Removal instructions for hqfokcomiew

[Metallica]

What is hqfokcomiew?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that hqfokcomiew is adware. These adware applications display advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing.
This particular one runs a Scheduled Task to open a preset site in the default browser.

How do I know if my computer is affected by hqfokcomiew?

You may see this task in your list of Scheduled Tasks:



How did hqfokcomiew get on my computer?

Adware applications use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was installed by a bundler.

How do I remove hqfokcomiew?

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 hqfokcomiew?

• No, Malwarebytes removes hqfokcomiew completely.
• This PUP creates a scheduled task. You can read here how to check for and, if necessary, remove Scheduled Tasks.

How would the full version of Malwarebytes help protect me?

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

As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes would have protected you against the hqfokcomiew adware. It would have blocked their domain.

 

Technical details for experts

Possible signs in FRST logs:
 

 C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\hqfokcomiew

Task: {1C4CFD51-DA07-4703-B79B-7B9A6929F607} - System32\Tasks\hqfokcomiew => Chrome.exe hqfok.com/iew

Significant changes made by the installer:

File system details [View: All details] (Selection)
---------------------------------------------------
    In the existing folder C:\Windows\System32\Tasks
       Adds the file hqfokcomiew"="4/17/2018 8:40 AM, 3356 bytes, A

Malwarebytes log:

Malwarebytes
www.malwarebytes.com

-Log Details-
Scan Date: 4/17/18
Scan Time: 8:50 AM
Log File: 9912a929-420b-11e8-8828-080027235d76.json
Administrator: Yes

-Software Information-
Version: 3.3.1.2183
Components Version: 1.0.262
Update Package Version: 1.0.4762
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: 245694
Threats Detected: 13
Threats Quarantined: 13
Time Elapsed: 2 min, 28 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: 3
Adware.StartPage.BatBitRst, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TREE\HQFOKCOMIEW, Quarantined, [6210], [510219],1.0.4762
Adware.StartPage.BatBitRst, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TASKS\{1C4CFD51-DA07-4703-B79B-7B9A6929F607}, Quarantined, [6210], [510219],1.0.4762
Adware.StartPage.BatBitRst, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\BOOT\{1C4CFD51-DA07-4703-B79B-7B9A6929F607}, Quarantined, [6210], [510219],1.0.4762

Registry Value: 1
Adware.StartPage.BatBitRst, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TASKS\{1C4CFD51-DA07-4703-B79B-7B9A6929F607}|PATH, Quarantined, [6210], [510220],1.0.4762

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Data Stream: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folder: 0
(No malicious items detected)

File: 9
Adware.StartPage.BatBitRst, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\TASKS\HQFOKCOMIEW, Quarantined, [6210], [510219],1.0.4762
Adware.StartPage.BatBitRst, C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\ALL USERS\APPLICATION DATA\MICROSOFT\NETWORK\DOWNLOADER\QMGR0.DAT, Quarantined, [6210], [-1],0.0.0
Adware.StartPage.BatBitRst, C:\PROGRAMDATA\APPLICATION DATA\MICROSOFT\NETWORK\DOWNLOADER\QMGR0.DAT, Quarantined, [6210], [-1],0.0.0
Adware.StartPage.BatBitRst, C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\ALL USERS\APPLICATION DATA\MICROSOFT\NETWORK\DOWNLOADER\QMGR1.DAT, Quarantined, [6210], [-1],0.0.0
Adware.StartPage.BatBitRst, C:\PROGRAMDATA\APPLICATION DATA\MICROSOFT\NETWORK\DOWNLOADER\QMGR1.DAT, Quarantined, [6210], [-1],0.0.0
Adware.StartPage.BatBitRst, C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\ALL USERS\MICROSOFT\NETWORK\DOWNLOADER\QMGR0.DAT, Quarantined, [6210], [-1],0.0.0
Adware.StartPage.BatBitRst, C:\PROGRAMDATA\MICROSOFT\NETWORK\DOWNLOADER\QMGR0.DAT, Quarantined, [6210], [-1],0.0.0
Adware.StartPage.BatBitRst, C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\ALL USERS\MICROSOFT\NETWORK\DOWNLOADER\QMGR1.DAT, Quarantined, [6210], [-1],0.0.0
Adware.StartPage.BatBitRst, C:\PROGRAMDATA\MICROSOFT\NETWORK\DOWNLOADER\QMGR1.DAT, Quarantined, [6210], [-1],0.0.0

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.