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Removal instructions for Word Surfer

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Started by Metallica , Jul 16 2015 01:40 AM

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#1
Metallica
Posted 16 July 2015 - 01:40 AM

Metallica

    Spyware Veteran

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Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is Word Surfer?
 
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Word Surfer 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 Word Surfer?

You may see this entry in your list of installed programs:
 
warning4.png

and these warnings during install:

main.png

warning1.png

warning2.png

and these Scheduled Tasks :

warning5.png

and this type of advertisements:

warning3.png
 
How did Word Surfer get on my computer?
 
Adware applications use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was bundled with other software.
 
How do I remove Word Surfer?
 
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 Word Surfer?
  • No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes Word Surfer completely.
  • This PUP creates some scheduled tasks. You can read here how to check for and, if necessary, remove Scheduled Tasks.
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 Word Surfer adware. It would have warned you before the application could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.
 

protection1.png


Technical details for experts
 
You will see these signs in a HijackThis log:
O23 - Service: Word Surfer 1.10.0.19 Client Service (wsasvc_1.10.0.19) - Word Surfer - C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19\Service\wsasvc.exe
 

You may see these signs in FRST logs:
 (Word Surfer) C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19\Service\wsasvc.exe
 R1 wsafd_1_10_0_19; C:\Windows\System32\drivers\wsafd_1_10_0_19.sys [61312 2015-06-16] (Word Surfer)
 C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\WordSurfer Auto Updater 1.10.0.19 Pending Update
 C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\WordSurfer Auto Updater 1.10.0.19 Core
 C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19
 (Word Surfer) C:\Windows\system32\Drivers\wsafd_1_10_0_19.sys

WordSurfer 1.10.0.19 (HKLM-x32\...\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19) (Version: 1.10.0.19 - WordSurfer)
Task: {1F131060-D0D3-4D6C-903B-FE830E69CF64} - System32\Tasks\WordSurfer Auto Updater 1.10.0.19 Core => C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19\Update\WordSurferAutoUpdateClient.exe [2015-06-16] (Word Surfer)
Task: {C959E831-3694-4DA5-AC59-AE1F19E746B3} - System32\Tasks\WordSurfer Auto Updater 1.10.0.19 Pending Update => C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19\Update\WordSurferAutoUpdateClient.exe [2015-06-16] (Word Surfer)
 
 
Alterations made by the installer:
File system details [View: All details] (Selection)
---------------------------------------------------
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19
       Adds the file terms-of-service.rtf"="30/05/2015 01:26, 24220 bytes, A
       Adds the file Uninstall.exe"="16/06/2015 00:28, 313856 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19\3rd Party Licenses
       Adds the file buildcrx-license.txt"="19/05/2014 21:10, 7074 bytes, A
       Adds the file Info-ZIP-license.txt"="19/05/2014 21:10, 2944 bytes, A
       Adds the file JSON-simple-license.txt"="30/10/2014 02:55, 11558 bytes, A
       Adds the file nsJSON-license.txt"="19/05/2014 21:10, 809 bytes, A
       Adds the file Nustache-license.txt"="30/10/2014 02:55, 1079 bytes, A
       Adds the file TaskScheduler-license.txt"="30/10/2014 02:55, 0 bytes, A
       Adds the file UAC-license.txt"="19/05/2014 21:10, 956 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19\Service
       Adds the file wsasvc.exe"="16/06/2015 00:28, 299608 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19\Update
       Adds the file Microsoft.Win32.TaskScheduler.dll"="30/10/2014 02:55, 185856 bytes, A
       Adds the file Nustache.Core.dll"="30/10/2014 02:55, 28672 bytes, A
       Adds the file WordSurferAutoUpdateClient.exe"="16/06/2015 00:28, 63576 bytes, A
       Adds the file WordSurferAutoUpdateClient.exe.config"="30/10/2014 02:55, 256 bytes, A
    In the existing folder C:\Windows\System32\drivers
       Adds the file wsafd_1_10_0_19.sys"="16/06/2015 00:28, 61312 bytes, A
    In the existing folder C:\Windows\System32\Tasks
       Adds the file WordSurfer Auto Updater 1.10.0.19 Core"="16/07/2015 08:31, 4170 bytes, A
       Adds the file WordSurfer Auto Updater 1.10.0.19 Pending Update"="16/07/2015 08:31, 4180 bytes, A

Registry details [View: All details] (Selection)
------------------------------------------------
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19]
       "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19\Uninstall.exe"
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "WordSurfer 1.10.0.19"
       "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "1.10.0.19"
       "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "WordSurfer"
       "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19\Uninstall.exe"
       "URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://www.wordsurferapp.com"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19]
       "cr-at"="REG_SZ", ""
       "cr-pid"="REG_SZ", ""
       "cr-ver"="REG_SZ", "43.0.2357.132"
       "dbsr"="REG_SZ", "firefox"
       "features"="REG_SZ", "0x01000000"
       "ff-at"="REG_SZ", ""
       "ff-pid"="REG_SZ", ""
       "ff-ver"="REG_SZ", "38.0.5 (x86 en-GB)"
       "hid"="REG_SZ", "1FB0C54E-C74D-AB91-A3A6-1983589F206E"
       "ie-at"="REG_SZ", ""
       "ie-pid"="REG_SZ", ""
       "ie-ver"="REG_SZ", "11.0.9600.17914"
       "iid"="REG_SZ", "00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000"
       "itm"="REG_SZ", "2015-07-16T06:31:04Z"
       "nf-at"="REG_SZ", "4C978A13-596F-85D9-BE7A-A640680A1FEC"
       "nf-pid"="REG_SZ", "44F41AF3-6482-4F5B-8517-7D4796F41FC6"
       "nid"="REG_SZ", "7D5BAFA9-43AD-43BF-9BAE-D2823A38F2CB"
       "osn"="REG_SZ", "Windows 7 Ultimate"
       "ost"="REG_SZ", "x64"
       "osv"="REG_SZ", "6.1.7601"
       "user_sid"="REG_SZ", "S-1-5-21-612512518-1730918975-1677248042-1002"
       "ver"="REG_SZ", "1.10.0.19"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\wsafd_1_10_0_19]
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "wsafd_1_10_0_19"
       "ErrorControl"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "Group"="REG_SZ", "PNP_TDI"
       "ImagePath"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "system32\drivers\wsafd_1_10_0_19.sys"
       "Start"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "Tag"="REG_DWORD", 10
       "Type"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "WOW64"="REG_DWORD", 1
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\wsafd_1_10_0_19\Enum]
       "0"="REG_SZ", "Root\LEGACY_WSAFD_1_10_0_19\0000"
       "Count"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "NextInstance"="REG_DWORD", 1
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\wsasvc_1.10.0.19]
       "Description"="REG_SZ", "This service enables Word Surfer 1.10.0.19 on HTTP websites"
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "Word Surfer 1.10.0.19 Client Service"
       "ErrorControl"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "ImagePath"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, ""C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19\Service\wsasvc.exe""
       "ObjectName"="REG_SZ", "LocalSystem"
       "Start"="REG_DWORD", 2
       "Type"="REG_DWORD", 16
       "WOW64"="REG_DWORD", 1
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
www.malwarebytes.org

Scan Date: 16/07/2015
Scan Time: 08:57
Logfile: mbamWordSurfer.txt
Administrator: Yes

Version: 2.1.8.1057
Malware Database: v2015.07.16.01
Rootkit Database: v2015.07.15.01
License: Premium
Malware Protection: Disabled
Malicious Website Protection: Enabled
Self-protection: Disabled

OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1
CPU: x64
File System: NTFS
User: {username}

Scan Type: Threat Scan
Result: Completed
Objects Scanned: 326293
Time Elapsed: 4 min, 7 sec

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

Processes: 1
PUP.Optional.WordSurfer.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19\Service\wsasvc.exe, 1944, Delete-on-Reboot, [76fbac36a2e8a29424f154128a7bab55]

Modules: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys: 3
PUP.Optional.WordSurfer.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\wsasvc_1.10.0.19, Quarantined, [76fbac36a2e8a29424f154128a7bab55], 
PUP.Optional.WordSurfer.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19, Quarantined, [beb3ca18b9d1072f19fcd78f41c4da26], 
PUP.Optional.WordSurfer.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\wsafd_1_10_0_19, Quarantined, [442db82a2e5c7abc28e6514707fded13], 

Registry Values: 1
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\wsasvc_1.10.0.19|ImagePath, "C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19\Service\wsasvc.exe", Quarantined, [e091ffe36624bf77f6293b53f70d58a8]

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folders: 4
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19, Delete-on-Reboot, [264bb82a2a60300682cd4324ec1904fc], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19\3rd Party Licenses, Quarantined, [264bb82a2a60300682cd4324ec1904fc], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19\Service, Delete-on-Reboot, [264bb82a2a60300682cd4324ec1904fc], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19\Update, Quarantined, [264bb82a2a60300682cd4324ec1904fc], 

Files: 23
PUP.Optional.WordSurfer.A, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\wsafd_1_10_0_19.sys, Delete-on-Reboot, [379d24e9b28bff6a9c2de9656aa03e05], 
PUP.Optional.WordSurfer.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19\Service\wsasvc.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [76fbac36a2e8a29424f154128a7bab55], 
PUP.Optional.WordSurfer.A, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\WordSurfer.exe, Quarantined, [fc75ebf71b6fa09639dcb0b6bb4ab24e], 
PUP.Optional.WordSurfer.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19\Uninstall.exe, Quarantined, [beb3ca18b9d1072f19fcd78f41c4da26], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-hardwareprofile-v0001, Quarantined, [1e53776b503ad95d5c0c018106fe08f8], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-install-v0003, Quarantined, [264be3ff7f0bd165f870c8ba19eb48b8], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-processes-v0002, Quarantined, [0a6770725f2b231391d78df541c319e7], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-scheduledtasks-v0001, Quarantined, [6d04449ef991ac8a84e4e59d40c4a55b], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-softwareregkeys-v0002, Quarantined, [a9c83aa836540c2a1850443e8e76c23e], 
PUP.Optional.WordSurfer.A, C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\WordSurfer Auto Updater 1.10.0.19 Core, Quarantined, [8ae7db07bdcd1b1b83879cfcfd07d22e], 
PUP.Optional.WordSurfer.A, C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\WordSurfer Auto Updater 1.10.0.19 Pending Update, Quarantined, [ec85bd25553557df8b7f5f39e420d729], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19\terms-of-service.rtf, Quarantined, [264bb82a2a60300682cd4324ec1904fc], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19\3rd Party Licenses\buildcrx-license.txt, Quarantined, [264bb82a2a60300682cd4324ec1904fc], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19\3rd Party Licenses\Info-ZIP-license.txt, Quarantined, [264bb82a2a60300682cd4324ec1904fc], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19\3rd Party Licenses\JSON-simple-license.txt, Quarantined, [264bb82a2a60300682cd4324ec1904fc], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19\3rd Party Licenses\nsJSON-license.txt, Quarantined, [264bb82a2a60300682cd4324ec1904fc], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19\3rd Party Licenses\Nustache-license.txt, Quarantined, [264bb82a2a60300682cd4324ec1904fc], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19\3rd Party Licenses\TaskScheduler-license.txt, Quarantined, [264bb82a2a60300682cd4324ec1904fc], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19\3rd Party Licenses\UAC-license.txt, Quarantined, [264bb82a2a60300682cd4324ec1904fc], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19\Update\Microsoft.Win32.TaskScheduler.dll, Quarantined, [264bb82a2a60300682cd4324ec1904fc], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19\Update\Nustache.Core.dll, Quarantined, [264bb82a2a60300682cd4324ec1904fc], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19\Update\WordSurferAutoUpdateClient.exe, Quarantined, [264bb82a2a60300682cd4324ec1904fc], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordSurfer_1.10.0.19\Update\WordSurferAutoUpdateClient.exe.config, Quarantined, [264bb82a2a60300682cd4324ec1904fc], 

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.
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