Persistent Malware that keeps reappearing.

[mpm]

There is a persistent piece of malware on my Windows 8.1 PC, SearchAwesome, that tries to contact mansactechnology.com, which, ofcourse, gets blocked by Malwarebytes SearchAwesome refuses to be uninstalled, everytime I go into the Control Panel and click the button,  Malwarebytes blocks a temp file that it identifies as a malware. Even if i disable Malwarebytes' live malware protection, the installation wizard never comes up. 

Another one, each time I open Opera, Malwarebytes blocks outgoing connections to api.testrequest.info, this also never seems to go away.

I've run both Malwarebytes and Adwcleaner, none seem to get rid of these two malwares.

[Malwarebytes]

***This is an automated reply***

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[mpm]

• Here are the log files.

Addition.txt

FRST.txt

[nasdaq]

Hello, Welcome to Malwarebytes.
I'm nasdaq and will be helping you.

If you can please print this topic it will make it easier for you to follow the instructions and complete all of the necessary steps in the order listed.
===

Remove this program in bold via the Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
SearchAwesome (HKLM\...\MGM2M) (Version: 13.14.1.246 (i1.0) - SearchAwesome) <==== ATTENTION
===

Please download the attached Fixlist.txt file to  the same folder where the Farbar tool is running from.
The location is listed in the 3rd line of the FRST.txt log you have submitted.

Run FRST and click Fix only once and wait.

The tool will create a log (Fixlog.txt) please post it to your reply.
===

Please let me know what problem persists.

fixlist.txt

[mpm]

Hi nasdaq :)

I think you might not have read my original text well, so here I attach a screenshot that shows what happens if I click the uninstallation button: Malwarebytes blocks the program triggered. Even if I disable MBAM's Real Time Malware Protection, The uninstallation wizard never comes up.

I've also run the Fixlist through FRST and have attached the logfiles here.

Fixlog_11-06-2018 20.10.02.txt

[nasdaq]

Hi,

The program was removed by Malwarebytes and has been Quarantined.

The only thing left is the Program List in the Registry.

To remove it execute the instructions on this Microsoft page.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-ca/help/247501/how-to-manually-remove-programs-from-the-add-remove-programs-list

p.s.

Unless you are familiar with modifying the Registry I suggest you Export the registry key.

Items 3 and 4 on the page.

If at any time you need help before proceeding please ask.

 

 

 

 

 

[mpm]

Um I think then the only problem would be the existence of a blocked temp file, recognised as a malware, every time I click on the uninstall button?

I will update you on the alerts in a while to make sure they don't come back but that temp file still does replicate itself, which to me indicates that the malware is somehow alive in some form :(.

[mpm]

Hey I just discovered, the uninstall String associated with SearchAwesome does exist, viz. C:\Windows\NTdjYjQ0YW.exe . What do you think about this? If I run this file, Malwarebytes blocks the temp file it creates. But, interestingly, scanning this file with Malwarebytes does not yield a positive. I'm gonna delete this file and then clean the registry key then.

Edited June 11, 2018 by mpm

[nasdaq]

Hi

Good catch.

Delete both files in bold.

2018-06-08 18:17 - 2018-06-08 18:17 - 001878528 _____ C:\Windows\NTdjYjQ0YW.exe
2018-06-08 18:17 - 2018-06-08 18:17 - 000101827 _____ C:\Windows\uninstaller.dat

You may have to boot to Safe Mode to delete them.

Restart the computer normally.

Any remaining issues.

[mpm]

Yup, did that. The computer seems to be good now. :)) Thanks for your assistance through this.

[nasdaq]

Hi,

Glad we could help.

[AdvancedSetup]

Glad we could help.

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