How to remove Ultimate Cleaner (Removal Instructions)


What these programs do:

Ultimate Cleaner is a rogue anti-spyware program that is advertised through the use of Trojans, and other malware, that are installed without permission on to your computer. These advertisements are done through fake taskbar alerts, popups, and message boxes on your computer stating that you have a security issue. When you click on these alerts, a web page will open where it will prompt you to download Ultimate Cleaner.

If Ultimate Cleaner is downloaded and installed, the program will start automatically and scan your computer. It will then provide exaggerated or fake results and state that the only way you can remove these "infections" is to purchase the registered version of the software. This guide will walk you through removing Ultimate Cleaner and the infections that are typically installed alongside it. Included below are screenshots of the Ultimate Cleaner program and the various alerts that you will see on your computer when infected with these malware.


Ultimate Cleaner Screenshot
Ultimate Cleaner Screenshot



Ultimate Cleaner alert #1
Ultimate Cleaner alert #1



Ultimate Cleaner alert #2
Ultimate Cleaner alert #2



Ultimate Cleaner alert #3
Ultimate Cleaner alert #3





Tools Needed for this fix:

Symptoms in a HijackThis Log (Not all symptoms may be present):

O2 - BHO: MSVPS System - {100B21CD-3B97-44FB-B1C0-EA6249E482E8} - C:\WINDOWS\ddesupport.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avp] C:\WINDOWS\avp.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [smgr] mgrs.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Ultimate Cleaner] "C:\Program Files\Ultimate Cleaner\UltimateCleaner.exe" hide
O21 - SSODL: msole - {80047F31-5F13-47A4-ACFB-CC64BCCDDE75} - C:\WINDOWS\msole.dll
O21 - SSODL: msdde - {7725C992-B6C9-42AC-ACF9-A00D6AA45166} - C:\WINDOWS\msdde.dll


Add/Remove Programs control panel entry:

Ultimate Cleaner


 Guide Updates:

07/06/07 - Initial guide creation.



These steps may appear to be long and daunting. They are, though, quite easy to do and consist of so many steps only because I have written them in an extremely detailed manner.
  1. Print out these instructions as we will need to close every window that is open later in the fix.

  2. Download SmitfraudFix.exe from here and save it to your desktop:

    SmitFraudFix.exe

    Confirm that the file SmitfraudFix.exe now resides on your desktop, but do not double-click on the icon as of yet. We will use it in later steps. The icon will look like the one below:



  3. Next, please reboot your computer into Safe Mode by doing the following:

    1. Restart your computer

    2. After hearing your computer beep once during startup, but before the Windows icon appears, press F8.

    3. Instead of Windows loading as normal, a menu should appear

    4. Select the first option, to run Windows in Safe Mode.

    5. When you are at the logon prompt, log in as the same user which you had done the previous steps.

  4. When your computer has started in safe mode and you see the desktop proceed to the next step.

  5. Close all open Windows.

  6. Now, double-click on the SmitFraudfix icon that should be residing on your desktop.The icon will look like the one below:



  7. When the tool first starts you will see a credits screen. Simply press any key on your keyboard to get to the next screen.

  8. When the tool first starts you will see a credits screen. Simply press any key on your keyboard to get to the next screen.

  9. You will now see a menu as shown in the image below. Press the number 2 on your keyboard and the press the enter key to choose the option Clean (safe mode recommended).




  10. The program will start cleaning your computer and go through a series of cleanup processes. When it is done, it will automatically start the Disk Cleanup program as shown by the image below.





    This program will remove all Temp, Temporary Internet Files, and other files that may be leftover files from this infection. This process can take up to a few hours depending on your computer, so please be patient. When it is complete, it will close automatically and you will should continue with step 25.

  11. When Disk Cleanup is finished, you will be presented with an option asking Do you want to clean the registry ? (y/n). At this screen you should press the Y button on your keyboard and then press the enter key.


  12. When this last routine is finished, you will be presented with a red screen stating Computer will reboot now. Close all applications. You should now press the spacebar on your computer. A counter will appear stating that the computer will reboot in 15 seconds. Do not cancel this countdown and allow your computer to reboot.
  13. Once the computer has rebooted, you will be presented with a Notepad screen containing a log of all the files removed from your computer. Examine this log to see what files were found, and when you are done, close the Notepad screen.
  14. Now, click on the Start Menu button.

  15. Click on the Control Panel option.

  16. Double-click on the Add or Remove Programs icon.

  17. Find the entry for Ultimate Cleaner and double-click on it to uninstall if found. Follow the prompts to uninstall the program, but do not allow it to reboot the computer if it asks.

  18. When it has completed uninstalling you can close Add or Remove Programs and your Control Panel.

  19. Delete the following files and folders (Do not be concerned if this folder does not exist):

    C:\Program Files\Ultimate Cleaner\
  20. We next perform an online scan with Panda to find any possible inactive remnants from this infection: Panda Online

    1. Once you are on the Panda site click the Scan your PC button

    2. A new window will open...click the Check Now button

    3. Enter your Country

    4. Enter your State/Province

    5. Enter your e-mail address and click send

    6. Select either Home User or Company

    7. Click the big Scan Now button

    8. If it wants to install an ActiveX component allow it

    9. It will start downloading the files it requires for the scan (Note: It may take a few minutes)

    10. When download is complete, click on Local Disks to start the scan

  21. When the online scan has been completed, let it remove what it finds, and then you can close Internet Explorer.

Your computer should now be free of the Ultimate Cleaner infection.

If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow the steps outlined in the topic linked below:

Preparation Guide For Use Before Posting A Hijackthis Log



This is a self-help guide. Use at your own risk.



BleepingComputer.com can not be held responsible for problems that may occur by using this information. If you would like help with any of these fixes, you can post a HijackThis log in our HijackThis Logs and Analysis forum.

If you have any questions about this self-help guide then please post those questions in our AntiVirus, Firewall and Privacy Products and Protection Methods forum and someone will help you.