Trojan detected when searching on Google

[Rafael_S]

I've having problems with Google's quick answers, like Speed test. It dissapears after a second. After installing Malwarebytes, it didn't happen, but it detects a trojan trying to redirect. I tried reinstalling Chrome but still there. How can I fix that?

[Maurice Naggar]

Hello.  @Rafael_S    

My name is Maurice.  I will guide you.  Let me know what name you prefer to go by. 

I will guide you along on looking for potential malware. Lets keep these principles as we go along.

• Removing malware can be unpredictable
• Please don't run any other scans, download, install or uninstall any programs while I'm working with you.
• Only run the tools I guide you to.
• Do not run online games while case is on-going. Do not do any free-wheeling web-surfing.
• The removal of malware isn't instantaneous, please be patient.
• Please stick with me until I give you the "all clear".

Your topic will be closed if you haven't replied within 4 days!
If I have not replied to your last post after 36 hours, please then send me a P M.

 

The first thing I need is to get a set of  these reports & logs.

 

That is the first step.  I will then review and use that to guide us along.

Please  set File Explorer to SHOW ALL folders, all files, including Hidden ones.  Use OPTION ONE or TWO of this article

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/7078-turn-off-show-all-folders-windows-10-navigation-pane.html

 [   2    ]

I would like a report set for review.   This is a report only.

Please download MALWAREBYRES MBST Support Tool

Once you start it click Advanced >>> then   Gather Logs

 Have patience till the run has finished.

Upload an archive once it is done. Attach the mbst-grab-results.zip from the Desktop.

 

• Please attach  mbst-grab-results.zip    to your reply , like displayed here.

To send  ( upload)   attachments please click the "ADD Files"  link . Then browse to where your file is located and select it and click the Open button.

 

 

The set of data from the report will provide much needed information.

Please always attach reports as we go along. 

There will be lots more to do after this. Stick with me.

[Rafael_S]

Hi Maurice, thanks for your quick response. You can call me Rafa.

Here is the ZIP file you asked for.

Thanks

mbst-grab-results.zip

[Maurice Naggar]

Thank you. One quick question: Is www.coolsearch.net the choice for a search engine that you yourself made ?

Edited March 23, 2022 by Maurice Naggar

[Rafael_S]

No, I use Google, or at least the default one when using Chrome

[Maurice Naggar]

Be very sure to Save any work-files you have open at this point. Close & Save any open edits, if any. Next, a custom script to do  checks & some  cleanups.

We will use FRSTENGLISH.exe  on the Downloads folder to run a custom script.    The system will be rebooted after the script has run.

This custom script is for  Rafael_S  only / for this machine only.

 

This custom script has some specific things, plus some general aspect to help the system overall.  Hoping it will not exceed 60 minutes in execute time.

NOTE-1:  This script will  run a scan using System File Checker to check that all Microsoft operating system files are valid and not corrupt and attempt to correct any invalid files. .  It will rebuild the Winsock. 

NOTE-2: It will attempt to do 1 quick scan with Microsoft Defender antivirus. It will remove the search setting on Chrome that specifies "coolsearch".

NOTE-3: As part of this fix all temporary files will be removed. If you have any open web pages that have not been bookmarked please make sure you bookmark them now as all open applications will be automatically closed. 

The following directories are emptied:

• Windows Temp
• Users Temp folders
• Edge, IE, FF, Chrome,  and Opera  & BRAVE caches, HTML5 storages, Cookies and History
• Recently opened files cache
• Flash Player cache
• Java cache
• Steam HTML cache
• Explorer thumbnail and icon cache
• Recycle Bin

Important: items are permanently deleted. They are not moved to quarantine. If you have any questions or concerns please ask before running this fix.

•  
• Please be sure to Close any open work files, documents,  any apps you started yourself  before starting this.

 

• If there are any CD / DVD / or USB-flash-thumb or USB-storage drives attached,  please disconnect any of those.
• Please save the (attached file named) FIXLIST.txt   to the   Downloads   folder

Fixlist.txt            <<< - - - - -

Then, Start the Windows Explorer and then, go  to the Downloads   folder.

RIGHT click on FRSTENGLISH.exe    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 FRST 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. 
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.

[Rafael_S]

I'll try it tomorrow and I will let you know when it's done, it's too late on the night.

Thanks

[Rafael_S]

Hi Maurice. I've just run the program you gave me. Here is the log file.

Thanks for waiting.

Fixlog.txt

[Maurice Naggar]

Thank you. Run generally looks good. One adjustment needed, plus, one new scan. 

Start Malwarebytes. Click Settings ( gear ) icon. Next, lets make real sure that Malwarebytes does NOT register with Windows Security Center

Click the Security Tab. Scroll down to

"Windows Security Center"

Click the selection to the left  for the line "Always register Malwarebytes in the Windows Security Center".
{ We want that to be set as Off   .... be sure that line's  radio-button selection is all the way to the Left.  thanks. }

This will not affect any real-time protection of the Malwarebytes for Windows    😃.

Close Malwarebytes.

> 

[  2   Do a Quick scan with Microsoft Defender Antivirus ]

Just want to do a visual check in Windows Security to see (visually) that Microsoft Defender is on , and to do a Quick scan.

From the Windows Start menu, select Settings, then select Update and Security.

Next, look at the left-side menu & select Windows Security

Next, In Windows Security section: Click on the grey button Open Windows Security

Now, click on the shield Virus and threat protection

Look to see that Microsoft Defender is shown & available for use.

On the next display, look at all the options.  Look down the list and see "Check for Updates" .

You should click on that to have the system check for updates for Windows Defender.  Watch & wait for that to complete.

Please also note that the Scan options (all) can be displayed by clicking on Scan options.   Click that & select QUICK scan   & have it go forward.

Once it has started the scan phase, you can go take a short break.   Let me know the results.

And by the way, let me know if there is still the search issue with the Chrome browser.

[Rafael_S]

Hi, I did what you told me and it doesn't pop up saying that there is a trojan. I tried to search without browser protection and the quick results from google don't dissapear anymore.

What must I do now?

Thanks

[Maurice Naggar]

Sorry but I' m not quite understanding this 

I tried to search without browser protection and the quick results from google don't dissapear anymore.

Kindly re-phrase in simpler way. What is going on / how / what / where

Is this Chrome browser still ?  or a web search of some sort?

Keep in mind I am also working several cases & may take longer to get back with you.

[Rafael_S]

I mean, before installing Malwarebytes, the quick results that Chrome gives you, like the snake game when searching "snake", disappeared. After installing Malwarebytes, didn't disappear but the pop up about the Trojan, appears. Now neither of those things happen, everything looks fine.

Sorry for my bad explanation.

And don't worry if you take long to answer, take your time

[Maurice Naggar]

By "pop u[" what do you mean.  Is that a BLOCK notice from Malwarebytes ?  If so, I need the block report log

A block notice just means the Malwarebytes is keeping your system safe from potential harm.

[Rafael_S]

It's the message that appears on the bottom right saying something like "web page blocked due to Trojan" and say the site (ironmodal.com), the IP, the port and the app that executed the Trojan. It doesn't appear anymore and the history of alerts doesn't show new ones

[Maurice Naggar]

So that advisory message no longer shows.  In other words, gone & no more.  Is that my proper understanding ?

[Maurice Naggar]

I fianally spotted your line from a preceding post of yours

Quote

Now neither of those things happen, everything looks fine.

Y A Y

I would recommend getting a readout report as to update status of some key apps.

• Download SecurityCheck by glax24 from here  https://tools.safezone.cc/glax24/SecurityCheck/SecurityCheck.exe

 

• and save the tool on the desktop.
• If Windows's  SmartScreen block that with a message-window, then
• Click on the MORE INFO spot and over-ride that and allow it to proceed.

                               This tool is safe.   Smartscreen is overly sensitive.

Right-click  with your mouse on the Securitycheck.exe  and select "Run as administrator"   and reply YES to allow to run & go forward
Wait for the scan to finish. It will open in a text file named SecurityType.txt. Close the file.  Attach it with your next reply.
You can find this file in a folder called SecurityCheck, C:\SecurityCheck\SecurityCheck.txt

[Rafael_S]

1 hour ago, Maurice Naggar said:

So that advisory message no longer shows.  In other words, gone & no more.  Is that my proper understanding ?

Correct, it no longer appears

[Maurice Naggar]

You should go ahead and get & run SecurityCheck

[Rafael_S]

14 hours ago, Maurice Naggar said:

You should go ahead and get & run SecurityCheck

How do I run it? Just a quick scan on Windows Defender, a scan on Malwarebytes or a command on the cmd?

[Maurice Naggar]

If you downloaded the Securitycheck, then you run it like I had noted. If you did not do a download of SecurityCheck then get it now. 

• Download SecurityCheck by glax24 from here  https://tools.safezone.cc/glax24/SecurityCheck/SecurityCheck.exe

 

• and save the tool on the desktop.
• If Windows's  SmartScreen block that with a message-window, then
• Click on the MORE INFO spot and over-ride that and allow it to proceed.

                               This tool is safe.   Smartscreen is overly sensitive.

To RUN the toold - - - >> Right-click  with your mouse on the Securitycheck.exe  and select "Run as administrator"   and reply YES to allow to run & go forward
Wait for the scan to finish. It will open in a text file named SecurityType.txt. Close the file.  Attach it with your next reply.
You can find this file in a folder called SecurityCheck, C:\SecurityCheck\SecurityCheck.txt

[Rafael_S]

Done, here is the log fileSecurityCheck.txt

[Maurice Naggar]

Here are the items needing your attention & follow-up 

------ [ UnwantedApps ] -----------------------------
Driver Booster for Steam   Warning! Suspected demo version of anti-spyware, driver updater or optimizer. If this program is not familiar to you it is recommended to uninstall it

The following need to be updated:

Notepad++ (64-bit x64) v.8.2   Warning! Download Update

WinRAR 6.02 (64-bit) v.6.02.0   Warning! Download Update

Discord v.1.0.9003   Warning! Download Update

NOTE: MS Defender antivirus is fully up-to-date and is running. Malwarebytes is also running & protecting the system. If you do not have Malwarebytes Premium, you should get the Premium license. Premium has several real-time protections, including anti-exploit & anti-ransomware.

This is the all clear for this case. This next tool is to cleanup the tools we used during this case.What follows is just a tools cleanup. 

Please download KpRm by kernel-panik and save it to your desktop.

• right-click kprm_(version).exe and select Run as Administrator.
• Read and accept the disclaimer.
• When the tool opens, ensure all boxes under Actions are checked.
• Under Delete Quarantines select Delete Now, then click Run.
• Once complete, click OK.
• A log will open in Notepad titled kprm-(date).txt.
• You may attach that file to your next reply. (not compulsory)

Delete mb-support-1.8.n.nnn.exe
Delete mbst-grab-results.zip on the Desktop.

I am marking this case for closure.
I wish you all the best. Stay safe.
Sincerely.

Maurice

[Maurice Naggar]

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.

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