Ads Powered By Serpens

[KennyH]

Have there been any posts or solutions to the "Ads Powered By Serpens" Adware/Malware problem?  I have searched for a solution to the removal of this popup invasion, but almost all of the sites are spam for virus software.

[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.

[KennyH]

Here are the two files that FRST64 generated.  It's amazing how many blocks were handled by malwarebytes as I attempted to reply and log in to the forum.  My browser is currently being hijacked by "Powered By Sagittarius". All very frustrating.  Thank you in advance for your help.

FRST.txt

Addition.txt

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Is this business computer? Do you have MalwareBytes subscription?

[KennyH]

No.  It is a personal computer, and yes I have a premium subscription to malwarebytes.  But, my subscription is new.  I subscribed after I was attacked by whatever it is that has infected my browsers.  I now have it running 100% of the time and it is continually blocking outgoing information for a variety of web sites.

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Okay. Please do not attempt to do anything on yourself. This infection is tricky and sometimes can render your internet unusable.

 

 

FRST search

 

Once again we shall use FRST for additional checks. Re-run FRST/FRST64 by double-clicking:

• Copy dnsapi.dll into the Search: field in FRST then click the Search Files button.
• FRST will search your computer for files and when finished it will produce a log Search.txt in the same directory the tool is run.
• Please attach it to your reply.

[KennyH]

By the way, I can show you the malwarebytes log showing all of the blocked websites in the last hour or so if that helps you.

[TwinHeadedEagle]

I don't need it right now.

[KennyH]

Here you are.

Search.txt

[KennyH]

Unfortunately I tried to fix it on my own using suggestions from a number of different websites.  None of those worked.  I hope I didn't make the problem worse.

[TwinHeadedEagle]

It is okay.
 
 
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 Detection & Protection and tick Scan for rootkits.
• In the same tab, under PUP and PUM detections make sure it is set to Treat detections as malware
• Click the Scan tab, choose Threat Scan is checked and click Start Scan.
• 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 upload your next reply.

[KennyH]

That scan was pretty amazing.  It said that it found 1700 or so threats.  Attached is the log.

Scan Log.txt

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Good. Let's run more tools:
 
 
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.
• Accept the Terms of use.
• Wait until the database is updated.
• Click Scan.
• When finished, please click Cleaning.
• Your PC should reboot now.
• After reboot, logfile will be opened. Copy its content into your next reply.

Note: Reports will be saved in your system partition, usually at C:\Adwcleaner

[KennyH]

OK.  Here's the latest txt.

AdwCleanerC1.txt

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Very good. How is your PC behaving now?
 
To make sure all malware is gone, we'll perform final FRST scan:
 
 
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 upload them into your next reply.

[KennyH]

So far everything seems to going fine.  I haven't really connected much to the Internet though while we were going through this process.  I'll do that some now and see if I get any of the ugly popups.  I will get back to you and let you know....and buy you a beer.

Addition.txt

FRST.txt

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Okay, final leftovers cleanup:
 
 
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.

fixlist.txt

[KennyH]

I have attached the fixlog.txt.  Just to let you know, overnight here malwarebytes detected one pup which I removed and McAfee detected a Trojan (artemis), which was also removed.  Possibly stragglers from this process?

Fixlog.txt

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Can you tell me the location of McAfee detected file?

[KennyH]

I wish I could.  I was a bit sleepy when I saw it and when I rebooted I could not find where McAfee might have kept a report on the activity.  I am not that familiar with McAfee to know if there are any .txt files associated with their scans.  I did a search for a .txt file that might have been created lately and only found the ones that we are using this morning.

[KennyH]

TwinHeadedEagle, are we finished?  If not, just let me know what else I need to do.  If we are, then I appreciate your help very very much.  I thought I was faced with doing a clean install of Windows, so you have saved me a tremendous amount of time and effort.  I hope you saw that I sent you a couple of beers via PayPal.  Ken

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Yes, we're done. Only thing I can think of about McAfee detection is probably something we quarantined with the tools we used. We double checked and your PC is clean now. I received your donation, thank you very much.
 
 
Since there are no more problems, we can declare this PC clean
 
Now, we can proceed with post-cleanup procedures. Let's remove my tools and create a new, non infected restore point concurrently deleting old ones.
 
 
Step 1. - Creation of system restore point and tools removal.
 
 
Download DelFix by Xplode and save it to your desktop.

• Run the tool by right click on the icon and Run as administrator option.
• Make sure that these ones are checked:
  • Remove disinfection tools
  • Purge system restore
  • Reset system settings
• Push Run and wait until the tool completes his work.
• All tools we used should be gone. Tool will create an report for you (C:\DelFix.txt). I don't need it for review.

Tool deletes old system restore points and creates a fresh system restore point after cleaning.
 
 
Step 2. - Tips and tricks to keep your computer clean, safe and in a good shape.
 
 
Security tips - highly recommended reading:

• Simple and easy ways to keep your computer safe and secure on the Internet

Maintenance tips:

• Optimize Windows for better performance

Additional software that I personally use and install on all my clients devices:

• Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (paid version highly recommended) - to scan your system from time to time in search for malware.
• Malwarebytes' Anti-Exploit - to prevent plenty of mostly exploited vulnerabilities.
• McShield - to prevent infections spread by removable media.
• Unchecky - to prevent from installing additional foistware, implemented in legitimate installations.
• Adblock - to surf the web without annoying ads!
• Qualys BrowserCheck - cloud service that scans your browsers and plugins to see if they’re all up-to-date.

My help is free for everybody.
If you're happy with the help provided and/or wish to buy me a beer for the assistance you received, then you can consider a donation:
Thank you!

 
 
 
Stay safe,
TwinHeadedEagle

[AdvancedSetup]

Glad we could help.

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