{
  "family": "mypcbackup",
  "sample_count": 9,
  "category": "advanced_threat",
  "description": "PUA:Win32/Mypcbackup is a notorious Potentially Unwanted Program (PUA) that operates as highly aggressive 'Scareware'. It masquerades as a legitimate, essential cloud backup utility. However, it utilizes deceptive marketing, fabricated warnings about impending data loss, and extremely intrusive pop-ups to coerce users into purchasing a premium, recurring subscription for a subpar or non-existent cloud storage service.<br><br><b>Understanding Mypcbackup Scareware</b><br>To an end-user, Mypcbackup is a constant source of anxiety. It suddenly appears on their machine and begins flashing warnings like 'Your files are not backed up! Hard drive failure imminent!' For a security analyst, it is a manipulative fraud. It is classified as a PUA because it almost always installs itself silently via software bundlers, bypassing user consent, and its primary function is aggressive financial extortion rather than actual utility.<br><br><b>Execution and Deception Mechanics</b><br>Mypcbackup is heavily distributed via deceptive freeware bundlers (`T1189`), often piggybacking on downloads like PDF readers or video converters. Upon execution (`T1204.002`), it establishes aggressive persistence via Registry Run keys and multiple Scheduled Tasks (`T1053.005`). It immediately runs a fake 'scan', analyzing the user's files to generate alarming, customized pop-ups (`T1566.002`) claiming massive amounts of data are at risk. It frequently modifies browser settings or installs adware extensions to generate secondary revenue. The constant pop-ups are designed to wear the user down until they enter their credit card information to stop the harassment.<br><br><b>Indicators of Compromise & Impact</b><br>The primary impact is financial loss (recurring fraudulent subscriptions) and a severely degraded user experience due to constant, uncloseable pop-ups and system sluggishness. Incident responders will observe the unexpected installation of the Mypcbackup GUI (usually in `C:\\Program Files (x86)\\MyPC Backup`). EDR logs will show the creation of multiple persistent startup entries designed to launch the fake scanner GUI on a recurring basis.",
  "cta": "Published by the SystemHelpdesk team.",
  "aliases": [],
  "enrichment_level": "expert-seo",
  "faq": [],
  "faq_count": 0,
  "mitre_attack": [
    "T1189",
    "T1566.002",
    "T1053.005",
    "T1204.002"
  ],
  "cisa_advisory": null,
  "last_updated": "2026-06-09",
  "mitre_attack_detail": [
    {
      "id": "T1189",
      "name": "Drive-by Compromise (Bundled Installers)",
      "tactic": "Initial Access"
    },
    {
      "id": "T1566.002",
      "name": "Phishing: Spearphishing Link (Deceptive Pop-ups and Fake Scans)",
      "tactic": "Credential Access"
    },
    {
      "id": "T1053.005",
      "name": "Scheduled Task/Job: Scheduled Task",
      "tactic": "Persistence"
    },
    {
      "id": "T1204.002",
      "name": "User Execution: Malicious File",
      "tactic": "Execution"
    }
  ],
  "containment_steps": [
    "Use the Windows Control Panel to thoroughly uninstall the Mypcbackup software and any bundled applications installed on the same date.",
    "Deploy an enterprise adware/PUA removal tool (e.g., Malwarebytes) to locate and strip the deeply embedded Scheduled Tasks and registry hooks left behind.",
    "If the user entered credit card information into the software's portal, advise them to contact their bank immediately to dispute the fraudulent charge and cancel the recurring subscription.",
    "Force a complete reset of all installed web browsers to factory defaults to eradicate any bundled rogue extensions."
  ],
  "what_to_avoid": [
    "Do not rely solely on the software's provided uninstaller; it frequently leaves behind watchdog services to generate pop-ups later or reinstall the software.",
    "Avoid paying the requested fee; it funds fraudulent operations and traps the user in a difficult-to-cancel recurring billing cycle."
  ],
  "target_industries": [
    "Global / Opportunistic"
  ],
  "motivation": "Opportunistic",
  "threat_actors": [
    "Unknown / Cybercriminal"
  ],
  "target_geographies": [
    "Global"
  ]
}