CCleaner is real software from a known vendor, and today's official download is the version to use. The catch is its record: in 2017 a hacked release reached about 2.27 million machines, and later versions drew criticism over data collection and bundled software. You can use it, but download it only from the official site.
CCleaner has been around for years, so most people know the name, and plenty of them also remember the headlines. If you're wondering whether it's safe to put on your computer, you deserve both sides of the story. I've gone through the public record and the vendor's own download page, and I'll stick to what those sources say.
Who makes CCleaner and who owns it now
According to Wikipedia, CCleaner was developed by Piriform Software. Avast acquired Piriform in 2017, and Piriform's parent company is now Gen Digital. So it isn't a random utility from an unknown developer: it's a long-running product that now sits inside a large security software group.
That ownership matters for two reasons. It tells you who answers for the product, and it explains why the free installer you download can include offers from the wider group, which I'll come to below.
What happened in the 2017 CCleaner compromise
This is the headline incident. Wikipedia reports that in 2017 CCleaner 5.33 was compromised with the Floxif trojan, which could install a backdoor. The backdoor enabled remote access to about 2.27 million machines that had installed the software.
Wikipedia adds that forty infected machines received a second-stage payload that appears to have targeted technology companies. Avast claimed the malware was already in version 5.33 before it bought Piriform. Clean versions, CCleaner 5.34 and CCleaner Cloud 1.07.3191, were released within days, and Wikipedia also records a later attempted compromise that Avast disclosed and that failed.
For an everyday user, the lesson is simple. Any software that runs with high access to your computer is a target, and a trusted name can be hijacked. If you ever ran version 5.33, update and run a malware scan. If you're worried about wider account security, my guide on how to know if an account was hacked covers the warning signs.
CCleaner privacy and data collection
Wikipedia also records a 2018 controversy. An error in CCleaner 5.45 switched on the Active Monitoring feature, which was renamed Smart Cleaning. Later versions let users control data collection separately, but Wikipedia says some data, such as operating system and language, is still on by default. Piriform says the data is anonymous.
I can't verify the vendor's data handling beyond what is publicly reported, so my advice is practical: open the privacy settings after you install it and switch off anything you don't want. The vendor's download page describes a privacy protection feature that removes data to help keep your activity private on a shared PC, which is a different thing from the software's own data collection.
Bundled software and the installer
Bundling is the other repeated complaint. Wikipedia says reports in 2018 claimed that installing CCleaner also installed Avast Antivirus without permission, and that Piriform denied this. In 2020, Wikipedia says, Microsoft Windows Defender flagged the free version as a potentially unwanted application because of bundled software, and Piriform then made third-party software installation optional.
So the practical rule is to read every installer screen. If you see an extra offer that you didn't ask for, untick it. The download page I checked didn't mention bundled offers, but that isn't proof there are none, so the installer screens are where you'll see for yourself.
Free vs paid CCleaner and the money-back promise
CCleaner's download page offers a free download for one PC, and says CCleaner Free and Professional are for home use only. It also says paid plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. I'm not quoting prices because they change often and the page shows discounts.
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One detail that surprised me: the page's Free Download buttons link to an installer hosted at bits.avcdn.net rather than ccleaner.com. The page doesn't explain that host. Since it comes from the official page it's the normal route, but it shows why you should always start from the official site rather than a search result.
| What I checked | What the public record shows |
|---|---|
| Who makes it? | Piriform Software, now part of Gen Digital |
| Has it been compromised? | Yes, version 5.33 in 2017 |
| Did the vendor fix it? | Clean versions were released within days |
| Privacy concerns? | A 2018 version switched on monitoring by mistake |
| Bundled software? | Flagged as unwanted in 2020, later made optional |
| Free for business use? | No, the page says home use only |
Fake CCleaner downloads and support scams
A well-known cleaning tool attracts fake download pages, cracked copies and cold callers. Since the 2017 incident already showed what a tampered installer can do, a pirated copy is a much bigger risk.
- Download only from the official CCleaner site, not from a download portal or a cracked-software page.
- Be sceptical of pop-ups saying your computer is infected and telling you to call a number.
- Don't give remote access to anyone who phones you about your PC.
- Keep Windows and your browser updated; a cleaner doesn't replace that.
The FTC says scammers often insist on payment by cryptocurrency, wire transfer, payment app or gift card. A real software seller takes normal card payment. If you run a small business, my tips to stop hackers touching your business website are worth a read too.
My verdict on CCleaner
It isn't a scam, and the vendor is a known company. But its record isn't spotless, and a cleaner needs deep access to your computer, so trust matters more than usual. If you use it, get it from the official site, decline extras, check the privacy settings and keep your system updated.
Frequently asked questions
Is CCleaner safe to download today?
Download it from the official CCleaner site. The 2017 compromise affected version 5.33, and clean versions were released afterwards.
What happened in the CCleaner hack?
Wikipedia reports that CCleaner 5.33 was compromised with the Floxif trojan in 2017, with remote access possible on about 2.27 million machines.
Does CCleaner collect data?
Wikipedia says an error in version 5.45 switched on Active Monitoring in 2018, and that some data such as OS and language is still on by default in later versions. Piriform says the data is anonymous.
Does CCleaner install other software?
Reports in 2018 said it installed Avast Antivirus, which Piriform denied. Windows Defender flagged the free version in 2020 over bundled software, and Piriform then made third-party installs optional.
Is CCleaner free?
The vendor's download page offers a free download for one PC, says Free and Professional are for home use only, and mentions a 30-day money-back guarantee on paid plans.
