What is Encrypted Search?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Encrypted Search 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.
How do I know if my computer is affected by Encrypted Search?
You may see this entry in your list of installed Chrome extensions:
this icon in the Chrome menu-bar:
this changed setting:
and these warnings during install:
How did Encrypted Search get on my computer?
Browser hijackers use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was downloaded from the webstore:
after a redirect from their website:
How do I remove Encrypted Search?
Our program Malwarebytes can detect and remove this potentially unwanted program.
- Please download Malwarebytes for Windows to your desktop.
- Double-click MBSetup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
- When your Malwarebytes for Windows installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen.
- Click on the Get started button.
- Click Scan to start a Threat Scan.
- When the scan is finished click Quarantine to remove the found threats.
- Reboot the system if prompted to complete the removal process.
- No, Malwarebytes removes Encrypted Search completely.
We hope our application and this guide have helped you eradicate this hijacker.
As you can see below Malwarebytes Browser Guard, and the full version of Malwarebytes would have protected you against the Encrypted Search hijacker. It would have blocked their website, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.
Technical details for experts
Possible signs in FRST logs:
CHR DefaultSearchURL: Default -> hxxps://www.encryptedsearch.org/encsearch?q={searchTerms} CHR DefaultSearchKeyword: Default -> ens CHR DefaultSuggestURL: Default -> hxxps://www.encryptedsearch.org/encsuggest?q={searchTerms} CHR Extension: (Encrypted Search) - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\iobcdcioiildgbfeojoadlcicdnadpad [2020-02-14]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\iobcdcioiildgbfeojoadlcicdnadpad\3.6.2.4_0 Adds the file background.html"="7/1/2019 1:13 PM, 160 bytes, A Adds the file manifest.json"="2/14/2020 8:56 AM, 2266 bytes, A Adds the file panel.html"="7/1/2019 1:13 PM, 2090 bytes, A Adds the file settings.html"="7/1/2019 1:13 PM, 11545 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\iobcdcioiildgbfeojoadlcicdnadpad\3.6.2.4_0\_metadata Adds the file computed_hashes.json"="2/14/2020 8:56 AM, 8205 bytes, A Adds the file verified_contents.json"="7/1/2019 1:13 PM, 3067 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\iobcdcioiildgbfeojoadlcicdnadpad\3.6.2.4_0\css Adds the file tooltip.css"="7/1/2019 1:13 PM, 1300 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\iobcdcioiildgbfeojoadlcicdnadpad\3.6.2.4_0\img\ens Adds the file icon128.png"="2/14/2020 8:56 AM, 6316 bytes, A Adds the file icon16.png"="2/14/2020 8:56 AM, 499 bytes, A Adds the file icon16_disabled.png"="2/14/2020 8:56 AM, 499 bytes, A Adds the file icon48.png"="2/14/2020 8:56 AM, 1825 bytes, A Adds the file input-checked.png"="7/1/2019 1:13 PM, 318 bytes, A Adds the file input-unchecked.png"="7/1/2019 1:13 PM, 154 bytes, A Adds the file si-logo.png"="7/1/2019 1:13 PM, 18589 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\iobcdcioiildgbfeojoadlcicdnadpad\3.6.2.4_0\lib Adds the file bg.js"="7/1/2019 1:13 PM, 391577 bytes, A Adds the file page-protection.js"="7/1/2019 1:13 PM, 70172 bytes, A Adds the file panel.js"="7/1/2019 1:13 PM, 58322 bytes, A Adds the file savesettings.js"="7/1/2019 1:13 PM, 65834 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\iobcdcioiildgbfeojoadlcicdnadpad Adds the file 000003.log"="2/14/2020 8:56 AM, 0 bytes, A Adds the file CURRENT"="2/14/2020 8:56 AM, 16 bytes, A Adds the file LOCK"="2/14/2020 8:56 AM, 0 bytes, A Adds the file LOG"="2/14/2020 8:56 AM, 0 bytes, A Adds the file MANIFEST-000001"="2/14/2020 8:56 AM, 41 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\iobcdcioiildgbfeojoadlcicdnadpad Adds the file 000003.log"="2/14/2020 8:56 AM, 0 bytes, A Adds the file CURRENT"="2/14/2020 8:56 AM, 16 bytes, A Adds the file LOCK"="2/14/2020 8:56 AM, 0 bytes, A Adds the file LOG"="2/14/2020 8:56 AM, 0 bytes, A Adds the file MANIFEST-000001"="2/14/2020 8:56 AM, 41 bytes, A Registry details [View: All details] (Selection) ------------------------------------------------ [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Google\Chrome\PreferenceMACs\Default\extensions.settings] "iobcdcioiildgbfeojoadlcicdnadpad"="REG_SZ", "D123F8CFEFB53CC496BE4BA4BEAC7D15B29C24B934D823B74E59C4B8CF889167"Malwarebytes log:
Malwarebytes www.malwarebytes.com -Log Details- Scan Date: 2/14/20 Scan Time: 9:07 AM Log File: 0807a1f4-4f01-11ea-a0ef-00ffdcc6fdfc.json -Software Information- Version: 4.0.4.49 Components Version: 1.0.823 Update Package Version: 1.0.19198 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: 236120 Threats Detected: 18 Threats Quarantined: 18 Time Elapsed: 9 min, 32 sec -Scan Options- Memory: Enabled Startup: Enabled Filesystem: Enabled Archives: Enabled Rootkits: Disabled 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.EncryptedSearch, HKCU\SOFTWARE\GOOGLE\CHROME\PREFERENCEMACS\Default\extensions.settings|iobcdcioiildgbfeojoadlcicdnadpad, Quarantined, 259, 733511, , , , Registry Data: 0 (No malicious items detected) Data Stream: 0 (No malicious items detected) Folder: 3 PUP.Optional.EncryptedSearch, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Local Extension Settings\iobcdcioiildgbfeojoadlcicdnadpad, Quarantined, 259, 733511, , , , PUP.Optional.EncryptedSearch, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Sync Extension Settings\iobcdcioiildgbfeojoadlcicdnadpad, Quarantined, 259, 733511, , , , PUP.Optional.EncryptedSearch, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\EXTENSIONS\iobcdcioiildgbfeojoadlcicdnadpad, Quarantined, 259, 733511, 1.0.19198, , ame, File: 14 PUP.Optional.EncryptedSearch, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Secure Preferences, Replaced, 259, 733511, , , , PUP.Optional.EncryptedSearch, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Preferences, Replaced, 259, 733511, , , , PUP.Optional.EncryptedSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\iobcdcioiildgbfeojoadlcicdnadpad\000003.log, Quarantined, 259, 733511, , , , PUP.Optional.EncryptedSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\iobcdcioiildgbfeojoadlcicdnadpad\CURRENT, Quarantined, 259, 733511, , , , PUP.Optional.EncryptedSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\iobcdcioiildgbfeojoadlcicdnadpad\LOCK, Quarantined, 259, 733511, , , , PUP.Optional.EncryptedSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\iobcdcioiildgbfeojoadlcicdnadpad\LOG, Quarantined, 259, 733511, , , , PUP.Optional.EncryptedSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\iobcdcioiildgbfeojoadlcicdnadpad\MANIFEST-000001, Quarantined, 259, 733511, , , , PUP.Optional.EncryptedSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\iobcdcioiildgbfeojoadlcicdnadpad\000003.log, Quarantined, 259, 733511, , , , PUP.Optional.EncryptedSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\iobcdcioiildgbfeojoadlcicdnadpad\CURRENT, Quarantined, 259, 733511, , , , PUP.Optional.EncryptedSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\iobcdcioiildgbfeojoadlcicdnadpad\LOCK, Quarantined, 259, 733511, , , , PUP.Optional.EncryptedSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\iobcdcioiildgbfeojoadlcicdnadpad\LOG, Quarantined, 259, 733511, , , , PUP.Optional.EncryptedSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\iobcdcioiildgbfeojoadlcicdnadpad\MANIFEST-000001, Quarantined, 259, 733511, , , , PUP.Optional.EncryptedSearch, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Secure Preferences, Replaced, 259, 733510, 1.0.19198, , ame, PUP.Optional.EncryptedSearch, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Secure Preferences, Replaced, 259, 733510, 1.0.19198, , ame, 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