Removal instructions for Storm Alert

Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is Storm Alert?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Storm Alert is adware. These adware applications display advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing.

How do I know if my computer is affected by Storm Alert?

You may see this entry in your list of installed programs:

and these warnings during install:

How did Storm Alert get on my computer?

Adware applications use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was bundled with other software.

How do I remove Storm Alert?

Our program Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can detect and remove this potentially unwanted program.

Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to your desktop.
Double-click mbam-setup-version.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
At the end, be sure a check-mark is placed next to the following:
- Enable free trial of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium
- Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Then click Finish.
If an update is found, you will be prompted to download and install the latest version.
Once the program has loaded, select Scan now. Or select the Threat Scan from the Scan menu.
When the scan is complete , make sure that everything is set to "Quarantine", and click Apply Actions.
Reboot your computer if prompted.

Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of Storm Alert?

No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes Storm Alert completely.

How would the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware help protect me?

We hope our application and this guide have helped you eradicate this hijacker.

As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware would have protected you against the Storm Alert adware. It would have warned you before the rogue could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.

Technical details for experts

You will see these signs in a HijackThis log:

O23 - Service: StormAlert - Rational Thought Solutions LLC - C:\ProgramData\StormAlert\StormAlertService.exe

Alterations made by the installer:

File system details  
---------------------------------------------
    Adds the folder C:\ProgramData\StormAlert
       Adds the file app.dat"="10/31/2014 8:25 AM, 767974 bytes, A
       Adds the file data.dat"="10/31/2014 8:25 AM, 2048 bytes, A
       Adds the file info.dat"="10/31/2014 8:25 AM, 64 bytes, A
       Adds the file StormAlert.dll"="10/31/2014 8:25 AM, 1241464 bytes, A
       Adds the file StormAlert.exe"="10/31/2014 8:25 AM, 48504 bytes, A
       Adds the file StormAlert.exe.config"="10/31/2014 8:25 AM, 190 bytes, A
       Adds the file StormAlert.ico"="10/23/2014 6:52 PM, 118501 bytes, A
       Adds the file StormAlertService.exe"="10/31/2014 8:25 AM, 2726776 bytes, A
       Adds the file StormAlertService.exe.config"="10/31/2014 8:25 AM, 189 bytes, A
       Adds the file Uninstall.exe"="10/24/2014 1:01 AM, 537464 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\StormAlert

Registry details  
------------------------------------------
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{051E9166-B275-4683-907B-372FAE22BC7C}]
       "ad"="REG_SZ", "trackstormalert.com"
       "id"="REG_SZ", "1450cc417c1d48d1ac2b84e80b31526b"
       "ip"="REG_SZ", "369"
       "ns"="REG_SZ", "STRM"
       "p"="REG_SZ", "369"
       "v"="REG_SZ", "2.7.46"
       "vp"="REG_SZ", "2.7.46369"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{1486e786-f6a5-e375-9b7c-27a57538205e}]
       "id"="REG_SZ", "1450cc417c1d48d1ac2b84e80b31526b"
       "p"="REG_SZ", "369"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{78a1818a-486f-e47a-aba2-a896fc4269bf}]
       "ik"="REG_SZ", "{ed44824e-d16e-3463-69c1-70458ec0ade4}"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{9C4EFBD5-1ADF-41E6-BE26-AF44326E30E4}]
       "(Default)"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "v"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "vs"="REG_SZ", "1"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{E5A7A645-8318-4895-B85C-EDC606B80DB6}]
       "id"="REG_SZ", "1450cc417c1d48d1ac2b84e80b31526b"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\StormAlertService_RASAPI32]
       "ConsoleTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536
       "EnableConsoleTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "EnableFileTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "FileDirectory"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "%windir%\tracing"
       "FileTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536
       "MaxFileSize"="REG_DWORD", 1048576
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\StormAlertService_RASMANCS]
       "ConsoleTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536
       "EnableConsoleTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "EnableFileTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "FileDirectory"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "%windir%\tracing"
       "FileTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536
       "MaxFileSize"="REG_DWORD", 1048576
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\StormAlert]
       "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\ProgramData\StormAlert\StormAlert.ico"
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "Storm Alert"
       "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "2.7.46"
       "EstimatedSize"="REG_DWORD", 4053
       "HelpLink"="REG_SZ", "http://www.trackstormalert.com/about.html"
       "InstallDate"="REG_SZ", "20141031"
       "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "Rational Thought Solutions LLC"
       "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", "C:\ProgramData\StormAlert\uninstall.exe /kb=y /ic=0"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\StormAlert]
       "DependOnService"="REG_MULTI_SZ, "Winmgmt CryptSvc "
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "StormAlert"
       "ErrorControl"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "FailureActions"="REG_BINARY, <.....................
       "ImagePath"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, ""C:\ProgramData\StormAlert\StormAlertService.exe""
       "ObjectName"="REG_SZ", "LocalSystem"
       "Start"="REG_DWORD", 2
       "Type"="REG_DWORD", 16
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AppDataLow\Software\DynConIE]
       "id"="REG_SZ", "1450cc417c1d48d1ac2b84e80b31526b"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{9C4EFBD5-1ADF-41E6-BE26-AF44326E30E4}]
       "(Default)"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "v"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "vs"="REG_SZ", "1"

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
www.malwarebytes.org

Scan Date: 10/31/2014
Scan Time: 8:37:06 AM
Logfile: mbamStornAlert.txt
Administrator: Yes

Version: 2.00.3.1025
Malware Database: v2014.10.31.03
Rootkit Database: v2014.10.22.01
License: Free
Malware Protection: Disabled
Malicious Website Protection: Disabled
Self-protection: Disabled

OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1
CPU: x86
File System: NTFS
User: Malwarebytes

Scan Type: Threat Scan
Result: Completed
Objects Scanned: 272910
Time Elapsed: 3 min, 18 sec

Memory: Enabled
Startup: Enabled
Filesystem: Enabled
Archives: Enabled
Rootkits: Disabled
Heuristics: Enabled
PUP: Enabled
PUM: Enabled

Processes: 1
PUP.Optional.StormAlert.A, C:\ProgramData\StormAlert\StormAlertService.exe, 7116, Delete-on-Reboot, [fa45e8334a32e84ec86b9a401ae79c64]

Modules: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys: 5
PUP.Optional.StormAlert.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\StormAlert, Quarantined, [fa45e8334a32e84ec86b9a401ae79c64], 
PUP.Optional.WebSteroids.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID\{051E9166-B275-4683-907B-372FAE22BC7C}, Quarantined, [cb745fbc6913b5816d28ac03ef134eb2], 
PUP.Optional.DynConIE.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID\{E5A7A645-8318-4895-B85C-EDC606B80DB6}, Quarantined, [f44b09122d4f77bf4024fbb4c63c10f0], 
PUP.Optional.StormAlert.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\StormAlert, Quarantined, [c17e78a3c6b644f20ebb53d1669db44c], 
PUP.Optional.MultiIE.A, HKCU\SOFTWARE\APPDATALOW\SOFTWARE\DynConIE, Quarantined, [68d7e8332953cf672b2a0d86808429d7], 

Registry Values: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folders: 1
PUP.Optional.StormAlert.A, C:\ProgramData\StormAlert, Delete-on-Reboot, [c17e78a3c6b644f20ebb53d1669db44c], 

Files: 12
PUP.Optional.StormAlert.A, C:\ProgramData\StormAlert\StormAlertService.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [fa45e8334a32e84ec86b9a401ae79c64], 
PUP.Optional.HealthAlert.A, C:\ProgramData\StormAlert\StormAlert.dll, Quarantined, [93ac081384f8fc3a83522602da2bc937], 
PUP.Optional.StormAlert.A, C:\ProgramData\StormAlert\StormAlert.exe, Quarantined, [ec531506c4b8a294969d1bbf0df4fa06], 
PUP.Optional.StormAlert.A, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\999a0fd129c5da8d0b162e6c147aa8ead48edcdb872721b6bdf0841ef4698d27.exe, Quarantined, [e35c48d3c7b5f640369e66c28a7bd030], 
PUP.Optional.StormAlert.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\nsu611D.tmp\Helper.dll, Quarantined, [98a77f9c48340e28ad27d355fe0741bf], 
PUP.Optional.StormAlert.A, C:\ProgramData\StormAlert\app.dat, Quarantined, [c17e78a3c6b644f20ebb53d1669db44c], 
PUP.Optional.StormAlert.A, C:\ProgramData\StormAlert\data.dat, Quarantined, [c17e78a3c6b644f20ebb53d1669db44c], 
PUP.Optional.StormAlert.A, C:\ProgramData\StormAlert\info.dat, Delete-on-Reboot, [c17e78a3c6b644f20ebb53d1669db44c], 
PUP.Optional.StormAlert.A, C:\ProgramData\StormAlert\StormAlert.exe.config, Quarantined, [c17e78a3c6b644f20ebb53d1669db44c], 
PUP.Optional.StormAlert.A, C:\ProgramData\StormAlert\StormAlert.ico, Quarantined, [c17e78a3c6b644f20ebb53d1669db44c], 
PUP.Optional.StormAlert.A, C:\ProgramData\StormAlert\StormAlertService.exe.config, Quarantined, [c17e78a3c6b644f20ebb53d1669db44c], 
PUP.Optional.StormAlert.A, C:\ProgramData\StormAlert\Uninstall.exe, Quarantined, [c17e78a3c6b644f20ebb53d1669db44c], 

Physical Sectors: 0
(No malicious items detected)


(end)

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

Save yourself the hassle and get protected.

#1
Metallica

Posted 31 October 2014 - 02:12 AM

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