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Removal instructions for PC Cleaner (by Monterix)

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Started by Metallica , Nov 25 2019 03:43 AM

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#1
Metallica
Posted 25 November 2019 - 03:43 AM

Metallica

    Spyware Veteran

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Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is PC Cleaner?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that PC Cleaner 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.

This particualr one is also a bundler:

bundler.png

How do I know if I am infected with PC Cleaner?

You will find these icons in your taskbar, your startmenu, and on your desktop:

icons.png

and see this warning during install:

warning1.png

and this screen during "operations":

warning5.png

You may see this entry in your list of installed programs:

warning4.png

and this task in your list of Scheduled Tasks:

warning3.png

How did PC Cleaner get on my computer?

These so-called system optimizers use different methods of getting installed. This particular one was downloaded from their website:

website.png

after a redirect from a fake online scanner:

fakescannerw.png

How do I remove PC Cleaner?

Our program Malwarebytes can detect and remove this potentially unwanted application.
  • Please download Malwarebytes for Windows to your desktop.
  • Double-click MBSetup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
  • When your Malwarebytes for Windows installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen.
  • Click on the Get started button.
  • Click Scan to start a Threat Scan.
  • When the scan is finished click Quarantine to remove the found threats.
  • Reboot the system if prompted to complete the removal process.
Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of PC Cleaner?
  • No, Malwarebytes removes PC Cleaner completely.
  • This PUP creates a scheduled task. You can read here how to check for and, if necessary, remove Scheduled Tasks.
How would the full version of Malwarebytes help protect me?

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 PC Cleaner installer. It would have warned you before the application could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.

protection1.png


and both Malwarebytes Premium and Browser Guard block access to their download site and the fake scanner:

protection2.png


Technical details for experts

You may see these entries in FRST logs:

(Monterix Software LLC -> Monterix Software LLC) C:\Program Files (x86)\Monterix\PC Cleaner\PCCleanerM.exe
Task: {56941F77-910F-4A06-8474-0D808281ED68} - System32\Tasks\skpVersionUpdate => C:\Program Files (x86)\Monterix\PC Cleaner\PCCleanerM.exe [9740720 2019-11-24] (Monterix Software LLC -> Monterix Software LLC)
C:\Windows\system32\Tasks\skpVersionUpdate
C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\PC Cleaner.lnk
C:\Users\Public\Desktop\PC Cleaner.lnk
C:\ProgramData\Desktop\PC Cleaner.lnk
C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\skp
C:\Program Files (x86)\Monterix

PC Cleaner (HKLM-x32\...\{1AE5D9FC-B286-4C02-B5DA-B14E26EFC9A6}_is1) (Version: 12.4.0.16 - Monterix Software LLC)
Alterations made by the installer:

File system details [View: All details] (Selection)
---------------------------------------------------
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Monterix\PC Cleaner
       Adds the file aff.txt"="7/19/2017 11:26 PM, 3 bytes, A
       Adds the file PCCleanerM.exe"="11/24/2019 11:37 PM, 9740720 bytes, A
       Adds the file unins000.dat"="11/25/2019 8:53 AM, 142216 bytes, A
       Adds the file unins000.exe"="11/25/2019 8:53 AM, 1204144 bytes, A
       Adds the file unins000.msg"="11/25/2019 8:53 AM, 22709 bytes, A
    In the existing folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu
       Adds the file PC Cleaner.lnk"="11/25/2019 8:53 AM, 1186 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\skp
    In the existing folder C:\Users\Public\Desktop
       Adds the file PC Cleaner.lnk"="11/25/2019 8:53 AM, 1162 bytes, A
    In the existing folder C:\Windows\System32\Tasks
       Adds the file skpVersionUpdate"="11/25/2019 8:53 AM, 3616 bytes, A

Registry details [View: All details] (Selection)
------------------------------------------------
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{1AE5D9FC-B286-4C02-B5DA-B14E26EFC9A6}_is1]
       "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\Monterix\PC Cleaner\unins000.exe"
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "PC Cleaner"
       "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "12.4.0.16"
       "EstimatedSize"="REG_DWORD", 10689
       "HelpLink"="REG_SZ", "http://www.pccleaner.software"
       "Inno Setup: App Path"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\Monterix\PC Cleaner"
       "Inno Setup: Icon Group"="REG_SZ", "Monterix\PC Cleaner"
       "Inno Setup: Language"="REG_SZ", "english"
       "Inno Setup: Setup Version"="REG_SZ", "5.5.9 (u)"
       "Inno Setup: User"="REG_SZ", "{username}"
       "InstallDate"="REG_SZ", "20191125"
       "InstallLocation"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\Monterix\PC Cleaner\"
       "MajorVersion"="REG_DWORD", 12
       "MinorVersion"="REG_DWORD", 4
       "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "Monterix Software LLC"
       "QuietUninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\Monterix\PC Cleaner\unins000.exe" /SILENT"
       "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\Monterix\PC Cleaner\unins000.exe""
       "URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://www.pccleaner.software"
       "URLUpdateInfo"="REG_SZ", "http://www.pccleaner.software"
       "VersionMajor"="REG_DWORD", 12
       "VersionMinor"="REG_DWORD", 4
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Monterix\SystemKeeperEx]
       "Activated"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "AffSubId"="REG_SZ", ""
       "AllowAutoUpdates"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "AppPath"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\Monterix\PC Cleaner\PCCleanerM.exe"
       "AutoRun"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "BackupDir"="REG_SZ", "Backup\"
       "CloseToTray"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "ErrFixed"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "ErrFound"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "FirstRunDatei"="REG_BINARY, ....
       "FirstRunState"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "IDLang"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "InstallID"="REG_SZ", "eda99006ed1ce87bc9711f2a3daff3d6"
       "LastFixDatei"="REG_BINARY, ....
       "LastScanDatei"="REG_BINARY, ....
       "LastTrayMsgDatei"="REG_BINARY, ....
       "Partner"="REG_SZ", "00000000"
       "PhSuppNum"="REG_SZ", ""
       "ProxyHost"="REG_SZ", ""
       "ProxyLogin"="REG_SZ", ""
       "ProxyPassw"="REG_SZ", ""
       "ProxyPort"="REG_SZ", ""
       "RPurchData"="REG_SZ", ""
       "RPurchHost"="REG_SZ", ""
       "RPurchURI"="REG_SZ", ""
       "SerialNum"="REG_SZ", ""
       "ShowTrayHints"="REG_DWORD", 1
Malwarebytes log:

Malwarebytes
www.malwarebytes.com

-Log Details-
Scan Date: 11/25/19
Scan Time: 9:03 AM
Log File: 1c373914-0f5a-11ea-973f-00ffdcc6fdfc.json

-Software Information-
Version: 4.0.4.49
Components Version: 1.0.718
Update Package Version: 1.0.15378
License: Premium

-System Information-
OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1
CPU: x64
File System: NTFS
User: {computername}\{username}

-Scan Summary-
Scan Type: Threat Scan
Scan Initiated By: Manual
Result: Completed
Objects Scanned: 233725
Threats Detected: 21
Threats Quarantined: 21
Time Elapsed: 3 min, 34 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.Monterix, C:\Program Files (x86)\Monterix\PC Cleaner\PCCleanerM.exe, Quarantined, 5301, 765357, , , , 

Module: 1
PUP.Optional.Monterix, C:\Program Files (x86)\Monterix\PC Cleaner\PCCleanerM.exe, Quarantined, 5301, 765357, , , , 

Registry Key: 5
PUP.Optional.SystemKeeperPro, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\{1AE5D9FC-B286-4C02-B5DA-B14E26EFC9A6}_is1, Quarantined, 3560, 425699, 1.0.15378, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.Monterix, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TREE\SKPVERSIONUPDATE, Quarantined, 5301, 765359, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Monterix, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TASKS\{56941F77-910F-4A06-8474-0D808281ED68}, Quarantined, 5301, 765359, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Monterix, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\PLAIN\{56941F77-910F-4A06-8474-0D808281ED68}, Quarantined, 5301, 765359, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Monterix, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MONTERIX\SystemKeeperEx, Quarantined, 5301, 765358, 1.0.15378, , ame, 

Registry Value: 1
PUP.Optional.Monterix, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TASKS\{56941F77-910F-4A06-8474-0D808281ED68}|PATH, Quarantined, 5301, 765361, 1.0.15378, , ame, 

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Data Stream: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folder: 1
PUP.Optional.Monterix, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\MONTERIX\PC CLEANER, Quarantined, 5301, 765357, 1.0.15378, , ame, 

File: 12
PUP.Optional.PCCleaner, C:\USERS\PUBLIC\DESKTOP\PC CLEANER.LNK, Quarantined, 1417, 739133, 1.0.15378, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.Monterix, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\TASKS\SKPVERSIONUPDATE, Quarantined, 5301, 765359, 1.0.15378, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.Monterix, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\MONTERIX\PC CLEANER\AFF.TXT, Quarantined, 5301, 765357, 1.0.15378, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.Monterix, C:\Program Files (x86)\Monterix\PC Cleaner\PCCleanerM.exe, Quarantined, 5301, 765357, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Monterix, C:\Program Files (x86)\Monterix\PC Cleaner\unins000.dat, Quarantined, 5301, 765357, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Monterix, C:\Program Files (x86)\Monterix\PC Cleaner\unins000.exe, Quarantined, 5301, 765357, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Monterix, C:\Program Files (x86)\Monterix\PC Cleaner\unins000.msg, Quarantined, 5301, 765357, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Monterix, C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\PUBLIC\Desktop\PC Cleaner.lnk, Quarantined, 5301, 765357, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Monterix, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\ROAMING\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\PC Cleaner.lnk, Quarantined, 5301, 765357, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Monterix, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\TEMP\PCCLEANERINST_00000000_NB.12.4.0.15.EXE, Quarantined, 5301, 765349, 1.0.15378, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.Monterix, C:\USERS\{username}\DESKTOP\MONTERIX.EXE, Quarantined, 5301, 765349, 1.0.15378, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.Monterix, C:\USERS\{username}\DESKTOP\MONTERIX.ZIP, Quarantined, 5301, 765349, 1.0.15378, , ame, 

Physical Sector: 0
(No malicious items detected)

WMI: 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
Save yourself the hassle and get protected.
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