What is Garbage Cleaner or System Garbage Cleanup
Have you encountered a program called Garbage Cleaner, System Garbage Cleanup, or Quick_cleaner?
Our analysis shows that these are the names of a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that has been plaguing users for years. Perhaps this program is displaying unhealthy behavior and is messing with the performance of your computer? If so, keep reading to find out how to remove the so-called Garbage cleaner virus.
Garbage Cleaner virus Summary
| Name | Garbage Cleaner virus |
| Type | Redirect, Adware, PUP |
| Short Description | A suspicious program that sneaked into your system via the bundling method. It promises to clean up your computer by deleting unnecessary files. However, users are reporting unwanted and intrusive behavior associated with the app. |
| Symptoms | You can witness redirects, scams, advertisements, and even malicious content. The scareware content could try to force you to buy a product you don’t actually need. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
Is Garbage Cleaner a Virus?
The so-called Garbage Cleaner (garbagecleaner.exe) is not literally a virus. However, users are generally referring to it as a “virus” because of its unwanted and nagging behavior. In truth, this is an example of a potentially unwanted program (application) that promises to clean a system of temporary and garbage files to free up space. Even if the program succeeds in deleting temp and unnecessary files, it also displays suspicious behavior. Security analysis shows that Garbage Cleaner may connect to a remote location to send user information to it.
How Did I Get the Garbage Cleaner Virus on My Computer?
The most likely scenario is that you installed Garbage Cleaner alongside another application that you meant to download. This method is known as bundling. Bundled software usually is not disclosed correctly in the installers of various freeware programs. As a result, users end up installing unwanted apps that often compromise their operating systems.
Moreover, you should know that potentially unwanted programs usually are developed for quick monetization. PUPs or PUAs can be ad-supported, meaning that they will display intrusive advertisements on the affected system. This behavior can affect the performance of all installed browsers by adding suspicious add-ons or loading tracking technologies.
Garbage Cleaner shows behavior of a fake system optimizer
NOTE. Since the program promises to optimize the system by removing unnecessary files, it can also be classified as a fake (rogue) optimizer. This is especially true if the program fails to perform any of the promised actions. You should also know that there may be many versions of the so-called Garbage Cleaner virus.
Some users are reporting that the program is also causing intrusive redirects to shade websites. Instead of loading what the user searched for, the program could redirect the browser to predefined suspicious pages.
Rogue applications are often promoted as useful and user-friendly; their developers announce them as system optimizers that help the OS run smoother. However, since these apps end up on your device without your knowledge or consent, they are categorized as unwanted. This behavior fits the complaints we have seen regarding the Garbage Cleaner virus.
The program may also display fake alerts about various issues detected on your system. These alerts may pop-up in your browser and may try to convince you that your system is infected. You could also experience redirects to suspicious pages. The only logical step here is to disregard these claims and look for the source causing all these issues.
Remove Garbage Cleaner Virus?
Read on how to remove the program manually from your computer, and follow the step-by-step removal instructions provided below. In case the manual removal does not get rid of the program and all its files, you can rely on an advanced anti-malware tool to remove all leftover files. Also, such a program can keep your computer safe in the future.
Milena Dimitrova
An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum since the project started. A professional with 10+ years of experience in creating engaging content. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles! Follow Milena @Milenyim
Follow Me:
- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove Garbage Cleaner virus from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for Garbage Cleaner virus with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall Garbage Cleaner virus and related software from Windows
Uninstall Steps for Windows 11
Uninstall Steps for Windows 10 and Older Versions
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 4: Clean Any registries, Created by Garbage Cleaner virus on Your PC.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Garbage Cleaner virus there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Video Removal Guide for Garbage Cleaner virus (Windows).
Get rid of Garbage Cleaner virus from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Garbage Cleaner virus and remove related files and objects
Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Garbage Cleaner virus. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove Garbage Cleaner virus via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove Garbage Cleaner virus files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Garbage Cleaner virus, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Video Removal Guide for Garbage Cleaner virus (Mac)
Remove Garbage Cleaner virus from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Erase Garbage Cleaner virus from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window:
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Uninstall Garbage Cleaner virus from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Remove Garbage Cleaner virus from Safari
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Garbage Cleaner virus will be removed.
Eliminate Garbage Cleaner virus from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
Remove Push Notifications from Your Browsers
Turn Off Push Notifications from Google Chrome
To disable any Push Notices from Google Chrome browser, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Go to Settings in Chrome.
Step 2: In Settings, select “Advanced Settings”:
Step 3: Click “Content Settings”:
Step 4: Open “Notifications”:
Step 5: Click the three dots and choose Block, Edit or Remove options:
Remove Push Notifications on Firefox
Step 1: Go to Firefox Options.
Step 2: Go to “Settings”, type “notifications” in the search bar and click "Settings":
Step 3: Click “Remove” on any site you wish notifications gone and click “Save Changes”
Stop Push Notifications on Opera
Step 1: In Opera, press ALT+P to go to Settings.
Step 2: In Setting search, type “Content” to go to Content Settings.
Step 3: Open Notifications:
Step 4: Do the same as you did with Google Chrome (explained below):
Eliminate Push Notifications on Safari
Step 1: Open Safari Preferences.
Step 2: Choose the domain from where you like push pop-ups gone and change to "Deny" from "Allow".
Garbage Cleaner virus-FAQ
What Is Garbage Cleaner virus?
The Garbage Cleaner virus threat is adware or browser redirect virus.
It may slow your computer down significantly and display advertisements. The main idea is for your information to likely get stolen or more ads to appear on your device.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your computer to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your OS.
What Are the Symptoms of Garbage Cleaner virus?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also unwanted apps in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your computer may become slow and have poor performance in general.
Symptom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Task Manager.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts recommend that you check your computer for viruses.
What Types of Unwanted Programs Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently affect your device can be rogue antivirus software, adware, browser hijackers, clickers, fake optimizers and any forms of PUPs.
What to Do If I Have a "virus" like Garbage Cleaner virus?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your email passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activities with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these recommendations, your network and all devices will become significantly more secure against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
How Does Garbage Cleaner virus Work?
Once installed, Garbage Cleaner virus can collect data using trackers. This data is about your web browsing habits, such as the websites you visit and the search terms you use. It is then used to target you with ads or to sell your information to third parties.
Garbage Cleaner virus can also download other malicious software onto your computer, such as viruses and spyware, which can be used to steal your personal information and show risky ads, that may redirect to virus sites or scams.
Is Garbage Cleaner virus Malware?
The truth is that PUPs (adware, browser hijackers) are not viruses, but may be just as dangerous since they may show you and redirect you to malware websites and scam pages.
Many security experts classify potentially unwanted programs as malware. This is because of the unwanted effects that PUPs can cause, such as displaying intrusive ads and collecting user data without the user’s knowledge or consent.
About the Garbage Cleaner virus Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Garbage Cleaner virus how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific, adware-related problem, and restore your browser and computer system.
How did we conduct the research on Garbage Cleaner virus?
Please note that our research is based on independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware, adware, and browser hijacker definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the Garbage Cleaner virus threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.