What is focusbase?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that focusbase is a browser hijacker. These so-called "hijackers" alter your startpage or searchscopes so that the effected browser visits their site or one of their choice. This one also displays advertisements.
How do I know if my computer is effected by focusbase?
This is how the start-screen of the installer looks:
And you may see these toolbars/add-ons:
and this entry in your list of installed programs:
How did focusbase get on my computer?
Browser hijackers use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was bundled with other software.
How do I remove focusbase?
Our program Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can detect and remove this potentially unwanted program.
- Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to your desktop.
- Double-click mbam-setup-version.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
- At the end, be sure a check-mark is placed next to the following:
- Enable free trial of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium
- Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
- Then click Finish.
- If an update is found, you will be prompted to download and install the latest version.
- Once the program has loaded, select Scan now. Or select the Threat Scan from the Scan menu.
- When the scan is complete , make sure that everything is set to "Quarantine", and click Apply Actions.
- Reboot your computer if prompted.
- No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes focusbase completely.
We hope our application and this guide have helped you eradicate this hijacker.
As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware would have protected you against the focusbase hijacker. It would have warned you before the browser helper object could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.
Signs in a HijackThis log:
O2 - BHO: focusbase - {b02d4a40-53b7-4ebf-afba-e390a153d926} - C:\Program Files\focusbase\focusbasebho.dll O23 - Service: Update focusbase - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\focusbase\updatefocusbase.exeAlterations made by the installer:
File system details --------------------------------------------- Adds the folder C:\Program Files\focusbase Adds the file 0"="6/21/2014 10:14 AM, 207 bytes, A Adds the file 7za.exe"="6/16/2014 8:23 PM, 536064 bytes, A Adds the file focusbase.FirstRun.exe"="6/16/2014 10:07 PM, 1123616 bytes, A Adds the file focusbase.ico"="6/16/2014 10:07 PM, 1150 bytes, A Adds the file focusbaseBHO.dll"="6/16/2014 10:07 PM, 249632 bytes, A Adds the file focusbaseUninstall.exe"="6/21/2014 10:14 AM, 239952 bytes, A Adds the file updatefocusbase.exe"="6/16/2014 10:07 PM, 317728 bytes, A Adds the file updatefocusbase.InstallState"="6/21/2014 10:14 AM, 5012 bytes, A In the existing folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\6qeoodjs.default-1401006518835\extensions Adds the file {c8905eec-9eab-447c-84a8-9e864d454523}.xpi"="6/16/2014 10:07 PM, 8227 bytes, A Registry details ------------------------------------------ [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{1AA60054-57D9-4F99-9A55-D0FBFBE7ECD3}] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "7BC189C4-BD07-472B-917C-A49716587086" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{4AA46D49-459F-4358-B4D1-169048547C23}] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "38555D77-657E-45CA-A0A7-9EBE12350518" "id"="REG_SZ", "224" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{b02d4a40-53b7-4ebf-afba-e390a153d926}] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "focusbase" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{b02d4a40-53b7-4ebf-afba-e390a153d926}\InprocServer32] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\focusbase\focusbasebho.dll" "ThreadingModel"="REG_SZ", "Apartment" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{b02d4a40-53b7-4ebf-afba-e390a153d926}\Programmable] [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{b02d4a40-53b7-4ebf-afba-e390a153d926}\TypeLib] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{2056fd46-bac8-4440-8b0a-be824133a7ac}" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{b02d4a40-53b7-4ebf-afba-e390a153d926}\Version] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "1.0" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{5E81D857-AA08-487C-91E7-6BF1C1C58AF7}] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "IfocusbaseBHO" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{5E81D857-AA08-487C-91E7-6BF1C1C58AF7}\ProxyStubClsid] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{00020424-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{5E81D857-AA08-487C-91E7-6BF1C1C58AF7}\ProxyStubClsid32] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{00020424-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{5E81D857-AA08-487C-91E7-6BF1C1C58AF7}\TypeLib] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{2056FD46-BAC8-4440-8B0A-BE824133A7AC}" "Version"="REG_SZ", "1.0" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{2056FD46-BAC8-4440-8B0A-BE824133A7AC}\1.0] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "focusbaseIEClientLib" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{2056FD46-BAC8-4440-8B0A-BE824133A7AC}\1.0\0\win32] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\focusbase\focusbasebho.dll" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{2056FD46-BAC8-4440-8B0A-BE824133A7AC}\1.0\FLAGS] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "0" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{2056FD46-BAC8-4440-8B0A-BE824133A7AC}\1.0\HELPDIR] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\focusbase" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\focusbase\Chrome] "sgc"="REG_SZ", "true" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\focusbase\Firefox] "sff"="REG_SZ", "false" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\focusbase\Internet Explorer] "sie"="REG_SZ", "false" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\focusbase_RASAPI32] "ConsoleTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536 "EnableConsoleTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0 "EnableFileTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0 "FileDirectory"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "%windir%\tracing" "FileTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536 "MaxFileSize"="REG_DWORD", 1048576 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\focusbase_RASMANCS] "ConsoleTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536 "EnableConsoleTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0 "EnableFileTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0 "FileDirectory"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "%windir%\tracing" "FileTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536 "MaxFileSize"="REG_DWORD", 1048576 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\updatefocusbase_RASAPI32] "ConsoleTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536 "EnableConsoleTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0 "EnableFileTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0 "FileDirectory"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "%windir%\tracing" "FileTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536 "MaxFileSize"="REG_DWORD", 1048576 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\updatefocusbase_RASMANCS] "ConsoleTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536 "EnableConsoleTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0 "EnableFileTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0 "FileDirectory"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "%windir%\tracing" "FileTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536 "MaxFileSize"="REG_DWORD", 1048576 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{b02d4a40-53b7-4ebf-afba-e390a153d926}] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "focusbase" "NoExplorer"="REG_DWORD", 1 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\focusbase] "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\focusbase\focusbase.ico" "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "focusbase" "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "2014.06.16.195433" "EstimatedSize"="REG_DWORD", 2181 "HelpLink"="REG_SZ", "mailto:[email protected]" "InstallLocation"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\focusbase" "InstallTime"="REG_SZ", "2014-06-21 10:14:46" "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1 "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1 "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "focusbase" "QuietUninstallString"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\focusbase\focusbaseuninstall.exe /S" "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\focusbase\focusbaseuninstall.exe" "URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://focusbase.info/support" "URLUpdateInfo"="REG_SZ", "http://focusbase.info" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\eventlog\Application\Update focusbase] "EventMessageFile"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\EventLogMessages.dll" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\Update focusbase] "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "Update focusbase" "ErrorControl"="REG_DWORD", 1 "FailureActions"="REG_BINARY, ...................... "ImagePath"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, ""C:\Program Files\focusbase\updatefocusbase.exe"" "ObjectName"="REG_SZ", "LocalSystem" "Start"="REG_DWORD", 2 "Type"="REG_DWORD", 16 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\focusbase] "id"="REG_SZ", "2014-06-21 10:14:46" "iid"="REG_SZ", "def_focusbase" "is"="REG_SZ", "def_focusbase" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\focusbase\Chrome] "ug"="REG_SZ", "D541C82C-A9EE-4E44-A1D1-69D0D8B9C48A" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\focusbase\Firefox] "ug"="REG_SZ", "C5A9F118-333F-40B2-9E3C-FBB9BFBB38F4" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\focusbase\Internet Explorer] "ug"="REG_SZ", "2E242718-BD38-4237-BFB1-083BE36D6670" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\{B02D4A40-53B7-4EBF-AFBA-E390A153D926}] "Flags"="REG_DWORD", 1024Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware www.malwarebytes.org Scan Date: 6/21/2014 Scan Time: 10:20:28 AM Logfile: mbamFocusbase.txt Administrator: Yes Version: 2.00.2.1012 Malware Database: v2014.06.21.02 Rootkit Database: v2014.06.20.01 License: Free Malware Protection: Disabled Malicious Website Protection: Disabled Self-protection: Disabled OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1 CPU: x86 File System: NTFS User: Malwarebytes Scan Type: Threat Scan Result: Completed Objects Scanned: 232680 Time Elapsed: 4 min, 55 sec Memory: Enabled Startup: Enabled Filesystem: Enabled Archives: Enabled Rootkits: Disabled Heuristics: Enabled PUP: Enabled PUM: Enabled Processes: 1 PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, C:\Program Files\focusbase\updatefocusbase.exe, 2204, Delete-on-Reboot, [e92dec8fcab155e1b1ce45493ec3b64a] Modules: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Keys: 12 PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\Update focusbase, Quarantined, [e92dec8fcab155e1b1ce45493ec3b64a], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID\{b02d4a40-53b7-4ebf-afba-e390a153d926}, Quarantined, [24f2ef8c017ad066126c0f7f0df4b54b], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\TYPELIB\{2056fd46-bac8-4440-8b0a-be824133a7ac}, Quarantined, [24f2ef8c017ad066126c0f7f0df4b54b], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\INTERFACE\{5E81D857-AA08-487C-91E7-6BF1C1C58AF7}, Quarantined, [24f2ef8c017ad066126c0f7f0df4b54b], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\EXPLORER\BROWSER HELPER OBJECTS\{B02D4A40-53B7-4EBF-AFBA-E390A153D926}, Quarantined, [24f2ef8c017ad066126c0f7f0df4b54b], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, HKU\S-1-5-21-4016700205-1717049133-1125222536-1001-{ED1FC765-E35E-4C3D-BF15-2C2B11260CE4}-0\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\EXT\SETTINGS\{B02D4A40-53B7-4EBF-AFBA-E390A153D926}, Quarantined, [24f2ef8c017ad066126c0f7f0df4b54b], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, HKU\S-1-5-21-4016700205-1717049133-1125222536-1001-{ED1FC765-E35E-4C3D-BF15-2C2B11260CE4}-0\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\EXT\STATS\{B02D4A40-53B7-4EBF-AFBA-E390A153D926}, Quarantined, [24f2ef8c017ad066126c0f7f0df4b54b], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID\{B02D4A40-53B7-4EBF-AFBA-E390A153D926}\INPROCSERVER32, Quarantined, [24f2ef8c017ad066126c0f7f0df4b54b], PUP.Optional.BrowseFox.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID\{4AA46D49-459F-4358-B4D1-169048547C23}, Quarantined, [f71f3f3c3a41f640bd3aee8c7a8827d9], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\focusbase, Quarantined, [0a0c97e4e09bcd69859fc03e22e1b64a], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\focusbase, Quarantined, [50c692e9f4871e1890963ac420e3d62a], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, HKU\S-1-5-21-4016700205-1717049133-1125222536-1001-{ED1FC765-E35E-4C3D-BF15-2C2B11260CE4}-0\SOFTWARE\focusbase, Quarantined, [6ea8a0dbb2c930061a0da75762a1f40c], Registry Values: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Data: 0 (No malicious items detected) Folders: 1 PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, C:\Program Files\focusbase, Delete-on-Reboot, [0a0c97e4e09bcd69859fc03e22e1b64a], Files: 10 PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, C:\Program Files\focusbase\updatefocusbase.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [e92dec8fcab155e1b1ce45493ec3b64a], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, C:\Program Files\focusbase\focusbaseBHO.dll, Quarantined, [24f2ef8c017ad066126c0f7f0df4b54b], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\focusbase_Setup.exe, Quarantined, [898d453644374fe7fc83fd910ef325db], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, C:\Program Files\focusbase\focusbase.ico, Quarantined, [0a0c97e4e09bcd69859fc03e22e1b64a], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, C:\Program Files\focusbase\0, Quarantined, [0a0c97e4e09bcd69859fc03e22e1b64a], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, C:\Program Files\focusbase\7za.exe, Quarantined, [0a0c97e4e09bcd69859fc03e22e1b64a], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, C:\Program Files\focusbase\focusbase.FirstRun.exe, Quarantined, [0a0c97e4e09bcd69859fc03e22e1b64a], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, C:\Program Files\focusbase\focusbaseUninstall.exe, Quarantined, [0a0c97e4e09bcd69859fc03e22e1b64a], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, C:\Program Files\focusbase\updatefocusbase.InstallState, Quarantined, [0a0c97e4e09bcd69859fc03e22e1b64a], PUP.Optional.FocusBase.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\6qeoodjs.default-1401006518835\extensions\{c8905eec-9eab-447c-84a8-9e864d454523}.xpi, Quarantined, [bd596417ccaf24120a217e802fd441bf], Physical Sectors: 0 (No malicious items detected) (end)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