GuardBytes Plus is a fake anti-spyware program that is sold to unsuspecting users. The program does look and act like a normal anti-spyware, but there is nothing genuine about it. Some of the tricks that it will play on you is it generates fake scan results. The scans will make you believe that your computer has been infected by a spyware, but it is all clever forgery.
The app will even deliberately cause problems on your computer such as slowing it down, or preventing the function of some Windows apps so that when GuardBytes tells you that your computer is infected by a malware, you are more likely to believe it is.
The program will then prompt you to buy the premium version of the app, called GuardBytes Plus version. That way, you will be tricked to part with hard-earned money for a software that only causes problems on your computer.
GuardBytes is also known to steal sensitive user information. The kind of information can be used to perpetrate identity and financial fraud. This makes it one of the most dangerous malware entities out there.
The fake anti-spyware belongs to a family of fake antivirus programs that have been plaguing the internet for a couple of years now. Examples of fake antivirus solutions from this family include A-Secure 2015, Zorton Win 7 Antivirus 2014, and Zorton Win 8 Antivirus 2014. The fake anti-spyware programs mostly infect computers that run older versions of the Windows OS.
Thus, GuardBytes Plus is a rogue antivirus that needs to be removed from your computer ASAPas soon as possible. This is because when a real malware threat infects your computer, all the defenses will be down and there will be no antivirus solution to come to your aid. This can, to say the least, devastate your computer, leading to damaged files or worse, a dysfunctional machine.
How Did GuardByte Infect Your Computer?
Most people download GuardByte willingly from some ads that pop up on their screen. The malware can also infiltrate computers from torrent downloads, email attachments, malicious links and by exploiting security vulnerabilities in software.
GuardBytes Plus Removal Guide
How do you go about removing GuardByte Plus from your computer? The first solution that we recommend is that you download a powerful and legitimate anti-malware solution such as Outbyte Antivirus. This will scan your computer for any deliberate malware misses by GuardBytes Plus and remove them. It will also keep your computer safe from future threats.
Another piece of software that you need to install is a computer repair tool such as Outbyte macAries. Repair tools make it easier to remove unwanted software, clean registry entries, and optimize your computer for better performance. Other ways of dealing with the GuardBytes Plus malware are discussed below:
1. System Restore
Do you have a restore point on your computer? If so, then you can use it to revert any changes that have taken place on your computer before that moment in time, including any malware infection. To use the System Restore option, take the following steps:
- On the Windows search box, type ‘system restore’.
- Choose ‘Create a restore point’ from the list of the results.
- On the System Protection tab, click System Restore.
- Select a restore point from the list of restore points on your computer.
- Follow the onscreen directions to complete the process.
Some victims of the GuardBytes Plus virus have noted that the program does not allow them to access some Windows apps and settings including System Restore. If this has happened to you, then you can still use System Restore by running your Windows computer on Safe Mode with Networking.
Safe Mode is the barebones version of Windows and you will only be able to access a minimum of the apps and settings on your PC. Here is how to run Windows on Safe Mode:
- Restart your computer and press the F8 key as it powers again.
- Once the Advanced Boot Options menu appears, use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode with Networking.
Now that you have started the computer on Safe Mode withNetworking, you can either access the internet to download a PC repair tool or perform a system restore. Either of these choices will help get rid of the GuardBytes malware.
The advanced Boot Options menu also gives you other ways of handling issues on your computer that doesn’t involve System Restore. You can also choose to reset your computer for instance.
2. Disk Cleanup
A disk cleanup is a procedure that allows you to delete some or all the files on a particular disk. Thus, if a malware is hiding in one computer’s your disks, you can use the disk cleanup process to get rid of it for good. Here is how to perform a disk clean up on Windows 10/11:
- In the Windows search box, type ‘disk cleanup’. Select Disk Cleanup from the list of the results.
- Choose the drive that you want to clean up and select OK.
- Select the file types that you want to get rid of.
- Select OK.
- To delete system files, in the disk cleanup utility, select Clean up system files.
Cleaning your disks will remove malware such as GuardBytes from all its hiding places.
If all of these steps fail to remove the GuardBytes rogue antivirus, you can choose to install a new version of Windows or format all your disks. Such measures are, of course, mostly unnecessary if the GuardBytes removal instructions issued above are followed carefully.
Before we go, we would like to leave you with some tips that will likely help you avoid infections in the future:
If your computer already has a powerful anti-malware solution installed , it is unlikely that a rogue virus will try and take charge of your device security.
· Scrutinize attachments for authenticity before clicking on them
Did you receive an attachment from an unfamiliar source? How about you make sure that it is safe before downloading the same or sharing with friends?
· Visit sites that have a security seal
Sites that have a security seal and that begin with ‘HTTPs’ rather than ‘HTTP’ indicate that they care about the security of their visitors. Visit more of these and avoid the ones that don’t take your own safety into consideration.