HackTool:Win64/AutoKMS is a specific detection name that antivirus software, such as Microsoft Defender Antivirus, uses to identify a particular type of tool or program called AutoKMS. AutoKMS is associated with key management services (KMS) activation methods commonly utilized for activating Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office products without proper licensing.
AutoKMS bypasses the legitimate activation mechanisms of Microsoft products by emulating a Key Management Service server (See also: KMSpico) and automatically activating the software. Individuals often employ it to illegally activate their software or to avoid purchasing valid licenses.
Although AutoKMS itself is not inherently malicious, it is categorized as a hack tool because of its association with unauthorized software activation and potential copyright infringement. It is crucial to remember that using such tools to activate software without proper licensing is illegal and constitutes software piracy.
Risks of HackTool:Win64/AutoKMS
Using HackTool:Win64/AutoKMS or similar activation tools carries various risks and consequences:
- Legal Consequences: Engaging in the unauthorized activation of software through hack tools violates copyright laws and software licensing agreements, potentially leading to legal repercussions, fines, or penalties.
- Security Risks: Downloading and utilizing hack tools from untrusted sources exposes your system to malware and compromised software versions. These tools may come bundled with additional malicious components that can compromise system security, steal sensitive information, or cause instability.
- Lack of Support and Updates: Activating software through unauthorized means missing out on official updates, patches, and technical support from the software developer. This leaves your system vulnerable to security vulnerabilities and compatibility issues.
How to safeguard your PC?
To safeguard your system and ensure proper software licensing:
- Use Legitimate Software: Purchase valid licenses for Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office products from authorized vendors or directly from the official Microsoft website. Legitimate licenses provide access to updates, security patches, and technical support.
- Avoid Hack Tools: Refrain from downloading or using hack tools, including AutoKMS, to activate software. These tools are associated with copyright infringement and pose security risks.
- Install Antivirus Protection: Employ reputable antivirus or anti-malware software and keep it up to date. Regularly scan your system to detect and remove potential malware, including hack tools.
- Practice Software Compliance: Adhere to software licensing agreements and respect copyright laws. By using software in accordance with licensing terms, you support software developers and contribute to a fair and legal software ecosystem.
It is crucial to act responsibly and ethically when it comes to software licensing. Always obtain valid licenses for software products and avoid engaging in activities that violate copyright laws or compromise system security.
Most AutoKMS tools are designed to exploit users for financial gain. Criminals develop various malicious programs to steal credit card information, online banking credentials, and other data for fraudulent purposes.
The types of viruses that were widespread a decade ago are no longer the primary concern. Nowadays, issues such as blackmail or spyware have become more prevalent. Addressing these problems requires new tools and different approaches.
What to do?
Does your antivirus regularly report about the AutoKMS?
If you have encountered a message indicating the detection of “HackTool:Win64/AutoKMS”, then it is good news! The computer virus “HackTool:Win64/AutoKMS” has been detected and likely removed. Such messages do not imply that an active AutoKMS was present on your PC. It is possible that you simply downloaded and installed a file that contained HackTool:Win64/AutoKMS, and your antivirus software automatically deleted it before it could execute and cause any issues. Additionally, the malicious script on the infected website may have been detected and blocked before causing any harm.
Microsoft Defender: “HackTool:Win64/AutoKMS”
In simple terms, receiving a message like “HackTool:Win64/AutoKMS Found” while using your computer does not necessarily mean that AutoKMS has successfully executed its task. If you come across such a message, it may be an indication that you have visited an infected website or downloaded a malicious file. While it is important to take preventive measures in the future, there is no need to panic excessively. You can open your antivirus program and examine the detection log files related to HackTool:Win64/AutoKMS. This will provide you with more details about the specific AutoKMS instance that was detected and the actions taken by your antivirus software. If you are uncertain, performing a manual check will be beneficial in any case.
How to scan for malware, spyware, ransomware, adware, and other threats.
If your system operates in an extremely sluggish way, the web pages open in an odd fashion, or if you see advertisements in places you’ve never ever expected, it’s feasible that your computer got contaminated as well as the infection is currently active. Spyware will track all your tasks or redirect your search or home pages to the places you do not wish to go to. Adware might contaminate your internet browser as well as even the entire Windows OS, whereas the ransomware will attempt to obstruct your PC and also require a significant ransom amount for your very own data.
Regardless of the sort of the issue with your PC, the initial step is to scan it with Gridinsoft Anti-Malware. This is the most effective app to spot as well as cure your computer. Nonetheless, it’s not a simple antivirus software application. Its goal is to combat modern hazards. Right now it is the only product on the market that can merely clean up the PC from spyware and also other viruses that aren’t even discovered by regular antivirus software programs. Download, install, as well as run Gridinsoft Anti-Malware, after that check your PC. It will lead you via the system cleaning procedure. You do not have to get a certificate to cleanse your PC, the first certificate provides you 6 days of a totally complimentary trial. Nonetheless, if you wish to safeguard on your own from permanent hazards, you most likely require to consider buying the license. By doing this we can guarantee that your computer will no longer be infected with viruses.
How to scan your PC for HackTool:Win64/AutoKMS?
To scan your computer for AutoKMS and remove any identified malware, you need to find an antivirus solution. The latest versions of Windows come with Microsoft Defender, the built-in antivirus by Microsoft. Microsoft Defender is generally quite effective, but it should not be your sole reliance. In our opinion, the best approach is to combine Microsoft Defender with Gridinsoft.
By using this combination, you can benefit from comprehensive protection against various types of malware. To check for infections with Microsoft Defender, simply open the program and initiate a new scan. It will thoroughly examine your PC for viruses. Additionally, Microsoft Defender operates in the background by default. The combination of Microsoft Defender and Gridinsoft will help ensure that your computer remains largely free from most malware threats you may encounter. Regularly scheduled scans can also provide ongoing protection for your computer in the future.
Use Safe Mode to fix the most complex HackTool:Win64/AutoKMS issues.
If you encounter the persistent HackTool:Win64/AutoKMS variant that is difficult to remove, you may need to consider scanning for malware beyond the standard Windows functionality. To do this, you should start Windows in Safe Mode, which prevents the system from loading auto-startup items, including potential malware. Initiate a scan using Microsoft Defender and then perform a scan with Gridinsoft while in Safe Mode. This will help you detect viruses that may be evading detection in normal mode.
Use Gridinsoft to remove AutoKMS and other junkware.
Using a standard antivirus alone is not sufficient to ensure the security of your PC. You need a more comprehensive antivirus application. Not all malware can be detected by typical antivirus scanners that primarily focus on virus-type threats. Your system may be filled with various forms of unwanted software, such as toolbars, Chrome plugins, suspicious search engines, bitcoin miners, and other types of software designed to exploit your lack of experience for financial gain. Be cautious when downloading applications from the internet to prevent your device from being inundated with unwanted toolbars and other junk data.
However, if your system has already been infected with specific unwanted applications, it is essential to remove them. Most antivirus programs do not prioritize the removal of potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). In this case, I recommend using Gridinsoft Anti-Malware. By regularly scanning your system with this tool, it will help you eliminate malware that may have been missed by your antivirus program.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are many ways to tell if your Windows 10 computer has been infected. Some of the warning signs include:
- Computer is very slow.
- Applications take too long to start.
- Computer keeps crashing.
- Your friends receive spam messages from you on social media.
- You see a new extension that you did not install on your Chrome browser.
- Internet connection is slower than usual.
- Your computer fan starts up even when your computer is idle.
- You are now seeing a lot of pop-up ads.
- You receive antivirus notifications.
Take note that the symptoms above could also arise from other technical reasons. However, just to be on the safe side, we suggest that you proactively check whether you do have malicious software on your computer. One way to do that is by running a malware scanner.
Most of the time, Microsoft Defender will neutralize threats before they ever become a problem. If this is the case, you can see past threat reports in the Windows Security app.
- Open Windows Settings. The easiest way is to click the start button and then the gear icon. Alternately, you can press the Windows key + i on your keyboard.
- Click on Update & Security
- From here, you can see if your PC has any updates available under the Windows Update tab. This is also where you will see definition updates for Windows Defender if they are available.
- Select Windows Security and then click the button at the top of the page labeled Open Windows Security.
- Select Virus & threat protection.
- Select Scan options to get started.
- Select the radio button (the small circle) next to Windows Defender Offline scan Keep in mind, this option will take around 15 minutes if not more and will require your PC to restart. Be sure to save any work before proceeding.
- Click Scan now
If you want to save some time or your start menu isn’t working correctly, you can use Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box and type “windowsdefender” and then pressing enter.
From the Virus & protection page, you can see some stats from recent scans, including the latest type of scan and if any threats were found. If there were threats, you can select the Protection history link to see recent activity.
If the guide doesn’t help you to remove HackTool:Win64/AutoKMS infection, please download the GridinSoft Anti-Malware that I recommended. Also, you can always ask me in the comments for getting help. Good luck!
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Wilbur WoodhamHow to Remove HackTool:Win64/AutoKMS Malware
Name: HackTool:Win64/AutoKMS
Description: If you have encountered a message indicating the detection of "HackTool:Win64/AutoKMS", then it is actually good news! The AutoKMS virus has been detected and most likely removed. Such messages do not imply that there was an actively running AutoKMS on your device. It is possible that you simply downloaded a file that contained the HackTool:Win64/AutoKMS, which was automatically eliminated by Microsoft Defender before it could cause any harm. Alternatively, the malicious script on the infected website might have been detected and blocked before causing any issues.
Operating System: Windows
Application Category: HackTool
