PUP.Optional.Conduit.A keeps coming back

[bertilak]

Malwarebytes detects and quarantines PUP.Optional.Conduit.A. It is found in 

AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Preferences.

 

By editing the file I can see that it has been removed. Unfortunately, if I simply start Chrome then exit. Conduit is back in the file!

 

I ran FRST as recommended in one of the stickies and am attaching FRST.txt

 

The text "conduit" (ignoring case) does not show up anywhere in the registry.

 

Unless things have changed, Google is not doing this on its own as it just started happening.

FRST.txt

[bertilak]

Found the web page http://www.malwareremovalguides.info/pup-optional-conduit-removal-intructions/.

 

I followed those directions:

1. Run Adware Cleaner
2. Run Malearebytes
3. Run Hitman Pro

Hitman pro actually found another reference to conduit in Chrome's "Web Data" file. It also found ask.com in the same file. In cookies it found MANY tracking cookies, which I let it delete.

 

Unfortunately that didn't fix anything. You can kill it with Hitman Pro but the Conduit PUP just rears its ugly head again. It ha more lives than a cat. (Ask.com comes back, too.)

 

I did narrow things down a little. Just starting Chrome does not install the Conduit PUP. Initiating a Google search does.

[bertilak]

Found the solution right here on this forum: https://forums.malwarebytes.org/index.php?/topic/147138-pupoptionalconduita-in-google-chrome/.

 

The solution was provided by new member terrigan.

 

Basically, if you have a Google account it will remember what pages to load when you go to the Google page and stuff those into your preferences file each time. You can un-remember these pages via Chrome's settings. See the terrigan post in the linked thread for more explicit instructions.

 

BAD GOOGLE!

[MrCharlie]

Welcome to the forum.

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.

2. If you have illegal/cracked software (MS Office, Adobe Products), 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.

 

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Please run a Quick Scan with Malwarebytes (if possible)

For Malwarebytes ver: 1.75

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.

For Malwarebytes 2.0, please run a Threat Scan

Click on Settings > Detection and Protection > Non-Malware Protection > PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) detections > Make sure it's set to Treat detections as malware

Same for PUM (Potentially Unwanted Modifications)

Quarantine all that's found

Post the log

Then......

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. (make sure the Addition box is checked)
• 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.

Last................

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)

 

Note:

Please read all of my instructions completely including these.

Make sure system restore is turned on and running. 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

[bertilak]

I can assure you I am nit running pirated software.

 

I can also assure you the problem has already been resolved, as reported above, and therefore none of what you suggest is necessary, although most of it had already been done, unsuccessfully, also as reported above.

[AdvancedSetup]

Since this issue is resolved I will close the thread to prevent others from posting here. If you need assistance please start your own topic and someone will be happy to assist you.