Windows Efficiency Master

Posted: February 7, 2014

Threat Metric

The Threat Meter is a malware assessment that SpywareRemove.com's research team is able to give every identifiable malware threat. Our Threat Meter includes several criteria based off of specific malware threats to value their severity, reach and volume. The Threat Meter is able to give you a numerical breakdown of each threat's initial Threat Level, Detection Count, Volume Count, Trend Path and Percentage Impact. The overall ranking of each threat in the Threat Meter is a basic breakdown of how all threats are ranked within our own extensive malware database. The scoring for each specific malware threat can be easily compared to other emerging threats to draw a contrast in its particular severity. The Threat Meter is a useful tool in the endeavor of seeking a solution to remove a threat or pursue additional analytical research for all types of computer users.

The following fields listed on the Threat Meter containing a specific value, are explained in detail below:

Threat Level: The threat level scale goes from 1 to 10 where 10 is the highest level of severity and 1 is the lowest level of severity. Each specific level is relative to the threat's consistent assessed behaviors collected from SpyHunter's risk assessment model.

Detection Count: The collective number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular malware threat. The detection count is calculated from infected PCs retrieved from diagnostic and scan log reports generated by SpyHunter.

Volume Count: Similar to the detection count, the Volume Count is specifically based on the number of confirmed and suspected threats infecting systems on a daily basis. High volume counts usually represent a popular threat but may or may not have infected a large number of systems. High detection count threats could lay dormant and have a low volume count. Criteria for Volume Count is relative to a daily detection count.

Trend Path: The Trend Path, utilizing an up arrow, down arrow or equal symbol, represents the level of recent movement of a particular threat. Up arrows represent an increase, down arrows represent a decline and the equal symbol represent no change to a threat's recent movement.

% Impact (Last 7 Days): This demonstrates a 7-day period change in the frequency of a malware threat infecting PCs. The percentage impact correlates directly to the current Trend Path to determine a rise or decline in the percentage.

Threat Level:	10/10
Infected PCs:	19

First Seen:	February 7, 2014
Last Seen:	January 8, 2020
OS(es) Affected:	Windows

Windows Efficiency Master is an apparent expansion of one of the most widespread families of rogue anti-malware products, FakeVimes. Windows Efficiency Master's distribution tactics may include everything from installers hidden in spam e-mails to attacks from illegal Websites, but Windows Efficiency Master always will attempt to fake being a useful security product that detects numerous threats on your computer. Since malware researchers have rated Windows Efficiency Master as a high-level threat to your computer's security, all relevant anti-malware strategies and software should be put to use for removing Windows Efficiency Master from any system afflicted with Windows Efficiency Master.

A Look into Windows Efficiency Master's Efficiency at Faking Crises

Windows Efficiency Master has all of the hallmarks of a security program, including a system scan function, a range of pop-up warning messages for various PC threats, and a memory process manager, amongst other features. Unfortunately, Windows Efficiency Master's 'all in one suite' really is so good in a way that is difficult to believe, since malware researchers confirmed that Windows Efficiency Master spends all of its time detecting fake threats, rather than real ones. Information from Windows Efficiency Master regarding your PC's safety should be considered as completely erroneous, and following security advice from Windows Efficiency Master is more likely to harm your PC than to help it.

Setting its fake security information aside, Windows Efficiency Master also is a likely source of other computer problems, most of which involve limiting your access to other programs to convince you that other threat has infected your PC. Windows Efficiency Master may 'replace' your Windows Task Manager or the Registry Editor, and Windows Efficiency Master may block other programs ranging from instant messengers to arbitrary Google utilities. Most attempts to launch these programs may cause Windows Efficiency Master to display a fake pop-up about them being infected by unrelated threats.

Being Your Own Master of Your PC's Safety

All scamware products are threatening to your PC, and Windows Efficiency Master is a clear example of why: in most cases, they'll attempt to disable security features while pretending to enhance your computer's overall safety. Windows Efficiency Master and its ilk will request the purchase of full versions of their software to remove all detected threats, but there's no advantage to paying these fees, and malware experts recommend against it. Most legitimate anti-malware products should be capable of dealing with Windows Efficiency Master, as an iteration of a thoroughly-identified family of scamware.

Windows Efficiency Master is a significant threat to your PC, but not an especially unique one. You also should be alert for fake anti-malware programs that resemble Windows Efficiency Master and other members of the FakeVimes family. Malware researchers can point to other fake system scanners as examples of other, recent inclusions in Windows Efficiency Master's group, like Privacy Guard Pro, PrivacyGuard Pro 2.0, Extra Antivirus, Fast Antivirus 2009, Presto TuneUp, Windows Security Suite, Smart Virus Eliminator, Packed.Generic.245, Volcano Security Suite, Windows Enterprise Suite, Enterprise Suite, Additional Guard, Live PC Care, PC Live Guard, Live Enterprise Suite, Security Antivirus, My Security Wall, CleanUp Antivirus and Smart Security.

Technical Details

File System Modifications

Tutorials: If you wish to learn how to remove malware components manually, you can read the tutorials on how to find malware, kill unwanted processes, remove malicious DLLs and delete other harmful files. Always be sure to back up your PC before making any changes.

The following files were created in the system:

%SystemDrive%\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\fake.exe.exe

File name: fake.exe.exe
Size: 1.08 MB (1084416 bytes)
MD5: be886eb66cc39b0bbf3b237b476633a5
Detection count: 9
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: %SystemDrive%\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: January 8, 2020

Additional Information

The following messages's were detected:

#	Message
1	Error System data security is at risk! To prevent potential PC errors, run a full system scan.
2	Error Trojan activity detected. System integrity at risk. Full system scan is highly recommended.
3	Warning! Identity theft attempt detected Hidden connection IP: xx.xxx.xxx.xxx Target: Microsoft Corporation keys Your IP: XXXXXXXXXXX