A registry cleaner appeared on my PC, but I never downloaded or asked for it. I initially presumed it was one of the programs which always ask me to register my PC or one of its components. I accepted it but when I realized it was running a scan of my system, I stopped it. It already had detected two registry errors and wanted to go on to delete them. I don't trust this program and I fear it may harm my PC because it wouldn't leave even after all my efforts to remove it. Please how reliable is this program and how do I make it quit?

Rogue Registry Cleaners and Programs

It sounds like your computer may have been infected with a rogue program. Fake computer alerts are common ploys used by malware developers and unscrupulous software developers. For example, pop-up windows that look surprisingly like traditional Windows security alerts are often used to tell a computer user that a problem has been detected and needs to be fixed. Once clicked, an executable program is launched that installs a fake computer security program onto the user's computer. This fake program then lists all kinds of discovered problems such as viruses and spyware and then prompts the user to purchase the program in order to remove the malware. Many of these programs block access to computer security websites, making it difficult to remove the unwanted program.

Rogue Registry Cleaners background

Just as fake antivirus programs are proliferating, so are rogue registry cleaners. They use similar tactics. Oftentimes, the rogue registry cleaner arrives with the help of Trojans. A fake scan appears, displaying fake results. Other tactics include the use of fake computer security alerts and prompts to purchase a program designed to remove the errors.

Removing Rogue Registry Cleaners

Whether you're dealing with a rogue antivirus program, rogue registry cleaner, or other software in this category, removing it could be difficult, especially if the program blocks access to legitimate computer security websites.

If you currently have a legitimate computer security product installed on your system, update it and run a full system scan. If you can't update the software because the malware is blocking it, use a different computer to download the latest antivirus and antispyware definitions to a disc and update the software manually from disc. Hopefully, your computer security product will recognize the rogue software and remove it for you.

Another option is to search sites such as Symantec or Trend Micro for information about the exact rogue product installed on your system as they will often list manual removal instructions.

Celeste Stewart | June 9th, 2010
Tags: removing rogue registry cleaners, Rogue Registry Cleaners, uninstall unwanted malware, uninstall unwanted registry cleaner
Categories: Registry Cleaners

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