malwarebytes doesn't remove pup.optional.istartsurf.a

[kelly22]

I have repeatedly scanned my pc in the past 2 days and the file pup.optional.istartsurf.a appears everytime I scan, even after quarantine / remove / delete etc it's still there.

Can someone help to remove it please?

[Psychotic]

Hi there,
my name is Marius and I will assist you with your malware related problems.

Before we move on, please read the following points carefully.

• First, read my instructions completely. If there is anything that you do not understand kindly ask before proceeding.
• 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 your problem.
• Do not run any other scans without instruction or add/remove software unless I tell you to do so. This would change the output of our tools and could be confusing for me.
• Post all logfiles as a reply rather than as an attachment unless I specifically ask you. If you can not post all logfiles in one reply, feel free to use more posts.
• If I don't hear from you within 3 days from this initial or any subsequent post, then this thread will be closed.
• Stay with me. I will give you some advice about prevention after the cleanup process. Absence of symptoms does not always mean the computer is clean.
• My first language is not english. So please do not use slang or idioms. It could be hard for me to read. Thanks for your understanding.
  

 
 
 
 
 
HijackThis is not the preferred initial scanning tool in this forum. With today's malware, a more comprehensive set of logs is required to determine the presence of malware.
 
 
 
 
Scan with FRST in normal mode

Please download Farbar's Recovery Scan Tool to your desktop: FRST 32bit or FRST 64bit (If not sure: Start --> Computer (right click) --> properties)
 

• Run FRST.
• Don´t change one of the checkboxes and hit Scan.
• Logfiles are created on your desktop.
• Poste the FRST.txt and (after the first scan only!) the Addition.txt.
  

 
 
 
 
 Scan with aswMBR

Please download aswMBR ( 4.5MB ) to your desktop.

• Double click the aswMBR.exe icon, and click Run.
• There will be a short delay before the next dialog box comes up. Please just wait a minute or two.
• When asked if you'd like to "download the latest Avast! virus definitions", click Yes.
• Typically this is about a 100MB download so depending on your connection speed it can take a short while to download and become ready.
• Click the Scan button to start the scan once the update has finished downloading
• On completion of the scan, click the save log button, save it to your desktop, then copy and paste it in your next reply.
  

Note: There will also be a file on your desktop named MBR.dat do not delete this for now. It is an actual backup of the MBR (master boot record).

[kelly22]

Heres the first bit

FRST.txt

Addition.txt

[kelly22]

the aswmbr scan appears to  have jammed?? sorry Im not very technical.

[kelly22]

plz ignore previous post

aswMBR.txt

[Psychotic]

Fix with FRST (normal mode)

WARNING: This script was written specifically for this user, for use on that particular machine. Running this on another machine may cause damage to your operating system
 

• Download the attached fixlist.txt and save it to the location where FRST is saved to.
• Run FRST.exe (on 64bit, run FRST64.exe) and press the Fix button just once and wait.
• The tool will make a log (Fixlog.txt) which you find where you saved FRST. Please post it to your reply.

 

 

 

 

Full System Scan with Malwarebytes Antimalware
 

• If not existing, please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to your desktop.
• Double-click the downloaded setup file and follow the prompts to install the program.
• At the end, be sure a checkmark is placed next to the following:
  • Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
  • A 14 day trial of the Premium features is pre-selected. You may deselect this if you wish, and it will not diminish the scanning and removal capabilities of the program.
• Click Finish.

If the program is already installed:

• Run Malwarebytes Antimalware
• On the Dashboard, click the 'Update Now >>' link
• After the update completes, click the 'Scan Now >>' button.
• Or, on the Dashboard, click the Scan Now >> button.
• If an update is available, click the Update Now button.
• A Threat Scan will begin.
• When the scan is complete, if there have been detections, click Apply Actions to allow MBAM to clean what was detected.
• In most cases, a restart will be required.
• Wait for the prompt to restart the computer to appear, then click on Yes.

• After the restart once you are back at your desktop, open MBAM once more.
• Click on the History tab > Application Logs.
• Double click on the scan log which shows the Date and time of the scan just performed.
• Click 'Copy to Clipboard'
• Paste the contents of the clipboard into your reply.

 

fixlist.txt

[kelly22]

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

www.malwarebytes.org

 

Scan Date: 07/08/2014

Scan Time: 11:34:03

Logfile: 

Administrator: Yes

 

Version: 2.00.2.1012

Malware Database: v2014.08.07.01

Rootkit Database: v2014.08.04.01

License: Trial

Malware Protection: Enabled

Malicious Website Protection: Enabled

Self-protection: Disabled

 

OS: Windows 8.1

CPU: x64

File System: NTFS

User: kelly

 

Scan Type: Threat Scan

Result: Completed

Objects Scanned: 293319

Time Elapsed: 17 min, 37 sec

 

Memory: Enabled

Startup: Enabled

Filesystem: Enabled

Archives: Enabled

Rootkits: Enabled

Heuristics: Enabled

PUP: Enabled

PUM: Enabled

 

Processes: 0

(No malicious items detected)

 

Modules: 0

(No malicious items detected)

 

Registry Keys: 0

(No malicious items detected)

 

Registry Values: 0

(No malicious items detected)

 

Registry Data: 0

(No malicious items detected)

 

Folders: 0

(No malicious items detected)

 

Files: 1

PUP.Optional.IStartSurf.A, C:\Users\kelly\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Preferences, Good: (), Bad: (      "startup_urls": [ ""http://start.iminent.com/?appId=F8DCB54A-81EE-452B-A27A-42C71F9AA180" ],), Replaced,[e2b6d2f03942fa3c6f9e3eb6a85cdd23]

 

Physical Sectors: 0

(No malicious items detected)

 

 

(end)

 

 

 

 

Fixlog.txt

[kelly22]

Hi, 

I was looking through other posts and found a very similar one and the trusted advisor of that post suggested they copy & paste "chrome://settings/startup" 

in their browser. I tried this and found the istartsurf file and one named iminent so i deleted both. I have since completed a further Malwarebytes scan and the results are as follows 

 

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

www.malwarebytes.org

 

Scan Date: 07/08/2014

Scan Time: 12:41:24

Logfile: 

Administrator: Yes

 

Version: 2.00.2.1012

Malware Database: v2014.08.07.02

Rootkit Database: v2014.08.04.01

License: Trial

Malware Protection: Enabled

Malicious Website Protection: Enabled

Self-protection: Disabled

 

OS: Windows 8.1

CPU: x64

File System: NTFS

User: kelly

 

Scan Type: Threat Scan

Result: Completed

Objects Scanned: 293428

Time Elapsed: 17 min, 25 sec

 

Memory: Enabled

Startup: Enabled

Filesystem: Enabled

Archives: Enabled

Rootkits: Enabled

Heuristics: Enabled

PUP: Enabled

PUM: Enabled

 

Processes: 0

(No malicious items detected)

 

Modules: 0

(No malicious items detected)

 

Registry Keys: 0

(No malicious items detected)

 

Registry Values: 0

(No malicious items detected)

 

Registry Data: 0

(No malicious items detected)

 

Folders: 0

(No malicious items detected)

 

Files: 0

(No malicious items detected)

 

Physical Sectors: 0

(No malicious items detected)

 

 

(end)

 

I'm assuming this has cured the problem? (fingers crossed)

[Psychotic]

You were faster than me.

 

 

Scan with ESET Online Scan

Please go to here to run the online scannner from ESET.

• Turn off the real time scanner of any existing antivirus program while performing the online scan
• Tick the box next to YES, I accept the Terms of Use.
• Click Start
• When asked, allow the activex control to install
• Click Start
• Make sure that the option Remove found threats is unticked
• Click on Advanced Settings and ensure these options are ticked:
  • Scan for potentially unwanted applications
• Scan for potentially unsafe applications
• Enable Anti-Stealth Technology

[*]Click Scan[*]Wait for the scan to finish[*]If any threats were found, click the 'List of found threats' , then click Export to text file.... [*]Save it to your desktop, then please copy and paste that log as a reply to this topic.

[kelly22]

this scan took forever 

eset.txt

[Psychotic]

Then we can do the cleanup - if you are facing any issues, report that immediately.

Delete junk with adwCleaner


Please download AdwCleaner to your desktop.

• Run adwcleaner.exe
• Hit Scan and wait for the scan to finish.
• Confirm the message but don´t uncheck anything.
• Hit Clean
• When the run is finished, it will open up a text file
• Please post its contents within your next reply
• You´ll find the log file at C:\AdwCleaner[s1].txt also
  

Delete junk with JRT

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, 7, or 8; instead of double-clicking, right-mouse click JRT.exe 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.
  

SecurityCheck

Reboot your system before starting!

Please download SecurityCheck: LINK1 LINK2

• Save it to your desktop, start it and follow the instructions in the window.
• After the scan finished the (checkup.txt) will open. Copy its content to your thread.
  

[AdvancedSetup]

Due to the lack of feedback this topic is closed to prevent others from posting here. If you need this topic reopened, please send a Private Message to any one of the moderating team members. Please include a link to this thread with your request. This applies only to the originator of this thread.

Other members who need assistance please start your own topic in a new thread. Thanks!