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What is The PC Power?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that The PC Power 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 The PC Power?

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 these warnings during install:

warning1.png

warning2.png

and this type of screens during "operations":

warning5.png

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

warning4.png

and these tasks in your list of Scheduled Tasks:

warning3.png

How did The PC Power 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 The PC Power?

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.

Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of The PC Power?

  • No, Malwarebytes removes The PC Power 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 The PC Power 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


and both Malwarebytes Premium and Browser Guard block access to their domain:
 

protection2.png


Technical details for experts

You may see these entries in FRST logs:
 

(Econosoft Global Services PTE. LTD. -> Econosoft Global Services Pte. Ltd.) C:\Program Files (x86)\The PC Power\thepcpower.exe
(Econosoft Global Services Pte. Ltd.) [File not signed] C:\Program Files (x86)\The PC Power\thepcpower_protection.exe
Task: {6BB37F06-7698-43D0-BE35-935502574288} - System32\Tasks\The PC Power => C:\Program Files (x86)\The PC Power\thepcpower.exe [8073008 2019-09-20] (Econosoft Global Services PTE. LTD. -> Econosoft Global Services Pte. Ltd.)
Task: {6E0AD05E-A073-4BB2-B61A-CB8DC17D7FFC} - System32\Tasks\The PC Power Protection Startup => C:\Program Files (x86)\The PC Power\thepcpower_protection.exe [363008 2019-09-20] (Econosoft Global Services Pte. Ltd.) [File not signed]
C:\Windows\system32\Tasks\The PC Power Protection Startup
C:\Windows\system32\Tasks\The PC Power
C:\Users\Public\Desktop\The PC Power.lnk
C:\ProgramData\Desktop\The PC Power.lnk
C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\The PC Power
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\The PC Power
C:\Program Files (x86)\The PC Power
(Econosoft Global Services Pte. Ltd. ) C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\thepcpower.exe

The PC Power (HKLM-x32\...\{EF14720C-B68B-4F2A-86EF-D72C712B8E0E}}_is1) (Version: V1.0.0 - Econosoft Global Services Pte. Ltd.)

Alterations made by the installer:
 

File system details [View: All details] (Selection)
---------------------------------------------------
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\The PC Power
       Adds the file Core.dll"="8/5/2019 8:20 PM, 237568 bytes, A
       Adds the file DiscUtils.Common.dll"="8/5/2019 8:20 PM, 23040 bytes, A
       Adds the file DiscUtils.dll"="8/5/2019 8:20 PM, 915456 bytes, A
       Adds the file DiscUtils.MSBuild.dll"="8/5/2019 8:20 PM, 8192 bytes, A
       Adds the file DynamicDataDisplay.dll"="8/5/2019 8:20 PM, 316416 bytes, A
       Adds the file errordetailsOpt.xml"="10/25/2019 9:16 AM, 574124 bytes, A
       Adds the file errorlog.txt"="8/5/2019 8:20 PM, 189 bytes, A
       Adds the file Interop.IWshRuntimeLibrary.dll"="8/5/2019 8:20 PM, 49152 bytes, A
       Adds the file Interop.NATUPNPLib.dll"="8/5/2019 8:20 PM, 7680 bytes, A
       Adds the file Interop.NETCONLib.dll"="8/5/2019 8:20 PM, 10240 bytes, A
       Adds the file Interop.NetFwTypeLib.dll"="8/5/2019 8:20 PM, 19456 bytes, A
       Adds the file ISID.dll"="8/5/2019 8:20 PM, 1605120 bytes, A
       Adds the file logo.ico"="9/3/2019 7:23 AM, 21662 bytes, A
       Adds the file Microsoft.Win32.TaskScheduler.dll"="8/5/2019 8:20 PM, 171008 bytes, A
       Adds the file OptErr.xml"="8/5/2019 8:20 PM, 10 bytes, A
       Adds the file SharpCompress.dll"="8/5/2019 8:20 PM, 418304 bytes, A
       Adds the file System.Data.SQLite.dll"="8/5/2019 8:20 PM, 280576 bytes, A
       Adds the file System.Windows.Controls.Layout.Toolkit.dll"="8/5/2019 8:20 PM, 95064 bytes, A
       Adds the file thepcpower.exe"="9/20/2019 4:14 AM, 8073008 bytes, A
       Adds the file thepcpower_protection.exe"="9/20/2019 2:55 AM, 363008 bytes, A
       Adds the file thepcpower_protection.pdb"="9/20/2019 2:55 AM, 267776 bytes, A
       Adds the file unins000.dat"="10/25/2019 9:12 AM, 54265 bytes, A
       Adds the file unins000.exe"="10/25/2019 9:12 AM, 2556720 bytes, A
       Adds the file unins000.msg"="10/25/2019 9:12 AM, 23045 bytes, A
       Adds the file WpfAnimatedGif.dll"="8/5/2019 8:20 PM, 28160 bytes, A
       Adds the file WPFToolkit.dll"="8/5/2019 8:20 PM, 467288 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\The PC Power\Backup
       Adds the file 2019_09_19_051629.xml"="9/19/2019 5:16 AM, 65 bytes, A
       Adds the file 2019_09_19_092454.xml"="9/19/2019 9:24 AM, 65 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\The PC Power\de
       Adds the file thepcpower.resources.dll"="9/20/2019 4:14 AM, 78336 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\The PC Power\en
       Adds the file thepcpower.resources.dll"="9/20/2019 4:14 AM, 71168 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\The PC Power\fr
       Adds the file thepcpower.resources.dll"="9/20/2019 4:14 AM, 79360 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\The PC Power\ja-jp
       Adds the file thepcpower.resources.dll"="9/20/2019 4:14 AM, 88576 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\The PC Power\slider
       Adds the file Slider-1.jpg"="8/5/2019 8:20 PM, 77585 bytes, A
       Adds the file Slider-2.jpg"="8/5/2019 8:20 PM, 79413 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\The PC Power\uni
       Adds the file System.Data.SQLite.dll"="8/5/2019 8:22 PM, 353280 bytes, A
       Adds the file System.Data.SQLite.xml"="8/5/2019 8:22 PM, 1051056 bytes, A
       Adds the file Uninstaller.exe"="9/20/2019 2:55 AM, 525824 bytes, A
       Adds the file Uninstaller.exe.config"="9/3/2019 7:37 AM, 1567 bytes, A
       Adds the file Uninstaller.pdb"="9/20/2019 2:55 AM, 273920 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\The PC Power\uni\en
       Adds the file Uninstaller.resources.dll"="9/20/2019 2:55 AM, 25600 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\The PC Power\uni\x64
       Adds the file SQLite.Interop.dll"="8/5/2019 8:20 PM, 1534464 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\The PC Power\uni\x86
       Adds the file SQLite.Interop.dll"="8/5/2019 8:20 PM, 1149440 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\The PC Power\x64
       Adds the file SQLite.Interop.dll"="8/5/2019 8:20 PM, 1205248 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\The PC Power\x86
       Adds the file SQLite.Interop.dll"="8/5/2019 8:20 PM, 903168 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\The PC Power
       Adds the file The PC Power.lnk"="10/25/2019 9:12 AM, 1147 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\The PC Power\PC Repair Online\setting
       Adds the file TPP_sett.ash"="10/25/2019 9:16 AM, 303104 bytes, A
    In the existing folder C:\Users\Public\Desktop
       Adds the file The PC Power.lnk"="10/25/2019 9:12 AM, 1129 bytes, A
    In the existing folder C:\Windows\System32\Tasks
       Adds the file The PC Power"="10/25/2019 9:12 AM, 3232 bytes, A
       Adds the file The PC Power Protection Startup"="10/25/2019 9:12 AM, 3254 bytes, A

Registry details [View: All details] (Selection)
------------------------------------------------
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\FT\TPP\Activation]
       "Insdate"="REG_SZ", "MZRT8A3UeET/+2jIj/d8Mj9p+vMlZjZ/DH/p0TWtsxk="
       "language"="REG_SZ", "en"
       "languageindex"="REG_SZ", "0"
       "lap"="REG_SZ", "oyaOmfnI3MRt0e3MYtwGzhYrlRkRWCz4QCjkHxVNWv4="
       "lbp"="REG_SZ", "oyaOmfnI3MRt0e3MYtwGzhYrlRkRWCz4QCjkHxVNWv4="
       "lr"="REG_SZ", "oyaOmfnI3MRt0e3MYtwGzhYrlRkRWCz4QCjkHxVNWv4="
       "lsp"="REG_SZ", "oyaOmfnI3MRt0e3MYtwGzhYrlRkRWCz4QCjkHxVNWv4="
       "PN"="REG_SZ", "1-888-200-8889"
       "Program"="REG_SZ", "The PC Power"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\FT\TPP\Activation]
       "IsTrack"="REG_SZ", "1"
       "language"="REG_SZ", "en"
       "languageindex"="REG_SZ", "0"
       "Program"="REG_SZ", "The PC Power"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{EF14720C-B68B-4F2A-86EF-D72C712B8E0E}}_is1]
       "Comments"="REG_SZ", "The PC Power"
       "Contact"="REG_SZ", "+(888)200-889"
       "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\The PC Power\logo.ico"
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "The PC Power"
       "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "V1.0.0"
       "EstimatedSize"="REG_DWORD", 22943
       "Inno Setup: App Path"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\The PC Power"
       "Inno Setup: Icon Group"="REG_SZ", "The PC Power"
       "Inno Setup: Language"="REG_SZ", "en"
       "Inno Setup: Setup Version"="REG_SZ", "6.0.2 (u)"
       "Inno Setup: User"="REG_SZ", "{username}"
       "InstallDate"="REG_SZ", "20191025"
       "InstallLocation"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\The PC Power\"
       "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "Econosoft Global Services Pte. Ltd."
       "QuietUninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\The PC Power\unins000.exe" /SILENT"
       "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\The PC Power\unins000.exe""

Malwarebytes log:
 

Malwarebytes
www.malwarebytes.com

-Log Details-
Scan Date: 10/25/19
Scan Time: 9:24 AM
Log File: 82501524-f6f8-11e9-b824-00ffdcc6fdfc.json

-Software Information-
Version: 3.8.3.2965
Components Version: 1.0.613
Update Package Version: 1.0.13063
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: 234496
Threats Detected: 20
Threats Quarantined: 20
Time Elapsed: 5 min, 46 sec

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

-Scan Details-
Process: 2
PUP.Optional.PCBooster, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\THE PC POWER\THEPCPOWER_PROTECTION.EXE, Quarantined, [586], [749298],1.0.13063
PUP.Optional.PCBooster, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\THE PC POWER\THEPCPOWER.EXE, Quarantined, [586], [749298],1.0.13063

Module: 2
PUP.Optional.PCBooster, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\THE PC POWER\THEPCPOWER_PROTECTION.EXE, Quarantined, [586], [749298],1.0.13063
PUP.Optional.PCBooster, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\THE PC POWER\THEPCPOWER.EXE, Quarantined, [586], [749298],1.0.13063

Registry Key: 7
PUP.Optional.PCBooster, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TREE\The PC Power Protection Startup, Quarantined, [586], [749298],1.0.13063
PUP.Optional.PCBooster, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TASKS\{6E0AD05E-A073-4BB2-B61A-CB8DC17D7FFC}, Quarantined, [586], [749298],1.0.13063
PUP.Optional.PCBooster, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\LOGON\{6E0AD05E-A073-4BB2-B61A-CB8DC17D7FFC}, Quarantined, [586], [749298],1.0.13063
PUP.Optional.PCBooster, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TREE\The PC Power, Quarantined, [586], [749298],1.0.13063
PUP.Optional.PCBooster, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TASKS\{6BB37F06-7698-43D0-BE35-935502574288}, Quarantined, [586], [749298],1.0.13063
PUP.Optional.PCBooster, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\LOGON\{6BB37F06-7698-43D0-BE35-935502574288}, Quarantined, [586], [749298],1.0.13063
PUP.Optional.PCBooster, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\{EF14720C-B68B-4F2A-86EF-D72C712B8E0E}}_is1, Quarantined, [586], [711523],1.0.13063

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: 9
PUP.Optional.PCBooster, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\TASKS\The PC Power Protection Startup, Quarantined, [586], [749298],1.0.13063
PUP.Optional.PCBooster, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\THE PC POWER\THEPCPOWER_PROTECTION.EXE, Quarantined, [586], [749298],1.0.13063
PUP.Optional.PCBooster, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\TASKS\The PC Power, Quarantined, [586], [749298],1.0.13063
PUP.Optional.PCBooster, C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\PUBLIC\Desktop\The PC Power.lnk, Quarantined, [586], [749298],1.0.13063
PUP.Optional.PCBooster, C:\USERS\PUBLIC\Desktop\The PC Power.lnk, Quarantined, [586], [749298],1.0.13063
PUP.Optional.PCBooster, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\THE PC POWER\THEPCPOWER.EXE, Quarantined, [586], [749298],1.0.13063
PUP.Optional.PCBooster, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\THE PC POWER\UNINS000.EXE, Quarantined, [586], [711523],1.0.13063
PUP.Optional.PCBooster, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\TEMP\IS-O11BO.TMP\THEPCPOWER.TMP, Quarantined, [586], [711523],1.0.13063
PUP.Optional.PCBooster, C:\USERS\{username}\DESKTOP\THEPCPOWER.EXE, Quarantined, [586], [711523],1.0.13063

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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