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Removal instructions for Social2Search

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Started by Metallica , Mar 29 2017 05:01 AM
wajam

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#1
Metallica
Posted 29 March 2017 - 05:01 AM

Metallica

    Spyware Veteran

  • GeekU Moderator
  • 33,101 posts
Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is Social2Search?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Social2Search 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 Social2Search?

You may have seen these warnings during install:

warning1.png

website.png

and this warning when you try to uninstall the program:

warning2.png

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

warning4.png

and a randomly named certificate in your list of Trusted Root certificates:

warning3.png

How did Social2Search get on my computer?

Adware applications use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was bundled with other software.

How do I remove Social2Search?

Our program Malwarebytes can detect and remove this potentially unwanted program.
  • Please download Malwarebytes to your desktop.
  • Double-click mb3-setup-consumer-{version}.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
  • Then click Finish.
  • Once the program has fully updated, select Scan Now on the Dashboard. Or select the Threat Scan from the Scan menu.
  • If another update of the definitions 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 Social2Search?
  • No, Malwarebytes removes Social2Search completely.
  • For completeness sake you may want to delete the certificate.
How would the full version of Malwarebytes help protect me?

We hope our application and this guide have helped you eradicate this adware.

As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes would have protected you against the Social2Search adware. It would have blocked the connections the installer tries to make:

protection2.png


which stops the installer from fetching the files it wants to put on your system.

Technical details for experts

Possible signs in FRST logs:
 () C:\Program Files\85890b9283acfd8343df56cd6bb80a70\04146af46813e501bb7ca87370e1aaeb.exe
 R2 85890b9283acfd8343df56cd6bb80a70; C:\Program Files\85890b9283acfd8343df56cd6bb80a70\04146af46813e501bb7ca87370e1aaeb.exe [14661120 2017-03-24] () [File not signed]
 R1 61331f813d9be8de08af1f373774e5d0; C:\Windows\system32\drivers\61331f813d9be8de08af1f373774e5d0.sys [8501584 2017-03-24] (MPDV6U)
 C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Socia2Se Browser Enhancer
 C:\Program Files\85890b9283acfd8343df56cd6bb80a70
 C:\Windows\c92b3103a49ebb99abf869e8dd17de8f.exe
 (MPDV6U) C:\Windows\system32\Drivers\61331f813d9be8de08af1f373774e5d0.sys

Social2Search (HKLM\...\85890b9283acfd8343df56cd6bb80a70) (Version: 11.13.1.60 (i1.0) - Social2Search)
Alterations made by the installer:
File system details [View: All details] (Selection)
---------------------------------------------------
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files\85890b9283acfd8343df56cd6bb80a70
       Adds the file 04146af46813e501bb7ca87370e1aaeb.exe"="3/24/2017 4:54 PM, 14661120 bytes, A
       Adds the file c6182f9cb662a9e333002e06810f826d.exe"="3/24/2017 4:54 PM, 9468416 bytes, A
       Adds the file c92b3103a49ebb99abf869e8dd17de8f.exe"="3/24/2017 4:54 PM, 3733887 bytes, A
       Adds the file cf52f145a89b363b48b0ccf0bc6cc06b.ico"="3/24/2017 4:48 PM, 4286 bytes, A
       Adds the file df1a166bec69178b887ca05ac8cb37de"="3/24/2017 4:48 PM, 28391 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files\85890b9283acfd8343df56cd6bb80a70\129f0fa04ac4d51af24977e119821088
       Adds the file cf52f145a89b363b48b0ccf0bc6cc06b.ico"="3/24/2017 4:48 PM, 4286 bytes, A
       Adds the file d35531312b2e80d720898ab80ff109bc.ico"="2/22/2017 6:06 PM, 3262 bytes, A
       Adds the file f7c22fa637448a035506da9e427461e4.ico"="2/22/2017 6:06 PM, 3262 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Socia2Se Browser Enhancer
       Adds the file Settings.lnk"="3/29/2017 11:37 AM, 1452 bytes, A
       Adds the file SignIn with Twitter.lnk"="3/29/2017 11:37 AM, 1452 bytes, A
       Adds the file Social2Search Website.lnk"="3/29/2017 11:37 AM, 1426 bytes, A
       Adds the file uninstall.lnk"="3/29/2017 11:37 AM, 2212 bytes, A
    In the existing folder C:\Windows
       Adds the file c92b3103a49ebb99abf869e8dd17de8f.exe"="3/24/2017 4:54 PM, 3083458 bytes, A
    In the existing folder C:\Windows\System32\drivers
       Adds the file 61331f813d9be8de08af1f373774e5d0.sys"="3/24/2017 4:49 PM, 8501584 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Windows\System32\SSL
       Adds the file 6c70d7c92656f3f8.cer"="3/29/2017 11:36 AM, 860 bytes, A
       Adds the file cert.db"="3/29/2017 11:36 AM, 0 bytes, A

Registry details [View: All details] (Selection)
------------------------------------------------
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\SystemCertificates\ROOT\Certificates\75CA74A2C22177C89D2D0CF88141776ACCE38C1E]
       "Blob"="REG_BINARY, ..........................................................................................
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\85890b9283acfd8343df56cd6bb80a70]
       "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\Windows\c92b3103a49ebb99abf869e8dd17de8f.exe"
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "Social2Search"
       "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "11.13.1.60 (i1.0)"
       "InstallLocation"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\85890b9283acfd8343df56cd6bb80a70"
       "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "Social2Search"
       "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", "C:\Windows\c92b3103a49ebb99abf869e8dd17de8f.exe"
       "URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://technologiecartier.com"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Socia2Se Browser Enhancer]
       "aid"="REG_SZ", "3673"
       "aid2"="REG_SZ", "none"
       "mid"="REG_SZ", "5dbea63cf54360fd3ff24f5ad81e5887"
       "ts"="REG_SZ", ""
       "ts2"="REG_SZ", ""
       "uid"="REG_SZ", "5BF838E0428D86ED9864D5501DD9C921"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Socia2Se Browser Enhancer]
       "aid"="REG_SZ", "3673"
       "aid2"="REG_SZ", "none"
       "mid"="REG_SZ", "5dbea63cf54360fd3ff24f5ad81e5887"
       "ts"="REG_SZ", ""
       "ts2"="REG_SZ", ""
       "uid"="REG_SZ", "5BF838E0428D86ED9864D5501DD9C921"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\61331f813d9be8de08af1f373774e5d0]
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "61331f813d9be8de08af1f373774e5d0"
       "ErrorControl"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "Group"="REG_SZ", "PNP_TDI"
       "ImagePath"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "\??\C:\Windows\system32\drivers\61331f813d9be8de08af1f373774e5d0.sys"
       "Start"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "Type"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "WOW64"="REG_DWORD", 1
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\61331f813d9be8de08af1f373774e5d0\Enum]
       "0"="REG_SZ", "Root\LEGACY_61331F813D9BE8DE08AF1F373774E5D0\0000"
       "Count"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "NextInstance"="REG_DWORD", 1
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\85890b9283acfd8343df56cd6bb80a70]
       "DependOnService"="REG_MULTI_SZ, "RPCSS "
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "85890b9283acfd8343df56cd6bb80a70"
       "ErrorControl"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "ImagePath"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, ""C:\Program Files\85890b9283acfd8343df56cd6bb80a70\04146af46813e501bb7ca87370e1aaeb.exe""
       "ObjectName"="REG_SZ", "LocalSystem"
       "Start"="REG_DWORD", 2
       "Type"="REG_DWORD", 16
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\WajIEnhance]
       "affiliate_id"="REG_SZ", "3673"
       "unique_id"="REG_SZ", "5BF838E0428D86ED501DD9C921"
Malwarebytes log:
Malwarebytes
www.malwarebytes.com

-Log Details-
Scan Date: 3/29/17
Scan Time: 11:49 AM
Logfile: mbamSocial2Search.txt
Administrator: Yes

-Software Information-
Version: 3.0.5.1299
Components Version: 1.0.43
Update Package Version: 1.0.1620
License: Premium

-System Information-
OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1
CPU: x64
File System: NTFS
User: {computername}\{username}

-Scan Summary-
Scan Type: Threat Scan
Result: Completed
Objects Scanned: 367332
Time Elapsed: 5 min, 32 sec

-Scan Options-
Memory: Enabled
Startup: Enabled
Filesystem: Enabled
Archives: Enabled
Rootkits: Enabled
Heuristics: Enabled
PUP: Enabled
PUM: Enabled

-Scan Details-
Process: 1
PUP.Optional.Wajam.Gen, C:\Program Files\85890b9283acfd8343df56cd6bb80a70\04146af46813e501bb7ca87370e1aaeb.exe, Quarantined, [18446], [259462],1.0.1620

Module: 1
PUP.Optional.Wajam.Gen, C:\Program Files\85890b9283acfd8343df56cd6bb80a70\04146af46813e501bb7ca87370e1aaeb.exe, Quarantined, [18446], [259462],1.0.1620

Registry Key: 10
PUP.Optional.Wajam, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\APPID\56BF5154-0B48-4ADB-902A-6C8B12E270D9, Delete-on-Reboot, [131], [170024],1.0.1620
PUP.Optional.Wajam, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\NLASVC\PARAMETERS\INTERNET\MANUALPROXIES, Delete-on-Reboot, [131], [-1],0.0.0
PUP.Optional.Wajam, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\CLASSES\APPID\56BF5154-0B48-4ADB-902A-6C8B12E270D9, Delete-on-Reboot, [131], [170024],1.0.1620
PUP.Optional.Wajam, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\WOW6432NODE\APPID\56BF5154-0B48-4ADB-902A-6C8B12E270D9, Delete-on-Reboot, [131], [170024],1.0.1620
PUP.Optional.Social2Search.Gen, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\85890b9283acfd8343df56cd6bb80a70, Delete-on-Reboot, [18492], [261569],1.0.1620
PUP.Optional.Wajam, HKCU\SOFTWARE\WajIEnhance, Delete-on-Reboot, [131], [244670],1.0.1620
PUP.Optional.Wajam.Gen, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\85890b9283acfd8343df56cd6bb80a70, Delete-on-Reboot, [18446], [259462],1.0.1620
PUP.Optional.Social2Search, HKLM\SOFTWARE\Socia2Se Browser Enhancer, Delete-on-Reboot, [444], [345866],1.0.1620
PUP.Optional.Wajam, HKCU\SOFTWARE\WajIEnhance, Delete-on-Reboot, [131], [244670],1.0.1620
PUP.Optional.Social2Search, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\Socia2Se Browser Enhancer, Delete-on-Reboot, [444], [345866],1.0.1620

Registry Value: 5
PUP.Optional.Wajam, HKU\S-1-5-18\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\INTERNET SETTINGS|PROXYENABLE, Delete-on-Reboot, [131], [-1],0.0.0
PUP.Optional.Wajam, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\INTERNET SETTINGS|PROXYENABLE, Delete-on-Reboot, [131], [-1],0.0.0
PUP.Optional.Wajam, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\INTERNET SETTINGS|PROXYENABLE, Delete-on-Reboot, [131], [-1],0.0.0
PUP.Optional.Wajam, HKU\.DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\INTERNET SETTINGS|PROXYENABLE, Delete-on-Reboot, [131], [-1],0.0.0
PUP.Optional.Social2Search.Gen, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\85890b9283acfd8343df56cd6bb80a70|DISPLAYNAME, Delete-on-Reboot, [18492], [261569],1.0.1620

Data Stream: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folder: 3
PUP.Optional.Wajam.Gen, C:\Program Files\85890b9283acfd8343df56cd6bb80a70\129f0fa04ac4d51af24977e119821088, Delete-on-Reboot, [18446], [259462],1.0.1620
PUP.Optional.Wajam.Gen, C:\PROGRAM FILES\85890b9283acfd8343df56cd6bb80a70, Delete-on-Reboot, [18446], [259462],1.0.1620
PUP.Optional.Social2Search.Generic, C:\PROGRAMDATA\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\START MENU\PROGRAMS\Socia2Se Browser Enhancer, Delete-on-Reboot, [1484], [326625],1.0.1620

File: 12
PUP.Optional.Wajam.Gen, C:\PROGRAM FILES\85890b9283acfd8343df56cd6bb80a70\129f0fa04ac4d51af24977e119821088\cf52f145a89b363b48b0ccf0bc6cc06b.ico, Delete-on-Reboot, [18446], [259462],1.0.1620
PUP.Optional.Wajam.Gen, C:\Program Files\85890b9283acfd8343df56cd6bb80a70\129f0fa04ac4d51af24977e119821088\d35531312b2e80d720898ab80ff109bc.ico, Delete-on-Reboot, [18446], [259462],1.0.1620
PUP.Optional.Wajam.Gen, C:\Program Files\85890b9283acfd8343df56cd6bb80a70\129f0fa04ac4d51af24977e119821088\f7c22fa637448a035506da9e427461e4.ico, Delete-on-Reboot, [18446], [259462],1.0.1620
PUP.Optional.Wajam.Gen, C:\Program Files\85890b9283acfd8343df56cd6bb80a70\04146af46813e501bb7ca87370e1aaeb.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [18446], [259462],1.0.1620
PUP.Optional.Wajam.Gen, C:\Program Files\85890b9283acfd8343df56cd6bb80a70\c6182f9cb662a9e333002e06810f826d.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [18446], [259462],1.0.1620
PUP.Optional.Wajam.Gen, C:\Program Files\85890b9283acfd8343df56cd6bb80a70\c92b3103a49ebb99abf869e8dd17de8f.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [18446], [259462],1.0.1620
PUP.Optional.Wajam.Gen, C:\Program Files\85890b9283acfd8343df56cd6bb80a70\cf52f145a89b363b48b0ccf0bc6cc06b.ico, Delete-on-Reboot, [18446], [259462],1.0.1620
PUP.Optional.Wajam.Gen, C:\Program Files\85890b9283acfd8343df56cd6bb80a70\df1a166bec69178b887ca05ac8cb37de, Delete-on-Reboot, [18446], [259462],1.0.1620
PUP.Optional.Social2Search.Generic, C:\PROGRAMDATA\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\START MENU\PROGRAMS\Socia2Se Browser Enhancer\Social2Search Website.lnk, Delete-on-Reboot, [1484], [326625],1.0.1620
PUP.Optional.Social2Search.Generic, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Socia2Se Browser Enhancer\Settings.lnk, Delete-on-Reboot, [1484], [326625],1.0.1620
PUP.Optional.Social2Search.Generic, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Socia2Se Browser Enhancer\SignIn with Twitter.lnk, Delete-on-Reboot, [1484], [326625],1.0.1620
PUP.Optional.Social2Search.Generic, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Socia2Se Browser Enhancer\uninstall.lnk, Delete-on-Reboot, [1484], [326625],1.0.1620

Physical Sector: 0
(No malicious items detected)


(end)
As mentioned before the full version of Malwarebytes 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.
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