What is Complete System Care?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Complete System Care 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 Complete System Care?
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 type of 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 Complete System Care 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 Complete System Care?
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 Complete System Care 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 Complete System Care 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:
(QUANTUM TECHNOLOGIES -> ) C:\Program Files\Complete System Care for {computername}\cpcpro.exe Task: {4D2F53C8-92F8-4DAB-A06B-EC6AD9A2DE57} - System32\Tasks\Complete System Care_Logon => C:\Program Files\Complete System Care for {computername}\cpcpro.exe [4798536 2019-10-11] (QUANTUM TECHNOLOGIES -> ) C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Complete System Care For {computername} C:\Windows\system32\Tasks\Complete System Care_Logon C:\Users\Public\Desktop\Complete System Care.lnk C:\ProgramData\Desktop\Complete System Care.lnk C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Complete System Care C:\ProgramData\Complete System Care For {computername} C:\Program Files\Complete System Care for {computername} (Complete System Care) C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\cscsetup.exe Complete System Care (HKLM-x32\...\Complete System Care For {computername}) (Version: 1.0.0.0 - Complete System Care)Alterations made by the installer:
File system details [View: All details] (Selection) --------------------------------------------------- Adds the folder C:\Program Files\Complete System Care for {computername} Adds the file application.ico"="9/30/2019 10:56 AM, 161862 bytes, A Adds the file cpcpro.exe"="10/11/2019 1:50 PM, 4798536 bytes, A Adds the file cpcpro.exe.config"="10/11/2019 1:50 PM, 4290 bytes, A Adds the file extres.dll"="10/11/2019 1:50 PM, 439368 bytes, A Adds the file Interop.IWshRuntimeLibrary.dll"="10/11/2019 1:50 PM, 63560 bytes, A Adds the file Interop.WUApiLib.dll"="10/11/2019 1:50 PM, 100424 bytes, A Adds the file langs.db"="10/10/2019 12:33 PM, 642048 bytes, A Adds the file Microsoft.TeamFoundation.Common.dll"="10/11/2019 1:50 PM, 644680 bytes, A Adds the file Microsoft.Win32.TaskScheduler.dll"="10/11/2019 1:50 PM, 185416 bytes, A Adds the file NAudio.dll"="10/11/2019 1:50 PM, 485448 bytes, A Adds the file Newtonsoft.Json.dll"="10/11/2019 1:50 PM, 475208 bytes, A Adds the file System.Data.SQLite.dll"="10/11/2019 1:50 PM, 305224 bytes, A Adds the file TAFactory.IconPack.dll"="10/11/2019 1:50 PM, 51272 bytes, A Adds the file Uninstall.exe"="10/11/2019 1:51 PM, 226808 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Program Files\Complete System Care for {computername}\x64 Adds the file SQLite.Interop.dll"="10/11/2019 1:50 PM, 1189960 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Program Files\Complete System Care for {computername}\x86 Adds the file SQLite.Interop.dll"="10/11/2019 1:50 PM, 868936 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\ProgramData\Complete System Care For {computername} Adds the file mdb.db"="5/29/2019 12:23 PM, 6643712 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Complete System Care Adds the file Buy Complete System Care.lnk"="10/17/2019 8:56 AM, 1953 bytes, A Adds the file Complete System Care.lnk"="10/17/2019 8:56 AM, 1937 bytes, A Adds the file Uninstall Complete System Care.lnk"="10/17/2019 8:56 AM, 1960 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Complete System Care For {computername} Adds the file Errorlog.txt"="10/17/2019 9:00 AM, 38304 bytes, A Adds the file exlist.bin"="10/17/2019 8:56 AM, 258019 bytes, A Adds the file notifier.xml"="10/17/2019 8:57 AM, 8516 bytes, A Adds the file res.xml"="10/17/2019 9:00 AM, 31863 bytes, A Adds the file update.xml"="10/17/2019 8:56 AM, 22106 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Complete System Care For {computername}\privlog Adds the file Bookmark_Backup.xml"="10/17/2019 9:00 AM, 944 bytes, A Adds the file Cache.xml"="10/17/2019 9:00 AM, 48317 bytes, A Adds the file Cookies.xml"="10/17/2019 9:00 AM, 4862 bytes, A Adds the file History.xml"="10/17/2019 9:00 AM, 1483 bytes, A Adds the file Session.xml"="10/17/2019 9:00 AM, 1940 bytes, A Adds the file Temp_Internet_Files_Folder.xml"="10/17/2019 9:00 AM, 17496 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Complete System Care For {computername}\smico In the existing folder C:\Users\Public\Desktop Adds the file Complete System Care.lnk"="10/17/2019 8:56 AM, 999 bytes, A In the existing folder C:\Windows\System32\Tasks Adds the file Complete System Care_Logon"="10/17/2019 8:56 AM, 3088 bytes, A Registry details [View: All details] (Selection) ------------------------------------------------ [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Complete System Care For {computername}] "affired"="REG_DWORD", 1 "afterInstallUrl"="REG_SZ", "http://ins.advance-pctool.best/install/csc/?" "afterUnInstallUrl"="REG_SZ", "http://ins.advance-pctool.best/uninstall/csc/" "country"="REG_SZ", "" "dlllist"="REG_SZ", "PSMACHINE_64.DLL,MSSPELLCHECKINGFACILITY.DLL" "emailurl"="REG_SZ", "[email protected]" "expired"="REG_DWORD", 0 "hdata"="REG_BINARY, ................................................................. "InstallString"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\Complete System Care" "ipaddrurl"="REG_SZ", "http://ins.advance-pctool.best/getip/" "isinstfont"="REG_DWORD", 1 "isiunidu"="REG_DWORD", 0 "ISTELNO"="REG_DWORD", 0 "LangCode"="REG_SZ", "en" "lstregscancount"="REG_DWORD", 33 "lstscandate"="REG_SZ", "10/17/2019 9:00:17 AM" "lstscanstat"="REG_DWORD", 2 "lstsecscancount"="REG_DWORD", 0 "lsttotalscancount"="REG_DWORD", 759 "paramurl"="REG_SZ", "http://trkr.completesystemcare.co/ipfiles/" "pdtm"="REG_SZ", "60" "PurchaseURL"="REG_SZ", "http://store.completesystemcare.co/csc/price" "reg"="REG_DWORD", 0 "RenewURL"="REG_SZ", "http://store.completesystemcare.co/csc/price" "runcam"="REG_DWORD", 1 "runpixel"="REG_DWORD", 1 "runsrc"="REG_DWORD", 1 "showpriceplan"="REG_DWORD", 3 "supporturl"="REG_SZ", "http://advance-pctool.best/help" "TELNOLIVE"="REG_SZ", "" "trialshwng"="REG_SZ", "7" "weburl"="REG_SZ", "http://advance-pctool.best/" "x-ccode"="REG_SZ", "us" "x-datetime"="REG_SZ", "" "x-fetch"="REG_SZ", "0" "x-ip"="REG_SZ", "77_234_46_253" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\csc-pr] "affiliateid"="REG_SZ", "" "pname"="REG_SZ", "Complete System Care" "pxl"="REG_SZ", "" "utm_campaign"="REG_SZ", "" "utm_medium"="REG_SZ", "" "utm_pubid"="REG_SZ", "" "utm_source"="REG_SZ", "" "x-at"="REG_SZ", "" "x-context"="REG_SZ", "" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Q29tcGxldGUgU3lzdGVtIENhcmU=\ACT] "data"="REG_BINARY, ........................................................................................................... [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Complete System Care For {computername}] "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\Complete System Care for {computername}\application.ico" "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "Complete System Care" "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "1.0.0.0" "EstimatedSize"="REG_DWORD", 10000 "HelpLink"="REG_SZ", "http://advance-pctool.best/help" "InstallLocation"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files\Complete System Care for {computername}"" "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1 "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1 "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "Complete System Care" "QuietUninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files\Complete System Care for {computername}\uninstall.exe" /S" "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files\Complete System Care for {computername}\uninstall.exe"" "URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://advance-pctool.best/help" "URLUpdateInfo"="REG_SZ", "http://advance-pctool.best/help" "VersionMajor"="REG_DWORD", 1 "VersionMinor"="REG_DWORD", 1 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Complete System Care For {computername}] "InstallString"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\Complete System Care for {computername}" "LangCode"="REG_SZ", "en" "x-datetime"="REG_SZ", "" "x-fetch"="REG_SZ", "0" "x-ip"="REG_SZ", "{user_ip"Malwarebytes log:
Malwarebytes www.malwarebytes.com -Log Details- Scan Date: 10/17/19 Scan Time: 9:14 AM Log File: b0fbb8fc-f0ad-11e9-8495-00ffdcc6fdfc.json -Software Information- Version: 3.8.3.2965 Components Version: 1.0.613 Update Package Version: 1.0.12941 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: 234477 Threats Detected: 37 Threats Quarantined: 37 Time Elapsed: 8 min, 1 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.PCVARK, C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMPLETE SYSTEM CARE FOR {computername}\CPCPRO.EXE, Quarantined, [482], [748132],1.0.12941 Module: 1 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMPLETE SYSTEM CARE FOR {computername}\CPCPRO.EXE, Quarantined, [482], [748132],1.0.12941 Registry Key: 8 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, HKLM\SOFTWARE\Complete System Care For {computername}, Quarantined, [482], [748143],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, HKLM\SOFTWARE\csc-pr, Quarantined, [482], [748151],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, HKLM\SOFTWARE\Q29tcGxldGUgU3lzdGVtIENhcmU=, Quarantined, [482], [748149],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TREE\Complete System Care_Logon, Quarantined, [482], [748144],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TASKS\{4D2F53C8-92F8-4DAB-A06B-EC6AD9A2DE57}, Quarantined, [482], [748144],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\LOGON\{4D2F53C8-92F8-4DAB-A06B-EC6AD9A2DE57}, Quarantined, [482], [748144],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, HKCU\SOFTWARE\Complete System Care For {computername}, Quarantined, [482], [748138],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\Complete System Care For {computername}, Quarantined, [482], [748139],1.0.12941 Registry Value: 1 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TASKS\{4D2F53C8-92F8-4DAB-A06B-EC6AD9A2DE57}|PATH, Quarantined, [482], [748146],1.0.12941 Registry Data: 0 (No malicious items detected) Data Stream: 0 (No malicious items detected) Folder: 5 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, C:\PROGRAMDATA\Complete System Care For {computername}, Quarantined, [482], [748141],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Complete System Care For {computername}\privlog, Quarantined, [482], [748140],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Complete System Care For {computername}\smico, Quarantined, [482], [748140],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\ROAMING\Complete System Care For {computername}, Quarantined, [482], [748140],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, C:\PROGRAMDATA\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\START MENU\PROGRAMS\COMPLETE SYSTEM CARE, Quarantined, [482], [748148],1.0.12941 File: 21 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, C:\PROGRAMDATA\Complete System Care For {computername}\mdb.db, Quarantined, [482], [748141],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\ROAMING\Complete System Care For {computername}\Errorlog.txt, Quarantined, [482], [748140],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Complete System Care For {computername}\privlog\Bookmark_Backup.xml, Quarantined, [482], [748140],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Complete System Care For {computername}\privlog\Cache.xml, Quarantined, [482], [748140],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Complete System Care For {computername}\privlog\Cookies.xml, Quarantined, [482], [748140],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Complete System Care For {computername}\privlog\History.xml, Quarantined, [482], [748140],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Complete System Care For {computername}\privlog\Session.xml, Quarantined, [482], [748140],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Complete System Care For {computername}\privlog\Temp_Internet_Files_Folder.xml, Quarantined, [482], [748140],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Complete System Care For {computername}\exlist.bin, Quarantined, [482], [748140],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Complete System Care For {computername}\notifier.xml, Quarantined, [482], [748140],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Complete System Care For {computername}\res.xml, Quarantined, [482], [748140],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Complete System Care For {computername}\update.xml, Quarantined, [482], [748140],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, C:\PROGRAMDATA\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\START MENU\PROGRAMS\COMPLETE SYSTEM CARE\BUY COMPLETE SYSTEM CARE.LNK, Quarantined, [482], [748148],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Complete System Care\Complete System Care.lnk, Quarantined, [482], [748148],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Complete System Care\Uninstall Complete System Care.lnk, Quarantined, [482], [748148],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\TASKS\Complete System Care_Logon, Quarantined, [482], [748144],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, C:\USERS\PUBLIC\DESKTOP\COMPLETE SYSTEM CARE.LNK, Quarantined, [482], [748150],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\PUBLIC\Desktop\Complete System Care.lnk, Quarantined, [482], [748132],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMPLETE SYSTEM CARE FOR {computername}\CPCPRO.EXE, Quarantined, [482], [748132],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMPLETE SYSTEM CARE FOR {computername}\UNINSTALL.EXE, Quarantined, [482], [748128],1.0.12941 PUP.Optional.PCVARK, C:\USERS\{username}\DESKTOP\CSCSETUP.EXE, Quarantined, [482], [748128],1.0.12941 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