What is Rad Rater?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Rad Rater 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 Rad Rater?
This is how the first screen of the installer looks:

And you may see these toolbars/add-ons:


or this entry in your list of installed programs:

How did Rad Rater get on my computer?
Browser hijackers use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was bundled with other software.
How do I remove Rad Rater?
Our program Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can detect and remove this potentially unwanted application.
- 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, but for a full removal of the Firefox add-on you will need Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 2.00 beta or newer.
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 Rad Rater 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: Rad Rater - {316cdecf-3a39-4fac-b224-29059a0fe5a7} - C:\Program Files\Rad Rater\RadRaterbho.dll O23 - Service: Update Rad Rater - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Rad Rater\updateRadRater.exeAlterations made by the installer:
File system details --------------------------------------------- Adds the folder C:\Program Files\Rad Rater Adds the file 7za.exe"="8/25/2014 10:11 PM, 536064 bytes, A Adds the file RadRater.FirstRun.exe"="8/25/2014 11:28 PM, 1123568 bytes, A Adds the file RadRater.ico"="8/25/2014 11:26 PM, 1150 bytes, A Adds the file RadRaterBHO.dll"="8/25/2014 11:26 PM, 250096 bytes, A Adds the file RadRaterUninstall.exe"="9/3/2014 1:29 PM, 242394 bytes, A Adds the file updateRadRater.exe"="8/25/2014 11:26 PM, 323312 bytes, A Adds the file updateRadRater.InstallState"="9/3/2014 1:29 PM, 5012 bytes, A In the existing folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\6qeoodjs.default-1401006518835\extensions Adds the file {3a3a9698-1ff8-47e9-94c5-6474fa1e92be}.xpi"="8/25/2014 11:26 PM, 9955 bytes, A Registry details ------------------------------------------ [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{1AA60054-57D9-4F99-9A55-D0FBFBE7ECD3}] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "6738EFD0-857B-43ED-B2AC-259C857087E3" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{316cdecf-3a39-4fac-b224-29059a0fe5a7}] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "Rad Rater" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{316cdecf-3a39-4fac-b224-29059a0fe5a7}\InprocServer32] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\Rad Rater\RadRaterbho.dll" "ThreadingModel"="REG_SZ", "Apartment" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{316cdecf-3a39-4fac-b224-29059a0fe5a7}\Programmable] [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{316cdecf-3a39-4fac-b224-29059a0fe5a7}\TypeLib] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{9823ebc2-17bb-4e52-b8a6-e279a8e2ca28}" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{316cdecf-3a39-4fac-b224-29059a0fe5a7}\Version] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "1.0" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{4AA46D49-459F-4358-B4D1-169048547C23}] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "BEDF17B8-52D0-4DD3-84D8-C2280DABE686" "id"="REG_SZ", "263" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{655039AD-6DD9-4977-B419-F34101C6F44F}] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "IRadRaterBHO" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{655039AD-6DD9-4977-B419-F34101C6F44F}\ProxyStubClsid] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{00020424-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{655039AD-6DD9-4977-B419-F34101C6F44F}\ProxyStubClsid32] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{00020424-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{655039AD-6DD9-4977-B419-F34101C6F44F}\TypeLib] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{9823EBC2-17BB-4E52-B8A6-E279A8E2CA28}" "Version"="REG_SZ", "1.0" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{9823EBC2-17BB-4E52-B8A6-E279A8E2CA28}\1.0] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "RadRaterIEClientLib" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{9823EBC2-17BB-4E52-B8A6-E279A8E2CA28}\1.0\0\win32] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\Rad Rater\RadRaterbho.dll" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{9823EBC2-17BB-4E52-B8A6-E279A8E2CA28}\1.0\FLAGS] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "0" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{9823EBC2-17BB-4E52-B8A6-E279A8E2CA28}\1.0\HELPDIR] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\Rad Rater" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\RadRater_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\RadRater_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\updateRadRater_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\updateRadRater_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\{316cdecf-3a39-4fac-b224-29059a0fe5a7}] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "Rad Rater" "NoExplorer"="REG_DWORD", 1 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Rad Rater] "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\Rad Rater\RadRater.ico" "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "Rad Rater" "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "2014.08.25.211604" "EstimatedSize"="REG_DWORD", 2186 "HelpLink"="REG_SZ", "mailto:[email protected]" "InstallLocation"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\Rad Rater" "InstallTime"="REG_SZ", "2014-09-03 13:29:14" "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1 "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1 "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "Rad Rater" "QuietUninstallString"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\Rad Rater\RadRateruninstall.exe /S" "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\Rad Rater\RadRateruninstall.exe" "URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://radrater.mobi/support" "URLUpdateInfo"="REG_SZ", "http://radrater.mobi" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Rad Rater] "iid"="REG_SZ", "def_RadRater" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Rad Rater\Chrome] "sgc"="REG_SZ", "true" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Rad Rater\Firefox] "sff"="REG_SZ", "false" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Rad Rater\Internet Explorer] "sie"="REG_SZ", "false" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\Update Rad Rater] "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "Update Rad Rater" "ErrorControl"="REG_DWORD", 1 "FailureActions"="REG_BINARY, ...................... "ImagePath"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, ""C:\Program Files\Rad Rater\updateRadRater.exe"" "ObjectName"="REG_SZ", "LocalSystem" "Start"="REG_DWORD", 2 "Type"="REG_DWORD", 16 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\{316CDECF-3A39-4FAC-B224-29059A0FE5A7}] "Flags"="REG_DWORD", 1024 "VerCache"="REG_BINARY, ...................... [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Rad Rater] "id"="REG_SZ", "2014-09-03 13:29:14" "iid"="REG_SZ", "def_RadRater" "is"="REG_SZ", "def_RadRater" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Rad Rater\Chrome] "ug"="REG_SZ", "D8D2DD30-C813-4403-B4F8-A4FA1EA394F3" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Rad Rater\Firefox] "ug"="REG_SZ", "06AB24E4-CB8E-448B-850A-F1BE8B8C4C72" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Rad Rater\Internet Explorer] "ug"="REG_SZ", "B7D6133B-C27C-47F6-B6DD-299D3FB40413"Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware www.malwarebytes.org Scan Date: 9/3/2014 Scan Time: 1:34:37 PM Logfile: mbamRadRater.txt Administrator: Yes Version: 2.00.2.1012 Malware Database: v2014.09.03.03 Rootkit Database: v2014.08.21.01 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: 261386 Time Elapsed: 3 min, 40 sec Memory: Enabled Startup: Enabled Filesystem: Enabled Archives: Enabled Rootkits: Disabled Heuristics: Enabled PUP: Enabled PUM: Enabled Processes: 1 PUP.Optional.RadRater.A, C:\Program Files\Rad Rater\updateRadRater.exe, 3468, Delete-on-Reboot, [aa9530b998e3f73fbc784c6a5ea3fc04] Modules: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Keys: 12 PUP.Optional.RadRater.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\Update Rad Rater, Quarantined, [aa9530b998e3f73fbc784c6a5ea3fc04], PUP.Optional.RadRater.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID\{316cdecf-3a39-4fac-b224-29059a0fe5a7}, Quarantined, [f34c0ddcd5a6ea4c0a094d691ee34cb4], PUP.Optional.RadRater.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\TYPELIB\{9823ebc2-17bb-4e52-b8a6-e279a8e2ca28}, Quarantined, [f34c0ddcd5a6ea4c0a094d691ee34cb4], PUP.Optional.RadRater.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\INTERFACE\{655039AD-6DD9-4977-B419-F34101C6F44F}, Quarantined, [f34c0ddcd5a6ea4c0a094d691ee34cb4], PUP.Optional.RadRater.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\EXPLORER\BROWSER HELPER OBJECTS\{316CDECF-3A39-4FAC-B224-29059A0FE5A7}, Quarantined, [f34c0ddcd5a6ea4c0a094d691ee34cb4], PUP.Optional.RadRater.A, HKU\S-1-5-21-4016700205-1717049133-1125222536-1001-{ED1FC765-E35E-4C3D-BF15-2C2B11260CE4}-0\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\EXT\SETTINGS\{316CDECF-3A39-4FAC-B224-29059A0FE5A7}, Quarantined, [f34c0ddcd5a6ea4c0a094d691ee34cb4], PUP.Optional.RadRater.A, HKU\S-1-5-21-4016700205-1717049133-1125222536-1001-{ED1FC765-E35E-4C3D-BF15-2C2B11260CE4}-0\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\EXT\STATS\{316CDECF-3A39-4FAC-B224-29059A0FE5A7}, Quarantined, [f34c0ddcd5a6ea4c0a094d691ee34cb4], PUP.Optional.RadRater.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID\{316CDECF-3A39-4FAC-B224-29059A0FE5A7}\INPROCSERVER32, Quarantined, [f34c0ddcd5a6ea4c0a094d691ee34cb4], PUP.Optional.BrowseFox.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID\{4AA46D49-459F-4358-B4D1-169048547C23}, Quarantined, [6ad5cb1e38439c9a8cae793a6c96ad53], PUP.Optional.RadRater.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\Rad Rater, Quarantined, [bd8295543e3d3df9f41fee021de5aa56], PUP.Optional.RadRater.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\Rad Rater, Quarantined, [300ffdecf685dc5af61e3eb250b2d030], PUP.Optional.RadRater.A, HKU\S-1-5-21-4016700205-1717049133-1125222536-1001-{ED1FC765-E35E-4C3D-BF15-2C2B11260CE4}-0\SOFTWARE\Rad Rater, Quarantined, [73cc25c4542782b4c84d4ea27191817f], Registry Values: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Data: 0 (No malicious items detected) Folders: 1 PUP.Optional.RadRater.A, C:\Program Files\Rad Rater, Delete-on-Reboot, [bd8295543e3d3df9f41fee021de5aa56], Files: 9 PUP.Optional.RadRater.A, C:\Program Files\Rad Rater\updateRadRater.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [aa9530b998e3f73fbc784c6a5ea3fc04], PUP.Optional.RadRater.A, C:\Program Files\Rad Rater\RadRaterBHO.dll, Quarantined, [f34c0ddcd5a6ea4c0a094d691ee34cb4], PUP.Optional.RadRater.A, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\Rad rater.exe, Quarantined, [201ffbeef4871e1842d1b20457aa9d63], PUP.Optional.RadRater.A, C:\Program Files\Rad Rater\RadRater.ico, Quarantined, [bd8295543e3d3df9f41fee021de5aa56], PUP.Optional.RadRater.A, C:\Program Files\Rad Rater\7za.exe, Quarantined, [bd8295543e3d3df9f41fee021de5aa56], PUP.Optional.RadRater.A, C:\Program Files\Rad Rater\RadRater.FirstRun.exe, Quarantined, [bd8295543e3d3df9f41fee021de5aa56], PUP.Optional.RadRater.A, C:\Program Files\Rad Rater\RadRaterUninstall.exe, Quarantined, [bd8295543e3d3df9f41fee021de5aa56], PUP.Optional.RadRater.A, C:\Program Files\Rad Rater\updateRadRater.InstallState, Quarantined, [bd8295543e3d3df9f41fee021de5aa56], PUP.Optional.RadRater.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\6qeoodjs.default-1401006518835\extensions\{3a3a9698-1ff8-47e9-94c5-6474fa1e92be}.xpi, Quarantined, [93acc1285427fc3aeb2ef9f753af49b7], 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