JWmCox Posted April 30, 2020 ID:1377674 Share Posted April 30, 2020 I have installed, paid, and ran Malwarebytes premium, yet Optimumsearch is still on my computer. I have tried all the suggested methods of removal: 1) It doesn't show up in my Control Panel programs to be uninstalled; 2) It doesn't give me the option (trash bin) to remove in the extensions window of Chrome settings; 3) I have reset to default settings in Chrome (it re-appears); 4) I have also downloaded and ran Adwcleaner, with no results, my browser is still being managed by the virus program. It did allow me to change my opening page. Any suggestions out there on how to permanently rid this virus? Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maurice Naggar Posted April 30, 2020 ID:1377679 Share Posted April 30, 2020 Hi, My name is Maurice. I will be helping and guiding you, going forward on this case. Let me know what first name you prefer to go by. 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. I would appreciate getting some key details from this machine in order 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. Do have patience while the report tool runs. It may take several minutes. Just let it run & take its time. You may want to close your other open windows so that there is a clear field of view.Download Malwarebytes Support Tool Once the file is downloaded, open your Downloads folder/location of the downloaded file Double-click mb-support-1.6.0.774.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. Please know I help here as a volunteer. and that I am not on 24 x 7. Help on this forum is one to one. Again, please be sure to ONLY attach report files with your reply (s) as we go along. Do not do a copy / paste into main body. Thank you, Sincerely. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWmCox Posted April 30, 2020 Author ID:1377680 Share Posted April 30, 2020 Thanks, Maurice. I downloaded the support tool program, upon clicking the application, I do not get the "Get Started" page you mentioned, but a page titled "Hello! What can we help you with today" and 2 options being "I don't have an open Support ticket" and "I have an open Support ticket". Although, I went ahead and clicked on the advance tab and found the Gather Logs option. I have attached the zip file as instructed. Thanks, again, John. mbst-grab-results.zip Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maurice Naggar Posted April 30, 2020 ID:1377681 Share Posted April 30, 2020 I'll await gettng the report file from you. One of the things that I would like to know: Just where & how you see "Optimumsearch "? Is there a web browser involved ? if yes, which one ? what site was it on ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maurice Naggar Posted April 30, 2020 ID:1377683 Share Posted April 30, 2020 You did fine. Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWmCox Posted April 30, 2020 Author ID:1377685 Share Posted April 30, 2020 It only seems to be running my Chrome browser. I first noticed it a couple days ago as it changed my startup screen. When I went to my Chrome settings, I noticed in the search engine section, the notation, "OptimumSearch is controling this setting". Upon further research, I then noticed the unavailability to remove this virus. Although, it doesn't seem to be effecting my Internet Explorer browser. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maurice Naggar Posted April 30, 2020 ID:1377688 Share Posted April 30, 2020 Thanks for the report. You did fine. The last scan with Malwarebytes for Windows reported no malware on-board. I am mildly curious why you make mention of "virus" ? Quote I then noticed the unavailability to remove this virus. Anyhow, to proceed forward with actions. I need for you to only use the Windows 10 EDGE browser for the duration. That is the fancy blue-icon on the Windows taskbar that looks like a fancy letter E in blue. I need for you to download FRST64 >>>>Save it without opening it >>>go to the Downloads folder where saved >>>Rename the FRST64.exe to FRSTENGLISH.exe Gotta have that before running the report. Using EDGE >>> Please download FRST from the link below and save it to your desktop: "Download link for 64-Bit Version Windows" Please wait and look toward the top or bottom of your browser for the option to Run or Save. Click Save to save the file to the Downloads folder. Go to the Downloads folder. Locate FRST64.exe. Use the mouse pointer on it , do a RIGHT-click & select RENAME & rename it to FRSTENGLISH.exe Run report with FRSTENGLISH. Right-click on FRSTENGLISH and select Run as Administrator to start the tool , and reply YES to allow it to proceed and run. Approve the Windows UAC prompt on Windows Vista and newer operating systems by clicking on Continue or Yes. Click Yes when the* disclaimer* appears in FRST. The tool may want to update itself - in that case you'll be prompted when the update is completed and ready to use. Make sure that Addition options is *checked* - the configuration should look exactly like on the screen below (do not mark additional things unless asked). Press Scan button and wait. The tool will produce 2 logfiles on your desktop: FRST.txt , Addition.txt Click OK button when it shows up. Close the Notepad windows when they show on screen. The tool saves the files. Please attach these 2 files to your next reply. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maurice Naggar Posted April 30, 2020 ID:1377691 Share Posted April 30, 2020 Notes: The Chrome browser seems to have a search hijacker. I am looking forward to getting the new reports. The Malwarebytes for Windows scan run of 30 April did remove a lot of P U P type adwares, plus 2 trojan types. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWmCox Posted April 30, 2020 Author ID:1377701 Share Posted April 30, 2020 FYI note: The 2 logfiles did not get placed on my desktop as you had mentioned, but rather into the original folder (my download folder) that the frstenglish application was located. I have attached the 2 text files as you have instructed. Thanks, John FRST.txt Addition.txt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maurice Naggar Posted April 30, 2020 ID:1377713 Share Posted April 30, 2020 Thank you for the reports. ( my bad on location ). The reports show one setting that blocks some changes to Chrome, plus, also 2 Chrome settings that make use of search (dot) optimum (dot) icu This next custom fix should squash those. Please Close and Save any open work you may have open. Please close as many un-needed app-windows that you yourself may have open at this point. So you can have a clear field of view. This custom script is for JWmCox only / for this machine only. Close and save any open work files before starting this procedure. 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 link 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, to the Downloads folder. RIGHT click on FRSTENGLISH and select RUN as Administrator and allow it to proceed. Reply YES when prompted to allow to run. 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 FRSTENGLISH window: Click the Fix button just once, and wait. 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 later, at your next opportunity Fixlist.txt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWmCox Posted April 30, 2020 Author ID:1377732 Share Posted April 30, 2020 Attached is the fixlog.txt. John Fixlog.txt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWmCox Posted April 30, 2020 Author ID:1377736 Share Posted April 30, 2020 I opened Chrome and went to settings and the OptimumSearch extension is GONE! Thanks so much. You area a genius, you deserve a raise. Please be safe, stay healthy, and best of luck to you in the future, may you have a blessed day, week, and year, cheers from Texas. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maurice Naggar Posted April 30, 2020 ID:1377737 Share Posted April 30, 2020 That is a very good run. Let me suggest this: I suggest you install the Malwarebytes Browser guard for Chrome. 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. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin AdvancedSetup Posted May 4, 2020 Root Admin ID:1378687 Share Posted May 4, 2020 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. Please review the following for Tips to help protect from infection Thank you Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maurice Naggar Posted May 4, 2020 ID:1378688 Share Posted May 4, 2020 (edited) @JWmCox You may delete mb-support-1.5.4.760.exe on the Downloads folder. Delete mbst-grab-results.zip on the Desktop To remove the FRST tool & its work files, do this. Go to your Downloads folder. Do a RIGHT-click on FRSTENGLISH.exe & select RENAME & then change it to UNINSTALL.exe . Then run that ( double click on it) to begin the cleanup process. I do wish you all the best. Stay safe. Sincerely, Maurice Edited May 4, 2020 by AdvancedSetup corrected font issue Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts