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Hello!

My computer has been running slower lately. 

I have noticed high disk usage as well as ram usage in task manager, games are stuttery.

I don't fully understand PUP's. I am worried I may be infected. 

If you could take a look at my logs and tell me if i'm actually infected or not that would be wonderful. (I also attached 2 logs as files)

Malwarebytes
www.malwarebytes.com

-Log Details-
Scan Date: 5/7/20
Scan Time: 11:20 PM
Log File: 509b0c2a-90e3-11ea-9818-309c23854662.json

-Software Information-
Version: 4.1.0.56
Components Version: 1.0.896
Update Package Version: 1.0.23602
License: Trial

-System Information-
OS: Windows 10 (Build 17763.1158)
CPU: x64
File System: NTFS
User: DESKTOP-Q9733BP\ian

-Scan Summary-
Scan Type: Threat Scan
Scan Initiated By: Manual
Result: Completed
Objects Scanned: 334446
Threats Detected: 10
Threats Quarantined: 10
Time Elapsed: 0 min, 26 sec

-Scan Options-
Memory: Enabled
Startup: Enabled
Filesystem: Enabled
Archives: Enabled
Rootkits: Disabled
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.BetterSearchTools.Generic, HKU\S-1-5-21-1110491379-3425855584-2910247792-1003\SOFTWARE\GOOGLE\CHROME\PREFERENCEMACS\Default\extensions.settings|iadfbbnhfidmgjppbfddfcpmiijmchpj, Quarantined, 15279, 443090, , , , 

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Data Stream: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folder: 2
PUP.Optional.BetterSearchTools.Generic, C:\USERS\IAN\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Sync Data\LevelDB, Replaced, 15279, 443090, , , , 
PUP.Optional.BetterSearchTools.Generic, C:\USERS\IAN\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\DEFAULT\EXTENSIONS\IADFBBNHFIDMGJPPBFDDFCPMIIJMCHPJ, Quarantined, 15279, 443090, 1.0.23602, , ame, 

File: 7
PUP.Optional.BetterSearchTools.Generic, C:\USERS\IAN\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Secure Preferences, Replaced, 15279, 443090, , , , 
PUP.Optional.BetterSearchTools.Generic, C:\USERS\IAN\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Preferences, Replaced, 15279, 443090, , , , 
PUP.Optional.BetterSearchTools.Generic, C:\USERS\IAN\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\DEFAULT\EXTENSIONS\IADFBBNHFIDMGJPPBFDDFCPMIIJMCHPJ\1.0.0_0\MANIFEST.JSON, Quarantined, 15279, 443090, 1.0.23602, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.Eanswers.Generic, C:\USERS\IAN\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Secure Preferences, Replaced, 253, 495659, 1.0.23602, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.Eanswers.Generic, C:\USERS\IAN\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Secure Preferences, Replaced, 253, 495659, 1.0.23602, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.Conduit, C:\USERS\IAN\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Web Data, Replaced, 194, 454832, 1.0.23602, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.Conduit, C:\USERS\IAN\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Web Data, Replaced, 194, 454832, 1.0.23602, , ame, 

Physical Sector: 0
(No malicious items detected)

WMI: 0
(No malicious items detected)


(end)

Lastly, once quarantined and removed, are they gone? no further action needed?

 

MWBscan1.txt MWBscan2.txt

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Hi,     :welcome:
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
Now click the left-hand side pane "I do not have an open support ticket"

    You will be presented with a page stating, "Get Started!"
    Do NOT use the button “Start repair” !   But look instead at the far-left options list in black.

    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.  Please do have patience.  It takes several minutes to gather.
   
    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.

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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.

That gives you a broad outline of what P U P are.   One thing is that they are of a lesser-level threat than actual nasty, malicious malware.

A lesser-level.   It appears to me that this pc had had a search hijacker  & potential bad advertsing.

 

Thanks for doing the support tool report.

.

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.
Adwcleaner  detects factory Preinstalled applications too! 

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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Hi Ian.   Thanks for the reports from Adwcleaner.   I only just needed the 2 most recent "c"  clean reports from it.   Not the whole mass.

What follows below is a very special search that will use the FRSTENGLISH tool that is on the Downloads folder

Use the Windows File Explorer to get to the Downloads folder.   & look for FRSTENGLISH

 

Start FRSTENGLISH.
Type the following ( better yet, use COPY  then Paste)   into the search box exactly as show then press the Search Files button

SearchAll: trovi 

Please wait while the program searches for all entries relating to this program, when done a search.txt log will be saved to the desktop. Please attach this log to your next reply.

 

[    2    ]

Please download RogueKiller (x64) using the link below.
→ http://download.adlice.com/api?action=download&app=roguekiller&type=x64
⦁    
⦁    Save the file first,
⦁    Close any running programs that you started on your own ( if any).
⦁    Please disconnect any USB or external drives from the computer before you run this scan!

Double-click  RogueKillerx64.exe to run the program.
Follow the prompts. If a browser window opens, close the window.

In the HOME tab, click Scan button
Next, on the Quick scan pane, click om the Start button to proceed.
.
Upon completion, a browser window may open. Close this window.
 Important: Please do not have RogueKiller remove any detected items.
Click the HISTORY tab followed by Scan Reports.
Double-click the scan log. Click Export TXT, enter a filename and save the file to your Desktop.
Please attach the file in your next reply.
 

[    3    ]    Next, keep going down this list.   Do all.

Use Chrome browser   to go to https://www.google.com/settings/chrome/sync and sign into your account.
Scroll down until you see the "reset sync" button and click on the button
At the prompt click on "Ok". 

[   4  ] 
for Chrome, while Chrome is running:
Press & hold SHIFT+CTRL+Del keys  on keyboard to get menu for clearing browsing data:

Check mark the line  "Browsing history" 
Check mark the line "Download history" 
Check mark the lined "Cached images and files"
and press Clear Data button  ( in blue ) 

[   5   ] 
After that, make real sure that Chrome is "NOT" set to reload the pages from the last session 
Go into the settings menu of Chrome by first clicking  the control icon of Chrome on upper right of the adress bar 
Then look deeper in SETTINGS 
 
  image.thumb.png.5c987427f39b3b1cefe521a0c711b76b.png


Make real sure it is "NOT" set to "continue where you left off" 

[   6  ] 

Disable "push ads"  for each web browser on your PC
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 "How do I disable them". 

[   7   ] 
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. 
  

 

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Thanks for those reports.   Nothing there.

I think we will need to disregard the notation by Adwcleaner   regarding conduit / trovi.

 

I would suggest a free scan with the ESET Online Scanner
Go to https://www.eset.com/us/home/online-scanner/

Look on the right side of the page.  Click Scan Now

It will start a download of "esetonlinescanner_enu.exe"
Save the file to your system, such as the Downloads folder, or else to the Desktop.
Go to the saved file, and double click it to get it started.
When presented with the initial ESET options, click on "Computer Scan".

Next, when prompted by Windows, allow it to start by clicking Yes
When prompted for scan type, Click on Full scan

Look at & tick  ( select )   the radio selection "Enable ESET to detect and quarantine potentially unwanted applications"   and click on Start scan button.

Have patience.  The entire process may take an hour or more. There is an initial update download.
There is a progress window display.
You should ignore all prompts to get the ESET antivirus software program.   ( e.g.  their standard program).   You do not need to buy or get or install anything else.
When the scan is completed, if something was found, it will show a screen with the number of detected items.  If so, click the button marked “View detected results”.
Click The blue “Save scan log” to save the log.
If something was removed and you know it is a false finding, you may click on the blue ”Restore cleaned files”  ( in blue, at bottom).
Press Continue when all done.  You should click to off the offer for “periodic scanning”.

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Hello ianbleu.

I am glad to have helped.

 

I  would recommend that if you have a internet-connection-router hardware at home,  that you look over this article
"How to Enable Your Wireless Router's Built-in Firewall"
https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-enable-your-wireless-routers-built-in-firewall-2487668

 

 

To do some tool cleanups:

You may delete mb-support-1.6.0.774.exe.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.

 

Delete esetonlinescanner_enu.exe

.Delete  RogueKillerx64.exe

.

Adwcleaner you may keep  & use as needed, on-demand to check for adwares.

.

Backup is your best friend.  Keep backups of your system on a regular basis to offline storage & keep those safe. https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/136226-backup-software/

It is not enough to just have a security program installed. Each pc user needs to practice daily safe computer and internet use.

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"

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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.

Please review the following for Tips to help protect from infection

Thank you

 

 

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