Can AdWCleaner be trusted?

[cayennejim]

I was initially working with a Consumer Success Specialist & Malware Removal Specialist, but I guess he wanted to go home and referred me to the forum.                                              The main purpose of my inquiry is to ask if all the registry threats Adware Cleaner finds are safe to clean. My understanding of my registry is very limited and just by looking at the scanned keys (threats) tells me nothing about what to keep or clean. I don't want to just accept all the checked threats and end up with a broken PC. Are they really all threats to be trusted and cleaned? Reading ADW Cleaner forums, some people have been burned with ADW Cleaner by cleaning all the checked registry files. Also, I have read that AWD Cleaner Restore will only restore folders. Registry keys are permanently deleted.
So, can I trust ADW Cleaner's results to safely clean the registry threats that they have checked? And if I run into problems, will ADW Cleaner's Restore or Windows System Restore fix everything. Thanks for any help. I have included a log file.

 

AdwCleaner[S6].txt

[pondus]

Quote

Can AdWCleaner be trusted?

hmmmm .. maybe     >  https://press.malwarebytes.com/2016/10/19/malwarebytes-acquires-adwcleaner/

it removes crap from browsers, and you have the option to restore from AdwCleaner quarantine if needed

 

 

 

Edited October 20, 2016 by pondus

[Ried]

It would take quite some time to look up every one of those to find out what they are. 

Here are just a couple from your log that I Googled:

Key Found:  HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppID\{06DEB529-DE09-43EC-B6E2-451AAB0FF000}  --> https://www.sophos.com/en-us/threat-center/threat-analyses/viruses-and-spyware/Troj~BHO-TN/detailed-analysis.aspx

Key Found:  HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppID\{09C554C3-109B-483C-A06B-F14172F1A947} --> https://www.sophos.com/en-us/threat-center/threat-analyses/adware-and-puas/Industriya Privitize/detailed-analysis.aspx

As with any tool, false positives can occur. Personally, I've referred this tool to literally hundreds of people over the years and have never had anyone come back to me with issues after cleaning what it had found.

Will System Restore fix any damage? More than likely, yes.  

[AdvancedSetup]

Most of the stuff found I would remove. This entry though might possibly be a FP. I can understand wanting to remove the toolbar but if you removed the entire folder it would almost certainly break any other software you have installed from them.

Check Point Software Technologies LTD

Key Found:  HKCU\Software\Check Point Software Technologies LTD
Key Found:  HKLM\SOFTWARE\Check Point Software Technologies LTD

etc.

 

[noknojon]

Hi cayennejim,

AdwCleaner[S6].txt << Firstly you or your "Consumer Success Specialist & Malware Removal Specialist" friend has used this version to get 6 results  [S6]

I am not saying that this is always bad, but if I ever refer a client to a tool I prefer that they delete old versions and only use today's current version.
AdwCleaer is updated on a very regular basis, and like most tools (including Malwarebytes AntiMalware) I believe you should update prior to each use. This way the coder has always removed or altered to find as many False Positives as they can. Xplode the tools "accepted inventor" has always been available to discuss any options or reasons for including any item.
OK, I am not an "expert" but I have been involved in the industry for about 10 years now >> Joined September 23, 2008 my history here, but I also participate on several other forums like this.

Again, Just my personal view as I am not Staff like AdvancedSetup above.

Edited October 20, 2016 by noknojon
Spelling Edit.

[Ried]

The [S6] does not necessarily mean it's an older version - it simply means this is the 6th Scan that has been run.

AdwCleaner will not allow any Scan to even commence if it is an older version. They are directed by a prompt to update it first.

 

 

[noknojon]

As shown the last 2 items are my Government Operated train and bus timetables, False Positives if I report them, or I just Untick them. I did not check the others, as this is to show you how to remove "Good Items", after the Scan process. So always be careful or post to a well known forum.

I already like the "New Tool Title" ....... (it was updated 2 days ago)

[noknojon]

On ‎21‎/‎10‎/‎2016 at 10:08 AM, Ried said:

The [S6] does not necessarily mean it's an older version - it simply means this is the 6th Scan that has been run.

AdwCleaner will not allow any Scan to even commence if it is an older version. They are directed by a prompt to update it first.

Sorry Ried, You were correct, I did mean simply Scan No 6, as I wondered why they were not removed earlier.

[Ried]

I would think they haven't been cleaned before because he is unsure of what to do. :-)

 

 

[cayennejim]

On 10/20/2016 at 4:58 PM, Ried said:

It would take quite some time to look up every one of those to find out what they are. 

Here are just a couple from your log that I Googled:

Key Found:  HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppID\{06DEB529-DE09-43EC-B6E2-451AAB0FF000}  --> https://www.sophos.com/en-us/threat-center/threat-analyses/viruses-and-spyware/Troj~BHO-TN/detailed-analysis.aspx

Key Found:  HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppID\{09C554C3-109B-483C-A06B-F14172F1A947} --> https://www.sophos.com/en-us/threat-center/threat-analyses/adware-and-puas/Industriya Privitize/detailed-analysis.aspx

As with any tool, false positives can occur. Personally, I've referred this tool to literally hundreds of people over the years and have never had anyone come back to me with issues after cleaning what it had found.

Will System Restore fix any damage? More than likely, yes.  

 

Thanks for the advice. I will back up my registry and let ADWCleaner do its thing.  

[cayennejim]

10 minutes ago, cayennejim said:

Thanks for the advice. I will back up my registry and let ADWCleaner do its thing.  

And will uncheck SoftPoint. Geat help!