Please help re: flashupdate-setup.exe http://files4.mirror4.net

[AlexG8]

The last few days, a window keeps opening – tab says: "Please Update Adobe Flash Player", but small print says "Disclaimer:  We are not affiliated nor partnered with Adobe.  (etc. etc. etc.)" 

 

A mall box on the window says: 

“WARNING:  Your Flash Player is Outdated!” (mine is NOT!)  and “A critical security update has been releasedand you are required to update your Flash Player.  This page will automatically close once the security update has been installed” (and there is an “OK” button). 

 

Behind that box, the window says:

“Please Install Flash Player Pro To Continue (Required)

Top Video Sites Require The Latest Adobe Flash Player Update.

Updating takes under a minute on broadband – no restart is required”

 

Below that message is an:

“Adobe Flash Player End User License Agreement”

And an “Accept and Install” button.

 

The URL of this window is:

 

http://videoplayerupdate.net/tri/update-flash-player/?subid=startpage.com&subid2=o5TuwVqAtnhZldmq&transaction_id=7c4c1db2-5ff6-4d42-9e1a-98846bead7a2&rand=53953e891e975&aid=uf&source=unclef-usa-ron&entry=y&auto=y

A smaller window also opens saying:

"You have chosen to open: 

flashupdate-setup.exe

which is:  Binary File
from:  http://files4.mirror4.net

Would you like to save this file?"  (“Save File” and “Cancel” buttons are displayed)

Of course I click "Cancel", and close both windows, but they keep popping back up again. 

How can I rid my computer of this nuisance once and for all? 

(I noticed herdProject has an article on this Malware, but no solutions??)

[AlexG8]

Correction (Why isn't there an "edit" feature here??)

 

"A mall box on the window" should of course be "A small box on the window"...

[AlexG8]

UPDATE:

 

Mon. 6/9/14 11:27:05 am scan time – Malwarebytes DID find it, but recommended “Action” was “Ignore once”, and I clicked “Apply Action”…

Scanning History Log shows: 

Vendor:  PUP.Optional.Bundleinstaller.A

Type:  File

Path:   C:\Users\Dell\Desktop\flashupdate-setup.exe

Action:  No Action By User

ID:  [8bdef5815b201620559e0f387c841de3]

 

Also, at top, shows

Malware Protection:                  Disabled

Malicious Website Protection:   Disabled

Self-Protection:                         Disabled

(are these settings normal because I have the "Free" version of Malwarebytes?)

 

But “History” tab shows that 2 versions of the detected malware were in fact quarantined?

 

Scanned again, and this time selected “quarantine” as action… Malwarebytes then prompted me to restart computer in order to remove threat…

I did so, but when I opened browser again, same damn window opened again!

 

Can SOMEONE please help?

[AlexG8]

UPDATE:

 

Subsequent scans with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (free version) show "Scan completed successfully!  No malware detected"  (not exact language, because my Malwarebytes window just disappeared - why does this happen????  When I re-opened Malwarebytes, that completed scan window is gone...)

 

BUT, the virus is still on my computer, because I'm STILL getting the pop-up windows!

[AdvancedSetup]

Hello and

Please read the following and post back the logs when ready and we'll see about getting you cleaned up.

General P2P/Piracy Warning:
 
 

 

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Before we proceed further, please read all of the following instructions carefully.
If there is anything that you do not understand kindly ask before proceeding.
If needed please print out these instructions.

• Please do not post logs using CODE, QUOTE, or FONT tags. Just paste them as direct text.
• If the log is too large then you can use attachments by clicking on the More Reply Options button.
• Please enable your system to show hidden files: How to see hidden files in Windows
• 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...It is unlikely but things can go very wrong! Please make sure you Backup all files that cannot be replaced if something were to happen. 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 unless requested by me while I'm working with you. [*]The removal of malware is not instantaneous, please be patient. Often we are also on a different Time Zone. [*]Perform everything in the correct order. Sometimes one step requires the previous one. [*]If you have any problems while following my instructions, Stop there and tell me the exact nature of the issue. [*]You can check here if you're not sure if your computer is 32-bit or 64-bit [*]Please disable your antivirus while running any requested scanners so that they do not interfere with the scanners. [*]When we are done, I'll give you 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 have not responded within 24 hours, please send me a Private Message as a reminder)
  

 
STEP 0
RKill is a program that was developed at BleepingComputer.com that attempts to terminate known malware processes
so that your normal security software can then run and clean your computer of infections.
When RKill runs it will kill malware processes and then removes incorrect executable associations and fixes policies
that stop us from using certain tools. When finished it will display a log file that shows the processes that were
terminated while the program was running.

As RKill only terminates a program's running process, and does not delete any files, after running it you should not reboot
your computer as any malware processes that are configured to start automatically will just be started again.
Instead, after running RKill you should immediately scan your computer using the requested scans I've included.

Please download Rkill by Grinler from one of the links below and save it to your desktop.
 

Link 1

Link 2

• On Windows XP double-click on the Rkill desktop icon to run the tool.
• On Windows Vista/Windows 7 or 8, right-click on the Rkill desktop icon and select Run As Administrator
• A black DOS box will briefly flash and then disappear. This is normal and indicates the tool ran successfully.
• If not, delete the file, then download and use the one provided in Link 2.
• If it does not work, repeat the process and attempt to use one of the remaining links until the tool runs.
• If the tool does not run from any of the links provided, please let me know.
• Do not reboot the computer, you will need to run the application again.
  

STEP 01
Backup the Registry:
Modifying the Registry can create unforeseen problems, so it always wise to create a backup before doing so.

• Please download ERUNT from one of the following links: Link1 | Link2 | Link3
• ERUNT (Emergency Recovery Utility NT) is a free program that allows you to keep a complete backup of your registry and restore it when needed.
• Double click on erunt-setup.exe to Install ERUNT by following the prompts.
• NOTE: Do not choose to allow ERUNT to add an Entry to the Startup folder. Click NO.
• Start ERUNT either by double clicking on the desktop icon or choosing to start the program at the end of the setup process.
• Choose a location for the backup.
  
  • Note: the default location is C:\Windows\ERDNT which is acceptable.
    

  [*]Make sure that at least the first two check boxes are selected. [*]Click on OK [*]Then click on YES to create the folder. [*]Note: if it is necessary to restore the registry, open the backup folder and start ERDNT.exe
  

STEP 02
Please run a Threat Scan with MBAM.  If you're unable to run or complete the scan as shown below please see the following:  MBAM Clean Removal Process 2x
When reinstalling the program please try the latest version.

Right click and choose "Run as administrator" to open Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and from the Dashboard please Check for Updates by clicking the Update Now... link
Open up Malwarebytes > Settings > Detection and Protection > Enable Scan for rootkit and Under Non Malware Protection set both PUP and PUM to Treat detections as malware.
Click on the SCAN button and run a Threat Scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware by clicking the Scan Now>> button.
Once completed please click on the History > Application Logs and find your scan log and open it and then click on the "copy to clipboard" button and post back the results on your next reply.
 
 
STEP 03
Please download RogueKiller and save it to your desktop.

You can check here if you're not sure if your computer is 32-bit or 64-bit

• RogueKiller 32-bit | RogueKiller 64-bit
• Quit all running programs.
• For Windows XP, double-click to start.
• For Vista,Windows 7/8, Right-click on the program and select Run as Administrator to start and when prompted allow it to run.
• Read and accept the EULA (End User Licene Agreement)
• Click Scan to scan the system.
• When the scan completes Close 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.
  

Thank you
 

[AlexG8]

Update:

 

Thank you so much for your reply!

 

However, at the moment, I don't know how to proceed, because since I last posted, I did a complete Malwarebytes scan again, and it found 3 versions of this malware thing, put them in quarantine, and then I deleted them.  And I'm not positive, but I don't think I've seen that malware window pop up again. 

 

How can I be sure it's not still lurking somewhere in my computer? 

 

Do you know if Malwarebytes is now able to detect and eliminate this malware? 

[AdvancedSetup]

Please post the requested logs and we'll look and see what we can find. Then after those we'll run some other tools to ensure the computer is clean.

 

Thanks

[AlexG8]

Thank you so much for your continuing attention!

 

Forgive me, but I'm not particularly computer-savvy, but I can follow clear directions... (if not too complex, like the above steps you outlined - I think I'd need to find a more computer-savvy person to help me with all that)... how can I "post the requested logs" for you? 

 

And do you mean the logs from the scans I've already done, or do you still want me to complete all of the above steps first and then post logs from a subsequent scan?

 

an UPDATE - last night I ran a scan and made the following notes about what happened... maybe this will be enough for you to see what's going on?

 

Wed. 6/11/14 - 11:12pm – scan found 2 detected items:

Location                                                                                                                                                             Type

C:\Program Files (x86)\Flash Update\winclient32.exe                                                                                          File

C:\Program Files (x86)\Flash Update\winclient32.exe                                                                                          Process

HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\RUN Windows Client         Registry Value

 

(The third "location" above is not complete, but it was all I could see of it... and between RUN and Windows toward the end, there was a vertical line, neither forward slash nor backward slash... I can find no such "vertical line" symbol on my keyboard to reproduce it!)

 

I selected “Quarantine All” and “Apply Action”, got a small window saying:

All selected items have been removed successfully.  A log file has been saved to the logs folder. 

Your computer needs to be restarted to complete the removal process. 

Would you like to restart now?  (I did)

 

I forgot to mention earlier that one of the things I noticed (besides the pop-up windows asking me to "update flash") was that upon starting up my computer, a small black window would flash on my screen for a fraction of a second and then disappear (sometimes it stayed for as long as a whole second or so, and I was able to make out the words "flashupdate" in the address in the top bar of that window before it disappeared.   Anyway... since last night's scan and removal action, I have not noticed that black box flashing upon startup anymore! 

 

What do you think?

 

Many thanks,

Alex

[AdvancedSetup]

Yes, if you're still having issues then I'd need you to run the scans above. You can print it out if needed and then follow along step by step. Typically not too difficult to do if you do it one step at a time and if needed ask me any questions about it.

 

We'll probably be running quite a few other scans as well along the way so if you do feel too intimidated then maybe see if a friend, relative, neighbor might be able to assist you with these tasks.

 

Thanks again

 

Ron

[AdvancedSetup]

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