Jump to content

Many PUPs found - safe to remove?


Recommended Posts

Hi - my name is Andrew, and I'm using MalwareBytes for the first time. I've been using Avast anti-virus and never had any issues. Recently, I updated Avast, and it seemed right after that, it started detecting issues, even though I wasn't using the Internet other than for Netflix. It had some weird issues and eventually recommended for me to do a boot time scan, which I did. (Don't think I ever had to do that before.) It detected a bunch of infected files, but they were in Windows folders, although I think many of them (if not all) were in the Temp folder. I ran Disc Cleanup after the system started again and deleted the temporary files.

 

Anyway, looking at the infection names from the Avast scan - like Win64:Conduit-B - it appeared to be adware, and I saw recommendations to use MalwareBytes. So I decided to install and run a scan for the first time, and it found 205 (!) files. Thankfully, none of them were identified as malware, but they are classified as potentially unwanted programs. With so many files, I obviously can't research every one. Many of them are associated with SearchProtect, which I assume are OK to remove? But some of them are also in Windows folders, such as

PUP.Optional.SearchProtect.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\WINDOWS|AppInit_DLLs, C:\PROGRA~2\SearchProtect\SearchProtect\bin\VC64Loader.dll GWHK64.DLL, Good: (), Bad: (C:\PROGRA~2\SearchProtect\SearchProtect\bin\VC64Loader.dll),,[393727e6d7b4dd59e580ff2e9968916f]
In the text log I exported, it lists this under "Registry Data."

 

I'm not too tech savvy, so I might not understand any complicated instructions. I tried to research this on my own, but couldn't find anything about how to interpret results. All I'd really like to know if it's possible to determine which files are safe to remove, which aren't (if any). Is there any way to tell by pathname alone? I have attached the log file in case it will help.

 

Thank you in advance!

mbam.txt

Link to post
Share on other sites

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.
  • 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.
  • If I don't hear from you within 3 days from this initial or any subsequent post, then this thread will be closed.
:excl: I can't foresee everything, so if anything not covered in my instructions happens, please stop and inform me!

:excl: There are no silly questions. Never be afraid to ask if in doubt!

 

 

 

  warning.gif 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.

 

 


Yes, you can definitely remove all found items.


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.
Link to post
Share on other sites

warning.gif Multiple Resident Protection warning!

Always have one (and no more than one!) AntiVirus program! In this case having more of them will not provide you with better protection - instead they may cause slowness, lock-ups and even mark another ones as harmful, leading to leave your system unstable and even damaged. Please choose only one from the listed below to stay with and uninstall the others:

  • avast Free Antivirus
  • Microsoft Security Essentials
Uninstallation procedure:
  • Press the WindowsKey.png + R on your keyboard at the same time. Type appwiz.cpl and click OK.
  • Search for each uninstalled entry, right-click it and select Uninstall.
This should be done until any other steps will be taken.


FRST.gif Fix with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool

icon_exclaim.gif This fix was created for this user for use on that particular machine. icon_exclaim.gif

icon_exclaim.gif Running it on another one may cause damage and render the system unstable. icon_exclaim.gif

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 FRST.gif icon and select RunAsAdmin.jpg 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 upload it to your reply.

fixlist.txt

Link to post
Share on other sites

Glad I could help. We will delete all used tools and I'll give you some tips to harden your security and learn how to protect yourself :)

Recommended reading:

icon_exclaim.gifMUST READ - security tips:

icon_exclaim.gifMUST READ - general maintenance:

The Importance of Software Updating:

In order to stay protected it is very important that you regularly update all of your software. Cybercriminals depend on the apathy of users around software updates to keep their malicious endeavor running.

Operating systems, such as Windows, and applications, such as Adobe Reader or JAVA, are used by tens of millions of computers and devices around the world, making them a huge target for cybercriminals. Downloading updates and installing them can sometimes be tedious, but the advantages you get from the updates are certainly worth it.

Recommended additional software:

icon_arrow.gifCCleaner - to clean unneeded temporary files.

icon_arrow.gifMalwarebytes' Anti-Malware - to scan your system from time to time in search for malware.

icon_arrow.gifMalwarebytes' Anti-Exploit - to prevent plenty of mostly exploited vulnerabilities.

icon_arrow.gifMcShield - to prevent infections spread by removable media.

icon_arrow.gifUnchecky - to prevent from installing additional foistware, implemented in legitimate installations.

icon_arrow.gifAdblock - to surf the web without annoying ads!

Post-cleanup procedures:

Download DelFix by Xplode and save it to your desktop.

  • Run the tool by right click on the 51a5ce45263de-delfix.png icon and Run as administrator option.
  • Make sure that these ones are checked:
    • Remove disinfection tools
    • Purge system restore
    • Reset system settings
  • Push Run.
  • The program will run for a few seconds and display a notepad report. You do not need to attach it.
The tool will also record healthy state of registry and make a backup using ERUNT program in %windir%\ERUNT\DelFix

Tool deletes old system restore points and create a fresh system restore point after cleaning.

My help is free for everybody.

If you're happy with the help provided and/or wish to show your appreciation for the assistance you received, then you can consider a donation:

btn_donateCC_LG.gif

Thank you!

Stay safe,

TwinHeadedEagle :)

Link to post
Share on other sites

I've run into a bit of an issue with my computer, and I'm not sure if this is related to what I've done with MB or FRST, or uninstalling Microsoft Security Essentials....

 

I use two storage & sync programs, Dropbox and Box, and after doing these clean-ups, neither of them seem to work. When I try to run them, nothing happens. I can't uninstall Dropbox, and when I download the installation exe file and try to run it, nothing happens. Any insight into why this might be and if it is related to the changes I've made?

Link to post
Share on other sites

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.
Link to post
Share on other sites

OK I have run another scan with FRST...I've attached the scan log. Since it was already on my system, it didn't produce another addition.txt file, but I've attached the original one in case that helps. Unless I need to uninstall & re-install FRST?

 

I also deleted my temporary files (computer, not just Internet) before I ran MB and FRST originally....I wonder if that had anything to do with this?

Addition.txt

FRST.txt

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 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!

Link to post
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
Back to top
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

This site uses cookies - We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.