Removal instructions for Speed Test Ace

[Metallica]

What is Speed Test Ace?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Speed Test Ace is a browser NewTab. These so-called "NewTabs" can 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 particular one is a newtab hijacker and uses web push notifications.

How do I know if my computer is affected by Speed Test Ace?

You may see this browser extension:



and this display when you are using the extension:



these warnings during install:





You may see this icon in your browsers menu-bar:



this new startpage:



and these new settings:





How did Speed Test Ace get on my computer?

Browser hijackers use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was downloaded from the webstore:



after a redirect from their website:



How do I remove Speed Test Ace?

Our program Malwarebytes can detect and remove this potentially unwanted program.
You can use their own uninstall instructions first, but I would advise to follow the steps below anyway.

• 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 Speed Test Ace?

• No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes Speed Test Ace completely.
• If you have allowed the notifications you can read here how to disable them.

How would the full version of Malwarebytes help protect me?

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

The full version of Malwarebytes would have protected you against the Speed Test Ace hijacker. It would have warned you before the application could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.

Technical details for experts

Possible signs in FRST logs:
 

CHR NewTab: Default ->  Active:"chrome-extension://hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge/web_page_home.html"
CHR Notifications: Default -> hxxps://www.speedtestace.co
CHR Extension: (Speed Test Ace) - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge [2019-10-30]

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\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\2.8.27.17_0
       Adds the file manifest.json"="10/30/2019 8:21 AM, 1390 bytes, A
       Adds the file web_page_home.html"="9/16/2019 4:41 PM, 173 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\2.8.27.17_0\_metadata
       Adds the file computed_hashes.json"="10/30/2019 8:21 AM, 3339 bytes, A
       Adds the file verified_contents.json"="9/16/2019 4:41 PM, 2389 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\2.8.27.17_0\core
       Adds the file content.js"="9/16/2019 4:41 PM, 1304 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\2.8.27.17_0\icons
       Adds the file icon128.png"="10/30/2019 8:21 AM, 2916 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\2.8.27.17_0\js
       Adds the file background.js"="9/16/2019 4:41 PM, 8788 bytes, A
       Adds the file jquery-3.2.1.min.js"="9/16/2019 4:41 PM, 86574 bytes, A
       Adds the file web_page_home.js"="9/16/2019 4:41 PM, 675 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\2.8.27.17_0\permission
       Adds the file fetch.js"="9/16/2019 4:41 PM, 6670 bytes, A
       Adds the file index.html"="9/16/2019 4:41 PM, 13667 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\2.8.27.17_0\permission\img
       Adds the file faviconfinal.ico"="9/16/2019 4:41 PM, 101036 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge
       Adds the file 000003.log"="10/30/2019 8:28 AM, 10569 bytes, A
       Adds the file CURRENT"="10/30/2019 8:21 AM, 16 bytes, A
       Adds the file LOCK"="10/30/2019 8:21 AM, 0 bytes, A
       Adds the file LOG"="10/30/2019 8:22 AM, 410 bytes, A
       Adds the file LOG.old"="10/30/2019 8:21 AM, 184 bytes, A
       Adds the file MANIFEST-000001"="10/30/2019 8:21 AM, 41 bytes, A

Registry details [View: All details] (Selection)
------------------------------------------------
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Google\Chrome\PreferenceMACs\Default\extensions.settings]
       "hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge"="REG_SZ", "44CF32FF597E344DCDA32C24DDA33F4A43D59BB81B2D7B1EFA47CDF5E6BD2368"

Malwarebytes log:

Malwarebytes
www.malwarebytes.com

-Log Details-
Scan Date: 10/30/19
Scan Time: 8:35 AM
Log File: e423023c-fae7-11e9-afe5-00ffdcc6fdfc.json

-Software Information-
Version: 3.8.3.2965
Components Version: 1.0.613
Update Package Version: 1.0.13111
License: Premium

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

-Scan Summary-
Scan Type: Threat Scan
Scan Initiated By: Manual
Result: Completed
Objects Scanned: 234222
Threats Detected: 30
Threats Quarantined: 30
Time Elapsed: 9 min, 20 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: 1
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, HKCU\SOFTWARE\GOOGLE\CHROME\PREFERENCEMACS\Default\extensions.settings|hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge, Quarantined, [268], [752614],1.0.13111

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Data Stream: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folder: 9
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\2.8.27.17_0\permission\img, Quarantined, [268], [752614],1.0.13111
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\2.8.27.17_0\permission, Quarantined, [268], [752614],1.0.13111
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\2.8.27.17_0\_metadata, Quarantined, [268], [752614],1.0.13111
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\2.8.27.17_0\icons, Quarantined, [268], [752614],1.0.13111
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\2.8.27.17_0\core, Quarantined, [268], [752614],1.0.13111
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\2.8.27.17_0\js, Quarantined, [268], [752614],1.0.13111
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\2.8.27.17_0, Quarantined, [268], [752614],1.0.13111
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Sync Extension Settings\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge, Quarantined, [268], [752614],1.0.13111
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\EXTENSIONS\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge, Quarantined, [268], [752614],1.0.13111

File: 20
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\2.8.27.17_0\core\content.js, Quarantined, [268], [752614],1.0.13111
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\2.8.27.17_0\icons\icon128.png, Quarantined, [268], [752614],1.0.13111
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\2.8.27.17_0\js\background.js, Quarantined, [268], [752614],1.0.13111
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\2.8.27.17_0\js\jquery-3.2.1.min.js, Quarantined, [268], [752614],1.0.13111
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\2.8.27.17_0\js\web_page_home.js, Quarantined, [268], [752614],1.0.13111
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\2.8.27.17_0\permission\img\faviconfinal.ico, Quarantined, [268], [752614],1.0.13111
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\2.8.27.17_0\permission\fetch.js, Quarantined, [268], [752614],1.0.13111
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\2.8.27.17_0\permission\index.html, Quarantined, [268], [752614],1.0.13111
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\2.8.27.17_0\_metadata\computed_hashes.json, Quarantined, [268], [752614],1.0.13111
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\2.8.27.17_0\_metadata\verified_contents.json, Quarantined, [268], [752614],1.0.13111
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\2.8.27.17_0\manifest.json, Quarantined, [268], [752614],1.0.13111
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\2.8.27.17_0\web_page_home.html, Quarantined, [268], [752614],1.0.13111
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\000003.log, Quarantined, [268], [752614],1.0.13111
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\CURRENT, Quarantined, [268], [752614],1.0.13111
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\LOCK, Quarantined, [268], [752614],1.0.13111
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\LOG, Quarantined, [268], [752614],1.0.13111
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\LOG.old, Quarantined, [268], [752614],1.0.13111
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\hkipljkimgkboldkjchljjhkoebhbkge\MANIFEST-000001, Quarantined, [268], [752614],1.0.13111
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Secure Preferences, Replaced, [268], [752614],1.0.13111
PUP.Optional.SpeedTestAce, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Preferences, Replaced, [268], [752614],1.0.13111

Physical Sector: 0
(No malicious items detected)

WMI: 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.