Searchgoose

[andersonflooring]

All my browsers have been hijacked by searchgoose. (Chrome, Edge)

Malwarebyes does not find anything during scan.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, Allan

[Maurice Naggar]

Hi.  I will guide you. What is the Windows version ? and start out with this first, basic, step. 

Let's do one scan with Malwarebytes Adwcleaner to check for adwares. Just before pressing that "scan" button, be sure that Chrome & Edge, or other web browser are Closed.

It will not take much time,

First download & save it
guide & download link

Then be sure to close all web browsers after the download & before launching the tool.

Then go to where the EXE file is saved. Start Adwcleaner.  Then do a scan with Adwcleaner

Guide article

Attach the clean log from Adwcleaner when all completed.

[andersonflooring]

Hi Maurice, I have Windows 10 Pro.

See attached Adwclearner text  

AdwCleaner[S02].txt

[Maurice Naggar]

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

We need to do more scanning. This here you can start & once it is under way, you can leave the machine alone & let it run over-night. No need to keep watch once it starts the actual scan run. 

Next, This will be a check with ESET Onlinescanner for viruses, other malware, adwares, & potentially unwanted applications.

Go to https://download.eset.com/com/eset/tools/online_scanner/latest/esetonlinescanner.exe

 

It will start a download of "esetonlinescanner.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 may step away from machine &. Let it be.  That is, once it is under way, you should leave it running.  It will run for several hours.

• At screen "Detections occured and resolved" click on blue button "View detected results"
• On next screen, at lower left, click on blue "Save scan log"
• View where file is to be saved. Provide a meaningful name for the "File name:"
• On last screen, set to Off (left) the option for Periodic scanning
• Click "save and continue"
• Please attach the report file so I can review

[andersonflooring]

Good morning Maurice,

I have attached the txt as per your request.

Thank you for all the help, Allan

Eset.txt

[Maurice Naggar]

Hello. Thank you, the ESET result is excellent news. We do have more to do. 

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

Please download MALWAREBYTES 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

[andersonflooring]

Hi Maurice,

See attached file

mbst-grab-results.zip

[Maurice Naggar]

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.

>

Please be sure to Close any open work files, documents,  any apps you started yourself  before starting this. THIS run will do a Windows RESTART. Once it starts it will auto-close any other running app.

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 is intended to remove any references to "searchgoose" which is listed on 3 of these web browsers. It will also do some system checks.

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

• 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.

•    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.  Please attach the Fixlog.txt with your next reply. It will be on the Downloads folder.

[andersonflooring]

Good Morning Maurice,

see attached file. 

Fixlog.txt

[Maurice Naggar]

Hello. Thanks. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.

Just want to do a visual check in Windows Security to see (visually) that Microsoft Defender is on .  And do a Update run & do a Custom scan on the C drive.

• 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.
• I would like you to select CUSTOM scan from scan options
• Then select the C drive
• Then have it scan the whole C drive.

[andersonflooring]

Hi Maurice,

The scan found: No current threats

Thank you so much for all of your help.

[Maurice Naggar]

Cool. Tell me, is the "searchgoose" pest all gone? 

Let me suggest that you get your browsers each, as applicable, to have the Malwarebytes Browser Guard.

to the Edge & Firefox browser.

See Support article how-to for Firefox
https://support.malwarebytes.com/hc/en-us/articles/4413298841747--Install-Malwarebytes-Browser-Guard-on-Firefox-browser

For the EDGE browser https://support.malwarebytes.com/hc/en-us/articles/4413298736787-Install-Malwarebytes-Browser-Guard-on-Microsoft-Edge-browser

[andersonflooring]

Hi Maurice,

All signs of "searchgoose" are now gone.

I do have the Malwarebytes Browser Guard for all my browsers.

Once again that you very much for all your help.

All the best, Allan

[Maurice Naggar]

This system is good-to-go. This here is for 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 may open in Notepad titled kprm-(date).txt.  I do not need it. Just close Notepad if it shows up.

Delete mb-support-1.8.7.918.exe
Delete mbst-grab-results.zip on the Desktop

Consider using PatchMyPC, keep all your software up-to-date - https://patchmypc.com/home-updater#download

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.

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

[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.

Please review the following to help you better protect your computer and privacy Tips to help protect from infection

Thank you