What is System Cleanup?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that System Cleanup 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 System Cleanup?
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 screen when you try to fix the so-called "problems":

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

How did System Cleanup get on my computer?
These so-called system optimizers use different methods of getting installed. This particular one was downloaded from their site.
How do I remove System Cleanup?
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 System Cleanup completely.
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 System Cleanup 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:
() C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\PC Wiper.exe C:\Users\Public\Desktop\System Cleanup.lnk C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Cleanup C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts System Cleanup version 1.0 (HKLM-x32\...\{21AB2F09-1C61-4A31-AECA-3ADE74BBEE59}_is1) (Version: 1.0 - Epicsofts)Alterations made by the installer:
File system details [View: All details] (Selection) --------------------------------------------------- Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup Adds the file bactch.cmd"="10/21/2014 2:01 AM, 0 bytes, A Adds the file icon.ico"="1/6/2015 3:55 AM, 32038 bytes, A Adds the file OSVersionInfo.dll"="9/18/2014 9:23 PM, 19968 bytes, A Adds the file PC Wiper.exe"="9/8/2015 5:08 AM, 3833856 bytes, A Adds the file PC Wiper.exe.config"="10/17/2014 6:25 PM, 926 bytes, A Adds the file PC Wiper.pdb"="9/8/2015 5:08 AM, 298496 bytes, A Adds the file PC Wiper.vshost.exe"="9/8/2015 5:08 AM, 22984 bytes, A Adds the file PC Wiper.vshost.exe.config"="10/17/2014 6:25 PM, 926 bytes, A Adds the file PC Wiper.vshost.exe.manifest"="10/17/2014 9:32 PM, 2672 bytes, A Adds the file unins000.dat"="4/17/2017 12:50 PM, 5992 bytes, A Adds the file unins000.exe"="4/17/2017 12:48 PM, 747681 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\Sys_auth\Authentication Adds the file Activation.xml"="1/6/2015 3:58 AM, 194 bytes, A Adds the file Sys_Auth.txt"="4/19/2014 5:57 AM, 13 bytes, A Adds the file sys_error_nbr.txt"="4/17/2017 12:53 PM, 4 bytes, A Adds the file sys_error_size.txt"="4/17/2017 12:53 PM, 6 bytes, A Adds the file sys_manage.txt"="1/6/2015 3:59 AM, 0 bytes, A Adds the file sys_read.txt"="4/17/2017 12:52 PM, 21 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\System Cleanup\Waves Adds the file Cleaned.wav"="4/14/2014 7:43 PM, 106064 bytes, A Adds the file Cleaning.wav"="4/12/2014 6:19 PM, 108368 bytes, A Adds the file done.wav"="4/9/2014 4:29 AM, 73808 bytes, A Adds the file Issues.wav"="4/23/2014 2:14 AM, 364112 bytes, A Adds the file scandone.png"="4/12/2014 9:08 PM, 39016 bytes, A Adds the file scanning.wav"="4/9/2014 4:29 AM, 115280 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Cleanup Adds the file System Cleanup on the Web.url"="4/17/2017 12:50 PM, 131 bytes, A Adds the file System Cleanup.lnk"="4/17/2017 12:50 PM, 1313 bytes, A Adds the file Uninstall System Cleanup.lnk"="4/17/2017 12:50 PM, 1313 bytes, A In the existing folder C:\Users\Public\Desktop Adds the file System Cleanup.lnk"="4/17/2017 12:50 PM, 1295 bytes, A Registry details [View: All details] (Selection) ------------------------------------------------ [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{21AB2F09-1C61-4A31-AECA-3ADE74BBEE59}_is1] "Comments"="REG_SZ", "System Cleanup" "Contact"="REG_SZ", "877-780-7768" "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\icon.ico" "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "System Cleanup version 1.0" "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "1.0" "EstimatedSize"="REG_DWORD", 9364 "HelpLink"="REG_SZ", "http://www.epicsofts.com/" "Inno Setup: App Path"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup" "Inno Setup: Deselected Tasks"="REG_SZ", "" "Inno Setup: Icon Group"="REG_SZ", "System Cleanup" "Inno Setup: Language"="REG_SZ", "english" "Inno Setup: Selected Tasks"="REG_SZ", "desktopicon" "Inno Setup: Setup Version"="REG_SZ", "5.5.6 (a)" "Inno Setup: User"="REG_SZ", "{username}" "InstallDate"="REG_SZ", "20170417" "InstallLocation"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\" "MajorVersion"="REG_DWORD", 1 "MinorVersion"="REG_DWORD", 0 "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1 "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1 "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "Epicsofts" "QuietUninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\unins000.exe" /SILENT" "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\unins000.exe"" "URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://www.epicsofts.com/" "URLUpdateInfo"="REG_SZ", "http://www.epicsofts.com/"Malwarebytes log:
Malwarebytes www.malwarebytes.com -Log Details- Scan Date: 4/17/17 Scan Time: 1:07 PM Logfile: mbamSystemCleaner.txt Administrator: Yes -Software Information- Version: 3.0.6.1469 Components Version: 1.0.103 Update Package Version: 1.0.1746 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: 327056 Time Elapsed: 1 min, 18 sec -Scan Options- Memory: Enabled Startup: Enabled Filesystem: Enabled Archives: Enabled Rootkits: Disabled Heuristics: Enabled PUP: Enabled PUM: Enabled -Scan Details- Process: 1 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\PC Wiper.exe, Quarantined, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 Module: 1 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\PC Wiper.exe, Quarantined, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 Registry Key: 1 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\{21AB2F09-1C61-4A31-AECA-3ADE74BBEE59}_is1, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 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.Epicsofts, C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\Sys_auth\Authentication, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\System Cleanup\Waves, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\System Cleanup, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\Sys_auth, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\EPICSOFTS\SYSTEM CLEANUP, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\PROGRAMDATA\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\START MENU\PROGRAMS\SYSTEM CLEANUP, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350907],1.0.1746 File: 28 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\System Cleanup\Waves\Cleaned.wav, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\System Cleanup\Waves\Cleaning.wav, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\System Cleanup\Waves\done.wav, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\System Cleanup\Waves\Issues.wav, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\System Cleanup\Waves\scandone.png, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\System Cleanup\Waves\scanning.wav, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\Sys_auth\Authentication\Activation.xml, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\Sys_auth\Authentication\Sys_Auth.txt, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\Sys_auth\Authentication\sys_error_nbr.txt, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\Sys_auth\Authentication\sys_error_size.txt, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\Sys_auth\Authentication\sys_manage.txt, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\Sys_auth\Authentication\sys_read.txt, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\bactch.cmd, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\icon.ico, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\OSVersionInfo.dll, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\PC Wiper.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\PC Wiper.exe.config, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\PC Wiper.pdb, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\PC Wiper.vshost.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\PC Wiper.vshost.exe.config, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\PC Wiper.vshost.exe.manifest, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\unins000.dat, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\Program Files (x86)\Epicsofts\System Cleanup\unins000.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350906],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Cleanup\System Cleanup on the Web.url, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350907],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Cleanup\System Cleanup.lnk, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350907],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Cleanup\Uninstall System Cleanup.lnk, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350907],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\USERS\PUBLIC\DESKTOP\SYSTEM CLEANUP.LNK, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350911],1.0.1746 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\USERS\{username}\DESKTOP\SYSTEM_CLEANUP.EXE, Delete-on-Reboot, [2640], [350905],1.0.1746 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