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Hao123 hijacked


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My browsers have been hijacked with Hao123

I have scanned it with Malwarebytes but it is not being detected by Malwarebytes.

I was successful in removing it temporarily with UnHackMe but after a while it keeps coming back.

Does anyone have any knowledge how to permanently remove this annoying browser hijacker?

 

rkalip

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Hello and welcome to Malwarebytes,

Please be aware the following P2P/Piracy Warning is a standard opening reply made here at Malwarebytes, we make no accusations but do make you aware of Forum Protocol....

QUOTE
If you're using Peer 2 Peer software such as uTorrent, BitTorrent or similar you must either fully uninstall them or completely disable them from running while being assisted here.Failure to remove or disable such software will result in your topic being closed and no further assistance being provided.If you have illegal/cracked software, cracks, keygens etc. on the system, please remove or uninstall them now and read the policy on Piracy.


Anyone other than the original starter of this thread please DO NOT follow the instructions and advice posted as replies here, my help and advice is NOT related to your system and will probably cause more harm than good...

Change the download folder setting in the default Browser so all tools we may use are saved to the Desktop:

user posted imageGoogle Chrome - Click the "Customize and control Google Chrome" button in the upper right-corner of the browser. user posted image
Choose Settings. at the bottom of the screen click the
"Show advanced settings..." link. Scroll down to find the Downloads section and click the Change... button. Select your desktop and click OK.

user posted imageMozilla Firefox - Click the "Open Menu" button in the upper right-corner of the browser. user posted image Choose Options. In the downloads section, click the Browse button, click on the Desktop folder and the click the "Select Folder" button. Click OK to get out of the Options menu.

user posted imageInternet Explorer - Click the Tools menu in the upper right-corner of the browser. user posted image Select View downloads. Select the Options link in the lower left of the window. Click Browse and select the Desktop and then choose the Select Folder button. Click OK to get out of the download options screen and then click Close to get out of the View Downloads screen.
NOTE: IE8 Does not support changing download locations in this manner. You will need to download the tool(s) to the default folder, usually Downloads, then copy them to the desktop.

user posted imageChange default download folder location in Edge - Boot to a user account with admin status, select start > file explorer > right click on "Downloads" folder and select "Properties"

In the new window select "Location" tab > clear the text field box and type in or copy/paste %userprofile%\Desktop > select "Apply" then "OK"

Be aware you are not changing the Browser download folder location, you are changing the user’s download directory location.....


Next,


Please open Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
 
  • On the Settings tab > Detection and Protection sub tab, Detection Options, tick the box "Scan for rootkits".
  • Under Non-Malware Protection sub tab Change PUP and PUM entries to Treat detections as Malware
  • Click on the Scan tab, then click on Scan Now >> . If an update is available, click the Update Now button.
  • A Threat Scan will begin.
  • When the scan is complete Apply Actions to any found entries.
  • Wait for the prompt to restart the computer to appear (if applicable), then click on Yes.
  • After the restart once you are back at your desktop, open MBAM once more.


To get the log from Malwarebytes do the following:
 
  • Click on the History tab > Application Logs.
  • Double click on the scan log which shows the Date and time of the scan just performed.
  • Click Export > From export you have three options:
    Copy to Clipboard - if seleted right click to your reply and select "Paste" log will be pasted to your reply
    Text file (*.txt) - if selected you will have to name the file and save to a place of choice, recommend "Desktop" then attach to reply
    XML file (*.xml) - if selected you will have to name the file and save to a place of choice, recommend "Desktop" then attach to reply
     
  • Please use "Copy to Clipboard, then Right click to your reply > select "Paste" that will copy the log to your reply…



If Malwarebytes is not installed follow these instructions first:

Download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to your desktop.
  • Double-click mbam-setup and follow the prompts to install the program.
  • At the end, be sure a checkmark is placed next to the following:
  • Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
  • A 14 day trial of the Premium features is pre-selected. You may deselect this if you wish, and it will not diminish the scanning and removal capabilities of the program.
  • Click Finish. Follow the instructions above....


Next,

Download AdwCleaner by Xplode onto your Desktop.
 
  • Double click on Adwcleaner.exe to run the tool.
  • Click on the Scan in the Actions box
  • Please wait fot the scan to finish..
  • When "Waiting for action.Please uncheck elements you want to keep" shows in top line..
  • Click on the Cleaning box.
  • Next click OK on the "Closing Programs" pop up box.
  • Click OK on the Information box & again OK to allow the necessary reboot
  • After restart the AdwCleaner(C*)-Notepad log will appear, please copy/paste it in your next reply. Where * is the number relative to list of scans completed...


Next,

Download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to your desktop.

Note: You need to run the version compatible with your system (32 bit or 64 bit). 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.(Windows 8/10 users will be prompted about Windows SmartScreen protection - click More information and Run.)
  • Make sure Addition.txt is checkmarked under "Optional scans"
  • Press Scan button to run the tool....
  • It will make a log (FRST.txt) in the same directory the tool is run. Please copy and paste it to your reply.
  • The tool will also make a log named (Addition.txt) Please attach those logs to your reply.


Let me see those logs in your next reply...

Thank you,

Kevin...

.

 

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Thanks for those logs, continue as follows:

Download attached fixlist.txt file (end of reply) and save it to the Desktop, or the folder you saved FRST into.
NOTE. It's important that both FRST and fixlist.txt are in the same location or the fix will not work.

Run FRST and press the Fix button just once and wait.
The tool will make a log on the Desktop (Fixlog.txt) or the folder it was ran from. Please post it to your reply.

Next,

Please download Junkware Removal Tool to your desktop.

 

  • Shut down your protection software now to avoid potential conflicts. (re-enable when done)
  • Run the tool by double-clicking it. If you are using Windows Vista, 7, or 8; instead of double-clicking, right-mouse click JRT.exe and select "Run as Administrator".
  • The tool will open and start scanning your system.
  • Please be patient as this can take a while to complete depending on your system's specifications.
  • On completion, a log (JRT.txt) is saved to your desktop and will automatically open.
  • Post the contents of JRT.txt into your next message.

 

Next,

user posted image
Download Dr Web Cureit from here http://www.freedrweb.com/cureit save to your desktop. (Scroll to bottom of page)
 
  • The file will be randomly named
  • Reboot to safe mode <<<<<------------ http://www.computerhope.com/issues/chsafe.htm
  • Run Dr Web
  • Tick the I agree box and select continue
  • Click select objects for scanning

    user posted image

     
  • Tick all boxes as shown
  • Click the wrench and select automatically apply actions to threats

    user posted image

     
  • Press start scan
  • The scan will now commence

    user posted image

     
  • Once the scan has finished click open report <<<--- Do not miss this step

    user posted image

     
  • A notepad will open
  • Select File > Save as..
  • Save it to your desktop



This log will be excessive, Please attach it to your next reply…

Let me see those logs, also give an update on any remaining issues oe concerns.....

 

Fixlist.txt

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Several entries related to Hoa123 were in the fixlist.txt, I really needed to see the log (Fixlog.txt) to see if all entries were removed. If you want to try a reset of your Windows 10 system that is up to you..

Instructions for W10 reset are here: http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4130-reset-windows-10-a.html

Or to refresh are here: http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4090-refresh-windows-10-a.html

 

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Thank you for your response

If everything else fail, then I may be left with no choice but to do a windows reset.

As I understand it a reset would reset the PC to the original settings all programmes etc.

would be lost.

In that case could my Malwarebytes licence be reused on the PC?

 

rkalip  

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Yes a reset will be back to factory state, anything you`ve installed would be lost... If you have kept licence details for Malwarebytes a fresh install will be possible.. If you have lost the activation licence key information it can be located here: http://www.cleverbridge.com/342/?scope=cusecolp

Do you intend going for a reset?

 

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I do not see any reference to  Hoa123 in the most recent logs, still some work to do....

Download attached fixlist.txt file (end of reply) and save it to the Desktop, or the folder you saved FRST into.
NOTE. It's important that both FRST and fixlist.txt are in the same location or the fix will not work.

Run FRST and press the Fix button just once and wait.
The tool will make a log on the Desktop (Fixlog.txt) or the folder it was ran from. Please post it to your reply.

Next,

Download Sophos Free Virus Removal Tool and save it to your desktop.

  • Double click the icon and select Run
  • Click Next
  • Select I accept the terms in this license agreement, then click Next twice
  • Click Install
  • Click Finish to launch the program
  • Once the virus database has been updated click Start Scanning
  • If any threats are found click Details, then View log file... (bottom left hand corner)
  • Copy and paste the results in your reply
  • Close the Notepad document, close the Threat Details screen, then click Start cleanup
  • Click Exit to close the program
  • If no threats were found please confirm that result....

Let me see those logs, also give an update on any remaining issues or concerns...

Thanks,

Kevin

 

 

 

Fixlist.txt

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You`ve attached logs from another scan with FRST, did you use FRST to do the fix?? I attached fixlist.txt in my last reply, the instructions tell you to save that file to the same folder as FRST then open FRST and select the FIX tab...... FRST would then run the commands saved in the fixlist.txt  On completion it would produce a log fixlog.txt  That is the log I need to see.....

Also give an update on any remaining issues or concerns........

Thank you,

Kevin

 

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Yes sometimes a reset or refresh is the easiest way to get a quick positive result.....

Thank you for the update.... Read the following links to fully understand PC Security and Best Practices, you may find them useful....

Answers to Common Security Questions and best Practices

Do I need a Registry Cleaner?

Take care and surf safe

Kevin...  busy.gif

 

 

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