What is Max Utilities?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Max Utilities 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 Max Utilities?
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 type of screens during "operations":
You may see this entry in your list of installed programs:
How did Max Utilities 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 Max Utilities?
Our program Malwarebytes can detect and remove this potentially unwanted application.
- Please download Malwarebytes for Windows to your desktop.
- Double-click MBSetup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
- When your Malwarebytes for Windows installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen.
- Click on the Get started button.
- Click Scan to start a Threat Scan.
- When the scan is finished click Quarantine to remove the found threats.
- Reboot the system if prompted to complete the removal process.
- No, Malwarebytes removes Max Utilities 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 Max Utilities 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 both Malwarebytes Premium and Browser Guard block access to their domain:
Technical details for experts
You may see these entries in FRST logs:
(Beijing SaiDaZi Laser Tech Ltd. -> ) C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\MaxUtilities.exe
C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\MaxUtilities.lnk
C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\MaxUtilities
C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\KSafe
C:\ProgramData\KSafe
C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities
MaxUtilities 1.0 (HKLM-x32\...\{1EA4C5E0-415A-467C-AB13-E6BB8C00B5CE}_is1) (Version: - )Alterations made by the installer:File system details [View: All details] (Selection)
---------------------------------------------------
Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0
Adds the file ActiveX.dat"="12/2/2009 2:45 PM, 69292 bytes, A
Adds the file ComfuncLibs.dll"="4/18/2014 4:33 PM, 71024 bytes, A
Adds the file DataRecovery.dll"="4/18/2014 4:33 PM, 3162480 bytes, A
Adds the file DefragFile.dll"="4/18/2014 4:33 PM, 60272 bytes, A
Adds the file fcache.dll"="4/18/2014 4:33 PM, 543600 bytes, A
Adds the file gdiplus.dll"="8/2/2011 1:22 PM, 1724416 bytes, A
Adds the file GraphicsLibs.dll"="4/18/2014 4:33 PM, 91504 bytes, A
Adds the file Home.dll"="4/18/2014 4:33 PM, 2682224 bytes, A
Adds the file IEClear.dll"="4/18/2014 4:33 PM, 698736 bytes, A
Adds the file junkfilerule.xml"="4/23/2013 4:56 PM, 1098 bytes, A
Adds the file MaxUtilities.exe"="4/18/2014 4:33 PM, 2536304 bytes, A
Adds the file msvcp90.dll"="12/6/2008 9:52 PM, 568832 bytes, A
Adds the file msvcr90.dll"="12/6/2008 9:52 PM, 655872 bytes, A
Adds the file ProtectPrivacy.dll"="4/18/2014 4:33 PM, 2912624 bytes, A
Adds the file Registry.dll"="4/18/2014 4:33 PM, 253296 bytes, A
Adds the file Resource.dll"="4/18/2014 4:33 PM, 607600 bytes, A
Adds the file system.log"="2/27/2020 9:18 AM, 442550 bytes, A
Adds the file systemconfig.ini"="2/27/2020 9:18 AM, 106 bytes
Adds the file SystemRepair.dll"="4/18/2014 4:33 PM, 2632560 bytes, A
Adds the file unins000.dat"="2/27/2020 9:16 AM, 7963 bytes, A
Adds the file unins000.exe"="2/27/2020 9:15 AM, 1176003 bytes, A
Adds the file WebSite.url"="6/1/2013 5:15 PM, 231 bytes, A
Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\DataRecovery\icon
Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\Update
Adds the folder C:\ProgramData\KSafe\Cache\commrun
Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\KSafe\userrun
Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\MaxUtilities
Adds the file Remove.lnk"="2/27/2020 9:16 AM, 2063 bytes, A
Adds the file Start MaxUtilities.lnk"="2/27/2020 9:16 AM, 2083 bytes, A
Adds the file Website.lnk"="2/27/2020 9:16 AM, 1154 bytes, A
In the existing folder C:\Users\{username}\Desktop
Adds the file MaxUtilities.lnk"="2/27/2020 9:16 AM, 1145 bytes, A
Registry details [View: All details] (Selection)
------------------------------------------------
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{1EA4C5E0-415A-467C-AB13-E6BB8C00B5CE}_is1]
"DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "MaxUtilities 1.0"
"EstimatedSize"="REG_DWORD", 19948
"HelpLink"="REG_SZ", "http://www.MaxUtilities.com"
"Inno Setup: App Path"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0"
"Inno Setup: Deselected Tasks"="REG_SZ", "quicklaunchicon"
"Inno Setup: Icon Group"="REG_SZ", "MaxUtilities"
"Inno Setup: Language"="REG_SZ", "english"
"Inno Setup: Selected Tasks"="REG_SZ", "desktopicon"
"Inno Setup: Setup Version"="REG_SZ", "5.4.2 (u)"
"Inno Setup: User"="REG_SZ", "{username}"
"InstallDate"="REG_SZ", "20200227"
"InstallLocation"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\"
"NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1
"NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1
"QuietUninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\unins000.exe" /SILENT"
"UninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\unins000.exe""
"URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://www.MaxUtilities.com"
"URLUpdateInfo"="REG_SZ", "http://www.MaxUtilities.com"Malwarebytes log:Malwarebytes
www.malwarebytes.com
-Log Details-
Scan Date: 2/27/20
Scan Time: 9:30 AM
Log File: 58df4b10-593b-11ea-a25d-00ffdcc6fdfc.json
-Software Information-
Version: 4.0.4.49
Components Version: 1.0.823
Update Package Version: 1.0.19910
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: 235817
Threats Detected: 45
Threats Quarantined: 45
Time Elapsed: 10 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.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\MaxUtilities.exe, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
Module: 11
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\ComfuncLibs.dll, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\DataRecovery.dll, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\fcache.dll, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\GraphicsLibs.dll, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\Home.dll, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\IEClear.dll, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\MaxUtilities.exe, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\ProtectPrivacy.dll, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\Registry.dll, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\Resource.dll, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\SystemRepair.dll, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
Registry Key: 1
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\{1EA4C5E0-415A-467C-AB13-E6BB8C00B5CE}_IS1, Quarantined, 1271, 792922, 1.0.19910, , ame,
Registry Value: 1
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\{1EA4C5E0-415A-467C-AB13-E6BB8C00B5CE}_IS1|DISPLAYNAME, Quarantined, 1271, 792922, 1.0.19910, , ame,
Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Data Stream: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Folder: 6
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\DataRecovery\icon, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\DataRecovery, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\Update, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\PROGRAMDATA\KSAFE\CACHE\COMMRUN, Quarantined, 1271, 792916, 1.0.19910, , ame,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\ROAMING\KSAFE\USERRUN, Quarantined, 1271, 792917, 1.0.19910, , ame,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\ROAMING\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\START MENU\PROGRAMS\MAXUTILITIES, Quarantined, 1271, 792919, 1.0.19910, , ame,
File: 25
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\USERS\{username}\DESKTOP\MAXUTILITIES.LNK, Quarantined, 1271, 792920, 1.0.19910, , ame,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\ActiveX.dat, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\ComfuncLibs.dll, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\DataRecovery.dll, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\DefragFile.dll, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\fcache.dll, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\gdiplus.dll, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\GraphicsLibs.dll, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\Home.dll, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\IEClear.dll, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\junkfilerule.xml, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\MaxUtilities.exe, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\ProtectPrivacy.dll, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\Registry.dll, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\Resource.dll, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\system.log, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\systemconfig.ini, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\SystemRepair.dll, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\unins000.dat, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\unins000.exe, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Program Files (x86)\MaxUtilities\1.0\WebSite.url, Quarantined, 1271, 792915, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\MaxUtilities\Remove.lnk, Quarantined, 1271, 792919, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\MaxUtilities\Start MaxUtilities.lnk, Quarantined, 1271, 792919, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\MaxUtilities\Website.lnk, Quarantined, 1271, 792919, , , ,
PUP.Optional.MaxUtilities, C:\USERS\{username}\DESKTOP\MAXUTILITIES_SETUP.EXE, Quarantined, 1271, 792923, 1.0.19910, , ame,
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
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