How to remove PUP.Optional.Astromenda ?

[Bruce J]

Hello members! I first checked the guides to this site and the forums but did not quite find the solution to the removal of the subject PUP.

My hard drive crashed and had to replace it and installed system recovery disks. When connecting to internet all I did was use Microsoft IE as the sole browser to do windows updates. When it got to installing IE 11 and after rebooting and visited some sites to download some software, including Malwarebytes, my browser started acting weird and I got redirects. I ran Microsoft Security Essentials and nothing was detected. I then ran Malwarebytes and it detected the above PUP in 2 registry location under the Internet Explorer folder (see mbamlog below), so I quarantined and removed them, so I thought. Same problem with browser after rebooting. Ran Malwarebytes again and it detected the same PUP and another one, OpenCandy. I saw in a malwarebits.com forum that to remove the subject PUP Astromenda you have to perform these 5 steps:

1. run AdwCleaner

2. run Junk Removal Tool (JRT)

3. run Malwarebytes again

4. run HitmanPro

5. reset IE browser to default settings

Problem supposedly will be fixed. Question is, does the above steps really work when the PUP is found in the registry files?

Here is my mbamlog I ran just a while ago.

 

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

www.malwarebytes.org

 

Scan Date: 8/18/2014

Scan Time: 3:22:07 PM

Logfile: mbamlog08182014.txt

Administrator: Yes

 

Version: 2.00.2.1012

Malware Database: v2014.08.18.09

Rootkit Database: v2014.08.16.01

License: Free

Malware Protection: Disabled

Malicious Website Protection: Disabled

Self-protection: Disabled

 

OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1

CPU: x64

File System: NTFS

User: Bruce

 

Scan Type: Threat Scan

Result: Completed

Objects Scanned: 316786

Time Elapsed: 15 min, 8 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: 1

PUP.Optional.Astromenda, HKU\S-1-5-21-188956620-362750976-1332021141-1000-{ED1FC765-E35E-4C3D-BF15-2C2B11260CE4}-0\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\INTERNET EXPLORER\SEARCHSCOPES\{2E00D31D-D171-423D-836D-1A4D7EA7F1A9}, Quarantined, [1730bd0a3f3ccd690f9e0b60db2707f9], 

 

Registry Values: 1

PUP.Optional.Astromenda, HKU\S-1-5-21-188956620-362750976-1332021141-1000-{ED1FC765-E35E-4C3D-BF15-2C2B11260CE4}-0\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\INTERNET EXPLORER\SEARCHSCOPES|DefaultScope, {2E00D31D-D171-423D-836D-1A4D7EA7F1A9}, Quarantined, [e3648641592275c1c7656c7460a244bc]

 

Registry Data: 0

(No malicious items detected)

 

Folders: 0

(No malicious items detected)

 

Files: 1

PUP.Optional.OpenCandy, C:\Users\Bruce\AppData\Local\Temp\uttA454.tmp, Quarantined, [6fd820a7a4d742f4dd199d5d2bd940c0], 

 

Physical Sectors: 0

(No malicious items detected)

 

 

(end)

 

**********************************************

Will someone in this forum kindly tell me if the above 5 steps will get rid of this pesty PUP in my registry locations? Thank you for any help or other suggestions.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Hello,
    
 
They call me TwinHeadedEagle around here, and I'll be working with you.
 
    
 
    
Before we start please read and note the following:
    
Limit your internet access to posting here, some infections just wait to steal typed-in passwords.
Please be patient. I know it is frustrating when your PC isn't working properly, but malware removal takes time.
Don't run any scripts or tools on your own, unsupervised usage may cause more harm than good.
Do not paste the logs in your posts, attachments make my work easier. There is a Attach Files option below which you can use to attach your reports. Always attach reports from all tools.
Stay with me to the end, the absence of symptoms doesn't mean that your machine is fully operational.
Note that we may live in totally different time zones, what may cause some delays between answers.
Do not ask for help for your business PC. Companies are making revenue via computers, so it is good thing to pay someone to repair it.
If I don't hear from you within 3 days from this initial or any subsequent post, then this thread will be closed.
    
I can't foresee everything, so if anything unexpected happens, please stop and inform me!
There are no silly questions. Never be afraid to ask if in doubt!
 
 
 
 
P2P/Piracy Warning:

• If you're using Peer 2 Peer software such as uTorrent, BitTorrent or similar you must either fully uninstall them or completely disable them 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.
• If you have illegal/cracked software, cracks, keygens, etc. on the system, please remove or uninstall them now and read the policy on Piracy.

 

 

 

 

Please download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to your desktop.
 
Note: You need to run the version compatibale with your system. If you are not sure which version applies to your system download both of them and try to run them.
Only one of them will run on your system, that will be the right version.

• 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 attach it to your reply.
• The first time the tool is run, it makes also another log (Addition.txt). Please attach it to your reply.

[Bruce J]

Hello TwinHeadedEagle. Correction: It was the malwaretips.com website where I saw the above "solution" to the problem with Astromenda PUP.

Here is the link: http://malwaretips.com/blogs/astromenda-removal/

I appreciate your willingness to help and am just wanting to see if you think the above steps will work before wasting your time in trying to help me?

Just trying to be courteous as I know very little about these matters.

[TwinHeadedEagle]

You can try, if it doesn't help, then follow my instructions.

[Bruce J]

I just thought about maybe trying mbam chameleon to see if that will remove the PUP since running straight Malwarebytes catches it to quarantine but the PUP still remains when I re-scan. Should I try chameleon and run it in safe mode with networking or while the laptop is not in safe mode, or chameleon will not remove it either?

Just curious if chameleon might work. Thanks again for your time. Will await your response and if you do not think chameleon will work, then will follow your instructions. Did not try the above cumbersome 5 steps yet as I do not trust it.

[TwinHeadedEagle]

If malwarebytes failed to remove malware, I do not think Chameleon can do it. But again, you can try.

[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.

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