Remove Total System Care (fake)

Total System Care is the application considered a scam because it comes bundled and has no alleged features

Total System Care PUP

Total System Care is presented as a utility tool that can speed up the PC, fix errors, free disk space, stabilize programs, clean registry entries, etc. The software is compatible with various versions of Windows and was developed in 2013 by Canada-based firm SafeBytes Software Inc. Some users may think that this application is useful as it can fix multiple PC issues. However, security experts^[1] consider it a potentially unwanted program^[2] that injects users' machines via software bundling.

Summary
Name	Total System Care
Type	Adware, potentially unwanted program
Sub-type	Scareware
Developer	SafeBytes Software Inc.
Compatible OS	Windows-based systems
Main dangers	Damaging system files, exposing sensitive data to unknown sources
Distribution	Software bundling, the official website, additional promotional content
Elimination	Download and install the anti-malware tool. Otherwise use manual guide below
Restoring	The proper system tool like Fortect Intego can help fix related issues and registry entries

TotalSystemCare has precisely the same flaw as much other scareware^[3] programs – they try to make users purchase the licensed version to gain profit. It would be all good if the “issues” found were real. However, it is not the case – developers seek to confuse users by flashing various warnings about such insignificant things as cookies or temporary files. This program displays exaggerated alerts that can hardly reveal the real PC's situation and make your computer run faster.

Instead, this app may actually damage your machine. It offers to clear registry entries – tiny database files which hold the configuration settings inside. Many security experts (and even Microsoft themselves) agree that tampering with these files might damage system files permanently and the only solution would be to reinstall Windows – and we are sure you don't want to do that. Therefore, we suggest you remove Total System Care virus from your machine ASAP – don't let it damage your system.

Unfortunately, many users who are not familiar with system files and the operation of the operating system fall for this trick. It is not surprising, as the scareware infiltrates machines without users' noticing and instantaneously starts performing a system scan. As we already mentioned, it finds many bogus issues, and, according to the program, the only way to fix them is by purchasing the licensed version, which costs $29.99USD semi-annually. It is a subscription-based product; thus, users who forget to cancel it will be charged 6-monthly automatically.

Total System Care adware

The worst part is that the users enter their sensitive information when they purchase Total System Care. Thus, such data as name, address, email, and even credit card details may be exposed to questionable third parties. Therefore, never enter payment information, as it may lead to stolen money or even identity fraud.

Finally, even if you pay for the full version, the scareware will not leave you alone. It will keep performing scans and offer to install other dubious applications, or display advertisements directly from your Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or another browser.

To conclude, if you found that the questionable application is performing scans on your system and finds multiple issues, hurry up with Total System Care removal. You can get rid of it by uninstalling it manually, as well as using reputable anti-malware software (security specialists recommend SpyHunter Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes Malwarebytes) that will make sure that no traces to PUP are left.

Installation of scammy applications happen without your knowledge

The system optimizer can be downloaded from its official website or other sites that are used for promoting questionable applications. However, you should think twice before downloading this program on your computer because causes many adverse effects to your system.

Additionally, the PUP usually infiltrates machines without permission – using the software bundling technique. This method is often used by freeware developers and unwanted software authors, as both gain benefit from that. Thus, it is in the biggest interest of software creators to make users install third-party apps, which are often completely useless or even harmful.

That's why you should always monitor the installation process, even if it is the legitimate one, as many reputable firms are contracted with PUP developers. For example, Adobe Flash updates continuously try to infect users' computers with various toolbars and add-ons.

Therefore, when installing free programs, always select Custom or Advanced installation settings. This way, you will be able to see the full list of the about-to-be-installed applications, in addition to the desired one. Then, remove all the tick-marks next to components and only then finalize the installation.

Total System Care virus

Take steps to improve the security and remove the Total System Care intruder

We highly recommend you remove Total System Care from the system, especially if you have no idea where this program came from. You can perform the elimination in two different ways, or combine them both:

Automatic option- simply download and install anti-malware software;
Manual threat removal is just as effective as an automatic one. However, do not forget the incorrect procedure will fail to eliminate the potentially unwanted program. Additionally, this method will not protect you from unwanted programs or malware infections in the future.

Even if you are an experienced computer user, we would still suggest you scan the system with a powerful anti-virus tool to make sure that no traces of the Total System Care virus are left.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.

Remove the unwanted program:

In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:

Select Go > Go to Folder.
Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.
Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
Click Remove.

Clear cookies and other browser data:

Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
Then find On startup section.
Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
Select Details tab.
Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:

Click on Menu and go to Settings.
Select Privacy, search and services.
Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
Under Time range, pick All time.
Select Clear now.

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

Click on Menu and select Settings.
On the left side, pick Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values.
Confirm with Reset.
This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
Select Add-ons.
In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.

Reset the homepage:

Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
Choose Settings.
Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

Click Menu and pick Settings.
Go to Privacy & Security section.
Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
Click on Clear Data...
Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.
Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

Click on Menu and pick Settings.
Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
Click Clear data.

Change your homepage:

Click menu and choose Settings.
Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.

Reset Google Chrome:

If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:

Click on Menu and select Settings.
In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
Confirm with Reset settings.

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:

Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:

Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.

How to remove Total System Care

Total System Care is the application considered a scam because it comes bundled and has no alleged features

Installation of scammy applications happen without your knowledge