Remove fake AdwCleaner pop-up virus (AdwCleaner is Free!)

If you have AdwCleaner (trial version) on your computer and it’s asking for money ($59.99) to remove an infection, then your computer is infected with malware. This fake version of AdwCleaner is a computer virus, which masquerades as the free AdwCleaner, while actually reporting non-existent malware threats in order to scare the user into purchasing the rogue AdwCleaner.

In an interesting twist cyber criminals are trying out a different scare tactic in order to extort money from Windows users. The fake AdwCleaner bogus pop-up ad will state that you computer is infected and, then it pushes a piece of software, which appears to be AdwCleaner.
The program turns out to be a rip-off of the real AdwCleaner, a completely free removal tool. When ran, it will detect fake infections and demand payment ($59.99) in order to remove them. The text of the fake AdwCleaner pop-up is:

AdwCleaner – Your one stop solution for Adware

Upgrade to the full version now!

This is the trial version of AdwCleaner, it can only scan threats but cannnot remove them. To remove the found malware and clean your system, please buy the full version.

On Sale Now! Only $59,99 (Normal price: $89.99. Sale ending 2/14/2015. After purchase your serial number will be E-mailed to you, click here to enter it.

This program is completely bogus and does nothing. In fact, even if you pay for it and enter the license key, you get a message to download the real AdwCleaner (which the crook calls the ‘full version’).

The fake AdwCleaner is digitally signed by “WAT Software Rotterdam”, and the setup program is called “AdwCleaner_Setup.exe” (from www.vikingwebscanner.com/ron2/AdwCleaner_Setup.exe ).

You should always pay attention when installing software because often, a software installer includes optional installs, such as this program that is causing the fake AdwCleaner redirect. Be very careful what you agree to install.
Always opt for the custom installation and deselect anything that is not familiar, especially optional software that you never wanted to download and install in the first place. It goes without saying that you should not install software that you don’t trust.

How to remove fake AdwCleaner pop-up ads (Virus Removal Guide)

This page is a comprehensive guide, which will remove “fake AdwCleaner” virus from your computer and any other adware program that may have been installed during the setup process.
Please perform all the steps in the correct order. If you have any questions or doubt at any point, STOP and ask for our assistance.

STEP 1: Remove fake AdwCleaner start-up key with CCleaner
STEP 2: Remove fake AdwCleaner virus with the REAL AdwCleaner
STEP 3: Remove fake AdwCleaner pop-up virus with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free
STEP 4: Double-check for the “fake AdwCleaner” malware with HitmanPro

STEP 1: Remove fake AdwCleaner program with CCleaner

In this first step, we will try to identify and remove any malicious program that might be installed on your computer.

1. You can download Ccleaner utility from the below link.
   CCLEANER DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will automatically download Ccleaner on your computer)
2. Install Ccleaner and start this utility, click the Tools icon at left, then click the Startup button.
   
3. In the Startup screen, you’ll see a list of all items that have been set to start automatically with Windows. Search the for the malicious AdwCleaner start-up key (“C:\Users\(Username)\AppData\Local\9AdwCleaner.exe” -auto), then click on the right-click on it and select Open containing folder. button.
   
4. When the new window will pop-up, delete the fake AdwCleaner program (9AdwCleaner or AdwareBooC). Then go back go CCleaner and delete the malicious start-up key.
   

STEP 2: Remove fake AdwCleaner virus with the REAL AdwCleaner

1. You can download AdwCleaner utility from the below link.
   ADWCLEANER DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will download “AdwCleaner” on your machine)
2. Before starting AdwCleaner, close all open programs and internet browsers, then double-click on the AdwCleaner icon.
   
   If Windows prompts you as to whether or not you wish to run AdwCleaner, please allow it to run.
3. When the AdwCleaner program will open, click on the “Scan” button as shown below.
   
   AdwCleaner will now start to search for the “vikingwebscanner.com” malicious files that may be installed on your computer.
4. To remove the “vikingwebscanner.com” malicious files that were detected in the previous step, please click on the “Clean” button.
   
5. AdwCleaner will prompt you to save any open files or documents, as the program will need to reboot the computer. Please do so and then click on the OK button.
   

STEP 3: Remove fake AdwCleaner pop-up virus with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free uses industry-leading technology to detect and remove all traces of malware, including worms, Trojans, rootkits, rogues, dialers, spyware, and more.
It is important to note that Malwarebytes Anti-Malware works well and should run alongside antivirus software without conflicts.

1. You can download download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware from the below link.
   MALWAREBYTES ANTI-MALWARE DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will open a new web page from where you can download “Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free”)
2. Once downloaded, close all programs, then double-click on the icon on your desktop named “mbam-setup-consumer-2.00.xx” to start the installation of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
   
   You may be presented with a User Account Control dialog asking you if you want to run this file. If this happens, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
3. When the installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Setup Wizard which will guide you through the installation process.
   
   To install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware on your machine, keep following the prompts by clicking the “Next” button.
   
4. Once installed, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will automatically start and you will see a message stating that you should update the program, and that a scan has never been run on your system. To start a system scan you can click on the “Fix Now” button.
   
   Alternatively, you can click on the “Scan” tab and select “Threat Scan“, then click on the “Scan Now” button.
   
5. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now check for updates, and if there are any, you will need to click on the “Update Now” button.
   
6. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start scanning your computer for the fake AdwCleaner virus. When Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is scanning it will look like the image below.
   
7. When the scan has completed, you will now be presented with a screen showing you the malware infections that Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware has detected. To remove the malicious programs that Malwarebytes Anti-malware has found, click on the “Quarantine All” button, and then click on the “Apply Now” button.
   
   Please note that the infections found may be different than what is shown in the image.
8. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now quarantine all the malicious files and registry keys that it has found. When removing the files, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware may require a reboot in order to remove some of them. If it displays a message stating that it needs to reboot your computer, please allow it to do so.
   
   After your computer will restart, you should open Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and perform another “Threat Scan” scan to verify that there are no remaining threats

STEP 4: Double-check for the “fake AdwCleaner” malware infection with HitmanPro

HitmanPro is a second opinion scanner, designed to rescue your computer from malware (viruses, trojans, rootkits, etc.) that have infected your computer despite all the security measures you have taken (such as anti-virus software, firewalls, etc.). HitmanPro is designed to work alongside existing security programs without any conflicts. It scans the computer quickly (less than 5 minutes) and does not slow down the computer.

1. You can download HitmanPro from the below link:
   HITMANPRO DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will open a new web page from where you can download “HitmanPro”)
2. Double-click on the file named “HitmanPro.exe” (for 32-bit versions of Windows) or “HitmanPro_x64.exe” (for 64-bit versions of Windows). When the program starts you will be presented with the start screen as shown below.
   
   Click on the “Next” button, to install HitmanPro on your computer.
   
3. HitmanPro will now begin to scan your computer for fake AdwCleaner malicious files.
   
4. When it has finished it will display a list of all the malware that the program found as shown in the image below. Click on the “Next” button, to remove fake AdwCleaner virus.
   
5. Click on the “Activate free license” button to begin the free 30 days trial, and remove all the malicious files from your computer.