is the “Registry Cleaner for Windows Recommended download” a virus?

5 thoughts on “is the “Registry Cleaner for Windows Recommended download” a virus?”

1. Robert W says:

   November 4, 2009 at 12:49 pm

   I have an automatic download from Windows for all critical fixes. I have not heard of any such problem or gotten any download from the Windows site. I have installed a registery cleaner before from a legitimate site, and have not heard of any problem from them, either. When I first got the message you are talking about in my e-mail, I marked it as spam and deleted it. I never open any e-mail I do not recognize, and I never download anything from a link inside any e-mail that I receive. I go directly to the sites I deal with by typing the address into my address bar (and that is NOT the address given inside any e-mail). E-mails often direct you to phony sites that look like the real site. They are not easy to identify as a phony site. If you give them your credit card or bank information, they can drain your account before you can realize it has happened. I would recommend that you delete the e-mail without opening it, that you ignore it, and that you ignore any spam that you have or have not recognized. My philosophy is if I didn’t ask for it, I don’t need it, and I probably don’t want it. If I want it, I’ll find it myself. Most spam is from crooks.

2. acklan says:

   November 4, 2009 at 12:49 pm

   If you do not use MacAfee SiteAdvisor I suggest you install it on both Internet Explorer and FireFox. Below is a link you what MacAfee reports about the site.
   http://www.siteadvisor.com/sites/softwareonline.com

   Here is the link to MacAfee’s SiteAdvisor.
   http://www.siteadvisor.com/

3. Steven says:

   November 4, 2009 at 12:49 pm

   It’s not a virus, but it IS spyware. Any link that sends you to something that starts with "ad" or "adserver" is usually not somewhere you want to go.

   I recommend downloading Ad-Aware and a pop-up blocker in the future to help you with these issues, and stay away from downloading toolbars and other "fun" gimmick tools on the internet, because most of them come with spyware and other junk that you don’t even realize is running when you install it – like the "Registry Cleaner" icon that appeared on your desktop.

4. Herman says:

   November 4, 2009 at 12:49 pm

   Well since the icon magically appeared on your Desktop (assuming you didn’t deliberately install something that created it), your computer may also have spyware or a hidden program installed.

   Don’t download that software, and run a Spyware cleaner.

5. ray_8128 says:

   November 4, 2009 at 12:49 pm

   You link does not work but McAfee Site Advisor (free) warns about the site.

   Per McAfee Site Advisor
   http://www.siteadvisor.com/sites/softwareonline.com

   softwareonline.com
   Feedback from some users indicated this site engaged in one or more questionable activities.
   ====================
   Why didn’t you run Windows Live OneCare (free)

   Windows Live OneCare
   http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm
   Full scan: Backs up registry and then cleans registry, virus and spyware scan, disk cleanup, disk fragmentation (if needed), updates windows, and checks for open firewall ports.
   Clean up scan: Backs up registry and then cleans registry, updates windows.

   Other OK cleaners

   RegScrubXP
   http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/RegScrubXP/1040020223/1
   http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=2048

   CCleaner: Do not install toolbar option
   "Scan for Issues" function is the registry cleaner.
   Clean function deletes unused files, history, and tracking cookies.
   In options:
   Set to run cleaner when computer starts.
   Place cookies you want to save in the save list.
   http://www.ccleaner.com/
   ============================
   You have malware installed on your system. If you follow all the following steps it should get rid of your problem and prevent future problems. All programs listed are free.

   Securing a Personal Machine
   http://safecomputing.umn.edu/studentchecklist.html

   OS Reinstallation vs. Virus Removal
   http://safecomputing.umn.edu/guides/rebuild_repair.html

   ———————————————————
   Update your antivirus and run a full scan in safe mode

   If you do not have full time (active) virus protection install (only one) all are excellent:

   AVG Antivirus 7.5 Free Edition
   http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/avg-anti-virus-free/lng/us/tpl/v5
   http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10669237.html?tag=lst-0-1
   or
   Free antivirus – avast! 4 Home Edition
   http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
   or
   AOL Active Virus Shield
   http://www.activevirusshield.com/antivirus/freeav/index.adp
   ———————————————————
   Install Windows Defender (full time spyware protection)
   Perform a full scan.
   http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
   ———————————————————
   Install the following five programs and run weekly or at least monthly. You need all five. They will greatly increase your protection. They are not a substitute for full time spyware and virus protection.

   Ad-Aware SE Personal (update + full scan)
   http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php

   Spybot Search & Destroy (update + immunize + scan)
   Do not enable Tea Timer and SDHelper
   After installation: update + scan + immunize
   http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html

   SpywareBlaster: Update then open and click “enable all protection”.
   http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

   SUPERAntiSpyware free version: (update + scan)
   http://www.superantispyware.com/

   CCleaner: Do not install toolbar option
   Removes tracking cookies, unneeded files, history
   In options.
   Set to run when computer starts.
   Place cookies you want to keep in save list
   http://www.ccleaner.com/
   ————————————————————-
   Note if a scan detects a problem but is unable to remove, start the computer in safe mode with the internet line disconnected and run a full scan.

   In severe cases your system restore files will also be infected. In these cases you will need to turn off system restore to prevent malware hiding in the system restore files and reinfecting the computer during removal or during a future system restore. Turning off system restore deletes the system restore files.

   Right click on "my computer"> Properties > System Restore Tab > Check box turn off system restore

   After the malware is removed turn on system restore.
   ————————————————————-
   Run this time only.

   CWShredder: run
   http://www.trendmicro.com/cwshredder/

   Roguefix.bat
   http://www.internetinspiration.co.uk/roguefix.htm#uninstall

   Shoot The Messenger
   http://www.grc.com/stm/shootthemessenger.htm

   SmitFraudFix
   http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/How_to_use_SmitFraudFix-t109268.html

   Vundo Fix and
   VirtumundoBegone (if VundoFix does not work)
   http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic18610.html

   VX2 tool for Ad-Aware and run tool (Install and run)
   http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/securitycenter/vx2_cleaner.php

   ———————————————————————-
   Additional run this time and monthly.

   Microsoft Update "Custom Mode" install everything
   http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us

   Microsoft OneCare Live, run “full service scan”
   Updates windows, virus and spyware scan, disk cleanup, disk fragmentation (if needed), backs up registry and then cleans registry, and checks for open firewall ports
   http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm

   Malicious Software Removal Tool (run “full scan”)
   http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
   ——————————————————-
   RootkitRevealer v1.71
   http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/Security/RootkitRevealer.mspx

   Rootkit Removal Guide
   http://safecomputing.umn.edu/guides/scan_unhackme.html

   Rootkits Removers
   Pick any 2 install and run one each month

   AVG Anti-Rootkit
   http://www.grisoft.com/doc/products-avg-anti-rootkit-update-app-art/?ver=1.1.0.29

   F-Secure BlackLight
   http://www.f-secure.com/blacklight/

   Sophos Anti-Rootkit
   http://www.sophos.com/products/free-tools/sophos-anti-rootkit.html
   ———————————————————-
   ———————————————————-
   Online Free Scanners:
   Run Trend Micro, Kaspersky, and Panda Scan now.
   Run a different one each month.

   Trend Micro: HouseCall Free Scan (removes what it finds)
   http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
   BitDefender Online Scanner http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html
   Kaspersky Labs Online Scanner http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner
   McAfee http://us.mcafee.com/root/mfs/default.asp?affid=294
   Panda ActiveScan Free Online Scanner http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan?
   Symantic Online Scanner http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/ssc_eula.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym&plfid=23&pkj=ALUFRHYTINMHDKDCWLL&vc_scanstate=2
   ——————————————————-
   Additional Information read:
   http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Overview
   http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Prevention:_Prevent_Re-infection
   http://www.castlecops.com/f67-Hijackthis_Spyware_Viruses_Worms_Trojans_Oh_My.html
   http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
   http://aumha.org/secure.htm
   http://aumha.org/a/parasite.php
   http://www.castlecops.com/t102301-Hijackthis_Guidelines_Read_Before_Posting.html
   http://www.techsupportforum.com/security-center/hijackthis-log-help/15968-updated-important-read-before-posting-log.html
   http://forum.aumha.org/viewtopic.php?t=4075&sid=901703d08c2ace31389ffef2d84b6607

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