ADW_ADVPCCARE.GA
Application.InstallCare (Emsisoft); MSIL/AdvancedPcCare.C potentially unwanted (ESET-NOD32); PUP.Optional.AdvanceSystemCare (Malwarebytes)
Windows
![](/vinfo/imgFiles/legend.jpg)
Threat Type: Adware
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted:
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
This adware arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Arrival Details
This adware arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.
Installation
This adware drops the following files:
- %User Temp%\is-{random}.tmp\_isetup\_iscrypt.dll
- %User Temp%\is-{random}.tmp\_isetup\_shfoldr.dll
- %User Temp%\is-{random}.tmp\isxdl.dll
- %User Temp%\is-{random}.tmp\setup_eng.bmp
- %User Temp%\is-{random}.tmp\{malware filename}.tmp
- %User Temp%\{random filename}.0.cs
- %User Temp%\{random filename}.cmdline
- %User Temp%\{random filename}.dll
- %User Temp%\{random filename}.err
- %User Temp%\{random filename}.out
- %User Temp%\{random filename}.tmp
- %Application Data%\FileOpenerWindows\System.Data.SQLite.DLL
- %Application Data%\FileOpenerWindows\langswfo.db
- %Application Data%\FileOpenerWindows\wfo.exe
- %Application Data%\FileOpenerWindows\wfo.exe.config
- %Application Data%\FileOpenerWindows\x64\SQLite.Interop.dll
- %Application Data%\FileOpenerWindows\x86\SQLite.Interop.dll
- %Application Data%\SCAppManager\appmanager.exe
- %Application Data%\SCAppManager\appmanager.exe.config
- %Application Data%\UniDU\UniDULauncher.exe
- %Application Data%\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\Advance-System-Care\Errorlog.txt
- %Application Data%\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\Advance-System-Care\exlist.bin
- %Application Data%\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\Advance-System-Care\notifier.xml
- %Application Data%\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\Advance-System-Care\smico\{random filename}.png
- %Application Data%\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\Advance-System-Care\update.xml
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\ASCContent.dll
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\Dutch_iss.ini
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\French_iss.ini
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\HtmlRenderer.WinForms.dll
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\HtmlRenderer.dll
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\Interop.IWshRuntimeLibrary.dll
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\Microsoft.Win32.TaskScheduler.dll
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\NAudio.dll
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\System.Data.SQLite.DLL
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\TAFactory.IconPack.dll
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\TaskScheduler.dll
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\adsc.exe
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\adsc.exe.config
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\danish_iss.ini
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\english_iss.ini
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\finish_iss.ini
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\german_iss.ini
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\italian_iss.ini
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\japanese_iss.ini
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\langs.db
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\norwegian_iss.ini
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\portuguese_iss.ini
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\russian_iss.ini
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\spanish_iss.ini
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\swedish_iss.ini
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\unins000.dat
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\unins000.exe
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\unins000.msg
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\x64\SQLite.Interop.dll
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care\x86\SQLite.Interop.dll
- %ProgramData%\ASCValidator\ASCValidatorService.InstallLog
- %ProgramData%\ASCValidator\ASCValidatorService.InstallState
- %ProgramData%\ASCValidator\ASCValidatorService.exe
- %ProgramData%\ASCValidator\ASCValidatorService.exe.config
- %ProgramData%\ASCValidator\InstallUtil.InstallLog
- %ProgramData%\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\Advance-System-Care\mdb.db
- %ProgramData%\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\Advance-System-Care\pcspstartrepair_en.mp3
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Advance-System-Care\Advance-System-Care.lnk
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Advance-System-Care\Buy Advance-System-Care.lnk
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Advance-System-Care\Uninstall Advance-System-Care.lnk
- %Desktop%\Advance-System-Care.lnk
It creates the following folders:
- %User Temp%\is-{random}.tmp
- %User Temp%\is-{random}.tmp\_isetup
- %Application Data%\FileOpenerWindows
- %Application Data%\UniDU
- %Application Data%\SCAppManager
- %Application Data%\{BLOCKED}epctools.net
- %Application Data%\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\Advance-System-Care
- %ProgramData%\{BLOCKED}epctools.net
- %ProgramData%\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\Advance-System-Care
- %ProgramData%\ASCValidator
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Advance-System-Care
Other System Modifications
This adware adds the following registry keys:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{BLOCKED}epctools.net
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care\{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}.0.17114
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\ASCValidatorService
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\ASCValidatorService\
ACSValidatorService
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\asc-pr
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Services\ASCValidator
It adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO = "(855)-332-0124"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
ISTELNO = "1"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
issilent = "0"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
affired = "0"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
showwfo = "1"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
wfoset = "1"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
country = ""
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
pxl = "SNI1081_SNI1061_SNI585"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
prereg = "0"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
showtn = "0"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
ovoffdis = "0"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
cta = "0"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
delay = "0"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
cbkpoff = "1"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
showudurec = "1"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
playsound = "1"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
showunins = "0"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
insudubund = "0"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
utm_source = "snicwinasc_ros_jp_728"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
utm_campaign = "snicwinasc_ros_jp_728"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
utm_medium = "snicwinasc_ros_jp_728"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
affiliateid = ""
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
pxl = "sni1081_sni1061_sni585"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
utm_pubid = ""
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\asc-pr
utm_source = "snicwinasc_ros_jp_728"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\asc-pr
utm_campaign = "snicwinasc_ros_jp_728"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\asc-pr
utm_medium = "snicwinasc_ros_jp_728"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\asc-pr
affiliateid = ""
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\asc-pr
pxl = "sni1081_sni1061_sni585"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\asc-pr
utm_pubid = ""
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_us = "(855)-332-0124"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_uk = "0800-031-5066"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_gb = "0800-031-5066"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_au = "(61)280-733403"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_fr = "(334)-88627945"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_de = "(800)-180-0926"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_at = "(800)-180-0926"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_ch = "(800)-180-0926"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_lu = "(800)-180-0926"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_no = "0047-2195-4400"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_dk = "+45-7877-3648"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_nl = "+31-08-58882839"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_se = "+46-08124-10298"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_jp = "0120-993-506"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
TELNO_ja = "0120-993-506"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
PurchaseURL = "http://advancedsystemcare.{BLOCKED}rt.store/price.asp?"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
RenewURL = "http://advancedsystemcare.{BLOCKED}rt.store/renewal.asp?"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
WebURL = "http://www.{BLOCKED}epctools.net/"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
EmailURL = "asc@{BLOCKED}t-geeks.com"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
supporturl = "http://www.{BLOCKED}epctools.net/help/"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
afterInstallUrl = "http://www.{BLOCKED}epctools.net/asc/afterinstall/?"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
reg = "0"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
expired = "0"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
Installstring = "%Program Files%\Advance-System-Care"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\ASCValidator
Type = "16"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\ASCValidator
Start = "2"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\ASCValidator
ErrorControl = "1"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\ASCValidator
ImagePath = ""%ProgramData%\ASCValidator\ASCValidatorService.exe""
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\ASCValidator
DisplayName = "ASC Validator"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
Services\ASCValidator
Description = "ASC Validator"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
Installstring = "%Program Files%\Advance-System-Care"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
utm_source = "snicwinasc_ros_jp_728"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
utm_campaign = "snicwinasc_ros_jp_728"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
utm_medium = "snicwinasc_ros_jp_728"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
affiliateid = ""
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
pxl = "sni1081_sni1061_sni585"
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\{BLOCKED}epctools.net\
Advance-System-Care
utm_pubid = ""
Other Details
This adware connects to the following possibly malicious URL:
- http://cc.{BLOCKED}epctools.net/ProductPrice.svc/getcountrycode
- http://www.{BLOCKED}pctools.net/asc/afterinstall/?utm_source=snicwinasc_ros_jp_728&utm_campaign=snicwinasc_ros_jp_728&utm_medium=snicwinasc_ros_jp_728&utm_pubid=&pxl=SNI1081_SNI1061_SNI585&LangID=en
- http://www.{BLOCKED}epctools.net/
- http://cdn.{BLOCKED}epctools.net/
- http://cdn.{BLOCKED}i.net/js/host.js?h=www.advancepctools.net
- http://cdn.{BLOCKED}i.net/
SOLUTION
Step 1
Before doing any scans, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.
Step 2
Note that not all files, folders, and registry keys and entries are installed on your computer during this malware's/spyware's/grayware's execution. This may be due to incomplete installation or other operating system conditions. If you do not find the same files/folders/registry information, please proceed to the next step.
Step 3
Identify and terminate files detected as ADW_ADVPCCARE.GA
- Windows Task Manager may not display all running processes. In this case, please use a third-party process viewer, preferably Process Explorer, to terminate the malware/grayware/spyware file. You may download the said tool here.
- If the detected file is displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer but you cannot delete it, restart your computer in safe mode. To do this, refer to this link for the complete steps.
- If the detected file is not displayed in either Windows Task Manager or Process Explorer, continue doing the next steps.
Step 4
Delete this registry key
Important: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this step only if you know how or you can ask assistance from your system administrator. Else, check this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.
- In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
- advancepctools.net
- advancepctools.net
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
- ASCValidatorService
- ASCValidatorService
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
- advancepctools.net
- advancepctools.net
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
- asc-pr
- asc-pr
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
- ASCValidator
- ASCValidator
Step 5
Search and delete these folders
- %User Temp%\is-{random}.tmp
- %Application Data%\FileOpenerWindows
- %Application Data%\UniDU
- %Application Data%\SCAppManager
- %Application Data%\advancepctools.net
- %ProgramData%\advancepctools.net
- %ProgramData%\ASCValidator
- %Program Files%\Advance-System-Care
- %Start Menu%\Programs\Advance-System-Care
Step 6
Search and delete this file
- %Desktop%\Advance-System-Care.lnk
- %User Temp%\{random filename}.0.cs
- %User Temp%\{random filename}.cmdline
- %User Temp%\{random filename}.dll
- %User Temp%\{random filename}.err
- %User Temp%\{random filename}.out
- %User Temp%\{random filename}.tmp
Step 7
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as ADW_ADVPCCARE.GA. If the detected files have already been cleaned, deleted, or quarantined by your Trend Micro product, no further step is required. You may opt to simply delete the quarantined files. Please check this Knowledge Base page for more information.
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