Virus and Spyware Removal Guides, uninstall instructions

What is MetaCrawler.com?

MetaCrawler is a search engine that combines search results from major search engines such as Google, Yahoo, and Bing. MetaCrawler might appear as a legitimate project, but in fact the company behind it employs some dubious methods in order to promote their websites (MetaCrawler and Infospace). Recently, we received many complaints from users reporting that they were being redirected to these websites.

Furthermore, computer users should express great caution whilst using the search services provided by MetaCrawler and Infospace - although the organic search results are legitimate (they originate from reputable search engines), the sponsored results are generated by MetaCrawler and often lead to dubious software installation methods or misleading websites.

What is Association of Chief Police Officers?

Association of Chief Police Officers is a ransomware infection, which was created by Cyber criminals. When this security infection infiltrates your PC, you will be unable to access your desktop and presented with a deceptive message stating that you need to download paid security updates in order to unlock your operating system.

This message is a scam - cyber criminals use screen lockers such as this to steal money from unsuspecting computer users.

What is Alot Toolbar?

Alot toolbar is browser add-on, which applies shortcuts for social networks, online games, weather apps, etc. to your Internet browsers (for example, Internet Explorer, Mozilla FireFox). Whilst some users might find the free services provided by this browser add-on useful, there is a downside:

the Alot toolbar changes your default homepage to alothome.com and your default search engine to search.alot.com Furthermore, if you attempt to search using the recommended search.alot.com website, you will be presented with some dubious search results.

What is SmileBox?

SmileBox is a popular application used to make collages, scrapbooks, and slide shows. Whilst the application itself is not malware or a virus, the creators of this app use some deceptive methods to monetize their free program. If you download and install this program without closely checking each installation progress window, you will inadvertently install a browser toolbar and your homepage will be changed to mystart.smilebox.com

What is System Progressive Protection?

System Progressive Protection is a fake antivirus program, which attempts to mimic legitimate security software and sell a useless license key to unsuspecting PC users. This rogue program originates from a family of fake antivirus programs called WinWebSec.

Programs from this family use the deceptive strategy of displaying fake security scans and false malware 'detection lists' to scare PC users into believing that their computers are infected with high-risk security threats. The fake security scan and bogus security warning pop-ups serve the purpose of deceiving PC users.

What is MaxMySpeed rogue system optimizer?

MaxMySpeed.com system optimizer is a scam, which presents computer users with a long list of supposedly detected system errors and then requests payment for a license key in order to remove them. Whilst this software is similar to other rogue registry cleaners and system optimizers, this one employs TV ads to trick unsuspecting PC users.

When installed and executed, the MaxMySpeed.com software scans your computer for various system errors, and after a few of minutes, you are presented with a list of 'detected' errors. We tested this program on a fresh copy of Windows operating system and it reported over one thousand errors.

What is RegGenie?

Reggenie is rogue software, which claims to be a registry cleaner designed to improve the performance of users' PCs. In reality, however, this is a rogue program, which detects fake system errors and requests payment for a license key in order to remove them. Reggenie often comes bundled with free software downloaded from the Internet.

Therefore, when downloading free programs, carefully study all installation information to avoid inadvertently installing Reggenie or other unwanted applications (toolbars etc.) during the installation process. When we tested this software, it supposedly 'detected' over one hundred registry and other errors when installed on a fresh Windows operating system.

What is Interpol Department of Cybercrime?

"Interpol Department of Cybercrime" is a ransomware computer infection, which locks the user's desktop and demands payment of a fine for purportedly watching or distributing pornography, etc. This security threat originates from a family of ransomware called "Urausy".

When this scam infiltrates your computer, it blocks the screen, stating that you have been distributing copyrighted content or that your computer might have been infected with malware that sends spam, and thus infringing the law. This deceptive message demands that you pay a fine of 100 Euros or 100 Pounds for these law infringements.

What is Galileo System Cleaner?

Galileo System Cleaner is a fake anti-virus, a type of unwanted application. When installed on users' computers, it indicates non existent security infections in order to sell a useless license key. Galileo System Cleaner states that to remove supposedly 'detected' security threats, PC users must purchase the full version.

In fact, the security issues found by this program do not exist - Galileo System Cleaner is merely an imitation of legitimate antivirus software. It is a scam created with the sole purpose of tricking PC users into paying money to Cyber criminals responsible for creating and distributing this malicious program.

Galileo System Cleaner is simply an empty software shell, which imitates the scanning of your computer (and it does not comprise a virus definition database or any other features required of a legitimate security scanner).

What is GEMA?

GEMA is one of the largest societies of authors for works of music worldwide. Cyber criminals, however, are using the name of GEMA in their ransomware to trick unsuspecting PC users into paying a bogus fine, supposedly for downloading copyrighted material from the Internet.

GEMA has no connection with this computer locker - Cyber criminals exploit the name of this company in order to make their deceptive message appear authentic. The text within this fake message asserts that you have downloaded copyrighted material from the Internet, thereby committing a criminal offence.

This message is a scam - do not trust it.