Total Antivirus 2020: what it is and how to remove it
Total Antivirus 2020 is a rogue anti-malware software that was designed to scam users. While the app pretends to operate as an antivirus that is capable of repelling malware attacks, it causes malicious and fake notifications on users' screens in order to make them purchase a full version of Total Antivirus 2020 to seemingly eliminate malware that was found.
Facts checked October 7, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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Total Antivirus 2020: summary
| Distribution | While rogue security tools can be installed via software bundles, some tools infiltrate machines as Trojans downloaded from malicious websites |
|---|---|
| Name | Total Antivirus 2020 |
| Type | Rogue anti-malware, fake antivirus |
| Fake functions | Claims to protect users from malware and is capable of removing already present computer threats |
| Main goal | To scam users by showing them fake virus alerts and making them purchase a full version of the app |
| Dangers | Loss of money; credit card details disclosure to rogue's developers |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 9 more facts
| Related files | Opi78GhZvbLteAl9.exe, Kiu7yT65ZbgHl.exe |
|---|---|
| Detection | Gen:Variant.Razy.720981 Generic.mg.8eab12b26d46ab8a Microsoft: Trojan:Win32/Wacatac.C!ml TScope.Trojan.MSIL Gen:NN.ZemsilF.34138.cn3@aKsPJen A Variant Of MSIL/Hoax.FakeAV.K More results on Virus Total |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Symptoms | An unknown process in Task Manager and a Windows Security "Threats found" notification |
| Files and processes | Opi78GhZvbLteAl9.exe |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| First seen | 9 August 2020 |
| Microsoft Defender name | Trojan:Win32/Wacatac.C!ml |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
Is Total Antivirus 2020 a real security program?
What antivirus programs call Total Antivirus 2020
Microsoft Defender reports Total Antivirus 2020 as Trojan:Win32/Wacatac.C!ml.
In a Defender name, the part before the colon is the category, the part after it is the platform, and the part after the slash is the family Microsoft assigned. A suffix after ! is an internal Microsoft marker, not a different threat.
Generic labels such as Agent, GenericKD or Malware.AI only say that a file looks malicious, not what it does; our guide to antivirus detection names shows how to read them.
- File:
Opi78GhZvbLteAl9.exe
From our report of Aug 2020 · not reviewed since
Total Antivirus 2020 is a malicious program that shows fake scan results about Windows computer health
Total Antivirus 2020 is a rogue anti-malware software that was designed to scam users.
While the app pretends to operate as an antivirus that is capable of repelling malware attacks, it causes malicious and fake notifications on users' screens in order to make them purchase a full version of Total Antivirus 2020 to seemingly eliminate malware that was found.
Typically, this fake anti-virus is installed along with other software from third-party websites (a technique that is known a software bundling), which is the main reason why users might start experiencing Total Antivirus 2020 alerts unexpectedly. Since the app attempts to imitate the design of Windows Security Essentials, users might believe that viruses and network attacks are indeed legitimate.
For more information about Total Antivirus 2020 malware removal, check the bottom section of this article.
Essentially, Total Antivirus 2020 malware acts very similarly to fake alerts that users can encounter on various websites while browsing the web. These scams typically rely on multiple scare tactics and social engineering to make visitors believe that their machines are infected with malware. Red colors, flashing windows, notifications, popups, and similar attention-grabbing attributes are often used to make the scam more believable.
While scams like Your system is infected with 3 viruses are relatively harmless if not interacted with, rogue anti-spyware tools are applications that are installed on the system. Considering the principles of its operation (developers attempt to scam and mislead users), the program can be easily classified as malware, otherwise known as malicious software.
Since Total Antivirus 2020 is considered to be malicious, it might be spread in various deceptive ways, for example:
Once inside the system, Total Antivirus 2020 will gain access to vital Windows components, such as Policies, scheduled tasks, registry, etc., and then apply several changes to them. It will also prevent Windows Defender from detecting the app by changing the registry related to it. Due to these reasons, users might struggle with Total Antivirus 2020 removal later on.
As soon as system changes are performed, Total Antivirus 2020 will begin to show aggressive popup notifications that aim to make you doubt your computer security. In order words, it tries to use scare tactics to make you believe that your machine is heavily infected with malware and needs urgent cleaning.
The following is an example of a fake notification that Total Antivirus 2020 might show at any time when your computer is operational:
This problem-solution approach a scam that should be ignored - you should never provide your credit card information to purchase the allegedly full version of the software, as these details might end up in cybercriminals' hands. As a result, you might suffer from consequences like financial loss or identity theft/fraud.
Security software is meant to protect you from online dangers and malware infection ramifications. Unfortunately, some people are willing to create fake antivirus tools that act like malware themselves and scam users into spending money - Total Antivirus 2020 is one of such apps.
Total Antivirus 2020 is one of the dozens of apps that have been floating around the internet for a very long time now - programs like Antivirus 2009, Security Tool, Live Protection Suite, System Defender, and many others, are highly likely to be created by same malicious actors as same operation tactics are used.
All in all, if you saw that Total Antivirus 2020 is showing alerts on your computer, you should get rid of it as soon as possible and never pay money for the full version of the app.
Many reputable security vendors detect the program's installer as malicious and can also help you with its elimination. You can attempt to get rid of the app manually, although you are likely to fail.
Total Antivirus 2020 malware can also cause some serious Windows performance issues after its elimination - you can attempt to repair such problems with a specially designed software .
- Software bundle packages
- Fake Flash Player updates
- Bogus virus notification prompts
- Via already installed malware (backdoors, trojans), etc.
From our report of Aug 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Total Antivirus 2020
- If you are constantly seeing a "Registration" window that does not go away, type in the "ALKJ-SALM-POIY-OLKH" in the "New key" section to get rid of these popups.
- Total Antivirus 2020 can ruin some of the Windows functions by performing changes to vital system files.
- If you found that your PC is crashing, lagging, rebooting, or suffering from other post-infection troubles, fix virus damage with
- Your computer is under attack!
- As a result of a spyware attack, your computer Microsoft Windows has been infected!
- All of your important data, including documents, photos and logins are at the severe risk of being sent to hacker remote host.
- Total Antivirus 2020 has successfully prevented this attack, but unfortunately you are using unregistered version of the software and this does not offer you protection against such attacks in the future!
How to remove Total Antivirus 2020
Nothing it reports is real.
These steps remove it and undo a payment if you made one.
Step 1: Do not pay, and undo a payment if you made one
Nothing that Total Antivirus 2020 says it found needs fixing by it. Close its windows and do not enter card details.
If you bought it, contact your bank or card issuer about a dispute and cancel any renewal, keeping the receipt e-mail as evidence. Uninstalling it from Windows 11 or Windows 10 removes the program but leaves the subscription running.
Full procedure with screenshots: What to do after paying a scammer
Step 2: Uninstall programs you did not mean to install
Total Antivirus 2020 rarely comes alone: it is usually installed by, or together with, a free program. In Windows 11 open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, in Windows 10 Settings > Apps > Apps & features, and sort by install date.
Uninstall every entry from the day the trouble began that you did not install on purpose, for example a download manager, a converter or a browser you never chose.
Keep drivers and entries from Microsoft, Intel, AMD, NVIDIA or your PC's maker unless you are sure.
Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix
Step 3: Remove it from startup
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager and select Startup apps (Windows 11) or the Startup tab (Windows 10). Disable entries you do not recognise, especially ones with no publisher or with a name that copies a Windows component.
Right-click an entry and choose Open file location to see where it runs from: programs in
%AppData%or%Temp%deserve a closer look. Some entries are not listed there but in the registry Run keys, which the procedure below shows how to check.Full procedure with screenshots: Stop apps from opening at startup On uGetFix
Step 4: Delete the folders left behind
Uninstalling often leaves the program's folders, and some threats reinstall themselves from them.
Press Windows + R, type
%LocalAppData%and press Enter, then do the same for%AppData%and %ProgramData%, and look for folders named after Total Antivirus 2020, its publisher or created on the day the problem started.Delete those folders, and check
C:\Program FilesandC:\Program Files (x86)too.If Windows says a file is in use, end it in Task Manager or delete the folder after a restart in Safe Mode. The folders are the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Full procedure with screenshots: Remove what malware leaves behind in Windows
Step 5: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
A scan finds the parts of Total Antivirus 2020 that the manual steps cannot see. In Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, start a Full scan and quarantine what it reports.
Follow it with Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) > Scan now, which restarts the PC and checks the disk while Windows and the malware are not running.
It takes about 15 minutes and works the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10. If either scan finds something, run the full scan again after removal until it comes back clean.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Manual removal using Safe Mode
Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.
Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking
Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment.
Windows 7 / Vista / XP
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. - it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes
Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
Step 4. Delete virus files
Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):
%AppData%
%LocalAppData%
%ProgramData%
%WinDir%
After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices.
Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings.
Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact - you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use for the data restoration process.
From our report of Aug 2020 · not reviewed since
Prevent malicious programs from accessing your machine
While operating systems, browsers, social networks, and other platforms are becoming more secure as the years go by, it does not mean that you are completely safe from malware.
If anything, threat actors use primitive distribution techniques that involve social engineering - and are extremely successful in their illegal but lucrative business. For example, one of the most widespread ransomware strains Djvu is infecting hundreds of users every day by distributing malicious payloads via pirated software installers and software cracks.
In other words, computer security mostly depends on your actions, and you have plenty of tools at your disposal to prevent malware infections and malicious attacks. Here are some tips that security researchers from novirus.uk provide in order to make it easier for you:
- Install powerful security software that could keep malware and PUPs away;
- Enable web protection within your security software;
- Do not allow spam email attachments to run macro function;
- Never download software cracks, keygens, or similar files for pirating;
- Avoid high-risk sites, such as torrents, gambling, porn, etc.;
- Never believe fake prompts that ask you to update Flash Player;
- Always opt for Advanced/Custom installation mode instead of Recommend/Quick one when installing freeware.
From our report of Aug 2020 · not reviewed since
Get rid of Total Antivirus 2020 rogue and use reputable anti-malware to protect your computer
Since Total Antivirus 2020 is a virus itself, its termination might be difficult for some users.
First of all, if you encountered a blue lockscreen that does not go away, you can type in the "ALKJ-SALM-POIY-OLKH" code that would stop all the annoying notifications and popups - this will malware Total Antivirus 2020 removal much easier.
The easiest way to remove Total Antivirus 2020 from your machine is by performing a full system scan with a legitimate security tool.
In case malware is interfering with the elimination process, we highly suggest you access Safe Mode with Networking as explained below and perform the system scan from there. You can also try to get rid of the app by using System Restore if you had it enabled on your Windows machine.
[GI=method-1]To access Safe Mode with Networking, perform the following steps:
[GI=method-2]System Restore can also be sometimes used to eliminate malicious software changes from your Windows OS:
Questions about Total Antivirus 2020
Is Opi78GhZvbLteAl9.exe safe?
It depends on where the file is and who signed it, not on the name. Open Task Manager, go to the Details tab, right-click Opi78GhZvbLteAl9.exe and choose Open file location. A file inside Program Files or System32 with a valid digital signature from a known company is usually part of a legitimate program.
A file in AppData, Temp or ProgramData with no signature, especially one that restarts itself after you end it, is suspicious. If you cannot tie the process to anything you installed, uninstall recent unfamiliar programs and run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan.
What does the name Trojan:Win32/Wacatac.C!ml tell me?
Microsoft builds names in a fixed order:
- category
- then platform
- then family
- sometimes followed by a variant letter
- a suffix
The category is the most useful part for you. Trojan, Backdoor and PWS mean real malware that can download more, give remote access or steal passwords. PUA means unwanted software.
Ransom means ransomware. Suffixes such as !ml or !MTB mean the detection came from machine learning or behaviour analysis. Search for the family part of Trojan:Win32/Wacatac.C!ml together with the word Microsoft to find its entry in Microsoft's security encyclopedia.
Opi78GhZvbLteAl9.exe keeps coming back. What should I do?
A process that returns after you end it has a restart mechanism, and that is a reason to treat Opi78GhZvbLteAl9.exe as unwanted. Check Settings > Apps > Startup, Task Scheduler and the Services list for entries pointing to its folder, and disable them.
Look in Installed apps for anything added the same day and uninstall it. Then delete the folder and run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan, which works before Windows starts and can remove files that are locked or hidden while the system is running.
Why does Trojan:Win32/Wacatac.C!ml keep coming back?
Because removing the file does not remove what creates it. The usual causes are a scheduled task, a startup entry, a service or a browser extension that downloads or rebuilds the file, or a second program that installed it in the first place.
Look in Task Scheduler and Startup apps for unknown entries, check Installed apps sorted by date, and run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan, which can remove items that are locked while Windows runs. Also check that no exclusions were added in Windows Security. If Trojan:Win32/Wacatac.C!ml still returns, back up documents and reset Windows.
Is Microsoft Defender enough to remove Total Antivirus 2020?
For most home PCs it is a solid first step. Defender detects this threat as Trojan:Win32/Wacatac.C!ml, and a full scan followed by an offline scan covers the places where Total Antivirus 2020 usually hides. The offline scan runs before Windows starts, so malware that hides while Windows is running cannot interfere: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan.
Defender does not undo everything, though. It does not restore browser settings, decrypt files or change passwords that may have been copied, which is why this guide has separate steps for those. If Defender finds the same item again after removal, something else keeps reinstalling it.
Is my card safe after buying Total Antivirus 2020?
Treat it as exposed. The order page belongs to the seller of Total Antivirus 2020, and you cannot know how the number is stored or shared. Ask your bank for a replacement card, which is usually free, and dispute the original charge as a misrepresented product.
Until the new card arrives, check your account daily for small or foreign transactions. If the bank offers alerts for every card payment, turn them on. Keep the receipt and screenshots, because they support the dispute.
Do I need to reinstall Windows to get rid of Total Antivirus 2020?
Usually not. A thorough clean-up is enough when the offline scan finds nothing afterwards and you do not see an unfamiliar process called Opi78GhZvbLteAl9.exe in Task Manager again. A reset is the safer choice if an attacker had remote control, if security tools were switched off, or if detections come back after every clean-up.
Windows 11 can reset itself without a USB stick under Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC. Copy documents and photos out first and scan the copies. A reset does not change passwords or undo stolen data, so the account steps still apply.
Why does Total Antivirus 2020 look so official?
Because copying the design costs nothing and makes people trust it. The program behind an unfamiliar process called Opi78GhZvbLteAl9.exe in Task Manager borrows Windows colours, icons and wording, sometimes even the name of a well-known security brand. None of that gives it access to real security information.
A real alert can be checked in seconds: open Windows Security from the Start menu and look at Protection history. If nothing is listed there, the official-looking window is fake, and the program that draws it is what needs to be removed.
I called the number from Total Antivirus 2020. What now?
End the call and do not let them reconnect. If they installed a remote-access tool, disconnect the PC from the internet and uninstall that tool from Installed apps. Change passwords for e-mail, banking and anything you typed during the call, using another device.
If you paid, contact the bank today for a chargeback. Report the number to the authorities in your country. The program behind an unfamiliar process called Opi78GhZvbLteAl9.exe in Task Manager still needs removing: follow the plan in this guide, then run a full scan in Windows Security.
Will Fortect remove Total Antivirus 2020?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For Total Antivirus 2020, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- Wikiepdia: Social engineering (security) (read October 7, 2026)
- Wired: Hack Brief: Fake Adobe Flash Installers Come With a Little Malware Bonus (read October 7, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 7, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 7, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: How Microsoft names malware (read October 7, 2026)