How to remove the optimize virus

Most antivirus programs identify optimize.exe as malware, for example TrendMicro identifies it as TROJ_DYFUCA.AI or TROJ_DYFUCA.I, and Microsoft identifies it as Adware:Win32/Avenuemedia.
The free file information forum can help you find out how to remove it. If you know more about this file, please leave a comment or a hint for other users.

Click to Run a Free Virus Scan for the optimize.exe malware

Optimize.exe file information

The process known as optimize.exe belongs to software Internet Optimizer or Active Alert or WSEM by Avenue Media N.V (www.avenuemedia.com).

Description: optimize.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files" or sometimes in a subfolder of "C:\Documents and Settings" (e.g. C:\Program Files\Internet Optimizer\). Known file sizes on Windows 7/XP are 52,104 bytes (86% of all occurrences) or 53,120 bytes.
The program has no file description. File optimize.exe is not a Windows system file. The file is digitally signed. Program starts upon Windows startup (see Registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run). The program has no visible window. Therefore the technical security rating is 52% dangerous, however also read the users reviews.
If you encounter difficulties with optimize.exe, you could also uninstall the program using the Control Panel ⇒ Add/Remove programs ⇒ Internet Optimizer.

Recommended: Identify optimize.exe related errors

External information from Paul Collins:
There are different files with the same name:

"DyFuCA" definitely not required. Adult content dialler - see here
"Internet Optimizer" can run at start up. Internet connection optimizer. Leave this enabled if you find it improves your connection
"Internet Optimizer" definitely not required. Added by NetOptimizer ADWARE!

Important: Some malware camouflages itself as optimize.exe, particularly when located in the c:\windows or c:\windows\system32 folder. Therefore, you should check the optimize.exe process on your PC to see if it is a threat. We recommend Security Task Manager for verifying your computer's security. This was one of the Top Download Picks of The Washington Post and PC World.

Score

User Comments

When i try to run IE it always redirects it to porn sites and causes too many errors whenever it's running
joh

All I know it cause MS error reporting to kick on when I run it
DS

It's a part of PC Optimize utility provided by iYogi (www.iyogi.net) in their Support Dock tool. Absolutely Harmless!!
Jas (further information)

It's a resource HOG and has a high risk in spyware/adware catagory
ironmaixden (further information)

Not pretty, if easy to remove. Kept a user busy for most of the day, until he finally called for help.
MDB

i killed optimize.exe with hexworkshop from www.download.com i changes the code what makes it work the way it dose to a random code easy to do and it worked..... optimizer is dead
themaindude

It's spyware ...use Lavasoft Adaware to remove it...make Mozilla Firefox your preferred web browser and you won't get it again
markoff (further information)

if you get infected with it, it can make sites invisible, like google.co.uk does not exisit
pop-up killer

More comments can be found here:
(further information)

Summary: Average user rating of optimize.exe: based on 79 votes with 9 reviews.

5 users think optimize.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 3 users think it's probably harmless. 9 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 15 users suspect danger. 47 users think optimize.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. 9 users doesn't grade optimize.exe ("not sure about it").

Optimize scanner

Security Task Manager shows all running Windows tasks including embedded hidden functions (e.g. keyboard or browser monitoring, autostart entry). A unique security risk rating indicates the likelihood of the process being potential spyware, malware, keylogger or a Trojan.

MalwareBytes detects and removes sleeping spyware, adware, trojans, keyloggers, malware and tracking threats from your hard disk. Ideal supplement to Security Task Manager.

SpeedUpMyPC scans, cleans, repairs and optimizes your computer.

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