Windows Efficiency Console

What is Efficiency Console?

Windows Efficiency Console is a fake antivirus program that reports non existent security infections in order to scare PC users into believing that their computers are infected with high-risk malware. Cyber criminals responsible for creating this scam hope that computer users will fall for their trickery and 'activate ultimate protection' (purchase a license key) for this bogus software.

PC users should be aware that paying for this program is equivalent to sending their money to cyber criminals - they will lose their money and their computers will remain infected with a fake antivirus program.

This rogue software is distributed using fake online security scanners, which state that the operating system is infected and then prompts users to download Windows Efficiency Console in order to remove the supposedly 'detected' malware.

In fact, no online scanners are capable of scanning operating systems for security infections - it is a scam used by cyber criminals to trick PC users into downloading rogue security programs.

After successful infiltration, this bogus software blocks users' desktops and performs fake security scans. These scans result in supposed 'detection' of various viruses, Trojans, and malware. Do not trust this program - it is merely an imitation of legitimate antivirus software, which mimics detection of identical security threats on each computer infiltrated.

The function of blocking users' desktops makes this rogue software similar to ransomware infections, and demonstrates that the fake antivirus business is profitable, and thus, cyber criminals continually seek new ways to improve their devious security scanners.

Users, who observe Windows Efficiency Console scanning their computers for security infections, have systems infected with a fake antivirus program - do not trust this program, it is a scam.

This fake antivirus program originates from a family of rogue security scanners called FakeVimes. Previous variants were named Windows Activity Booster, Windows Warding Module, and Windows Active Hotspot.

Computer users who have already purchased a license key for this bogus software should contact their credit card companies and dispute the charges, explaining that they have been tricked into buying a fake antivirus program.

To avoid system infection by Windows Efficiency Console, or any other bogus software, keep your installed programs up-to-date, use legitimate antivirus and anti-spyware programs, and do not trust online pop-ups demanding download of antivirus programs to remove supposedly-identified malware.

If you observe this program scanning your computer for security threats, ignore the fake warning messages and use the removal instructions provided to eliminate this scam from your operating system.

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Quick menu:

• What is Efficiency Console?
• STEP 1. Remove Efficiency Console using command prompt.
• STEP 2. Remove Efficiency Console using Safe Mode with Networking.

Windows Efficiency Console removal:

Before downloading the removal software for this rogue antivirus program, complete these steps:

1. Wait until this rogue antivirus program completes the fake security scan and click "Settings" (at the top of the main window).

2. Select "Allow unprotected Startup".

3. After selecting "Allow unprotected Startup", close Windows Efficiency Console. The notification will appear, "Unprotected startup is unsafe for your private data!" Click "OK".

4. Windows 7 users: Click on a Windows logo, in the "Search programs and files" field, type "Command Prompt". In the opened list, click the right mouse button over "Command Prompt" entry and select "Run as administrator".

Windows XP users: Click Start and navigate to Accessories menu - Start > All Programs > Accessories. Select Command Prompt.

5. In the opened window (Command Prompt), type: taskkill /IM guard* and press Enter.

6. After killing the Windows Efficiency Console process, download legitimate anti-spyware software to completely remove this rogue antivirus program from your computer.

If you cannot download or run the spyware remover, try running the registry fix (link below).It enables execution of programs. Download the registryfix.reg file, double click it, click YES and then OK.

Windows Efficiency Console removal using Safe Mode with Networking:

Step 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":

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

Step 2

Remove proxy settings from Internet Explorer. This rogue antivirus adds a proxy to the user's Internet connection settings in order to display various errors when the user attempts to access the Internet. To remove proxy settings: Open Internet Explorer and click on the gear icon. In the opened menu, select "Internet Options".

In the opened window select the "Connections" tab.

In the "Connections" tab, click on "LAN settings".

If "Use a proxy server for your LAN" is checked, uncheck it and click OK.

Step 3

Download legitimate anti-spyware software to completely remove this fake antivirus program from your computer.

Step 4

After removing this rogue software, reset your Hosts file. Do not skip this step, since Windows Efficiency Console modifies your Hosts files, and you will encounter browser redirect problems if malicious entries are not eliminated.

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:

Other tools known to remove Windows Efficiency Console:

• Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

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 efficiency console antivirus and other rogue antivirus programs:

To protect your computer from efficiency console antivirus 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 efficiency console antivirus or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

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