Need help, can't get rid of sekindo ads!

[Xxcapo]

I've tried everything that I know of. Avast boot scan, malware bytes in safe mode, adwcleaner. I'm still seeing sekindo ads everywhere, and my browser is running like crap!

[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.

[Xxcapo]

thank you! I have attached the two files you requested

Addition.txt

FRST.txt

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Scan with ZOEK

Please download ZOEK by Smeenk and save it to your desktop (preferred version is the *.exe one)

Temporary disable your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware protection - instructions here.

createsrpoint;autoclean;emptyclsid;emptyalltemp;ipconfig /flushdns >>"%temp%\log.txt";b

• Right-click on icon and select Run as Administrator to start the tool.
• Wait patiently until the main console will appear, it may take a minute or two.
• In the main box please paste in the following script:
• Make sure that Scan All Users option is checked.
• Push Run Script and wait patiently. The scan may take a couple of minutes.
• When the scan completes, a zoek-results logfile should open in notepad.
• If a reboot is needed, it will be opened after it. You may also find it at your main drive (usually C:\ drive)

Post its content into your next reply.

[Xxcapo]

I did as you said and here are the results!

 

zoek-results.txt

[Xxcapo]

Funny so I was surfing the web after this, got a capital one ad on ESPN at first but when I went back it was sekindo again

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Can you make a picture how they look like?

[Xxcapo]

it basically will highjack my IE and put an ad wherever there would normally be an ad from the website that I'm on. when I got the capital one ad on ESPN my computer was running smoothly and fast, and would play videos normally. when the sekindo ad is up it keeps freezing and I can barely even scroll down the page.

[Xxcapo]

Here are my recently installed programs. do you think it would be Spotify? I'm having the same issue on my desktop and laptop, and other than visiting the same sites, the only common thing is the Spotify update recently.

[TwinHeadedEagle]

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 include their content into your next reply.

[Xxcapo]

here are the new scans

 

 

Addition.txt

FRST.txt

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Reports doesn't show signs of malware. Do you have this issue only in Internet Explorer?

[Xxcapo]

yes only in Explorer on websites that show ads. Like this website runs perfectly fine for me, but most sites will have the ads highjacked by Sekindo, and it makes the browser unusable

[BenBoss45]

Maybe what you should try is going into click on the gear icon then hit manage addons and see if the addon is still installed. even if you may have run anti malware the plugin still may be there. If you do find it though hit delete addon then restart ie.

[Xxcapo]

I looked and it all seems like normal stuff in there unless it's named onenote or something like Java, shockwave etc

[Xxcapo]

I get the same ads in Microsoft edge

[Xxcapo]

It's just laying dormant, I reset explorer and I had a weird IP error, had to reset my router. Surfed around and by the third time I opened explorer the ads were back

[Xxcapo]

Omg it's on my roommates computer too, that's 3 computers in my house

[Xxcapo]

was able to find this

 

 

[Xxcapo]

sorry for all the replies but after testing with my iPhone... this is gonna sound insane but.... the virus is on my router or modem! its absolutely nuts.

[Xxcapo]

Stand down for now, may have figured it out.

I updated router firmware, manually changed my DNS, flushed, reset, changed password, etc. no problems so far

[TwinHeadedEagle]

It was 100% compromised router problem. Make sure to use strong password on your router.
 
 
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

[Xxcapo]

thanks again for your help and time! made a donation via paypal!

[AdvancedSetup]

Glad we could help.

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