PUP.InstallBrain
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: | 8,135 |
| Threat Level: | 10 % (Normal) |
| Infected Computers: | 15,257 |
| First Seen: | January 11, 2013 |
| Last Seen: | January 22, 2026 |
| OS(es) Affected: | Windows |
InstallBrain is promoted as an updater service and is developed by PerformerSoft LLC. InstallBrain is a Potentially Unwanted Program. PUPs like InstallBrain are used by software developers and distributors or third party marketers to increase their profits and monetize free software. InstallBrain runs in the background as a Windows Service. InstallBrain is a download manager, a common way of distributing PUPs.
Table of Contents
How InstallBrain and Its Components Work
InstallBrain, described as an updater service, has four variants, signed either by Performersoft LLC or by WhiteSmoke Inc, both of which are entities that have been linked to other PUPs. As soon as InstallBrain is installed, InstallBrain will attempt to connect to various URLs in order to retrieve advertisement information that InstallBrain then displays on affected Web browsers. The most typical release of InstallBrain is 14.12.8.9, which accounts for nearly all of the versions that have been reported by affected computer users. As soon as InstallBrain is installed, InstallBrain creates a Windows Service that runs without stopping in the background as soon as the computer user starts up Windows. Manually stopping this service may make the program crash.
In most cases, InstallBrain does not deliver a valuable service, and most computer users remove InstallBrain and its associated software nearly immediately. There are several reasons why InstallBrain should be removed. InstallBrain may be associated with threats, despite not being threatening itself. InstallBrain is classified as a PUP that may cause unwanted symptoms on affected computers and expose computer users to unwanted advertising material. InstallBrain installs a Windows Service automatically, running in the background constantly and consuming system resources. InstallBrain is distributed by third parties who take advantage of payment schemes where they are paid according to the number of people that install InstallBrain on their computers.
Removing InstallBrain from an Affected Computer
Most computer users do not install InstallBrain on purpose. This is because InstallBrain may be bundled with third party software, which uses misleading tactics to trick inexperienced computer users into installing InstallBrain. This is a common tactic of most PUPs. It is simpler to remove InstallBrain using a reliable, fully updated security program capable of dealing with PUPs. However, manual removal of InstallBrain also is not too complicated and requires the following steps:
- Computer users can uninstall InstallBrain by using the Add/Remove Program feature that is available in Windows (through the Control Panel). Uninstalling InstallBrain using this method should be a straightforward process, simply following the Windows prompts. In some cases, InstallBrain will not be able to be uninstalled through this method. In these cases, Microsoft's utility for dealing with software that cannot be uninstalled has been proven to help.
- Once InstallBrain has been removed, it is recommended to perform a full scan of the affected computer to ensure that no threat is present. Although not threatening, PUPs like InstallBrain may be associated with threats indirectly or may be installed along with numerous other PUPs. Since many threat infections run silently in the background and do not cause any symptoms, computer users should take actions to assure that they have not compromised their computer as a result of the presence of InstallBrain.
- InstallBrain may make changes to Web browser and computer settings. These changes may not be reverted by security software. Because of this, malware researchers recommend inspecting the Web browser and PC settings and changing them to their defaults or to their desired settings manually after InstallBrain has been uninstalled.
SpyHunter Detects & Remove PUP.InstallBrain
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. | InstallBrainService.exe | 91333c04d588dee3addafd2f1b9c7095 | 253 |
| 2. | Softango_VideoConverter_Multi.exe | e7d56d9991a1b4d1a53cf54f67eb1506 | 216 |
| 3. | ibsvc.exe | abb41b3bc5cc9bfcf8d18a4de1f277fa | 183 |
| 4. |
C:\Documents and Settings\ |
||
| 5. | drop/2b2b1f1ed597eed9dd62ba4ad2a | 2b2b1f1ed597eed9dd62ba4ad2abe15e | 0 |
| 6. | 0f1583197f5d7f6a2952adb0d0f6773c.exe | 0f1583197f5d7f6a2952adb0d0f6773c | 0 |
| 7. | 77371b9678258eff4dc7b9fb269799e9 | 77371b9678258eff4dc7b9fb269799e9 | 0 |
| 8. | 1944df25b6fd7c5fa9e42ff8bef38cd2 | 1944df25b6fd7c5fa9e42ff8bef38cd2 | 0 |
Directories
PUP.InstallBrain may create the following directory or directories:
| %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\InstallBrainService |
| %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\InstallBrainService |
| %PROGRAMFILES%\InstallBrainService |
| %PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\InstallBrainService |
Analysis Report
General information
| Family Name: | PUP.InstallBrain |
|---|---|
| Signature status: | Modified signature |
Known Samples
Known Samples
This section lists other file samples believed to be associated with this family.|
MD5:
8e61560db0f1cc7d9906542c9f35d124
SHA1:
f94ea97673d841386022a40041f3cb984eb6ab98
File Size:
625.98 KB, 625984 bytes
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MD5:
973786604adbd34cd50b4a7b83458caa
SHA1:
a5722e1545035a34a8e5688d7576a9577e0fdd76
SHA256:
46C2DD7153FB599DC504673B0E34C66C5F70E697B730B4DE7ACF91E64EBFBA6C
File Size:
1.28 MB, 1279984 bytes
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MD5:
820d069fcf438bd78510dc96ff50c86a
SHA1:
62d20b2a547360adb46e085b4da8ecce433f4a32
SHA256:
0C0BD6CB4B7B1F9DE238E6C664FE95E0388C5C7A1649CAE6ABD9926E63061D04
File Size:
881.57 KB, 881568 bytes
|
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MD5:
91ba7a239130c931acda1b10c82be278
SHA1:
489d22d6a45f41acc579e2d98aa2203c6900dbc0
SHA256:
C8546A5A2095C38C1BB6554382AD4F6B4A06F4EB4EE8D218098D8B7710491C86
File Size:
644.86 KB, 644856 bytes
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MD5:
32d73f27ce2ac84824e5bd181f74193c
SHA1:
05c4518e96ccc5f09e185787f181be55db657765
SHA256:
6B0933318909CB9C42728CAF50A54D2C46EE3E7C5EC97ED6D7958958986DC7BC
File Size:
1.03 MB, 1027048 bytes
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Show More
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MD5:
ee2d3fe4a58a5c11424267fa71673a2d
SHA1:
666275b482d060eb8605405eeb08d5796ad767ea
SHA256:
E1DF473879A019E4E9E8963F4A122AB8BF615286ADF14FE82AA210A7F6956341
File Size:
1.29 MB, 1293704 bytes
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MD5:
4b7571a89327270594d697bb6768c9c1
SHA1:
445acb82a11f31a171facb00bceeda1ffc465c0e
SHA256:
E1309045A0BA98D21ABD00191D988F03FAA073F38195B9AB9F0B6D9DAF7A7617
File Size:
671.81 KB, 671808 bytes
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MD5:
9df7f5ee1ba1818ac4b4a462cbcf0515
SHA1:
97e71562d8377aaa3182263c09757dd891fe3687
SHA256:
63323E61A9D3F4866CF484AA953513F696A0D5D252A24482BC3669FEDD76B4C2
File Size:
639.86 KB, 639864 bytes
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MD5:
de3564e21f3d40d3a120cff2e2b142f1
SHA1:
3d3bacf9d4225abd416c94cb2fb1f3a132698928
SHA256:
320CE3A55E4C07C9376D7E566187B9A9231AA5626AA867359F49AB44BA3DE7FD
File Size:
554.63 KB, 554632 bytes
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Windows Portable Executable Attributes
- File doesn't have "Rich" header
- File doesn't have debug information
- File doesn't have exports table
- File is 32-bit executable
- File is either console or GUI application
- File is GUI application (IMAGE_SUBSYSTEM_WINDOWS_GUI)
- File is Native application (NOT .NET application)
- 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 |
|---|---|
| Company Name |
|
| File Description |
|
| File Version |
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| Internal Name |
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| Legal Copyright |
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| Original Filename |
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| Product Name |
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| Product Version |
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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 |
|---|---|---|
| F11L Software Inc. | Go Daddy Class 2 Certification Authority | Root Not Trusted |
| Forty Seven Tech Software LLC | Go Daddy Class 2 Certification Authority | Root Not Trusted |
| Klingon Tech Software LLC | Go Daddy Class 2 Certification Authority | Root Not Trusted |
| Best Download Manager | VeriSign Class 3 Code Signing 2010 CA | 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: | 2,360 |
|---|---|
| Potentially Malicious Blocks: | 4 |
| Whitelisted Blocks: | 2,237 |
| Unknown Blocks: | 119 |
Visual Map
? - Unknown Block
x - Potentially Malicious Block
Similar Families
Similar Families
This section lists other families that share similarities with this family, based on EnigmaSoft’s analysis. Many malware families are created from the same malware toolkits and use the same packing and encryption techniques but uniquely extend functionality. Similar families may also share source code, attributes, icons, subcomponents, compromised and/or invalid digital signatures, and network characteristics. Researchers leverage these similarities to rapidly and effectively triage file samples and extend malware detection rules.- InstallBrain.A
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\local\temp\30cb.tmp | Generic Read,Generic Execute,Write Data,Write Attributes,Write extended,Append data,Delete,LEFT 786496 |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\5e68.tmp | Generic Read,Generic Execute,Write Data,Write Attributes,Write extended,Append data,Delete,LEFT 786496 |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\6358.tmp | Generic Read,Generic Execute,Write Data,Write Attributes,Write extended,Append data,Delete,LEFT 786496 |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\793ab6d.tmp | Generic Write,Read Attributes |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\bbknhtkewcc\tmppack.exe | Generic Write,Read Attributes |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\f1ab.tmp | Generic Read,Generic Execute,Write Data,Write Attributes,Write extended,Append data,Delete,LEFT 786496 |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\nvmwfyqrkbpolsxitsgqngeqn\tmppack.exe | Generic Write,Read Attributes |
| c:\users\user\appdata\local\temp\ygtllbtgl\tmppack.exe | Generic Write,Read 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\system\controlset001\services\bam\state\usersettings\s-1-5-21-3119368278-1123331430-659265220-1001::\device\harddiskvolume2\windows\system32\conhost.exe | ⢈섀េǜ | RegNtPreCreateKey |
| HKLM\system\controlset001\services\bam\state\usersettings\s-1-5-21-3119368278-1123331430-659265220-1001::\device\harddiskvolume2\windows\system32\conhost.exe | 밝佂伜ǜ | RegNtPreCreateKey |
| HKLM\system\controlset001\services\bam\state\usersettings\s-1-5-21-3119368278-1123331430-659265220-1001::\device\harddiskvolume2\windows\system32\conhost.exe | 菬䷋兛ǜ | RegNtPreCreateKey |
| HKCU\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\internet settings\5.0\cache\history::cacheprefix | NoVisited: | RegNtPreCreateKey |
| HKCU\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\internet settings\zones\3::1400 | 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 |
|---|---|
| Anti Debug |
|
| User Data Access |
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| Network Winhttp |
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| Process Manipulation Evasion |
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| Process Shell Execute |
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| Syscall Use |
Show More
63 additional items are not displayed above. |
| Process Terminate |
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| Other Suspicious |
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Shell Command Execution
Shell Command Execution
This section lists Windows shell commands that are run by the samples in this family. Windows Shell commands are often leveraged by malware for nefarious purposes and can be used to elevate security privileges, download and launch other malware, exploit vulnerabilities, collect and exfiltrate data, and hide malicious activity.
C:\Users\Vcemypqk\AppData\Local\Temp\BBKNHTKEWCC\tmppack.exe -y
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C:\Users\Frhxolac\AppData\Local\Temp\NVMWFYQRKBPOLSXITSGQNGEQN\tmppack.exe -y
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C:\Users\Kdbrgdzw\AppData\Local\Temp\YGTLLBTGL\tmppack.exe -y
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