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Windows Activity Booster

Also Known As: Activity Booster Antivirus
Damage level: High

What is Activity Booster?

Windows Activity Booster is a fake antivirus program that reports nonexistent security infections to scare PC users into activating it's "ultimate protection" (purchasing its full version) to remove the supposedly detected security infections.

PC users should know that in reality none of the security threats that are being indicated by this bogus software actually exist on one's computer - Cyber criminals who created this rogue software are hoping that PC users will fall for this trickery and will purchase this program.

Notice that buying Windows Activity Booster would equal to sending one's money to Cyber criminals; moreover, users would also give away their credit card information and this could end in further money thefts.

Windows Activity Booster - fake antivirus program

Most commonly this rogue antivirus program infiltrates user's operating system using fake online security scanners.

Internet users should know that online pop-up messages informing about various security infections, and proposing to download some security software are a not legitimate; such messages are being actively used by Cyber criminals to distribute rogue antivirus programs.

If you see this program scanning your computer for security infections you can be sure that your PC was infected with a rogue antivirus program, don't trust any information generated by Windows Activity Booster, the right way of treating this scam is it's elimination from one's computer.

This rogue program originates from a family of rogue security scanners called FakeVimes, previously discovered variants were named Windows Warding ModuleWindows Active Hotspot and Windows Cleaning Toolkit. Compared to the older versions Windows Activity Booster is more advanced - this rogue program completely blocks user's access to one's desktop.

Such behavior is similar to ransomware infections which locks user's computer and demand paying some non existent fine for supposedly made law violations. To protect one's computer from such bogus antivirus programs, users should always keep their installed programs up-to-date and use legitimate antivirus and anti-spyware programs.

If you have noticed Windows Activity Booster on your desktop, you should use the provided removal instructions and eliminate this scam from your PC.

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Quick menu:

Windows Activity Booster removal:

Before downloading the removal software for this rogue antivirus program complete these steps:

1. Wait until this rogue antivirus program finishes it's fake security scan and click "Settings" (at the top of the main window).

Removing Windows Activity Booster using unsafe startup, step 1

2. Select "Allow unprotected Startup"

Removing Windows Activity Booster using unsafe startup, step 2

3. After selecting "Allow unprotected Startup", close Windows Activity Booster. Notification will appear "Unprotected startup is unsafe for your private data!". Click "OK".

Removing Windows Activity Booster using unsafe startup, step 3

4. Windows 7 users: Click on a Windows logo, in the "Search programs and files" field type "Command Prompt". In the opened list click the right mouse button over "Command Prompt" entry and select "Run as administrator".

Windows XP users: Click Start and navigate to Accessories menu - Start > All Programs > Accessories. Select Command Prompt.

Removing Windows Activity Booster using command prompt step 1

5. In the opened windows (command prompt) type: taskkill /IM guard* and press Enter.

Removing Windows Activity Booster using command prompt step 2

6. After killing the process of Windows Activity Booster download legitimate anti-spyware software to completely remove this rogue antivirus program from your computer.

If you can't download or run spyware remover try running registry fix (link below). It enables execution of programs. download registryfix.reg file, double click it, click YES and then OK.

Windows Activity Booster removal using Safe Mode with Networking:

Step 1

Windows XP and Windows 7 users: During your computer starting process press F8 key on your keyboard multiple times until Windows Advanced Options menu shows up, then select Safe mode with networking from the list and press ENTER.

Starting Windows in Safe mode with networking

Video showing how to start Windows 7 in "Safe Mode with Networking":

Video showing how to start Windows XP in "Safe Mode with Networking":

Step 2

Remove proxy settings from Internet Explorer. This rogue antivirus adds a proxy to user's Internet connection settings to show various errors when user tries accessing the Internet. To remove proxy settings: Open Internet Explorer and click on the gear icon. In the opened menu select "Internet Options."

Removing proxy setings from Intenret Explorer step 1

In the opened window select "Connections" tab.

Removing proxy settings from Internet Explorer step 2

In the "Connections" tab, click on "LAN settings".

Removing proxy settings from Internet Explorer step 3

If "Use a proxy server for your LAN" is checked, uncheck it and click OK.

Removing proxy settings from Internet Explorer step 4

Step 3

Download legitimate anti-spyware software to completely remove this fake antivirus program from your computer.

Step 4

After removing this rogue software, you should reset one's Hosts file. Don't skip this step, Windows Warding Module modifies your Hosts files, and you will encounter browser redirect problems if malicious entries will not be eliminated.

Hosts file is used to resolve some canonical names of websites to IP addresses. When it's modified users may be redirected to malicious websites while still seeing a good URL in the address bar. To fix this, please download Microsoft Fix It tool, it restores one's hosts file to Windows default. Run this tool when downloaded and follow the on-screen instructions. Download link below:


After completing all these steps your computer should be clean.

Other tools known to remove Windows Activity Booster:

Summary:

The fake antivirus programs (also known as "rogue antivirus programs" or "scareware") are applications that tries to lure computer users into paying for their non-existent full versions to remove the supposedly detected security infections (although the computer is actually clean). These bogus programs are created by cyber criminals who design them to look as legitimate antivirus software. Most commonly rogue antivirus programs infiltrate user's computer using poop-up windows or alerts which appear when users surf the Internet. These deceptive messages trick users into downloading a rogue antivirus program on their computers. Other known tactics used to spread scareware include exploit kits, infected email messages, online ad networks, drive-by downloads, or even direct calls to user's offering free support.

A computer that is infected with a fake antivirus program might also have other malware installed on it as rogue antivirus programs often are bundled with Trojans and exploit kits. Noteworthy that additional malware that infiltrates user's operating system remains on victim's computer regardless of whether a payment for a non-existent full version of a fake antivirus program is made. Here are some examples of fake security warning messages that are used in fake antivirus distribution:

Fake pop-up used in rogue antivirus distribution example 1

Fake pop-up used in rogue antivirus distribution example 2

Computer users who are dealing with a rogue security software shouldn't buy it's full version. By paying for a license key of a fake antivirus program users would send their money and banking information to cyber criminals. Users who have already entered their credit card number (or other sensitive information) when asked by such bogus software should inform their credit card company that they have been tricked into buying a rogue security software. Screenshot of a web page used to lure computer users into paying for a non-existent full version of activity booster antivirus and other rogue antivirus programs:

example of a webpage used to collect payments for fake antivirus programs

To protect your computer from activity booster antivirus and other rogue antivirus programs users should:

  • Keep their operating system and all of the installed programs up-to-date.
  • Use legitimate antivirus and anti-spyware programs.
  • Use caution when clicking on links in social networking websites and email messages.
  • Don't trust online pop-up messages which state that your computer is infected and offers you to download security software.

Symptoms indicating that your operating system is infected with a fake antivirus program:

  • Intrusive security warning pop-up messages.
  • Alerts asking to upgrade to a paid version of a program to remove the supposedly detected malware.
  • Slow computer performance.
  • Disabled Windows updates.
  • Blocked Task Manager.
  • Blocked Internet browsers or inability to visit legitimate antivirus vendor websites.

If you have additional information on activity booster antivirus or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

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Activity Booster Antivirus QR code
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