AVCare is a rogue antispyware program that uses fake alerts and false positives to trick you into buying the fake software. It distributed through the use of fake online malware scanners. During installation, AVCare is set to start automatically when your computer starts.
Immediately after launch, AVCare will scan your computer and list a lot of trojans and spyware that cannot be removed unless you first purchase the software, but all of these infections are fake, so you can safely ignore them.
While the AVCare is running, your computer will display alerts that stated that “your computer is infected”. An example:
Your system is infected!
Continue to use your PC without antivirus protection may cause
major failures of your system such as
* system slowdown and crashes
* unauthorized access to your private data
* loss of important documents and files
* exploitation of your computer by spyware programs
Please activate antivirus protection or confirm you agree these risks on you
sole decision by ignoring the warning
The fake alert will recommend you register AVCare. Instead of doing so, use these AVCare removal instructions below in order to remove this infection and any associated malware from your computer for free.
Symptoms in a HijackThis Log
O4 – HKCU\..\Run: [AV Care] D:\Program Files\AV Care\AvCare.exe
Use the following instructions to remove AVCare (Uninstall instructions)
Download MalwareBytes Anti-malware (MBAM). Close all programs and Windows on your computer.
Double Click mbam-setup.exe to install the application. When the installation begins, keep following the prompts in order to continue with the installation process. Do not make any changes to default settings and when the program has finished installing, make sure a checkmark is placed next to Update Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware and Launch Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware, then click Finish.
If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
Once the program has loaded you will see window similar to the one below.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Window
Select Perform Quick Scan, then click Scan, it will start scanning your computer for AVCare infection. This procedure can take some time, so please be patient.
When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results. You will see a list of infected items similar as shown below. Note: list of infected items may be different than what is shown in the image below.
Malwarebytes Anti-malware, list of infected items
Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected for start AVCare removal process. When disinfection is completed, a log will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to Restart.
Note: if you need help with the instructions, then post your questions in our Spyware Removal forum.
AVCare creates the following files and folders
%UserProfile%\start menu\Programs\AV Care\AV Care.lnk
c:\program files\AV Care\avc.ico
c:\program files\AV Care\AVCare.dat
c:\program files\AV Care\AVCare.exe
c:\program files\AV Care\AVCare.ini
c:\program files\AV Care\PP.exe
c:\program files\AV Care\Uninstall.exe
%UserProfile%\Desktop\AV Care.lnk
AVCare creates the following registry keys and values
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\av care
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\AV Care
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\av care
I had the Malwarebytes program already on my computer, but since the AV Care program grabbed hold of my computer I haven’t been able to open it, or many other things on my desktop. Any suggestions to help me out?
Zach, looks like malware blocks it. Ask for help at our Spyware removal forum.