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How to remove PUP.Optional.Astromenda ?


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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.
 
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Hello,
    
 
They call me TwinHeadedEagle around here, and I'll be working with you.
 
    
 
    
Before we start please read and note the following:
    
icon_arrow.gif Limit your internet access to posting here, some infections just wait to steal typed-in passwords.
icon_arrow.gif Please be patient. I know it is frustrating when your PC isn't working properly, but malware removal takes time.
icon_arrow.gif Don't run any scripts or tools on your own, unsupervised usage may cause more harm than good.
icon_arrow.gif 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.
icon_arrow.gif Stay with me to the end, the absence of symptoms doesn't mean that your machine is fully operational.
icon_arrow.gif Note that we may live in totally different time zones, what may cause some delays between answers.
icon_arrow.gif 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.
icon_arrow.gif If I don't hear from you within 3 days from this initial or any subsequent post, then this thread will be closed.
    
icon_idea.gif I can't foresee everything, so if anything unexpected happens, please stop and inform me!
icon_idea.gif 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.
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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.

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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.

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  • Root Admin

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!

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