What is Easy PC Optimizer?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Easy PC Optimizer 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 Easy PC Optimizer?
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 these screens during "operations":
You may see this entry in your list of installed programs:
and these tasks in your list of Scheduled Tasks:
How did Easy PC Optimizer 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 Easy PC Optimizer?
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 Easy PC Optimizer 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 the Easy PC Optimizer installer. It would have warned you before the application could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.
and we block access to their domain:
Technical details for experts
You may see these entries in FRST logs:
(WebMinds, Inc) C:\Program Files (x86)\Easy PC Optimizer\EPIC.exe C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\Easy PC Optimizer Scheduled Scan - {username} C:\Windows\Tasks\Easy PC Optimizer Scheduled Scan - {username}.job C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\Easy PC Optimizer - Background Scanning C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\Easy PC Optimizer - Run without UAC C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\Easy PC Optimizer.lnk C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Easy PC Optimizer C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Easy PC Optimizer C:\Program Files (x86)\Easy PC Optimizer Easy PC Optimizer (HKLM-x32\...\Easy PC Optimizer_is1) (Version: 1.6.1.207 - WebMinds, Inc.) Task: {80EBACE7-F5E2-4384-B5EB-E2A09E9E45D2} - System32\Tasks\Easy PC Optimizer - Run without UAC => C:\Program Files (x86)\Easy PC Optimizer\EPIC.exe [2017-03-28] (WebMinds, Inc) Task: {81DDD0D7-BB32-4EE7-A7E5-915C3EFFF87D} - System32\Tasks\Easy PC Optimizer Scheduled Scan - {username} => C:\Program Files (x86)\Easy PC Optimizer\EPIC.exe [2017-03-28] (WebMinds, Inc) Task: {FB616293-533A-43D8-823D-BC4B35174601} - System32\Tasks\Easy PC Optimizer - Background Scanning => C:\Program Files (x86)\Easy PC Optimizer\EPIC.exe [2017-03-28] (WebMinds, Inc) Task: C:\Windows\Tasks\Easy PC Optimizer Scheduled Scan - {username}.job => C:\Program Files (x86)\Easy PC Optimizer\EPIC.exeAlterations made by the installer:
File system details [View: All details] (Selection) --------------------------------------------------- Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Easy PC Optimizer Adds the file engine.dll"="3/28/2017 3:04 PM, 3706344 bytes, A Adds the file EpcoUninstaller.exe"="3/28/2017 3:03 PM, 4209152 bytes, A Adds the file EPIC.exe"="3/28/2017 3:04 PM, 15518696 bytes, A Adds the file Homepage.url"="10/17/2017 9:14 AM, 196 bytes, A Adds the file IgnoreList.dat"="10/17/2017 9:14 AM, 0 bytes, A Adds the file license.txt"="3/28/2017 3:00 PM, 4673 bytes, A Adds the file Res_English.xml"="3/28/2017 3:00 PM, 29391 bytes, A Adds the file Res_French.xml"="3/28/2017 3:00 PM, 31693 bytes, A Adds the file Res_Spanish.xml"="3/28/2017 3:00 PM, 29964 bytes, A Adds the file Support.url"="10/17/2017 9:14 AM, 216 bytes, A Adds the file unins000.dat"="10/17/2017 9:14 AM, 23732 bytes, A Adds the file unins000.exe"="10/17/2017 9:12 AM, 715752 bytes, A Adds the file unins000.msg"="10/17/2017 9:14 AM, 11397 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Easy PC Optimizer Adds the file Easy PC Optimizer.lnk"="10/17/2017 9:14 AM, 1064 bytes, A Adds the file Support.lnk"="10/17/2017 9:14 AM, 1081 bytes, A Adds the file Uninstall Easy PC Optimizer.lnk"="10/17/2017 9:14 AM, 1088 bytes, A Adds the file Visit EasyPCOptimizer.com.lnk"="10/17/2017 9:14 AM, 1088 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Easy PC Optimizer Adds the file EPCO.log"="10/17/2017 9:14 AM, 291 bytes, A In the existing folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch Adds the file Easy PC Optimizer.lnk"="10/17/2017 9:14 AM, 1070 bytes, A In the existing folder C:\Users\{username}\Desktop Adds the file Easy PC Optimizer.lnk"="10/17/2017 9:14 AM, 1046 bytes, A In the existing folder C:\Windows\System32\Tasks Adds the file Easy PC Optimizer - Background Scanning"="10/17/2017 9:14 AM, 3600 bytes, A Adds the file Easy PC Optimizer - Run without UAC"="10/17/2017 9:14 AM, 2898 bytes, A Adds the file Easy PC Optimizer Scheduled Scan - {username}"="10/17/2017 9:15 AM, 3268 bytes, A In the existing folder C:\Windows\Tasks Adds the file Easy PC Optimizer Scheduled Scan - {username}.job"="10/17/2017 9:15 AM, 392 bytes, A Registry details [View: All details] (Selection) ------------------------------------------------ [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\CompatibilityAdapter\Signatures] "Easy PC Optimizer Scheduled Scan - {username}.job"="REG_BINARY, ................................ "Easy PC Optimizer Scheduled Scan - {username}.job.fp"="REG_DWORD", -711908686 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\EPIC] "AutoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 0 "AutoShutdown"="REG_DWORD", 0 "BackgroundScanning"="REG_DWORD", 1 "CachePath"="REG_SZ", "C:\ProgramData" "ContextMenu"="REG_DWORD", 0 "CurrentLanguage"="REG_SZ", "English" "DispDate"="REG_SZ", "" "FirstRun"="REG_DWORD", 0 "FirstRunAfterInstall"="REG_DWORD", 0 "InstallationTime"="REG_QWORD, .... "LastActXCln"="REG_DWORD", 0 "LastActXErr"="REG_DWORD", 21 "LastAppPathCln"="REG_DWORD", 0 "LastAppPathErr"="REG_DWORD", 0 "LastEmKeyCln"="REG_DWORD", 0 "LastEmKeyErr"="REG_DWORD", 345 "LastFACln"="REG_DWORD", 0 "LastFAErr"="REG_DWORD", 0 "LastFilePathCln"="REG_DWORD", 0 "LastFilePathErr"="REG_DWORD", 92 "LastFontCln"="REG_DWORD", 0 "LastFontErr"="REG_DWORD", 0 "LastHlpCln"="REG_DWORD", 0 "LastHlpErr"="REG_DWORD", 0 "LastScan"="REG_SZ", "17/10/2017 | 09:15:51 AM" "LastSelectedScanTypes"="REG_DWORD", 16577536 "LastSHDllCln"="REG_DWORD", 0 "LastSHDllErr"="REG_DWORD", 12 "LastShortCutCln"="REG_DWORD", 0 "LastShortCutErr"="REG_DWORD", 6 "LastStartupCln"="REG_DWORD", 0 "LastStartupErr"="REG_DWORD", 0 "LastTotalClnCnt"="REG_DWORD", 0 "LastTotalErrCnt"="REG_DWORD", 476 "LastUnCln"="REG_DWORD", 0 "LastUnErr"="REG_DWORD", 0 "Logging"="REG_DWORD", 0 "LogScanSummary"="REG_DWORD", 0 "RegKey"="REG_SZ", "" "RestorePoint"="REG_DWORD", 0 "SkipUACWarning"="REG_DWORD", 1 "SoftwareUpdate"="REG_DWORD", 0 "UserName"="REG_SZ", "" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Easy PC Optimizer_is1] "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\Easy PC Optimizer\EPIC.exe" "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "Easy PC Optimizer" "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "1.6.1.207" "EstimatedSize"="REG_DWORD", 23677 "HelpLink"="REG_SZ", "http://easypcoptimizer.com/support" "Inno Setup: App Path"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\Easy PC Optimizer" "Inno Setup: Deselected Tasks"="REG_SZ", "" "Inno Setup: Icon Group"="REG_SZ", "Easy PC Optimizer" "Inno Setup: Language"="REG_SZ", "english" "Inno Setup: Selected Tasks"="REG_SZ", "desktopicon,quicklaunchicon" "Inno Setup: Setup Version"="REG_SZ", "5.5.5 (a)" "Inno Setup: User"="REG_SZ", "{username}" "InstallDate"="REG_SZ", "20171017" "InstallLocation"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\Easy PC Optimizer\" "MajorVersion"="REG_DWORD", 1 "MinorVersion"="REG_DWORD", 6 "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1 "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1 "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "WebMinds, Inc." "QuietUninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\Easy PC Optimizer\unins000.exe" /SILENT" "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\Easy PC Optimizer\unins000.exe"" "URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://easypcoptimizer.com/" "URLUpdateInfo"="REG_SZ", "http://easypcoptimizer.com/" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\EPIC] "CurrentLanguage"="REG_SZ", "English"Malwarebytes log:
Malwarebytes www.malwarebytes.com -Log Details- Scan Date: 10/17/17 Scan Time: 11:00 AM Log File: a2e46210-b319-11e7-b26d-080027750297.json Administrator: Yes -Software Information- Version: 3.2.2.2018 Components Version: 1.0.212 Update Package Version: 1.0.3029 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: 330063 Threats Detected: 36 Threats Quarantined: 36 Time Elapsed: 1 min, 40 sec -Scan Options- Memory: Enabled Startup: Enabled Filesystem: Enabled Archives: Enabled Rootkits: Disabled Heuristics: Enabled PUP: Detect PUM: Detect -Scan Details- Process: 1 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\Easy PC Optimizer\EPIC.exe, Quarantined, [8968], [442097],1.0.3029 Module: 2 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\Easy PC Optimizer\engine.dll, Quarantined, [8968], [442097],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\Easy PC Optimizer\EPIC.exe, Quarantined, [8968], [442097],1.0.3029 Registry Key: 7 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\Easy PC Optimizer_is1, Delete-on-Reboot, [8968], [442097],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TREE\Easy PC Optimizer - Background Scanning, Delete-on-Reboot, [8968], [442110],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TREE\Easy PC Optimizer - Run without UAC, Delete-on-Reboot, [8968], [442114],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.RegistryPowerCleaner, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TREE\Easy PC Optimizer Scheduled Scan - {username}, Delete-on-Reboot, [8966], [442107],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TASKS\{80EBACE7-F5E2-4384-B5EB-E2A09E9E45D2}, Delete-on-Reboot, [8968], [442115],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.RegistryPowerCleaner, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TASKS\{81DDD0D7-BB32-4EE7-A7E5-915C3EFFF87D}, Delete-on-Reboot, [8966], [442106],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TASKS\{FB616293-533A-43D8-823D-BC4B35174601}, Delete-on-Reboot, [8968], [442111],1.0.3029 Registry Value: 3 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TASKS\{80EBACE7-F5E2-4384-B5EB-E2A09E9E45D2}|PATH, Delete-on-Reboot, [8968], [442115],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.RegistryPowerCleaner, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TASKS\{81DDD0D7-BB32-4EE7-A7E5-915C3EFFF87D}|PATH, Delete-on-Reboot, [8966], [442106],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TASKS\{FB616293-533A-43D8-823D-BC4B35174601}|PATH, Delete-on-Reboot, [8968], [442111],1.0.3029 Registry Data: 0 (No malicious items detected) Data Stream: 0 (No malicious items detected) Folder: 2 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\EASY PC OPTIMIZER, Delete-on-Reboot, [8968], [442097],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\ROAMING\EASY PC OPTIMIZER, Delete-on-Reboot, [8968], [442100],1.0.3029 File: 21 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\TASKS\EASY PC OPTIMIZER - BACKGROUND SCANNING, Delete-on-Reboot, [8968], [442109],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\EASY PC OPTIMIZER\UNINS000.DAT, Delete-on-Reboot, [8968], [442097],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\Easy PC Optimizer\engine.dll, Delete-on-Reboot, [8968], [442097],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\Easy PC Optimizer\EpcoUninstaller.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [8968], [442097],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\Easy PC Optimizer\EPIC.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [8968], [442097],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\Easy PC Optimizer\Homepage.url, Delete-on-Reboot, [8968], [442097],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\Easy PC Optimizer\IgnoreList.dat, Delete-on-Reboot, [8968], [442097],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\Easy PC Optimizer\license.txt, Delete-on-Reboot, [8968], [442097],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\Easy PC Optimizer\Res_English.xml, Delete-on-Reboot, [8968], [442097],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\Easy PC Optimizer\Res_French.xml, Delete-on-Reboot, [8968], [442097],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\Easy PC Optimizer\Res_Spanish.xml, Delete-on-Reboot, [8968], [442097],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\Easy PC Optimizer\Support.url, Delete-on-Reboot, [8968], [442097],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\Easy PC Optimizer\unins000.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [8968], [442097],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\Easy PC Optimizer\unins000.msg, Delete-on-Reboot, [8968], [442097],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\ROAMING\MICROSOFT\INTERNET EXPLORER\QUICK LAUNCH\EASY PC OPTIMIZER.LNK, Delete-on-Reboot, [8968], [442101],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.RegistryPowerCleaner, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\TASKS\Easy PC Optimizer Scheduled Scan - {username}, Delete-on-Reboot, [8966], [442105],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\TASKS\EASY PC OPTIMIZER - RUN WITHOUT UAC, Delete-on-Reboot, [8968], [442113],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.RegistryPowerCleaner, C:\WINDOWS\TASKS\Easy PC Optimizer Scheduled Scan - {username}.job, Delete-on-Reboot, [8966], [442104],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\ROAMING\EASY PC OPTIMIZER\EPCO.LOG, Delete-on-Reboot, [8968], [442100],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, C:\USERS\{username}\DESKTOP\EASY PC OPTIMIZER.LNK, Delete-on-Reboot, [8968], [442102],1.0.3029 PUP.Optional.EasyPCOptimizer, C:\USERS\{username}\DESKTOP\EASYPCOPTIMIZERSETUP.EXE, Delete-on-Reboot, [8968], [442117],1.0.3029 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