PileFile Reminder

Posted: April 11, 2014

Threat Metric

The Threat Meter is a malware assessment that SpywareRemove.com's research team is able to give every identifiable malware threat. Our Threat Meter includes several criteria based off of specific malware threats to value their severity, reach and volume. The Threat Meter is able to give you a numerical breakdown of each threat's initial Threat Level, Detection Count, Volume Count, Trend Path and Percentage Impact. The overall ranking of each threat in the Threat Meter is a basic breakdown of how all threats are ranked within our own extensive malware database. The scoring for each specific malware threat can be easily compared to other emerging threats to draw a contrast in its particular severity. The Threat Meter is a useful tool in the endeavor of seeking a solution to remove a threat or pursue additional analytical research for all types of computer users.

The following fields listed on the Threat Meter containing a specific value, are explained in detail below:

Threat Level: The threat level scale goes from 1 to 10 where 10 is the highest level of severity and 1 is the lowest level of severity. Each specific level is relative to the threat's consistent assessed behaviors collected from SpyHunter's risk assessment model.

Detection Count: The collective number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular malware threat. The detection count is calculated from infected PCs retrieved from diagnostic and scan log reports generated by SpyHunter.

Volume Count: Similar to the detection count, the Volume Count is specifically based on the number of confirmed and suspected threats infecting systems on a daily basis. High volume counts usually represent a popular threat but may or may not have infected a large number of systems. High detection count threats could lay dormant and have a low volume count. Criteria for Volume Count is relative to a daily detection count.

Trend Path: The Trend Path, utilizing an up arrow, down arrow or equal symbol, represents the level of recent movement of a particular threat. Up arrows represent an increase, down arrows represent a decline and the equal symbol represent no change to a threat's recent movement.

% Impact (Last 7 Days): This demonstrates a 7-day period change in the frequency of a malware threat infecting PCs. The percentage impact correlates directly to the current Trend Path to determine a rise or decline in the percentage.

Ranking:	279
Threat Level:	1/10
Infected PCs:	744,788

First Seen:	April 11, 2014
Last Seen:	October 17, 2023
OS(es) Affected:	Windows

The PileFile Reminder is a file download manager with an extensive history of using fraudulent distribution methods along with installing other, equally unwanted software. Malware researchers may not categorize the PileFile Reminder as a threat, but neither do they see any legitimate benefits from using the PileFile Reminder, which includes software that makes browser modifications that may increase your risk of being affected by online attacks. Deleting the PileFile Reminder and any other Potentially Unwanted Programs always should be your default response to the PileFile Reminder, with anti-adware and anti-malware utilities used when necessary.

The Download that Gives You a Whole Pile of Problems

The PileFile Reminder is a Potentially Unwanted Program, and like most such programs in that category, focuses on making changes to your Web browser that provide profit for its owners. Associated PUPs that are installed with the PileFile Reminder by default include ElectroLyrics and the DoSearches Toolbar, the former of which modifies the display of the YouTube content, supposedly to enhance your music video experience with lyrics. However, malware experts often see search engine hijacks and unwanted advertisements as a consequence of the installation of these programs.

Some of the PileFile Reminder installers include options for deselecting these extra browser add-ons, but malware experts were unsurprised to find the PileFile Reminder also using less honest methods of installation. The distribution of the PileFile Reminder installers takes place through torrent networks and software sites, and disguised files appear to be programs for various games and related utilities. These disguises have included PlayStation emulators and fake game rooms for popular brands like Pokemon. A minority of the PileFile Reminder installers also used file names targeted at non-gamers, such as fake 'Paypal Money Adder' utilities.

Crawling out from Under the PileFile Reminder's Pile of PUPs

The PileFile Reminder might pretend to have your best interests in mind, but its distribution methods, along with the fact that the PileFile Reminder tries to block you from removing the PileFile Reminder, show how little advantage there is to keeping its software installed. In the case of the PileFile Reminder and other PUPs that may be installed with a range of other programs, malware researchers advice using general anti-malware solutions that can detect several PUPs and delete them simultaneously. Appropriate deletion methods also should restore your browser's settings or enable you to reset them to normal, preventing you from being redirected to unwanted websites.

As a last 'reminder' of everything that's wrong with the PileFile Reminder marketing, malware experts also might encourage you to stay clear of download networks and sites noted for participation in illegal software distribution. The PileFile Reminder is not the first PUP to be installed through files that claim to offer free copies of premium games, and putting your PC's security at risk in exchange for illegal entertainment always is a poor tradeoff.

Technical Details

Registry Modifications

The following newly produced Registry Values are:

File name without pathGarbage Cleaner.lnkHKEY..\..\..\..{RegistryKeys}Software\GCleanerSOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\Garbage Cleaner_RASAPI32SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\Garbage Cleaner_RASMANCS

Additional Information

The following directories were created:

%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Garbage Cleaner