What is PC OptiClean?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that PC OptiClean is a "system optimizer". These so-called "system optimizers" use intentional false positives to convince users that their systems have problems. Then they try to sell you their software, claiming it will remove these problems.
More information can be found on our Malwarebytes Labs blog.
How do I know if I am infected with PC OptiClean?
This is how the main screen of the sytem optimizer looks:
You will find these icons in your taskbar, your startmenu, and on your desktop:
and see these warnings during install:
and this screens during "operations":
You may see this entry in your list of installed programs:
and this task in your list of Scheduled Tasks:
How did PC OptiClean get on my computer?
These so-called system optimizers use different methods of getting installed. This particular one was downloaded from their website.
How do I remove PC OptiClean?
Our program Malwarebytes can detect and remove this potentially unwanted application.
- Please download Malwarebytes to your desktop.
- Double-click mb3-setup-consumer-{version}.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
- Then click Finish.
- Once the program has fully updated, select Scan Now on the Dashboard. Or select the Threat Scan from the Scan menu.
- If another update of the definitions is available, it will be implemented before the rest of the scanning procedure.
- When the scan is complete, make sure that all Threats are selected, and click Remove Selected.
- Restart your computer when prompted to do so.
- No, Malwarebytes removes PC OptiClean completely.
- This PUP creates some scheduled tasks. You can read here how to check for and, if necessary, remove Scheduled Tasks.
We hope our application and this guide have helped you eradicate this system optimizer.
As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes would have protected you against PC OptiClean.
and we block access to their domain:
Technical details for experts
You may see these entries in FRST logs:
(Seguro Software LLC) C:\Program Files (x86)\PC OptiClean\PCOCSchedule.exe (Seguro Software LLC) C:\Program Files (x86)\PC OptiClean\PCOptiClean.exe C:\Users\{username}\Documents\PC OptiClean C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\PC OptiClean Schedule C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\PC OptiClean C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\PC OptiClean.lnk C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\PC OptiClean C:\Program Files (x86)\PC OptiClean PC OptiClean v4.1 (HKLM-x32\...\PC OptiClean_is1) (Version: 4.1 - Seguro Software LLC) Task: {F2205754-5038-4F3A-BEF6-CF56D96C31E6} - System32\Tasks\PC OptiClean Schedule => C:\Program Files (x86)\PC OptiClean\PCOCSchedule.exe [2016-12-14] (Seguro Software LLC)Alterations made by the installer:
File system details [View: All details] (Selection) --------------------------------------------------- Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\PC OptiClean Adds the file Animation.gif"="11/9/2016 11:55 AM, 3965 bytes, A Adds the file CookieExclusions.txt"="10/29/2015 2:56 PM, 740 bytes, A Adds the file English.ini"="12/14/2016 9:56 AM, 33263 bytes, A Adds the file file_id.diz"="9/4/2015 5:10 PM, 898 bytes, A Adds the file HomePage.url"="6/11/2015 11:10 PM, 51 bytes, A Adds the file PCOCSchedule.exe"="12/14/2016 9:28 AM, 2023016 bytes, A Adds the file PCOptiClean.chm"="6/11/2015 11:22 PM, 33098 bytes, A Adds the file PCOptiClean.exe"="12/13/2016 10:54 PM, 6337128 bytes, A Adds the file Scanning.gif"="6/25/2014 8:30 AM, 1504 bytes, A Adds the file SDesc.txt"="12/1/2016 3:17 PM, 85605 bytes, A Adds the file sqlite3.dll"="4/12/2015 8:25 PM, 673521 bytes, A Adds the file unins000.dat"="10/16/2017 8:26 AM, 61974 bytes, A Adds the file unins000.exe"="10/16/2017 8:26 AM, 1202845 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\PC OptiClean Adds the file Check updates.lnk"="10/16/2017 8:26 AM, 1096 bytes, A Adds the file Help.lnk"="10/16/2017 8:26 AM, 1068 bytes, A Adds the file PC OptiClean on the Web.lnk"="10/16/2017 8:26 AM, 1053 bytes, A Adds the file PC OptiClean.lnk"="10/16/2017 8:26 AM, 1068 bytes, A Adds the file Uninstall PC OptiClean.lnk"="10/16/2017 8:26 AM, 1053 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\PC OptiClean\Backup Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\PC OptiClean\Log Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\PC OptiClean\Undo In the existing folder C:\Users\{username}\Desktop Adds the file PC OptiClean.lnk"="10/16/2017 8:26 AM, 1050 bytes, A In the existing folder C:\Windows\System32\Tasks Adds the file PC OptiClean Schedule"="10/16/2017 8:26 AM, 3262 bytes, A Registry details [View: All details] (Selection) ------------------------------------------------ [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\PC OptiClean_is1] "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "PC OptiClean v4.1" "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "4.1" "EstimatedSize"="REG_DWORD", 10129 "Inno Setup: App Path"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\PC OptiClean" "Inno Setup: Deselected Tasks"="REG_SZ", "" "Inno Setup: Icon Group"="REG_SZ", "PC OptiClean" "Inno Setup: Language"="REG_SZ", "en" "Inno Setup: Selected Tasks"="REG_SZ", "desktopicon" "Inno Setup: Setup Version"="REG_SZ", "5.5.9 (u)" "Inno Setup: User"="REG_SZ", "{username}" "InstallDate"="REG_SZ", "20171016" "InstallLocation"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\PC OptiClean\" "MajorVersion"="REG_DWORD", 4 "MinorVersion"="REG_DWORD", 1 "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1 "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1 "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "Seguro Software LLC" "QuietUninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\PC OptiClean\unins000.exe" /SILENT" "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\PC OptiClean\unins000.exe"" "VersionMajor"="REG_DWORD", 4 "VersionMinor"="REG_DWORD", 1 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Compatibility Assistant\Persisted] "C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\PCOptiClean_Setup.exe"="REG_DWORD", 1 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PC OptiClean] "AfterInstallURL"="REG_SZ", "http://www.pcopticlean.com/after-install.php" "AntivirusNotifier"="REG_DWORD", 1 "AppStart"="REG_DWORD", 1 "BuildID"="REG_SZ", "BZDV_PCSM4T_ML_PCOPTICLEAN_BUNDLE" "CacheNotifier"="REG_DWORD", 1 "CompilerVersion"="REG_SZ", "Dec2016" "CrashNotifier"="REG_DWORD", 1 "DiskNotifier"="REG_DWORD", 1 "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "PC OptiClean" "HideAfterInstallURL"="REG_DWORD", 0 "InstallationDate"="REG_BINARY, .... "InstallName"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\PCOptiClean_Setup.exe" "IStatSent"="REG_DWORD", 1 "ItemsCleaned"="REG_DWORD", 0 "ItemsFixed"="REG_DWORD", 0 "ItemsToClean"="REG_DWORD", 1318 "ItemsToFix"="REG_DWORD", 97 "ItemsToPrivacyScan"="REG_SZ", "1111" "ItemsToRecoveryScan"="REG_SZ", "1111" "ItemsToRegistryScan"="REG_SZ", "1111111111" "JunkFiles"="REG_DWORD", 422 "JunkFilesCleaned"="REG_DWORD", 0 "Language"="REG_DWORD", 1 "LastNotificationTime"="REG_BINARY, .... "LastScanChecked"="REG_SZ", "1111011" "LastScanDate"="REG_BINARY, .... "LastScanFound"="REG_DWORD", 97 "LastUpdateChecking"="REG_BINARY, .... "LogDir"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\PC OptiClean\Log" "MemoryNotifier"="REG_DWORD", 1 "MinFreeDiskSpace"="REG_DWORD", 10 "MinFreeMemory"="REG_DWORD", 10 "NewAppNotifier"="REG_DWORD", 1 "NewToolbarNotifier"="REG_DWORD", 1 "Phone"="REG_DWORD", 1 "Reminder"="REG_DWORD", 1 "s_Enable"="REG_DWORD", 0 "s_SmartDate"="REG_BINARY, .... "s_SmartEnabled"="REG_DWORD", 1 "s_SmartMode"="REG_DWORD", 0 "s_SmartScan"="REG_DWORD", 1 "s_Time"="REG_BINARY, .... "ShowRebootMessage"="REG_DWORD", 1 "ShowRecycleBin"="REG_DWORD", 1 "SizeToClean"="REG_SZ", "623.96 MB" "SlowScan"="REG_DWORD", 1 "StartupNotifier"="REG_DWORD", 1 "StartWithWindows"="REG_DWORD", 0 "UndoDir"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\PC OptiClean\Undo" "UpdateReminderDisabled"="REG_DWORD", 0 "UpgradeID"="REG_SZ", "BZDV_PCSM_ML_PCOPTICLEAN" "UseExclusions"="REG_DWORD", 1 "Version"="REG_SZ", "4.1"Malwarebytes log:
Malwarebytes www.malwarebytes.com -Log Details- Scan Date: 10/16/17 Scan Time: 8:39 AM Log File: ba8ff646-b23c-11e7-9ab0-080027750297.json Administrator: Yes -Software Information- Version: 3.2.2.2018 Components Version: 1.0.188 Update Package Version: 1.0.3020 License: Premium -System Information- OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1 CPU: x64 File System: NTFS User: {computername}\{username} -Scan Summary- Scan Type: Threat Scan Result: Completed Objects Scanned: 324517 Threats Detected: 33 Threats Quarantined: 33 Time Elapsed: 2 min, 11 sec -Scan Options- Memory: Enabled Startup: Enabled Filesystem: Enabled Archives: Enabled Rootkits: Disabled Heuristics: Enabled PUP: Detect PUM: Detect -Scan Details- Process: 2 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC OptiClean\PCOCSchedule.exe, Quarantined, [4109], [445649],1.0.3020 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC OptiClean\PCOptiClean.exe, Quarantined, [4109], [445649],1.0.3020 Module: 3 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC OptiClean\PCOCSchedule.exe, Quarantined, [4109], [445649],1.0.3020 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC OptiClean\PCOptiClean.exe, Quarantined, [4109], [445649],1.0.3020 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC OptiClean\sqlite3.dll, Quarantined, [4109], [445649],1.0.3020 Registry Key: 2 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, HKCU\SOFTWARE\PC OptiClean, Delete-on-Reboot, [4109], [445662],1.0.3020 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\PC OptiClean_is1, Delete-on-Reboot, [4109], [445660],1.0.3020 Registry Value: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Data: 0 (No malicious items detected) Data Stream: 0 (No malicious items detected) Folder: 6 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\PC OPTICLEAN, Delete-on-Reboot, [4109], [445649],1.0.3020 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\PROGRAMDATA\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\START MENU\PROGRAMS\PC OPTICLEAN, Delete-on-Reboot, [4109], [445651],1.0.3020 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\PC OptiClean\Backup, Delete-on-Reboot, [4109], [445654],1.0.3020 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\PC OptiClean\Undo, Delete-on-Reboot, [4109], [445654],1.0.3020 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\PC OptiClean\Log, Delete-on-Reboot, [4109], [445654],1.0.3020 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\ROAMING\PC OPTICLEAN, Delete-on-Reboot, [4109], [445654],1.0.3020 File: 20 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\TASKS\PC OptiClean Schedule, Delete-on-Reboot, [4109], [445658],1.0.3020 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\USERS\{username}\DESKTOP\PC OPTICLEAN.LNK, Delete-on-Reboot, [4109], [445657],1.0.3020 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC OptiClean\Animation.gif, Delete-on-Reboot, [4109], [445649],1.0.3020 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC OptiClean\CookieExclusions.txt, Delete-on-Reboot, [4109], [445649],1.0.3020 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC OptiClean\English.ini, Delete-on-Reboot, [4109], [445649],1.0.3020 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC OptiClean\file_id.diz, Delete-on-Reboot, [4109], [445649],1.0.3020 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC OptiClean\HomePage.url, Delete-on-Reboot, [4109], [445649],1.0.3020 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC OptiClean\PCOCSchedule.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [4109], [445649],1.0.3020 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC OptiClean\PCOptiClean.chm, Delete-on-Reboot, [4109], [445649],1.0.3020 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC OptiClean\PCOptiClean.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [4109], [445649],1.0.3020 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC OptiClean\Scanning.gif, Delete-on-Reboot, [4109], [445649],1.0.3020 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC OptiClean\SDesc.txt, Delete-on-Reboot, [4109], [445649],1.0.3020 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC OptiClean\sqlite3.dll, Delete-on-Reboot, [4109], [445649],1.0.3020 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC OptiClean\unins000.dat, Delete-on-Reboot, [4109], [445649],1.0.3020 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC OptiClean\unins000.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [4109], [445649],1.0.3020 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\PC OptiClean\Check updates.lnk, Delete-on-Reboot, [4109], [445651],1.0.3020 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\PC OptiClean\Help.lnk, Delete-on-Reboot, [4109], [445651],1.0.3020 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\PC OptiClean\PC OptiClean on the Web.lnk, Delete-on-Reboot, [4109], [445651],1.0.3020 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\PC OptiClean\PC OptiClean.lnk, Delete-on-Reboot, [4109], [445651],1.0.3020 PUP.Optional.PCOptiClean, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\PC OptiClean\Uninstall PC OptiClean.lnk, Delete-on-Reboot, [4109], [445651],1.0.3020 Physical Sector: 0 (No malicious items detected) (end)As mentioned before the full version of Malwarebytes could have protected your computer against this threat.
We use different ways of protecting your computer(s):
- Dynamically Blocks Malware Sites & Servers
- Malware Execution Prevention