Total System Care (fake) - updated Aug 2021
Total System Care Removal Guide
What is Total System Care?
Total System Care is the application considered a scam because it comes bundled and has no alleged features
This is a potentially unwanted program that may appear out of nowhere and start performing scans pf the system
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 FortectIntego 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.
Although the PUP can be downloaded from official website, it usually enters users' machines via software bundling
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 5Combo Cleaner or 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.
The bogus system optimizer may damage the PC instead of fixing it
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.
You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
Getting rid of Total System Care. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Delete from macOS
Remove items from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
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.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
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.
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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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 unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of Total System Care registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting adware
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 Private Internet Access 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 Data Recovery Pro for the data restoration process.
- ^ SenzaVirus. SenzaVirus. Italian cybersecurity articles.
- ^ Potentially unwanted program. Wikipedia. The Free Encyclopedia.
- ^ Margaret Rouse. Scareware. WhatIs. IT information website.