PUP.ContentExplorer
Threat Scorecard
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecard
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards are assessment reports for different malware threats which have been collected and analyzed by our research team. EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards evaluate and rank threats using several metrics including real-world and potential risk factors, trends, frequency, prevalence, and persistence. EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards are updated regularly based on our research data and metrics and are useful for a wide range of computer users, from end users seeking solutions to remove malware from their systems to security experts analyzing threats.
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards display a variety of useful information, including:
Popularity Rank: The ranking of a particular threat in EnigmaSoft’s Threat Database.
Severity Level: The determined severity level of an object, represented numerically, based on our risk modeling process and research, as explained in our Threat Assessment Criteria.
Infected Computers: The number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular threat detected on infected computers as reported by SpyHunter.
See also Threat Assessment Criteria.
| Popularity Rank: | 17,322 |
| Threat Level: | 20 % (Normal) |
| Infected Computers: | 6,084 |
| First Seen: | May 21, 2014 |
| Last Seen: | August 26, 2026 |
| OS(es) Affected: | Windows |
The detection of PUP.ContentExplorer on your system indicates the presence of a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that may be causing issues with your computer's performance and security. It's essential to understand the nature of this threat and take appropriate steps to remove it to prevent any potential harm.
Table of Contents
What Is PUP.ContentExplorer?
PUP.ContentExplorer is a type of potentially unwanted program that may have been installed on your system without your knowledge or consent. PUPs are software applications that may not be malicious in nature but can still cause problems, such as displaying unwanted advertisements, collecting user data, or modifying system settings. The name PUP.ContentExplorer suggests that it may be related to exploring or accessing content, but its actual purpose and behavior can vary.
How PUP.ContentExplorer Operates
PUPs like PUP.ContentExplorer often operate by installing themselves on a system through various means, such as bundled software installations, infected downloads, or exploited vulnerabilities. Once installed, they may run in the background, consuming system resources and potentially causing issues with performance, stability, or security. They may also communicate with remote servers to send or receive data, which can raise concerns about user privacy and data security.
Symptoms of Infection
If your system is infected with PUP.ContentExplorer, you may notice various symptoms, such as unwanted advertisements or pop-ups, unexpected changes to your browser settings or homepage, slow system performance, or unfamiliar programs running in the background. You may also experience issues with your internet connection or notice suspicious network activity. However, some PUPs can be stealthy and not exhibit any noticeable symptoms, making them difficult to detect without proper security tools.
How to Remove PUP.ContentExplorer
- Boot your system in Safe Mode with Networking to prevent PUP.ContentExplorer from running and interfering with the removal process.
- Perform a full scan of your system using a reputable anti-malware tool, such as SpyHunter, to detect and remove any associated files, registry entries, or other components.
- Uninstall any suspicious programs or applications that may be related to PUP.ContentExplorer through the Control Panel or Settings app.
- Reset your web browsers, such as Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, to their default settings to remove any modifications made by the PUP.
- Reboot your system and perform another scan with your anti-malware tool to ensure that PUP.ContentExplorer has been completely removed.
Conclusion
Removing PUP.ContentExplorer from your system is crucial to prevent any potential harm and restore your computer's performance and security. By following the steps outlined above, you can effectively remove this PUP and protect your system from similar threats in the future. It's essential to remain vigilant and keep your security software up-to-date to detect and prevent any potential threats. Regularly scanning your system and being cautious when installing software or clicking on links can also help prevent PUPs like PUP.ContentExplorer from infecting your system.
SpyHunter Detects & Remove PUP.ContentExplorer
File System Details
| # | File Name | MD5 |
Detections
Detections: The number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular threat detected on
infected computers as reported by SpyHunter.
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | ContentExplorer.exe | d2ea6241e2fe9bfedbd09d8980566e48 | 1 |
| 2. | LVMaintenance.exe | dc85141936ca03a54661cc806e24172a | 1 |
| 3. | CEInstaller.exe | 1304f64f0a804251f8b8b0690e74b897 | 0 |
Registry Details
Directories
PUP.ContentExplorer may create the following directory or directories:
| %APPDATA%\ContentExplorer |
| %APPDATA%\LVMaintenance |
Analysis Report
General information
| Family Name: | Adware.ContentExplorer |
|---|---|
| Signature status: | Self Signed |
Known Samples
Known Samples
This section lists other file samples believed to be associated with this family.|
MD5:
05eb2b715294349fad690daec8642cc6
SHA1:
71d5a77e8c3049d2b9bb35d7acc30dfd1c74ee78
SHA256:
665BCF0869DE95BB3788E4422B186C54BB8A5763A2985AD3C16FAE4231C6EDD7
File Size:
147.13 KB, 147128 bytes
|
Windows Portable Executable Attributes
- File doesn't have "Rich" header
- File doesn't have debug information
- File doesn't have exports table
- File is .NET application
- File is 32-bit executable
- File is either console or GUI application
- File is GUI application (IMAGE_SUBSYSTEM_WINDOWS_GUI)
- File is not packed
- IMAGE_FILE_DLL is not set inside PE header (Executable)
- IMAGE_FILE_EXECUTABLE_IMAGE is set inside PE header (Executable Image)
File Icons
File Icons
This section displays icon resources found within family samples. Malware often replicates icons commonly associated with legitimate software to mislead users into believing the malware is safe.
Windows PE Version Information
Windows PE Version Information
This section displays values and attributes that have been set in the Windows file version information data structure for samples within this family. To mislead users, malware actors often add fake version information mimicking legitimate software.| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Assembly Version | 2.0.0.0 |
| File Description | CE Installer |
| File Version | 2.0 |
| Internal Name | CEInstaller.exe |
| Legal Copyright | Copyright © 2013 |
| Original Filename | CEInstaller.exe |
| Product Name | CE Installer |
| Product Version | 2.0 |
Digital Signatures
Digital Signatures
This section lists digital signatures that are attached to samples within this family. When analyzing and verifying digital signatures, it is important to confirm that the signature’s root authority is a well-known and trustworthy entity and that the status of the signature is good. Malware is often signed with non-trustworthy “Self Signed” digital signatures (which can be easily created by a malware author with no verification). Malware may also be signed by legitimate signatures that have an invalid status, and by signatures from questionable root authorities with fake or misleading “Signer” names.| Signer | Root | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Application Genius, LLC | Go Daddy Secure Certificate Authority - G2 | Self Signed |
Block Information
Block Information
During analysis, EnigmaSoft breaks file samples into logical blocks for classification and comparison with other samples. Blocks can be used to generate malware detection rules and to group file samples into families based on shared source code, functionality and other distinguishing attributes and characteristics. This section lists a summary of this block data, as well as its classification by EnigmaSoft. A visual representation of the block data is also displayed, where available.| Total Blocks: | 460 |
|---|---|
| Potentially Malicious Blocks: | 47 |
| Whitelisted Blocks: | 363 |
| Unknown Blocks: | 50 |
Visual Map
? - Unknown Block
x - Potentially Malicious Block
Files Modified
Files Modified
This section lists files that were created, modified, moved and/or deleted by samples in this family. File system activity can provide valuable insight into how malware functions on the operating system.| File | Attributes |
|---|---|
| c:\users\user\appdata\locallow\microsoft\cryptneturlcache\content\223de96ee265046957a660ed7c9dd9e7_eff9b9ba98deaa773f261fa85a0b1771 | Generic Read,Write Data,Write Attributes,Write extended,Append data |
| c:\users\user\appdata\locallow\microsoft\cryptneturlcache\content\b065fb6e1704b95faa47ee92dc32c8eb_c0c2258be340a204e977d10cc8c90243 | Generic Read,Write Data,Write Attributes,Write extended,Append data |
| c:\users\user\appdata\locallow\microsoft\cryptneturlcache\metadata\223de96ee265046957a660ed7c9dd9e7_eff9b9ba98deaa773f261fa85a0b1771 | Generic Read,Write Data,Write Attributes,Write extended,Append data |
| c:\users\user\appdata\locallow\microsoft\cryptneturlcache\metadata\b065fb6e1704b95faa47ee92dc32c8eb_c0c2258be340a204e977d10cc8c90243 | Generic Read,Write Data,Write Attributes,Write extended,Append data |
| c:\windows\assembly | Synchronize,Write Attributes |
Registry Modifications
Registry Modifications
This section lists registry keys and values that were created, modified and/or deleted by samples in this family. Windows Registry activity can provide valuable insight into malware functionality. Additionally, malware often creates registry values to allow itself to automatically start and indefinitely persist after an initial infection has compromised the system.| Key::Value | Data | API Name |
|---|---|---|
| HKLM\software\microsoft\systemcertificates\authroot\certificates\47beabc922eae80e78783462a79f45c254fde68b::blob | 怵寤轫匶╰헑ʼ旙ဪ孤．ꖶ鄡㗳 T 到ࠆثԁ܅ȃࠆثԁ܅̃ਆثЁ舁Ѓࠆثԁ܅Ѓࠆثԁ܅ࠆثԁ܅܃ࠆثԁ܅ăࠆثԁ܅ࠃ R Go Daddy Root Certificate Authority – G2 S % ⌰ℰଆ虠ň | RegNtPreCreateKey |
Windows API Usage
Windows API Usage
This section lists Windows API calls that are used by the samples in this family. Windows API usage analysis is a valuable tool that can help identify malicious activity, such as keylogging, security privilege escalation, data encryption, data exfiltration, interference with antivirus software, and network request manipulation.| Category | API |
|---|---|
| User Data Access |
|
| Anti Debug |
|
| Encryption Used |
|
| Other Suspicious |
|
