Help with searchnet.blinkxcore.com popups

[SteveGA]

The Malwarebytes protection log shows numerous entries as follows but is unable to remove anything:

 

Detection, 9/16/2014 1:23:14 PM, SYSTEM, My-PC, Protection, Malicious Website Protection, IP, 66.45.56.109, searchnet.blinkxcore.com, 49851, Outbound, C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe, 

 

Any help in removing this problem would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks...Steve

[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 Upload 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!
 
 
 
  Rules and policies
 
We won't support any piracy.
That being told, if any evidence of illegal OS, software, cracks/keygens or any other will be revealed, any further assistance will be suspended. If you are aware that there is this kind of stuff on your machine, remove it before proceeding!
The same applies to any use of P2P software: uTorrent, BitTorrent, Vuze, Kazaa, Ares... We don't provide any help for P2P, except for their removal. All P2P software has to be uninstalled or at least fully disabled before proceeding!
 
Failure to follow these guidelines will result with closing your topic and withdrawning any assistance.
 
 
 
 

Scan with Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
 
Please re-run Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware.

• First of all, select update.
• Once updated, click the Settings tab, in the left panel choose Detctions & protection and tick Scan for rootkits.
• Click the Scan tab, choose Threat Scan is checked and click Scan Now.
• If threats are detected, click the Apply Actions button. You will now be prompted to reboot. Click Yes.
• Upon completion of the scan (or after the reboot), click the History tab.
• Click Application Logs and double-click the newest Scan Log.
• At the bottom click Export and choose Text file.

Save the file to your desktop and include its content in your next reply.
 
 
 
 

Scan with TDSSKiller
 
Please download TDSSKiller by Kaspersky and save it to your desktop.

• Right-click on
• icon and select Run as Administrator to start the tool.

• Click on Change parameters and put a checkmark beside Loaded modules. A reboot will be needed to apply the changes, allow it to do so.
• Your machine may appear very slow and unusable after that - it's normal.
• TDSSKiller will run automaticaly. Click on Change parameters and click OK.
• Click the Start Scan button and wait patiently.
• If anything will be found follow this guidelines:
  • If a suspicious object is detected, the default action will be Skip, click on Continue.
  • If malicious objects are found, they will show in the Scan results - Select action for found objects and offer three options.
    Ensure Cure (default) is selected, then click Continue > Reboot now to finish the cleaning process.
    If Cure is not available, please choose Skip instead.
  • Do not choose Delete unless instructed!
  A report will be created in your root directory, (usually C:\ drive) in the form of TDSSKiller.[Version]_[Date]_[Time]_log.txt. Please include the contents of that file in your next post.

[SteveGA]

Thanks for the quick response. Files are attached.

 

 

MB Scan Log.txt

TDSSKiller.3.0.0.40_16.09.2014_16.17.04_log.txt

[SteveGA]

Bump

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Hi,
 
 
Sorry for delay, I overlooked this topic.
 
 
 
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.

[SteveGA]

Oh, no problem. Just appreciate the help 

 

Files attached. Thanks.

FRST.txt

Addition.txt

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Fix with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool
 

This fix was created for this user for use on that particular machine.
Running it on another one may cause damage and render the system unstable.

 
Download attached fixlist.txt file and save it to the Desktop:
 
Both files, FRST and fixlist.txt have to be in the same location or the fix will not work!

• Right-click on icon and select Run as Administrator to start the tool.
  (XP users click run after receipt of Windows Security Warning - Open File).
• Press the Fix button just once and wait.
• If for some reason the tool needs a restart, please make sure you let the system restart normally. After that let the tool complete its run.
• When finished FRST will generate a log on the Desktop, called Fixlog.txt.

Please post it to your reply.
 
 
 
 

Scan with Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
 
Please re-run Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware.

• First of all, select update.
• Once updated, click the Settings tab, in the left panel choose Detctions & protection and tick Scan for rootkits.
• Click the Scan tab, choose Threat Scan is checked and click Scan Now.
• If threats are detected, click the Apply Actions button. You will now be prompted to reboot. Click Yes.
• Upon completion of the scan (or after the reboot), click the History tab.
• Click Application Logs and double-click the newest Scan Log.
• At the bottom click Export and choose Text file.

Save the file to your desktop and include its content in your next reply.
 
 
 
 

Fix with AdwCleaner
 
Please download AdwCleaner by Xplode and save the file to your desktop.

• Right-click on icon and select Run as Administrator to start the tool.
• Follow the prompts and click Scan.
• When finished, please click Clean.
• Upon completion, click Report. A log (AdwCleaner[s*].txt) will open.

Please include the contents of that file in your reply.

fixlist.txt

[SteveGA]

Files attached. Looks like Chrome has been reset.

 

Thanks....Steve

Fixlog.txt

MB Scan Log 2.txt

AdwCleanerS2.txt

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Very good. How is your PC now?

[SteveGA]

Unfortunately, I am still getting Malwarebytes pop-ups showing that searchnet.blinkxcore is still present.

MB Protection Log.txt

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Okay, let's scan again:
 
 
Scan with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool
 
Please re-run Farbar Recovery Scan Tool to give me a fresh look at your system.

• Right-click on icon and select Run as Administrator to start the tool.
  (XP users click run after receipt of Windows Security Warning - Open File).
• Make sure that Addition option is checked.
• Press Scan button and wait.
• The tool will produce two logfiles on your desktop: FRST.txt and Addition.txt.

Please include their content into your next reply.

[SteveGA]

New scan files attached. Thanks.

FRST.txt

Addition.txt

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Fix with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool
 

This fix was created for this user for use on that particular machine.
Running it on another one may cause damage and render the system unstable.

 
Download attached fixlist.txt file and save it to the Desktop:
 
Both files, FRST and fixlist.txt have to be in the same location or the fix will not work!

• Right-click on icon and select Run as Administrator to start the tool.
  (XP users click run after receipt of Windows Security Warning - Open File).
• Press the Fix button just once and wait.
• If for some reason the tool needs a restart, please make sure you let the system restart normally. After that let the tool complete its run.
• When finished FRST will generate a log on the Desktop, called Fixlog.txt.

Please post it to your reply.

fixlist.txt

[SteveGA]

Fixlog.txt attached.

Fixlog.txt

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Is it better now?

[SteveGA]

Looking at past MB Protection Logs, it seems to take several hours from a reboot until the malware infection begins attempting outgoing communication. I'll monitor this today and post back later. Thanks for your assistance. A "beer" is on it's way to you!

[TwinHeadedEagle]

You're more than welcome

 

Keep me updated.

[SteveGA]

I am sorry to report that less than an hour after clean and reboot, Malwarebytes detected continued activity.

MB Protection Log 3.txt

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Okay, we will try to run one more tool:

 

 

Scan with ZOEK

 

Please download ZOEK by Smeenk and save it to your desktop (preferred version is the *.exe one)

Temporary disable your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware protection - instructions here.

 

• Right-click on icon and select Run as Administrator to start the tool.

Wait patiently until the main console will appear, it may take a minute or two.

In the main box please paste in the following script:

createsrpoint;autoclean;chrdefaults;emptyalltemp;ipconfig /flushdns;b

Make sure that Scan All Users option is checked.

Push Run Script and wait patiently. The scan may take a couple of minutes.

When the scan completes, a zoek-results logfile should open in notepad.

If a reboot is needed, it will be opened after it. You may also find it at your main drive (usually C:\ drive)

 

Post its content into your next reply.

[SteveGA]

Log file attached.

zoek-results.log

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Tell me how is the situation now, do you still get the warnings?

[SteveGA]

Unfortunately, yes.

MB Protection Log 4.txt

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Unbelievable 

 

Please follow this article to reset your Google Chrome. Do not sign in after reset.

 

https://support.google.com/chrome_webstore/answer/1053348?hl=en

 

Tell me do you still have the issue after this?

[SteveGA]

The Reset to default theme button in Chrome settings was greyed out so I could not click it. I then went to uninstall Chrome and noticed that it did not show in Control Panel -> uninstall programs. I used Revo Uninstaller Pro to do a forced uninstall of Chrome. Since the uninstall of Chrome, and while using Firefox, there has been no further malware activity. I plan to wait until tomorrow to make sure Malwarebytes detects nothing further, then will try to reinstall Chrome.

 

This has really been weird, especially noting that others with the same infection have not encountered the same level of difficulty in removing the malware. Makes me wonder if Chrome itself was somehow corrupted. I have also deleted all the Windows Restore Points in case something might have been hiding there.

 

I will update this post tomorrow. Thanks.

[falsealarm]

I am interested in your findings with this one. You and I seem to be on the same boat. Nothing seems to work for identifying what the malware is and once Chrome is signed in, and my set pages open, I start receiving the IP blocked messages.