Cannot remove Prime Updater Malware

[AaWill78]

This is the first time I've posted here in the forums at malwarebytes. I'm running windows 10 and I have a nasty bit of malware on my computer that I simply cannot get rid of. It's called Prime Updater and it keeps prompting me to update Adobe Flash. I recently updated Abobe Flash myself about 2 weeks ago so I know it is fairly up to date (I went to the real website of my own accord, not through some updater or notification pop-up). I've looked around for anyone who might be experiencing something similar and found one instance on a website I came across called freezingcomputer.com. This is the only thing I've been able to find that looks to be similar to my issue:

http://www.freezingcomputer.com/remove-prime-updater-pop-ups-prime_updater-exe/

The screenshot of the Prime Updater window there shows the very same thing I see except that it shows it is trying to update Firefox, whereas the window that pops up on my screen is trying to update Adobe Flash. It recommended downloading something called Plumbytes anti-malware that it linked to but I never download programs that I'm not already familiar with. I've ran Malwarebytes 3.0 Premium (I'm using 13 day free trial) three different times now and every time it finds problems, quarantines them, and restarts my computer. But when I get back to the desktop the Prime Updater appears again. I'm not sure what I can do to get rid of this thing. Any advice or help at all would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!

[kevinf80]

Hello AaWill78 and welcome to Malwarebytes, My screen name is kevinf80, i`m here to help clean up your system. Make sure to run all scans from accounts with Administrator status, continue as follows please: 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 only. so all of the tools we may use are saved to the Desktop: Google Chrome - Click the "Customize and control Google Chrome" button in the upper right-corner of the browser. 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. Mozilla Firefox - Click the "Open Menu" button in the upper right-corner of the browser. 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. Internet Explorer - Click the Tools menu in the upper right-corner of the browser. 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. Change 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, Follow the instructions in the following link to show hidden files: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/show-hidden-files-and-folders-in-windows-vista/ Next, Download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to your desktop. Alternative download option: http://www.techspot.com/downloads/6731-farbar-recovery-scan-tool.html 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. If your security alerts to FRST either, accept the alert or turn your security off to allow FRST to run. It is not malicious or infected in any way... Be aware FRST must be run from an account with Administrator status...   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 that log to your reply. Next, Download and save RogueKiller to your Desktop from this link: https://www.fosshub.com/RogueKiller.html/setup.exe Right click setup.exe and select Run as Administrator to start installing RogueKiller. At the next window Checkmark "Install 32 and 64 bit versions, then select "Next" In the next window skip Licence I.D. and Licence Key, select "Next" In the next window make no changes and select "Next" In the next window leave both "Additional Shortcuts" checkmarked, then select "Next" In the next window make no changes and select "Install" RogueKiller will extract and complete installation, in the new window leave "Launch Roguekiller" checkmarked, then select finish. RogueKiller will launch. Accept UAC, then read and accept "User Agreements" In the new window the "Home" tab should already be selected, Change by selecting "Scan" tab, then select "Start Scan" When the scan completes select "Open Report" In the new Window select "Export text" name that file RK.txt, save to your Desktop and attach to your reply Let me see those logs... Thank you, Kevin..

[AaWill78]

Thank you so much for your help Kevin! It took a while to get those logs but here they are.

 

Addition.txt

FRST.txt

RK.txt

[AaWill78]

I think we, well you actually lol, may have fixed the problem. I can't find the Prime Updater anywhere and its not popping up anymore.

[AaWill78]

Yeah, it looks like its gone. I think the Roguekiller program got rid of it when I removed the threats it had found. I can't thank you enough Kevin! I'm normally fairly good at removing malicious programs and stuff from my computer but this one gave me much more trouble than usual. Normally Malwarebytes does the job, it pretty much handled everything I've thrown at it so far until this. Thank you very much for your help it is GREATLY APPRECIATED! Is there anything I can do here to return the favor for you helping me? I looked for a rank or reputation system I could click on or up vote but I couldn't find one.

Edited March 16, 2017 by AaWill78

[kevinf80]

Can you continue and run the following, make sure the issue is definitely cleared:

Download attached fixlist.txt file (end of reply) and save it to the Desktop, or the folder you saved FRST into. "Do not open that file" NOTE. It's important that both FRST and fixlist.txt are in the same location or the fix will not work. Open 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 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 Microsoft's " Malicious Software Removal Tool" and save direct to the desktop Ensure to get the correct version for your system.... 32 Bit version: https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/confirmation.aspx?FamilyId=AD724AE0-E72D-4F54-9AB3-75B8EB148356&displaylang=en 64 Bit version: https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/confirmation.aspx?FamilyId=585D2BDE-367F-495E-94E7-6349F4EFFC74&displaylang=en Right click on the Tool, select “Run as Administrator” the tool will expand to the options Window In the "Scan Type" window, select Quick Scan Perform a scan and Click Finish when the scan is done. Retrieve the MSRT log as follows, and post it in your next reply: 1) Select the Windows key and R key together to open the "Run" function 2) Type or Copy/Paste the following command to the "Run Line" and Press Enter: notepad c:\windows\debug\mrt.log The log will include log details for each time MSRT has run, we only need the most recent log by date and time.... Let me see those logs in your reply... Thank you, Kevin

 

fixlist.txt

[AaWill78]

I just noticed your reply this morning. I'm busy at the moment but I will do as you instruct when I'm at my computer and I will get back to you later in the day. Thank you so much for your help!

[kevinf80]

Thanks for the update....

[kevinf80]

Any progress...?