How to remove MalwareCleaner and Malware Cleaner (Uninstall Instructions)

Posted by Grinler on April 22, 2009 @ 04:27 PM · Views: 1,901

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What this programs does:

Malware Cleaner is a rogue anti-spyware program that was discovered by security researcher S!RI. This program is classified as a rogue because it create numerous random named files on your computer that are used to impersonate infections. These files will then be detected by Malware Cleaner during as infections, but states it will not remove them until you purchase the software. These infections, though, are not actual programs but just files with random content that have no ability to harm your computer. These files are just being used to trick you into thinking you are infected so that you purchase MalwareCleaner.

MalwareCleaner screen shot
For more screen shots of this infection click on the image above.
There are a total of 5 images you can view.

While the program is running you will also see numerous nag screens and fake security warnings appear on your computer. These warnings will state that malware has been found and then suggest that you purchase MalwareCleaner in order to protect your computer. The current text of these alerts are:

Trojan detected!
A piece of malicious code was found in your system which can replicate itself if no action is taken. Click here to have your system cleaned by Malware Cleaner.

Spyware alarm!
Our scan has reported that pieces of malicious spyware code are present on your hard drive. To get rid of security threats, click here for a Malware Cleaner scan.

Privacy is at risk!
Attention, keylogging and intercepting scripts were detected. Your private data may be disclosed to third parties. Click here and Malware Cleaner will remove the infection.

Another effect of this program running is that you will find that your computer begins to run slower. This is because the Malware Cleaner program is always running in the background and generating these security warnings, which uses your computer computer's memory and CPU.

If you are infected with MalwareCleaner, or see numerous pop-ups and alerts stating that you should download it, then please use this free removal guide in order to remove the program and any related malware.

Threat Classification:

• Information on Rogue Programs & Scareware

Advanced information:

View MalwareCleaner files.
View MalwareCleaner Registry Information.

Entries for this program found in the Add or Remove Programs control panel:

Malware Cleaner

Tools Needed for this fix:

• Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

Symptoms that may be in a HijackThis Log:

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Malware Cleaner] C:\Program Files\Grupxb\571613.exe /startup

Guide Updates:

04/22/09 - Initial guide creation.

Automated Removal Instructions for MalwareCleaner using Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware:

1. Print out these instructions as we will need to close every window that is open later in the fix.
   
   
2. Download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, or MBAM, from the following location and save it to your desktop:
   
   Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Download Link
   
   


3. Once downloaded, close all programs and Windows on your computer, including this one.
   
   
4. Double-click on the icon on your desktop named mbam-setup.exe. This will start the installation of MBAM onto your computer.
   
   
5. When the installation begins, keep following the prompts in order to continue with the installation process. Do not make any changes to default settings and when the program has finished installing, make sure you leave both the Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware checked. Then click on the Finish button.
   
   
6. MBAM will now automatically start and you will see a message stating that you should update the program before performing a scan. As MBAM will automatically update itself after the install, you can press the OK button to close that box and you will now be at the main program as shown below.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. On the Scanner tab, make sure the the Perform quick scan option is selected and then click on the Scan button to start scanning your computer for MalwareCleaner related files.
   
   
8. MBAM will now start scanning your computer for malware. This process can take quite a while, so we suggest you go and do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan. When MBAM is scanning it will look like the image below.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
9. When the scan is finished a message box will appear as shown in the image below.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   You should click on the OK button to close the message box and continue with the Malware Cleaner removal process.
   
   
10. You will now be back at the main Scanner screen. At this point you should click on the Show Results button.
    
    
11. A screen displaying all the malware that the program found will be shown as seen in the image below. Please note that the infections found may be different than what is shown in the image.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    You should now click on the Remove Selected button to remove all the listed malware. MBAM will now delete all of the files and registry keys and add them to the programs quarantine. When removing the files, MBAM may require a reboot in order to remove some of them. If it displays a message stating that it needs to reboot, please allow it to do so. Once your computer has rebooted, and you are logged in, please continue with the rest of the steps.
    
    
12. When MBAM has finished removing the malware, it will open the scan log and display it in Notepad. Review the log as desired, and then close the Notepad window.
    
    
13. You can now exit the MBAM program.
    

Your computer should now be free of the Malware Cleaner program. If your current anti-virus solution let this infection through, you may want to consider purchasing the PRO version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future.

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

Associated MalwareCleaner Files:

%UserProfile%\Desktop\Malware Cleaner.lnk
%UserProfile%\Start Menu\Malware Cleaner
%UserProfile%\Start Menu\Malware Cleaner\Malware Cleaner.lnk
%UserProfile%\Start Menu\Malware Cleaner\Uninstall.lnk
c:\Program Files\Grupxb
c:\Program Files\ChmDecompiler\upxbei.exe
c:\Program Files\Fiddler2\rkmvnwtq.dll
c:\Program Files\Grupxb\571613.exe
c:\Program Files\Grupxb\571613.exe.cfg
c:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\ojcveq.scr
c:\Program Files\Movie Maker\usjkeulr.com
c:\Program Files\NetMeeting\qornq.com
c:\Program Files\RRC\bcaumiqw.exe
c:\Program Files\Trend Micro\toiqqpd.scr
c:\Program Files\WinPcap\pidekwim.com
c:\WINDOWS\Config\wtgfuvbd.dll
c:\WINDOWS\Driver Cache\rndwvgl.com
c:\WINDOWS\ime\mysfoxc.exe
c:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\peimbj.exe
c:\WINDOWS\network diagnostic\rkvxcdcn.com
c:\WINDOWS\Registration\wtadnnyj.scr
c:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\gybdxtog.dll
c:\WINDOWS\system32\mwhbmksa.com
c:\WINDOWS\system32\1033\kilkr.exe
c:\WINDOWS\system32\2052\pqsgeijl.scr
c:\WINDOWS\system32\CatRoot2\gappbmks.com
c:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\lised.dll
c:\WINDOWS\system32\icsxml\lujogyl.scr
c:\WINDOWS\system32\mui\qrpsv.scr
c:\WINDOWS\system32\ReinstallBackups\seedp.exe
c:\WINDOWS\system32\SoftwareDistribution\pxfdlcox.scr
c:\WINDOWS\system32\xircom\uysfwa.exe
c:\WINDOWS\WinSxS\heqsjbv.exe

Associated MalwareCleaner Windows Registry Information:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Malware Cleaner
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run "Malware Cleaner"