PUP.Optional.DriverBooster

detection icon

Short bio

PUP.Optional.DriverBooster is Malwarebytes’ detection name for a “driver updater” called Driver Booster which is published by Energizer Softech Pvt ltd for Windows systems.

GUI DriverBooster

Symptoms

Users may have seen this warning during install when Driver Booster is bundled with other software:

DriverBooster bundled

And these warnings when “outdated drivers” are found:

Driver Booster warning

They may see this entry in their list of installed Programs and Features:

Driver Booster installed

and this Scheduled Task:

Scheduled Task Driver Booster

Type and source of infection

PUP.Optional.DriverBooster is a so-called driver updater”. Driver updaters are considered a special kind of system optimizers. These so-called “system optimizers” use exaggerated scan results or sometimes even intentional false positives to convince users that their systems have problems. Then they try to sell you their software, claiming it will remove these problems. Energizers’ Driver Booster is usually installed by users themselves as part of a bundler.

Protection

Malwarebytes protects users from PUP.Optional.DriverBooster by using real-time protection.

Malwarebytes blocks Driver Booster

Remediation

Malwarebytes can detect and remove PUP.Optional.DriverBooster without further user interaction.

  1. Please download Malwarebytes to your desktop.
  2. Double-click MBSetup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
  3. When your Malwarebytes for Windows installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen.
  4. Click on the Get started button.
  5. Click Scan to start a Threat Scan.
  6. Click Quarantine to remove the found threats.
  7. Reboot the system if prompted to complete the removal process.

Malwarebytes removal log

A Malwarebytes log of removal will look similar to this: 

Malwarebytes
www.malwarebytes.com
-Log Details-
Scan Date: 3/14/19
Scan Time: 12:44 PM
Log File: 7fa9d2b6-464e-11e9-919c-00ffdcc6fdfc.json

-Software Information-
Version: 3.7.1.2839
Components Version: 1.0.538
Update Package Version: 1.0.9682
License: Premium

-System Information-
OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1
CPU: x64
File System: NTFS
User: {computername}\{username}

-Scan Summary-
Scan Type: Threat Scan
Scan Initiated By: Manual
Result: Completed
Objects Scanned: 235715
Threats Detected: 106
Threats Quarantined: 106
Time Elapsed: 6 min, 52 sec

-Scan Options-
Memory: Enabled
Startup: Enabled
Filesystem: Enabled
Archives: Enabled
Rootkits: Enabled
Heuristics: Enabled
PUP: Detect
PUM: Detect

-Scan Details-
Process: 1
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\DriverUpdater.exe, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682

Module: 2
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\DriverHiveEngine.dll, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\DriverUpdater.exe, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682

Registry Key: 11
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TREE\Driver Booster Autostart, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TASKS\{BD82BB68-E05B-4F6E-B967-D1900F14B2E2}, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\LOGON\{BD82BB68-E05B-4F6E-B967-D1900F14B2E2}, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\DUSOLUTION, Quarantined, [4511], [257007],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\{C40DAF9B-D897-4D66-8F7B-B404FFC4033E}, Quarantined, [4511], [361389],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\INSTALLER\PRODUCTS\B9FAD04C798D66D4F8B74B40FF4C30E3, Quarantined, [4511], [361390],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, HKCU\SOFTWARE\DRIVER BOOSTER, Quarantined, [4511], [257006],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.PCBooster, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\*\SHELLEX\CONTEXTMENUHANDLERS\PCBoosterCMenu, Quarantined, [1328], [257026],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\ENERGIZERSOFT TECH\Driver Booster, Quarantined, [4511], [257008],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, HKCU\SOFTWARE\ENERGIZERSOFT TECH\Driver Booster, Quarantined, [4511], [358443],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.PCBooster, HKCU\SOFTWARE\PC BOOSTER, Quarantined, [1328], [257025],1.0.9682

Registry Value: 3
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\DUSOLUTION|PATH, Quarantined, [4511], [257007],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, HKCU\SOFTWARE\DRIVER BOOSTER|LANGUAGE, Quarantined, [4511], [257006],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.PCBooster, HKCU\SOFTWARE\PC BOOSTER|LNID, Quarantined, [1328], [257025],1.0.9682

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Data Stream: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folder: 6
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\DRIVERBOOSTER, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\PROGRAMDATA\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\START MENU\PROGRAMS\DRIVERBOOSTER, Quarantined, [4511], [257003],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.PCBooster, C:\ProgramData\PC Booster\LOGS, Quarantined, [1328], [181919],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.PCBooster, C:\PROGRAMDATA\PC BOOSTER, Quarantined, [1328], [181919],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.PCBooster, C:\PROGRAMDATA\CLP, Quarantined, [1328], [302415],1.0.9682

File: 83
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\DRIVERBOOSTER\RESOURCES\alert_popup.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\account_icon.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\account_logo.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\actions_icon.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\action_btn.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\action_btn_selected.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\action_btn_unselected.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\activate_icon.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\arrow_down.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\arrow_right.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\buy_now.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\cancel_button_selected.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\cancel_button_unselected.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\default.theme, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\home_icon.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\indicator.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\indicator_arrow.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\languages.lst, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\left_tab_selected.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\left_tab_unselected.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\license1.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\license2.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\line_brush.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\logo.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\main.ico, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\main_background_f.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\main_background_p.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\main_button_selected.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\main_button_unselected.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\middle_tab_selected.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\middle_tab_unselected.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\minor_button_selected.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\minor_button_unselected.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\notification_popup.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\promo_en_GB.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\right_tab_selected.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\right_tab_unselected.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\scan1.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\scan2.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\scan3.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\scan_btn.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\scan_btn_selected.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\scan_btn_unselected.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\scan_icon.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\scan_result.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\settings_icon.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\settings_rollup_selected.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\settings_rollup_unselected.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\sub_tab_selected.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\sub_tab_unselected.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\tiny_button_selected.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\tiny_button_unselected.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\tiny_notification_popup.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\ui_en_GB.ts, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\ui_ru.ts, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\ui_sv.ts, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\ui_uk.ts, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\update1.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\update2.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\update3.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\update4.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\default.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\resources\selection.png, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\DPInst64.exe, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\DriverHiveEngine.dll, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\DriverUpdater.exe, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\main.ico, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\updater.exe, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\TASKS\Driver Booster Autostart, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\PUBLIC\Desktop\Driver Booster.lnk, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\USERS\PUBLIC\Desktop\Driver Booster.lnk, Quarantined, [4511], [257002],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\PROGRAMDATA\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\START MENU\PROGRAMS\DRIVERBOOSTER\DRIVER BOOSTER.LNK, Quarantined, [4511], [257003],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\DriverBooster\End User Licence Agreement.url, Quarantined, [4511], [257003],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\DriverBooster\Privacy Policy.url, Quarantined, [4511], [257003],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\DriverBooster\Uninstall Driver Booster.lnk, Quarantined, [4511], [257003],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.PCBooster, C:\ProgramData\PC Booster\LOGS\PCB_LOGS_03_14_2019_12_30_06_PM.log, Quarantined, [1328], [181919],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.PCBooster, C:\PROGRAMDATA\CLP\PB_DU-001.LIC, Quarantined, [1328], [302415],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.PCBooster, C:\ProgramData\clp\clp.cid, Quarantined, [1328], [302415],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\TEMP\DRIVERBOOSTER.MSI, Quarantined, [4511], [104318],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\TEMP\DRIVERBOOSTERINSTALLER.EXE, Quarantined, [4511], [104318],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.Energizer, C:\USERS\{username}\DESKTOP\PCBOOSTERSETUP.EXE, Quarantined, [12970], [361696],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.Energizer, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\TEMP\INSTALL.EXE, Quarantined, [12970], [361696],1.0.9682
PUP.Optional.DriverBooster, C:\WINDOWS\INSTALLER\CB0AC.MSI, Quarantined, [4511], [104318],1.0.9682

Physical Sector: 0
(No malicious items detected)

WMI: 0
(No malicious items detected)


(end)

Add an exclusion

Should users wish to keep this program and exclude it from being detected in future scans, they can add the program to the exclusions list. Here’s how to do it.

  • Open Malwarebytes for Windows.
  • Click the Detection History
  • Click the Allow List
  • To add an item to the Allow List, click Add.
  • Select the exclusion type Allow a file or folder and use the Select a folder button to select the main folder for the software that you wish to keep.
  • Repeat this for any secondary files or folder(s) that belong to the software.

If you want to allow the program to connect to the Internet, for example to fetch updates, also add an exclusion of the type Allow an application to connect to the internet and use the Browse button to select the file you wish to grant access.

Traces/IOCs

You may see these entries in FRST logs: 

(Energizer Softech Pvt ltd -> ) C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\DriverUpdater.exe
C:\ProgramData\BSD
C:\ProgramData\DriverBooster
C:\ProgramData\clp
C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster
C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\Driver Booster Autostart
C:\Users\Public\Desktop\Driver Booster.lnk
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\DriverBooster
C:\Windows\win.ini
() C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\DriverBoosterInstaller.exe
() C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\Install.exe
Driver Booster (HKLM-x32\...\{C40DAF9B-D897-4D66-8F7B-B404FFC4033E}) (Version: 1.0.41 - Energizersoft Tech)
Task: {BD82BB68-E05B-4F6E-B967-D1900F14B2E2} - System32\Tasks\Driver Booster Autostart => C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\DriverUpdater.exe (Energizer Softech Pvt ltd -> )
(Bootstrap Development, LLC) [File not signed] C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverBooster\driverhiveengine.dll

Associated threats

PUP.Optional.PCBooster

detection icon

Related blog content

Contributors icon

Contributors

Threat Center icon

Threat Center

Podcasts icon

Podcast

Glossary icon

Glossary

Scams icon

Scams