Home Malware Programs Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) PCTuner

PCTuner

Posted: December 16, 2014

Threat Metric

Ranking: 11,646
Threat Level: 1/10
Infected PCs: 2,909
First Seen: December 16, 2014
Last Seen: October 5, 2023
OS(es) Affected: Windows

PCTuner is classified a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program). Unwanted applications such as PCTuner may be distributed via bundling marketing methods. PCTuner is prone to loading deceptive notification pop-ups on the screen of a PC that it is installed on. After installation, PCTuner runs a system scan. After the scan is complete, PCTuner displays a message alert claiming that your computer contains supposed system errors that need to be addressed. PCTuner may offer various services and a number to dial for supposedly providing a PC technician service. Use of the pop-up displayed by PCTuner may cause a redirect to load other unwanted and questionable websites. In some instances, PCTuner may be loaded through the installation of various freeware or bundled software applications downloaded from the Internet.

Technical Details

Registry Modifications

The following newly produced Registry Values are:

Regexp file mask%WINDIR%\System32\Tasks\AI_Updater%WINDIR%\System32\Tasks\boosterpop%WINDIR%\System32\Tasks\IEErrorHKEY..\..\..\..{RegistryKeys}PCTunerSOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\PCTunerFG_RASAPI32SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\PCTunerFG_RASMANCSSOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\Popialert_RASAPI32SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\Popialert_RASMANCSSOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\Probsalert_RASAPI32SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\Probsalert_RASMANCSSoftware\Tuneup computer\PCTunerSOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Tracing\PCTunerFG_RASAPI32SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Tracing\PCTunerFG_RASMANCSSOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Tuneup computer\{BCD3E1CB-706F-46FD-92CA-6A1FE20B8575}HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\[APPLICATION]\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall..{Uninstaller}{D9153832-BD97-41FD-A4F3-A135E204B7A2}

Additional Information

The following directories were created:
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\PCTuner%LOCALAPPDATA%\PCTuner1%PROGRAMFILES%\Tuneup computer%PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\Tuneup computer
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