What is OfferCore?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that OfferCore is a bundler. These bundlers typically install potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) or adware on top of the desired software.
This one does not intall the coveted software but drops a txt file called Last_Step which contains a link to a file detected as malware.
How do I know if my computer is affected by OfferCore?
You may see these warnings during install:



and extra offers preented like this:

How did OfferCore get on my computer?
Bundlers use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was offered up on software download sites, where people look for games they like.
How do I remove OfferCore?
Our program Malwarebytes can detect and remove this bundler.
- 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 OfferCore completely.
- If you wish to remove the installed programs you can use the normal procedure from the Windows Control Panel.
We hope our application and this guide have helped you eradicate this bundler.
As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes would have protected you against the OfferCore bundler. It would have blocked the installer before it became too late.
Malwarebytes blocks the installer
Malwarebytes blocks the downloadlink
Technical details for experts
Possible signs in FRST logs:
C:\Users\{username}\Downloads\Last_Step.txtSignificant changes made by the installer:
File system details [View: All details] (Selection) --------------------------------------------------- In the existing folder C:\Users\{username}\Downloads Adds the file Furk Ultra - Linkvertise Downloader_arBWu-1.exe"="4/30/2021 9:06 AM, 2686928 bytes, A In the existing folder C:\Users\{username}\Downloads Adds the file Last_Step.txt"="4/30/2021 9:08 AM, 151 bytes, AMalwarebytes log:
Malwarebytes www.malwarebytes.com -Log Details- Scan Date: 4/30/21 Scan Time: 9:18 AM Log File: 45ee1032-a984-11eb-bc5e-080027235d76.json -Software Information- Version: 4.3.0.98 Components Version: 1.0.1273 Update Package Version: 1.0.39957 License: Premium -System Information- OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1 CPU: x64 File System: NTFS User: {username}-PC\{username} -Scan Summary- Scan Type: Threat Scan Scan Initiated By: Manual Result: Completed Objects Scanned: 234039 Threats Detected: 3 Threats Quarantined: 3 Time Elapsed: 3 min, 17 sec -Scan Options- Memory: Enabled Startup: Enabled Filesystem: Enabled Archives: Enabled Rootkits: Disabled Heuristics: Enabled PUP: Detect PUM: Detect -Scan Details- Process: 0 (No malicious items detected) Module: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Key: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Value: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Data: 0 (No malicious items detected) Data Stream: 0 (No malicious items detected) Folder: 0 (No malicious items detected) File: 1 PUP.Optional.OfferCore, C:\USERS\{username}\DOWNLOADS\FURK ULTRA - LINKVERTISE DOWNLOADER_ARBWU-1.EXE, Quarantined, 556, 930420, 1.0.39957, , ame, , 6553DAC1C066522C1517EED6FF43A47D, 915E3096A38D9863A4A555B2F22F50CB892293C36DBF71B031917F4AC7F96645 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