Turbo Clean PC Free Download Offer-Virus!
Summary of eRumor:
A so-called “PC Optimizer” called Turbo Clean PC offers a free download that can supposedly boost the speed of your computer by eliminating errors and helping it to operate cleanly.
The Truth:
Whether or not Turbo Clean PC can actually help your computer run faster is open for debate, but downloading it can definitely damage your computer, and the “free download” offer is misleading at best.
First, Turbo Clean PC downloads are often packaged with harmful malware installers that can harm your computer and encrypt your data.
Second, the “free download” will only scan your operating system; you’ll have to pay for the full download to fix any problems.
Third, there’s evidence that Turbo Clean PC won’t actually help your computer run faster at all.
Let’s take a step back and look at Rainmaker Software Group, Turbo Clean PC’s Delaware-based developer. The company released an earlier PC optimizer called Pro PC Cleaner that has been widely described as adware and malware.
Symantec Corporation describes Pro PC Cleaner as “a misleading application (rogue software) designed to display false information, such as claiming your system is infected with malicious threats or other system errors” to get users to buy unneeded software to remove threats that don’t exist.
Entering “Pro PC Cleaner” into Google returns nothing but customer complaints and instructions to remove it from computers. That might be why Rainmaker Software Group shifted its focus to a similar application with a different name, Turbo Clean PC.
Once you download the free version of Turbo Clean PC, it will scan your operating system and compile a lengthy list of system errors and threats. The blog site Spyware-Techie investigated and found that the list of threats and errors are “misleading and suspicious.” It includes temporary files, folders and register entries that “do not affect your operating system in any way.” But, in order to fix the so-called errors, you’ll be prompted to buy the full version of Turbo Clean PC.
Spyware-Technie also notes that Turbo Clean PC is often spread through bundled installers, which pose serious malware threats:
Such means of distribution are often used by malware developers to spread their intrusive software; thus, there is a chance that your PC could be already infected with some other malicious program if this questionable application is already operating on your computer. Make sure to check the %APPDATA% folder for any dubious files or folders as this directory is known to be used by malicious software most often. Also, you should analyze your registry system for any questionable keys or values. To avoid such potentially harmful instance, you should avoid all third-party download websites as they are well-known to provide setup files filled with suspicious software. Also, you should always have a professional antimalware tool active on your PC at all times as it can notify you about any suspicious installers or websites in advanced.
VirusResearch.org stopped short of saying that Turbo Clean PC does not work at all, or that it will damage your computer if it’s downloaded directly from the developer. The site did, however, note that four reputable anti-virus engines have flagged Turbo Clean PC as a threat.
Given all that, we’re going to classify this one as a virus. It’s best to avoid downloading the program all together, but if you already have, click here for instructions on how to uninstall it.