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lkshis

By lkshis
in Resolved Malware Removal Logs

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Maurice Naggar

Maurice Naggar

Posted
Posted (edited)

Hi, 

My name is Maurice. I will be helping and guiding you, going forward on this case.

Please follow my directions as we go along.  Please do not do any changes on your own without first checking with me.

If you will be away for more than 3 consecutive days,  do try to let me know ahead of time, as much as possible.

 

Please only just attach   all report files, etc  that I ask for as we go along.

.

You did not mention which web browser this alleged hijack is on.   Edge ?  Chrome ?  Firefox ?  other browser ??

 

I do want you to do these next 3 tips for all your pc's browsers.

See this article on our Malwarebytes Blog
https://blog.malwarebytes.com/security-world/technology/2019/01/browser-push-notifications-feature-asking-abused/

 

You want to disable the ability of each web browser on this machine from being able to allow "push ads". That means Chrome, Firefox, or Edge browser (on Windows 10), or on Opera.

Scroll down to the tips section "

Scroll down to the tips section "How do I disable them".

[   2   ]

[   2   ]  IF this pc has Chrome browser.

I suggest you install the Malwarebytes Browser guard on to Chrome browser.

To get & install the Malwarebytes Browser Guard extension for Chrome,

 

Open this link in your Chrome   browser: 

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/malwarebytes/ihcjicgdanjaechkgeegckofjjedodee

 

Then proceed with the setup.

 [   3   ]    IF the pc has Firefox:

To get & install the Malwarebytes Browser Guard  Firefox extension.

Open this link in your Firefox browser:   

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/malwarebytes/

Then proceed with the setup.

That link is for English US.   There are other language version.  Just go to the very bottom right of the page and look at “Change language” list drop down.

 

[ 4  ]

Use these guides to change and make your own choice for start page on Chrome

https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95314?hl=en

 

This is the how-to guide for Mozilla Firefox

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-to-set-the-home-page

 

[   5   ]
We need to get  additional  information from this machine in order to have the proper detail to help you forward.
 NOTE: The tools and the information obtained is safe and not harmful to your privacy or your computer, please allow the programs to run if blocked by your system.

    Download Malwarebytes Support Tool
    
    
    Once the file is downloaded, open your Downloads folder/location of the downloaded file
    Double-click mb-support- 1.5.1.681.exe to run the report
        You may be prompted by User Account Control (UAC) to allow changes to be made to your computer. Click Yes to consent.
        
    Place a checkmark next to Accept License Agreement and click Next
    You will be presented with a page stating, "Get Started!"

    Do NOT use the button “Start repair” !
    Click the Advanced tab on the left column
    
    Click the Gather Logs button
    
    A progress bar will appear and the program will proceed with getting logs from your computer
   
    Upon completion, click a file named mbst-grab-results.zip will be saved to your Desktop. Click OK
    Please attach the ZIP file in your next reply.

 

Thank you.

 

Edited by Maurice Naggar
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Maurice Naggar

Maurice Naggar

Posted
Posted

Thanks for the report.  That really truly helps.

This pc has Bitdefender Antivirus.    Please be sure that you do a scan with BitDefender, later on.

 

The reports do not show  metagmae  (dot)  org

Is that now showing on a web browser ?  if yes, which one exactly ?

I always need good details on each pass, as we go along.

 

,

I do see that Firefox & Chrome do each have the Malwarebytes Browser Guard.   Bravo.

.

I do see that the Mawarebytes scan for the 29th did report a "Adware.StartPage.USACVAR"

I do see a setting in Windows to "go to "  dinoraptzor (dot) org

What follows below is a cleanup;  a custom cleanup.   After this run completes, I expect things to be a lot better.

 

This custom script is for IKSHIS  only.

Close and save any open work files before starting this procedure.  I am sending a  custom fix script to do some cleanups.  

 

Please Close and save any open work files before you start this next step.  It will involve a Windows Restart at the end of it.

I am sending a   custom Fix script which is going to be used by the FRSTENGLISH tool. They will both work together as a pair.

Please RIGHT-click the (attached file named) FIXLIST and select SAVE AS and save it directly ( as is) to the Downloads  folder

The tool named FRSTENGLISH.exe   tool    is already on the Downloads folder.

Start the Windows Explorer and then, open the Downloads folder.


Double click FRSTENGLISH

  to run the tool. If the tool warns you the version is outdated, please download and run the updated version.

IF Windows prompts you about running this, select YES to allow it to proceed.

 

IF you get a block message from Windows about this tool......

click line More info information on that screen

and click button Run anyway on next screen.

 

on the FRST window:
Click the Fix button just once, and wait.

 

FRST_Fixl.png.c4c1c0dddcc49b11fa400590f070bd5e.png

 

PLEASE have lots and lots of patience when this starts. You will see a green progress bar start. Lots of patience. This run here should be fairly quick.
If you receive a message that a reboot is required, please make sure you allow it to restart normally.
The tool will complete its run after restart.
When finished, the tool will make a log ( Fixlog.txt) in the same location from where it was run.

Please attach the FIXLOG.txt with your next reply.

 

Let me know how this goes.

 

 

Fixlist.txt

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lkshis

lkshis

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Posted

Thanks again! Forgot to tell you my browser is Chrome.

I seemed to have gotten rid of the malware - restarted one more time after the first restart and it was no longer there (on previous occasions when I tried to remove it, the first restart was fine but the malware always returned the second time).

I attach the log file.

Fixlog.txt

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Maurice Naggar

Maurice Naggar

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I am happy to know the new scan found no malware.   and, thanks for the Fixlog.   You did well.  The run went as intended.

I regret that I cannot tell just how the issue originated.  I can only just guess that it involved a web browser & in some way, getting on some site that had malvertising,  or else, perhaps a download of "something".

I am going to advise these standard set of best practices advice.

 

Best  practices & malware prevention:
Follow best practices when browsing the Internet, especially on opening links coming from untrusted sources.
First rule of internet safety: slow down & think before you "click".

Never click links without first hovering your mouse over the link and seeing if it is going to an odd address ( one that does not fit or is odd looking or has typos).


Free games & free programs are like "candy". We do not accept them from "strangers".


Never open attachments that come with unexpected ( out of the blue ) email no matter how enticing.
Never open attachments from the email itself. Do not double click in the email. Always Save first and then scan with antivirus program.
 

 

Pay close attention when installing 3rd-party programs. It is important that you pay attention to the license agreements and installation screens when installing anything off of the Internet. If an installation screen offers you Custom or Advanced installation options, it is a good idea to select these as they will typically disclose what other 3rd party software will also be installed.
Take great care in every stage of the process and every offer screen, and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next".

Use a Standard user account rather than an administrator-rights account when "surfing" the web.
See more info on Corrine's SecurityGarden Blog http://securitygarden.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_7.html
Dont remove your current login. Just use the new Standard-user-level one for everyday use while on the internet.

 
Do a Windows Update.

Make certain that Automatic Updates is enabled.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12373/windows-update-faq




Keep your system and programs up to date. Several programs release security updates on a regular basis to patch vulnerabilities. Keeping your software patched up prevents attackers from being able to exploit them to drop malware.

For other added tips, read "10 easy ways to prevent malware infection"

.

Backup if your best friend.  Be sure you to periodic backups of this system on removable backup media.

.

I had you beef up your web browsers before.   Before we close this case, I would suggest a scan with the Malwarebytes Adwcleaner, which does a specialized scan for adwares.

I  would suggest to download, Save, and then run Malwarebytes ADWCLEANER.

Please close Chrome and all other open web browsers after you have saved the Adwcleaner and before you start Adwcleaner scan.

Version 7.4 of Adwcleaner  detects factory Preinstalled applications too!

I  encourage you to take a look at the announcement blogpost to learn more this new detection category: https://blog.malwarebytes.com/malwarebytes-news/2019/07/your-device,-your-choice:-adwcleaner-now-detects-preinstalled-software/.

 

Please download  Malwarebytes AdwCleaner  https://downloads.malwarebytes.com/file/adwcleaner
 

Be sure to Save the file first, to your system.  Saving to the Downloads folder should be the default on your system.

 

Go to the folder where you saved Adwcleaner. Double click Adwcleaner  to start it.

At the prompt for license agreement, review and then click on I agree.

 

You will then see a main screen for Adwcleaner. ( if you do not see it right away, minimized the other open windows, so you can see Adwcleaner).

Then click on Dashboard button.

Click the blue button "Scan Now".

 

allow it a few minutes to finish the Scan.   Let it remove what it finds.

NOTE:  When it comes to the section "

Pre-installed applications

 

You can skip that.

Please find and send the Adwcleaner "C" clean report.

In Adwcleaner, click the "Reports" button.  Look at the list of reports for the latest date & type "Clean".

Double Click that line & it will open in Notepad.   Save the file to your system and then Attach that with your reply.

 

That C clean report will be the one with the most recent Date and time at folder  C:\AdwCleaner\Logs

Thanks.  Keep me advised.

 

 

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Maurice Naggar

Maurice Naggar

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Thanks for the report.   The line item Chrome  Google translate is tagged by Adwcleaner as  PUP.Optional.22ChromeEXT

The Malwarebytes has this general description :

PUPs, or Potentially Unwanted Programs, are programs that may include advertising, toolbars, and pop-ups that are unrelated to the software you downloaded. PUPs often come bundled with other software that you installed.

 

The answer to your question, is,  it is not a malware.

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Maurice Naggar

Maurice Naggar

Posted
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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 topic 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

 

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