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[Metallica]

Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is FindingDiscount?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that FindingDiscount is a browser hijacker. These so-called "hijackers" manipulate your browser(s), for example to change your startpage or searchscopes, so that the affected browser visits their site or one of their choice. This one also displays advertisements.

How do I know if my computer is affected by FindingDiscount?

You may see this warning:



and this entry in your list of installed software:



and this proxy in your advanced LAN-settings :



How did FindingDiscount get on my computer?

Browser hijackers use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was bundled with other software.

How do I remove FindingDiscount?

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 FindingDiscount?

• You may have to uncheck the use of a proxy in IE under Internet Options > Connections > LAN settings > Clear the check from the box labeled "Use a proxy server for your LAN."

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 FindingDiscount hijacker. 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

Signs in a HijackThis log:

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = http=127.0.0.1:47574
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = <-loopback>
O23 - Service: FindingDiscount - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Discount\FindingDiscount\FindingDiscount.exe
O23 - Service: RuntimeManager - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows NT\Accessories\RuntimeManager\runtimemanager.exe

Possible signs in a FRST log:

ProxyEnable: [.DEFAULT] => Internet Explorer proxy is enabled.
ProxyServer: [.DEFAULT] => http=127.0.0.1:47574
ProxyEnable: [HKCU] => Internet Explorer proxy is enabled.
ProxyServer: [HKCU] => http=127.0.0.1:47574
R2 FindingDiscount; C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Discount\FindingDiscount\FindingDiscount.exe [345088 2015-02-05] () [File not signed]
R2 RuntimeManager; C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows NT\Accessories\RuntimeManager\runtimemanager.exe [214016 2015-02-05] () [File not signed]

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
www.malwarebytes.org

Scan Date: 2/13/2015
Scan Time: 2:43:58 PM
Logfile: mbamPriceFindings.txt
Administrator: Yes

Version: 2.00.4.1028
Malware Database: v2015.02.13.04
Rootkit Database: v2015.02.03.01
License: Free
Malware Protection: Disabled
Malicious Website Protection: Disabled
Self-protection: Disabled

OS: Windows 8.1
CPU: x64
File System: NTFS
User: {username}

Scan Type: Threat Scan
Result: Completed
Objects Scanned: 330755
Time Elapsed: 27 min, 18 sec

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

Processes: 2
PUP.Optional.FindingDiscount.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Discount\FindingDiscount\findingdiscount.exe, 720, Delete-on-Reboot, [ef096ab38208b383970c6c28cc37a759]
PUP.Optional.RuntimeManager.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows NT\Accessories\RuntimeManager\runtimemanager.exe, 4816, Delete-on-Reboot, [8c6c7da0573368ceebba2e66f50e6f91]

Modules: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys: 2
PUP.Optional.FindingDiscount.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\FindingDiscount, Quarantined, [ef096ab38208b383970c6c28cc37a759], 
PUP.Optional.RuntimeManager.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\RuntimeManager, Quarantined, [8c6c7da0573368ceebba2e66f50e6f91], 

Registry Values: 1
PUP.Optional.RuntimeManager.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\RUNTIMEMANAGER|ImagePath, C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows NT\Accessories\RuntimeManager\runtimemanager.exe -service, Quarantined, [8c6c7da0573368ceebba2e66f50e6f91]

Folders: 3
PUP.Optional.FindingDiscount.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Discount, Delete-on-Reboot, [0bed61bc7317152156f8265f60a335cb], 
PUP.Optional.FindingDiscount.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Discount\FindingDiscount, Delete-on-Reboot, [0bed61bc7317152156f8265f60a335cb], 
PUP.Optional.RuntimeManager.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows NT\Accessories\RuntimeManager, Delete-on-Reboot, [7f795bc21872ba7c0153790cdc27d52b], 

Files: 3
PUP.Optional.OpenSoftwareUpdater, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\gpsetup2.exe, Quarantined, [ab4d120bc4c6cc6a111e41a3c53cf30d], 
PUP.Optional.FindingDiscount.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Discount\FindingDiscount\findingdiscount.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [ef096ab38208b383970c6c28cc37a759], 
PUP.Optional.RuntimeManager.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows NT\Accessories\RuntimeManager\runtimemanager.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [8c6c7da0573368ceebba2e66f50e6f91], 

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.