Friday
2008-11-28, 17:56
The following instructions have been created to help you to get rid of "Performance Optimizer" manually.
Use this guide at your own risk; software should usually be better suited to remove malware, since it is able to look deeper.
If this guide was helpful to you, please consider donating towards this site (http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=donate).
Threat Details:
Categories:
malware
Description:
Performance Optimizer claims to be a registry tool to fix errors. While scanning the computer it will find hundreds of errors that are false positives and wants the user to purchase a licence to fix them.
Removal Instructions:
Start Menu:
Please remove the following items from your start menu.
To check where they are pointing to, right-click them and choose "Properties" from the context menu appearing.
Items named "Uninstall Performance Optimizer.lnk" and pointing to "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\uninstpo.exe".
Items named "Documentation.lnk" and pointing to "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\PerfOpt.chm".
Items named "ReadMe.doc.lnk" and pointing to "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\ReadMe.doc".
Items named "Performance Optimizer Home Page.lnk" and pointing to "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Performance Optimizer Home Page.url".
Items named "Performance Optimizer.lnk" and pointing to "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\PerfOpt.exe".
Items named "Performance Optimizer.lnk" and pointing to "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\PerfOpt.exe".
Items named "Sellmosoft Home Page.lnk" and pointing to "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Sellmosoft Home Page.url".
Items named "Uninstall Performance Optimizer.lnk" and pointing to "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\uninstpo.exe".
Installed Software List:
You can try to uninstall products with the names listed below; for items identified by other properties or to avoid malware getting active again on uninstallation, use Spybot-S&D (http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=spybotsd) or RunAlyzer (http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=runalyzer) to locate and get rid of these entries.
Products that have a key or property named "Performance Optimizer (Trial version)".
Files:
Please use Windows Explorer or another file manager of your choice to locate and delete these files.
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\po_cfg.ini".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\ReadMe.doc".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\ua_manager.exe".
The file at "<$PROGRAMS>\Performance Optimizer\Documentation\Documentation.lnk".
The file at "<$PROGRAMS>\Performance Optimizer\Documentation\ReadMe.doc.lnk".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\creader.exe".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\inst.imd".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\install_stat2.tmp".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\pcid.exe".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\PerfOpt.chm".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\PerfOpt.exe".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\PerfOpt.exe".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Performance Optimizer Home Page.url".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\PoChk.exe".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\ReadMe.doc".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Sellmosoft Home Page.url".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\sload.sbd".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\uninstpo.exe".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data001.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data003.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data006.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data007.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data009.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data011.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data013.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data016.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data017.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data020.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data023.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data027.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data030.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data031.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data033.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data040.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data042.reg".
Make sure you set your file manager to display hidden and system files. If Performance Optimizer uses rootkit technologies, use our RootAlyzer (http://forums.spybot.info/downloads.php?id=8) or our Total Commander anti-rootkit plugins (http://forums.spybot.info/downloads.php?id=3).
You will have to use a global search for files without a name specified. Be extra careful, because just the name might not be enough to identify files!
Important: There are more files that cannot be safely described in simple words. Please use Spybot-S&D (http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=spybotsd) to remove them.
Folders:
Please use Windows Explorer or another file manager of your choice to locate and delete these folders.
The directory at "<$PROGRAMS>\Performance Optimizer".
The directory at "<$PROGRAMS>\Performance Optimizer\Documentation".
The directory at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)".
The directory at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer".
The directory at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\com_s".
The directory at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\cur_s".
The directory at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Restore".
The directory at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks".
The directory at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks.Bak".
Make sure you set your file manager to display hidden and system files. If Performance Optimizer uses rootkit technologies, use our RootAlyzer (http://forums.spybot.info/downloads.php?id=8) or our Total Commander anti-rootkit plugins (http://forums.spybot.info/downloads.php?id=3).
You will have to use a global search for files without a name specified. Be extra careful, because just the name might not be enough to identify folders!
Registry:
You can use regedit.exe (included in Windows) to locate and delete these registry entries.
Delete the registry key "{00BB2D08-A825-441c-8680-B7E46BECD84F}" at "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\".
Delete the registry key "Performanceoptimizer" at "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\".
Delete the registry key "Sellmosoft" at "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\".
Delete the registry key "Sellmosoft Inc." at "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\".
Delete the registry key "{07029706-196D-44F4-9D9D-F69262999027}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\".
Delete the registry key "{EAA94617-7939-61CC-C1D4-72DBAC0A2CF1}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\".
Delete the registry key "Performanceoptimizer" at "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\".
Delete the registry key "Sellmosoft" at "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\".
If Performance Optimizer uses rootkit technologies, use our RegAlyzer (http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=regalyzer), RootAlyzer (http://forums.spybot.info/downloads.php?id=8) or our Total Commander anti-rootkit plugins (http://forums.spybot.info/downloads.php?id=3).
Final Words:
If neither Spybot-S&D nor self help did resolve the issue or you would prefer one on one help,
Please read these instructions (http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=288) before requesting assistance,
Then start your own thread in the Malware Removal Forum (http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22) where a volunteer analyst will advise you as soon as available.
Use this guide at your own risk; software should usually be better suited to remove malware, since it is able to look deeper.
If this guide was helpful to you, please consider donating towards this site (http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=donate).
Threat Details:
Categories:
malware
Description:
Performance Optimizer claims to be a registry tool to fix errors. While scanning the computer it will find hundreds of errors that are false positives and wants the user to purchase a licence to fix them.
Removal Instructions:
Start Menu:
Please remove the following items from your start menu.
To check where they are pointing to, right-click them and choose "Properties" from the context menu appearing.
Items named "Uninstall Performance Optimizer.lnk" and pointing to "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\uninstpo.exe".
Items named "Documentation.lnk" and pointing to "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\PerfOpt.chm".
Items named "ReadMe.doc.lnk" and pointing to "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\ReadMe.doc".
Items named "Performance Optimizer Home Page.lnk" and pointing to "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Performance Optimizer Home Page.url".
Items named "Performance Optimizer.lnk" and pointing to "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\PerfOpt.exe".
Items named "Performance Optimizer.lnk" and pointing to "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\PerfOpt.exe".
Items named "Sellmosoft Home Page.lnk" and pointing to "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Sellmosoft Home Page.url".
Items named "Uninstall Performance Optimizer.lnk" and pointing to "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\uninstpo.exe".
Installed Software List:
You can try to uninstall products with the names listed below; for items identified by other properties or to avoid malware getting active again on uninstallation, use Spybot-S&D (http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=spybotsd) or RunAlyzer (http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=runalyzer) to locate and get rid of these entries.
Products that have a key or property named "Performance Optimizer (Trial version)".
Files:
Please use Windows Explorer or another file manager of your choice to locate and delete these files.
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\po_cfg.ini".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\ReadMe.doc".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\ua_manager.exe".
The file at "<$PROGRAMS>\Performance Optimizer\Documentation\Documentation.lnk".
The file at "<$PROGRAMS>\Performance Optimizer\Documentation\ReadMe.doc.lnk".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\creader.exe".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\inst.imd".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\install_stat2.tmp".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\pcid.exe".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\PerfOpt.chm".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\PerfOpt.exe".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\PerfOpt.exe".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Performance Optimizer Home Page.url".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\PoChk.exe".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\ReadMe.doc".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Sellmosoft Home Page.url".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\sload.sbd".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\uninstpo.exe".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data001.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data003.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data006.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data007.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data009.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data011.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data013.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data016.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data017.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data020.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data023.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data027.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data030.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data031.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data033.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data040.reg".
The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks\data042.reg".
Make sure you set your file manager to display hidden and system files. If Performance Optimizer uses rootkit technologies, use our RootAlyzer (http://forums.spybot.info/downloads.php?id=8) or our Total Commander anti-rootkit plugins (http://forums.spybot.info/downloads.php?id=3).
You will have to use a global search for files without a name specified. Be extra careful, because just the name might not be enough to identify files!
Important: There are more files that cannot be safely described in simple words. Please use Spybot-S&D (http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=spybotsd) to remove them.
Folders:
Please use Windows Explorer or another file manager of your choice to locate and delete these folders.
The directory at "<$PROGRAMS>\Performance Optimizer".
The directory at "<$PROGRAMS>\Performance Optimizer\Documentation".
The directory at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)".
The directory at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer".
The directory at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\com_s".
The directory at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\cur_s".
The directory at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Restore".
The directory at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks".
The directory at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Performanceoptimizer (Free)\Tweaks.Bak".
Make sure you set your file manager to display hidden and system files. If Performance Optimizer uses rootkit technologies, use our RootAlyzer (http://forums.spybot.info/downloads.php?id=8) or our Total Commander anti-rootkit plugins (http://forums.spybot.info/downloads.php?id=3).
You will have to use a global search for files without a name specified. Be extra careful, because just the name might not be enough to identify folders!
Registry:
You can use regedit.exe (included in Windows) to locate and delete these registry entries.
Delete the registry key "{00BB2D08-A825-441c-8680-B7E46BECD84F}" at "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\".
Delete the registry key "Performanceoptimizer" at "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\".
Delete the registry key "Sellmosoft" at "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\".
Delete the registry key "Sellmosoft Inc." at "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\".
Delete the registry key "{07029706-196D-44F4-9D9D-F69262999027}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\".
Delete the registry key "{EAA94617-7939-61CC-C1D4-72DBAC0A2CF1}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\".
Delete the registry key "Performanceoptimizer" at "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\".
Delete the registry key "Sellmosoft" at "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\".
If Performance Optimizer uses rootkit technologies, use our RegAlyzer (http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=regalyzer), RootAlyzer (http://forums.spybot.info/downloads.php?id=8) or our Total Commander anti-rootkit plugins (http://forums.spybot.info/downloads.php?id=3).
Final Words:
If neither Spybot-S&D nor self help did resolve the issue or you would prefer one on one help,
Please read these instructions (http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=288) before requesting assistance,
Then start your own thread in the Malware Removal Forum (http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22) where a volunteer analyst will advise you as soon as available.