What is SnipSmart?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that SnipSmart 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 effected by SnipSmart?
This is how the first screen of the installer looks:
And you may see these browser extensions/add-ons:
and this entry in your list of installed programs:
How did SnipSmart get on my computer?
Browser hijackers use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was bundled with other software.
How do I remove SnipSmart?
Our program Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can detect and remove this potentially unwanted application.
- 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 all Threats are selected, and click Remove Selected.
- Restart your computer when prompted to do so.
- No, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware removes SnipSmart completely.
- If you are using Firefox, you may have to remove the Extension manually under Add-ons > Extensions. Click on the Remove button behind the SnipSmart entry.
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 SnipSmart hijacker. 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
Signs in a HijackThis log:
O2 - BHO: snipsmart 1.0.0.7 - {68261aaa-dc9f-4c2b-a168-c323e304c3a2} - C:\Program Files (x86)\snipsmart\snipsmartbho.dll O23 - Service: Update snipsmart - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\snipsmart\updatesnipsmart.exePossible signs in FRST logs:
() C:\Program Files (x86)\snipsmart\updatesnipsmart.exe BHO-x32: snipsmart 1.0.0.7 -> {68261aaa-dc9f-4c2b-a168-c323e304c3a2} -> C:\Program Files (x86)\snipsmart\snipsmartbho.dll [2015-12-29] (snipsmart) FF Extension: snipsmart 1.0.1 - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\Extensions\{32e8d000-0bc1-4520-9a51-f8388793fb3b}.xpi [2014-11-27] [not signed] R2 Update snipsmart; C:\Program Files (x86)\snipsmart\updatesnipsmart.exe [423152 2014-11-27] () C:\Program Files (x86)\snipsmart snipsmart (HKLM\...\snipsmart) (Version: 2014.11.27.002138 - snipsmart) <==== ATTENTIONAlterations made by the installer:
File system details [View: All details] (Selection) --------------------------------------------------- Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\snipsmart Adds the file snipsmart.ico"="27/11/2014 01:21, 1150 bytes, A Adds the file snipsmartbho.dll"="29/12/2015 12:28, 269000 bytes, A Adds the file snipsmartUninstall.exe"="27/11/2014 01:22, 259744 bytes, A Adds the file updatesnipsmart.exe"="27/11/2014 01:21, 423152 bytes, A Adds the file updatesnipsmart.InstallState"="29/12/2015 12:28, 5012 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\extensions Adds the file {32e8d000-0bc1-4520-9a51-f8388793fb3b}.xpi"="27/11/2014 01:21, 8447 bytes, A Registry details [View: All details] (Selection) ------------------------------------------------ [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{4AA46D49-459F-4358-B4D1-169048547C23}] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "D11FC33F-5094-4A78-B3EB-75D5962B4C88" "id"="REG_SZ", "271" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{4086DF47-C0E9-4EA0-A7E4-FDD954B182A1}] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "Isnipsmart" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{4086DF47-C0E9-4EA0-A7E4-FDD954B182A1}\ProxyStubClsid32] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{00020424-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{4086DF47-C0E9-4EA0-A7E4-FDD954B182A1}\TypeLib] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{0C8E7DE5-D3F4-4FF0-BE7D-2547FF22A3BB}" "Version"="REG_SZ", "1.0" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{0C8E7DE5-D3F4-4FF0-BE7D-2547FF22A3BB}\1.0] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "snipsmartIEClientLib" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{0C8E7DE5-D3F4-4FF0-BE7D-2547FF22A3BB}\1.0\0\win32] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\snipsmart\snipsmartbho.dll" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{0C8E7DE5-D3F4-4FF0-BE7D-2547FF22A3BB}\1.0\FLAGS] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "0" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{0C8E7DE5-D3F4-4FF0-BE7D-2547FF22A3BB}\1.0\HELPDIR] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\snipsmart" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{1AA60054-57D9-4F99-9A55-D0FBFBE7ECD3}] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "C561BC6A-9C5F-4E1E-A0A3-6EF5F8593675" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{4AA46D49-459F-4358-B4D1-169048547C23}] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "D11FC33F-5094-4A78-B3EB-75D5962B4C88" "id"="REG_SZ", "271" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{68261aaa-dc9f-4c2b-a168-c323e304c3a2}] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "snipsmart 1.0.0.7" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{68261aaa-dc9f-4c2b-a168-c323e304c3a2}\InprocServer32] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\snipsmart\snipsmartbho.dll" "ThreadingModel"="REG_SZ", "Apartment" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{68261aaa-dc9f-4c2b-a168-c323e304c3a2}\Programmable] [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{68261aaa-dc9f-4c2b-a168-c323e304c3a2}\TypeLib] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{0c8e7de5-d3f4-4ff0-be7d-2547ff22a3bb}" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{68261aaa-dc9f-4c2b-a168-c323e304c3a2}\Version] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "1.0" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\Interface\{4086DF47-C0E9-4EA0-A7E4-FDD954B182A1}] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "Isnipsmart" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\Interface\{4086DF47-C0E9-4EA0-A7E4-FDD954B182A1}\ProxyStubClsid32] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{00020424-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\Interface\{4086DF47-C0E9-4EA0-A7E4-FDD954B182A1}\TypeLib] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{0C8E7DE5-D3F4-4FF0-BE7D-2547FF22A3BB}" "Version"="REG_SZ", "1.0" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\snipsmart] "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\snipsmart\snipsmart.ico" "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "snipsmart" "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "2014.11.27.002138" "EstimatedSize"="REG_DWORD", 681 "HelpLink"="REG_SZ", "mailto:[email protected]" "InstallLocation"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\snipsmart" "InstallTime"="REG_SZ", "2015-12-29 12:28:46" "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1 "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1 "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "snipsmart" "QuietUninstallString"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\snipsmart\snipsmartuninstall.exe /S" "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\snipsmart\snipsmartuninstall.exe" "URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://snipsmart.info/support" "URLUpdateInfo"="REG_SZ", "http://snipsmart.info" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Tracing\updatesnipsmart_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\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Tracing\updatesnipsmart_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\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{68261aaa-dc9f-4c2b-a168-c323e304c3a2}] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "snipsmart 1.0.0.7" "NoExplorer"="REG_DWORD", 1 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\snipsmart] "iid"="REG_SZ", "def_snipsmart" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\snipsmart\Chrome] "sgc"="REG_SZ", "true" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\snipsmart\Firefox] "sff"="REG_SZ", "false" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\snipsmart\Internet Explorer] "sie"="REG_SZ", "false" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\eventlog\Application\Update snipsmart] "EventMessageFile"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\EventLogMessages.dll" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\Update snipsmart] "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "Update snipsmart" "ErrorControl"="REG_DWORD", 1 "FailureActions"="REG_BINARY, ...................... "ImagePath"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, ""C:\Program Files (x86)\snipsmart\updatesnipsmart.exe"" "ObjectName"="REG_SZ", "LocalSystem" "Start"="REG_DWORD", 2 "Type"="REG_DWORD", 16 "WOW64"="REG_DWORD", 1 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\snipsmart] "id"="REG_SZ", "2015-12-29 12:28:46" "iid"="REG_SZ", "def_snipsmart" "is"="REG_SZ", "def_snipsmart" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\snipsmart\Chrome] "ug"="REG_SZ", "725A838D-4712-4A68-9624-8A86D34CF7F2" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\snipsmart\Firefox] "ug"="REG_SZ", "778D7884-DE54-4973-8B09-28670C496F29" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\snipsmart\Internet Explorer] "ug"="REG_SZ", "EE0B9AD3-1815-4ACE-9C88-D19E2FFAD772"Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware www.malwarebytes.org Scan Date: 29/12/2015 Scan Time: 12:36 Logfile: mbamSnipSmart.txt Administrator: Yes Version: 2.2.0.1020 Malware Database: v2015.12.29.03 Rootkit Database: v2015.12.26.01 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: 313694 Time Elapsed: 4 min, 55 sec Memory: Enabled Startup: Enabled Filesystem: Enabled Archives: Enabled Rootkits: Enabled Heuristics: Enabled PUP: Enabled PUM: Enabled Processes: 1 PUP.Optional.SnipSmart, C:\Program Files (x86)\snipsmart\updatesnipsmart.exe, 3080, Delete-on-Reboot, [40977733028943f34d7d17a3c2426a96] Modules: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Keys: 16 PUP.Optional.SnipSmart, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\Update snipsmart, Quarantined, [40977733028943f34d7d17a3c2426a96], PUP.Optional.SnipSmart, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\CLASSES\CLSID\{68261aaa-dc9f-4c2b-a168-c323e304c3a2}, Quarantined, [34a31f8b6922df573164cd9a4db544bc], PUP.Optional.SnipSmart, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\WOW6432NODE\CLSID\{68261aaa-dc9f-4c2b-a168-c323e304c3a2}, Quarantined, [34a31f8b6922df573164cd9a4db544bc], PUP.Optional.SnipSmart, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\TYPELIB\{0c8e7de5-d3f4-4ff0-be7d-2547ff22a3bb}, Quarantined, [34a31f8b6922df573164cd9a4db544bc], PUP.Optional.SnipSmart, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\INTERFACE\{4086DF47-C0E9-4EA0-A7E4-FDD954B182A1}, Quarantined, [34a31f8b6922df573164cd9a4db544bc], PUP.Optional.SnipSmart, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\CLASSES\INTERFACE\{4086DF47-C0E9-4EA0-A7E4-FDD954B182A1}, Quarantined, [34a31f8b6922df573164cd9a4db544bc], PUP.Optional.SnipSmart, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\WOW6432NODE\INTERFACE\{4086DF47-C0E9-4EA0-A7E4-FDD954B182A1}, Quarantined, [34a31f8b6922df573164cd9a4db544bc], PUP.Optional.SnipSmart, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\CLASSES\TYPELIB\{0c8e7de5-d3f4-4ff0-be7d-2547ff22a3bb}, Quarantined, [34a31f8b6922df573164cd9a4db544bc], PUP.Optional.SnipSmart, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\WOW6432NODE\TYPELIB\{0c8e7de5-d3f4-4ff0-be7d-2547ff22a3bb}, Quarantined, [34a31f8b6922df573164cd9a4db544bc], PUP.Optional.SnipSmart, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\EXPLORER\BROWSER HELPER OBJECTS\{68261AAA-DC9F-4C2B-A168-C323E304C3A2}, Quarantined, [34a31f8b6922df573164cd9a4db544bc], PUP.Optional.SnipSmart, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\EXT\SETTINGS\{68261AAA-DC9F-4C2B-A168-C323E304C3A2}, Quarantined, [34a31f8b6922df573164cd9a4db544bc], PUP.Optional.SnipSmart, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\EXT\STATS\{68261AAA-DC9F-4C2B-A168-C323E304C3A2}, Quarantined, [34a31f8b6922df573164cd9a4db544bc], PUP.Optional.SnipSmart, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\snipsmart, Quarantined, [dbfc7c2e12798caa4c7e69519c68fe02], PUP.Optional.SnipSmart, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\snipsmart, Quarantined, [fcdb5b4f3952ae88936efec71ee50ff1], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\EVENTLOG\APPLICATION\Update snipsmart, Quarantined, [0ec9edbd6724d5619806e42c1fe5a65a], PUP.Optional.SnipSmart, HKCU\SOFTWARE\snipsmart, Quarantined, [399e6545335871c514eba91b0cf79d63], Registry Values: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Data: 0 (No malicious items detected) Folders: 1 PUP.Optional.SnipSmart, C:\Program Files (x86)\snipsmart, Delete-on-Reboot, [6c6bc7e38308191d18bdbfeafa087987], Files: 6 PUP.Optional.SnipSmart, C:\Program Files (x86)\snipsmart\updatesnipsmart.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [40977733028943f34d7d17a3c2426a96], PUP.Optional.SnipSmart, C:\Program Files (x86)\snipsmart\snipsmartbho.dll, Quarantined, [34a31f8b6922df573164cd9a4db544bc], PUP.Optional.SnipSmart, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\snipsmart_Setup.exe, Quarantined, [0ec9f5b5b2d9e94da6823bf3cd33db25], PUP.Optional.SnipSmart, C:\Program Files (x86)\snipsmart\snipsmartUninstall.exe, Quarantined, [dbfc7c2e12798caa4c7e69519c68fe02], PUP.Optional.SnipSmart, C:\Program Files (x86)\snipsmart\snipsmart.ico, Quarantined, [6c6bc7e38308191d18bdbfeafa087987], PUP.Optional.SnipSmart, C:\Program Files (x86)\snipsmart\updatesnipsmart.InstallState, Quarantined, [6c6bc7e38308191d18bdbfeafa087987], 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