What is MySoftToday?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that MySoftToday 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 hijacks browser shortcuts.
How do I know if my computer is affected by MySoftToday?
You may see this entry in your list of installed software:

and this warning during install:

this search engine in Internet Explorer:

this url added to the shortcuts as seen in the shortcut properties:

and this site opening when you use the altered browser shortcuts:

and you will see this icon on your desktop:

How did MySoftToday get on my computer?
Browser hijackers use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was bundled with other software.
How do I remove MySoftToday?
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 all Threats are selected, and click Remove Selected.
- Restart your computer when prompted to do so.
- No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes MySoftToday completely.
- The hijacker alters the shortcuts for popular browsers like Internet Explorer, Chrome and FireFox. Read here how to clean your shortcuts manually, if necessary.
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 MySoftToday 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
Possible signs in FRST logs:
HKLM-x32\...\RunOnce: [Search Keeper] => "SearchKeeper.exe" HKLM\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = hxxp://search.mysofttoday.com/ HKLM\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = hxxp://search.mysofttoday.com/ HKLM\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = hxxp://search.mysofttoday.com/ HKLM\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = hxxp://search.mysofttoday.com/ HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = hxxp://search.mysofttoday.com/ HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = hxxp://search.mysofttoday.com/ HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = hxxp://search.mysofttoday.com/ HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = hxxp://search.mysofttoday.com/ C:\Users\Public\Desktop\MySoftToday Search.lnk C:\Program Files (x86)\mysofttoday ( ) C:\Windows\SearchKeeper.exe C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Internet Explorer.lnk C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Google Chrome.lnk C:\Users\Public\Desktop\Google Chrome.lnk C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Opera.lnk C:\Users\Public\Desktop\Opera.lnk C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Mozilla Firefox.lnk C:\Users\Public\Desktop\Mozilla Firefox.lnk C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Google Chrome.lnk C:\Users\Public\Desktop\Google Chrome.lnk mysofttoday version 1.1 (HKLM-x32\...\mysofttoday_is1) (Version: 1.1 - mysofttoday) ShortcutWithArgument: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Internet Explorer.lnk -> C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe (Microsoft Corporation) -> hxxp://search.mysofttoday.com/ ShortcutWithArgument: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Google Chrome.lnk -> C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe (Google Inc.) -> hxxp://search.mysofttoday.com/ ShortcutWithArgument: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar\Google Chrome.lnk -> C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe (Google Inc.) -> hxxp://search.mysofttoday.com/ ShortcutWithArgument: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar\Internet Explorer.lnk -> C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe (Microsoft Corporation) -> hxxp://search.mysofttoday.com/ ShortcutWithArgument: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar\Mozilla Firefox.lnk -> C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe (Mozilla Corporation) -> hxxp://search.mysofttoday.com/ ShortcutWithArgument: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar\Opera.lnk -> C:\Program Files (x86)\Opera\launcher.exe (Opera Software) -> hxxp://search.mysofttoday.com/ ShortcutWithArgument: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Google Chrome.lnk -> C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe (Google Inc.) -> hxxp://search.mysofttoday.com/ ShortcutWithArgument: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Mozilla Firefox.lnk -> C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe (Mozilla Corporation) -> hxxp://search.mysofttoday.com/ ShortcutWithArgument: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Opera.lnk -> C:\Program Files (x86)\Opera\launcher.exe (Opera Software) -> hxxp://search.mysofttoday.com/ ShortcutWithArgument: C:\Users\Public\Desktop\Google Chrome.lnk -> C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe (Google Inc.) -> hxxp://search.mysofttoday.com/ ShortcutWithArgument: C:\Users\Public\Desktop\Mozilla Firefox.lnk -> C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe (Mozilla Corporation) -> hxxp://search.mysofttoday.com/ ShortcutWithArgument: C:\Users\Public\Desktop\Opera.lnk -> C:\Program Files (x86)\Opera\launcher.exe (Opera Software) -> hxxp://search.mysofttoday.com/Alterations made by the installer:
File system details [View: All details] (Selection) --------------------------------------------------- Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\mysofttoday Adds the file mysofttoday_widget.exe"="4/5/2016 5:08 PM, 3260872 bytes, A Adds the file unins000.dat"="6/23/2016 9:06 AM, 3534 bytes, A Adds the file unins000.exe"="6/23/2016 9:06 AM, 722597 bytes, A In the existing folder C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs Alters the file Google Chrome.lnk 6/17/2016 9:36 AM, 2195 bytes, A ==> 6/23/2016 9:06 AM, 2257 bytes, A Alters the file Mozilla Firefox.lnk 2/8/2016 1:27 PM, 1159 bytes, A ==> 6/23/2016 9:06 AM, 1221 bytes, A Alters the file Opera.lnk 2/8/2016 1:39 PM, 1135 bytes, A ==> 6/23/2016 9:06 AM, 1185 bytes, A In the existing folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\LocalLow\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Services Adds the file search_{464EECB4-A495-4168-8DF2-A350C54A8FF3}.ico"="2/27/2016 6:00 PM, 1150 bytes, A In the existing folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch Alters the file Google Chrome.lnk 2/10/2016 11:39 AM, 2279 bytes, A ==> 6/23/2016 9:06 AM, 2341 bytes, A In the existing folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar Alters the file Google Chrome.lnk 3/3/2016 10:14 AM, 2393 bytes, A ==> 6/23/2016 9:06 AM, 2455 bytes, A Alters the file Internet Explorer.lnk 2/10/2016 11:10 AM, 1413 bytes, A ==> 6/23/2016 9:06 AM, 1493 bytes, A Alters the file Mozilla Firefox.lnk 6/20/2016 11:24 AM, 1159 bytes, A ==> 6/23/2016 9:06 AM, 1245 bytes, A Alters the file Opera.lnk 2/8/2016 1:39 PM, 1135 bytes, A ==> 6/23/2016 9:06 AM, 1209 bytes, A In the existing folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs Alters the file Internet Explorer.lnk 2/10/2016 11:10 AM, 1413 bytes, A ==> 6/23/2016 9:06 AM, 1475 bytes, A In the existing folder C:\Users\Public\Desktop Alters the file Google Chrome.lnk 6/17/2016 9:36 AM, 2183 bytes, A ==> 6/23/2016 9:06 AM, 2245 bytes, A Alters the file Mozilla Firefox.lnk 2/8/2016 1:27 PM, 1147 bytes, A ==> 6/23/2016 9:06 AM, 1209 bytes, A Adds the file MySoftToday Search.lnk"="6/23/2016 9:06 AM, 457 bytes, A Alters the file Opera.lnk 2/8/2016 1:39 PM, 1135 bytes, A ==> 6/23/2016 9:06 AM, 1173 bytes, A In the existing folder C:\Windows Adds the file SearchKeeper.exe"="4/26/2016 7:12 PM, 394754 bytes, A Registry details [View: All details] (Selection) ------------------------------------------------ [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System] "mst_EnableLUA"="REG_DWORD", 1 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender] "DisableAntiSpyware"="REG_DWORD", 1 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\MAIN] "Default_Page_URL" = REG_SZ, "http://search.mysofttoday.com/" "Default_Search_URL" = REG_SZ, "http://search.mysofttoday.com/" "Search Page" = REG_SZ, "http://search.mysofttoday.com/" "Start Page" = REG_SZ, "http://search.mysofttoday.com/" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes] "DefaultScope" = REG_SZ, "{464EECB4-A495-4168-8DF2-A350C54A8FF3}" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{464EECB4-A495-4168-8DF2-A350C54A8FF3}] "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "MySoftToday Search" "FaviconPath"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\..\LocalLow\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Services\search_{464EECB4-A495-4168-8DF2-A350C54A8FF3}.ico" "FaviconURL"="REG_SZ", "http://www.bing.com/favicon.ico" "FaviconURLFallback"="REG_SZ", "http://www.bing.com/favicon.ico" "NTLogoPath"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\..\LocalLow\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Services\" "NTLogoURL"="REG_SZ", "http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=403856" "NTSuggestionsURL"="REG_SZ", "http://api.bing.com/qsml.aspx?query={searchTerms}&market={language}&maxwidth={ie:maxWidth}&rowheight={ie:rowHeight}§ionHeight={ie:sectionHeight}&FORM=INMODF&PC=IN06&PTAG=IMZ-09346-000001" "NTTopResultURL"="REG_SZ", "http://www.bing.com/search?q={searchTerms}&FORM=INMODF&PC=IN06&PTAG=IMZ-09346-000001" "NTURL"="REG_SZ", "http://www.bing.com/search?q={searchTerms}&FORM=INMODF&PC=IN06&PTAG=IMZ-09346-000001" "ShowSearchSuggestions"="REG_DWORD", 1 "SuggestionsURL"="REG_SZ", "http://api.bing.com/qsml.aspx?query={searchTerms}&maxwidth={ie:maxWidth}&rowheight={ie:rowHeight}§ionHeight={ie:sectionHeight}&market={language}&FORM=INMODF&PC=IN06&PTAG=IMZ-09346-000001" "SuggestionsURLFallback"="REG_SZ", "http://api.bing.com/qsml.aspx?query={searchTerms}&maxwidth={ie:maxWidth}&rowheight={ie:rowHeight}§ionHeight={ie:sectionHeight}&market={language}&FORM=INMODF&PC=IN06&PTAG=IMZ-09346-000001" "URL"="REG_SZ", "http://www.bing.com/search?q={searchTerms}&FORM=INMODF&PC=IN06&PTAG=IMZ-09346-000001" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce] "Search Keeper"="REG_SZ", ""SearchKeeper.exe"" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\mysofttoday_is1] "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "mysofttoday version 1.1" "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "1.1" "EstimatedSize"="REG_DWORD", 3878 "Inno Setup: App Path"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\mysofttoday" "Inno Setup: Icon Group"="REG_SZ", "mysofttoday" "Inno Setup: Language"="REG_SZ", "default" "Inno Setup: Setup Version"="REG_SZ", "5.5.8 (a)" "Inno Setup: User"="REG_SZ", "{username}" "InstallDate"="REG_SZ", "20160623" "InstallLocation"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\mysofttoday\" "MajorVersion"="REG_DWORD", 1 "MinorVersion"="REG_DWORD", 1 "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1 "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1 "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "mysofttoday" "QuietUninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\mysofttoday\unins000.exe" /SILENT" "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\mysofttoday\unins000.exe"" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main] "Default_Page_URL"="REG_SZ", "http://search.mysofttoday.com/" "Default_Search_URL"="REG_SZ", "http://search.mysofttoday.com/" "Search Page" = REG_SZ, "http://search.mysofttoday.com/" "Start Page" ==> REG_SZ, "http://search.mysofttoday.com/" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes] "DefaultScope" = REG_SZ, "{464EECB4-A495-4168-8DF2-A350C54A8FF3}" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{464EECB4-A495-4168-8DF2-A350C54A8FF3}] "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "MySoftToday Search" "FaviconPath"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\..\LocalLow\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Services\search_{464EECB4-A495-4168-8DF2-A350C54A8FF3}.ico" "FaviconURL"="REG_SZ", "http://www.bing.com/favicon.ico" "FaviconURLFallback"="REG_SZ", "http://www.bing.com/favicon.ico" "NTLogoPath"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\..\LocalLow\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Services\" "NTLogoURL"="REG_SZ", "http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=403856" "NTSuggestionsURL"="REG_SZ", "http://api.bing.com/qsml.aspx?query={searchTerms}&market={language}&maxwidth={ie:maxWidth}&rowheight={ie:rowHeight}§ionHeight={ie:sectionHeight}&FORM=INMODF&PC=IN06&PTAG=IMZ-09346-000001" "NTTopResultURL"="REG_SZ", "http://www.bing.com/search?q={searchTerms}&FORM=INMODF&PC=IN06&PTAG=IMZ-09346-000001" "NTURL"="REG_SZ", "http://www.bing.com/search?q={searchTerms}&FORM=INMODF&PC=IN06&PTAG=IMZ-09346-000001" "ShowSearchSuggestions"="REG_DWORD", 1 "SuggestionsURL"="REG_SZ", "http://api.bing.com/qsml.aspx?query={searchTerms}&maxwidth={ie:maxWidth}&rowheight={ie:rowHeight}§ionHeight={ie:sectionHeight}&market={language}&FORM=INMODF&PC=IN06&PTAG=IMZ-09346-000001" "SuggestionsURLFallback"="REG_SZ", "http://api.bing.com/qsml.aspx?query={searchTerms}&maxwidth={ie:maxWidth}&rowheight={ie:rowHeight}§ionHeight={ie:sectionHeight}&market={language}&FORM=INMODF&PC=IN06&PTAG=IMZ-09346-000001" "URL"="REG_SZ", "http://www.bing.com/search?q={searchTerms}&FORM=INMODF&PC=IN06&PTAG=IMZ-09346-000001"Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware www.malwarebytes.org Scan Date: 6/23/2016 Scan Time: 9:15 AM Logfile: mbamMySoftToday.txt Administrator: Yes Version: 2.2.1.1043 Malware Database: v2016.06.23.01 Rootkit Database: v2016.05.27.01 License: Premium Malware Protection: Disabled Malicious Website Protection: Enabled Self-protection: Enabled OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1 CPU: x64 File System: NTFS User: {username} Scan Type: Threat Scan Result: Completed Objects Scanned: 313627 Time Elapsed: 8 min, 27 sec Memory: Enabled Startup: Enabled Filesystem: Enabled Archives: Enabled Rootkits: Enabled Heuristics: Enabled PUP: Enabled PUM: Enabled Processes: 0 (No malicious items detected) Modules: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Keys: 1 PUP.Optional.MySoftToday.ShrtCln, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\mysofttoday_is1, Quarantined, [3c21c23e9901d165eef6863e0ef456aa], Registry Values: 1 PUP.Optional.MySoftToday.ShrtCln, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\RUNONCE|Search Keeper, "SearchKeeper.exe", Quarantined, [184517e9dcbe41f57273616309f942be] Registry Data: 8 PUP.Optional.MySoftToday.ShrtCln, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\INTERNET EXPLORER\MAIN|Default_Search_URL, http://search.mysofttoday.com/, Good: (www.google.com), Bad: (http://search.mysofttoday.com/),Replaced,[fc614db3683265d1b79da6c4689c6a96] PUP.Optional.MySoftToday.ShrtCln, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\INTERNET EXPLORER\MAIN|Default_Page_URL, http://search.mysofttoday.com/, Good: (www.google.com), Bad: (http://search.mysofttoday.com/),Replaced,[0e4f3ac655455adcaea62b3f8084c33d] PUP.Optional.MySoftToday.ShrtCln, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\INTERNET EXPLORER\MAIN|Start Page, http://search.mysofttoday.com/, Good: (www.google.com), Bad: (http://search.mysofttoday.com/),Replaced,[da8342be2b6fba7cc58f4c1edb29b14f] PUP.Optional.MySoftToday.ShrtCln, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\INTERNET EXPLORER\MAIN|Search Page, http://search.mysofttoday.com/, Good: (www.google.com), Bad: (http://search.mysofttoday.com/),Replaced,[aab388785347e056d77d90dad52f857b] PUP.Optional.MySoftToday.ShrtCln, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\INTERNET EXPLORER\MAIN|Search Page, http://search.mysofttoday.com/, Good: (www.google.com), Bad: (http://search.mysofttoday.com/),Replaced,[4b126d93b9e1a88e8bc8a4c612f2c838] PUP.Optional.MySoftToday.ShrtCln, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\INTERNET EXPLORER\MAIN|Start Page, http://search.mysofttoday.com/, Good: (www.google.com), Bad: (http://search.mysofttoday.com/),Replaced,[2736f0105149a4923221f179af556d93] PUP.Optional.MySoftToday.ShrtCln, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\INTERNET EXPLORER\MAIN|Default_Page_URL, http://search.mysofttoday.com/, Good: (www.google.com), Bad: (http://search.mysofttoday.com/),Replaced,[73ea6f914258ce68c291f17961a38e72] PUP.Optional.MySoftToday.ShrtCln, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\INTERNET EXPLORER\MAIN|Default_Search_URL, http://search.mysofttoday.com/, Good: (www.google.com), Bad: (http://search.mysofttoday.com/),Replaced,[312cf7095f3b7bbb1043e08a0afa6d93] Folders: 1 PUP.Optional.MySoftToday.ShrtCln, C:\Program Files (x86)\mysofttoday, Quarantined, [3c21c23e9901d165eef6863e0ef456aa], Files: 6 PUP.Optional.Tuto4PC, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\MySoftToday.exe, Quarantined, [2439827e742668ce02e3d810d928946c], PUP.Optional.Tuto4PC, C:\Program Files (x86)\mysofttoday\mysofttoday_widget.exe, Quarantined, [b0addb25fd9d80b672c5444c44c0966a], PUP.Optional.MySoftToday.ShrtCln, C:\Users\Public\Desktop\MySoftToday Search.lnk, Quarantined, [73eabc4456446bcbe201457f49b90000], PUP.Optional.MySoftToday.ShrtCln, C:\Program Files (x86)\mysofttoday\unins000.dat, Quarantined, [3c21c23e9901d165eef6863e0ef456aa], PUP.Optional.MySoftToday.ShrtCln, C:\Program Files (x86)\mysofttoday\unins000.exe, Quarantined, [3c21c23e9901d165eef6863e0ef456aa], PUP.Optional.MySoftToday.ShrtCln, C:\Windows\SearchKeeper.exe, Quarantined, [184517e9dcbe41f57273616309f942be], 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