What is AdSafer?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that AdSafer is a fake anti-malware application. These so-called "rogues" use intentional false positives to convince users that their systems have been compromised. Then they try to sell you their software, claiming it will remove these threats. In extreme cases the false threats are actually the very trojans that advertise or even directly install the rogue. You are strongly advised to follow our removal instructions below.
How do I know if I am infected with AdSafer?
This is how the main screen of the rogue application looks:
You will find these icons on your desktop and in your taskbar:
And see this during install:
How did AdSafer get on my computer?
Rogue programs use different methods for spreading themselves. This particular one was downloaded from their site.
How do I remove AdSafer?
Our program Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware can detect and remove this rogue application.
- Please download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware to your desktop.
- Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
- At the end, be sure a check-mark is placed next to the following:
- Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
- Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
- Then click Finish.
- If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
- Once the program has loaded, select Perform quick scan, then click Scan.
- When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
- Be sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected. Reboot your computer if prompted.
- When completed, a log will open in Notepad. The rogue application should now be gone.
Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of AdSafer?
- No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes AdSafer completely.y hosts file alternatives at hpHosts or at mvps.org or you can simply reset the default hosts file as outlined here by Microsoft.
How would the full version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware help protect me?
We hope our application has helped you eradicate this malicious software. If your current security solution let this infection through, you might please consider purchasing the FULL version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware for additional protection.
As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware would have protected you against the AdSafer rogue. It would have warned you before the rogue could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.
Signs in a HijackThis log:
C:\Program Files\adsafer\adsafer.exe O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [adsafer] C:\Program Files\adsafer\adr.exe hide
Alterations made by the installer:
File System
===============
Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs\adsafer
Adds the file �ֵ弼����.lnk"="20:25 05/11/10 678 bytes
Adds the file adsafer ����.lnk"="20:25 05/11/10 718 bytes
Adds the folder C:\Program Files\adsafer
Adds the file uninstall.exe"="15:02 24/08/10 378880 bytes
Adds the file filecheck.ini"="20:28 05/11/10 0 bytes
Adds the file config.ini"="15:32 24/08/10 382 bytes
Adds the file adsafer.exe"="14:59 24/08/10 982528 bytes
Adds the file adr.exe"="14:59 24/08/10 388608 bytes
Adds the folder C:\Program Files\adsafer\report
Adds the file +�+f.txt"="01:55 05/01/07 218 bytes
Adds the folder C:\Program Files\adsafer\db
Adds the file a.dat"="09:46 16/10/10 992008 bytes
Adds the folder C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir
Adds the file view_img_6.gif"="11:12 04/04/07 22713 bytes
Adds the file title_8.gif"="14:00 24/08/10 5887 bytes
Adds the file title_5.gif"="14:30 15/04/10 5032 bytes
Adds the file title_4.gif"="14:00 24/08/10 5887 bytes
Adds the file title_2.gif"="14:29 15/04/10 4663 bytes
Adds the file Thumbs.db"="09:33 16/01/09 204288 bytes
Adds the file set.gif"="14:44 24/08/10 15554 bytes
Adds the file sbg.gif"="14:30 13/04/10 2711 bytes
Adds the file memory_img.gif"="11:17 17/11/09 41233 bytes
Adds the file mb.gif"="14:14 17/11/09 34221 bytes
Adds the file main.jpg"="14:47 24/08/10 85520 bytes
Adds the file m.flg"="16:58 22/12/09 40369 bytes
Adds the file loding.jpg"="13:50 24/08/10 86458 bytes
Adds the file left_btn_on_07.gif"="17:07 22/12/08 2680 bytes
Adds the file left_btn_on_05.gif"="14:11 24/12/09 2909 bytes
Adds the file left_btn_on_04.gif"="13:56 24/08/10 7128 bytes
Adds the file left_btn_on_03.gif"="13:55 24/08/10 7276 bytes
Adds the file left_btn_on_02.gif"="13:55 24/08/10 6830 bytes
Adds the file left_btn_on_01.gif"="13:53 24/08/10 7870 bytes
Adds the file left_btn_07.gif"="17:02 22/12/08 2605 bytes
Adds the file left_btn_05.gif"="14:10 24/12/09 4030 bytes
Adds the file left_btn_04.gif"="11:52 24/08/10 5697 bytes
Adds the file left_btn_03.gif"="11:52 24/08/10 6052 bytes
Adds the file left_btn_02.gif"="11:51 24/08/10 5932 bytes
Adds the file left_btn_01.gif"="11:50 24/08/10 6758 bytes
Adds the file install.jpg"="14:10 24/08/10 70447 bytes
Adds the file icon_del.ico"="09:48 07/11/02 10134 bytes
Adds the file ber_default.gif"="17:24 13/03/08 1218 bytes
Adds the file ber.gif"="15:49 10/12/09 3214 bytes
Adds the file bar_default.gif"="17:24 13/03/08 1218 bytes
Adds the file bar_02.gif"="14:41 22/04/10 861 bytes
Adds the file alram.gif"="15:59 24/08/10 25419 bytes
Registry
===============
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\adsafer]
"UninstallString"="'C:\Program Files\adsafer\uninstall.exe'"
"DisplayName"="'adsafer ����'"
"DisplayIcon"="'C:\Program Files\adsafer\uninstall.exe'"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\adsafer"
"timer_alram"="'30000'"
"timer_maine"="'60000'"
"ver"="'1.0'"
"pid"="'homepage'"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\noadsafer]
"true"="'true'"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"adsafer"="'C:\Program Files\adsafer\adr.exe hide'"
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware log:
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.46
www.malwarebytes.org
Database version: 5054
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3
Internet Explorer 6.0.2900.5512
11/5/2010 8:40:00 PM
mbam-log-2010-11-05 (20-40-00).txt
Scan type: Quick scan
Objects scanned: 126253
Time elapsed: 5 minute(s), 12 second(s)
Memory Processes Infected: 1
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 4
Registry Values Infected: 1
Folders Infected: 5
Files Infected: 42
Memory Processes Infected:
C:\Program Files\adsafer\adsafer.exe (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Unloaded process successfully.
Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Keys Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\adsafer (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Management\ARPCache\adsafer (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\noadsafer (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\adsafer (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
Registry Values Infected:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\adsafer (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
Folders Infected:
C:\Program Files\adsafer (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\db (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\report (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs\adsafer (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
Files Infected:
C:\Program Files\adsafer\adsafer.exe (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\setup_adsafer.exe (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\adr.exe (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\config.ini (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\filecheck.ini (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\uninstall.exe (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\db\a.dat (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\report\+�+f.txt (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\alram.gif (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\bar_02.gif (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\bar_default.gif (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\ber.gif (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\ber_default.gif (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\icon_del.ico (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\install.jpg (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\left_btn_01.gif (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\left_btn_02.gif (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\left_btn_03.gif (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\left_btn_04.gif (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\left_btn_05.gif (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\left_btn_07.gif (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\left_btn_on_01.gif (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\left_btn_on_02.gif (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\left_btn_on_03.gif (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\left_btn_on_04.gif (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\left_btn_on_05.gif (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\left_btn_on_07.gif (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\loding.jpg (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\m.flg (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\main.jpg (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\mb.gif (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\memory_img.gif (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\sbg.gif (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\set.gif (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\Thumbs.db (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\title_2.gif (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\title_4.gif (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\title_5.gif (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\title_8.gif (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\adsafer\skindir\view_img_6.gif (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs\adsafer\adsafer ����.lnk (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs\adsafer\�ֵ弼����.lnk (Rogue.AdSafer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
As mentioned before the full version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 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
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