What is SafeSoft Protector?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that SafeSoft Protector 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 SafeSoft Protector?
You may see this warning during install:
and this proxy in IE under Internet options > Connections > LAN settings > proxy server > Advanced :
and these Scheduled Tasks:
How did SafeSoft Protector get on my computer?
Adware applications use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was offered as an adult movie.
How do I remove SafeSoft Protector?
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.
- No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes SafeSoft Protector completely.
- This PUP creates some scheduled tasks. You can read here how to check for and, if necessary, remove Scheduled Tasks.
We hope our application and this guide have helped you eradicate this adware application.
As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware would have protected you against the SafeSoft Protector adware. It would have warned you before the application 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:
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = 127.0.0.1:8118 O23 - Service: Privoxy (PrivoxyService) (PrivoxyService) - The Privoxy team - www.privoxy.org - C:\Program Files (x86)\Safesoft Protector\privoxy.exeYou may see these signs in FRST logs:
(The Privoxy team - www.privoxy.org) C:\Program Files (x86)\Safesoft Protector\privoxy.exe ProxyEnable: [S-1-5-21-3904814319-2759352178-2031478720-1001] => Proxy is enabled. ProxyServer: [S-1-5-21-3904814319-2759352178-2031478720-1001] => 127.0.0.1:8118 FF Extension: Firefox Helper - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\Extensions\firefox@helper [2015-12-01] [not signed] FF NetworkProxy: "user_pref("network.proxy.type", 5) R2 PrivoxyService; C:\Program Files (x86)\Safesoft Protector\privoxy.exe [371200 2015-12-01] (The Privoxy team - www.privoxy.org) [File not signed] <==== ATTENTION C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\Safesoft Protector Cleaner C:\Program Files (x86)\Safesoft Protector C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\Win Software C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Win Software ( ) C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\X Art Jenna Catie Girls Love Pink and Diamonds FullHD 1080.exe Task: {6F196516-F249-4BE2-939E-06D82C3AEECC} - System32\Tasks\Win Software => C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Win Software\Win Software.exe [2015-12-01] () <==== ATTENTION Task: {96674A74-548E-4C46-A975-BD294C2E1711} - System32\Tasks\Safesoft Protector Cleaner => C:\Program Files (x86)\Safesoft Protector\sswworker.exe [2015-12-01] (West CH Soft) <==== ATTENTION () C:\Program Files (x86)\Safesoft Protector\mgwz.dllAlterations made by the installer:
File system details [View: All details] (Selection) --------------------------------------------------- Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Safesoft Protector Adds the file amchromium.exe"="12/1/2015 2:12 PM, 167424 bytes, A Adds the file amchromium64.exe"="12/1/2015 2:12 PM, 222208 bytes, A Adds the file checkproxy.exe"="12/1/2015 2:12 PM, 162304 bytes, A Adds the file config.txt"="12/1/2015 2:12 PM, 411 bytes, A Adds the file default.action"="12/1/2015 2:12 PM, 21 bytes, A Adds the file default.filter"="12/1/2015 2:12 PM, 166 bytes, A Adds the file mgwz.dll"="12/1/2015 2:12 PM, 86528 bytes, A Adds the file privoxy.exe"="12/1/2015 2:12 PM, 371200 bytes, A Adds the file privoxy.log"="12/1/2015 2:12 PM, 0 bytes, A Adds the file ssweb.dll"="12/1/2015 2:12 PM, 176640 bytes, A Adds the file ssweb64.dll"="12/1/2015 2:12 PM, 229376 bytes, A Adds the file sswworker.exe"="12/1/2015 2:12 PM, 541696 bytes, A In the existing folder C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Google Chrome Alters the file Google Chrome.lnk 11/28/2015 1:22 PM, 2198 bytes, A ==> 12/1/2015 2:12 PM, 2260 bytes, A In the existing folder C:\Windows\System32\Tasks Adds the file Safesoft Protector Cleaner"="12/1/2015 2:12 PM, 3292 bytes, A Adds the file Win Software"="12/1/2015 2:12 PM, 3304 bytes, A Registry details [View: All details] (Selection) ------------------------------------------------ [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\SecureWeb] [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\SecureWebChannel] "Channel"="REG_SZ", "split24banner4" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\NlaSvc\Parameters\Internet\ManualProxies] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "1127.0.0.1:8118" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\PrivoxyService] "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "Privoxy (PrivoxyService)" "ErrorControl"="REG_DWORD", 1 "ImagePath"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, ""C:\Program Files (x86)\Safesoft Protector\privoxy.exe" --service" "ObjectName"="REG_SZ", "LocalSystem" "Start"="REG_DWORD", 2 "Type"="REG_DWORD", 272 "WOW64"="REG_DWORD", 1 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings] "ProxyEnable"=REG_DWORD, 1 "ProxyServer"="REG_SZ", "127.0.0.1:8118" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\UFH\SHC] "0"="REG_MULTI_SZ, "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Google Chrome\Google Chrome.lnk C:\Program Files (x86)\Safesoft Protector\amchromium.exe C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe "Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware www.malwarebytes.org Scan Date: 12/1/2015 Scan Time: 2:27 PM Logfile: mbamTechsnab.txt Administrator: Yes Version: 2.2.0.1024 Malware Database: v2015.12.01.03 Rootkit Database: v2015.11.26.01 License: Premium Malware Protection: Disabled Malicious Website Protection: Enabled Self-protection: Disabled OS: Windows 8.1 CPU: x64 File System: NTFS User: {username} Scan Type: Threat Scan Result: Completed Objects Scanned: 330617 Time Elapsed: 37 min, 12 sec Memory: Enabled Startup: Enabled Filesystem: Enabled Archives: Enabled Rootkits: Enabled Heuristics: Enabled PUP: Enabled PUM: Enabled Processes: 1 PUP.Optional.PrxySvrRST, C:\Program Files (x86)\Safesoft Protector\privoxy.exe, 4816, Delete-on-Reboot, [faed158a23689a9c2eef2d3ca85a4ab6] Modules: 1 PUP.Optional.PrxySvrRST, C:\Program Files (x86)\Safesoft Protector\mgwz.dll, Delete-on-Reboot, [faed158a23689a9c2eef2d3ca85a4ab6], Registry Keys: 1 PUP.Optional.PrxySvrRST, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\PrivoxyService, Quarantined, [faed158a23689a9c2eef2d3ca85a4ab6], Registry Values: 1 PUM.Optional.ProxyHijacker, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\INTERNET SETTINGS|ProxyServer, 127.0.0.1:8118, Quarantined, [a1467d22a3e826108f4ad3036b98fc04] Registry Data: 0 (No malicious items detected) Folders: 3 PUP.Optional.PrxySvrRST, C:\Program Files (x86)\Safesoft Protector, Delete-on-Reboot, [faed158a23689a9c2eef2d3ca85a4ab6], PUP.Optional.Helper, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\extensions\firefox@helper, Quarantined, [5097d5ca0289ce6828de583c12f030d0], PUP.Optional.Helper, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\extensions\firefox@helper\content, Quarantined, [5097d5ca0289ce6828de583c12f030d0], Files: 21 Backdoor.Agent.WD, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\9278.tmp.exe, Quarantined, [25c2faa5a9e257dffdc7c05e8b759b65], PUP.Optional.CrossRider, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\nsoD44C.tmp\bvjsyu.dll, Quarantined, [ab3cc9d6e2a970c62b822d8531d0a35d], PUP.Optional.CrossRider, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\nssAC80.tmp\bvjsyu.dll, Quarantined, [bf28633cfa916dc9decf417101009a66], PUP.Optional.PrxySvrRST, C:\Program Files (x86)\Safesoft Protector\amchromium.exe, Quarantined, [faed158a23689a9c2eef2d3ca85a4ab6], PUP.Optional.PrxySvrRST, C:\Program Files (x86)\Safesoft Protector\amchromium64.exe, Quarantined, [faed158a23689a9c2eef2d3ca85a4ab6], PUP.Optional.PrxySvrRST, C:\Program Files (x86)\Safesoft Protector\checkproxy.exe, Quarantined, [faed158a23689a9c2eef2d3ca85a4ab6], PUP.Optional.PrxySvrRST, C:\Program Files (x86)\Safesoft Protector\config.txt, Quarantined, [faed158a23689a9c2eef2d3ca85a4ab6], PUP.Optional.PrxySvrRST, C:\Program Files (x86)\Safesoft Protector\default.action, Quarantined, [faed158a23689a9c2eef2d3ca85a4ab6], PUP.Optional.PrxySvrRST, C:\Program Files (x86)\Safesoft Protector\default.filter, Quarantined, [faed158a23689a9c2eef2d3ca85a4ab6], PUP.Optional.PrxySvrRST, C:\Program Files (x86)\Safesoft Protector\mgwz.dll, Delete-on-Reboot, [faed158a23689a9c2eef2d3ca85a4ab6], PUP.Optional.PrxySvrRST, C:\Program Files (x86)\Safesoft Protector\privoxy.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [faed158a23689a9c2eef2d3ca85a4ab6], PUP.Optional.PrxySvrRST, C:\Program Files (x86)\Safesoft Protector\privoxy.log, Delete-on-Reboot, [faed158a23689a9c2eef2d3ca85a4ab6], PUP.Optional.PrxySvrRST, C:\Program Files (x86)\Safesoft Protector\ssweb.dll, Quarantined, [faed158a23689a9c2eef2d3ca85a4ab6], PUP.Optional.PrxySvrRST, C:\Program Files (x86)\Safesoft Protector\ssweb64.dll, Quarantined, [faed158a23689a9c2eef2d3ca85a4ab6], PUP.Optional.PrxySvrRST, C:\Program Files (x86)\Safesoft Protector\sswworker.exe, Quarantined, [faed158a23689a9c2eef2d3ca85a4ab6], PUP.Optional.Helper, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\extensions\firefox@helper\chrome.manifest, Quarantined, [5097d5ca0289ce6828de583c12f030d0], PUP.Optional.Helper, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\extensions\firefox@helper\install.rdf, Quarantined, [5097d5ca0289ce6828de583c12f030d0], PUP.Optional.Helper, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\extensions\firefox@helper\content\load.js, Quarantined, [5097d5ca0289ce6828de583c12f030d0], PUP.Optional.Helper, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\extensions\firefox@helper\content\overlay.xul, Quarantined, [5097d5ca0289ce6828de583c12f030d0], PUP.Optional.Helper, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\extensions\firefox@helper\content\style.css, Quarantined, [5097d5ca0289ce6828de583c12f030d0], PUP.Optional.IStartPageing.ChrPRST, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\prefs.js, Good: (), Bad: (istartpageing), Replaced,[2dbab9e61972af87fac43e5de91b43bd] 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