Java, etc.) up-to-date and use legitimate antivirus and anti-spyware programs whilst surfing the Internet. If your computer is already infected with Security Cleaner Pro, use the removal instructions provided to eliminate it from your PC.

Fake security warning messages generated by Security Cleaner Pro:

Security Cleaner Pro - Security Level: LOW.
Internet Security disabled. Dangerous web attacks possible. Your system is left vulnerable to all types of online infections and intrusions. Copies of malware already planted in your system contact their servers for further spreading and taking control over your system. Enable Internet Security to prevent identity theft and system damage.

Security Cleaner Pro (UNREGISTERED) - Your computer was attacked from '41.79.142.104.'! Please register product to block hackers attack!

Warning message from your Internet browser. This page is under virus attack. This may crash your system.

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Quick menu:

• What is Security Cleaner Pro?
• STEP 1. Remove Security Cleaner Pro using a software.
• STEP 2. Remove Security Cleaner Pro using Safe Mode with Networking.
• STEP 3. Remove Security Cleaner Pro using a registration key.

Security Cleaner Pro removal:

This rogue antivirus generates fake security warning messages when users attempt to access the Internet using Internet Explorer. To remove this rogue antivirus program from your computer, download recommended malware removal software.

If your Internet browsers are blocked by the "Warning message from your Internet browser. This page is under virus attack. This may crash your system." message, click "Keep browsing Internet pages unprotected (not safely)" and continue with the download process.

If you cannot run the remover, try to downloading an alternate installer (it is renamed to iexplore.exe, since most fake antivirus programs do not block execution of files with this name)

Optional method to download the recommended anti-spyware program:

If you cannot access your Internet browsers: Click Start then click Run. (Click Windows logo in Windows 7 and Windows Vista)

In Windows XP, When the Run dialogue appears enter this text: www.pcrisk.com/download-spyware-remover and then press ENTER. In Windows 7 and Windows Vista, type this line directly into the search field and then press ENTER.

After pressing enter, the File download dialogue of recommended malware removal software will appear. Click Run and follow the on-screen instructions.

If you are still unable to download the recommended malware removal software - before downloading, enter a retrieved activation key in the activation window of Security Cleaner Pro. Click the "Registration" button at the top right of the main window of this fake antivirus software and enter this key:

YKGVWHVSFETPXBIMDXUJSUYGPRADAOHZ

Note that entering this activation key will not remove Security Cleaner Pro - it simply makes the removal process less complicated. This fake antivirus software will stop generating fake security warning messages and allows execution of legitimate antivirus and anti-spyware programs.

Security Cleaner Pro removal using Safe Mode with Networking:

1. Start your computer in Safe Mode. Click Start, click Shut Down, click Restart, click OK. During your computer starting process press the F8 key on your keyboard multiple times until you see the Windows Advanced Option menu, then select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.

Video showing how to start Windows 7 in "Safe Mode with Networking":

Windows 8 users: Go to the Windows 8 Start Screen, type Advanced, in the search results select Settings. Click on Advanced Startup options, in the opened "General PC Settings" window select Advanced Startup. Click on the "Restart now" button. Your computer will now restart into "Advanced Startup options menu".

Click on the "Troubleshoot" button, then click on "Advanced options" button. In the advanced option screen click on "Startup settings". Click on the "Restart" button. Your PC will restart into the Startup Settings screen. Press "5" to boot in Safe Mode with Networking.

Video showing how to start Windows 8 in "Safe Mode with Networking":

2. Security Cleaner Pro modifies the system Hosts file. The Hosts file is used to resolve canonical names of websites to IP addresses. When it is changed, the user may be redirected to malicious sites, despite seeing legitimate URLs in address bar. It is difficult to determine sites are genuine when the Hosts file is modified.

To fix this, please download the Microsoft Fix It tool, that restores your Hosts file to the Windows default. Run this tool when downloaded and follow the on-screen instructions. Download link below:

3. Download and install recommended malware removal software to completely remove this fake antivirus program from your PC.

NOTE: Rogue antivirus programs can block the download of anti-spyware software. If you cannot download it using the default location, try one of the alternative download locations below:

• Location 1 (the file is renamed to "iexplore.exe", since most spyware does not block this file)
• Location 2

Alternative Security Cleaner Pro removal guide:

1. Wait until Security Cleaner Pro rogue antivirus complete the fake security scan and click on the "Remove Infected" button. You can also click on the "Registration" button on the top right corner of the main window of this rogue program. In the opened window click on the "I have serial key" button.

2. In the opened window enter this retrieved registry key: YKGVWHVSFETPXBIMDXUJSUYGPRADAOHZ This will trick Security Cleaner Pro into behaving as though you have paid for the full version.

3. This step makes the removal process of this rogue antivirus program less complicated. After entering this registry key, Security Cleaner Pro allows execution of installed software (including Internet browsers) and you are able to download anti-spyware software without various interruptions.

 

4. Note that entering this retrieved activation key does not remove Security Cleaner Pro from your computer - it simply makes the removal process less complicated.

To completely remove this rogue antivirus program from your computer, download and install recommended malware removal software.

Summary:

The fake antivirus programs (also known as "rogue antivirus programs" or "scareware") are applications that tries to lure computer users into paying for their non-existent full versions to remove the supposedly detected security infections (although the computer is actually clean). These bogus programs are created by cyber criminals who design them to look as legitimate antivirus software. Most commonly rogue antivirus programs infiltrate user's computer using poop-up windows or alerts which appear when users surf the Internet. These deceptive messages trick users into downloading a rogue antivirus program on their computers. Other known tactics used to spread scareware include exploit kits, infected email messages, online ad networks, drive-by downloads, or even direct calls to user's offering free support.

A computer that is infected with a fake antivirus program might also have other malware installed on it as rogue antivirus programs often are bundled with Trojans and exploit kits. Noteworthy that additional malware that infiltrates user's operating system remains on victim's computer regardless of whether a payment for a non-existent full version of a fake antivirus program is made. Here are some examples of fake security warning messages that are used in fake antivirus distribution:

Computer users who are dealing with a rogue security software shouldn't buy it's full version. By paying for a license key of a fake antivirus program users would send their money and banking information to cyber criminals. Users who have already entered their credit card number (or other sensitive information) when asked by such bogus software should inform their credit card company that they have been tricked into buying a rogue security software. Screenshot of a web page used to lure computer users into paying for a non-existent full version of security cleaner pro rogue and other rogue antivirus programs:

To protect your computer from security cleaner pro rogue and other rogue antivirus programs users should:

• Keep their operating system and all of the installed programs up-to-date.
• Use legitimate antivirus and anti-spyware programs.
• Use caution when clicking on links in social networking websites and email messages.
• Don't trust online pop-up messages which state that your computer is infected and offers you to download security software.

Symptoms indicating that your operating system is infected with a fake antivirus program:

• Intrusive security warning pop-up messages.
• Alerts asking to upgrade to a paid version of a program to remove the supposedly detected malware.
• Slow computer performance.
• Disabled Windows updates.
• Blocked Task Manager.
• Blocked Internet browsers or inability to visit legitimate antivirus vendor websites.

If you have additional information on security cleaner pro rogue or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

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