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Removal instructions for System Assistant

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Started by Metallica , Mar 20 2020 04:03 AM
Avanquest

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#1
Metallica
Posted 20 March 2020 - 04:03 AM

Metallica

    Spyware Veteran

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  • 33,101 posts
Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is System Assistant?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that System Assistant 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 Assistant?

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

main.png

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

icons.png

and see this warning during install:

warning1.png

and this type of screens during "operations":

warning5.png

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

warning4.png

and this task in your list of Scheduled Tasks:

warning3.png

How did System Assistant get on my computer?

These so-called system optimizers use different methods of getting installed. This particular one was downloaded from their website:

website.png

How do I remove System Assistant?

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.
Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of System Assistant?
  • No, Malwarebytes removes System Assistant completely.
  • This PUP creates some scheduled tasks. You can read here how to check for and, if necessary, remove Scheduled Tasks.
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 System Assistant installer. It would have warned you before the application could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.

protection1.png


Technical details for experts

You may see these entries in FRST logs:

(Avanquest Software SAS -> avanquest_) C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\SANotifications.exe
(Avanquest Software SAS -> avanquest_) C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\SystemAssistant.exe
Task: {63740F95-FABB-4E8D-BE7B-750462F067AB} - System32\Tasks\System Assistant automatic scan and notifications => C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\SANotifications.exe [3838440 2020-02-11] (Avanquest Software SAS -> avanquest_)
C:\ProgramData\System Assistant
C:\Windows\system32\Tasks\System Assistant automatic scan and notifications
C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\System Assistant.lnk
C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\System Assistant
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Assistant
C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant

System Assistant v7.0.1.2 (HKLM-x32\...\System Assistant_is1) (Version: 7.0.1.2 - Avanquest)
Alterations made by the installer:

File system details [View: All details] (Selection)
---------------------------------------------------
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant
       Adds the file Animation.gif"="11/9/2016 12:55 PM, 3965 bytes, A
       Adds the file Cookies.txt"="4/5/2018 9:04 PM, 104 bytes, A
       Adds the file English.ini"="2/7/2020 7:00 PM, 53706 bytes, A
       Adds the file HomePage.url"="2/7/2020 6:25 PM, 114 bytes, A
       Adds the file SANotifications.exe"="2/11/2020 5:15 PM, 3838440 bytes, A
       Adds the file SchedTasks.txt"="8/29/2018 11:56 PM, 6591 bytes, A
       Adds the file Services1.txt"="7/5/2018 4:36 PM, 3403 bytes, A
       Adds the file Services2.txt"="2/6/2018 4:38 PM, 14579 bytes, A
       Adds the file SList.db"="1/9/2016 5:04 PM, 1093632 bytes, A
       Adds the file SList.txt"="1/17/2020 3:28 PM, 74126 bytes, A
       Adds the file sqlite3.dll"="2/11/2020 5:13 PM, 958648 bytes, A
       Adds the file SystemAssistant.chm"="2/9/2020 3:32 PM, 32240 bytes, A
       Adds the file SystemAssistant.exe"="2/11/2020 5:15 PM, 7447528 bytes, A
       Adds the file Turkish.ini"="2/7/2020 7:06 PM, 64995 bytes, A
       Adds the file UList.txt"="9/13/2019 11:51 AM, 9769 bytes, A
       Adds the file unins000.dat"="3/20/2020 10:02 AM, 30655 bytes, A
       Adds the file unins000.exe"="3/20/2020 10:02 AM, 2558817 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Assistant
       Adds the file System Assistant on the Web.lnk"="3/20/2020 10:02 AM, 1081 bytes, A
       Adds the file System Assistant.lnk"="3/20/2020 10:02 AM, 1116 bytes, A
       Adds the file Uninstall System Assistant.lnk"="3/20/2020 10:02 AM, 1081 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\ProgramData\System Assistant
       Adds the file CookieExclusions.txt"="3/20/2020 10:04 AM, 274 bytes, A
       Adds the file Cookies.txt"="4/5/2018 9:04 PM, 104 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\System Assistant
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\System Assistant\Backup
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\System Assistant\Log
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\System Assistant\Undo
    In the existing folder C:\Users\{username}\Desktop
       Adds the file System Assistant.lnk"="3/20/2020 10:02 AM, 1098 bytes, A
    In the existing folder C:\Windows\System32\Tasks
       Adds the file System Assistant automatic scan and notifications"="3/20/2020 10:02 AM, 3276 bytes, A

Registry details [View: All details] (Selection)
------------------------------------------------
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\System Assistant_is1]
       "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\SystemAssistant.exe,0"
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "System Assistant v7.0.1.2"
       "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "7.0.1.2"
       "EstimatedSize"="REG_DWORD", 16660
       "Inno Setup: App Path"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant"
       "Inno Setup: Deselected Tasks"="REG_SZ", ""
       "Inno Setup: Icon Group"="REG_SZ", "System Assistant"
       "Inno Setup: Language"="REG_SZ", "en"
       "Inno Setup: Selected Tasks"="REG_SZ", "desktopicon"
       "Inno Setup: Setup Version"="REG_SZ", "6.0.3 (u)"
       "Inno Setup: User"="REG_SZ", "{username}"
       "InstallDate"="REG_SZ", "20200320"
       "InstallLocation"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\"
       "MajorVersion"="REG_DWORD", 7
       "MinorVersion"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "Avanquest"
       "QuietUninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\unins000.exe" /SILENT"
       "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\unins000.exe""
       "VersionMajor"="REG_DWORD", 7
       "VersionMinor"="REG_DWORD", 0
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\System Assistant]
       "AfterInstallURL"="REG_SZ", "http://webtools.avanquest.com/redirect.cfm?eredirectId=BZ_ML_UC_SA_INSTALL_T700V"
       "BackupDir"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\System Assistant\Backup"
       "BigCacheSizeNotifications"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "BuildID"="REG_SZ", "SystemAssistant"
       "BuyNowURL"="REG_SZ", "http://webtools.avanquest.com/redirect.cfm?eredirectId=BZ_ML_UC_SA_BUY_ADAWARE_TEST"
       "CheckUpdates"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "CookieNotifications"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "CrashNotifications"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "Cv"="REG_SZ", "Jan2020"
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "System Assistant"
       "EulaURL"="REG_SZ", "http://webtools.avanquest.com/redirect.cfm?eredirectId=BZ_ML_UC_SA_EULA"
       "FormSP"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "HideAfterInstallURL"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "HomePageURL"="REG_SZ", "http://webtools.avanquest.com/redirect.cfm?eredirectId=BZ_ML_UC_SA_HOME"
       "InstallationDate"="REG_BINARY, ....
       "InstallerName"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\SystemAssistant.exe"
       "ItemsCleaned"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "ItemsToClean"="REG_DWORD", 126
       "Language"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "LastCleanExecuted"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "LastMonitorNotification"="REG_BINARY, ....
       "LastScanCanceled"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "LastScanDate"="REG_BINARY, ....
       "LastSlowStartupNotification"="REG_BINARY, ....
       "LastUpdateChecking"="REG_BINARY, ....
       "LastUpdCheck"="REG_BINARY, ....
       "LogDir"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\System Assistant\Log"
       "LowDiskSpaceNotifications"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "LowFreeMemNotifications"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "MinCacheSize"="REG_DWORD", 500
       "MinCookieNumber"="REG_DWORD", 100
       "MinFreeDiskSpace"="REG_DWORD", 10
       "MinFreeMemory"="REG_DWORD", 10
       "MonitorNotifications"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "NewAppNotifications"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "NewExtNotifications"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "NLaunches"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "NoAVNotifications"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "OnWinStartup"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "PrivacyURL"="REG_SZ", "http://webtools.avanquest.com/redirect.cfm?eredirectId=BZ_ML_UC_SA_PRIVACY"
       "ProURL"="REG_SZ", "http://webtools.avanquest.com/redirect.cfm?eredirectId=BZ_ML_UC_SA_UPGRADE_PRO"
       "PUANotifications"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "RenewURL"="REG_SZ", "http://webtools.avanquest.com/redirect.cfm?eredirectId=BZ_ML_UC_SA_RENEW"
       "s_SmartDate"="REG_BINARY, ....
       "s_SmartEnabled"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "s_SmartMode"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "ScanSet1"="REG_SZ", "111111111111111111111111111111"
       "ScanSet2"="REG_SZ", "1111111"
       "ScanSet3"="REG_SZ", "1111111111"
       "ShowRebootMessage"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "ShowTips"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "SizeCleaned"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "SizeToClean"="REG_SZ", "1.03 GB"
       "SizeToCleanInt"="REG_DWORD", 1059
       "SlowStartupNotifications"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "SoftwareNotifications"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "StartupNotifications"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "SupportURL"="REG_SZ", "http://webtools.avanquest.com/redirect.cfm?eredirectId=BZ_ML_UC_SA_SUPPORT"
       "TrayAllowed"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "UndoDir"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\System Assistant\Undo"
       "UninstallNotifications"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "UninstallURL"="REG_SZ", "http://webtools.avanquest.com/redirect.cfm?eredirectId=BZ_ML_UC_SA_UNINSTALL"
       "UpgradeID"="REG_SZ", "SystemAssistant"
       "UseExclusions"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "Version"="REG_SZ", "7.0.1"
Malwarebytes log:

Malwarebytes
www.malwarebytes.com

-Log Details-
Scan Date: 3/20/20
Scan Time: 10:14 AM
Log File: 2d0db614-6a8b-11ea-9222-00ffdcc6fdfc.json

-Software Information-
Version: 4.1.0.56
Components Version: 1.0.854
Update Package Version: 1.0.21056
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: 234642
Threats Detected: 54
Threats Quarantined: 54
Time Elapsed: 32 min, 5 sec

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

-Scan Details-
Process: 2
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\SYSTEM ASSISTANT\SANOTIFICATIONS.EXE, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\SystemAssistant.exe, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 

Module: 4
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\SYSTEM ASSISTANT\SANOTIFICATIONS.EXE, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\sqlite3.dll, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\sqlite3.dll, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\SystemAssistant.exe, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 

Registry Key: 5
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, HKCU\SOFTWARE\SYSTEM ASSISTANT, Quarantined, 1398, 801284, 1.0.21056, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TREE\System Assistant automatic scan and notifications, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TASKS\{63740F95-FABB-4E8D-BE7B-750462F067AB}, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\LOGON\{63740F95-FABB-4E8D-BE7B-750462F067AB}, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\System Assistant_is1, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 

Registry Value: 1
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, HKCU\SOFTWARE\SYSTEM ASSISTANT|EULAURL, Quarantined, 1398, 801284, 1.0.21056, , ame, 

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Data Stream: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folder: 3
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\SYSTEM ASSISTANT, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, 1.0.21056, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\PROGRAMDATA\SYSTEM ASSISTANT, Quarantined, 1398, 801632, 1.0.21056, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\PROGRAMDATA\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\START MENU\PROGRAMS\SYSTEM ASSISTANT, Quarantined, 1398, 801634, 1.0.21056, , ame, 

File: 39
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\TASKS\System Assistant automatic scan and notifications, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\SYSTEM ASSISTANT\SANOTIFICATIONS.EXE, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, 1.0.21056, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\Animation.gif, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\Brazilian.ini, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\Cookies.txt, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\Danish.ini, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\Dutch.ini, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\English.ini, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\Finnish.ini, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\French.ini, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\German.ini, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\HomePage.url, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\Italian.ini, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\Japanese.ini, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\Norwegian.ini, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\Polish.ini, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\Portuguese.ini, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\Russian.ini, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\SchedTasks.txt, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\Services1.txt, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\Services2.txt, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\SList.db, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\SList.txt, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\Spanish.ini, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\sqlite3.dll, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\Swedish.ini, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\SystemAssistant.chm, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\SystemAssistant.exe, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\Turkish.ini, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\UList.txt, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\unins000.dat, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\Program Files (x86)\System Assistant\unins000.exe, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\USERS\{username}\Desktop\System Assistant.lnk, Quarantined, 1398, 801593, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\PROGRAMDATA\SYSTEM ASSISTANT\COOKIEEXCLUSIONS.TXT, Quarantined, 1398, 801632, 1.0.21056, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\ProgramData\System Assistant\Cookies.txt, Quarantined, 1398, 801632, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\PROGRAMDATA\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\START MENU\PROGRAMS\SYSTEM ASSISTANT\SYSTEM ASSISTANT ON THE WEB.LNK, Quarantined, 1398, 801634, 1.0.21056, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Assistant\System Assistant.lnk, Quarantined, 1398, 801634, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Assistant\Uninstall System Assistant.lnk, Quarantined, 1398, 801634, , , , 
PUP.Optional.Avanquest, C:\USERS\{username}\DESKTOP\SYSTEMASSISTANT.EXE, Quarantined, 1398, 801285, 1.0.21056, , 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
Save yourself the hassle and get protected.
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