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Is it safe to install & run AdwCleaner in spite of windows warnings?

Anonymous
2014-04-18T01:06:06+00:00

Windows 8.1

Many users see on the web recommendations to use AdwCleaner, but when they install it they get many warnings not to do so.

Is it really a false positive or ,by contrast, danger of trojans or other exists?

Can an expert give a clear position on this?

Thanks

<Moved>

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Security and privacy

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-04-18T01:45:01+00:00

    I'm not an expert but have used AdwCleaner many times to remove adware and PUPS from compromised computers.

    Never had any issues with it....

    I usually use both Malwarebytes and AdwCleaner when cleaning a computer...

    Here's a link to AdwCleaner: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/

    And here's the link I use to download Malwarebytes - just download, install, update, scan and follow the prompts:  http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes\_free/

    Regards...

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-04-18T03:56:08+00:00

    As Le Boule has already stated, its a trusted program and make sure to download from a clean source like bleeping. . http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/dl/125/http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/dl/125/

    wikipedia reference  for adwareclner can be found here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adware

    "Programs have been developed to detect, quarantine, and remove advertisement-displaying malware, including Ad-Aware, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, ADWCleaner,Spyware Doctor and Spybot - Search & Destroy"

    At the same time, It should  only be run if you have a requirement to remove adware

    http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/511405/why-should-i-not-run-adwcleaner-last-version/?p=3186773

    Sometimes, I have also noticed in windows 8.1, a big blue message popup comes   while running adwclener latest versions .

    May be due to code signing problems of exe or something related to http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ie/archive/2011/03/22/smartscreen-174-application-reputation-building-reputation.aspx

    Edit:

    It seems this is a known issue with smartscreen filter. 

    False alarm of SmartScreen filter on AdwCleaner

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7 additional answers

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-04-20T20:25:52+00:00

    It is an objective jugment what is necessary, this is not an issue of tastes

    Still I am willing to consider this question as answered

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-04-18T12:07:46+00:00

    If you have reservations about using AdwCleaner then do not use it.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-04-18T10:28:30+00:00

    As Le Boule has already stated, its a trusted program and make sure to download from a clean source like bleeping. . http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/dl/125/http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/dl/125/

    wikipedia reference  for adwareclner can be found here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adware

    "Programs have been developed to detect, quarantine, and remove advertisement-displaying malware, including Ad-Aware, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, ADWCleaner,Spyware Doctor and Spybot - Search & Destroy"

    At the same time, It should  only be run if you have a requirement to remove adware

    http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/511405/why-should-i-not-run-adwcleaner-last-version/?p=3186773

    Sometimes, I have also noticed in windows 8.1, a big blue message popup comes   while running adwclener latest versions . May be due to code signing problems of exe or something related to http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ie/archive/2011/03/22/smartscreen-174-application-reputation-building-reputation.aspx

    Then it is not just an issue of double checking the results of the scan before actually deleting the files, because strange things like " I have also noticed in windows 8.1, a big blue message popup comes   while running adwclener latest versions ." looks worrying to me.

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