BenchUpdater
Posted: January 9, 2014
Threat Metric
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: | 4,941 |
|---|---|
| Threat Level: | 1/10 |
| Infected PCs: | 473,671 |
| First Seen: | January 9, 2014 |
|---|---|
| Last Seen: | October 15, 2023 |
| OS(es) Affected: | Windows |
PUP.BenchUpdater is a component of newly-developed adware since 2013 and has engaged in suspicious behavior that may include the semi-invasive monitoring of your computer activities. For their part, malware researchers have seen PUP.BenchUpdater in a variety of locations and scenarios, but PUP.BenchUpdater may be installed along with one or more types of adware. The removal of PUP.BenchUpdater along with its adware is recommended for keeping your browser's performance optimal and for keeping your online security at appropriate levels.
The Updates to Programs You Shouldn't Keep Around for Long
PUP.BenchUpdater isn't an independent program to be taken as a product, by itself, but is just one possible component of multiple variants of Potentially Unwanted Programs. PUP.BenchUpdater is particularly common to find in installations of newly-found versions of adware, which may display advertisements through pop-ups, Web page-changing advertisement injections and similar functions. However, malware experts also have seen some cases of PUP.BenchUpdater appearances that have been related to other types of PUPs, such as Conduit hijackers.
PUP.BenchUpdater, therefore, may be considered just as risky or safe as the unwanted programs that are linked to PUP.BenchUpdater. However, the ability of PUP.BenchUpdater to update its software without any notifications does make PUP.BenchUpdater a minor security hazard, regardless of any other problems related to its browser add-ons. PUP.BenchUpdater also has been identified in multiple locations, rather than using a consistent file path that would make its removal simple.
Getting Off the Bench When It Comes to Uninstalling PUP.BenchUpdater
Some PC security resources have categorized PUP.BenchUpdater as having 'spyware-like' tendencies. Although malware researchers haven't categorized PUP.BenchUpdater as spyware, they do warn that most of the circumstances involving PUP.BenchUpdater's presence also point towards various security compromises within the affected computer. Some incidents even have involved threats, which may point to how PUP.BenchUpdater and its related add-ons are being distributed.
As important as it is to deal with PUP.BenchUpdater and all related software immediately, you shouldn't respond by deleting any obvious software and ignoring the difficult-to-notice components, such as Registry entries. Malware researchers consider the features of anti-malware programs to be the simplest ways to uninstall the adware that PUP.BenchUpdater is most likely to be updating. These programs also may identify some of the most easily overlooked distribution methods for PUP.BenchUpdater PUPs, such as free software bundles.
PUP.BenchUpdater was identified in 2013. However, PUP.BenchUpdater still is active in the early months of 2014. Updates to your security software may be needed to catch and delete PUP.BenchUpdater, along with the unwanted programs that endanger your PC with advertisements and browser redirects. However, many types of adware related to PUP.BenchUpdater files are older in origins than PUP.BenchUpdater, itself, which is as clear an illustration as any of the evolution of advertising software.
Technical Details
File System Modifications
Tutorials: If you wish to learn how to remove malware components manually, you can read the tutorials on how to find malware, kill unwanted processes, remove malicious DLLs and delete other harmful files. Always be sure to back up your PC before making any changes.
The following files were created in the system:C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Proxy\pwdg.exe
File name: pwdg.exeSize: 127.48 KB (127488 bytes)
MD5: 15925569120b613112d2bb459d0c403c
Detection count: 10,111
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Proxy\pwdg.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: June 22, 2023
C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Proxy\pwdg.exe
File name: pwdg.exeSize: 123.39 KB (123392 bytes)
MD5: 1d05c3f43d9c028002f3c7c1a7909ba0
Detection count: 9,022
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Proxy\pwdg.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: June 28, 2023
C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Proxy\cl.exe
File name: cl.exeSize: 62.46 KB (62464 bytes)
MD5: 77d4f109e22625ede4c8ff53ed06232b
Detection count: 8,546
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Proxy\cl.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: June 25, 2022
C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Proxy\pwdg.exe
File name: pwdg.exeSize: 123.39 KB (123392 bytes)
MD5: 6f741804e03cd76bd70614261af611fd
Detection count: 7,816
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Proxy\pwdg.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: December 9, 2022
C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Proxy\proc.exe
File name: proc.exeSize: 484.86 KB (484864 bytes)
MD5: 68262e3f5905015da47ed4a29c53d73e
Detection count: 7,544
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Proxy\proc.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: July 12, 2022
C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Proxy\cl.exe
File name: cl.exeSize: 62.46 KB (62464 bytes)
MD5: 191a7f7967a2689fd613b1fdb34056b3
Detection count: 6,979
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Proxy\cl.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: February 15, 2022
C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Proxy\pwdg.exe
File name: pwdg.exeSize: 127.48 KB (127488 bytes)
MD5: e9fe1467b9823cedb5bdca4ba23cd21c
Detection count: 6,738
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Proxy\pwdg.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: November 3, 2021
C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Proxy\proc.exe
File name: proc.exeSize: 486.91 KB (486912 bytes)
MD5: f6271d148df4dd15d8744b73b095e139
Detection count: 5,811
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Proxy\proc.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: March 23, 2023
%PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\Bench\Proxy\pwdg.exe
File name: pwdg.exeSize: 123.39 KB (123392 bytes)
MD5: 84e52b7a5b845b6718ced16b90201470
Detection count: 5,565
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: %PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\Bench\Proxy
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: August 11, 2020
C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Updater\updater.exe
File name: updater.exeSize: 66.56 KB (66560 bytes)
MD5: 27862bc4eb31d1e68b866a9f32c87fd4
Detection count: 4,771
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Updater\updater.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: July 12, 2022
C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\BService\1.1\bservice.exe
File name: bservice.exeSize: 51.71 KB (51712 bytes)
MD5: e52deb34958a6b9c9defd04072ba320c
Detection count: 4,113
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\BService\1.1\bservice.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: October 11, 2022
C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Proxy\proc.exe
File name: proc.exeSize: 431.61 KB (431616 bytes)
MD5: d75b18ca26252d8ecdcd1c03ab03089d
Detection count: 3,328
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Proxy\proc.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: June 22, 2023
%PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\Bench\CService\1.0\cservice.exe
File name: cservice.exeSize: 84.48 KB (84480 bytes)
MD5: fffee0f36c519fa973cf697a65b22371
Detection count: 2,787
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: %PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\Bench\CService\1.0
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: April 22, 2020
C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\BService\1.1\bservice64.exe
File name: bservice64.exeSize: 110.59 KB (110592 bytes)
MD5: ef28836ea2793d421c7801a2aaae7c9e
Detection count: 2,726
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\BService\1.1\bservice64.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: October 11, 2022
C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Proxy\proc.exe
File name: proc.exeSize: 486.4 KB (486400 bytes)
MD5: 7be3bbaa9ba68340e0a7e74d73c0f719
Detection count: 2,712
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Proxy\proc.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: December 18, 2021
%PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\Bench\Wd\wd.exe
File name: wd.exeSize: 92.67 KB (92672 bytes)
MD5: 0d3f1ae3a351ae8340a03a45f6b93995
Detection count: 2,553
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: %PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\Bench\Wd
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: April 22, 2020
%PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\Bench\CService\1.0\cservice64.exe
File name: cservice64.exeSize: 104.96 KB (104960 bytes)
MD5: 958c38e61f9dd79056299ec7e5e9cdca
Detection count: 1,710
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: %PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\Bench\CService\1.0
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: April 22, 2020
C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Proxy\pwdg.exe
File name: pwdg.exeSize: 122.88 KB (122880 bytes)
MD5: 155e4f4fea8320ccc7fb8387b1555d78
Detection count: 1,661
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Proxy\pwdg.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: August 26, 2022
C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Proxy\proc.exe
File name: proc.exeSize: 484.86 KB (484864 bytes)
MD5: 34b29483fb36136e50ccc6c68a0b4486
Detection count: 1,658
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Proxy\proc.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: August 26, 2022
C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\FService\1.1\fservice.exe
File name: fservice.exeSize: 84.48 KB (84480 bytes)
MD5: 8d5c6e316e1c04772e50ecc268a1d8da
Detection count: 958
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\FService\1.1\fservice.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: February 19, 2023
%PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\Bench\Proxy\pwdg.exe
File name: pwdg.exeSize: 123.9 KB (123904 bytes)
MD5: 18792d4133445af44bd08f505f14efab
Detection count: 766
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: %PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\Bench\Proxy
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: November 10, 2018
C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Wd\wd.exe
File name: wd.exeSize: 93.18 KB (93184 bytes)
MD5: b361e5282cbdd81b2222a3fe60f20b40
Detection count: 623
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Wd\wd.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: February 19, 2023
%PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\Bench\Proxy\proc.exe
File name: proc.exeSize: 488.96 KB (488960 bytes)
MD5: a694180da7c9a463b28db094ef503aa7
Detection count: 527
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: %PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\Bench\Proxy
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: November 10, 2018
C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Proxy\pwdg.exe
File name: pwdg.exeSize: 146.43 KB (146432 bytes)
MD5: 52fd1fb73210a28ef5beef8a16fd5b58
Detection count: 297
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Bench\Proxy\pwdg.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: May 13, 2022
More files
Registry Modifications
Regexp file mask%ProgramFiles%\Bench\BService\bservice.exe%PROGRAMFILES%\Bench\Proxy\[RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe%ProgramFiles%\Bench\Wd\wd.exe%PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\Bench\BService\bservice.exe%PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\Bench\Proxy\[RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe%PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\Bench\Wd\wd.exeHKEY..\..\..\..{RegistryKeys}SOFTWARE\BenchSOFTWARE\Google\Chrome\NativeMessagingHosts\com.bench.nmhostSOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\CompatibilityAdapter\Signatures\bench-sys.jobSOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\CompatibilityAdapter\Signatures\bench-sys.job.fpSOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\bench-sysSOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\Bench Communicator WatcherSOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\Bench SettinSOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\BenchSOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Google\Chrome\NativeMessagingHosts\com.bench.nmhostSOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\Bench Communicator WatcherSOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\Bench Settin
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