Chromnius virus not found by Malwarebytes

[Genepoz01]

I accidentally installed Chromnius despite a warning ("Suspicious site"? I don't recall exactly) by Malwarebytes. As far as I can tell, it reroutes all queries made in browsers running from Chrome (Google, DuckDuckGo) to Yahoo. MS Edge is unaffected. I used Uninstall, which deleted Chromnius.exe and I reset Chrome, but virus effects are still there. Malwarebytes does not detect this virus, and there is nothing in the database or forums on it. I don't see anything suspicious in MSCONFIG.

Please advise. Thanks!

[Maurice Naggar]

Hello    @Genepoz01

I will guide you along on looking for remaining 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.
• Cracked or or hacked or pirated programs are not only illegal, but also will make a computer a malware victim. Having such programs installed, is the easiest way to get infected. It is the leading cause of ransomware encryptions. It is at times also big source of current trojan infections. Please uninstall them now, if any are here, before we start the cleaning procedure.
• Please stick with me until I give you the "all clear".
• If your system is running Discord, please be sure to Exit out of it while this case is on-going.

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

[Maurice Naggar]

@Genepoz01 

I would not necessarily consider "Chromnium" as a virus. If it perhaps was "pushed" onto your machine without your actual consent, one may call it a P U P.
But Chromnius is said to be a browser that is based on Google's Chromium project code.
Note that Chromnium browser is by Dragon Boss Solutions LLC in United Arab Emirates.

 

added NOTE:
This page at Wikipedia lists many web browsers that are also based on Google Chromium code.
https://bit.ly/3ElaSDo
Microsoft Edge browser is one of them.
So are Brave browser, Opera browser, & Comodo Dragon browsers. Each of these 5 I have used at some point.

Edited October 4, 2022 by Maurice Naggar
added note

[Genepoz01]

Maurice:

Thanks for your quick response. Report attached.

mbst-grab-results.zip

[Maurice Naggar]

Hi. Thanks. Here are what to do next. 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

• { Step 2 }

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.  After these steps, Microsoft Defender antivirus will be enabled to run side by side with Malwarebytes.

• { Step 3 }

The custom script below is aimed to do some cleanups & housekeeping, and to run some scans with Microsoft Defender antivirus. This job will run exclusively and also at the end, it will do a Windows Restart ( reboot).

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 custom script is for  Genepoz01  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 later, at your next opportunity. 😉

There is actually very little remains of "chromnius" ( this run will remove it).

[Genepoz01]

Cleanup failed.

[Maurice Naggar]

Do you mean the Fix run using FRSTENGLISH ?  Was there some sort of Error message ? Did it even start ?

[Maurice Naggar]

Hi. Please look for a file named FIXLOG.txt  on the Downloads folder.

[Genepoz01]

Maurice:

Well, THAT's weird. I had left the computer running, playing music on Youtube, all night, and when I did a Google search this morning, Yahoo was gone. Same when I used DuckDuckGo. Searching using both DDG and Google are back to normal. 🤨  So...success...I guess! 😂

Regarding your question about FRSTEnglish, it was after running the Scan that I manually rebooted. Then I ran Fix and it worked fine, no errors.

You should already have recieved Fixlog.txt by now.

Thank you so much for your help! I appreciate it. :-)

[Maurice Naggar]

You did not attach Fixlog.txt which should be on Downloads folder. Please attach Fixlog.txt so that I can review.

[Genepoz01]

Maurice, I had sent Fixlog.txt in a private msg to you but here it is again. Thanks for your patience.

Fixlog.txt

[Maurice Naggar]

The Windows System File Checker ( SFC )-Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
 
Tell me, have the I P block notices gone away? 

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.

[Genepoz01]

Maurice: Yes the IP block notices have not shown up. The scan found 5 pups and quarantined them. Log attached.

Everything looks good. Thanks for all your help! :-)

AdwCleaner[C00].txt

[Maurice Naggar]

Thank you. That is a good cleanup by Adwcleaner. Tell me, is there anything you need help on at this point?

[Genepoz01]

Nothing that I can think of (unless you know why Youtube suddenly mass-demonetized all channels that cover the Ukraine War last night. Some sources are calling it a software glitch or hacking, but I doubt that very much. :-/ )

Thanks again, Maurice! :-)

[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