This article aims to help you remove PC Smart Cleanup fake PC cleaner program completely and effectively from your computer.
A fake PC optimizing software has recently been detected to be pushed onto the computers of victims and use fake scanning and detection in order to deceive you into thinking you have issues and also viruses on your computer. The program, called PC Smart Cleanup then asks you to either activate it via purchasing a very expensive license key or to call the number (800)-935-0549 in order to activate it and remove malware that does not exist. If you see pop-ups and fake detections by PC Smart Cleanup on your computer it is strongly recommended to read this article and learn how to remove it completely from your computer.
Threat Summary
| Name | PC Smart Cleanup |
| Type | Hoax antivirus/PC optimizer software. |
| Short Description | Pretends to scan your computer for malware and discovers non-existent threats to get you to purchase it’s licensed version. |
| Symptoms | Performs fake scans. Appears without you remembering to install it. |
| Distribution Method | Via browser redirects that are advertising it, bundling, malware or adware installed on your computer. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss PC Smart Cleanup. |
PC Smart Cleanup – How Does It Spread
The primary method used to spread PC Smart Cleaner is most likely via adware programs and fake error web pages, whose goal is to deceive you into downloading the software in order to remove a virus on your computer. The web pages which “advertise” the fake software present the following messages to victims via a fake Microsoft web page:
The messages can also appear on mobile phones and instead of the software, a fake tech support number has been added. They can also be seen on iPhones and MacBooks and these fake errors can appear as a result of visting a suspicious website or if your computer has already been compromised by viruses. Here is how the fake detection web pages look like:
Another method by which you could end up having PC Smart Cleanup on your computer is if you have previously installed ad-supported programs that may have automatically downloaded and installed this software in the background.
In addition to this, PC Smart Cleanup may also exist as a bundled program to one of the installers downloaded from suspicious website. It may come as “a free extra” in one of the installation steps of the installer itself. To best detect such bundled software when you are installing a free program, you should always choose the Custom or Advanced installation preferences that take you through all installation steps.
PC Smart Cleanup – More Information
As soon as it has been installed on your computer, the program modifies registry entries in the Windows Registry Editor. The sub-keys attacked by it are reported to be the Run and Run once registry sub-keys. After this has occurred, PC Smart Cleanup may also cause your computer to misbehave by slowing it down significantly and modifying it’s settings.
Then, PC Smart Cleanup may automatically run on Windows startup only to display a fake scanning message that pretends to detect issues on your computer:
Then, the program displays a screen asking to call a tech support number for activation of the software or to directly buy the license for PC Smart Cleanup online:
To increase trust in the victims of this fake program, it has added a fake certificate and images that it is an official Microsoft Gold™ partner. However, there is no such thing and PC Smart Cleanup should not be trusted, because all it wants is either your money or your financial information when you conduct the online purchase.
Remove PC Smart Cleanup you’re your Computer
For the removal of this suspicious software, it is highly recommended to follow the instructions below. They are specifically designed to help you fully erase all of the files that are created by this software. However, since manual removal may be tricky, because this software may reappear after the files are deleted, security experts recommend to remove it by downloading an advanced anti-malware software, which will automatically and protect your PC in the future as well.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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How to Remove PC Smart Cleanup from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for PC Smart Cleanup with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall PC Smart Cleanup 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 PC Smart Cleanup 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 PC Smart Cleanup 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 PC Smart Cleanup (Windows).
Get rid of PC Smart Cleanup from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall PC Smart Cleanup 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 PC Smart Cleanup. 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 PC Smart Cleanup 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 PC Smart Cleanup files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as PC Smart Cleanup, 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 PC Smart Cleanup (Mac)
Remove PC Smart Cleanup 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 PC Smart Cleanup 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 PC Smart Cleanup 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 PC Smart Cleanup 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 PC Smart Cleanup will be removed.
Eliminate PC Smart Cleanup 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".
PC Smart Cleanup-FAQ
What Is PC Smart Cleanup?
The PC Smart Cleanup 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 PC Smart Cleanup?
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 PC Smart Cleanup?
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 PC Smart Cleanup Work?
Once installed, PC Smart Cleanup 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.
PC Smart Cleanup 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 PC Smart Cleanup 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 PC Smart Cleanup Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this PC Smart Cleanup 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 PC Smart Cleanup?
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 PC Smart Cleanup threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.