What is Splendor Search?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Splendor Search 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 Splendor Search?
You may see these warnings during install:


and these icons in your desktop and startmenu:


And you may see these browser extensions/add-ons:

and this entry in your list of installed programs:

How did Splendor Search get on my computer?
Browser hijackers use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was offered as desktop search software, but it can also come bundled with other software.

How do I remove Splendor Search?
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 Splendor Search completely.
- You may want to change your Start-page and Search-engine.
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 Splendor Search 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:
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://search.yahoo.com O4 - Global Startup: SplendorSearchDesktopSearch.lnk = C:\ProgramData\Splendor Search\SplendorSearchDesktopSearch.exePossible signs in FRST logs:
() C:\ProgramData\Splendor Search\SplendorSearchDesktopSearch.exe Startup: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\SplendorSearchDesktopSearch.lnk [2016-01-27] ShortcutTarget: SplendorSearchDesktopSearch.lnk -> C:\ProgramData\Splendor Search\SplendorSearchDesktopSearch.exe () HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = hxxp://search.yahoo.com SearchScopes: HKCU -> DefaultScope {51B399C5-2C66-41F6-B7C5-5D08D3D7D9C4} URL = hxxp://search.yahoo.com/search?p={searchTerms} SearchScopes: HKCU -> {51B399C5-2C66-41F6-B7C5-5D08D3D7D9C4} URL = hxxp://search.yahoo.com/search?p={searchTerms} FF Homepage: hxxp://search.yahoo.com FF NewTab: hxxp://search.yahoo.com FF Keyword.URL: hxxp://search.yahoo.com/search?p= FF SelectedSearchEngine: Yahoo Search! FF DefaultSearchEngine: Yahoo Search! FF SearchPlugin: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\searchplugins\search-simple.xml [2016-01-27] FF Extension: Splendor Search - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\Extensions\[email protected] [2016-01-26] [not signed] C:\ProgramData\Splendor Search C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Splendor Search C:\Program Files (x86)\Splendor Search Splendor Search (HKLM-x32\...\Splendor Search) (Version: 2.0.5869.38944 - Splendor Search) <==== ATTENTIONAlterations made by the installer:
File system details [View: All details] (Selection) --------------------------------------------------- Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Splendor Search Adds the file 7za.exe"="26/01/2016 19:54, 536064 bytes, A Adds the file SplendorSearch.exe"="27/01/2016 09:32, 78848 bytes, A Adds the file Uninstaller.exe"="27/01/2016 06:38, 330912 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Splendor Search\Extensions Adds the file [email protected]"="26/01/2016 17:35, 8336 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Splendor Search\Products Adds the file UnSplendorSearchDesktopSearch.exe"="27/01/2016 09:32, 35635 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Splendor Search Adds the file SplendorSearchDesktopSearch.lnk"="27/01/2016 09:32, 890 bytes, A Adds the file Uninstall.lnk"="27/01/2016 09:32, 1276 bytes, A In the existing folder C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup Adds the file SplendorSearchDesktopSearch.lnk"="27/01/2016 09:32, 890 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\ProgramData\Splendor Search Adds the file SplendorSearchDesktopSearch.exe"="25/01/2016 07:46, 42696 bytes, A Adds the file SplendorSearchDesktopSearch.exe.config"="20/01/2016 00:40, 151 bytes, A In the existing folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default Alters the file prefs.js Adds the file search-metadata.json"="27/01/2016 09:32, 94 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\extensions Adds the file [email protected]"="26/01/2016 17:35, 8336 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\searchplugins Adds the file search-simple.xml"="27/01/2016 09:32, 1142 bytes, A Registry details [View: All details] (Selection) ------------------------------------------------ [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{99415057-7C50-439D-AA20-02D83C071B61}] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "1" "{99415057-7C50-439D-AA20-02D83C071B61}"="REG_SZ", "{99415057-7C50-439D-AA20-02D83C071B61}" "1"="REG_SZ", "" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{F83D1872-D9FF-47F8-B5A0-49CC51E24EE8}] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "03be3c64-7915-4cfa-923d-53c3dea28f04" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Splendor Search] "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\Splendor Search\uninstaller.exe"" "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "Splendor Search" "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "2.0.5869.38944" "EstimatedSize"="REG_DWORD", 966 "HelpLink"="REG_SZ", "mailto:[email protected]" "InstallDate"="REG_SZ", "20160127" "InstallLocation"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\Splendor Search" "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1 "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1 "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "Splendor Search" "QuietUninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\Splendor Search\uninstaller.exe"" "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\Splendor Search\uninstaller.exe"" "URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://www.splendorsearch.com/support" "URLUpdateInfo"="REG_SZ", "http://www.splendorsearch.com" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\SplendorSearch] "cg"="REG_SZ", "03be3c64-7915-4cfa-923d-53c3dea28f04" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main] "Start Page"=REG_SZ, "http://search.yahoo.com" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes] "DefaultScope REG_SZ, "{0633EE93-D776-472f-A0FF-E1416B8B2E3A}" ==> REG_SZ, "{51B399C5-2C66-41F6-B7C5-5D08D3D7D9C4}" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{51B399C5-2C66-41F6-B7C5-5D08D3D7D9C4}] "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "Yahoo Search!" "FaviconURL"="REG_SZ", "http://search.yahoo.com/favicon.ico" "ShowSearchSuggestions"="REG_DWORD", 0 "URL"="REG_SZ", "http://search.yahoo.com/search?p={searchTerms}"Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware www.malwarebytes.org Scan Date: 27/01/2016 Scan Time: 09:40 Logfile: mbamSplendorSearch.txt Administrator: Yes Version: 2.2.0.1020 Malware Database: v2016.01.27.02 Rootkit Database: v2016.01.20.01 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: 318004 Time Elapsed: 4 min, 36 sec Memory: Enabled Startup: Enabled Filesystem: Enabled Archives: Enabled Rootkits: Enabled Heuristics: Enabled PUP: Enabled PUM: Enabled Processes: 1 PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\ProgramData\Splendor Search\SplendorSearchDesktopSearch.exe, 3304, Delete-on-Reboot, [aaf4b985316816206d174796867b34cc] Modules: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Keys: 6 PUP.Optional.Yontoo, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\CLASSES\CLSID\{99415057-7C50-439D-AA20-02D83C071B61}, Quarantined, [9fff6dd1346586b0cf3598c922e0a759], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\WOW6432NODE\CLSID\{99415057-7C50-439D-AA20-02D83C071B61}, Quarantined, [9fff6dd1346586b0cf3598c922e0a759], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\CLASSES\CLSID\{F83D1872-D9FF-47F8-B5A0-49CC51E24EE8}, Quarantined, [8e10ee50049591a50104342d29d9758b], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\WOW6432NODE\CLSID\{F83D1872-D9FF-47F8-B5A0-49CC51E24EE8}, Quarantined, [8e10ee50049591a50104342d29d9758b], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\Splendor Search, Quarantined, [5a4416288118bf77661e36a738c939c7], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\SplendorSearch, Quarantined, [5c425fdfdcbdaa8c6d3618299272817f], Registry Values: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Data: 0 (No malicious items detected) Folders: 6 PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\ProgramData\Splendor Search, Delete-on-Reboot, [9fff91adc0d9ab8b8a8a6377ff0317e9], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\Program Files (x86)\Splendor Search, Quarantined, [613db08eaced50e6878fc119bd4516ea], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\Program Files (x86)\Splendor Search\Extensions, Quarantined, [613db08eaced50e6878fc119bd4516ea], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\Program Files (x86)\Splendor Search\Products, Quarantined, [613db08eaced50e6878fc119bd4516ea], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Splendor Search, Quarantined, [435b58e6bfda0b2b35e214c6c9391de3], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\Splendor Search, Quarantined, [19859ca2edac00360a0e8a5031d1ac54], Files: 15 PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\ProgramData\Splendor Search\SplendorSearchDesktopSearch.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [aaf4b985316816206d174796867b34cc], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\Setup.exe, Quarantined, [742ac87619807cba4d37cc11639e54ac], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\Program Files (x86)\Splendor Search\Uninstaller.exe, Quarantined, [5a4416288118bf77661e36a738c939c7], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\ods.exe, Quarantined, [801eda6407925fd7d7adedf0f40ded13], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\searchplugins\search-simple.xml, Quarantined, [1985d26c7920999d2ba3002e4fb5de22], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\ods.exe.config, Quarantined, [5f3f6bd38910f3435cfe60dae321be42], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\extensions\[email protected], Quarantined, [9509ed513f5a66d0405d172a43c11be5], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\SplendorSearchDesktopSearch.lnk, Quarantined, [79254cf23960ab8b138d7cc560a47090], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\ProgramData\Splendor Search\SplendorSearchDesktopSearch.exe.config, Quarantined, [9fff91adc0d9ab8b8a8a6377ff0317e9], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\Program Files (x86)\Splendor Search\7za.exe, Quarantined, [613db08eaced50e6878fc119bd4516ea], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\Program Files (x86)\Splendor Search\SplendorSearch.exe, Quarantined, [613db08eaced50e6878fc119bd4516ea], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\Program Files (x86)\Splendor Search\Extensions\[email protected], Quarantined, [613db08eaced50e6878fc119bd4516ea], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\Program Files (x86)\Splendor Search\Products\UnSplendorSearchDesktopSearch.exe, Quarantined, [613db08eaced50e6878fc119bd4516ea], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Splendor Search\SplendorSearchDesktopSearch.lnk, Quarantined, [435b58e6bfda0b2b35e214c6c9391de3], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Splendor Search\Uninstall.lnk, Quarantined, [435b58e6bfda0b2b35e214c6c9391de3], 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