Strong Signal ads won't go away

[MichaelNahrilas]

I just bought my new laptop a little more than a week ago, and I've started receiving these ads by a group called Strong Signal. Whenever I visit certain sites, such as Youtube, I get five or six ads in varying shapes and sizes popping all over my browser. It happens with both Internet Explorer and Firefox - Google Chrome is thankfully untouched due to AdBlock, though I still get the occasional ad in the upper right corner of the browser's screen. 

 

I'm happy that I can use Chrome, but I also use IE And Firefox because some websites are only compatible with these browsers, and not being able to use them normally is really burning me up! Malwarebytes can't seem to pick up anything, either. What do I do? 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Hello,
    
 
They call me TwinHeadedEagle around here, and I'll try to help your with your issue.
 
     
    
Before we start please read and note the following:

• We're primarily oriented on malware removal here, so you must know that some issues just cannot be solved and you must be prepared for this. Some tools we use here will remove your browser search history, so backup your important links and all the files whose loss is unacceptable.
• 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. Keep in mind that private life gets in the way too. Note that we may live in totally different time zones, what may cause some delays between answers.
• 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 More reply options button, that gives you Upload Files option below which you can use to attach your reports. Always attach reports from all tools.
• Always execute my instructions in given order. If for some reason you cannot completely follow one instruction, inform me about that.
• 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 not covered in my instructions 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.
 
 

---

 

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.

[MichaelNahrilas]

Here are the text files Farbar churned out. What's the next step? 

Addition.txt

FRST.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 attach it to your 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.
• Wait until the database is updated.
• Accept the Terms of use 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.
 
Note: Reports will be saved in your system partition, usually at C:\Adwcleaner

fixlist.txt

[MichaelNahrilas]

Before I continue, I want to clarify something. 

 

Do I need both FRST and the fixlist file on my Desktop in order for it to run properly, or can I save my fixlist to the Downloads folder (where FRST.exe and FRST64.exe are located) and still run FRST with no problems?

[MichaelNahrilas]

Here is the fixfile that was made when FRST finished. However, when I ran AdwCleaner I forgot to copy and paste the report before restarting my computer. Is there a way to recover the information, or do I need to run the scan again? 

Fixlog.txt

[TwinHeadedEagle]

You can find Adwcleaner reports at C:\Adwcleaner

 

How is your PC now?

[MichaelNahrilas]

Found it! Here's what AdwCleaner found:

 

# AdwCleaner v4.110 - Logfile created 10/02/2015 at 19:48:07

# Updated 05/02/2015 by Xplode

# Database : 2015-02-09.1 [server]

# Operating system : Windows 8.1  (x64)

# Username : Michael - JUDGEMAINCOMP

# Running from : C:\Users\Michael\Desktop\AdwCleaner.exe

# Option : Cleaning

 

***** [ Services ] *****

 

 

***** [ Files / Folders ] *****

 

 

***** [ Scheduled tasks ] *****

 

 

***** [ Shortcuts ] *****

 

 

***** [ Registry ] *****

 

Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\Classes\pokki

Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\Pokki

Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Pokki

Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\LowRegistry\DOMStorage\chatango.com

Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\LowRegistry\DOMStorage\st.chatango.com

 

***** [ Web browsers ] *****

 

-\\ Internet Explorer v11.0.9600.17416

 

 

-\\ Google Chrome v40.0.2214.111

 

 

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

 

AdwCleaner[R0].txt - [1103 bytes] - [10/02/2015 19:43:46]

AdwCleaner[s0].txt - [1002 bytes] - [10/02/2015 19:48:07]

 

########## EOF - C:\AdwCleaner\AdwCleaner[s0].txt - [1061  bytes] ##########

 

As for my laptop, it seems to be operating normally now. Adblock isn't catching as much stuff as before, either. Just in case, though, I'm going to leave this thread as my home page in the event anything else pops up. Thanks again!

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Okay, keep me updated, so we can close the topic.

[MichaelNahrilas]

Uhh, now there's a new problem. 

 

I don't get pop-up or in-browser ads, but now random words are becoming full-caps, bold and turning into hyperlinks for random stuff. The only extensions Chrome has is the Yahoo! Toolbar and Microsoft Office extensions. It doesn't even give me the luxury of telling me what adware or program is powering these new things. 

 

Should I run FRST again and see what it finds? Or just run a Hyper Scan? 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Yes, run both of them. Attach both FRST reports.

[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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