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Removal instructions for ReadingFanatic

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Started by Metallica , Jun 28 2018 03:01 AM
mindspark

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#1
Metallica
Posted 28 June 2018 - 03:01 AM

Metallica

    Spyware Veteran

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

What is ReadingFanatic?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that ReadingFanatic is a browser NewTab. These so-called "NewTabs" can 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.
ReadingFanatic is a member of the Mindspark/Ask family now known as IAC Applications.

How do I know if my computer is affected by ReadingFanatic?

You may see these browser extensions/add-ons:

warning1.png

main.png

these warnings during install:

warning2.png

warning4.png

and these changed settings:

warning5.png

warning6.png

and this new homepage in the affected browsers:

startpage.png

How did ReadingFanatic get on my computer?

Browser hijackers use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was downloaded from their website.

website.png

How do I remove ReadingFanatic?

Our program Malwarebytes can detect and remove this potentially unwanted program.
You can use their own uninstall instructions first, but I would advise to follow the steps below anyway.
  • 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 ReadingFanatic?
  • If you are using an older version of Malwarebytes, you may have to remove the Chrome extension manually under Tools > More Tools > Extensions. Click on the bin behind the ReadingFanatic entry and confirm Remove in the prompt.
  • If your browsers have been hijacked, you should read our Restore Browser page. You can read there how to fix additional browser redirect methods.
How would the full version of Malwarebytes 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 would have protected you against the ReadingFanatic hijacker. It would have blocked traffic to their domains:

protection2.png


Technical details for experts

Possible signs in a FRST log:

FF Extension: No Name - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\Extensions\[email protected] [2018-06-28]
CHR Extension: (ReadingFanatic) - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf [2018-06-28]
Significant changes made by the installers:

File system details [View: All details] (Selection)
---------------------------------------------------
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0
       Adds the file manifest.json"="6/28/2018 8:44 AM, 2569 bytes, A
       Adds the file newtabproduct.html"="4/7/2018 3:31 AM, 1136 bytes, A
       Adds the file stubby.html"="4/7/2018 3:31 AM, 1137 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\_metadata
       Adds the file computed_hashes.json"="6/28/2018 8:44 AM, 4096 bytes, A
       Adds the file verified_contents.json"="4/7/2018 3:31 AM, 4877 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\config
       Adds the file config.json"="4/7/2018 3:31 AM, 1754 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\icons
       Adds the file icon128.png"="6/28/2018 8:44 AM, 6810 bytes, A
       Adds the file icon16.png"="4/7/2018 3:31 AM, 1424 bytes, A
       Adds the file icon19disabled.png"="4/7/2018 3:31 AM, 1388 bytes, A
       Adds the file icon19on.png"="6/28/2018 8:44 AM, 622 bytes, A
       Adds the file icon48.png"="6/28/2018 8:44 AM, 2259 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\js
       Adds the file ajax.js"="4/7/2018 3:31 AM, 2250 bytes, A
       Adds the file background.js"="4/7/2018 3:31 AM, 21002 bytes, A
       Adds the file chrome.js"="4/7/2018 3:31 AM, 180 bytes, A
       Adds the file content_script.js"="4/7/2018 3:31 AM, 5815 bytes, A
       Adds the file dlp.js"="4/7/2018 3:31 AM, 5690 bytes, A
       Adds the file dlpHelper.js"="4/7/2018 3:31 AM, 1836 bytes, A
       Adds the file extension_detect.js"="4/7/2018 3:31 AM, 4343 bytes, A
       Adds the file genericLoadRemoteSettings.js"="4/7/2018 3:31 AM, 2908 bytes, A
       Adds the file index.js"="4/7/2018 3:31 AM, 82 bytes, A
       Adds the file initOfferCEF.js"="4/7/2018 3:31 AM, 8842 bytes, A
       Adds the file logger.js"="4/7/2018 3:31 AM, 575 bytes, A
       Adds the file offerService.js"="4/7/2018 3:31 AM, 13159 bytes, A
       Adds the file pageUtils.js"="4/7/2018 3:31 AM, 1811 bytes, A
       Adds the file PartnerId.js"="4/7/2018 3:31 AM, 16439 bytes, A
       Adds the file product.js"="4/7/2018 3:31 AM, 4511 bytes, A
       Adds the file storage.js"="4/7/2018 3:31 AM, 1675 bytes, A
       Adds the file TabManager.js"="4/7/2018 3:31 AM, 189 bytes, A
       Adds the file TemplateParser.js"="4/7/2018 3:31 AM, 3080 bytes, A
       Adds the file ul.js"="4/7/2018 3:31 AM, 3862 bytes, A
       Adds the file urlFragmentActions.js"="4/7/2018 3:31 AM, 2521 bytes, A
       Adds the file urlUtils.js"="4/7/2018 3:31 AM, 5385 bytes, A
       Adds the file util.js"="4/7/2018 3:31 AM, 3235 bytes, A
       Adds the file webtooltabAPI.js"="4/7/2018 3:31 AM, 8762 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf
       Adds the file 000003.log"="6/28/2018 8:51 AM, 4803 bytes, A
       Adds the file CURRENT"="6/28/2018 8:44 AM, 16 bytes, A
       Adds the file LOCK"="6/28/2018 8:44 AM, 0 bytes, A
       Adds the file LOG"="6/28/2018 8:50 AM, 412 bytes, A
       Adds the file LOG.old"="6/28/2018 8:44 AM, 185 bytes, A
       Adds the file MANIFEST-000001"="6/28/2018 8:44 AM, 41 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\browser-extension-data\[email protected]
       Adds the file storage.js"="6/28/2018 8:48 AM, 2351 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\extensions
       Adds the file [email protected]"="6/28/2018 8:48 AM, 58383 bytes, A

Registry details [View: All details] (Selection)
------------------------------------------------
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Google\Chrome\PreferenceMACs\Default\extensions.settings]
       "bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf"="REG_SZ", "B549BAA9009D3E7111F3FBB1FB6E471F5A91115689FDC3D9C60436FA632E4DA1"
The Malwarebytes scan log:

Malwarebytes
www.malwarebytes.com

-Log Details-
Scan Date: 6/28/18
Scan Time: 8:55 AM
Log File: 30240402-7aa0-11e8-b1b2-080027235d76.json
Administrator: Yes

-Software Information-
Version: 3.5.1.2522
Components Version: 1.0.365
Update Package Version: 1.0.5663
License: Premium

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

-Scan Summary-
Scan Type: Threat Scan
Scan Initiated By: Manual
Result: Completed
Objects Scanned: 251542
Threats Detected: 52
Threats Quarantined: 52
Time Elapsed: 4 min, 30 sec

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

-Scan Details-
Process: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Module: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Key: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Value: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Data Stream: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folder: 8
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\_metadata, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\config, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\icons, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\js, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\DEFAULT\LOCAL EXTENSION SETTINGS\BMMBAJPCFEDAECHEKCACHDLDKDFAALBF, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark.Generic, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\ROAMING\MOZILLA\FIREFOX\PROFILES\{profile}.default\BROWSER-EXTENSION-DATA\[email protected], Quarantined, [1680], [468075],1.0.5663

File: 44
PUP.Optional.MindSpark.Generic, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\ROAMING\MOZILLA\FIREFOX\PROFILES\{profile}.default\EXTENSIONS\[email protected], Quarantined, [1680], [457930],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\000003.log, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\CURRENT, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\LOCK, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\LOG, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\LOG.old, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\MANIFEST-000001, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\config\config.json, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\icons\icon128.png, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\icons\icon16.png, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\icons\icon19disabled.png, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\icons\icon19on.png, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\icons\icon48.png, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\js\ajax.js, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\js\background.js, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\js\chrome.js, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\js\content_script.js, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\js\dlp.js, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\js\dlpHelper.js, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\js\extension_detect.js, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\js\genericLoadRemoteSettings.js, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\js\index.js, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\js\initOfferCEF.js, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\js\logger.js, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\js\offerService.js, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\js\pageUtils.js, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\js\PartnerId.js, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\js\product.js, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\js\storage.js, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\js\TabManager.js, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\js\TemplateParser.js, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\js\ul.js, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\js\urlFragmentActions.js, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\js\urlUtils.js, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\js\util.js, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\js\webtooltabAPI.js, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\_metadata\computed_hashes.json, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\_metadata\verified_contents.json, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\manifest.json, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\newtabproduct.html, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bmmbajpcfedaechekcachdldkdfaalbf\13.611.13.3362_0\stubby.html, Quarantined, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Secure Preferences, Replaced, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Preferences, Replaced, [533], [383822],1.0.5663
PUP.Optional.MindSpark.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\browser-extension-data\[email protected]\storage.js, Quarantined, [1680], [468075],1.0.5663

Physical Sector: 0
(No malicious items detected)

WMI: 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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