What is AdStop?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that AdStop is a fake anti-malware application. These so-called "rogues" use intentional false positives to convince users that their systems have been compromised. Then they try to sell you their software, claiming it will remove these threats. In extreme cases the false threats are actually the very trojans that advertise or even directly install the rogue. You are strongly advised to follow our removal instructions below.
How do I know if I am infected with AdStop?
This is how the main screen of the rogue application looks:
You will find these icons on your desktop and in your taskbar:
And see these warnings:
How did AdStop get on my computer?
Rogue programs use different methods for spreading themselves. This particular one was downloaded from teir site.
How do I remove AdStop?
Our program Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware can detect and remove this rogue application.
- Please download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware to your desktop.
- Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
- At the end, be sure a check-mark is placed next to the following:
- Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
- Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
- Then click Finish.
- If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
- Once the program has loaded, select Perform quick scan, then click Scan.
- When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
- Be sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected. Reboot your computer if prompted.
- When completed, a log will open in Notepad. The rogue application should now be gone.
Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of AdStop?
- The shortcut called ADSTOP on the desktop can be deleted if it belonged to the rogue. If you are unsure, comp[are the icon with the one posted above.
How would the full version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware help protect me?
We hope our application has helped you eradicate this malicious software. If your current security solution let this infection through, you might please consider purchasing the FULL version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware for additional protection.
As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware would have protected you against the AdStop rogue. It would have warned you before the rogue could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.
Signs in a HijackThis log:
C:\Program Files\ADSTOP\adstopux.exe O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ADSTOP] C:\Program Files\ADSTOP\adstopup.exe
Alterations made by the installer:
File System
===============
In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop
Adds the file ADSTOP.lnk"="09:21 30/03/11 1498 bytes
In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu
Adds the file ADSTOP.lnk"="09:21 30/03/11 1498 bytes
Adds the folder C:\Program Files\ADSTOP
Adds the file uninstall.exe"="09:19 30/03/11 86016 bytes
Adds the file libmysql.dll"="09:19 30/03/11 249856 bytes
Adds the file adstopux.exe"="09:19 30/03/11 1982464 bytes
Adds the file adstopup.exe"="04:34 10/09/09 86016 bytes
Adds the file adstopicon.ico"="09:19 30/03/11 17542 bytes
Adds the file adstopeye.exe"="09:19 30/03/11 262144 bytes
Adds the folder C:\Program Files\ADSTOP\Res
Adds the file ADSTOPRes042.cft"="09:21 30/03/11 146489 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes041.cft"="09:21 30/03/11 127519 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes040.cft"="09:21 30/03/11 29596 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes039.cft"="09:21 30/03/11 31569 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes038.cft"="09:21 30/03/11 22884 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes037.cft"="09:21 30/03/11 34729 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes036.cft"="09:21 30/03/11 28895 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes035.cft"="09:21 30/03/11 29460 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes034.cft"="09:21 30/03/11 28979 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes033.cft"="09:21 30/03/11 30874 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes032.cft"="09:21 30/03/11 31476 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes031.cft"="09:21 30/03/11 20800 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes030.cft"="09:21 30/03/11 28365 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes029.cft"="09:21 30/03/11 26391 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes028.cft"="09:21 30/03/11 19069 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes027.cft"="09:21 30/03/11 19735 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes026.cft"="09:21 30/03/11 27929 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes025.cft"="09:21 30/03/11 26699 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes024.cft"="09:21 30/03/11 28527 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes023.cft"="09:21 30/03/11 11416 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes022.cft"="09:21 30/03/11 3740 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes021.cft"="09:21 30/03/11 17586 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes020.cft"="09:21 30/03/11 8276 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes019.cft"="09:21 30/03/11 33167 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes018.cft"="09:21 30/03/11 165615 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes017.cft"="09:21 30/03/11 230121 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes016.cft"="09:21 30/03/11 209418 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes015.cft"="09:21 30/03/11 207475 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes014.cft"="09:20 30/03/11 167998 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes013.cft"="09:20 30/03/11 232224 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes012.cft"="09:20 30/03/11 232169 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes011.cft"="09:20 30/03/11 203096 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes010.cft"="09:20 30/03/11 246586 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes009.cft"="09:20 30/03/11 197251 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes008.cft"="09:20 30/03/11 241313 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes007.cft"="09:20 30/03/11 233457 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes006.cft"="09:20 30/03/11 177283 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes005.cft"="09:20 30/03/11 247673 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes004.cft"="09:20 30/03/11 249015 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes003.cft"="09:20 30/03/11 259309 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes002.cft"="09:20 30/03/11 223744 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes001.cft"="09:20 30/03/11 253789 bytes
Adds the file ADSTOPRes000.cft"="09:19 30/03/11 246228 bytes
Registry
===============
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\adstopup.exe]
"(Default)"="'C:\Program Files\ADSTOP\adstopup.exe'"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ADSTOP]
"Update"="'1'"
"Inst"="'C:\Program Files\ADSTOP'"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ADSTOP\Update]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ADSTOP\Setup]
"AutoRun"="'0'"
"Tray"="'0'"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Local AppWizard-Generated Applications]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Local AppWizard-Generated Applications\ADSTOP]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Local AppWizard-Generated Applications\ADSTOP\Settings]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Local AppWizard-Generated Applications\ADSTOP\Recent File List]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\International]
"W2KLpk"="1"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\ADSTOP]
"UninstallString"="'C:\Program Files\ADSTOP\uninstall.exe'"
"DisplayName"="'ADSTOP'"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"ADSTOP"="'C:\Program Files\ADSTOP\adstopup.exe'"
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware log:
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.50.1.1100
www.malwarebytes.org
Database version: 6208
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702
3/30/2011 9:38:56 AM
mbam-log-2011-03-30 (09-38-56).txt
Scan type: Quick scan
Objects scanned: 129649
Time elapsed: 2 minute(s), 57 second(s)
Memory Processes Infected: 1
Memory Modules Infected: 1
Registry Keys Infected: 3
Registry Values Infected: 1
Folders Infected: 2
Files Infected: 50
Memory Processes Infected:
c:\program files\ADSTOP\adstopux.exe (Adware.Agent) -> 3784 -> Unloaded process successfully.
Memory Modules Infected:
c:\program files\ADSTOP\libmysql.dll (Adware.Agent) -> Delete on reboot.
Registry Keys Infected:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ADSTOP (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\adstopup.exe (Rogue.AdStop) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\ADSTOP (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
Registry Values Infected:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\ADSTOP (Adware.Agent) -> Value: ADSTOP -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
Folders Infected:
c:\program files\ADSTOP (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
Files Infected:
c:\program files\ADSTOP\adstopux.exe (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\adstopup.exe (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\documents and settings\{username}\Desktop\adstop_setup.exe (Rogue.AdStop) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\adstopeye.exe (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\adstopicon.ico (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\libmysql.dll (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\uninstall.exe (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres005.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres022.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres006.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres007.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres008.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres009.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres010.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres011.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres012.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres013.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres014.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres015.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres016.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres017.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres018.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres019.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres020.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres021.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres023.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres024.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres025.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres026.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres027.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres028.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres029.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres030.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres031.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres032.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres033.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres034.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres035.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres036.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres037.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres038.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres039.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres040.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres041.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres042.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres000.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres001.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres002.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres003.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files\ADSTOP\Res\adstopres004.cft (Adware.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
As mentioned before the full version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware could have protected your computer against this threat.
We use different ways of protecting your computer(s):
- Dynamically Blocks Malware Sites & Servers
- Malware Execution Prevention
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