How to Remove CCleaner Malware Infections in 2024 (3 Steps)
Reading time: 11 min
Updated on September 21, 2023
While it’s a safe PC optimization tool, some past versions of CCleaner have had malware like the Floxif and Nyetya trojans. These dangerous viruses can modify system files or even give attackers control of your system. So, getting an antivirus to defend your system is crucial if you’ve previously installed CCleaner or are planning to get it.
After testing many security apps, I’ve picked the best antiviruses for removing CCleaner viruses. They have excellent malware detection, advanced security features, and more to safeguard your Windows PC against viruses that may be bundled with CCleaner.
Norton is the best overall antivirus against CCleaner viruses, per my testing. It has a perfect malware detection score, flawless real-time security, reliable web protection, and more. Plus, with its money-back guarantee, you can try Norton risk-free for 60 days.
Remove CCleaner Malware with Norton
Quick Guide: How to Remove CCleaner Malware
- Install an effective antivirus. Get a reliable antivirus to ensure you can remove all CCleaner malware. I suggest you get Norton to secure your system.
- Uninstall CCleaner. Navigate to Windows’ Apps & features menu and uninstall CCleaner.
- Do a full scan. Use your antivirus to do a system-wide scan and remove any malware it detects.
Try Norton risk-free for 60 days
Step-By-Step Guide: How to Eliminate CCleaner Viruses From Windows PCs
The following steps explain how to remove all CCleaner viruses from your Windows system. The most important step is getting an antivirus, and I suggest you get a top antivirus with a built-in VPN to add an extra layer of protection while online.
Step 1: Install a Top Antivirus
Start by installing a top premium antivirus that ensures the removal of CCleaner viruses while preventing reinfections. My suggestion is to get Norton to remove CCleaner viruses because of its perfect malware detection score. Open Norton’s website, navigate to its plans, and choose one that suits your needs.
Access Norton’s web portal and download the setup after subscribing.
Run Norton’s setup and follow its steps to install the security app.
Step 2: Uninstall CCleaner
Next, you should uninstall CCleaner from your system. Open Windows’ Apps & features menu by searching “Add or remove programs” in the Start menu and clicking the first result.
Type “CCleaner” in the search bar, click it, and click the Uninstall button. Click the button once again when asked for confirmation.
Follow all the steps in CCleaner’s uninstaller to remove it from your system and restart your PC once the uninstallation is finished.
Step 3: Do a Full System Scan
Finally, do a full scan of your system to find and remove all CCleaner malware. Open Norton and access the Scan Options menu next to Device Security.
Choose the full scan option and click the Go button to check your PC for malware.
Quarantine or remove all the threats found in the full scan and click the Finish button to complete it.
The Best Antivirus Software to Remove CCleaner Malware (Tested in 2024)
1. Norton — The #1 Antivirus With Perfect Malware Detection to Defend Your System Against CCleaner Infections
Key Features:
- Detects 100% of malware via its scans, including CCleaner infections.
- Has a built-in VPN and effective web protection for online safety.
- Provides up to 500GB of cloud storage (in the US) for sensitive data.
- Offers responsive 24/7 live chat, phone support, and more.
- Comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Norton provides the best defense against CCleaner viruses with flawless malware detection via scans and real-time threats. Plus, it offers best-in-class customer support and includes various extra safety features to add more layers of protection to your system.
During tests, Norton’s scans effectively found 100% of malware on my test system, meaning it can safeguard you against CCleaner viruses. Plus, I like that its first full system scan only took 20 minutes, and subsequent scans were even faster, thanks to Norton Insight skipping files previously marked safe.
You’ll also get equally effective real-time security with Norton, as it blocks 100% of malware before it infects your system. Plus, its web protection ensures you don’t visit unsafe websites or download files containing malware.
Norton also has the following features to add more layers of security:
- Built-in VPN — uses AES 256-bit encryption to protect your browsing activity.
- PC SafeCam — blocks unauthorized access to your system’s webcam.
- Password Manager — secures your passwords and other credentials.
- Software Updater — ensures you have up-to-date apps without any vulnerabilities.
- Encrypted Cloud Storage — provides up to 500GB of cloud storage (in the US) to store sensitive files.
- Dark Web Monitoring — lets you know if your passwords or accounts were leaked on the dark web.
I found that Norton also offers top-grade customer support. Its live chat is highly responsive, and I connected to an agent within minutes whenever I needed help. Plus, the knowledge base has lots of useful information about how to use the app properly.
You can get Norton for as low as $29.99/year and choose from the following plans:
- Antivirus Plus — provides Norton’s malware scans, real-time security, firewall, password manager, 2GB of cloud storage (in the US), and protection for 1 device.
- 360 Standard — has Norton’s VPN, PC SafeCam, Dark Web Monitoring, everything in Antivirus Plus, and protection for up to 3 devices.
- 360 Deluxe — offers 50GB of cloud storage (in the US), Norton’s parental controls, Privacy Monitor, everything in 360 Standard, and protection for up to 5 devices.
- 360 Select — includes Norton’s ID monitoring, 250GB of cloud storage (in the US), everything in 360 Deluxe, and protection for up to 10 devices.
- 360 Advantage — provides Norton’s Identity Lock besides everything in 360 Select.
- 360 Ultimate — has Norton’s Home Title Monitoring, 500GB of cloud storage (in the US), all the above features, and protection for unlimited devices.
Norton’s 360 Deluxe plan is the best value because it protects multiple devices with all the app’s core safety features at just $49.99/year. Whichever plan you get, you can try Norton risk-free with its 60-day money-back guarantee. You can ask for a refund via live chat if unsatisfied, and I had my money back in 5 days when I requested mine after tests.
Remove CCleaner Malware with Norton
2. McAfee — Blocks All Real-Time Threats and CCleaner Malware Before They Can Infect Your System
Key Features:
- Blocks 100% of real-time threats before they infect your system.
- Includes a highly intuitive firewall with various customization options.
- Provides a built-in VPN that uses industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption.
- Has a file shredding tool to make sensitive files permanently inaccessible.
- Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
McAfee’s real-time security defends against CCleaner malware and other cyber threats before the infection occurs. It blocks 100% of real-time threats and has an effective firewall that prevents network intrusions. Also, the firewall is intuitive and comes with various customization options.
Throughout my tests, McAfee detected and removed 100% of malware samples I hid across my system. While the scans effectively remove malware, I was disappointed to learn that they’re slow. McAfee’s full scan needed over an hour to check my system, while Norton finished the same scan within 20 minutes.
Web protection via McAfee’s WebAdvisor is excellent. It stops you from opening unsafe sites and scans your downloads to block malicious files. Also, McAfee’s built-in VPN uses industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption to safeguard your online activity and add another layer of protection.
McAfee also has the following tools to improve overall safety:
- File Shredder — deletes sensitive files permanently so no one else can access them.
- Secure Apps — keeps your apps up-to-date to fix vulnerabilities that attackers may exploit.
- Network Monitor — checks your network and informs you about intruders.
You can get McAfee for as low as $39.99/year. It offers the following plans:
- Total Protection Plus — has McAfee’s virus scans, real-time security, firewall, web protection, VPN, file shredder, ID monitoring, and protection for up to 5 devices.
- McAfee+ Premium — includes McAfee’s Personal Data Cleanup scans, protection for up to 10 devices, and everything in Total Protection Plus.
- McAfee+ Advanced — offers McAfee’s lost wallet protection, $1M ID theft coverage, full-service Personal Data Cleanup, and everything in McAfee+ Premium.
- McAfee+ Ultimate — provides McAfee’s credit lock, $25K ransomware coverage, daily credit reports, and everything in McAfee+ Advanced.
McAfee’s Total Protection Plus plan offers the best value by protecting 5 devices with all the app’s core security features at just $49.99/year. Of course, you can try McAfee risk-free for 30 days with its money-back guarantee, regardless of your plan. If unsatisfied, you can easily claim a refund via phone support, and I had my money back within 7 days of my request.
Remove CCleaner Malware with McAfee
FAQs on CCleaner Malware Removal
Is CCleaner really a virus?
Is there a safe CCleaner version?
How do I remove CCleaner malware?
You can remove CCleaner malware in 3 steps, which include the following:
- Install a top antivirus to prevent reinfection and find malware on your system.
- Uninstall CCleaner by using Windows’ Apps & features menu.
- Do a full scan using your antivirus and remove/quarantine any threats it detects.
Of course, you must get a reliable antivirus with high malware detection scores to ensure it can detect CCleaner malware and all other threats on your system.
Remove CCleaner Malware With the Best Antivirus Software
Despite it being a renowned PC optimization tool, you may be at risk of malware infection if you install CCleaner. Past CCleaner versions have had viruses like the Floxif and Nyetya trojans, meaning it’s best to install a top antivirus if you’re getting CCleaner or have it already.
The above antiviruses offer the best defense against CCleaner malware. I chose them after extensively testing the best security apps. They offer excellent malware detection via their scans, reliable real-time security, and other features to add more layers of safety.
Of the top choices, Norton is the best antivirus for removing CCleaner viruses. It finds all threats via its perfect malware detection, and its flawless real-time security prevents reinfection. Plus, it has web protection, a built-in VPN, and more tools for comprehensive safety. Best of all, you can try Norton risk-free with its 60-day money-back guarantee.
Summary — 2024’s Best Antiviruses to Remove CCleaner Viruses
Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
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