Jump to content

Removal instructions for focusbase

Metallica
 Share

Recommended Posts

  • Staff
Metallica

Metallica

Posted
  • Staff
Posted

What is focusbase?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that focusbase is a browser hijacker. These so-called "hijackers" alter your startpage or searchscopes so that the effected browser visits their site or one of their choice. This one also displays advertisements.

How do I know if my computer is effected by focusbase?

This is how the start-screen of the installer looks:

main.png

And you may see these toolbars/add-ons:

warning1.png

warning2.png

and this entry in your list of installed programs:

warning4.png

How did focusbase get on my computer?

Browser hijackers use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was bundled with other software.

How do I remove focusbase?

Our program Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can detect and remove this potentially unwanted program.

  • Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to your desktop.
  • Double-click mbam-setup-version.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
  • At the end, be sure a check-mark is placed next to the following:
    • Enable free trial of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium
    • Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
  • Then click Finish.
  • If an update is found, you will be prompted to download and install the latest version.
  • Once the program has loaded, select Scan now. Or select the Threat Scan from the Scan menu.
  • When the scan is complete , make sure that everything is set to "Quarantine", and click Apply Actions.
  • Reboot your computer if prompted.
Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of focusbase?
  • No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes focusbase completely.
How would the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware help protect me?

We hope our application and this guide have helped you eradicate this hijacker.

As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware would have protected you against the focusbase hijacker. It would have warned you before the browser helper object could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.

protection1.png

Technical details for experts

Signs in a HijackThis log:

O2 - BHO: focusbase - {b02d4a40-53b7-4ebf-afba-e390a153d926} - C:\Program Files\focusbase\focusbasebho.dllO23 - Service: Update focusbase - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\focusbase\updatefocusbase.exe
Alterations made by the installer:

File system details  ---------------------------------------------    Adds the folder C:\Program Files\focusbase       Adds the file 0"="6/21/2014 10:14 AM, 207 bytes, A       Adds the file 7za.exe"="6/16/2014 8:23 PM, 536064 bytes, A       Adds the file focusbase.FirstRun.exe"="6/16/2014 10:07 PM, 1123616 bytes, A       Adds the file focusbase.ico"="6/16/2014 10:07 PM, 1150 bytes, A       Adds the file focusbaseBHO.dll"="6/16/2014 10:07 PM, 249632 bytes, A       Adds the file focusbaseUninstall.exe"="6/21/2014 10:14 AM, 239952 bytes, A       Adds the file updatefocusbase.exe"="6/16/2014 10:07 PM, 317728 bytes, A       Adds the file updatefocusbase.InstallState"="6/21/2014 10:14 AM, 5012 bytes, A    In the existing folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\6qeoodjs.default-1401006518835\extensions       Adds the file {c8905eec-9eab-447c-84a8-9e864d454523}.xpi"="6/16/2014 10:07 PM, 8227 bytes, ARegistry details  ------------------------------------------    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{1AA60054-57D9-4F99-9A55-D0FBFBE7ECD3}]       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "7BC189C4-BD07-472B-917C-A49716587086"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{4AA46D49-459F-4358-B4D1-169048547C23}]       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "38555D77-657E-45CA-A0A7-9EBE12350518"       "id"="REG_SZ", "224"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{b02d4a40-53b7-4ebf-afba-e390a153d926}]       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "focusbase"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{b02d4a40-53b7-4ebf-afba-e390a153d926}\InprocServer32]       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\focusbase\focusbasebho.dll"       "ThreadingModel"="REG_SZ", "Apartment"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{b02d4a40-53b7-4ebf-afba-e390a153d926}\Programmable]    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{b02d4a40-53b7-4ebf-afba-e390a153d926}\TypeLib]       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{2056fd46-bac8-4440-8b0a-be824133a7ac}"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{b02d4a40-53b7-4ebf-afba-e390a153d926}\Version]       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "1.0"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{5E81D857-AA08-487C-91E7-6BF1C1C58AF7}]       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "IfocusbaseBHO"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{5E81D857-AA08-487C-91E7-6BF1C1C58AF7}\ProxyStubClsid]       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{00020424-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{5E81D857-AA08-487C-91E7-6BF1C1C58AF7}\ProxyStubClsid32]       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{00020424-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{5E81D857-AA08-487C-91E7-6BF1C1C58AF7}\TypeLib]       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{2056FD46-BAC8-4440-8B0A-BE824133A7AC}"       "Version"="REG_SZ", "1.0"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{2056FD46-BAC8-4440-8B0A-BE824133A7AC}\1.0]       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "focusbaseIEClientLib"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{2056FD46-BAC8-4440-8B0A-BE824133A7AC}\1.0\0\win32]       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\focusbase\focusbasebho.dll"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{2056FD46-BAC8-4440-8B0A-BE824133A7AC}\1.0\FLAGS]       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "0"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{2056FD46-BAC8-4440-8B0A-BE824133A7AC}\1.0\HELPDIR]       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\focusbase"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\focusbase\Chrome]       "sgc"="REG_SZ", "true"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\focusbase\Firefox]       "sff"="REG_SZ", "false"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\focusbase\Internet Explorer]       "sie"="REG_SZ", "false"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\focusbase_RASAPI32]       "ConsoleTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536       "EnableConsoleTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0       "EnableFileTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0       "FileDirectory"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "%windir%\tracing"       "FileTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536       "MaxFileSize"="REG_DWORD", 1048576    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\focusbase_RASMANCS]       "ConsoleTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536       "EnableConsoleTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0       "EnableFileTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0       "FileDirectory"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "%windir%\tracing"       "FileTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536       "MaxFileSize"="REG_DWORD", 1048576    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\updatefocusbase_RASAPI32]       "ConsoleTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536       "EnableConsoleTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0       "EnableFileTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0       "FileDirectory"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "%windir%\tracing"       "FileTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536       "MaxFileSize"="REG_DWORD", 1048576    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\updatefocusbase_RASMANCS]       "ConsoleTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536       "EnableConsoleTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0       "EnableFileTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0       "FileDirectory"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "%windir%\tracing"       "FileTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536       "MaxFileSize"="REG_DWORD", 1048576    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{b02d4a40-53b7-4ebf-afba-e390a153d926}]       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "focusbase"       "NoExplorer"="REG_DWORD", 1    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\focusbase]       "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\focusbase\focusbase.ico"       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "focusbase"       "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "2014.06.16.195433"       "EstimatedSize"="REG_DWORD", 2181       "HelpLink"="REG_SZ", "mailto:support@focusbase.info"       "InstallLocation"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\focusbase"       "InstallTime"="REG_SZ", "2014-06-21 10:14:46"       "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1       "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1       "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "focusbase"       "QuietUninstallString"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\focusbase\focusbaseuninstall.exe /S"       "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\focusbase\focusbaseuninstall.exe"       "URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://focusbase.info/support"       "URLUpdateInfo"="REG_SZ", "http://focusbase.info"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\eventlog\Application\Update focusbase]       "EventMessageFile"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\EventLogMessages.dll"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\Update focusbase]       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "Update focusbase"       "ErrorControl"="REG_DWORD", 1       "FailureActions"="REG_BINARY, ......................       "ImagePath"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, ""C:\Program Files\focusbase\updatefocusbase.exe""       "ObjectName"="REG_SZ", "LocalSystem"       "Start"="REG_DWORD", 2       "Type"="REG_DWORD", 16    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\focusbase]       "id"="REG_SZ", "2014-06-21 10:14:46"       "iid"="REG_SZ", "def_focusbase"       "is"="REG_SZ", "def_focusbase"    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\focusbase\Chrome]       "ug"="REG_SZ", "D541C82C-A9EE-4E44-A1D1-69D0D8B9C48A"    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\focusbase\Firefox]       "ug"="REG_SZ", "C5A9F118-333F-40B2-9E3C-FBB9BFBB38F4"    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\focusbase\Internet Explorer]       "ug"="REG_SZ", "2E242718-BD38-4237-BFB1-083BE36D6670"    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\{B02D4A40-53B7-4EBF-AFBA-E390A153D926}]       "Flags"="REG_DWORD", 1024
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malwarewww.malwarebytes.orgScan Date: 6/21/2014Scan Time: 10:20:28 AMLogfile: mbamFocusbase.txtAdministrator: YesVersion: 2.00.2.1012Malware Database: v2014.06.21.02Rootkit Database: v2014.06.20.01License: FreeMalware Protection: DisabledMalicious Website Protection: DisabledSelf-protection: DisabledOS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1CPU: x86File System: NTFSUser: MalwarebytesScan Type: Threat ScanResult: CompletedObjects Scanned: 232680Time Elapsed: 4 min, 55 secMemory: EnabledStartup: EnabledFilesystem: EnabledArchives: EnabledRootkits: DisabledHeuristics: EnabledPUP: EnabledPUM: EnabledProcesses: 1PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, C:\Program Files\focusbase\updatefocusbase.exe, 2204, Delete-on-Reboot, [e92dec8fcab155e1b1ce45493ec3b64a]Modules: 0(No malicious items detected)Registry Keys: 12PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\Update focusbase, Quarantined, [e92dec8fcab155e1b1ce45493ec3b64a], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID\{b02d4a40-53b7-4ebf-afba-e390a153d926}, Quarantined, [24f2ef8c017ad066126c0f7f0df4b54b], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\TYPELIB\{2056fd46-bac8-4440-8b0a-be824133a7ac}, Quarantined, [24f2ef8c017ad066126c0f7f0df4b54b], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\INTERFACE\{5E81D857-AA08-487C-91E7-6BF1C1C58AF7}, Quarantined, [24f2ef8c017ad066126c0f7f0df4b54b], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\EXPLORER\BROWSER HELPER OBJECTS\{B02D4A40-53B7-4EBF-AFBA-E390A153D926}, Quarantined, [24f2ef8c017ad066126c0f7f0df4b54b], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, HKU\S-1-5-21-4016700205-1717049133-1125222536-1001-{ED1FC765-E35E-4C3D-BF15-2C2B11260CE4}-0\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\EXT\SETTINGS\{B02D4A40-53B7-4EBF-AFBA-E390A153D926}, Quarantined, [24f2ef8c017ad066126c0f7f0df4b54b], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, HKU\S-1-5-21-4016700205-1717049133-1125222536-1001-{ED1FC765-E35E-4C3D-BF15-2C2B11260CE4}-0\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\EXT\STATS\{B02D4A40-53B7-4EBF-AFBA-E390A153D926}, Quarantined, [24f2ef8c017ad066126c0f7f0df4b54b], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID\{B02D4A40-53B7-4EBF-AFBA-E390A153D926}\INPROCSERVER32, Quarantined, [24f2ef8c017ad066126c0f7f0df4b54b], PUP.Optional.BrowseFox.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID\{4AA46D49-459F-4358-B4D1-169048547C23}, Quarantined, [f71f3f3c3a41f640bd3aee8c7a8827d9], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\focusbase, Quarantined, [0a0c97e4e09bcd69859fc03e22e1b64a], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\focusbase, Quarantined, [50c692e9f4871e1890963ac420e3d62a], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, HKU\S-1-5-21-4016700205-1717049133-1125222536-1001-{ED1FC765-E35E-4C3D-BF15-2C2B11260CE4}-0\SOFTWARE\focusbase, Quarantined, [6ea8a0dbb2c930061a0da75762a1f40c], Registry Values: 0(No malicious items detected)Registry Data: 0(No malicious items detected)Folders: 1PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, C:\Program Files\focusbase, Delete-on-Reboot, [0a0c97e4e09bcd69859fc03e22e1b64a], Files: 10PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, C:\Program Files\focusbase\updatefocusbase.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [e92dec8fcab155e1b1ce45493ec3b64a], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, C:\Program Files\focusbase\focusbaseBHO.dll, Quarantined, [24f2ef8c017ad066126c0f7f0df4b54b], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\focusbase_Setup.exe, Quarantined, [898d453644374fe7fc83fd910ef325db], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, C:\Program Files\focusbase\focusbase.ico, Quarantined, [0a0c97e4e09bcd69859fc03e22e1b64a], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, C:\Program Files\focusbase\0, Quarantined, [0a0c97e4e09bcd69859fc03e22e1b64a], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, C:\Program Files\focusbase\7za.exe, Quarantined, [0a0c97e4e09bcd69859fc03e22e1b64a], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, C:\Program Files\focusbase\focusbase.FirstRun.exe, Quarantined, [0a0c97e4e09bcd69859fc03e22e1b64a], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, C:\Program Files\focusbase\focusbaseUninstall.exe, Quarantined, [0a0c97e4e09bcd69859fc03e22e1b64a], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, C:\Program Files\focusbase\updatefocusbase.InstallState, Quarantined, [0a0c97e4e09bcd69859fc03e22e1b64a], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\6qeoodjs.default-1401006518835\extensions\{c8905eec-9eab-447c-84a8-9e864d454523}.xpi, Quarantined, [bd596417ccaf24120a217e802fd441bf], Physical Sectors: 0(No malicious items detected)(end)
As mentioned before the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware could have protected your computer against this threat.

We use different ways of protecting your computer(s):

  • Dynamically Blocks Malware Sites & Servers
  • Malware Execution Prevention
Save yourself the hassle and get protected.
Link to post
Share on other sites
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
Back to top
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

This site uses cookies - We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.