AdwCleaner freezing my compuetr when cleaning

I apologize if I am posting in a wrong forum. Please move it over if you need.

I have a major problem with AdwCleaner. It has been working fine until a few months ago. I don't know what the problem is but after I scan and when it's performing Cleaning it stops, makes my browser not-responsive and completely freezes my computer. I am unable to warm-boot it. So I have to turn my hard drive off and turn it back on.

Can you please help???
Thanks a bunch in advance!!!!

 

Download and install the latest version of AdwCleaner.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/adwcleaner.html

 

I tried today but from Bleeping Computer. Still froze... OK. I'll try to download from your link.

 

It doesn't let me open another browser window anyway, even if I wanted.

 

Eldon, I tried to download from your link and unfortunately got the same result - non-responding, and got my PC frozen again.
It did not work, sorry to say.

 

Laura0681...

Are you able to run everything else normally? My first inclination in this situation would be to run Malwarebytes and check to see what it comes up with. Then I think I would try to run AdwCleaner in safe mode to see if that works.

Some malware targets programs like MBAM and AdwCleaner, so I am just wondering if some adware creator's code maybe found its way onto your computer that puts the freeze on the program. Also, there might be a file that AdwRemover is trying to remove that won't let it finish its job using some permissions trick or something. Maybe Malwarebytes could fix the problem.

Note: If you can scan with AdwCleaner, that might end up helping. If there isn't a whole ton of stuff in the scan list, maybe you could go down the list and see if you can find anything doubly strange about any of the files listed...

 

Hi AtlBo, I have Malwarebytes (paid version) and will run it a bit later. If that doesn't help I will use a program that I already found that works like AdwCleaner. It's called Junkware Removal Tool.

I personally have a feeling that Adw' latest update has some glitch. Everything else on my computer runs fine.

I'll let you know after I run Malwarebytes...
Thanks a bunch for your response.

 

Laura0681...

That sounds good, and you might be right about the latest version of AdwCleaner.

That said, you may want to take a look at this. It covers the exact same scenario you are having. Note plodrs advice in the second post:

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=286395&page=2

 

Yeah, it does cover... So, AdwCleaner is not really very reliable, sorry to say. I think I even removed a link from Favorites.
I have a gut feeling that running Malwarebytes will not help in my case, but I'll do it, just to be sure. After that I will forget that AdwCleaner exits. LOL

 

Hmmm... OK... well.. for me it's unusable.

 

I never had to do this with AdwCleaner before - turn off Malwarebytes. It used to work fine, until last update. I think there is something wrong with this update.

BTW - tonight I tried to run Junkware Removal Tool (JRT) and when I saw 1) it took forever checking "processes" , and stayed there forever, 2) my Downloads forlder got totally frozen, which was NOT a good sign.

Downloads folder is NOT a browser that I was not supposed to open . It's just my computer. And I didn't like the fact that it was totally frozen too. I stopped running JRT and I doubt I'll try it ever again. It gave me the same thing as AdwCleaner - I could not warm-boot my computer. In fact after JRT I had trouble to even to hard-boot my computer. Yuck! Not good.

Do you have experience with Junkware Removal Tool??? Is that just me or someone else had problems too?

 

I am wondering if AdwCleaner and/or Junkware Removal Tool are EVER going to be fixed??? That seems not only my problem.
I am also wondering if I can make an adjustment to "accomodate" Adw on my Norton 360. It's not listed there perhaps because it's not installable software.

 

I am not sure what you mean by "I did exit MBAM paid before I ran them." You closed Malwarebytes b4 you ran Adw?? So did it!! But it didn't make any difference. Adw failed again yesterday. :confused
Adw stays in "Downloads" folder on my PC. I can try to add Adw from "Downloads" on Norton and see what happens. You gave me a good hint, plodr.

 

--------------------------
I am back, just to tell you that this did not help - to add AdwCleaner to Norton and mark "Always Allow". Still "not responding" and froze my PC totally.

I guess you are luckier than me, plodr. I don't know what else I can do. It's NOT Norton's fault.

 

I had the same problem with adwcleaner and removed it. You are not the only one who's had problems with it. It should not be on the favorites list in my opinion.

 

Yeah, I removed it from Favorites. There is no sense to keep it. Junkware Removal Tool as I learned, should function like AdwCleaner, and I thought I would use it instead, but it did the same thing - froze my computer. So I said Bye to both of them.

Some people don't have a problem with Adw. Oh well.. To me it's unusable, and I can see you have the same. So, I am not alone.
Thank you for your input.

 

Thank you, plodr.. Which file on C: am I looking to add to Norton360??? Sorry to say, but the link at the bottom was "404 not found".

 

Attached is what I found on C:. I do not know which one do I add to Norton... All of them are text files.

 

No, I did not see the Contact Form. Like I said all I got was "404 not found".

The .exe file is in my Downloads folder. Should I have Firefox download to C: drive??? because now it's set to Downloads folder.

 

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I was trying to attach an image to my last post but I was not able to resubmit - got "message too short, should be at least 4 characters". Now, there is something wrong with your Forum, because this does not make sense. My comment was def. longer than 4 characters.

 

Laura0681 and plodr...

Sorry to interrupt, but on my system there isn't a AdwCleaner.exe file in any folder on the C: drive. The installer downloads into the downloads folder (I use Firefox also) and running it from there creates a folder on the C: drive called AdwCleaner. The program runs from the installer but doesn't install the program per se. Any time I want to start AdwCleaner, I just go to downloads and run the original downloaded .exe from there, where it updates and then opens (sort of like a portable program). Again, it does create a folder on the C: drive on first run, and inside the C:\AdwCleaner drive folder are all of the AdwCleaner logs and then there is the Quarantine folder, but that is all.

Laura0681...Your logs are the right size. It looks like AdwareCleaner is creating the logs in spite of the fact that the program is not completing. This is interesting, and it might be helpful to see the contents of the most recent log file you have. It should be the top one, but you can see the dates out to the right. If you could add a screenshot of the open log, maybe that will help get to the bottom of the issue.

I also suspect that an anti-keylogging feature of Norton is blocking the completion of AdwCleaner. The program is being run from the Downloads folder, which Norton probably sees as a risk and then auto blocks AdwCleaner from adding scan data to the log.

I should think the file you would want to add to Norton to bypass this would be the .exe for AdwCleaner in the downloads folder (AdwCleaner.exe)...if Norton supports adding .exes. Otherwise, you would have to add the entire Downloads folder. You can grab its path by navigating to the folder and then copying the path in the path bar at the top of the Windows Explorer window. Alternatively, you could try placing the AdwCleaner.exe file you have in Downloads into Program Files or in Program Files (x86) and add a shortcut to the desktop to run the program when you would like to clean. Not sure it would, but I think this might bypass Norton's protection, allowing the program to run without any interference from security. Just something easy to try, since it only involves moving one file. You may find that you would still have to add the location of AdwCleaner.exe to Norton, anyway.

 

Hi, you are not interrupting at all. I highly appreciate your taking the time and giving the guide.
I am not lucky with Adw. Period. I'll tell you what happened after I moved the exe file to Program Files X86.

- I added the exe file to Norton from above folder
- I click on exe file from this folder and I was prompted that I am using an outdated version of Adw, and to click OK to go to original source to download a new version 4.205.
- Since it did not take me to the Bleeping Computer site I went myself and downloaded a new version from there
- When I clicked on exe file to run my Norton said that this was NOT a safe file and it was removed.
- I thought I'd still try to run the older version 4.204. I clicked on it, but... got the same story as I had originally when cleaning - "not responding", and froze my computer totally.

I noticed that too, that the report was created despite of the problem.

If you want I'll open the latest generated report and attach.
By the way, Major Geeks has an outdated version of Adw also. May be you guys get a new version 4.205 and my Norton will "like it" better???

So, that's the story. I'm back to square 1.

 

You need to add the file to Norton's list of exclusions prior to running it.

 

Laura0681...

OK, so I assume you were attempting to again run AdwCleaner from the Downloads folder, when you mention downloading and running the newer updated version. You will need to add that path in Norton, if that is where the program will be when you run it.

By the way, you can just delete the older version of AdwCleaner.exe in your Program Files (x86) folder. No need to keep it there, when it doesn't solve the problem, anyway, and you have the newer one in Downloads (or did until it was deleted).

I am better than 90% sure this is a Norton issue moreso than a AdwCleaner issue. It's an unusual program in that it drops files onto your C: drive but then it doesn't formally install. That means the .exe is not registered in Windows as a program and, therefore, won't show up in your list of installed programs. Norton is seeing the program, since it is not listed as installed, as potentially dangerous script rather than as a program. This isn't wrong of Norton, but it does mean you will need to find the way around the issue in the Norton settings in order to be able to use AdwCleaner.

Have you considered trying the Norton message board? I think it might be a good/quick source for information from people who use/know specifically that security package. Maybe they can help you with a step by step of how to exclude a process from scanning.

Here is some info from one thread, which centers on how to exclude a program from scanning in Norton 360 (not sure which Norton you have):

http://community.norton.com/en/forums/exclude-safe-program-n360

This Google search turned up the above link and many other references:

norton 360 exclude program

 

Here's the latest version on MajorGeeks. And no, Norton wont "like it" better.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/adwcleaner.html

Close all other webpages, disable Norton, download and add the file to the exclusions, and re-enable Norton.

 

I have Norton 360. OK, I'll read what's in the link. Thanks a lot, AtlBo. I deleted exe file from x86 folder when I learned it did not work. I am about to drop this issue. I am getting impatient. One last shot - I will read what's in the link you sent and see if it works. If not we will close this thread and I will not use AdwCleaner.

 

You are correct ... My Norton 360 did NOT "like it" better. Miracle has not happened.

 

I am restoring the quarantined AdwCleaner file... but my Norton 360 warns me that this exe file has a virus and it may damage my computer. I am scared to proceed. I attached a couple of print screens to show you.

 

Laura0681...

That is telling you that Norton 360 is suspicious of the internet connection being used to update AdwCleaner. Part of that suspicion likely comes from the fact that AdwCleaner is an unusual program as mentioned before. It runs from an unusual place (Downloads rather than Program Files, etc.), it wants to contact the internet, it is writing data into text files, and so on. All these are common of common malwares...not that AdwCleaner is malware. It's not malware. The program doesn't install as a convenience to you, so that it can be easily removed without there being a big fuss to your system. Basically, it's designed to have a low profile while on your PC. This is the choice of the developers.

Definitely no need to worry. It would be nice if Norton 360 would give you the option approve/reject the update download from a Norton dialog each time you use the program, rather than have to approve or reject in one blanket decision as you are being requested to do. I don't want to confuse you, but some firewall warnings give you the ability to blanket approve (approve now and at all times in the future) or choose to approve just the one time (or reject or reject once, also). In the case of a one time approval, thereafter, the warning pops up again, and again it can be selected to allow the once and so on and so on. This is handy if you worry that someone other than the developer might use a developer's connection to try to tamper with your PC, and, also, it serves to keep the honest people who created AdwCleaner honest, so to speak (keep them from hacking if they turned out to be rogue hackers...I don't think so in this case ). This is a tactic I use with Private Firewall for many programs that request access to the internet. If a developer goes bad, I know he can't access the PC randomly.

At any rate, this warning in your pictures is similar to a warning you might get about another security program that uses a cloud updating system. It's a standard practice warning that Norton doesn't as a standard practice whitelist the AdwCleaner program or server (update connection). That means the connection, as with all of the type that aren't whitelisted of other programs, is presented to you as potentially dangerous. Norton doesn't know in this case and is making a recommendation.

If you allow, you should be able to use AdwCleaner. If you are suspicious of the AdwCleaner developers, you should block the connection and program, but the program will not function any better than before.

Sorry this is so long. In situations like this, security on a PC can become very hands on. It's always been a learning experience for me, I will say...

 

So what you are saying is this file has no virus... I sincerely appreciate your taking the time to explain to me. No apologies needed about "too long".
I am not very deep in computer's security, and had never did this scan exclusion thing. It's new to me. I rely on Norton and Malwarebytes to do the job on security. And they do.
I will proceed with that Scan Exclusion procedure and will come back to let you know how it worked.

Many thanks again for your help!!! .

 

Hi again AtlBo, I am back ... I did carefully follow the instruction and when I reached the last Settings screen where it says to click Apply and Close my Apply button was "dead" - inactive. I don't know what the heck is wrong, but if I could click it I suppose my changes were not saved. I had no option than just click Close.

Obviously it did not save my wprk on Norton because I got exactly the same thing as before.

OK... this is it ... I have no patience any more.
Once again - million of thanks to each and every one of you for your time and efforts trying to help me. I much appreciate it!!!
I think the only option I have left is if somebody does it on my computer remotely. Otherwise I will not spend more time on it myself any more. It's pity but I will not use AdwCleaner.

 

Laura0681...

You're welcome. Glad to attempt to help. For sure AdwCleaner is fine and safe.

Just noticed your second post. Norton 360 has really wrapped up AdwCleaner (please forgive me while I chuckle a little bit). Security programs by nature have their quirks, but things like this aren't bugs. It's sort of bound to happen, eventually, because the developers at Norton (and other security companies) simply cannot identify every possible safe process for whitelisting. The list would just be too long, and there is also still the chance that a hacker actually could create a process by the same name as a whitelisted process. Actually, I think most security programs have no whitelisted processes (other than Windows ones that are in the correct location) by default for this exact reason. It's left up to you to decide, because you are there to know if you installed/added the process and so on.

I wish I could help more, but I don't know Norton 360. Somewhere in the settings, AdwCleaner has been blocked. You can revert it if you can find the setting. Again, if you decide to look into it further, I suggest the Norton message board. With their knowledge of the program, they should be able to point you in the right direction.

It is a shame, because AdwCleaner is a good program imo...

Let us know if we can help further...

 

It IS a shame! I totally agree. And in this case Norton 360 has been a headache. I wish Norton could take over my computer and fix this problem remotely, but they probably don't do it.

It has never been like ths before. I have been having this problem for a month and a half or so.

I will be back to let you know if I get it fixed but I doubt I will, to be honest.

I will try to contact Norton's online chat instead of Foum. Perhaps they could fix it remotely for me.

Thanks again, AtlBo and everybody.

 

Laura0681...

YW and good luck...

 

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c125/Laura0681/Smileys/thank%20you_zpslzd0urph.gif

 

Hello Laura0681,

Sorry for the trouble. I could see that your Norton program has detected the new version of AdwCleaner as Suspicious.Cloud.7.EP which is a new malware threat without traditional signatures. This technology is aimed at detecting malicious software that has been intentionally mutated or morphed by attackers. You can report this here www.norton.com/fp and it will be sent to the concerned team for further analysis to find out if it is a false positive detection.

Harini
Norton Support