How can I get rid of safesearch malware?

Hello, Jassmin

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

Please follow the instructions in the below link:

READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide


and then attach the requested logs to your next reply 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:
   
   • Starting your computer in Safe mode
2. If you have problems downloading on the problem PC, download the tools and the manual updates for 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 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 RogueKiller, Malwarebytes, HitmanPro 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:
   • Don't Bump! It Only Hurts You!!!

* 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.
​

 

Yes and then on to Step 6: Windows OS Specific Cleaning Instructions which will generate the 5 logs we use for detection/removal.

EDIT: Re-boot your machine first, then continue.

 

See Dr M's first message and Helpful Note #2

 

Rerun RogueKiller -

• When the Scan Status reads finished
• Click on the Report button, a new window opens..
• At the bottom right corner choose Export TXT, then "Save" the report to your desktop.
• Attach this report to your next reply

 

Next -

Rerun Hitman Pro, this time activate the 30-day trial so the following can be fixed under these headings:
Malware

• C:\Users\Asus\Downloads\DownloadApp_1_8_0_209r_Setup.exe
• C:\Users\Asus\Downloads\hddh.exe

Malware remnants

• ALL

Potential Unwanted Programs

• All

Ignore all other detections.
Afterwards, click the Next button.
HitmanPro may want to reboot the PC in order for the changes to take affect, please do so.
After reboot and when you are back in Windows, run another scan with HitmanPro and then attach the latest HitmanPro log.

Now please download Junkware Removal Tool to your desktop.

• Make sure to shut down your protection software now to avoid potential conflicts.
• Run the tool by double-clicking it. If you are using Windows Vista or Seven, right-mouse click it and select Run as Administrator.
• The tool will open and start scanning your system.
• Note: That JRT may reset your home page to a google default so you will need to restore your home page setting if this happens.
• Please be patient as this can take a while to complete depending on your system's specifications.
• On completion, a log (JRT.txt) is saved to your desktop and will automatically open.
• Attach JRT.txt to your next message.

Next download AdwCleaner by Xplode and save to your Desktop.

• Double click on AdwCleaner.exe to run the tool.
  Vista/Windows 7/8 users right-click and select Run As Administrator
• Click on the Scan button.
• AdwCleaner will begin...be patient as the scan may take some time to complete.
• When it's done you'll see: Pending: Please uncheck elements you don't want removed.
• Now click on the Report button...a logfile (AdwCleaner[R#].txt) will open in Notepad for review (where the largest value of # represents the most recent report).
• Look over the log especially under Files/Folders for any program you want to save.
• If there's a program you may want to save, just uncheck it from AdwCleaner.
• If you're not sure, post the log for review. (all items found are either adware/spyware/foistware)
• If you're ready to clean it all up.....click the Clean button.
• After rebooting, a logfile report (AdwCleaner[S0].txt) will open automatically.
• Attach that logfile to your next reply.
• A copy of all logfiles are saved in the C:\AdwCleaner folder which are created when running the tool.

How is the pc running now?

 

You're welcome.

Questions: With which browser(s) are you getting redirects still? Are you using an ad blocker?
Is this program still listed as installed and is properly working?
C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Web Companion\TcpService

Run steps 1 & 2 from the following guide ---> Fixing browser and search engine redirection/hijacking problems

Then run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista, Win7 or Win8, don't double click, use right click and select "Run As Administrator").

Please attach the updated MGlogs.zip and to your next reply.

 

Which one? Have you noticed any bundleware that came with it?

 

Please be aware that I'm halfway around the globe, volunteering some of my free time to assist infected pc users. Your awareness of that while I work through logs or I wait for less-than-speedy replies is appreciated.

dr.m

 

The below software are known to interfere with making desired browser setting changes to correct hijacks.
Ad-Aware Web Companion
LavasoftTcpService

Please use this to uninstall them.
GeekUninstaller

NOTE: It may become necessary to also temporarily uninstall Avast AV while we work.

But let's do this first..

Reset Firefox to Defaults

Now clean Firefox's shortcut - refer to the attachment

• Right-click the Firefox browser shortcut > choose Properties
• In the Shortcut tab, in the Target field, there should be only the path to browser executable file. *Remove any "http:// argument" found.
• Close window and reboot your pc.

Any improvement?

 

Please perform those instructions, in the order given.

 

Yes, that's the purpose of using that uninstaller - to remove as many leftovers as possible.

 

You are welcome.

Any remaining malware problems before I post final steps?

 

That sounds like a "Bonus" tool that you must upgrade your software in order to use. I do my own "software usefulness" sorting, and also use GeekUninstaller.

If you are not having any other malware problems, it is time to do our final steps:

1. We recommend you keep Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for scanning/removal of malware. Unless you purchase it, it provide no protection. It do not use any significant amount of resources ( except a little disk space ) until you run a scan.
2. Go back to step 6 of the READ ME and re-enable your Disk Emulation software with Defogger if you had disabled it.
3. Any other miscellaneous tools we may have had you install or download can be uninstalled and deleted.
4. If running Vista, Win 7/8 - it is time to make sure you have re-enabled UAC by double clicking on the C:\MGtools\enableUAC.reg file and allowing it to be added to the registry.
5. Go to add/remove programs and uninstall HijackThis.
6. Go to 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.
7. If you are running Win 7/8, 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.
8. After doing the above, you should work through the below link:
   • How to Protect yourself from malware!

Safe surfing!

 

If HijackThis isn't listed in either Vista's Programs & Features or GeekUninstaller, I would just move on to the next steps.

Again - you are very welcome!

 

Yes, you did that correctly.

 

You can uninstall Hitman Pro and just delete the AdwCleaner.exe application.

 

I hope that you're having a cooler summer than I am!