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What is Search Encrypt?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Search Encrypt is a browser hijacker. These so-called "hijackers" manipulate your browser(s), for example to change your startpage or searchscopes, so that the affected browser visits their site or one of their choice. This one also displays advertisements.

How do I know if my computer is affected by Search Encrypt?

You may see these warnings during install:

warning5.png

warning6.png

webstore.png

warning7.png

these browser add-ons:

main.png

warning2.png

and changed Settings like these:

warning3.png

and you will see this icon in your browsers' menubar:

icons.png

How did Search Encrypt get on my computer?

Browser hijackers use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was offered after installing other potentially unwanted software.

How do I remove Search Encrypt?

Our program Malwarebytes can detect and remove this potentially unwanted program.

  • Please download Malwarebytes to your desktop.
  • Double-click mb3-setup-consumer-{version}.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
  • Then click Finish.
  • Once the program has fully updated, select Scan Now on the Dashboard. Or select the Threat Scan from the Scan menu.
  • If another update of the definitions is available, it will be implemented before the rest of the scanning procedure.
  • When the scan is complete, make sure that all Threats are selected, and click Remove Selected.
  • Restart your computer when prompted to do so.

Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of Search Encrypt?

  • No, Malwarebytes removes Search Encrypt completely.

How would the full version of Malwarebytes help protect me?

We hope our application and this guide have helped you eradicate this hijacker.

As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes would have protected you against the Search Encrypt hijacker. It would have warned you before the application could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.
 

protection1.png


Technical details for experts

Possible signs in FRST logs:
 

 FF Extension: No Name - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\Extensions\@search-encrypt.xpi [2018-04-13]
 CHR DefaultSearchURL: Default -> hxxps://www.search-encrypt.com/encsearch?q={searchTerms}
 CHR DefaultSearchKeyword: Default -> se
 CHR Extension: (Search Encrypt) - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde [2018-04-13]

Alterations made by the installer:
 

File system details [View: All details] (Selection)
---------------------------------------------------
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0
       Adds the file manifest.json"="4/13/2018 8:45 AM, 2104 bytes, A
       Adds the file popup.html"="11/28/2017 3:19 PM, 2017 bytes, A
       Adds the file settings.html"="11/28/2017 3:19 PM, 12031 bytes, A
       Adds the file util.js"="11/28/2017 3:19 PM, 4768 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0\_metadata
       Adds the file computed_hashes.json"="4/13/2018 8:45 AM, 4099 bytes, A
       Adds the file verified_contents.json"="11/28/2017 3:36 PM, 3285 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0\css
       Adds the file tooltip.css"="11/28/2017 3:19 PM, 1296 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0\img\se
       Adds the file icon128.png"="4/13/2018 8:45 AM, 5411 bytes, A
       Adds the file icon16.png"="4/13/2018 8:45 AM, 758 bytes, A
       Adds the file icon16_disabled.png"="4/13/2018 8:45 AM, 729 bytes, A
       Adds the file icon48.png"="4/13/2018 8:45 AM, 2342 bytes, A
       Adds the file input-checked.png"="11/9/2017 12:11 PM, 318 bytes, A
       Adds the file input-unchecked.png"="11/9/2017 12:11 PM, 154 bytes, A
       Adds the file si-logo.png"="11/9/2017 12:11 PM, 32164 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0\lib
       Adds the file bg.js"="11/28/2017 3:20 PM, 58805 bytes, A
       Adds the file jquery.js"="11/28/2017 3:19 PM, 115193 bytes, A
       Adds the file label.js"="11/28/2017 3:19 PM, 8502 bytes, A
       Adds the file popup.js"="11/28/2017 3:19 PM, 2573 bytes, A
       Adds the file savesettings.js"="11/28/2017 3:19 PM, 4352 bytes, A
       Adds the file warn-user-of-potential-redirect.js"="11/28/2017 3:19 PM, 6913 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde
       Adds the file 000003.log"="4/13/2018 8:45 AM, 279 bytes, A
       Adds the file CURRENT"="4/13/2018 8:45 AM, 16 bytes, A
       Adds the file LOCK"="4/13/2018 8:45 AM, 0 bytes, A
       Adds the file LOG"="4/13/2018 8:45 AM, 184 bytes, A
       Adds the file MANIFEST-000001"="4/13/2018 8:45 AM, 41 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\browser-extension-data\@search-encrypt
       Adds the file storage.js"="4/13/2018 8:43 AM, 12710 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\extensions
       Adds the file @search-encrypt.xpi"="4/13/2018 8:43 AM, 454714 bytes, A

Registry details [View: All details] (Selection)
------------------------------------------------
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Google\Chrome\PreferenceMACs\Default\extensions.settings]
       "jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde"="REG_SZ", "A0F72904B77E656CB9E620FAD4F2C6C20CDB334C3A071B17FB70B18DA9BF161D"

Malwarebytes log:
 

Malwarebytes
www.malwarebytes.com

-Log Details-
Scan Date: 4/13/18
Scan Time: 8:56 AM
Log File: c16c73d1-3ee7-11e8-90ff-080027235d76.json
Administrator: Yes

-Software Information-
Version: 3.3.1.2183
Components Version: 1.0.262
Update Package Version: 1.0.4718
License: Premium

-System Information-
OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1
CPU: x64
File System: NTFS
User: {computername}\{username}

-Scan Summary-
Scan Type: Threat Scan
Result: Completed
Objects Scanned: 246079
Threats Detected: 38
Threats Quarantined: 38
Time Elapsed: 2 min, 40 sec

-Scan Options-
Memory: Enabled
Startup: Enabled
Filesystem: Enabled
Archives: Enabled
Rootkits: Enabled
Heuristics: Enabled
PUP: Detect
PUM: Detect

-Scan Details-
Process: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Module: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Key: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Value: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Data Stream: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folder: 9
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\ROAMING\MOZILLA\FIREFOX\PROFILES\{profile}.default\BROWSER-EXTENSION-DATA\@SEARCH-ENCRYPT, Quarantined, [1698], [506346],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0\_metadata, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0\img\se, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0\css, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0\img, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0\lib, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\DEFAULT\EXTENSIONS\JHDJONCEHMFOOBADEEDCGIPEIDIKGNDE, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718

File: 29
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\ROAMING\MOZILLA\FIREFOX\PROFILES\{profile}.default\EXTENSIONS\@SEARCH-ENCRYPT.XPI, Quarantined, [1698], [506348],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\browser-extension-data\@search-encrypt\storage.js, Quarantined, [1698], [506346],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Secure Preferences, Replaced, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Preferences, Replaced, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\000003.log, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\CURRENT, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\LOCK, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\LOG, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\MANIFEST-000001, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\DEFAULT\EXTENSIONS\JHDJONCEHMFOOBADEEDCGIPEIDIKGNDE\2.1.5_0\MANIFEST.JSON, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0\css\tooltip.css, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0\img\se\icon128.png, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0\img\se\icon16.png, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0\img\se\icon16_disabled.png, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0\img\se\icon48.png, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0\img\se\input-checked.png, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0\img\se\input-unchecked.png, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0\img\se\si-logo.png, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0\lib\bg.js, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0\lib\jquery.js, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0\lib\label.js, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0\lib\popup.js, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0\lib\savesettings.js, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0\lib\warn-user-of-potential-redirect.js, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0\_metadata\computed_hashes.json, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0\_metadata\verified_contents.json, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0\popup.html, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0\settings.html, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718
PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jhdjoncehmfoobadeedcgipeidikgnde\2.1.5_0\util.js, Quarantined, [14859], [448980],1.0.4718

Physical Sector: 0
(No malicious items detected)


(end)

As mentioned before the full version of Malwarebytes could have protected your computer against this threat.
We use different ways of protecting your computer(s):

  • Dynamically Blocks Malware Sites & Servers
  • Malware Execution Prevention

Save yourself the hassle and get protected. 

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