PUM.Optional.HijackExefiles

Short bio

PUM.Optional.HijackExefiles is Malwarebytes’ detection name for a potentially unwanted modification that changes the default association of files with an .exe extension. This usually results in users being unable to run any programs.

System modifications

The following registry value data are modified: Under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe

the default value is changed.

Remediation

Malwarebytes can modify this registry value data back to its Windows default setting without user interaction.

Also, we advise users to do a full system scan as PUM.Optional.HijackExefiles could have been added to the system by malware or PUP.

Add an exclusion

When a Potentially Unwanted Modification (PUM) is detected on your computer, Malwarebytes for Windows does not know whether it was authorized. Optimization software, malware, and Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) are known to make these types of changes, hence they are regarded as potentially unwanted by design. To have Malwarebytes for Windows ignore a PUM, you must add the PUM to the Allow list. Here’s how to do it.

1. When a PUM appears in the list of Scan results.
   
2. Uncheck the entry or entries related to the PUM.
   
3. Then click on Next.
4. You will see a prompt giving you several options.
   
5. Choosing Always ignore will add the PUM to the Allow List.
   
6. You can remove them there when you decide they should no longer be ignored.
7. When the PUM is on the Allow list it will no longer show up in your Scan results.