Ad Choices links are not removed by malwarebytes Pro

[jerryi]

My Win7 computer has zillions of pop-up iinks for Ad Choices ads, and I cannot find any way to eliminate them.  I use Chrome for a browser and I have removed every search engine except google.  I have run malwarebytes and removed all of the infected files.  I cannot find an installed program with the phrase ad choices or the word adchoices.  I cannot find any registry entry with the word or phrase either.  All online help seems to indicate ways to get it out of internet explorer, not chrome.  This problem has persisted for months.  This is obvious malware.  Why can't malwarebytes get a handle on it? What can I do? Then if I ever get rid of it, how do I keep it out.

[MrCharlie]

Welcome to the forum.

First:

Please run a Quick Scan with Malwarebytes like this and post the log:

Open up Malwarebytes > Settings Tab > Scanner Settings > Under action for PUP > Select: Show in Results List and Check for removal.

Please Update and run a Quick Scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, post the report.

Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.

---------------------

General P2P/Piracy Warning:

1. If you're using Peer 2 Peer software such uTorrent, BitTorrent or similar you must either fully uninstall it or completely disable it from running while being assisted here.

Failure to remove or disable such software will result in your topic being closed and no further assistance being provided.

2. If you have illegal/cracked software, cracks, keygens, custom (Adobe) host file, etc. on the system, please remove or uninstall them now and read the policy on Piracy.

Failure to remove such software will result in your topic being closed and no further assistance being provided.

Then please start HERE <---click

Post back the 2 logs here.....DDS.txt and Attach.txt (DDS may not run on W8)

(please don't put logs in code or quotes and use the default font)

(Please don't forget to run the RogueKiller scan below)

Please download and run RogueKiller 32 bit to your desktop.

RogueKiller<---use this one for 64 bit systems

Which system am I using?

Quit all running programs.

For Windows XP, double-click to start.

For Vista or Windows 7-8, do a right-click on the program, select Run as Administrator to start, & when prompted Allow to run.

Click Scan to scan the system.

When the scan completes > Close out the program > Don't Fix anything!

Don't run any other options, they're not all bad!!!!!!!

Post back the report which should be located on your desktop.

(please don't put logs in code or quotes and use the default font)

MrC

Note:

Please read all of my instructions completely including these.

Make sure system restore is turned on and running, please create a new restore point

Make sure you're subscribed to this topic: Click on the Follow This Topic Button (at the top right of this page), make sure that the Receive notification box is checked and that it is set to Instantly

Removing malware can be unpredictable...unlikely but things can go very wrong! Backup any files that cannot be replaced. You can copy them to a CD/DVD, external drive or a pen drive

<+>Please don't run any other scans, download, install or uninstall any programs while I'm working with you.

<+>The removal of malware isn't instantaneous, please be patient.

<+>When we are done, I'll give to instructions on how to cleanup all the tools and logs

<+>Please stick with me until I give you the "all clear" and Please don't waste my time by leaving before that.

------->Your topic will be closed if you haven't replied within 3 days!<--------

(If I don't respond within 24 hours, please send me a PM)

[jerryi]

Attached are the four requested files.

RKreport.txt

MBAM-log-2014-03-21 (19-55-44).txt

DDS.txt

Attach.txt

[MrCharlie]

Start with this: (make sure you have created a new system restore point)

Run RogueKiller again and click Scan

When the scan completes > click on the Registry tab

Put a check next to all of these and uncheck the rest: (if found)

 

[RUN][sUSP PATH] HKCU\[...]\RunOnce : Del391501528 (cmd.exe /Q /D /c del "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\0.del" [x]) -> FOUND

[RUN][sUSP PATH] HKUS\S-1-5-21-3826122249-1953090852-1689034122-1004\[...]\RunOnce : Del391501528 (cmd.exe /Q /D /c del "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\0.del" [x]) -> FOUND

[RUN][sUSP PATH] HKLM\[...]\Wow6432Node\[...]\RunOnce : Del391501528 (cmd.exe /Q /D /c del "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\0.del" [x]) -> FOUND

[V1][sUSP PATH] Digital Sites.job : C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\DIGITA~1\UPDATE~1\UPDATE~1.EXE - /Check [-] -> FOUND

[V2][sUSP PATH] Digital Sites : C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\DIGITA~1\UPDATE~1\UPDATE~1.EXE - /Check [-] -> FOUND

Now click Delete on the right hand column under Options

-------------

Please download AdwCleaner from HERE or HERE to your desktop.

• Double click on AdwCleaner.exe to run the tool.

  Vista/Windows 7/8 users right-click and select Run As Administrator

• Click on the Scan button.
• AdwCleaner will begin...be patient as the scan may take some time to complete.
• When it's done you'll see: Pending: Please uncheck elements you don't want removed.
• Now click on the Report button...a logfile (AdwCleaner[R0].txt) will open in Notepad for review.
• Look over the log especially under Files/Folders for any program you want to save.
• If there's a program you may want to save, just uncheck it from AdwCleaner.
• If you're not sure, post the log for review. (all items found are adware/spyware/foistware)
• If you're ready to clean it all up.....click the Clean button.
• After rebooting, a logfile report (AdwCleaner[s0].txt) will open automatically.
• Copy and paste the contents of that logfile in your next reply.
• A copy of that logfile will also be saved in the C:\AdwCleaner folder.
• Items that are deleted are moved to the Quarantine Folder: C:\AdwCleaner\Quarantine
• To restore an item that has been deleted:
• Go to Tools > Quarantine Manager > check what you want restored > now click on Restore.

Then..................

Please download Junkware Removal Tool to your desktop.

• Shut down your protection software now to avoid potential conflicts.
• Run the tool by double-clicking it. If you are using Windows Vista or Seven, right-mouse click it and select Run as Administrator.
• The tool will open and start scanning your system.
• Please be patient as this can take a while to complete depending on your system's specifications.
• On completion, a log (JRT.txt) is saved to your desktop and will automatically open.
• Post the contents of JRT.txt into your next message.

Last.........

Please download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool (FRST) and save it to a folder.

(use correct version for your system.....Which system am I using?)

FRST <----for 32 bit systems

FRST64 <----for 64 bit systems

• Double-click to run it. When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
• Press Scan button.
• It will make a log (FRST.txt) in the same directory the tool is run. Please copy and paste it to your reply.
• The first time the tool is run, it makes also another log (Addition.txt). Please attach it to your reply.

If the logs are large, you can attach them:

To attach a log:

Bottom right corner of this page.

New window that comes up.

MrC

[jerryi]

FRST.txtAddition.txtAdwcleaner showed no adware.  JRT showed no problems.

 

Two files from FRST64 are attached.

[jerryi]

BTW, problem persists when I revisit the sailnet page that I screeen-printed on my original email.

[MrCharlie]

Go to this link and opt-out: (on the right)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc.com/ad-choices/

Let me know....MrC

[jerryi]

I don't see your latest reply that suggests opting out on the BBC website, but that site indicates that I am currently opted out.  So I didn't change anything.  But if I go to the sailnet website again there are ad choices links all over the place, e.g. http://www.sailnet.com/forums/boat-review-purchase-forum/94255-pros-cons-steel-sailboats.html. That site uses html files for its blog.  The problem seems to be site-specific (maybe it is html specific).  It does not occur on the NYTimes website, or on my website, sbranch.org, where I tend to use php files instead of html files.  However, in the past I may have occasionally seen these ad choice links on my website.

[jerryi]

OK, now I see your BBC suggestion. I don't know why I didn't see it for a few minutes when I sent the last post.

[jerryi]

But the problem certainly doesn't occur on all html pages. At the following link I do not see any popup links for ad choices

http://pages.motors.ebay.com/sell/howto/manage-participate.html

[MrCharlie]

In what browsers does this occur?

MrC

[jerryi]

I use Chrome almost exclusively.  The problem occurs on Chrome and Internet Exporer. I uninstalled and reinstaled Chrome yesterday, to no avail. I have not tried any other browsers recently.  I will try Mozilla if you want me to install it.

[MrCharlie]

OK,lets run some scans to ensure there's no other malware on the system.......

Please read the directions carefully so you don't end up deleting something that is good!!

If in doubt about an entry....please ask or choose Skip!!!!

Don't Delete anything unless instructed to!

If you get the warning about a file UnsignedFile.Multi.Generic or LockedFile.Multi.Generic please choose

Skip and click on Continue

If a suspicious object is detected, the default action will be Skip, click on Continue

Please note that TDSSKiller can be run in safe mode if needed.

Please download the latest version of TDSSKiller from HERE and save it to your Desktop.

• Doubleclick on TDSSKiller.exe to run the application, then click on Change parameters. (Leave the KSN box checked)

  

• Put a checkmark beside loaded modules.

  

• A reboot will be needed to apply the changes. Do it.
• TDSSKiller will launch automatically after the reboot. Also your computer may seem very slow and unusable. This is normal. Give it enough time to load your background programs.
• Then click on Change parameters in TDSSKiller.
• Check all boxes then click OK.

  

• Click the Start Scan button.

  

• The scan should take no longer than 2 minutes.
• If a suspicious object is detected, the default action will be Skip, click on Continue.

  

  Any entries like this: \Device\Harddisk0\DR0 ( TDSS File System ) - please choose Skip.

  If in doubt about an entry....please ask or choose Skip

• If malicious objects are found, they will show in the Scan results - Select action for found objects and offer three options.

  Ensure Cure (default) is selected, then click Continue > Reboot now to finish the cleaning process.

  

  Note: If Cure is not available, please choose Skip instead, do not choose Delete unless instructed.

• A report will be created in your root directory, (usually C:\ folder) in the form of "TDSSKiller.[Version]_[Date]_[Time]_log.txt". Please copy and paste the contents of that file here. There may be 3 logs > so post or attach all of them.
• Sometimes these logs can be very large, in that case please attach it or zip it up and attach it.

Here's a summary of what to do if you would like to print it out:

If in doubt about an entry....please ask or choose Skip

Don't Delete anything unless instructed to!

If a suspicious object is detected, the default action will be Skip, click on Continue

If you get the warning about a file UnsignedFile.Multi.Generic or LockedFile.Multi.Generic please choose

Skip and click on Continue

Any entries like this: \Device\Harddisk0\DR0 ( TDSS File System ) - please choose Skip.

If malicious objects are found, they will show in the Scan results and offer three (3) options.

Ensure Cure is selected, then click Continue => Reboot now to finish the cleaning process.

Note: If Cure is not available, please choose Skip instead, do not choose Delete unless instructed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You can attach the logs if they're too long:

Bottom right corner of this page.

New window that comes up.

Then...........

Please download and run ComboFix.

The most important things to remember when running it is to disable all your malware programs and run Combofix from your desktop.

Please visit this webpage for download links, and instructions for running ComboFix

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/combofix/how-to-use-combofix

Please make sure you click download buttons that look similar to this, not "sponsored ad links":

Ensure you have disabled all anti virus and anti malware programs so they do not interfere with the running of ComboFix.

Information on disabling your malware programs can be found Here.

Make sure you run ComboFix from your desktop.

Give it at least 30-45 minutes to finish if needed.

Please include the C:\ComboFix.txt in your next reply for further review.

---------->NOTE<----------

If you get the message Illegal operation attempted on registry key that has been marked for deletion after you run ComboFix....please reboot the computer, this should resolve the problem. You may have to do this several times if needed.

MrC

[jerryi]

I ran TDSSKiller and found nothing. Kapersky report attahed.  When I tried to run  ComboFix I got a suspicious popup that I am too paranoid to execute.  See combofix.png below.  Should I run it?

kapersky report.txt

[MrCharlie]

No, that's a "sponsored ad link"

 

Use this one:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/combofix/dl/12/

 

MrC

[jerryi]

Attached is combofix.  Seems that combofix destroyed all of the recent favorites on my chrome toolbar which I had to reconstruct yesterday because they had disappeared earlier in this little adventure.  But it replaced the latest destroyed set with set that I lost earlier.

combofix.txt

[jerryi]

BTW, ad choices still thrives.

[MrCharlie]

Attached is combofix.  Seems that combofix destroyed all of the recent favorites on my chrome toolbar which I had to reconstruct yesterday because they had disappeared earlier in this little adventure.  But it replaced the latest destroyed set with set that I lost earlier.

ComboFix won't do anything like that, I'm not sure what caused it but you can do a system restore to see if that corrects it.

-----------------------------------

Next:

Please download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool (FRST) and save it to a folder.

(use correct version for your system.....Which system am I using?)

FRST <----for 32 bit systems

FRST64 <----for 64 bit systems

• Double-click to run it. When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
• Press Scan button.
• It will make a log (FRST.txt) in the same directory the tool is run. Please copy and paste it to your reply.
• The first time the tool is run, it makes also another log (Addition.txt). Please attach it to your reply.

If the logs are large, you can attach them:

To attach a log:

Bottom right corner of this page.

New window that comes up.

MrC

[jerryi]

The thing that I find most repulsive is that quasi-respectable companies like Volkswagen and Microsoft pay these scumbags to riddle my computer with these ads and make us waste our time trying to protect ourselves from this pukeware.  I already hated Microsoft anyway, but now Volkswagen can also be sure that I will never buy a product from them again.

Addition.txt

FRST.txt

Shortcut.txt

[MrCharlie]

1: Clear your Java cache:
http://www.java.com/en/download/help/plugin_cache.xml

2: Download the attached fixlist.txt to the same folder as FRST.
Run FRST.exe and click Fix only once and wait
The tool will create a log (Fixlog.txt) in the folder, please post it to your reply.

3. Your copy of CCleaner is out of date, please download the latest version from the link below. You can install it right over the top of the one that's there now.
Now run the program to clean out temp files also make sure you have the cookies boxes checked so all cookies will be deleted:

http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download

Let me know how it is now, MrC

[jerryi]

The ad choices links still appear at the ref site.

Fixlog.txt

[MrCharlie]

Disable all your extensions in Chrome and see if there's any difference:

https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/187443?hl=en

You can also use CCleaner to check them:

Open up CCleaner > Tools > Startup > Chrome

Also check IE for anything suspicious.

MrC

[jerryi]

With extensions disabled I still see four ad choices links in Chrome and in IE at the subject url:

 

http://sailnet.com/forums/gear-maintenance/47896-garhauer-traveler-mt-ub2-unit.html

 

The links are on the words 'new', 'model', 'purchase', and 'improve' in the text from that url, as follows:

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hey folks,

Just returned from the Annapolis Show with a deposit on a new Garhauer MT UB2 traveler for our boat. Before I actually call them with specs I wanted to see if anyone has had some experience with their travelers, and more specifically this model. 

I also purchased their stainless risers to replace the original teak risers, I think its gonna look sharp and drastically improve our ability to use the darn thing more often. (Currently, under a load I cant budge the sucker, requires tightening the vang or loosening the main sheet )

Again, big kudos to this company, a class act all the way!!! 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Those words also appear as links on my separate Win 8 computer.  Apparently, both of my computers have the same infection.  I routinely back up from my Win 7 computer to my Win8 via my network.  Both computers are protected with Malwarebytes Pro and with MSE.  I just now checked the site on my iPad, and the four words do not appear as links.

[MrCharlie]

Does it happen at any other site???

When I go here:

http://sailnet.com/forums/gear-maintenance/47896-garhauer-traveler-mt-ub2-unit.html

The page is fine.

MrC

[jerryi]

At the beginning of this project, I recall seeing the links on various sites from time to time.  Back then, I wasn't paying attention whether the ads appeared only on html pages.  Some while back they appeared occasionally on my own website, but I have not been able to reproduce the problem lately.  A few minutes ago I visited several websites to try to locate html pages and I found a few government sites that used html and that did not show any signs of infestation by ad choices.  I will have continue to look for additional examples of the problem, but right now I have found only the one example.  I do not now whether the problem has resolved, but I am very suspicious that it has not, because it still recurs on the sailnet site.  I will report back as soon as I encounter an 'attack' on another web page.