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What is WordShark?

 

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that WordShark is adware. These adware applications display advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing.

 

How do I know if my computer is affected by WordShark?

You may see this entry in your list of installed programs:

 

warning4.png

and these warnings during install:

main.png

warning1.png

warning2.png

and this type of advertiements :

warning3.png

and these Scheduled Tasks:

warning5.png

 

How did WordShark get on my computer?

 

Adware applications use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was bundled with other software.

 

How do I remove WordShark?

 

Our program Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can detect and remove this potentially unwanted program.

  • Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to your desktop.
  • Double-click mbam-setup-version.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
  • At the end, be sure a check-mark is placed next to the following:
    • Enable free trial of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium
    • Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
  • Then click Finish.
  • If an update is found, you will be prompted to download and install the latest version.
  • Once the program has loaded, select Scan now. Or select the Threat Scan from the Scan menu.
  • When the scan is complete , make sure that everything is set to "Quarantine", and click Apply Actions.
  • Reboot your computer if prompted.
Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of WordShark?
  • No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes WordShark completely.
  • This PUP creates some scheduled tasks. You can read here how to check for and, if necessary, remove Scheduled Tasks.
How would the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware help protect me?

 

We hope our application and this guide have helped you eradicate this hijacker.  

 

As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware would have protected you against the WordShark adware. It would have warned you before the rogue could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.

 

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Technical details for experts

 

You will see these signs in a HijackThis log:

O23 - Service: WS 1.10.0.17 Client Service (wssvc_1.10.0.17) - WS - C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\Service\wssvc.exe
 

You may see these signs in FRST logs:

 (WS) C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\Service\wssvc.exe R2 wssvc_1.10.0.17; C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\Service\wssvc.exe [278616 2015-06-02] (WS) R1 wsfd_1_10_0_17; C:\Windows\System32\drivers\wsfd_1_10_0_17.sys [52736 2015-06-02] (WS) C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17 (WS) C:\Windows\system32\Drivers\wsfd_1_10_0_17.sysWordShark 1.10.0.17 (HKLM\...\WordShark_1.10.0.17) (Version: 1.10.0.17 - WordShark)Task: {97B8D3EF-A725-47F3-9E22-558B84B5A972} - System32\Tasks\WordShark Auto Updater 1.10.0.17 Pending Update => C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\Update\WordSharkAutoUpdateClient.exe [2015-06-02] (WS)Task: {FBD43B38-4E49-4A48-AB6A-D0E3CACAAEBB} - System32\Tasks\WordShark Auto Updater 1.10.0.17 Core => C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\Update\WordSharkAutoUpdateClient.exe [2015-06-02] (WS)
 

 

Alterations made by the installer:

File system details [View: All details] (Selection)---------------------------------------------------    Adds the folder C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17       Adds the file terms-of-service.rtf"="5/30/2015 1:20 AM, 24140 bytes, A       Adds the file Uninstall.exe"="6/2/2015 12:45 AM, 317464 bytes, A    Adds the folder C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\3rd Party Licenses       Adds the file buildcrx-license.txt"="5/19/2014 9:10 PM, 7074 bytes, A       Adds the file Info-ZIP-license.txt"="5/19/2014 9:10 PM, 2944 bytes, A       Adds the file JSON-simple-license.txt"="10/30/2014 2:55 AM, 11558 bytes, A       Adds the file nsJSON-license.txt"="5/19/2014 9:10 PM, 809 bytes, A       Adds the file Nustache-license.txt"="10/30/2014 2:55 AM, 1079 bytes, A       Adds the file TaskScheduler-license.txt"="10/30/2014 2:55 AM, 0 bytes, A       Adds the file UAC-license.txt"="5/19/2014 9:10 PM, 956 bytes, A    Adds the folder C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\Service       Adds the file wssvc.exe"="6/2/2015 12:45 AM, 278616 bytes, A    Adds the folder C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\Update       Adds the file Microsoft.Win32.TaskScheduler.dll"="10/30/2014 2:55 AM, 185856 bytes, A       Adds the file Nustache.Core.dll"="10/30/2014 2:55 AM, 28672 bytes, A       Adds the file WordSharkAutoUpdateClient.exe"="6/2/2015 12:44 AM, 61016 bytes, A       Adds the file WordSharkAutoUpdateClient.exe.config"="10/30/2014 2:55 AM, 256 bytes, A    In the existing folder C:\Windows\System32\drivers       Adds the file wsfd_1_10_0_17.sys"="6/2/2015 12:44 AM, 52736 bytes, A    In the existing folder C:\Windows\System32\Tasks       Adds the file WordShark Auto Updater 1.10.0.17 Core"="6/16/2015 8:49 AM, 4152 bytes, A       Adds the file WordShark Auto Updater 1.10.0.17 Pending Update"="6/16/2015 8:49 AM, 4162 bytes, ARegistry details [View: All details] (Selection)------------------------------------------------    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\WordSharkAutoUpdateClient_RASAPI32]       "ConsoleTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536       "EnableConsoleTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0       "EnableFileTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0       "FileDirectory"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "%windir%\tracing"       "FileTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536       "MaxFileSize"="REG_DWORD", 1048576    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\WordSharkAutoUpdateClient_RASMANCS]       "ConsoleTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536       "EnableConsoleTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0       "EnableFileTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0       "FileDirectory"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "%windir%\tracing"       "FileTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536       "MaxFileSize"="REG_DWORD", 1048576    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\WordShark_1.10.0.17]       "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\Uninstall.exe"       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "WordShark 1.10.0.17"       "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "1.10.0.17"       "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1       "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1       "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "WordShark"       "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\Uninstall.exe"       "URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://www.wordsharkapp.com"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WordShark_1.10.0.17]       "cr-at"="REG_SZ", ""       "cr-pid"="REG_SZ", ""       "cr-ver"="REG_SZ", "43.0.2357.124"       "dbsr"="REG_SZ", "iexplore"       "features"="REG_SZ", "0x01000000"       "ff-at"="REG_SZ", ""       "ff-pid"="REG_SZ", ""       "ff-ver"="REG_SZ", "25.0 (en-US)"       "hid"="REG_SZ", "99B84D34-775B-F8F2-2E33-C48517F1E2F6"       "ie-at"="REG_SZ", ""       "ie-pid"="REG_SZ", ""       "ie-ver"="REG_SZ", "11.0.9600.17843"       "iid"="REG_SZ", "00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000"       "itm"="REG_SZ", "2015-06-16T06:49:08Z"       "nf-at"="REG_SZ", "2DE8091B-2F23-F3A6-EA02-88D4BAB71B23"       "nf-pid"="REG_SZ", "E53E91F1-3BA5-4E41-B2D8-3C6D2C64943B"       "nid"="REG_SZ", "8D41449E-BF91-4FFA-A606-498E2B5BF005"       "osn"="REG_SZ", "Windows 7 Ultimate N"       "ost"="REG_SZ", "x32"       "osv"="REG_SZ", "6.1.7601"       "user_sid"="REG_SZ", "S-1-5-21-4016700205-1717049133-1125222536-1001"       "ver"="REG_SZ", "1.10.0.17"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\wsfd_1_10_0_17]       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "wsfd_1_10_0_17"       "ErrorControl"="REG_DWORD", 1       "Group"="REG_SZ", "PNP_TDI"       "ImagePath"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "system32\drivers\wsfd_1_10_0_17.sys"       "Start"="REG_DWORD", 1       "Tag"="REG_DWORD", 10       "Type"="REG_DWORD", 1    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\wsfd_1_10_0_17\Enum]       "0"="REG_SZ", "Root\LEGACY_WSFD_1_10_0_17\0000"       "Count"="REG_DWORD", 1       "NextInstance"="REG_DWORD", 1    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\wssvc_1.10.0.17]       "Description"="REG_SZ", "This service enables WS 1.10.0.17 on HTTP websites"       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "WS 1.10.0.17 Client Service"       "ErrorControl"="REG_DWORD", 1       "ImagePath"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, ""C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\Service\wssvc.exe""       "ObjectName"="REG_SZ", "LocalSystem"       "Start"="REG_DWORD", 2       "Type"="REG_DWORD", 16
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malwarewww.malwarebytes.orgScan Date: 6/16/2015Scan Time: 9:03:24 AMLogfile: mbamWordshark.txtAdministrator: YesVersion: 2.01.6.1022Malware Database: v2015.06.16.02Rootkit Database: v2015.06.15.01License: FreeMalware Protection: DisabledMalicious Website Protection: DisabledSelf-protection: DisabledOS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1CPU: x86File System: NTFSUser: MalwarebytesScan Type: Threat ScanResult: CompletedObjects Scanned: 294376Time Elapsed: 3 min, 42 secMemory: EnabledStartup: EnabledFilesystem: EnabledArchives: EnabledRootkits: DisabledHeuristics: EnabledPUP: EnabledPUM: EnabledProcesses: 1PUP.Optional.WordShark.A, C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\Service\wssvc.exe, 3364, Delete-on-Reboot, [ff631ba092f840f6c389462952b0946c]Modules: 0(No malicious items detected)Registry Keys: 4PUP.Optional.WordShark.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\wssvc_1.10.0.17, Quarantined, [ff631ba092f840f6c389462952b0946c], PUP.Optional.WordShark.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\wsfd_1_10_0_17, Quarantined, [d88ad6e5a8e2a0964a020f60a9598d73], PUP.Optional.WordShark.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\WordShark_1.10.0.17, Quarantined, [431f516a0981aa8ce3697af5a75b3ac6], PUP.Optional.WordShark.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WordShark_1.10.0.17, Quarantined, [580a2b90830778be69239ff02bdad828], Registry Values: 1PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\wssvc_1.10.0.17|ImagePath, "C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\Service\wssvc.exe", Quarantined, [bea43e7da9e1bd79325144453ec732ce]Registry Data: 0(No malicious items detected)Folders: 4PUP.Optional.WordShark.A, C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17, Delete-on-Reboot, [87db0fac1872a88ea2654aa62dd6bf41], PUP.Optional.WordShark.A, C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\3rd Party Licenses, Quarantined, [87db0fac1872a88ea2654aa62dd6bf41], PUP.Optional.WordShark.A, C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\Service, Delete-on-Reboot, [87db0fac1872a88ea2654aa62dd6bf41], PUP.Optional.WordShark.A, C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\Update, Quarantined, [87db0fac1872a88ea2654aa62dd6bf41], Files: 23PUP.Optional.WordShark.A, C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\Service\wssvc.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [ff631ba092f840f6c389462952b0946c], PUP.Optional.WordShark.A, C:\Windows\System32\drivers\wsfd_1_10_0_17.sys, Quarantined, [d88ad6e5a8e2a0964a020f60a9598d73], PUP.Optional.WordShark.A, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\(Vitruvian) WordShark.exe, Quarantined, [332f506bf49621156fdd8fe08f73b947], PUP.Optional.WordShark.A, C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\Uninstall.exe, Quarantined, [431f516a0981aa8ce3697af5a75b3ac6], PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-hardwareprofile-v0001, Quarantined, [fa6883383b4f63d33857b0cdf70ed030], PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-install-v0003, Quarantined, [91d11d9e78120036335c5b22e2231be5], PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-processes-v0002, Quarantined, [e181ac0fb9d12c0a98f7a5d8c44115eb], PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-scheduledtasks-v0001, Quarantined, [8ed4dae1f694ee483a556d104bba7a86], PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-softwareregkeys-v0002, Quarantined, [154da615513972c456390b7234d1de22], PUP.Optional.WordShark.A, C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\WordShark Auto Updater 1.10.0.17 Core, Quarantined, [afb37a41583202340f7a39563acb6c94], PUP.Optional.WordShark.A, C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\WordShark Auto Updater 1.10.0.17 Pending Update, Quarantined, [125019a28505cc6adeab7e11d3327d83], PUP.Optional.WordShark.A, C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\terms-of-service.rtf, Quarantined, [87db0fac1872a88ea2654aa62dd6bf41], PUP.Optional.WordShark.A, C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\3rd Party Licenses\buildcrx-license.txt, Quarantined, [87db0fac1872a88ea2654aa62dd6bf41], PUP.Optional.WordShark.A, C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\3rd Party Licenses\Info-ZIP-license.txt, Quarantined, [87db0fac1872a88ea2654aa62dd6bf41], PUP.Optional.WordShark.A, C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\3rd Party Licenses\JSON-simple-license.txt, Quarantined, [87db0fac1872a88ea2654aa62dd6bf41], PUP.Optional.WordShark.A, C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\3rd Party Licenses\nsJSON-license.txt, Quarantined, [87db0fac1872a88ea2654aa62dd6bf41], PUP.Optional.WordShark.A, C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\3rd Party Licenses\Nustache-license.txt, Quarantined, [87db0fac1872a88ea2654aa62dd6bf41], PUP.Optional.WordShark.A, C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\3rd Party Licenses\TaskScheduler-license.txt, Quarantined, [87db0fac1872a88ea2654aa62dd6bf41], PUP.Optional.WordShark.A, C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\3rd Party Licenses\UAC-license.txt, Quarantined, [87db0fac1872a88ea2654aa62dd6bf41], PUP.Optional.WordShark.A, C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\Update\Microsoft.Win32.TaskScheduler.dll, Quarantined, [87db0fac1872a88ea2654aa62dd6bf41], PUP.Optional.WordShark.A, C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\Update\Nustache.Core.dll, Quarantined, [87db0fac1872a88ea2654aa62dd6bf41], PUP.Optional.WordShark.A, C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\Update\WordSharkAutoUpdateClient.exe, Quarantined, [87db0fac1872a88ea2654aa62dd6bf41], PUP.Optional.WordShark.A, C:\Program Files\WordShark_1.10.0.17\Update\WordSharkAutoUpdateClient.exe.config, Quarantined, [87db0fac1872a88ea2654aa62dd6bf41], Physical Sectors: 0(No malicious items detected)(end)
As mentioned before the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware could have protected your computer against this threat.

We use different ways of protecting your computer(s):

  • Dynamically Blocks Malware Sites & Servers
  • Malware Execution Prevention
Save yourself the hassle and get protected.
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