Home Malware Cleaner

Threat Scorecard

Threat Level: 100 % (High)
Infected Computers: 5
First Seen: February 20, 2012
Last Seen: September 18, 2019
OS(es) Affected: Windows

Home Malware Cleaner Image

Home Malware Cleaner, a fake security application, is a clone of Strong Malware Defender. Home Malware Cleaner and hundreds of similar fake security applications belonging to the FakeVimes family operate under the same principle: to fool inexperienced computer users into buying useless fake security applications. To do this, Home Malware Cleaner displays a fake system scan claiming that the victim's computer has become compromised, severely infected with a long list of malware clearly pulled from a virus encyclopedia. Home Malware Cleaner also makes changes to the Windows Registry which allow Home Malware Cleaner to spam its victims with a barrage of fake security alerts, pop-up notifications and error messages that appear to come from Windows or Microsoft Security Center itself. It is important to understand that Home Malware Cleaner has absolutely no real anti-malware capabilities. This program is designed to display false positives and to entice its victims into giving up their credit card information. Because of this, ESG security researchers energetically recommend that computer users do not give Home Malware Cleaner their credit card detail; instead, use a reliable anti-malware tool to remove any trace of Home Malware Cleaner from their computer system. If you have already disclosed your credit card information, you may still be able to dispute the charges by claiming that they were made by a highly-known online scam.

According to ESG security researchers, Home Malware Cleaner is a fairly common example of how a rogue security program operates, not at all different from well-known fake security programs like Virus Melt, Presto TuneUp, Fast Antivirus 2009, Extra Antivirus, Windows Security Suite, Smart Virus Eliminator, Packed.Generic.245, Volcano Security Suite, Windows Enterprise Suite, Enterprise Suite, Additional Guard, PC Live Guard, Live PC Care, Live Enterprise Suite, Security Antivirus, My Security Wall, CleanUp Antivirus, Smart Security, Windows Protection Suite, Windows Work Catalyst.

Recognizing Home Malware Cleaner for What It Really Is

While experienced computer users will immediately spot the Home Malware Cleaner scam, inexperienced computer users may find it difficult to differentiate Home Malware Cleaner from reliable anti-malware software. Some aspects about Home Malware Cleaner that should set off an alarm include the following:

  • Home Malware Cleaner is installed against the computer user's authorization or as a result of intrusive pop-up windows.
  • Home Malware Cleaner cannot be removed through normal means, reinstalling itself when Windows is rebooted or crashing during the uninstallation process.
  • Home Malware Cleaner will display a long list of malware infections but will fail to provide details or solve the problems in any way even if the victim pays for a 'full version'.
  • Home Malware Cleaner will affect the victim's computer in other ways, such as making it run slowly or interfering with other applications.

Home Malware Cleaner Image 2Home Malware Cleaner Image 3Home Malware Cleaner Image 4

SpyHunter Detects & Remove Home Malware Cleaner

File System Details

Home Malware Cleaner may create the following file(s):
# File Name MD5 Detections
1. HMcac_8001.exe 49f21906c7143bd3384609ead1aa3b87 2
2. HMd1e_8020.exe 28e1aa7f81799d7e7ff481d8bd313510 2
3. %AllUsersProfile%\Application Data\5c678c\HM5c6_8010.exe
4. %CommonAppData%\[RANDOM CHARACTERS]\[RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe
5. %AllUsersProfile%\Application Data\5c678c\sqlite3.dll
6. %AppData%\Home Malware Cleaner\ScanDisk_.exe
7. %AllUsersProfile%\Application Data\5c678c\mozcrt19.dll
8. %Desktop%\Home Malware Cleaner.lnk
9. %AppData%\Home Malware Cleaner\cookies.sqlite
10. %StartMenu%\Home Malware Cleaner.lnk
11. %AllUsersProfile%\Application Data\5c678c\51.mof
12. %AllUsersProfile%\Application Data\5c678c\BackUp\
13. %AppData%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Home Malware Cleaner.lnk
14. %CommonAppData%\[RANDOM CHARACTERS]\ASE.ico
15. %Programs%\Home Malware Cleaner.lnk
16. %AllUsersProfile%\Application Data\HMEMLLCC\HMFLAAC.cfg
17. %AllUsersProfile%\Application Data\5c678c\
18. %AllUsersProfile%\Application Data\5c678c\Quarantine Items\
19. %AppData%\Home Malware Cleaner\Instructions.ini
20. %CommonAppData%\[RANDOM CHARACTERS]\[RANDOM CHARACTERS].cfg
21. %AppData%\Home Malware Cleaner\
22. %AllUsersProfile%\Application Data\HMEMLLCC\
23. %AllUsersProfile%\Application Data\5c678c\HMC.ico
24. %AllUsersProfile%\Application Data\5c678c\HMCSys\

Registry Details

Home Malware Cleaner may create the following registry entry or registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\{RANDOM CHARACTERS}.exe\Debugger = svchost.exe
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\Debugger = svchost.exe
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\clsid\{3F2BBC05-40DF-11D2-9455-00104BC936FF} Default = Implements DocHostUIHandler LocalServer32 = %AllUsersProfile%\Application Data\5c678c\HM5c6_8010.exe ProgID = HM5c6_8010.DocHostUIHandler
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run "Home Malware Cleaner" "%CommonAppData%\[RANDOM CHARACTERS]\[RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe" /s /d
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\HM5c6_8010.DocHostUIHandler Default = Implements DocHostUIHandler Clsid = {3F2BBC05-40DF-11D2-9455-00104BC936FF}

2 Comments

Randy McGregor Reply

My phone has been acting up like people can control what im doing and see everything i do

i am getting so many popups on win8.1 that my computer fails to work

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