Info Userbenchmark Benchmark is now malware

[Colif]

I found out the fun way.

Last week I helped someone on another forum and they linked to the website.
While I was there, I thought... I wonder if they still charge to see results of the test so I downloaded and ran it.
It still charges and now its also got a nasty surprise.

It took a few days to work out it was reason my internet was slow. As I had looked on Downdetector website and every time I was slow, my ISP seemed to have problems so I figured that was cause.
Until tonight, I was looking for the price of something on Google Shopping and realised
1. it was showing really weird currency
2. on further inspection, it thought I was in Pune, India

the Speedtest App on desktop also thought I was in Pune

but running the speedtest website in any browser would show my actual address. And ping was faster.

Bitdefender scan didn't find it
Malwarebytes found it.

As soon as I saw names of files I realised what the cause was.

So essentially, this is a warning.... My AV used to think it was malware, now it really is.
Another reason to not use site really.

I expect the way the last two gen of Intel CPU have gone has driven them over the edge. Something changed as they first started charging for results, now they infecting anyone who runs their software. Pass.

 

[helpstar]

which version of userbenchmark did you download and from where?

 

[Colif]

i downloaded it from their website. I was there looking at someone's results.

I cannot say what version number is as Malwarebytes quarantined it and I have since removed MBAM itself. So its gone.
I have no intention of downloading it again to find out

their subscription cost to just see results of tests is bad enough anyway.
https://www.tomshardware.com/softwa...k-now-requires-a-pound10-monthly-subscription

not sure if its 10 per month or year as article says both.

 

[Expansive Clinic]

So what do you use instead?

 

[Colif]

I don't have any alternative, I was simply warning not to use the benchmark tool.

It may have done more than I knew as my internet seemed to slow at 5pm every day and only speed up again after midnight but since the crowdstrike thing happened around same time, I am not sure.

I have reset Firefox (hamburger menu, help, more troubleshooting info... , give Firefox a tune up.) and it seems better now.

 

[helpstar]

just tried it myself, couldn´t find any subscription fees nor malware EDIT: 1st run is for free, but results can still be searched on the site
the pro version is 10pounds a year, will not pay
https://www.userbenchmark.com
version 3.2.7.0

tested with curerent version of mbam

maybe you were redirected to a malware site in advance?

 

[Colif]

It might have been a coincidence but it all seemed to start on day I installed it. I hadn't noticed it in days before.

Wonder if they can detect CPU and only infect AMD? You know, I feel that is too sneaky but here I am.