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 system 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 during "operations":
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 website:
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:
() [File not signed] C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\PC Wiper.exe () [File not signed] C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\is-7C82I.tmp\makefast-system-cleanup.tmp (Circuit Software LLC -> Circuit Software LLC ) [File not signed] C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\makefast-system-cleanup.exe C:\Users\Public\Desktop\System Cleanup.lnk C:\ProgramData\Desktop\System Cleanup.lnk C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Cleanup C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast System Cleanup version v1.2.00 (HKLM-x32\...\{21AB2F09-1C61-4A31-AECA-3ADE74BBEE59}_is1) (Version: v1.2.00 - Circuit Software LLC)Alterations made by the installer:
File system details [View: All details] (Selection) --------------------------------------------------- Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup Adds the file bactch.cmd"="10/21/2014 3:01 AM, 0 bytes, A Adds the file icon.ico"="1/6/2015 4:55 AM, 32038 bytes, A Adds the file OSVersionInfo.dll"="9/18/2014 10:23 PM, 19968 bytes, A Adds the file PC Wiper.exe"="8/9/2018 1:55 PM, 3773952 bytes, A Adds the file PC Wiper.exe.config"="10/17/2014 7:25 PM, 926 bytes, A Adds the file PC Wiper.pdb"="8/9/2018 1:55 PM, 302592 bytes, A Adds the file PC Wiper.vshost.exe"="8/9/2018 1:52 PM, 22984 bytes, A Adds the file PC Wiper.vshost.exe.config"="10/17/2014 7:25 PM, 926 bytes, A Adds the file unins000.dat"="10/8/2019 10:55 AM, 5875 bytes, A Adds the file unins000.exe"="10/8/2019 10:55 AM, 758437 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\Sys_auth\Authentication Adds the file Activation.xml"="1/6/2015 4:58 AM, 194 bytes, A Adds the file Sys_Auth.txt"="4/19/2014 6:57 AM, 13 bytes, A Adds the file sys_error_nbr.txt"="10/8/2019 10:57 AM, 5 bytes, A Adds the file sys_error_size.txt"="10/8/2019 10:57 AM, 6 bytes, A Adds the file sys_manage.txt"="1/6/2015 4:59 AM, 0 bytes, A Adds the file sys_read.txt"="10/8/2019 10:56 AM, 21 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\System Cleanup\Waves Adds the file Cleaned.wav"="4/14/2014 8:43 PM, 106064 bytes, A Adds the file Cleaning.wav"="4/12/2014 7:19 PM, 108368 bytes, A Adds the file done.wav"="4/9/2014 5:29 AM, 73808 bytes, A Adds the file Issues.wav"="4/23/2014 3:14 AM, 364112 bytes, A Adds the file scandone.png"="4/12/2014 10:08 PM, 39016 bytes, A Adds the file scanning.wav"="4/9/2014 5:29 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"="10/8/2019 10:55 AM, 124 bytes, A Adds the file System Cleanup.lnk"="10/8/2019 10:55 AM, 1304 bytes, A Adds the file Uninstall System Cleanup.lnk"="10/8/2019 10:55 AM, 1304 bytes, A In the existing folder C:\Users\Public\Desktop Adds the file System Cleanup.lnk"="10/8/2019 10:55 AM, 1286 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", "(833) 209-5478" "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\icon.ico" "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "System Cleanup version v1.2.00" "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "v1.2.00" "EstimatedSize"="REG_DWORD", 9259 "HelpLink"="REG_SZ", "http://makefast.us/" "Inno Setup: App Path"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\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", "5.6.1 (a)" "Inno Setup: User"="REG_SZ", "{username}" "InstallDate"="REG_SZ", "20191008" "InstallLocation"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\" "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1 "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1 "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "Circuit Software LLC" "QuietUninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\unins000.exe" /SILENT" "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\unins000.exe"" "URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://makefast.us/" "URLUpdateInfo"="REG_SZ", "http://makefast.us/"Malwarebytes log:
Malwarebytes www.malwarebytes.com -Log Details- Scan Date: 10/8/19 Scan Time: 11:06 AM Log File: dc9576ce-e9aa-11e9-b2b4-00ffdcc6fdfc.json -Software Information- Version: 3.8.3.2965 Components Version: 1.0.613 Update Package Version: 1.0.12807 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: 234476 Threats Detected: 35 Threats Quarantined: 35 Time Elapsed: 9 min, 38 sec -Scan Options- Memory: Enabled Startup: Enabled Filesystem: Enabled Archives: Enabled Rootkits: Enabled Heuristics: Enabled PUP: Detect PUM: Detect -Scan Details- Process: 1 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\PC Wiper.exe, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 Module: 1 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\PC Wiper.exe, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 Registry Key: 1 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\{21AB2F09-1C61-4A31-AECA-3ADE74BBEE59}_is1, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 Registry Value: 1 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\{21AB2F09-1C61-4A31-AECA-3ADE74BBEE59}_IS1|DISPLAYNAME, Quarantined, [3151], [742788],1.0.12807 Registry Data: 0 (No malicious items detected) Data Stream: 0 (No malicious items detected) Folder: 5 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\Sys_auth\Authentication, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\System Cleanup\Waves, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\System Cleanup, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\Sys_auth, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\MAKEFAST\SYSTEM CLEANUP, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 File: 25 PUP.Optional.Epicsofts, C:\USERS\PUBLIC\DESKTOP\SYSTEM CLEANUP.LNK, Quarantined, [4554], [350911],1.0.12807 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\System Cleanup\Waves\Cleaned.wav, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\System Cleanup\Waves\Cleaning.wav, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\System Cleanup\Waves\done.wav, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\System Cleanup\Waves\Issues.wav, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\System Cleanup\Waves\scandone.png, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\System Cleanup\Waves\scanning.wav, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\Sys_auth\Authentication\Activation.xml, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\Sys_auth\Authentication\Sys_Auth.txt, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\Sys_auth\Authentication\sys_error_nbr.txt, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\Sys_auth\Authentication\sys_error_size.txt, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\Sys_auth\Authentication\sys_manage.txt, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\Sys_auth\Authentication\sys_read.txt, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\bactch.cmd, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\icon.ico, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\OSVersionInfo.dll, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\PC Wiper.exe, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\PC Wiper.exe.config, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\PC Wiper.pdb, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\PC Wiper.vshost.exe, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\PC Wiper.vshost.exe.config, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\unins000.dat, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\Program Files (x86)\Makefast\System Cleanup\unins000.exe, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\PUBLIC\Desktop\System Cleanup.lnk, Quarantined, [3151], [742787],1.0.12807 PUP.Optional.MakeFast, C:\USERS\{username}\DESKTOP\MAKEFAST-SYSTEM-CLEANUP.EXE, Quarantined, [3151], [742785],1.0.12807 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