Removal instructions for GamerHippo

[Metallica]

What is GamerHippo?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that GamerHippo 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 GamerHippo?

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

and these warnings during install:

How did GamerHippo get on my computer?

Adware applications use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was offered as a gaming portal.

How do I remove GamerHippo?

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 GamerHippo?

• No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes GamerHippo completely.

How would the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware help protect me?

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

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

Technical details for experts

No visible signs in a HijackThis log

You may see these signs in FRST logs:

 C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\GamerHippo C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\GamerHippoGamerHippo (HKCU\...\gamerhippo.com) (Version: 1.0.0 - )

Alterations made by the installer:

File system details [View: All details] (Selection)---------------------------------------------------    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\GamerHippo       Adds the file clngh.exe"="22/05/2015 11:03, 55264 bytes, A    In the existing folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default       Alters the file directoryLinks.json        12/08/2015 14:34, 4144 bytes, A ==> 18/08/2015 08:31, 4342 bytes, A    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\GamerHippo       Adds the file GamerHippo.lnk"="18/08/2015 08:31, 1224 bytes, A       Adds the file Uninstall GamerHippo.lnk"="18/08/2015 08:31, 1077 bytes, ARegistry details [View: All details] (Selection)------------------------------------------------    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\gamerhippo.com]       "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\GamerHippo\clngh.exe""       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "GamerHippo"       "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "1.0.0"       "HelpLink"="REG_SZ", "http://www.gamerhippo.com"       "SupportLink"="REG_SZ", "http://www.gamerhippo.com"       "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\GamerHippo\clngh.exe""

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malwarewww.malwarebytes.orgScan Date: 18/08/2015Scan Time: 08:40Logfile: mbamGamerHippo.txtAdministrator: YesVersion: 2.1.8.1057Malware Database: v2015.08.18.01Rootkit Database: v2015.08.16.01License: PremiumMalware Protection: DisabledMalicious Website Protection: EnabledSelf-protection: DisabledOS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1CPU: x64File System: NTFSUser: {username}Scan Type: Threat ScanResult: CompletedObjects Scanned: 329619Time Elapsed: 4 min, 14 secMemory: EnabledStartup: EnabledFilesystem: EnabledArchives: EnabledRootkits: EnabledHeuristics: EnabledPUP: EnabledPUM: EnabledProcesses: 0(No malicious items detected)Modules: 0(No malicious items detected)Registry Keys: 1PUP.Optional.GamerHippo.A, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\gamerhippo.com, Quarantined, [3811709a0f7cef47ed1a7a0fe4210ef2], Registry Values: 0(No malicious items detected)Registry Data: 0(No malicious items detected)Folders: 2PUP.Optional.GamerHippo.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\GamerHippo, Quarantined, [1c2dc74395f6b284da76a31228dc14ec], PUP.Optional.GamerHippo.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\GamerHippo, Quarantined, [9cada367a9e2d1655690d245d72c659b], Files: 4PUP.Optional.GamerHippo.A, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\GamerHippo.exe, Quarantined, [58f113f7286300369b6c068312f39f61], PUP.Optional.GamerHippo.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\GamerHippo\clngh.exe, Quarantined, [3811709a0f7cef47ed1a7a0fe4210ef2], PUP.Optional.GamerHippo.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\GamerHippo\GamerHippo.lnk, Quarantined, [1c2dc74395f6b284da76a31228dc14ec], PUP.Optional.GamerHippo.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\GamerHippo\Uninstall GamerHippo.lnk, Quarantined, [1c2dc74395f6b284da76a31228dc14ec], 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.