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Removal instructions for DiscoverAncestry

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Started by Metallica , Mar 13 2020 01:11 AM
Mindspark

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#1
Metallica
Posted 13 March 2020 - 01:11 AM

Metallica

    Spyware Veteran

  • GeekU Moderator
  • 33,101 posts
What is DiscoverAncestry?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that DiscoverAncestry 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.

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

You may see this Chrome extension:

extension.png

these warnings during install:

warning1.png

main.png

You may see this new startpage:

startpage.png

this entry in your list of installed programs and features:

warning4.png

and this new setting:

warning5.png

How did DiscoverAncestry get on my computer?

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

website.png

and the Chrome extension from the webstore:

webstore.png

How do I remove DiscoverAncestry?

Our program Malwarebytes can detect and remove this potentially unwanted program.
[Mindspark only]You can use their own uninstall instructions first, but I would advise to follow the steps below anyway.
  • 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.
Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of DiscoverAncestry?
  • No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes DiscoverAncestry completely.
  • 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 DiscoverAncestry hijacker. It would have warned you before the application could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.

protection1.png


and it would block their domain:

protection2.png


Technical details for experts

Possible signs in FRST logs:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = hxxps://hp.myway.com/discoverancestry/ttab02/index.html?n=78673AED&p2=%5EBSH%5Emni000%5ETTAB02&ptb=B72F58EA-6612-4A11-8355-1E1E40048306&coid=d4ff6260eaa04fc4b9296695c03c6807
CHR NewTab: Default ->  Active:"chrome-extension://lomngkejongkibeoekcmgjhaomgjkigb/ntp1.html"
CHR Extension: (DiscoverAncestry) - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lomngkejongkibeoekcmgjhaomgjkigb [2020-03-12]
C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\DiscoverAncestryTooltab

DiscoverAncestry Internet Explorer Homepage and New Tab (HKCU\...\DiscoverAncestryTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer) (Version:  - Mindspark Interactive Network, Inc.) <==== ATTENTION
Alterations made by the installer:
File system details [View: All details] (Selection)
---------------------------------------------------
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\DiscoverAncestryTooltab
       Adds the file TooltabExtension.dll"="11/28/2019 4:12 AM, 273008 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lomngkejongkibeoekcmgjhaomgjkigb\13.921.17.11403_0
       Adds the file manifest.json"="3/12/2020 1:50 PM, 2528 bytes, A
       Adds the file ntp1.html"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 1434 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lomngkejongkibeoekcmgjhaomgjkigb\13.921.17.11403_0\_locales
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lomngkejongkibeoekcmgjhaomgjkigb\13.921.17.11403_0\_metadata
       Adds the file computed_hashes.json"="3/12/2020 1:50 PM, 5628 bytes, A
       Adds the file verified_contents.json"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 7160 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lomngkejongkibeoekcmgjhaomgjkigb\13.921.17.11403_0\config
       Adds the file config.json"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 1461 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lomngkejongkibeoekcmgjhaomgjkigb\13.921.17.11403_0\icons
       Adds the file icon128.png"="3/12/2020 1:50 PM, 11011 bytes, A
       Adds the file icon16.png"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 1717 bytes, A
       Adds the file icon19disabled.png"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 1615 bytes, A
       Adds the file icon19on.png"="3/12/2020 1:50 PM, 954 bytes, A
       Adds the file icon48.png"="3/12/2020 1:50 PM, 3794 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lomngkejongkibeoekcmgjhaomgjkigb\13.921.17.11403_0\js
       Adds the file ajax.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 3263 bytes, A
       Adds the file babAPI.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 5703 bytes, A
       Adds the file babClickHandler.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 11589 bytes, A
       Adds the file babContentScript.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 3749 bytes, A
       Adds the file babContentScriptAPI.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 9842 bytes, A
       Adds the file background.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 18898 bytes, A
       Adds the file browserUtils.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 1892 bytes, A
       Adds the file chrome.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 146 bytes, A
       Adds the file contentScriptConnectionManager.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 22964 bytes, A
       Adds the file dateTimeUtils.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 1213 bytes, A
       Adds the file dlp.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 5783 bytes, A
       Adds the file dlpHelper.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 1835 bytes, A
       Adds the file extensionDetect.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 4354 bytes, A
       Adds the file index.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 49 bytes, A
       Adds the file localStorageContentScript.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 2236 bytes, A
       Adds the file logger.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 531 bytes, A
       Adds the file meta.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 1660 bytes, A
       Adds the file offerService.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 16953 bytes, A
       Adds the file pageUtils.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 2905 bytes, A
       Adds the file PartnerId.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 16402 bytes, A
       Adds the file polyfill.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 875 bytes, A
       Adds the file product.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 7830 bytes, A
       Adds the file remoteConfigLoader.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 5053 bytes, A
       Adds the file searchBoxFocusSetterEdge.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 1648 bytes, A
       Adds the file splashPageRedirectHandler.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 2821 bytes, A
       Adds the file storageUtils.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 1718 bytes, A
       Adds the file TemplateParser.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 3153 bytes, A
       Adds the file ul.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 3969 bytes, A
       Adds the file urlFragmentActions.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 2453 bytes, A
       Adds the file urlUtils.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 5906 bytes, A
       Adds the file util.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 2779 bytes, A
       Adds the file webtooltabAPI.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 9768 bytes, A
       Adds the file webTooltabAPIProxy.js"="1/13/2020 5:49 PM, 8765 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\lomngkejongkibeoekcmgjhaomgjkigb
       Adds the file 000003.log"="3/12/2020 1:50 PM, 4433 bytes, A
       Adds the file CURRENT"="3/12/2020 1:50 PM, 16 bytes, A
       Adds the file LOCK"="3/12/2020 1:50 PM, 0 bytes, A
       Adds the file LOG"="3/12/2020 1:53 PM, 185 bytes, A
       Adds the file MANIFEST-000001"="3/12/2020 1:50 PM, 41 bytes, A

Registry details [View: All details] (Selection)
------------------------------------------------
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DiscoverAncestry]
       "Start Page"="REG_SZ", "https://hp.myway.com/discoverancestry/ttab02/index.html?n=78673AED&p2=^BSH^mni000^TTAB02&ptb=B72F58EA-6612-4A11-8355-1E1E40048306&coid=d4ff6260eaa04fc4b9296695c03c6807"
       "UnInstallSurveyUrl"="REG_SZ", "https://@{downloadDomain}.dl.myway.com/uninstall.jhtml?c=B72F58EA-6612-4A11-8355-1E1E40048306&ptb=^BSH^mni000^TTAB02"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Google\Chrome\PreferenceMACs\Default\extensions.settings]
       "lomngkejongkibeoekcmgjhaomgjkigb"="REG_SZ", "F7C00AC321EA7C73BCA5B52CDE39FEE4ECE59FDE62A692D3121B778C3BE0C43C"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main]
       "Start Page" = REG_SZ, "https://hp.myway.com/discoverancestry/ttab02/index.html?n=78673AED&p2=%5EBSH%5Emni000%5ETTAB02&ptb=B72F58EA-6612-4A11-8355-1E1E40048306&coid=d4ff6260eaa04fc4b9296695c03c6807"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\DiscoverAncestryTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer]
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "DiscoverAncestry Internet Explorer Homepage and New Tab"
       "HelpLink"="REG_SZ", "http://support.mindspark.com/"
       "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "Mindspark Interactive Network, Inc."
       "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", "Rundll32.exe "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\DiscoverAncestryTooltab\TooltabExtension.dll" U uninstall:DiscoverAncestry"
       "URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://support.mindspark.com/"
Malwarebytes log:
Malwarebytes
www.malwarebytes.com

-Log Details-
Scan Date: 3/12/20
Scan Time: 2:00 PM
Log File: 7950ec60-6461-11ea-afa4-00ffdcc6fdfc.json

-Software Information-
Version: 4.1.0.56
Components Version: 1.0.835
Update Package Version: 1.0.20594
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: 234984
Threats Detected: 22
Threats Quarantined: 22
Time Elapsed: 10 min, 50 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: 1
PUP.Optional.MindSpark.Generic, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\DiscoverAncestryTooltab\TooltabExtension.dll, Quarantined, 1810, 356944, , , , 

Registry Key: 2
PUP.Optional.MindSpark.Generic, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\DiscoverAncestryTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer, Quarantined, 1810, 356944, , , , 
PUP.Optional.MindSpark.Generic, HKCU\SOFTWARE\DiscoverAncestry, Quarantined, 1810, 444113, 1.0.20594, , ame, 

Registry Value: 4
PUP.Optional.MindSpark.Generic, HKCU\SOFTWARE\DiscoverAncestry|START PAGE, Quarantined, 1810, 444113, 1.0.20594, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.MindSpark.Generic, HKCU\SOFTWARE\DiscoverAncestry|UNINSTALLSURVEYURL, Quarantined, 1810, 769449, 1.0.20594, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\DiscoverAncestryTooltab Uninstall Internet Explorer|PUBLISHER, Quarantined, 704, 352442, 1.0.20594, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.MindSpark.Generic, HKCU\SOFTWARE\GOOGLE\CHROME\PREFERENCEMACS\Default\extensions.settings|lomngkejongkibeoekcmgjhaomgjkigb, Quarantined, 1810, 456842, , , , 

Registry Data: 1
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\INTERNET EXPLORER\MAIN|START PAGE, Replaced, 704, 293497, 1.0.20594, , ame, 

Data Stream: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folder: 3
PUP.Optional.MindSpark.Generic, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\DiscoverAncestryTooltab, Quarantined, 1810, 356944, 1.0.20594, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.MindSpark.Generic, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Extensions\lomngkejongkibeoekcmgjhaomgjkigb, Quarantined, 1810, 456842, , , , 
PUP.Optional.MindSpark.Generic, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Local Extension Settings\lomngkejongkibeoekcmgjhaomgjkigb, Quarantined, 1810, 456842, , , , 

File: 11
PUP.Optional.MindSpark.Generic, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\DiscoverAncestryTooltab\TooltabExtension.dll, Quarantined, 1810, 356944, 1.0.20594, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.MindSpark.Generic, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Secure Preferences, Replaced, 1810, 456842, , , , 
PUP.Optional.MindSpark.Generic, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Preferences, Replaced, 1810, 456842, , , , 
PUP.Optional.MindSpark.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\lomngkejongkibeoekcmgjhaomgjkigb\000003.log, Quarantined, 1810, 456842, , , , 
PUP.Optional.MindSpark.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\lomngkejongkibeoekcmgjhaomgjkigb\CURRENT, Quarantined, 1810, 456842, , , , 
PUP.Optional.MindSpark.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\lomngkejongkibeoekcmgjhaomgjkigb\LOCK, Quarantined, 1810, 456842, , , , 
PUP.Optional.MindSpark.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\lomngkejongkibeoekcmgjhaomgjkigb\LOG, Quarantined, 1810, 456842, , , , 
PUP.Optional.MindSpark.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\lomngkejongkibeoekcmgjhaomgjkigb\MANIFEST-000001, Quarantined, 1810, 456842, , , , 
PUP.Optional.MindSpark.Generic, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\DEFAULT\EXTENSIONS\LOMNGKEJONGKIBEOEKCMGJHAOMGJKIGB\13.921.17.11403_0\CONFIG\CONFIG.JSON, Quarantined, 1810, 456842, 1.0.20594, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.MindSpark.Generic, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\DEFAULT\EXTENSIONS\LOMNGKEJONGKIBEOEKCMGJHAOMGJKIGB\13.921.17.11403_0\MANIFEST.JSON, Quarantined, 1810, 443121, 1.0.20594, , ame, 
PUP.Optional.MindSpark, C:\USERS\{username}\DESKTOP\DISCOVERANCESTRY.EXE, Quarantined, 704, 365288, 1.0.20594, , 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
Save yourself the hassle and get protected.
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