Windows Passport Utility (WindowsPassportUtility) Virus Removal Guide
Virus Type: Rogue Security Application
Threat Level: 8 / 10
Windows Passport Utility, also known as WindowsPassportUtility, is a new fake computer security application. Various companies create real computer security applications; however, Windows Passport Utility is a fake security application. A security application provides security for computers; they provide protection against computer viruses, computer spyware, and computer hackers. Windows Passport Utility was released approximately April 1, 2024. On March 31, 2024, Windows Stability Center was released; both Windows Stability Center and Windows Passport Utility are very similar; the main difference between the two is the change in name of the program. In March 2023, many fake antivirus programs were released; these programs include Windows Process Regulator, Windows Support System, and Windows Troubles Remover.
Windows Passport Utility claims to offer a variety of services. Some of these services include System Security, Privacy, System Utilities, System Information, Media Tools, and Internet Security. Overall, the program is claiming to offer a variety of services which would be similar to a computer security suite. Windows Passport Utility displays in the right hand area of the program the name of the processing unit, the brand name of the processing unit, the company logo of the processing unit, the speed of the processing unit, and the operating system of the computer.
Windows Passport Utility is generally installed without user permission through the use of a trojan horse, which is downloaded while browsing the internet. The trojan horse is most likely downloaded through a security flaw. The best method to avoid a security flaw is to keep software up to date with new security patches. Windows Passport Utility attempts to be legitimate by making itself look like the legitimate Microsoft Security Essentials program. The program has a Microsoft hyperlink on the program. Windows Passport Utility is similar in functionality to ThinkPoint and CleanThis. Windows Passport Utility main executable is generally a series of random letters.
Below is our recommended removal tool for Windows Passport Utility. The removal tool has been rated 5 cows out of 5 by Tucows and was previously CNET’s Editor’s Choice. Feel free to download it below.
If you are unable to run the removal tool, or are unable to run any programs in general, you may need to stop the processes associated with Windows Passport Utility with task manager. If task manager has been blocked by Windows Passport Utility, try using Process Explorer.
Windows Passport Utility will create a series of warnings and pop ups in order to scare the user into purchasing the fake program. The main purpose is to make the user want to immediately fix their computer since most users generally value their computer data highly. Windows Passport Utility may also create warnings in an attempt to make it look like a legitimate program. Some of these warnings which are created by Windows Passport Utility can be found below.
Generally, the following warning is created when the trojan horse has been downloaded to the computer. If the user clicks to “Clean Computer,” Windows Passport Utility will act like it is searching the web for a solution and then start Windows Passport Utility. It is important to notice the similarity between Windows Passport Utility and Microsoft Security Essentials. Microsoft Security Essentials will generally show a similar box when it finds a virus on the computer.
“Microsoft Security Essentials detected potential threats that might compromise your privacy or damage your computer. Your access to these items may be suspended until you take an action. Click ‘Show details’ to learn more.
Detected items – Unknown Win32/Trojan
Alert Level – Severe
Recommendation – Remove
Status – Suspended”
If the user click a “clean computer,” then the following pop up will be shown.
“Microsoft Security Essentials Alert
Security system analysis has revealed critical file system vulnerability caused by severe malware attacks.
Risk of system files infection: High.
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.”
After the user has acknowledged the security alert, Windows Passport Utility will load.
“Install Windows Passport Utility
Install System Security modules
Install Privacy modules
Install System Utilities modules
Install System Information modules
Install Media Tools modules
Install Internet Security modules”
Windows Passport Utility will also create additional alerts while running.
“Warning
Potentially harmful software is detected. To enable the security mode and remove harmful software it is recommend to perform a cleanup.
Deny
Forbid the execution of potentially harmful software.
Enable Protection
Click to activate antivirus and remove all infections.”
The warning shown above is generally shown when attempting to open a program on the computer.
“The Customer service is not available for the users of Windows Passport Utility free version. Please register your Windows Passport Utility version to be able to use all the functionalities.”
“System Security Warning
Attempt to modify register key entries is detected. Register entries analysis is recommended.”
“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.”
“Attention
Suspicious software activity is detected.
Please start system files scanning for details.”
It is recommended to use safe mode when removing the virus because Windows Passport Utility will generally not be able to load in safe mode. To enter safe mode, restart the computer and press F8 multiple times before the Windows screen to bring up the boot options.
The safe mode with networking option will allow the user to be able to use the internet in safe mode. Windows Passport Utility can be removed by using the
View Windows Passport Utility Files
View Windows Passport Utility Keys
Common symptoms and characteristics of Windows Passport Utility and other rogue security programs include:
1. Windows Passport Utility is generally installed without user permission.
2. Windows Passport Utility uses pop ups and fake virus scans to scare the user.
3. Various antivirus and system programs on the user’s computer will stop functioning.
The user comments for ThinkPoint may provide insight into removing Windows Passport Utility since the viruses are similar.
Manual Windows Passport Utility Removal – In order to manually remove Windows Passport Utility, the processes associated with Windows Passport Utility must be stopped, the files associated with the processes must be removed, and the registry entries must be corrected to the previous state before Windows Passport Utility entered the computer.
Important: Before attempting to manually remove Windows Passport Utility, we recommend that the user read through comments posted by other users on how they removed specific fake antivirus programs since many fake antivirus programs are similar. These comments can be found by clicking here. These comments may provide additional information which may be useful in removing Windows Passport Utility. However, please use discretion since these specific comments pertain to other fake antivirus programs.
Stop Windows Passport Utility Processes (Learn How To Do This)
[random letters].exe
Remove Windows Passport Utility Files (Learn How To Do This)
Windows XP – C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\[random letters].exe
Windows Vista & Windows 7 – C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\[random letters].exe
The file location for each operating system is different due to a different structure of file organization between the two operating systems. The executable file is generally six letters long.
Remove Windows Passport Utility Registry Keys (Learn How To Do This)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Windows Passport Utility
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Windows Passport Utility
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Windows Passport Utility
Remove Windows Passport Utility Startup Entry (Learn How To Do This)
[random letters].exe
Common Questions -
1. What is a computer virus? (Click Here To View)
2. How did I get this computer virus? (Click Here To View)
3. What common symptoms show that my computer may be infected? (Click Here To View)
4. What is a rogue security application? (Click Here To View)
5. What are some antivirus and antispyware programs which I can use to remove viruses and spyware? (Click Here To View)
If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to comment below. If you need any help with any of the steps, please don’t hesitate to comment below. We recommend that you follow our safety tips so that you can keep your computer clean Please Click Here to View Our Safety Tips.
Your feedback is very highly valued by others so please feel free to comment below. Please feel free to share a solution that you may have used to remove Windows Passport Utility.
This entry was posted on Friday, April 1st, 2024 at 7:31 pm and is filed under Malware Removal. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
