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What is SPC Optimizer?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that SPC Optimizer is a fake system optimizer. These so-called "registry cleaners" 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 Unpacked blog.

How do I know if I am infected with SPC Optimizer?

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

main.png

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

warning4.png

and this task in your Task Scheduler:

warning3.png


How did SPC Optimizer 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 SPC Optimizer?

Our program Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can detect and remove this potentially unwanted application.
  • Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to your desktop.
  • Double-click mbam-setup-{version}.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
  • At the end, be sure a check-mark is placed next to:
    Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
  • Then click Finish.
  • Once the program has loaded, select Scan Now. Or select the Threat Scan from the Scan menu.
  • If an update 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.
Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of SPC Optimizer?
  • No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes SPC Optimizer completely.
  • This PUP creates a scheduled task. You can read here how to check for and, if necessary, remove Scheduled Tasks.
How would the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 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 Anti-Malware would have protected you against the SPC Optimizer 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:

 
 () C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\PCOptimizer_service.exe
 () C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\trayservice.exe
 R2 PCOptimizerService; C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\\PCOptimizer_service.exe [42496 2016-08-28] () [File not signed]
 C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer
 C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\SPCOPTIMIZER

SPCOptimizer 1.3 (HKLM-x32\...\SPCOptimizer 1.3) (Version: 1.3 - Suresh Technologies)
Task: {23C0F35E-D29D-42FE-ABF4-EA2EEF226E5B} - System32\Tasks\SPCOPTIMIZER => C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\\trayservice.exe [2016-08-14] ()
Alterations made by the installer:
 
File system details [View: All details] (Selection)
---------------------------------------------------
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer
       Adds the file Key.txt"="9/9/2016 12:56 PM, 66 bytes, A
       Adds the file KeyStatus.txt"="9/9/2016 12:46 PM, 24 bytes, A
       Adds the file Microsoft.Win32.TaskScheduler.dll"="5/14/2016 1:11 PM, 291840 bytes, A
       Adds the file Microsoft.Win32.TaskScheduler.xml"="5/14/2016 1:11 PM, 449991 bytes, A
       Adds the file PCOptimizer_service.exe"="8/28/2016 11:25 PM, 42496 bytes, A
       Adds the file PCOptimizer_service.exe.config"="7/19/2016 1:49 AM, 981 bytes, A
       Adds the file PCOptimizer_service.InstallLog"="6/3/2016 2:36 PM, 5867 bytes, A
       Adds the file PCOptimizer_service.pdb"="8/28/2016 11:25 PM, 71168 bytes, A
       Adds the file PCOptimizer_service.vshost.exe"="6/15/2016 10:13 PM, 11600 bytes, A
       Adds the file PCOptimizer_service.vshost.exe.config"="6/2/2016 12:08 PM, 898 bytes, A
       Adds the file PCOptimizer_service.vshost.exe.manifest"="6/15/2016 9:13 PM, 2271 bytes, A
       Adds the file PCOptimizer_service.XmlSerializers.dll"="8/28/2016 11:25 PM, 32256 bytes, A
       Adds the file PCOptimizer1.exe"="8/28/2016 11:25 PM, 302592 bytes, A
       Adds the file PCOptimizer1.exe.config"="6/18/2016 6:01 PM, 1726 bytes, A
       Adds the file PCOptimizer1.InstallLog"="6/2/2016 10:38 AM, 45597 bytes, A
       Adds the file PCOptimizer1.pdb"="8/28/2016 11:25 PM, 222720 bytes, A
       Adds the file PCOptimizer1.vshost.exe"="7/11/2016 5:20 PM, 11592 bytes, A
       Adds the file PCOptimizer1.vshost.exe.config"="6/18/2016 6:01 PM, 1726 bytes, A
       Adds the file PCOptimizer1.vshost.exe.manifest"="5/26/2016 10:28 AM, 3176 bytes, A
       Adds the file System.Data.SQLite.dll"="5/27/2016 12:02 PM, 301056 bytes, A
       Adds the file System.Data.SQLite.Linq.dll"="5/27/2016 12:02 PM, 186368 bytes, A
       Adds the file System.Data.SQLite.xml"="5/27/2016 12:02 PM, 809425 bytes, A
       Adds the file trayservice.exe"="8/14/2016 11:00 PM, 31232 bytes, A
       Adds the file trayservice.exe.config"="7/19/2016 1:49 AM, 881 bytes, A
       Adds the file trayservice.pdb"="8/14/2016 11:00 PM, 54784 bytes, A
       Adds the file trayservice.vshost.exe"="8/28/2016 11:18 PM, 11600 bytes, A
       Adds the file trayservice.vshost.exe.config"="7/19/2016 1:49 AM, 881 bytes, A
       Adds the file trayservice.vshost.exe.manifest"="6/2/2012 8:04 PM, 490 bytes, A
       Adds the file trayservice.XmlSerializers.dll"="8/14/2016 11:00 PM, 31232 bytes, A
       Adds the file Uninstall.exe"="9/9/2016 12:45 PM, 99891 bytes, A
       Adds the file Uninstall.ini"="9/9/2016 12:45 PM, 4573 bytes, A
    In the existing folder C:\Windows\System32\Tasks
       Adds the file SPCOPTIMIZER"="9/9/2016 12:45 PM, 3094 bytes, A

Registry details [View: All details] (Selection)
------------------------------------------------
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Tracing\PCOptimizer_service_RASAPI32]
       "ConsoleTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536
       "EnableConsoleTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "EnableFileTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "FileDirectory"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "%windir%\tracing"
       "FileTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536
       "MaxFileSize"="REG_DWORD", 1048576
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Tracing\PCOptimizer_service_RASMANCS]
       "ConsoleTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536
       "EnableConsoleTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "EnableFileTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "FileDirectory"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "%windir%\tracing"
       "FileTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536
       "MaxFileSize"="REG_DWORD", 1048576
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Tracing\trayservice_RASAPI32]
       "ConsoleTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536
       "EnableConsoleTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "EnableFileTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "FileDirectory"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "%windir%\tracing"
       "FileTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536
       "MaxFileSize"="REG_DWORD", 1048576
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Tracing\trayservice_RASMANCS]
       "ConsoleTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536
       "EnableConsoleTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "EnableFileTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "FileDirectory"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "%windir%\tracing"
       "FileTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536
       "MaxFileSize"="REG_DWORD", 1048576
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SPCOptimizer 1.3]
       "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\Uninstall.exe"
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "SPCOptimizer 1.3"
       "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "1.3"
       "EstimatedSize"="REG_DWORD", 3680
       "HelpLink"="REG_SZ", "mailto:support@spcoptmizer.com"
       "InstallDate"="REG_SZ", "20160909"
       "InstallLocation"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\"
       "InstallSource"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\"
       "Language"="REG_DWORD", 1033
       "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "Suresh Technologies"
       "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\Uninstall.exe"
       "URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://www.spcoptimizer.com"
       "VersionMajor"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "VersionMinor"="REG_DWORD", 3
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\eventlog\Application]
       "AutoBackupLogFiles"="REG_DWORD", 0
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\eventlog\Application\PCOptimizerService]
       "EventMessageFile"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\EventLogMessages.dll"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\PCOptimizerService]
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "PCOptimizerService"
       "ErrorControl"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "ImagePath"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\\PCOptimizer_service.exe"
       "ObjectName"="REG_SZ", "LocalSystem"
       "Start"="REG_DWORD", 2
       "Type"="REG_DWORD", 272
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:
 
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
www.malwarebytes.org

Scan Date: 9/9/2016
Scan Time: 1:06 PM
Logfile: mbamSPCOptimizer.txt
Administrator: Yes

Version: 2.2.1.1043
Malware Database: v2016.09.09.04
Rootkit Database: v2016.08.15.01
License: Premium
Malware Protection: Disabled
Malicious Website Protection: Enabled
Self-protection: Enabled

OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1
CPU: x64
File System: NTFS
User: {username}

Scan Type: Threat Scan
Result: Completed
Objects Scanned: 319834
Time Elapsed: 8 min, 46 sec

Memory: Enabled
Startup: Enabled
Filesystem: Enabled
Archives: Enabled
Rootkits: Enabled
Heuristics: Enabled
PUP: Enabled
PUM: Enabled

Processes: 2
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\PCOptimizer_service.exe, 2464, Delete-on-Reboot, [b464323ee2b8be788a8d2db7ea1aa25e]
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\trayservice.exe, 3924, Delete-on-Reboot, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5]

Modules: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys: 5
Trojan.Agent, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\SPCOptimizer 1.3, Quarantined, [74a4224ebddd072f094a6e4d669be31d], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TASKS\{23C0F35E-D29D-42FE-ABF4-EA2EEF226E5B}, Delete-on-Reboot, [c553551b4b4f36000513b92b92729f61], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TREE\SPCOPTIMIZER, Delete-on-Reboot, [6bad0f619ffbeb4b77a29c48bc48867a], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\PCOPTIMIZERSERVICE, Quarantined, [b464323ee2b8be788a8d2db7ea1aa25e], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\SPCOptimizer 1.3, Quarantined, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 

Registry Values: 2
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TASKS\{23C0F35E-D29D-42FE-ABF4-EA2EEF226E5B}|Path, \SPCOPTIMIZER, Delete-on-Reboot, [c553551b4b4f36000513b92b92729f61]
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\PCOPTIMIZERSERVICE|ImagePath, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\\PCOptimizer_service.exe, Quarantined, [b464323ee2b8be788a8d2db7ea1aa25e]

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folders: 1
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer, Delete-on-Reboot, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 

Files: 34
Trojan.Agent, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\Uninstall.exe, Quarantined, [74a4224ebddd072f094a6e4d669be31d], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\SPCOPTIMIZER, Quarantined, [8a8e511fbfdb9a9c1307796b0cf88080], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\PCOptimizer_service.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [b464323ee2b8be788a8d2db7ea1aa25e], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\filecleaner.xml, Quarantined, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\Key.txt, Quarantined, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\KeyStatus.txt, Quarantined, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\Microsoft.Win32.TaskScheduler.dll, Delete-on-Reboot, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\Microsoft.Win32.TaskScheduler.xml, Quarantined, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\PCOptimizer1.exe, Quarantined, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\PCOptimizer1.exe.config, Quarantined, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\PCOptimizer1.InstallLog, Quarantined, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\PCOptimizer1.pdb, Quarantined, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\PCOptimizer1.vshost.exe, Quarantined, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\PCOptimizer1.vshost.exe.config, Quarantined, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\PCOptimizer1.vshost.exe.manifest, Quarantined, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\PCOptimizer_service.exe.config, Quarantined, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\PCOptimizer_service.InstallLog, Quarantined, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\PCOptimizer_service.pdb, Quarantined, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\PCOptimizer_service.vshost.exe, Quarantined, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\PCOptimizer_service.vshost.exe.config, Quarantined, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\PCOptimizer_service.vshost.exe.manifest, Quarantined, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\PCOptimizer_service.XmlSerializers.dll, Delete-on-Reboot, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\System.Data.SQLite.dll, Quarantined, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\System.Data.SQLite.Linq.dll, Quarantined, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\System.Data.SQLite.xml, Quarantined, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\trayservice.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\trayservice.exe.config, Quarantined, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\trayservice.pdb, Quarantined, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\trayservice.vshost.exe, Quarantined, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\trayservice.vshost.exe.config, Quarantined, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\trayservice.vshost.exe.manifest, Quarantined, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\trayservice.XmlSerializers.dll, Delete-on-Reboot, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\Uninstall.exe, Quarantined, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.SPCOptimizer, C:\Program Files (x86)\SPCOptimizer\Uninstall.ini, Quarantined, [ad6b620e702a53e38f8036ae1aea2bd5], 

Physical Sectors: 0
(No malicious items detected)


(end)
As mentioned before the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 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.
Edited by Metallica
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