Searchlock for Firefox

[Cactus_Flapper]

Hi People, had great advice from this forum in dealing with malware in the past. Seem to have problems again.

I downloaded a new copy of MPC video player and afterwards received a pop-up window suggesting I use an add-on called Searchlock. As I always do, i did a Google to see if it was safe and saw only malware alerts and didn't click on it. However it is still affecting my Firefox browser. This is now operating in a limited function. The right click menu of options is curtailed to only four. The font and clean frames of each tabbed window are no longer there.

 

I have run Malwarebytes and Adware but the problem still persists. Can I have some help regarding getting rid of this? Thanking you in advance.

[kevinf80]

Hello Cactus_Flapper 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. Let me see those logs... Thank you, Kevin..

[Cactus_Flapper]

Thanks Kevin,

 

Requested files are included as attachments

 

Your help greatly appreciated

 

Addition.txt

FRST.txt

[kevinf80]

Thanks for those logs, continue with the following:

Please download MBAM-clean and save it to your desktop.   Right-click on mbam-clean.exe icon and select Run as Administrator to start the tool. It will ask you to reboot the machine - please do so. Run the cleaner tool again, re-boot when complete. <<<---do not miss this step If you have lost the activation licence key information it can be located here: http://www.cleverbridge.com/342/?scope=cusecolp Download Malwarebytes version 3 from the following link: https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/thankyou/ Double click on the installer and follow the prompts. If necessary select the Blue Help tab for video instructions.... When the install completes and is updated do the following: Open Malwarebytes, select > "settings" > "protection tab" Scroll down to "Scan Options" ensure Scan for Rootkits and Scan within Archives are both on.... Go back to "DashBoard" select the Blue "Scan Now" tab...... When the scan completes deal with any found entries... Then select "Export Summary" then "Text File (*.txt)" name that log and save , you can copy or attach that 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, 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, 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.... Next, Run FRST one more time, ensure all boxes are checkmarked under "Whitelist" but only Addition.txt under "Optional scan" Select scan, when done post the new logs. "FRST.txt" and "Addition.txt" Let me see those logs in your reply, also tell me if there are any remaining issues or concerns... Thank you, Kevin...

[Cactus_Flapper]

Hi Kevin,

 

Thanks for your help. Have followed all of your recommendations but the problem still remains. None of the scans picked up anything to delete. Log files are attached

Addition.txt

FRST.txt

JRT.txt

Malwarebytes Scan.txt

mrt.log

[kevinf80]

Did you also run AdwCleaner, can I see that log... Your initial gambit suggests that Firefox is the primary concern, as logs are not finding any specific reason lets go for a clean install of Firefox..

Use the following link for instructions how to back up your bookmarks, same link can be used to import saved Bookmarks: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/export-firefox-bookmarks-to-backup-or-transfer   Next,   If you have used or set up Sync for Firefox it will be necessary to check and remove suspect entries. Instructions at following link:   https://support.mozilla.org/t5/Sync-and-Save/How-do-I-set-up-Sync-on-my-computer/ta-p/21417 Next, Go here: http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/ download save the latest version of Firefox.. We will install this later... Next, Lets totally remove Firefox and start over. Go here: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/uninstall-firefox-from-your-computer and follow those instructions... Ensure when the uninstall completes to navigate to and delete the firefox installation folder (if present): (32-bit Windows) C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox (64-bit Windows) C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox It is essential the installation folder is removed. Re-boot your system when that is completed.... Next, To remove all remaining data and profile information... Press "Windows key + R" to open the Run box In the Run box, type in or copy and paste %APPDATA% Click OK. A Windows Explorer window will appear. In this window, choose/open in succession Mozilla > Firefox > Profiles. Select Delete on each entry in reverse, eg Profiles > Delete. Firefox > Delete. Mozilla > Delete. Re-boot your system when complete! Next, Use the Mozilla Firefox installer to reinstall your Browser.... When Firefox is installed and open select these keys together :- Ctrl - Shift - A that will access Addons manger, this gives access to find addons/extensions, use, start, stop or disable those features etc.... Ensure to use search to find and install AdBlock plus, Flashblock and DrWeb Anti-Virus Link Checker plus any other addons you normally use.... Now try surfing, see what happens... Any improvement...?   Thank you,   Kevin

 

Edited April 11, 2017 by kevinf80

[Cactus_Flapper]

Followed as instructed. Seems to have cleared out all problems and be working fine now.

 

One of the more bizarre things is that I also received a PM from somebody associated with Searchlock claiming this is all a mistake and that they are pursuing legal action against those claiming the product is malware. Again this experience has done absolutely zip in terms of wanting to inspire me to find out whether the product is legit or not.

 

Oh also included Adware logfile I forgot to send

 

Thank you very much Kevin for your help. Greatly appeciated

AdwCleaner[S3].txt

[kevinf80]

Thanks for the update Cactus_Flapper,

I have no idea whether Searchlock is malicious or inert, why it should appear on your system after installing unassociated software obviously makes it seem somewhat suspicious...

If you have no remaining issues or concerns run the following to clean up.....

Download "Delfix by Xplode" and save it to your desktop. Or use the following if first link is down: "Delfix link mirror" If your security program alerts to Delfix either, accept the alert or turn your security off. Double Click to start the program. If you are using Vista or higher, please right-click and choose run as administrator Make Sure the following items are checked:   Remove disinfection tools <----- this will remove tools we have used. Purge System Restore <--- this will remove all previous and possibly exploited restore points, a new point relative to system status at present will be created. Reset system settings <--- this will reset any system settings back to default that were changed either by us during cleansing or malware/infection Now click on "Run" and wait patiently until the tool has completed. The tool will create a log when it has completed. We don't need you to post this. Any remnant files/logs from tools we have used can be deleted… Next, 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...

[AdvancedSetup]

Glad we could help. :)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!