Windows Tasks Optimizer

Windows Tasks Optimizer is a clone of other rogue security programs distributed by the Fake Microsoft Security Essentials Alert trojan. Rogue threats in the Windows Tasks Optimizer subgroup will create fake system alerts to cause panic before requesting your credit card information as part of a software activation process. There's no reason to give up your money in exchange for Windows Tasks Optimizer's full version, since Windows Tasks Optimizer can't detect or delete system threats like trojans or keyloggers. In fact, you're also likely to be plagued by browser hijacking attacks and randomly disabled applications until you use a good anti-malware program to remove Windows Tasks Optimizer from your PC.

Windows Tasks Optimizer: A Persistent Yet Ever-Changing Curse on Windows Computers

Windows Tasks Optimizer has many other rogue programs that are strongly related to it; these other rogue threats have almost identical characteristics despite using different names and newly-updated interfaces. Just a few examples of Windows Tasks Optimizer's clones include Windows Oversight Center, Windows Optimal Settings, Windows Problems Protector and Windows Processes Organizer.

Most infections by Windows Tasks Optimizer are caused by the Fake Microsoft Security Essentials Alert trojan, which creates fake errors like the following to delude you:

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.

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 [sic] 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.

Fake Microsoft Security Essentials Alert will tell you that your PC is infected by a trojan and then reboot your PC after installing supposed anti-malware software. The software that Windows Tasks Optimizer installs, though, is really a rogue program like Windows Tasks Optimizer.

How Windows Tasks Optimizer Performs the Opposite of Optimization

Windows Tasks Optimizer will launch itself whenever you start your computer normally, taking up system resources to display fake warnings like these:

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.

Warning!
Name: [application file name]
Name: [application file path]
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.

Warning!
Location: [application file path]
Viruses: Backdoor.Win32.Rbot

You have no reason to worry about these errors and no reason to purchase Windows Tasks Optimizer, since Windows Tasks Optimizer is unable to detect or get rid of system threats. You may also see these errors when a program fails to run - this isn't an indication that the program is damaged, but an indication that Windows Task Optimizer is preventing you from using the program.

Windows Tasks Optimizer may also hijack your web browser. Hijacks can redirect you to dangerous websites, alter normal online content, interfere with file downloads, display fake errors and prevent you from accessing safe websites.

In all cases, however, a properly up to date anti-malware scanner can delete Windows Tasks Optimizer, provided you prevent Windows Tasks Optimizer from interfering with the removal process.

File System Modifications

• The following files were created in the system:
  

  #	File Name
  1	%UserProfile%\Application Data\Microsoft\[RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe

Registry Modifications

• The following newly produced Registry Values are:
  HKEY..\..\..\..{Subkeys}HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings "WarnOnHTTPSToHTTPRedirect" = '0'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\afwserv.exe "Debugger" = 'svchost.exe'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\avastsvc.exe "Debugger" = 'svchost.exe'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\avastui.exe "Debugger" = 'svchost.exe'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\egui.exe "Debugger" = 'svchost.exe'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\ekrn.exe "Debugger" = 'svchost.exe'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\msascui.exe "Debugger" = 'svchost.exe'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\msmpeng.exe "Debugger" = 'svchost.exe'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\msseces.exe "Debugger" = 'svchost.exe'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SystemRestore "DisableSR " = '1'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings "WarnOnHTTPSToHTTPRedirect" = '0'

Additional Information on Windows Tasks Optimizer

• The following messages's were detected:
  

  #	Message
  1	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 serious 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.
  2	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.
  3	System Security Warning Attempt to modify register key entries is detected. Register entries analysis is recommended. Warning! Location: c:\windows\system32\taskmgr.exe Viruses: Backdoor.Win32.Rbot