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[Metallica]

Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is FreeDriverMaps?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that FreeDriverMaps 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 affected by FreeDriverMaps?

You may see this entry in your list of installed software:



and this browser window opens after the install:



How did FreeDriverMaps get on my computer?

Browser hijackers use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was bundled with other software.

How do I remove FreeDriverMaps?

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:
  Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
• Then click Finish.
• Once the program has loaded, select Scan Now. Or select the Threat Scan from the Scan menu.
• If an update is available, it will be implemented before the rest of the scanning procedure.
• When the scan is complete, make sure that all Threats are selected, and click Remove Selected.
• Restart your computer when prompted to do so.

Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of FreeDriverMaps?

• No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes FreeDriverMaps completely.
• Use the built-in uninstaller from the installed Software and Features list before or after the scan.

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 FreeDriverMaps 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:

 HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = hxxp://search.searchfdm.com?uid=87294251-9933-43ea-9ace-f2413531c093&uc=20160808&source=bing-bb8&ap=appfocus63&i_id=maps_appfocus63
 () C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\uninstall.exe

FreeDriverMaps (HKCU\...\FreeDriverMaps) (Version:  - Express Software)

Alterations made by the installer:

File system details [View: All details] (Selection)
---------------------------------------------------
    In the existing folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local
       Adds the file uninstall.exe"="8/8/2016 6:08 PM, 57870 bytes, A

Registry details [View: All details] (Selection)
------------------------------------------------
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ak]
       "Url"="REG_SZ", "http://imp.searchfdm.com/impression.do?&user_id=87294251-9933-43ea-9ace-f2413531c093&subid=20160808&source=bing-bb8&useragent=WindowsNT6.1;Trident/7.0;&adprovider=appfocus63&implementation_id=maps_appfocus63"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main]
       "Start Page" = REG_SZ, "http://search.searchfdm.com?uid=87294251-9933-43ea-9ace-f2413531c093&uc=20160808&source=bing-bb8&ap=appfocus63&i_id=maps_appfocus63"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\WindowsSearch]
       "UpgradeTime
        REG_BINARY, .... ==> REG_BINARY, ....
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\FreeDriverMaps]
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "FreeDriverMaps"
       "Home"="REG_SZ", "http://search.searchfdm.com?uid=87294251-9933-43ea-9ace-f2413531c093&uc=20160808&source=bing-bb8&ap=appfocus63&i_id=maps_appfocus63"
       "Implementation"="REG_SZ", "$implementation"
       "InstallLocation"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local"
       "InstallSource"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local"
       "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "Express Software"
       "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\uninstall.exe"
       "Userclass"="REG_SZ", "20160808"
       "UserId"="REG_SZ", "87294251-9933-43ea-9ace-f2413531c093"

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
www.malwarebytes.org

Scan Date: 8/8/2016
Scan Time: 6:17 PM
Logfile: MBAMFreeDriverMaps.txt
Administrator: Yes

Version: 2.2.1.1043
Malware Database: v2016.08.08.07
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: 317011
Time Elapsed: 8 min, 55 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: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folders: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Files: 1
PUP.Optional.YourSpeedTestCenter, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\SETUP.EXE, Quarantined, [9314b296f9a15adc4a5a03e7cd34dd23], 

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.