Removal instructions for Common Dots

Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is Common Dots?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Common Dots is a browser 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. This one also displays advertisements.

How do I know if my computer is affected by Common Dots?

You may see this entry in your list of installed software:

and this warning during install:

and these browser add-ons:

How did Common Dots get on my computer?

Browser hijackers use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was bundled with other software.

How do I remove Common Dots?

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 all Threats are selected, and click Remove Selected.
Restart your computer when prompted to do so.

Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of Common Dots?

No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes Common Dots completely.

How would the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 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 Anti-Malware would have protected you against the Common Dots hijacker. It would have warned you before the rogue could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.

Technical details for experts

Signs in a HijackThis log:

O2 - BHO: Common Dots - {8a921d5f-73d6-464c-ba31-959bd9407c24} - C:\Program Files\Common Dots\Extensions\8a921d5f-73d6-464c-ba31-959bd9407c24.dll

Possible signs in a FRST log:

 BHO: Common Dots -> {8a921d5f-73d6-464c-ba31-959bd9407c24} -> C:\Program Files\Common Dots\Extensions\8a921d5f-73d6-464c-ba31-959bd9407c24.dll [2015-06-16] ()
 FF Extension: Common Dots - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\6qeoodjs.default-1401006518835\Extensions\[email protected] [2015-06-16]
 C:\Program Files\Common Dots

Common Dots (HKLM\...\Common Dots) (Version: 2.0.5645.6881 - Common Dots)

Alterations made by the installer:

File system details  
---------------------------------------------
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files\Common Dots
       Adds the file 7za.exe"="6/15/2015 11:23 PM, 536064 bytes, A
       Adds the file Uninstaller.exe"="6/16/2015 12:49 PM, 312976 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files\Common Dots\Extensions
       Adds the file 8a921d5f-73d6-464c-ba31-959bd9407c24.dll"="6/16/2015 2:08 PM, 145608 bytes, A
       Adds the file [email protected]"="6/16/2015 9:59 AM, 9230 bytes, A
    In the existing folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\6qeoodjs.default-1401006518835\extensions
       Adds the file [email protected]"="6/16/2015 9:59 AM, 9230 bytes, A

Registry details  
------------------------------------------
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{8a921d5f-73d6-464c-ba31-959bd9407c24}]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "Common Dots"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{8a921d5f-73d6-464c-ba31-959bd9407c24}\InprocServer32]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\Common Dots\Extensions\8a921d5f-73d6-464c-ba31-959bd9407c24.dll"
       "ThreadingModel"="REG_SZ", "Apartment"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{8a921d5f-73d6-464c-ba31-959bd9407c24}\Programmable]
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{8a921d5f-73d6-464c-ba31-959bd9407c24}\TypeLib]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{21ca7dbe-69a6-490f-99d9-53a71bb0eb64}"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{8a921d5f-73d6-464c-ba31-959bd9407c24}\Version]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "1.0"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{B853E835-9F24-4F4B-B55C-E554D15CCCD2}]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "1"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{E104B9E4-01BA-4AAF-9957-6A525CC5451A}]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "AD38EA67-20E9-48C3-A64C-4AABAC0DBCA3"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{F83D1872-D9FF-47F8-B5A0-49CC51E24EE8}]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "d3e4a0d3-0c68-4afc-aa6c-704ef43b48eb"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{B4E11494-BEFA-4037-81BD-DCABA2E3C368}]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "ICommonDotsBHO"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{B4E11494-BEFA-4037-81BD-DCABA2E3C368}\ProxyStubClsid]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{00020424-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{B4E11494-BEFA-4037-81BD-DCABA2E3C368}\ProxyStubClsid32]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{00020424-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{B4E11494-BEFA-4037-81BD-DCABA2E3C368}\TypeLib]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{21CA7DBE-69A6-490F-99D9-53A71BB0EB64}"
       "Version"="REG_SZ", "1.0"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{21CA7DBE-69A6-490F-99D9-53A71BB0EB64}\1.0]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "CommonDotsIEClientLib"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{21CA7DBE-69A6-490F-99D9-53A71BB0EB64}\1.0\0\win32]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\Common Dots\Extensions\8a921d5f-73d6-464c-ba31-959bd9407c24.dll"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{21CA7DBE-69A6-490F-99D9-53A71BB0EB64}\1.0\FLAGS]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "0"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{21CA7DBE-69A6-490F-99D9-53A71BB0EB64}\1.0\HELPDIR]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\Common Dots\Extensions"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\CommonDots]
       "cg"="REG_SZ", "d3e4a0d3-0c68-4afc-aa6c-704ef43b48eb"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{8a921d5f-73d6-464c-ba31-959bd9407c24}]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "Common Dots"
       "NoExplorer"="REG_DWORD", 1
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Common Dots]
       "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files\Common Dots\uninstaller.exe""
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "Common Dots"
       "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "2.0.5645.6881"
       "EstimatedSize"="REG_DWORD", 980
       "HelpLink"="REG_SZ", "mailto:[email protected]"
       "InstallDate"="REG_SZ", "20150616"
       "InstallLocation"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\Common Dots"
       "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "Common Dots"
       "QuietUninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files\Common Dots\uninstaller.exe""
       "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files\Common Dots\uninstaller.exe""
       "URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://www.commondots.info/support"
       "URLUpdateInfo"="REG_SZ", "http://www.commondots.info"

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
www.malwarebytes.org

Scan Date: 6/16/2015
Scan Time: 5:41:41 PM
Logfile: mbamCommonDots.txt
Administrator: Yes

Version: 2.01.6.1022
Malware Database: v2015.06.16.04
Rootkit Database: v2015.06.15.01
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: 294375
Time Elapsed: 3 min, 43 sec

Memory: Enabled
Startup: Enabled
Filesystem: Enabled
Archives: Enabled
Rootkits: Disabled
Heuristics: Enabled
PUP: Enabled
PUM: Enabled

Processes: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Modules: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys: 9
PUP.Optional.CommonDots.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID\{8a921d5f-73d6-464c-ba31-959bd9407c24}, Quarantined, [d68e9b2098f27cba5e16acd540c61ce4], 
PUP.Optional.CommonDots.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\TYPELIB\{21ca7dbe-69a6-490f-99d9-53a71bb0eb64}, Quarantined, [d68e9b2098f27cba5e16acd540c61ce4], 
PUP.Optional.CommonDots.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\INTERFACE\{B4E11494-BEFA-4037-81BD-DCABA2E3C368}, Quarantined, [d68e9b2098f27cba5e16acd540c61ce4], 
PUP.Optional.CommonDots.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\EXPLORER\BROWSER HELPER OBJECTS\{8A921D5F-73D6-464C-BA31-959BD9407C24}, Quarantined, [d68e9b2098f27cba5e16acd540c61ce4], 
PUP.Optional.CommonDots.A, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\EXT\SETTINGS\{8A921D5F-73D6-464C-BA31-959BD9407C24}, Quarantined, [d68e9b2098f27cba5e16acd540c61ce4], 
PUP.Optional.CommonDots.A, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\EXT\STATS\{8A921D5F-73D6-464C-BA31-959BD9407C24}, Quarantined, [d68e9b2098f27cba5e16acd540c61ce4], 
PUP.Optional.CommonDots.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID\{8A921D5F-73D6-464C-BA31-959BD9407C24}\INPROCSERVER32, Quarantined, [d68e9b2098f27cba5e16acd540c61ce4], 
PUP.Optional.CommonDots.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\Common Dots, Quarantined, [0c588e2d6f1b26102a4a4839e12514ec], 
PUP.Optional.CommonDots.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CommonDots, Quarantined, [afb5f4c7bbcf8da9889a00902adbc43c], 

Registry Values: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folders: 3
PUP.Optional.CommonDots.A, C:\Program Files\Common Dots, Quarantined, [2044e4d73b4f4ee88e11f1ff8182db25], 
PUP.Optional.CommonDots.A, C:\Program Files\Common Dots\Extensions, Quarantined, [2044e4d73b4f4ee88e11f1ff8182db25], 
PUP.Optional.CommonDots.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\Common Dots, Quarantined, [12525f5ccebc49ed168afaf624dfc13f], 

Files: 6
PUP.Optional.CommonDots.A, C:\Program Files\Common Dots\Extensions\8a921d5f-73d6-464c-ba31-959bd9407c24.dll, Quarantined, [d68e9b2098f27cba5e16acd540c61ce4], 
PUP.Optional.CommonDots.A, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\Commone Dots.exe, Quarantined, [1c4843782f5b37ffd59fff82c2449769], 
PUP.Optional.CommonDots.A, C:\Program Files\Common Dots\Uninstaller.exe, Quarantined, [0c588e2d6f1b26102a4a4839e12514ec], 
PUP.Optional.CommonDots.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\6qeoodjs.default-1401006518835\extensions\[email protected], Quarantined, [2a3a3f7c602ad660ce526d23c5404db3], 
PUP.Optional.CommonDots.A, C:\Program Files\Common Dots\7za.exe, Quarantined, [2044e4d73b4f4ee88e11f1ff8182db25], 
PUP.Optional.CommonDots.A, C:\Program Files\Common Dots\Extensions\[email protected], Quarantined, [2044e4d73b4f4ee88e11f1ff8182db25], 

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

Save yourself the hassle and get protected.

#1
Metallica

Posted 16 June 2015 - 10:54 AM

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