Windows Optimization Center

While protecting your PC against all known threats, there happens a time when a new threat enters the market which demands attention because of its vindictive and vitriolic attack. That is certainly the case with Windows Optimization Center. Deriving from the same ridiculous family as PCOptimizer 2010 Privacy Corrector and the fake Microsoft Security Essentials infection, this rogue was designed with one purpose in mind – to steal consumers’ money through any means necessary, even doing permanent damage to the host PC in the process.

This harmful rogue system optimizer usually infiltrates its victims’ PCs without the knowledge of the user. Windows Optimization Center is most commonly spread via Trojan and malware infections which bundles itself along with software obtained from third party downloads. Another popular form of distribution for Windows Optimization Center is to make use of criminal websites which employ drive-by download tactics in its attempt to make money off consumers with affiliate marketing. Notice the clever name developers behind this incredulous rogue used in order to fool naïve users into thinking Windows Optimization Center is associated with Microsoft. Windows Optimization Center has no affiliation with any legitimate security or optimization software and is a standalone rogue application which is unable to live up to any of its over embellished promises.

Users will largely remain unaware of Windows Optimization Center’s presence on the system until it decides to reveal itself with the use of fake security messages. These messages were designed to create panic among its victims, as well as a ploy to garner trust in its prospective victims. Users should never entertain these fake alerts on their systems, and should not follow the actions inferred in them. Some of the notorious Windows Optimization Center fake alerts to be on the lookout for include:

“Processing Unprotected Startup

Attention! A potential security vulnerability detected due to numerous virus attacks.

Unauthorized access to personal and proprietary information may occur.

Possible hardware-induced corruption with most or all of the file system damage may cause irreversible data loss.”

“Attention

Software without a digital certificate is detected. System files security is at risk.

It is strongly recommended to enable the security mode.”

“Critical vulnerability!

Application that seems to be a key-logger is detected. System information security is at risk.

It is recommended to enable the security mode and run total System scanning.”

“Processing Unprotected Startup

Attention! A potential security vulnerability detected due to numerous virus attacks.

Unauthorized access to personal and proprietary information may occur.

Possible hardware-induced corruption with most or all of the file system damage may cause irreversible data loss.”

“System Security Warning

Attempt to modify register key entries is detected. Register entries analysis is recommended.”

“System component corrupted!

System reboot error has occurred due to lsass.exe system process failure.

This may be caused by severe malware infections.

Automatic restore of lsass.exe backup copy completed.

The correct system performance can not be resumed without eliminating the cause

of lsass.exe corruption.”

What’s more, Windows Optimization Center will inform the user that it has detected an unknown Win32/Trojan on the PC. The alert reads as follows:

“Microsoft Security Essentials Alert

Potential Threat Details

Microsoft Security Essentials detected potential threats that might compromise your private or damage your computer. Your access to these items may be suspended until you take an action. Click 'show details' to learn more.”

Windows Optimization Center will urge the user to scan his PC with the fake system scanner, which will then wind up informing the user that a particular file, known as Trojan.Horse.Win32.PAV.64.a is infected, and that by installing Windows Optimization Center the virus will be successfully removed. This is simply untrue. The text of this prompt will read as follows:

“Threat prevention solution found

Security system analysis has revealed critical file system vulnerability caused by severe malware attacks.

Risk of system files infection:

The detected vulnerability may result in unauthorized access to private information and hard drive data with a seriuos possibility of irreversible data loss and unstable PC performance. To remove the malware please run a full system scan. Press 'OK' to install the software necessary to initiate system files check. To complete the installation process please reboot your computer.”

Should the user go through with the call to action, Windows Optimization Center will then be installed on the PC. If the Windows Optimization Center installation was successful, the user will be presented with a Windows Optimization Center screen before the Desktop is made available to him the next time the system reboots. It will then go on to scan the system and report on monumental infections as being present on the system. It will not “remove” any threat until the consumer pays for Windows Optimization Center.

Some specific character traits of the Windows Optimization Center rogue include its ability to change browser settings, spamming users with commercial advertisements, staying idle in the background and connecting to the Internet by itself. Windows Optimization Center also has the ability to repair its own files after a failed removal attempt, and can spread and update completely by itself. Windows Optimization Center will also hijack, redirect and block your Internet connection.

Obviously this harmful rogue has the ability to cause permanent and irreversible damage to an infected system, and no one wants to be faced with this rogue on their PC. In order to limit the damage this rogue will be able to cause, destroy Windows Optimization Center from your system soonest. Attempting to manually remove Windows Optimization Center might cause more damage than good, so rather employ the removal power of a genuine and powerful security tool which will permanently get rid of Windows Optimization Center for good.