What is REGUtilities?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that REGUtilities 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 REGUtilities?
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 REGUtilities 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 REGUtilities?
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 REGUtilities 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 REGUtilities 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:
(Tuneup System Software Pvt Ltd.) C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities\RegUtilities.exe C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\REGUtilities Weekly Task C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\REGUtilities Logon Task C:\ProgramData\REGUtilities C:\Users\Public\Desktop\REGUtilities.lnk C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\REGUtilities C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities REGUtilities (HKLM-x32\...\REGUtilities_is1) (Version: 2.0.2.9 - Tuneup System Software Pvt Ltd.) Task: {9902EF16-3A92-4EC9-BA21-8CB23CDF3BF2} - System32\Tasks\REGUtilities Weekly Task => C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities\REGUtilities.exe [2017-11-28] (Tuneup System Software Pvt Ltd.) Task: {F60B738E-D486-4E6F-992F-7ACC232F8F48} - System32\Tasks\REGUtilities Logon Task => C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities\REGUtilities.exe [2017-11-28] (Tuneup System Software Pvt Ltd.)Alterations made by the installer:
File system details [View: All details] (Selection) --------------------------------------------------- Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities Adds the file 3a_regu.wav"="11/28/2017 4:33 PM, 199334 bytes, A Adds the file BsSndRpt.exe"="11/28/2017 4:33 PM, 332304 bytes, A Adds the file BugSplat.dll"="11/28/2017 4:33 PM, 307216 bytes, A Adds the file BugSplatRc.dll"="11/28/2017 4:33 PM, 106000 bytes, A Adds the file RegU.ico"="7/1/2015 7:29 AM, 99678 bytes, A Adds the file RegUDLL.dll"="12/24/2017 10:58 PM, 13930960 bytes, A Adds the file RegUtilities.exe"="11/28/2017 4:33 PM, 869328 bytes, A Adds the file unins000.dat"="1/5/2018 2:28 PM, 70264 bytes, A Adds the file unins000.exe"="1/5/2018 2:28 PM, 1224129 bytes, A Adds the file vista.reg"="11/28/2017 4:33 PM, 41443 bytes, A Adds the file win10.reg"="11/28/2017 4:33 PM, 111692 bytes, A Adds the file win7.reg"="11/28/2017 4:33 PM, 113710 bytes, A Adds the file win8.reg"="11/28/2017 4:33 PM, 111692 bytes, A Adds the file xp.reg"="11/28/2017 4:33 PM, 60468 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\REGUtilities Adds the file REGUtilities.lnk"="1/5/2018 2:28 PM, 856 bytes, A Adds the file Uninstall .lnk"="1/5/2018 2:28 PM, 1155 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\ProgramData\REGUtilities In the existing folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch Adds the file REGUtilities.lnk"="1/5/2018 2:28 PM, 862 bytes, A In the existing folder C:\Users\Public\Desktop Adds the file REGUtilities.lnk"="1/5/2018 2:28 PM, 922 bytes, A In the existing folder C:\Windows\System32\Tasks Adds the file REGUtilities Logon Task"="1/5/2018 2:28 PM, 3416 bytes, A Adds the file REGUtilities Weekly Task"="1/5/2018 2:28 PM, 4138 bytes, A Registry details [View: All details] (Selection) ------------------------------------------------ [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\ReU.Control] [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\REGUtilities.exe] "Path"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities\REGUtilities.exe"" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\REGUtilities_is1] "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities\REGUtilities.exe" "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "REGUtilities" "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "2.0.2.9" "EstimatedSize"="REG_DWORD", 1269 "HelpLink"="REG_SZ", "http://www.erroranswers.com/" "Inno Setup: App Path"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities" "Inno Setup: Deselected Components"="REG_SZ", "" "Inno Setup: Icon Group"="REG_SZ", "REGUtilities" "Inno Setup: Language"="REG_SZ", "default" "Inno Setup: Selected Components"="REG_SZ", "desktopicon,scheduledtasks,quicklaunchicon" "Inno Setup: Setup Type"="REG_SZ", "custom" "Inno Setup: Setup Version"="REG_SZ", "5.5.9 (u)" "Inno Setup: User"="REG_SZ", "{username}" "InstallDate"="REG_SZ", "20180105" "InstallLocation"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities\" "MajorVersion"="REG_DWORD", 2 "MinorVersion"="REG_DWORD", 0 "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1 "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1 "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "Tuneup System Software Pvt Ltd." "QuietUninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities\unins000.exe" /SILENT" "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities\unins000.exe"" "URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://www.erroranswers.com/" "VersionMajor"="REG_DWORD", 2 "VersionMinor"="REG_DWORD", 0 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\REGUtilities] "AppArg"="REG_SZ", "-t" "appid"="REG_SZ", "2.1.9" "AUDIO"="REG_SZ", "1" "AUTOSCAN"="REG_SZ", "1" "browser"="REG_SZ", "CR" "Capppaths"="REG_SZ", "0" "Ccomactvx"="REG_SZ", "0" "Ccomaerrs"="REG_SZ", "0" "Cemptykys"="REG_SZ", "381" "Cfleass"="REG_SZ", "0" "Cfonts"="REG_SZ", "0" "Chelpfles"="REG_SZ", "0" "Cprgshtcuts"="REG_SZ", "6" "Cpthrefs"="REG_SZ", "57" "Cshrddlls"="REG_SZ", "0" "Cstrtuns"="REG_SZ", "381" "Cstrtups"="REG_SZ", "0" "Csystemerrs"="REG_SZ", "57" "Cunstall"="REG_SZ", "0" "Cusererrs"="REG_SZ", "6" "Fapppaths"="REG_SZ", "0" "Fcomactvx"="REG_SZ", "0" "Fcomaerrs"="REG_SZ", "0" "Femptykys"="REG_SZ", "0" "Ffleass"="REG_SZ", "0" "Ffonts"="REG_SZ", "0" "Fhelpfles"="REG_SZ", "0" "Fprgshtcuts"="REG_SZ", "0" "Fpthrefs"="REG_SZ", "0" "Fshrddlls"="REG_SZ", "0" "Fstrtuns"="REG_SZ", "0" "Fstrtups"="REG_SZ", "0" "Fsystemerrs"="REG_SZ", "0" "Funstall"="REG_SZ", "0" "Fusererrs"="REG_SZ", "0" "Iapppaths"="REG_SZ", "0" "Icomactvx"="REG_SZ", "0" "Icomaerrs"="REG_SZ", "0" "Iemptykys"="REG_SZ", "0" "Ifleass"="REG_SZ", "0" "Ifonts"="REG_SZ", "0" "Ihelpfles"="REG_SZ", "0" "Iprgshtcuts"="REG_SZ", "0" "Ipthrefs"="REG_SZ", "0" "IsDefault"="REG_SZ", "1" "Ishrddlls"="REG_SZ", "0" "IsSet"="REG_SZ", "1" "IsTasks"="REG_SZ", "1" "Istrtuns"="REG_SZ", "0" "Istrtups"="REG_SZ", "0" "Isystemerrs"="REG_SZ", "0" "itscanned"="REG_SZ", "241666" "Iunstall"="REG_SZ", "0" "Iusererrs"="REG_SZ", "0" "lastScan"="REG_SZ", "05-01-2018 14:28:26" "POPUPS"="REG_SZ", "1" "sapppaths"="REG_SZ", "1" "ScanTime"="REG_SZ", "14:28:26" "scomactvx"="REG_SZ", "1" "scomaerrs"="REG_SZ", "1" "semptykys"="REG_SZ", "1" "setupNM"="REG_SZ", "REGUtilities_Setup_2.1.9-01-CR.exe" "sfleass"="REG_SZ", "1" "sfonts"="REG_SZ", "1" "shelpfles"="REG_SZ", "1" "source"="REG_SZ", "01" "Splash"="REG_SZ", "0" "sprgshtcuts"="REG_SZ", "1" "spthrefs"="REG_SZ", "1" "sshrddlls"="REG_SZ", "1" "sstrtuns"="REG_SZ", "1" "sstrtups"="REG_SZ", "1" "ssystemerrs"="REG_SZ", "1" "sunstall"="REG_SZ", "1" "susererrs"="REG_SZ", "1" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\BugSplat\dbver2_9\RegU\2.0.52] "LaunchCount"="REG_DWORD", 1 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers] "C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities\REGUtilities.exe"="REG_SZ", ""RUNASADMIN""Malwarebytes log:
Malwarebytes www.malwarebytes.com -Log Details- Scan Date: 1/5/18 Scan Time: 2:51 PM Log File: 7ee1ef5a-f21f-11e7-85bd-080027750297.json Administrator: Yes -Software Information- Version: 3.3.1.2183 Components Version: 1.0.262 Update Package Version: 1.0.3629 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: 245957 Threats Detected: 31 Threats Quarantined: 31 Time Elapsed: 1 min, 35 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.REGUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities\RegUtilities.exe, Quarantined, [15196], [475702],1.0.3629 Module: 3 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities\BugSplat.dll, Quarantined, [15196], [475702],1.0.3629 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities\RegUDLL.dll, Quarantined, [15196], [475702],1.0.3629 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities\RegUtilities.exe, Quarantined, [15196], [475702],1.0.3629 Registry Key: 9 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TREE\REGUtilities Logon Task, Quarantined, [15196], [475703],1.0.3629 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TASKS\{F60B738E-D486-4E6F-992F-7ACC232F8F48}, Quarantined, [15196], [475703],1.0.3629 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\LOGON\{F60B738E-D486-4E6F-992F-7ACC232F8F48}, Quarantined, [15196], [475703],1.0.3629 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TREE\REGUtilities Weekly Task, Quarantined, [15196], [475703],1.0.3629 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TASKS\{9902EF16-3A92-4EC9-BA21-8CB23CDF3BF2}, Quarantined, [15196], [475703],1.0.3629 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\PLAIN\{9902EF16-3A92-4EC9-BA21-8CB23CDF3BF2}, Quarantined, [15196], [475703],1.0.3629 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\ReU.Control, Quarantined, [15196], [475705],1.0.3629 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\REGUtilities, Quarantined, [15196], [475706],1.0.3629 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\REGUtilities_is1, Quarantined, [15196], [475702],1.0.3629 Registry Value: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Data: 0 (No malicious items detected) Data Stream: 0 (No malicious items detected) Folder: 2 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, C:\PROGRAMDATA\REGUTILITIES, Quarantined, [15196], [475701],1.0.3629 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\REGUTILITIES, Quarantined, [15196], [475702],1.0.3629 File: 16 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\TASKS\REGUtilities Logon Task, Quarantined, [15196], [475703],1.0.3629 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\TASKS\REGUtilities Weekly Task, Quarantined, [15196], [475703],1.0.3629 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities\3a_regu.wav, Quarantined, [15196], [475702],1.0.3629 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities\BsSndRpt.exe, Quarantined, [15196], [475702],1.0.3629 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities\BugSplat.dll, Quarantined, [15196], [475702],1.0.3629 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities\BugSplatRc.dll, Quarantined, [15196], [475702],1.0.3629 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities\RegU.ico, Quarantined, [15196], [475702],1.0.3629 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities\RegUDLL.dll, Quarantined, [15196], [475702],1.0.3629 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities\RegUtilities.exe, Quarantined, [15196], [475702],1.0.3629 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities\unins000.dat, Quarantined, [15196], [475702],1.0.3629 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities\unins000.exe, Quarantined, [15196], [475702],1.0.3629 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities\vista.reg, Quarantined, [15196], [475702],1.0.3629 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities\win10.reg, Quarantined, [15196], [475702],1.0.3629 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities\win7.reg, Quarantined, [15196], [475702],1.0.3629 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities\win8.reg, Quarantined, [15196], [475702],1.0.3629 PUP.Optional.REGUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\REGUtilities\xp.reg, Quarantined, [15196], [475702],1.0.3629 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