No replies to this topic

[Metallica]

Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is PC Accelerator?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that PC Accelerator 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 Accelerator?

This is how the main screen of the system optimizer looks:



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



and see this warning during install:





and this screen when you try to solve the "problems":



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



How did PC Accelerator 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 Accelerator?

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.

Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of PC Accelerator?

• No, Malwarebytes removes PC Accelerator completely.

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 Accelerator 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:

 (Software Marketing Ltd) C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\PCACSmartScan.exe
 (Software Marketing Ltd) C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\PCAccelerator.exe
 HKCU\...\Run: [PC Accelerator] => C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\PCACLauncher.exe [392712 2013-12-21] (Software Marketing Ltd)
 C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\PC Accelerator.lnk
 C:\Users\{username}\Documents\PC Accelerator
 C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\PC Accelerator
 C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\PC Accelerator
 C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator
 (Software Marketing Ltd ) C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\pcaccelerator_7563865.exe

PC Accelerator version 3.2 (HKLM-x32\...\PC Accelerator_is1) (Version: 3.2 - Software Marketing Ltd)

Alterations made by the installer:

File system details [View: All details] (Selection)
---------------------------------------------------
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator
       Adds the file CookiesException.txt"="12/11/2012 5:14 PM, 712 bytes, A
       Adds the file English.ini"="8/14/2013 7:03 AM, 21378 bytes, A
       Adds the file HomePage.url"="2/17/2013 9:25 AM, 54 bytes, A
       Adds the file PCAccelerator.chm"="2/17/2013 9:52 AM, 43180 bytes, A
       Adds the file PCAccelerator.exe"="12/21/2013 10:19 PM, 22107656 bytes, A
       Adds the file PCACGuard.exe"="12/21/2013 10:19 PM, 1130504 bytes, A
       Adds the file PCACLauncher.exe"="12/21/2013 10:20 PM, 392712 bytes, A
       Adds the file PCACReminder.exe"="12/21/2013 10:20 PM, 1256456 bytes, A
       Adds the file PCACReminderS.exe"="12/21/2013 10:21 PM, 1238536 bytes, A
       Adds the file PCACSchedule.exe"="12/21/2013 10:21 PM, 399880 bytes, A
       Adds the file PCACSmartScan.exe"="12/21/2013 10:21 PM, 401416 bytes, A
       Adds the file PCACStart.exe"="12/21/2013 10:22 PM, 432136 bytes, A
       Adds the file PCACUninstaller.exe"="12/21/2013 10:22 PM, 505864 bytes, A
       Adds the file scan.gif"="5/14/2012 4:20 PM, 56626 bytes, A
       Adds the file sqlite3.dll"="5/14/2012 4:20 PM, 520234 bytes, A
       Adds the file StartupList.txt"="7/31/2013 9:23 AM, 48326 bytes, A
       Adds the file unins000.dat"="3/13/2018 8:18 AM, 8536 bytes, A
       Adds the file unins000.exe"="3/13/2018 8:16 AM, 1066657 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\PC Accelerator
       Adds the file Check updates.lnk"="3/13/2018 8:18 AM, 1120 bytes, A
       Adds the file Help.lnk"="3/13/2018 8:18 AM, 1092 bytes, A
       Adds the file PC Accelerator on the Web.lnk"="3/13/2018 8:18 AM, 1067 bytes, A
       Adds the file PC Accelerator.lnk"="3/13/2018 8:18 AM, 1092 bytes, A
       Adds the file Uninstall PC Accelerator.lnk"="3/13/2018 8:18 AM, 1067 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\PC Accelerator\Backup
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\PC Accelerator\Log
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\PC Accelerator\Undo
    In the existing folder C:\Users\{username}\Desktop
       Adds the file PC Accelerator.lnk"="3/13/2018 8:18 AM, 1074 bytes, A

Registry details [View: All details] (Selection)
------------------------------------------------
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\PC Accelerator_is1]
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "PC Accelerator version 3.2"
       "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "3.2"
       "EstimatedSize"="REG_DWORD", 28916
       "HelpLink"="REG_SZ", "http://www.pc-Accelerator.com"
       "Inno Setup: App Path"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator"
       "Inno Setup: Deselected Tasks"="REG_SZ", ""
       "Inno Setup: Icon Group"="REG_SZ", "PC Accelerator"
       "Inno Setup: Language"="REG_SZ", "en"
       "Inno Setup: Selected Tasks"="REG_SZ", "desktopicon"
       "Inno Setup: Setup Version"="REG_SZ", "5.5.3 (a)"
       "Inno Setup: User"="REG_SZ", "{username}"
       "InstallDate"="REG_SZ", "20180313"
       "InstallLocation"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\"
       "MajorVersion"="REG_DWORD", 3
       "MinorVersion"="REG_DWORD", 2
       "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "Software Marketing Ltd"
       "QuietUninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\unins000.exe" /SILENT"
       "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\unins000.exe""
       "URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://www.pc-Accelerator.com"
       "URLUpdateInfo"="REG_SZ", "http://www.pc-Accelerator.com"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
       "PC Accelerator"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\PCACLauncher.exe"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers]
       "C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\PCAccelerator.exe"="REG_SZ", "RUNASADMIN ELEVATECREATEPROCESS"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PC Accelerator]
       "AdsBuyNowURL"="REG_SZ", "http://www.pc-accelerator.com/pca/link.php?lpage=cross-sell&uId=7563865"
       "AdsDownloadURL"="REG_SZ", "http://filecdn.avanquest.com/sml/xsell/DriverSupport.exe"
       "AppStart"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "BuildID"="REG_SZ", "BZDV_PCSM_ML_SML_PCACCELERATOR"
       "BuyNowURL"="REG_SZ", "http://www.pc-accelerator.com/pca/link.php?lpage=buy&uId=7563865"
       "BuyNowURL2"="REG_SZ", "http://www.pc-accelerator.com/pca/link.php?lpage=rebill&uId=7563865"
       "DelayedStart"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "PC Accelerator"
       "HomePageURL"="REG_SZ", "http://www.pc-accelerator.com/pca/link.php?lpage=homepage&uId=7563865"
       "InstallStat"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "InstallURL"="REG_SZ", "http://www.pc-accelerator.com/pca/link.php?lpage=afterinstall&uId=7563865"
       "ItemsCleaned"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "ItemsToClean"="REG_DWORD", 458
       "ItemsToFix"="REG_DWORD", 95
       "ItemsToScan"="REG_SZ", "1111111111"
       "Language"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "LastScanChecked"="REG_SZ", "1111011"
       "LastScanFound"="REG_DWORD", 553
       "LastVersionChecking"="REG_BINARY, ....
       "LogDir"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\PC Accelerator\Log"
       "ProblemsFixed"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "Reminder"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "ResidualFilesCleaned"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "RunDate"="REG_BINARY, ....
       "s_Enable"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "s_SmartExec"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "s_SmartMode"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "s_SmartScan"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "s_Time"="REG_BINARY, ....
       "SetupName"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\pcaccelerator_7563865.exe"
       "ShowRebootMessage"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "SpeedGuard"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "Stat1a"="REG_DWORD", 95
       "SupportURL"="REG_SZ", "http://www.pc-accelerator.com/pca/link.php?lpage=support&uId=7563865"
       "UndoDir"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\PC Accelerator\Undo"
       "UninstallURL"="REG_SZ", "http://www.pc-accelerator.com/pca/link.php?lpage=uninstall&uId=7563865"
       "UpgradeID"="REG_SZ", "BZDV_PCSM_ML_SML_PCACCELERATOR"
       "UseAds"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "UseExceptionList"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "Version"="REG_SZ", "3.2"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SoftwareMarketing\PC Accelerator]
       "InstallationDate"="REG_BINARY, ....

Malwarebytes log:

Malwarebytes
www.malwarebytes.com

-Log Details-
Scan Date: 3/21/18
Scan Time: 9:59 AM
Log File: 21a108b0-2ce6-11e8-b306-080027235d76.json
Administrator: Yes

-Software Information-
Version: 3.3.1.2183
Components Version: 1.0.262
Update Package Version: 1.0.4432
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: 244161
Threats Detected: 39
Threats Quarantined: 39
Time Elapsed: 2 min, 54 sec

-Scan Options-
Memory: Enabled
Startup: Enabled
Filesystem: Enabled
Archives: Enabled
Rootkits: Enabled
Heuristics: Enabled
PUP: Detect
PUM: Detect

-Scan Details-
Process: 2
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\PCAccelerator.exe, Quarantined, [14754], [500239],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\PCACSmartScan.exe, Quarantined, [14754], [500239],1.0.4432

Module: 3
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\PCAccelerator.exe, Quarantined, [14754], [500239],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\PCACSmartScan.exe, Quarantined, [14754], [500239],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\sqlite3.dll, Quarantined, [14754], [500239],1.0.4432

Registry Key: 3
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, HKCU\SOFTWARE\PC Accelerator, Quarantined, [14754], [500245],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\PC Accelerator_is1, Quarantined, [14754], [500243],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, HKCU\SOFTWARE\SOFTWAREMARKETING\PC Accelerator, Quarantined, [14754], [500262],1.0.4432

Registry Value: 1
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\RUN|PC ACCELERATOR, Quarantined, [14754], [500244],1.0.4432

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Data Stream: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folder: 6
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\PC ACCELERATOR, Quarantined, [14754], [500239],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\PROGRAMDATA\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\START MENU\PROGRAMS\PC ACCELERATOR, Quarantined, [14754], [500240],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\PC Accelerator\Backup, Quarantined, [14754], [500241],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\PC Accelerator\Undo, Quarantined, [14754], [500241],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\PC Accelerator\Log, Quarantined, [14754], [500241],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\ROAMING\PC ACCELERATOR, Quarantined, [14754], [500241],1.0.4432

File: 24
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\PC ACCELERATOR\PCACLAUNCHER.EXE, Quarantined, [14754], [500244],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\USERS\{username}\DESKTOP\PC ACCELERATOR.LNK, Quarantined, [14754], [500242],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\CookiesException.txt, Quarantined, [14754], [500239],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\English.ini, Quarantined, [14754], [500239],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\HomePage.url, Quarantined, [14754], [500239],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\PCAccelerator.chm, Quarantined, [14754], [500239],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\PCAccelerator.exe, Quarantined, [14754], [500239],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\PCACGuard.exe, Quarantined, [14754], [500239],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\PCACReminder.exe, Quarantined, [14754], [500239],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\PCACReminderS.exe, Quarantined, [14754], [500239],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\PCACSchedule.exe, Quarantined, [14754], [500239],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\PCACSmartScan.exe, Quarantined, [14754], [500239],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\PCACStart.exe, Quarantined, [14754], [500239],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\PCACUninstaller.exe, Quarantined, [14754], [500239],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\scan.gif, Quarantined, [14754], [500239],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\sqlite3.dll, Quarantined, [14754], [500239],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\StartupList.txt, Quarantined, [14754], [500239],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\unins000.dat, Quarantined, [14754], [500239],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\Program Files (x86)\PC Accelerator\unins000.exe, Quarantined, [14754], [500239],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\PC Accelerator\Check updates.lnk, Quarantined, [14754], [500240],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\PC Accelerator\Help.lnk, Quarantined, [14754], [500240],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\PC Accelerator\PC Accelerator on the Web.lnk, Quarantined, [14754], [500240],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\PC Accelerator\PC Accelerator.lnk, Quarantined, [14754], [500240],1.0.4432
PUP.Optional.PCAccelerator, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\PC Accelerator\Uninstall PC Accelerator.lnk, Quarantined, [14754], [500240],1.0.4432

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

Save yourself the hassle and get protected.