Is about:blank malware?

Discussion in 'Malware Help - MG (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by PearlJamLove, Oct 31, 2011.

  1. PearlJamLove

    PearlJamLove Private E-2

    I only use Google Chrome despite the issues with each new update, crashing, freezing, snail pace page loads and "page non responsive."

    So if this happens on other browers on my pc, I don't know.

    Also I have two computers. A desktop and a laptop. This is only happening on the desktop.

    When opening a new tab or going to a new website via a link, the page is white and blank. It states about:blank in the location bar. Most times, it will stay there for a new seconds/or more then proceed to the website.

    Is this malware?

    I use Avira, MalwareBytes and SUPERAntiSpyware and they have never showed this about:blank. I also have SpywareBlaster which is up to date. The only think that SUPERAntiSpyware picks up, is a tracking cookie from Chrome and it's always in the same location. I've checked my settings in Chrome and not sure why this has started to happen but seemed to start with the previous update. Before the update these never showed on my scans. I've posted this and all issue on Chrome but couldn't find anything referring to about:blank and my thread has gone unanswered. And if it's malware or something on that order, I'd trust your information and guidance before the reply of Chrome.

    Hoping you can help or give me some information about this.
    Thanks.
     
  2. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    For me to see if malware exists on your machine you would need to follow the below instructions, but I doubt it's an aboutblank infection.

    Please read ALL of this message including the notes before doing anything.

    Pleases follow the instructions in the below link:

    READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide


    and attach the requested logs when you finish these instructions.
    • **** If something does not run, write down the info to explain to us later but keep on going. ****
    • Do not assume that because one step does not work that they all will not. MGtools will frequently run even when all other tools will not.

    • After completing the READ & RUN ME and attaching your logs, make sure that you tell us what problems still remain ( if any still do )!
    Helpful Notes:

    1. If you run into problems trying to run the READ & RUN ME or any of the scans in normal boot mode, you can run the steps in safe boot mode but make sure you tell us what you did later when you post logs. See the below if you do not know how to boot in safe mode:
    2. If you have problems downloading on the problem PC, download the tools and the manual updates for SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes ( links are given in the READ & RUN ME) onto another PC and then burn to a CD. Then copy them to the problem PC. You will have to skip getting updates if (and only if) your internet connection does not work. Yes you could use a flash drive too but flash drives are writeable and infections can spread to them.
    3. If you cannot seem to login to an infected user account, try using a different user account (if you have one) in either normal or safe boot mode and running only SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes while logged into this other user account. Then reboot and see if you can log into the problem user account. If you can then run SUPERAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes, ComboFix and MGtools on the infected account as requested in the instructions.
    4. To avoid additional delay in getting a response, it is strongly advised that after completing the READ & RUN ME you also read this sticky:
    Any additional post is a bump which will add more delay. Once you attach the logs, your thread will be in the work queue and as stated our system works the oldest threads FIRST.
     
  3. PearlJamLove

    PearlJamLove Private E-2

    Kestrel13!

    Thanks for replying so quickly. I am following your directions and will post logs when they are complete.
     
  4. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    Okey Dokey! :)
     
  5. PearlJamLove

    PearlJamLove Private E-2

    Attached are the files/logs from all the scans.
     

    Attached Files:

  6. PearlJamLove

    PearlJamLove Private E-2

    Second part of logs/scans.
     

    Attached Files:

  7. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    I find this happens alot with me too on Chrome, it is why I use Firefox instead. Not knocking Chrome, it just does not seem to play nice with me.
    Is this with all browsers or just Chrome? If you uninstall the below (which you should anyway) do you still have the same problem?

    • Ask Toolbar
     
  8. PearlJamLove

    PearlJamLove Private E-2

    I honestly don't know if it happens with any of the other browsers. I haven't used Firefox or Chrome in many months.

    Ask Toolbar......I am clueless about this. I can't find it in Add/Remove and I did a search of files/folders and it didn't find it either.

    Where did this show and is there some place else I can search for it?
     
  9. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    It shows in the newfiles log towards the end where you can see a list of installed programs.


    Try Revo Uninstaller.
    Choose the option on the bottom of the list (#4). Be very careful while deleting the bolded registry items ONLY!! This software will create a system restore point for you as well prior to uninstalling a software program.
     
  10. PearlJamLove

    PearlJamLove Private E-2

    Wonder why it didn't show on any of my searches.

    Thanks for the link...it took 4 attempts to uninstall it but it's gone as is another program, called Coupon Printer that I've been attempting to uninstall via their program for weeks, but it wouldn't uninstall.

    I posted this issue concerning the about:blank on Chrome and their reply "was about:blank is a built in on all browsers." No explanation as to why it only shows on my desktop and not my laptop. Nor why when going to a site that I use daily, the page will be blank white, sit there for seconds then go to the website.
     
  11. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    If you are not having any other malware problems, it is time to do our final steps:
    1. We recommend you keep SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for scanning/removal of malware. Unless you purchase them, they provide no protection. They do not use any significant amount of resources ( except a little disk space ) until you run a scan.
    2. If we had you use ComboFix, uninstall ComboFix (This uninstall will only work as written if you installed ComboFix on your Desktop like we requested.)
      • Click START then RUN and enter the below into the run box and then click OK. Note the quotes are required (If we renamed it please rename it back to Combofix.exe.
      • "%userprofile%\Desktop\combofix" /uninstall
        • Notes: The space between the combofix" and the /uninstall, it must be there.
        • This will uninstall ComboFix and also reset hidden files and folders settings back to Windows defaults.
    3. Go back to step 6 of the READ ME and renable your Disk Emulation software with Defogger if you had disabled it.
    4. Any other miscellaneous tools we may have had you install or download can be uninstalled and deleted.
    5. If we had you download any registry patches like fixme.reg or fixWLK.reg (or any others), you can delete these files now.
    6. If running Vista, it is time to make sure you have reenabled UAC by double clicking on the C:\MGtools\enableUAC.reg file and allowing it to be added to the registry.
    7. Go to add/remove programs and uninstall HijackThis.
    8. Goto the C:\MGtools folder and find the MGclean.bat file. Double click on this file to run this cleanup program that will remove files and folders
      related to MGtools and some other items from our cleaning procedures.
    9. If you are running Win 7, Vista, Windows XP or Windows ME, do the below:
      • Refer to the cleaning procedures pointed to by step 7 of the READ ME
        for your Window version and see the instructions to Disable System Restore which will flush your Restore Points.
      • Then reboot and Enable System Restore to create a new clean Restore Point.
    10. After doing the above, you should work thru the below link:
     
  12. PearlJamLove

    PearlJamLove Private E-2

    Followed the directions for completing this process.

    Thanks so much for all your time and help.

    Have a fantastic day.
     
  13. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    You too. ;) Surf safely.
     

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