Jump to content

Welcome to Geeks to Go
Geeks to Go Welcome
Create Account Login to Account
Photo

Removal instructions for Search Genie

- - - - -
Started by Metallica , Mar 29 2019 04:26 AM

  • Please log in to reply
No replies to this topic

#1
Metallica
Posted 29 March 2019 - 04:26 AM

Metallica

    Spyware Veteran

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

What is Search Genie?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Search Genie is a search 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 particular one is a search hijacker and uses a web push notifications service that is blocked by Malwarebytes for fraud.

notifications.png

How do I know if my computer is affected by Search Genie?

You may see this entry in your list of installed Chrome extensions:

main.png

and these warnings during install:

warning1.png

warning3.png

You will see this icon in your Chrome menu-bar:

icons.png

and these changed settings:

warning5.png

warning6.png

How did Search Genie get on my computer?

Browser hijackers use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was downloaded from the webstore:

webstore.png

after a redirect from their website:

website.png

How do I remove Search Genie?

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 Search Genie?
  • No, Malwarebytes removes Search Genie completely.
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 Search Genie hijacker. It would have blocked their notifications service, giving you a chance to stop before it became too late.

protection2.png


Technical details for experts

Possible signs in FRST logs:

CHR DefaultSearchURL: Default -> hxxps://feed.searchfrit.com/?q={searchTerms}&publisher=searchgenie&barcodeid=548600000000000
CHR DefaultSearchKeyword: Default -> SearchGenie
CHR DefaultSuggestURL: Default -> hxxps://api.searchfrit.com/suggest/get?q={searchTerms}
CHR Extension: (SearchGenie) - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb [2019-03-29]
Alterations made by the installer:

File system details [View: All details] (Selection)
---------------------------------------------------
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb\1.0.0_0
       Adds the file closer.js"="2/24/2019 2:31 PM, 15 bytes, A
       Adds the file manifest.json"="3/29/2019 8:59 AM, 2267 bytes, A
       Adds the file popup.html"="2/24/2019 2:31 PM, 1153 bytes, A
       Adds the file tab.html"="2/24/2019 2:31 PM, 165 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb\1.0.0_0\_metadata
       Adds the file computed_hashes.json"="3/29/2019 8:59 AM, 2561 bytes, A
       Adds the file verified_contents.json"="2/24/2019 2:31 PM, 2947 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb\1.0.0_0\images
       Adds the file how-1.png"="2/24/2019 2:31 PM, 2862 bytes, A
       Adds the file how-2.png"="2/24/2019 2:31 PM, 3247 bytes, A
       Adds the file logo-small.png"="2/24/2019 2:31 PM, 1242 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb\1.0.0_0\images\icons
       Adds the file 128x128.png"="3/29/2019 8:59 AM, 6627 bytes, A
       Adds the file 16x16.png"="3/29/2019 8:59 AM, 579 bytes, A
       Adds the file 64x64.png"="3/29/2019 8:59 AM, 3015 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb\1.0.0_0\scripts
       Adds the file background.js"="2/24/2019 2:31 PM, 31867 bytes, A
       Adds the file jquery-3.3.1.min.js"="2/24/2019 2:31 PM, 86927 bytes, A
       Adds the file popup.js"="2/24/2019 2:31 PM, 483 bytes, A
       Adds the file sitecontent.js"="2/24/2019 2:31 PM, 77 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb\1.0.0_0\styles
       Adds the file popup.css"="2/24/2019 2:31 PM, 1270 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Platform Notifications
       Adds the file 000003.log"="3/29/2019 8:58 AM, 0 bytes, A
       Adds the file CURRENT"="3/29/2019 8:58 AM, 16 bytes, A
       Adds the file LOCK"="3/29/2019 8:58 AM, 0 bytes, A
       Adds the file LOG"="3/29/2019 8:58 AM, 0 bytes, A
       Adds the file MANIFEST-000001"="3/29/2019 8:58 AM, 41 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Web Applications\_crx_kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb
       Adds the file Search Genie.ico"="3/29/2019 8:59 AM, 182514 bytes, A
       Adds the file Search Genie.ico.md5"="3/29/2019 8:59 AM, 16 bytes, A

Registry details [View: All details] (Selection)
------------------------------------------------
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Google\Chrome\PreferenceMACs\Default\extensions.settings]
       "kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb"="REG_SZ", "B49044EAB4528921FCA5CC4640375669834A692151C745B0DE323F65DD15AF89"
Malwarebytes log:

Malwarebytes
www.malwarebytes.com

-Log Details-
Scan Date: 3/29/19
Scan Time: 9:09 AM
Log File: fa1f708a-51f9-11e9-93bc-00ffdcc6fdfc.json

-Software Information-
Version: 3.7.1.2839
Components Version: 1.0.563
Update Package Version: 1.0.9908
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: 235906
Threats Detected: 29
Threats Quarantined: 29
Time Elapsed: 5 min, 58 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: 1
PUP.Optional.SearchFrit, HKCU\SOFTWARE\GOOGLE\CHROME\PREFERENCEMACS\Default\extensions.settings|kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb, Quarantined, [357], [661016],1.0.9908

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Data Stream: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folder: 7
PUP.Optional.SearchFrit, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb\1.0.0_0\images\icons, Quarantined, [357], [661016],1.0.9908
PUP.Optional.SearchFrit, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb\1.0.0_0\_metadata, Quarantined, [357], [661016],1.0.9908
PUP.Optional.SearchFrit, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb\1.0.0_0\scripts, Quarantined, [357], [661016],1.0.9908
PUP.Optional.SearchFrit, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb\1.0.0_0\images, Quarantined, [357], [661016],1.0.9908
PUP.Optional.SearchFrit, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb\1.0.0_0\styles, Quarantined, [357], [661016],1.0.9908
PUP.Optional.SearchFrit, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb\1.0.0_0, Quarantined, [357], [661016],1.0.9908
PUP.Optional.SearchFrit, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\EXTENSIONS\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb, Quarantined, [357], [661016],1.0.9908

File: 21
PUP.Optional.SearchFrit, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb\1.0.0_0\images\icons\128x128.png, Quarantined, [357], [661016],1.0.9908
PUP.Optional.SearchFrit, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb\1.0.0_0\images\icons\16x16.png, Quarantined, [357], [661016],1.0.9908
PUP.Optional.SearchFrit, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb\1.0.0_0\images\icons\64x64.png, Quarantined, [357], [661016],1.0.9908
PUP.Optional.SearchFrit, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb\1.0.0_0\images\how-1.png, Quarantined, [357], [661016],1.0.9908
PUP.Optional.SearchFrit, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb\1.0.0_0\images\how-2.png, Quarantined, [357], [661016],1.0.9908
PUP.Optional.SearchFrit, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb\1.0.0_0\images\logo-small.png, Quarantined, [357], [661016],1.0.9908
PUP.Optional.SearchFrit, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb\1.0.0_0\scripts\background.js, Quarantined, [357], [661016],1.0.9908
PUP.Optional.SearchFrit, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb\1.0.0_0\scripts\jquery-3.3.1.min.js, Quarantined, [357], [661016],1.0.9908
PUP.Optional.SearchFrit, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb\1.0.0_0\scripts\popup.js, Quarantined, [357], [661016],1.0.9908
PUP.Optional.SearchFrit, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb\1.0.0_0\scripts\sitecontent.js, Quarantined, [357], [661016],1.0.9908
PUP.Optional.SearchFrit, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb\1.0.0_0\styles\popup.css, Quarantined, [357], [661016],1.0.9908
PUP.Optional.SearchFrit, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb\1.0.0_0\_metadata\computed_hashes.json, Quarantined, [357], [661016],1.0.9908
PUP.Optional.SearchFrit, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb\1.0.0_0\_metadata\verified_contents.json, Quarantined, [357], [661016],1.0.9908
PUP.Optional.SearchFrit, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb\1.0.0_0\closer.js, Quarantined, [357], [661016],1.0.9908
PUP.Optional.SearchFrit, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb\1.0.0_0\manifest.json, Quarantined, [357], [661016],1.0.9908
PUP.Optional.SearchFrit, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb\1.0.0_0\popup.html, Quarantined, [357], [661016],1.0.9908
PUP.Optional.SearchFrit, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\kffplnohkmnjpakkgahhbpndamfidlkb\1.0.0_0\tab.html, Quarantined, [357], [661016],1.0.9908
PUP.Optional.SearchFrit, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Secure Preferences, Replaced, [357], [661016],1.0.9908
PUP.Optional.SearchFrit, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Preferences, Replaced, [357], [661016],1.0.9908
PUP.Optional.SearchFrit, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Secure Preferences, Replaced, [357], [661017],1.0.9908
PUP.Optional.SearchFrit, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Secure Preferences, Replaced, [357], [661017],1.0.9908

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.
  • 0

Advertisements

Back to Malware Removal Guides and Tutorials


0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users

  1. Geeks to Go Forum
  2. → Security
  3. → Malware Removal Guides and Tutorials

As Featured On:

featured
Malware Removal How to Guides Windows 7 System Building Download Files Register welcome

Never used a forum? Learn how.