CCleaner Malware Outbreak – ALL You Need To Know

CCleaner Malware Outbreak is more sophisticated than your average malware.

Recently, you might have heard or read about it on the internet that there was Malware Infection Outbreak with a famous utility called CCleaner.
Disclaimer: This post reflects my personal views and opinions on the topic. It has affiliate links that might generate a revenue if you purchase the software by visiting my links. The revenue from such sources helps me to maintain my website and lets me keep writing articles and provide you an ad-free experience.

What is a Malware?

A rogue software or malicious code which is specifically designed to disrupt, damage, or gain authorized access to a computer system.

About CCleaner

It’s a popular free software tool for optimizing system performance on PCs. It’s available on Windows and Mac and is used by millions of people.
Even I myself use this application and was using that version; but as soon as I news about it, I removed it from my system and did a clean Windows installation.
CCleaner Professional

The Incident

Avast the parent company of CCleaner, determined on the 12th of September that the 32-bit version of our CCleaner v5.33.6162 and CCleaner Cloud v1.07.3191 products, which may have been used by up to 3% of the users, had been compromised in a sophisticated manner.
To the general public, this meant that their favorite PC optimization software Ccleaner was infected with Malware!
Pinform Said that “It estimates that 2.27 million people used the affected software, Though they resolved this quickly and believe no harm was done to any other users.”
The company says it released safe versions of both programs within three days, but the modified version of the software had been available for a month.
It added: “The compromise could cause the transmission of non-sensitive data (computer name, IP address, list of installed software, list of active software, list of network adapters) to a 3rd party computer server in the USA.
Piriform, which is owned by Avast and develops the app, has fixed the issues and apologized to users.

Why do I say that it was sophisticated?

Well, researchers and security experts have been analyzing this situation and malware infection once the story was out.

It appears to have specifically targeted high-profile technology companies and may have been an attempt to harvest IP — perhaps for commercial or state-level espionage.

Avast hasn’t published the names of specific companies targeted by the malware for, it says, “privacy reasons” — but says companies in Japan, Taiwan, UK, Germany and the US were targeted.


What Now?

Well, its just the situation has been contained, if you are still using the old version which was infected, I recommend you to uninstall it, clear your system and install a fresh version of Windows; together with the latest Antivirus and AntiMalware.
Here Are Some Antivirus and AntiMalware Recommendations.
Personally, I use Avast Internet Security, which is a great Antivirus plus it has a great firewall.
I request all of my readers never to use a cracked version of an antivirus. Because you never know, what is it with all those cracks and patches out there.
They might secretly be leaking your information.
Anyways Now it’s safe and I installed it back. Its really a great software and I recommend it to a lot of users.
I just want to convey it, people, that no software or application is perfect. Likewise, Security cant be foolproof or attack proof.
Plus now as the situation is contained, you can obviously get CCleaner to keep your system in top performance.
The latest version of CCleaner is available to download here.
Thanks for reading, I look forward to your opinion on this in comments below.
Stay Tuned. 🙂

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