Registry Cleaner Articles

Bogus Registry Cleaners And How To Avoid Them

2010-05-23

Fake Registry cleaners do exist and can be downloaded onto your PC. Most of the time they are disguised Trojan viruses with a snazzy program name to hide them. Some of the free registry cleaners you find on the internet often contain these viruses. While some free cleaners may be OK, it's best to avoid something that may be too good to be true. By knowing what warning signs to look for when searching for a PC cleaner are useful.

Avoid websites that have flashy banners stating this particular cleaner is the best of the best. These websites will normally have many pop-ups and ads that literally clutter your screen. Sometimes a downloader will start without your consent and force the program onto your PC. Kill any automatic download immediately and promptly leave the site. Other fake registry cleaners to avoid are ones that are offered in your email inbox. These come from unknown email addresses that claim the product within the email is the best for your PC. Never click a link in a suspicious email or download any attachments it may have. Chances are a Trojan virus lurks within.

While it's important to steer clear of websites that look suspicious, even legitimate websites can contain a PC cleaner on their site that may be a fake. This can sometimes happen when the website has been infected unbeknown to the owner. It will offer you the cleaner and sometimes begin an upload immediately to your computer. These types of programs purposely install viruses or may pretend to, then install the PC cleaner next. This will force you to have to use their software to remove the install viruses.

But, there is another catch. When you try to utilize the newly installed PC cleaner, it will automatically ask you for your credit card information in order to make it work. Don't enter in any of your financial information! This fake cleaner will send your information to whoever created the program like this. Now, not only do you have supposed viruses on your computer, someone has access to your credit card. Be wary of cleaners that ask for financial information first before using. More than likely, they're a fake.

When downloading freeware, watch for included PC cleaning programs. These programs are often bundled within the freeware and will be installed on your PC. While there may be legitimate PC cleaners bundled in, now and again you will come across the fake ones. Make sure to check what will be included in the freeware bundle before you start to download. The best way to guard against Trojan viruses and fake PC cleaners is to have real cleaning software installed on your computer.

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