{"id":34990,"date":"2015-02-13T17:55:46","date_gmt":"2015-02-13T17:55:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/?p=34990"},"modified":"2015-02-13T17:55:55","modified_gmt":"2015-02-13T17:55:55","slug":"remove-fake-adwcleaner-virus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/remove-fake-adwcleaner-virus\/","title":{"rendered":"Remove fake AdwCleaner pop-up virus (AdwCleaner is Free!)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>If you have AdwCleaner (trial version) on your computer and it&#8217;s asking for money ($59.99) to remove an infection, then your computer is infected with malware. This <strong>fake<\/strong> version of <strong>AdwCleaner<\/strong> 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.<\/p><div id=\"mwtad1692518500\" class=\"gas_fallback-ad_309684--placement_360520\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-7750719144850257\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7750719144850257\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"3957935887\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34991\" title=\"fake AdwCleaner pop-up virus\" src=\"\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/fake-adwcleaner-popup.jpg\" alt=\"[Image: fake AdwCleaner pop-up virus]\" width=\"738\" height=\"502\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/fake-adwcleaner-popup.jpg 738w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/fake-adwcleaner-popup-300x204.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 738px) 100vw, 738px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34992\" title=\"fake AdwCleaner virus\" src=\"\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/fake-adwcleaner-virus.jpg\" alt=\"[Image: fake AdwCleaner virus]\" width=\"697\" height=\"502\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/fake-adwcleaner-virus.jpg 697w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/fake-adwcleaner-virus-300x216.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-34993\" title=\"fake AdwCleaner $59.90\" src=\"\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/fake-adwcleaner-buy.jpg\" alt=\"fake AdwCleaner scam\" width=\"690\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/fake-adwcleaner-buy.jpg 690w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/fake-adwcleaner-buy-300x217.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 690px) 100vw, 690px\" \/><br \/>\nIn 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.<br \/>\nThe 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:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>AdwCleaner &#8211; Your one stop solution for Adware<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Upgrade to the full version now!<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>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 \u2018full version\u2019).<\/p><div id=\"mwtad3180853373\" class=\"gas_fallback-ad_381396-ad_309691-placement_360566\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-7750719144850257\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7750719144850257\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1471373341\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n<p>The fake AdwCleaner is digitally signed by &#8220;WAT Software Rotterdam&#8221;, and the setup program is called &#8220;AdwCleaner_Setup.exe&#8221; (from www.vikingwebscanner.com\/ron2\/AdwCleaner_Setup.exe ).<\/p>\n<p>You should <strong>always pay attention when installing software<\/strong> 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.<br \/>\n<strong>Always opt for the custom installation<\/strong> 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\u2019t trust.<\/p>\n<div id=\"mwtad4197095252\" class=\"gas_fallback-ad_309746-ad_309691-placement_360521\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-7750719144850257\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7750719144850257\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"4456629336\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">How to remove fake AdwCleaner pop-up ads (Virus Removal Guide)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">This page is a comprehensive guide, which will remove &#8220;fake AdwCleaner&#8221; virus from your computer and any other adware program that may have been installed during the setup process.<br \/>\nPlease perform all the steps in the correct order. If you have any questions or doubt at any point, <strong>STOP<\/strong> and ask for our assistance.<\/p><div id=\"mwtad2257563321\" class=\"gas_fallback-ad_309686-ad_309691-placement_360569\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-7750719144850257\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7750719144850257\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"6935453015\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"#ccleaner\"><strong>STEP 1<\/strong>: Remove fake AdwCleaner start-up key with CCleaner<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"#adwcleaner\"><strong>STEP 2<\/strong>: Remove fake AdwCleaner virus with the REAL AdwCleaner<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"#malwarebytes\"><strong>STEP 3<\/strong>: Remove fake AdwCleaner pop-up virus with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"#hitmanpro\"><strong>STEP 4<\/strong>: Double-check for the &#8220;fake AdwCleaner&#8221; malware with HitmanPro<\/a><\/p>\n<div style=\"margin: 5px; padding: 10px; border-left: solid 5px #FFAE20;\">If you are using an <strong>Apple Mac OS X<\/strong> operating system, please follow this <em><a href=\"http:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/remove-mac-os-x-virus\/\" target=\"_blank\">Remove virus from Apple Mac OS X (Pop-up Ads and Adware)<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>guide to remove fake AdwCleaner pop-up ads<\/div>\n<div id=\"mwtad1472499758\" class=\"gas_fallback-ad_309747-ad_309691-placement_360587\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-7750719144850257\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7750719144850257\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"9589536513\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 id=\"ccleaner\">STEP 1: Remove fake AdwCleaner program with CCleaner<\/h2>\n<p>In this first step, we will try to identify and remove any malicious program that might be installed on your computer.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>You can <strong>download\u00a0Ccleaner<\/strong> utility from the below link.<br \/>\n<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.piriform.com\/ccleaner\/download\/standard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CCLEANER DOWNLOAD LINK<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0(<em>This link will automatically download Ccleaner on your computer<\/em>)<\/li>\n<li>Install Ccleaner and start this utility, click the <strong>Tools<\/strong> icon at left, then click the <strong>Startup<\/strong> button.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-full wp-image-34996 alignnone\" title=\"Select Tools and then click on Start-up\" src=\"\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/ccleaner-tools.jpg\" alt=\"CCleaner Startup programs\" width=\"557\" height=\"410\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/ccleaner-tools.jpg 557w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/ccleaner-tools-300x221.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 557px) 100vw, 557px\" \/><\/li>\n<li>In the Startup screen, you&#8217;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 (&#8220;C:\\Users\\(Username)\\AppData\\Local\\9AdwCleaner.exe&#8221; -auto), then click on the right-click on it and select <strong>Open containing folder.<\/strong> button.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-full wp-image-34997 alignnone\" title=\"Find the malicious AdwCleaner start-up key\" src=\"\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Ccleaner-startup.jpg\" alt=\"AdwCleaner starting with Windows\" width=\"1086\" height=\"439\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Ccleaner-startup.jpg 1086w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Ccleaner-startup-300x121.jpg 300w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Ccleaner-startup-1024x414.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1086px) 100vw, 1086px\" \/><\/li>\n<li>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.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-full wp-image-34995 alignnone\" title=\"Delete the fake AdwCleaner program\" src=\"\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Delete-AdwCleaner.jpg\" alt=\"Delete the fake AdwCleaner virus\" width=\"1302\" height=\"387\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Delete-AdwCleaner.jpg 1302w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Delete-AdwCleaner-300x89.jpg 300w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Delete-AdwCleaner-1024x304.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1302px) 100vw, 1302px\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr \/>\n<div id=\"mwtad1291009319\" class=\"gas_fallback-ad_309748-ad_309691-placement_360588\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-7750719144850257\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7750719144850257\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"3906789406\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 id=\"adwcleaner\">STEP 2: Remove fake AdwCleaner virus with the REAL AdwCleaner<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>You can <strong>download\u00a0AdwCleaner<\/strong> utility from the below link.<br \/>\n<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/toolslib.net\/downloads\/finish\/1\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ADWCLEANER DOWNLOAD LINK<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0(<em>This link will download &#8220;AdwCleaner&#8221; on your machine<\/em>)<\/li>\n<li>Before starting AdwCleaner, <strong>close all open programs and internet browsers<\/strong>, then <strong>double-click on the AdwCleaner icon<\/strong>.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-21686\" title=\"Double-click on the AdwCleaner Icon\" src=\"\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/adwcleaner-icon.jpg\" alt=\"AdwCleaner Icon\" width=\"111\" height=\"109\" \/><br \/>\nIf Windows prompts you as to whether or not you wish to run AdwCleaner, please allow it to run.<\/li>\n<li>When the AdwCleaner program will open, click on the &#8220;<strong>Scan<\/strong>&#8221; button as shown below.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-25927\" title=\"Click on Scan button to scan for adware\" src=\"\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/AdwCleaner-scannning.jpg\" alt=\"AdwCleaner scan button\" width=\"573\" height=\"558\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/AdwCleaner-scannning.jpg 573w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/AdwCleaner-scannning-300x292.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 573px) 100vw, 573px\" \/><br \/>\nAdwCleaner will now start to search for the &#8220;vikingwebscanner.com&#8221; malicious files that may be installed on your computer.<\/li>\n<li>To remove the &#8220;vikingwebscanner.com&#8221; malicious files that were detected in the previous step, please click on the &#8220;<strong>Clean<\/strong>&#8221; button.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-25924\" src=\"\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/AdwCleaner-Clean.jpg\" alt=\"Remove vikingwebscanner.com with AdwCleaner\" width=\"578\" height=\"586\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/AdwCleaner-Clean.jpg 578w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/AdwCleaner-Clean-295x300.jpg 295w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px\" \/><\/li>\n<li>AdwCleaner will prompt you to <strong>save any open files or documents,<\/strong>\u00a0as the program will need to reboot the computer. Please do so and then click on the <strong>OK<\/strong> button.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-25925\" title=\"Save your documents then click on the OK button\" src=\"\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/AdwCleaner-removal.jpg\" alt=\"AdwCleaner removing malware\" width=\"543\" height=\"402\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/AdwCleaner-removal.jpg 543w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/AdwCleaner-removal-300x222.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 543px) 100vw, 543px\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr \/>\n<div id=\"mwtad2521484190\" class=\"gas_fallback-ad_318930-ad_309691-placement_360589\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-7750719144850257\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7750719144850257\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"3818335085\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 id=\"malwarebytes\">STEP 3: Remove fake AdwCleaner pop-up virus with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free<\/h2>\n<p>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.<br \/>\nIt is important to note that Malwarebytes Anti-Malware works well and should run alongside antivirus software without conflicts.<\/p><div id=\"mwtad593063373\" class=\"gas_fallback-ad_381401-ad_309691-placement_360573\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-7750719144850257\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7750719144850257\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"5315249587\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n<ol>\n<li>You can download <strong>download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware<\/strong>\u00a0from the below link.<br \/>\n<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/malwaretips.com\/download-malwarebytes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">MALWAREBYTES ANTI-MALWARE DOWNLOAD LINK<\/a> <\/strong><em>(This link will open a new web page from where you can download &#8220;Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free&#8221;)<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Once downloaded, close all programs, then double-click on the icon on your desktop named &#8220;<em>mbam-setup-consumer-2.00.xx&#8221;<\/em> to start the installation of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18896\" title=\"Malwarebytes Anti-Malware setup program\" src=\"\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware-Setup.jpg\" alt=\"[Image: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware setup program]\" width=\"107\" height=\"107\" \/><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18096\" title=\"User Account Control icon\" src=\"\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/UAC-prompt.jpg\" alt=\"Picture of User Account Control\" width=\"13\" height=\"16\" \/> 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 \u201c<em>Yes<\/em>\u201d to continue with the installation.<\/li>\n<li>When the installation begins, you will see the <em>Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Setup Wizard<\/em> which will guide you through the installation process.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18898\" title=\"Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Setup Wizard\" src=\"\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/malwarebytes-anti-malware-2-0-installation.jpg\" alt=\"[Image: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Setup Wizard]\" width=\"538\" height=\"419\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/malwarebytes-anti-malware-2-0-installation.jpg 538w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/malwarebytes-anti-malware-2-0-installation-300x233.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 538px) 100vw, 538px\" \/><br \/>\nTo install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware on your machine, <em>keep following the prompts<\/em> by clicking the &#8220;<strong>Next<\/strong>&#8221; button.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18897\" title=\"Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Final Setup Screen\" src=\"\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/malwarebytes-anti-malware-2-0-final-screen.jpg\" alt=\"[Image: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Final Setup Screen]\" width=\"528\" height=\"412\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/malwarebytes-anti-malware-2-0-final-screen.jpg 528w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/malwarebytes-anti-malware-2-0-final-screen-300x234.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 528px) 100vw, 528px\" \/><\/li>\n<li>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 &#8220;<strong>Fix Now<\/strong>&#8221; button.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18899\" src=\"\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/malwarebytes-anti-malware-fix-now.jpg\" alt=\"[Image: Click on the Fix Now button to start a scan]\" width=\"669\" height=\"496\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/malwarebytes-anti-malware-fix-now.jpg 669w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/malwarebytes-anti-malware-fix-now-300x222.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 669px) 100vw, 669px\" \/><br \/>\nAlternatively, you can click on the &#8220;<strong>Scan<\/strong>&#8221; tab and select &#8220;<em>Threat Scan<\/em>&#8220;, then click on the <strong>&#8220;Scan Now&#8221;<\/strong> button.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18903\" title=\"Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Threat Scan\" src=\"\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/malwarebytes-anti-malware-threat-scan-option.jpg\" alt=\"[Image: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Threat Scan]\" width=\"645\" height=\"423\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/malwarebytes-anti-malware-threat-scan-option.jpg 645w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/malwarebytes-anti-malware-threat-scan-option-300x196.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 645px) 100vw, 645px\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now check for updates, and if there are any, you will need to click on the &#8220;<strong>Update Now<\/strong>&#8221; button.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18906\" title=\"Click on Update Now to update Malwarebytes Anti-Malware\" src=\"\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/malwarebytes-anti-malware-2-0-update-now.jpg\" alt=\"[Image: Click on Update Now to update Malwarebytes Anti-Malware]\" width=\"650\" height=\"419\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/malwarebytes-anti-malware-2-0-update-now.jpg 650w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/malwarebytes-anti-malware-2-0-update-now-300x193.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/li>\n<li>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.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18908\" title=\"Malwarebytes Anti-Malware while performing a scan\" src=\"\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/malwarebytes-anti-malware-scan.jpg\" alt=\"[Image: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware while performing a scan]\" width=\"642\" height=\"421\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/malwarebytes-anti-malware-scan.jpg 642w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/malwarebytes-anti-malware-scan-300x196.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 642px) 100vw, 642px\" \/><\/li>\n<li>When the scan has completed, you will now be presented with a screen showing you the malware infections that Malwarebytes&#8217; Anti-Malware has detected. To remove the malicious programs that Malwarebytes Anti-malware has found, click on the &#8220;<strong>Quarantine All<\/strong>&#8221; button, and then click on the &#8220;<strong>Apply Now<\/strong>&#8221; button.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18909\" title=\"Remove the malware that Malwarebytes Anti-Malware has detected\" src=\"\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/malwarebytes-anti-malware-potential-threat-detected.jpg\" alt=\"[Image: Remove fake AdwCleaner with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware]\" width=\"804\" height=\"654\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/malwarebytes-anti-malware-potential-threat-detected.jpg 804w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/malwarebytes-anti-malware-potential-threat-detected-300x244.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 804px) 100vw, 804px\" \/><br \/>\nPlease note that the infections found may be different than what is shown in the image.<\/li>\n<li>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.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18910\" title=\"Malwarebytes Anti-Malware asking to reboot your computer\" src=\"\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/malwarebytes-anti-malware-remove-virus.jpg\" alt=\"[Image: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware removing fake AdwCleaner]\" width=\"651\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/malwarebytes-anti-malware-remove-virus.jpg 651w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/malwarebytes-anti-malware-remove-virus-300x196.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 651px) 100vw, 651px\" \/><br \/>\nAfter your computer will restart, you should open Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and perform another &#8220;Threat Scan&#8221; scan to verify that there are no remaining threats<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr \/>\n<div id=\"mwtad106376521\" class=\"gas_fallback-ad_381388-ad_309691-placement_381390\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-7750719144850257\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7750719144850257\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"3191649120\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 id=\"hitmanpro\">STEP 4: Double-check for the &#8220;fake AdwCleaner&#8221; malware infection with HitmanPro<\/h2>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>You can download <strong>HitmanPro<\/strong> from the below link:<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/malwaretips.com\/download-hitman-pro\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <strong>HITMANPRO DOWNLOAD LINK<\/strong><\/a> <em>(This link will open a new web page from where you can download &#8220;HitmanPro&#8221;)<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Double-click on the file named &#8220;<strong>HitmanPro.exe<\/strong>&#8221; (for 32-bit versions of Windows) or &#8220;<strong>HitmanPro_x64.exe<\/strong>&#8221; (for 64-bit versions of Windows). When the program starts you will be presented with the start screen as shown below.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-20036\" title=\"HitmanPro startup screen (Click Next)\" src=\"\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/hitmanpro-install.jpg\" alt=\"[Image: HitmanPro start-up screen]\" width=\"598\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/hitmanpro-install.jpg 598w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/hitmanpro-install-300x240.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 598px) 100vw, 598px\" \/><br \/>\nClick on the &#8220;<strong>Next<\/strong>&#8221; button, to install HitmanPro on your computer.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-20039\" title=\"HitmanPro installation options (Click Next)\" src=\"\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/hitmapro-start-scan.jpg\" alt=\"[Image: HitmanPro setup options]\" width=\"594\" height=\"475\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/hitmapro-start-scan.jpg 594w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/hitmapro-start-scan-300x239.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px\" \/><\/li>\n<li>HitmanPro will now begin to scan your computer for fake AdwCleaner malicious files.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-20037\" title=\"HitmanPro scanning for fake AdwCleaner pop-up virus\" src=\"\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/hitmanpro-scanning.jpg\" alt=\"[Image: HitmanPro scanning for malware]\" width=\"594\" height=\"471\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/hitmanpro-scanning.jpg 594w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/hitmanpro-scanning-300x237.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px\" \/><\/li>\n<li>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 &#8220;<strong>Next<\/strong>&#8221; button, to remove fake AdwCleaner virus.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-20038\" title=\"HitmanPro scan results (Click Next)\" src=\"\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/hitmanpro-scan-results.jpg\" alt=\"[Image: HitmanPro scan results]\" width=\"591\" height=\"471\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/hitmanpro-scan-results.jpg 591w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/hitmanpro-scan-results-300x239.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 591px) 100vw, 591px\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Click on the &#8220;<strong>Activate free license<\/strong>&#8221; button to begin the <strong>free 30 days trial<\/strong>, and remove all the malicious files from your computer.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-20035\" title=\"Click on the Activate free license button\" src=\"\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/hitmanpro-activation.jpg\" alt=\"[Image: HitmanPro Activate Free License]\" width=\"594\" height=\"477\" srcset=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/hitmanpro-activation.jpg 594w, https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/hitmanpro-activation-300x240.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr \/>\n<div style=\"margin-top: 20px; padding: 10px; border-left: solid 5px #088A08;\">Your computer should now be free of the fake AdwCleaner adware infection. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove fake AdwCleaner adware from your machine, please start a new thread in our <strong><a title=\"Free Malware Removal Support\" href=\"http:\/\/malwaretips.com\/forums\/malware-removal-assistance.10\/\" target=\"_blank\">Malware Removal Assistance<\/a><\/strong> forum.<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you have AdwCleaner (trial version) on your computer and it&#8217;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, &#8230; <\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more-container\"><a title=\"Remove fake AdwCleaner pop-up virus (AdwCleaner is Free!)\" class=\"read-more button\" href=\"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/remove-fake-adwcleaner-virus\/#more-34990\" aria-label=\"Read more about Remove fake AdwCleaner pop-up virus (AdwCleaner is Free!)\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":34991,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2725],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-34990","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adware","masonry-post","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-50","resize-featured-image"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34990","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34990"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34990\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34991"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34990"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34990"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malwaretips.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34990"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}