Home Malware Programs Rogue Anti-Spyware Programs Vista Security Cleaner Pro

Vista Security Cleaner Pro

Posted: March 15, 2013

Threat Metric

Threat Level: 1/10
Infected PCs: 75
First Seen: March 15, 2013
OS(es) Affected: Windows

Vista Security Cleaner Pro is a rogue anti-malware program: a tool that alleges to be able to find and delete malicious software but actually is unable to do either of these things. Instead of detecting legitimate threats to your PC, Vista Security Cleaner Pro provides erroneous security information as a reason for promoting its paid registration process. SpywareRemove.com malware experts also note that Vista Security Cleaner Pro may tamper with your web-browsing settings and/or block any other application without your permission, and such attacks cause Vista Security Cleaner Pro to be a danger to your computer's safety, rather than a simple pest. Where it's available, anti-malware software can be used to remove Vista Security Cleaner Pro, but you may need to enact extra steps prior to a scan if Vista Security Cleaner Pro attempts to block your real anti-malware programs.

The Dirt on This Vista Cleaner's Iffy Past

Vista Security Cleaner Pro pretends to be an anti-malware scanner that's specialized for Windows Vista, but actually is a clone of similar fake anti-malware applications from the FakeRean family with a minimum of differences from its ancestors. Vista Security Cleaner Pro's closest relatives include Win 7 Security Cleaner Pro and XP Security Cleaner Pro. SpywareRemove.com malware experts also have found many other relatives of Vista Security Cleaner Pro that may vary more widely than the above in terms of appearance, such as Antivirus 2008 Pro, Antivirus XP 2008, Windows Antivirus 2008, Vista Antivirus 2008, PC Clean Pro, Antivirus Pro 2009, Rogue.Vista Antivirus 2008, AntiSpy Safeguard, ThinkPoint, Spyware Protection 2010, Internet Antivirus 2011, Palladium Pro, XP Anti-Virus 2011, CleanThis, XP Security 2012, XP Home Security 2012 and AntiVirus PRO 2015.

Vista Security Cleaner Pro's attacks may appear in any of the following forms, all of which are intended to interfere with your normal PC usage by making apparently unrelated PC threats appear to be launching attacks:

  • Vista Security Cleaner Pro may hijack your browser, using this function to block various websites with false error pages.
  • Vista Security Cleaner Pro can display multiple formats of pop-ups. In many instances, Vista Security Cleaner Pro's pop-ups will pretend to be sent from Windows, itself or another trustworthy program.
  • Vista Security Cleaner Pro also includes a fake scanner feature, much like any anti-malware program, but unlike a real one, Vista Security Cleaner Pro's scans will detect fake infections.
  • Perhaps of most concern to SpywareRemove.com malware analysts is Vista Security Cleaner Pro's ability to monitor your use of other programs and block them. Program-blocking attacks will present excuses (such as claims that the program has been corrupted) that make it appear as though Vista Security Cleaner Pro isn't behind the problem.

One-Upping Vista Security Cleaner Pro on PC Security

Given its habitual interference with other applications, Vista Security Cleaner Pro should be prevented from launching as a first precaution during any attempt to disinfect your computer. Even though Vista Security Cleaner Pro asks you to register Vista Security Cleaner Pro to resolve the above issues, SpywareRemove.com malware experts don't recommend doing this – since, even if you do pay it, Vista Security Cleaner Pro doesn't have any real anti-malware functions and isn't certain to stop its attacks. Various standardized security features, such as Safe Mode, can be employed to prevent Vista Security Cleaner Pro from being launched when Windows starts.

Assuming any is available, actual anti-malware software should be used for removing Vista Security Cleaner Pro. Vista Security Cleaner Pro and similar fake anti-malware scanners often are installed by related Trojans with dropper and/or downloader functions that also should be removed through an extensive system scan.

Technical Details

Additional Information

The following URL's were detected:
gamesearchit.com
Loading...