Windows Accelerating Utility

Windows Accelerating Utility is a rogue security application that creates fake security-related grades for your PC, along with false infection warnings to confuse you about the state of your PC security. While trying to make you think that your machine is under attack by a host of threats, Windows Accelerating Utility will request that you purchase Windows Accelerating Utility's full version, to remove these attackers. However, Windows Accelerating Utility has no genuine anti-virus features, and will itself cause issues like browser hijacks and crashing programs. The use of updated anti-virus software in Safe Mode should render removing Windows Accelerating Utility a trivial process.

The Trojan That Unloads Windows Accelerating Utility Onto Your PC

Like many other threats, Windows Accelerating Utility infects new computers with the help of drive-by download scripts, and Trojans that secretly infect the computer before installing additional software. The Trojan that Windows Accelerating Utility is known to be spread by is Fake Microsoft Security Essentials Alert, a threat that creates imitations of Security Essentials Alert windows. Some of the pop-up messages that you might see include:

Microsoft Security Essentials Alert
Potential Threat Details
Microsoft Security Essentials detected potential threats that might compromise your private or damage your computer. Your access to these items may be suspended until you take an action. Click 'show details' to learn more.

Threat prevention solution found
Security system analysis has revealed critical file system vulnerability caused by severe malware attacks.
Risk of system files infection:
The detected vulnerability may result in unauthorized access to private information and hard drive data with a seriuos [sic] possibility of irreversible data loss and unstable PC performance. To remove the malware please run a full system scan. Press 'OK' to install the software necessary to initiate system files check. To complete the installation process please reboot your computer.

Afterwards, Fake Microsoft Security Essentials Alert will ironically tell you that a Trojan is infecting your computer before installing Windows Accelerating Utility or another threat, and forcing your PC to reboot. Other rogue security programs that Fake Microsoft Security Essentials Alert , Windows Concern System, Windows Oversight Center, Windows Necessary Firewall, Windows Verifying Center, Windows Risks Preventions and Windows Custom Settings.

Windows Accelerating Utility Dangers, and How You Can Protect Yourself from Them

Windows Accelerating Utility will attack your PC by faking security features, and hindering certain programs, as seen below:

• Windows Accelerating Utility can create fake errors that announce that infections exist that aren't really there. Windows Accelerating Utility's fake alerts can accuse specific programs, or just make a general note of infection, as you can see in the following examples.

  System Security Warning
  Attempt to modify register key entries is detected. Register entries analysis is recommended.

  Warning! Database update failed!
  Database update failed!
  Outdated viruses databases are not effective and can't [sic] guarantee adequate protection and security for your PC!
  Click here to get the full version of the product and update the database!

  System component corrupted!
  System reboot error has occurred due to lsass.exe system process failure.
  This may be caused by severe malware infections.
  Automatic restore of lsass.exe backup copy completed.
  The correct system performance can not be resumed without eliminating the cause of lsass.exe corruption.

  Warning! Running trial version!
  The security of your computer has been compromised!
  Now running trial version of the software!
  Click here to purchase the full version of the software and get full protection for your PC!

  Warning!
  Location: [application file path]
  Viruses: Backdoor.Win32.Rbot

  Warning!
  Name: [application file name]
  Name: [application file path]
  Application that seems to be a key-logger is detected. System information security is at risk. It is recommended to enable the security mode and run total System scanning.

• Windows Accelerating Utility can block programs from running, both to prevent you from removing Windows Accelerating Utility, and to make it look like Windows Accelerating Utility's fake errors are accurate. Windows Accelerating Utility is able to do this easily, unless you prevent it from starting, which Windows Accelerating Utility will attempt to do whenever Windows starts by default.
• Windows Accelerating Utility may allow your browser to run only to hijack it once the web browser is launched. Hijacks can change your homepage and search results, create pop-ups and advertisements, use fake error pages to stop you from accessing a safe website, and redirect you to a harmful site.

Safe Mode will let you avoid being victimized by Windows Accelerating Utility's attacks, and allow you to use suitable anti-malware scanners to delete Windows Accelerating Utility and related threats.

File System Modifications

• The following files were created in the system:
  

  #	File Name
  1	%application data%\microsoft\.exe