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 |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
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.
Follow Me:
- Guide 1: How to Remove PC Smart Cleanup from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of PC Smart Cleanup from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove PC Smart Cleanup from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase PC Smart Cleanup from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall PC Smart Cleanup from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove PC Smart Cleanup from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate PC Smart Cleanup from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove PC Smart Cleanup from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove PC Smart Cleanup
Step 2: Uninstall PC Smart Cleanup and related software from Windows
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 3: Clean any registries, created by PC Smart Cleanup on your computer.
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.
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of PC Smart Cleanup from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall PC Smart Cleanup and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
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.
