What is Word Anchor?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Word Anchor is adware. These adware applications display advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing.
How do I know if my computer is affected by Word Anchor?
You may see this entry in your list of installed programs:
and these warnings during install:
and this type of advertisements :
How did Word Anchor get on my computer?
Adware applications use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was bundled with other software.
How do I remove Word Anchor?
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 Word Anchor 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 Word Anchor adware. 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
You will see these signs in a HijackThis log:
O23 - Service: WA 1.10.0.18 Client Service (wasvc_1.10.0.18) - WA - C:\Program Files (x86)\WordAnchor_1.10.0.18\Service\wasvc.exe
You may see these signs in FRST logs:
(WA) C:\Program Files (x86)\WordAnchor_1.10.0.18\Service\wasvc.exe R2 wasvc_1.10.0.18; C:\Program Files (x86)\WordAnchor_1.10.0.18\Service\wasvc.exe [278616 2015-06-04] (WA) R1 wafd_1_10_0_18; C:\Windows\System32\drivers\wafd_1_10_0_18.sys [58240 2015-06-04] (WA) C:\Program Files (x86)\WordAnchor_1.10.0.18 (WA) C:\Windows\system32\Drivers\wafd_1_10_0_18.sys WordAnchor 1.10.0.18 (HKLM-x32\...\WordAnchor_1.10.0.18) (Version: 1.10.0.18 - WordAnchor)
Alterations made by the installer:
File system details [View: All details] (Selection)
---------------------------------------------------
Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\WordAnchor_1.10.0.18
Adds the file terms-of-service.rtf"="29-May-15 7:52 PM, 24234 bytes, A
Adds the file Uninstall.exe"="04-Jun-15 8:09 PM, 315192 bytes, A
Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\WordAnchor_1.10.0.18\3rd Party Licenses
Adds the file buildcrx-license.txt"="19-May-14 9:10 PM, 7074 bytes, A
Adds the file Info-ZIP-license.txt"="19-May-14 9:10 PM, 2944 bytes, A
Adds the file JSON-simple-license.txt"="30-Oct-14 2:55 AM, 11558 bytes, A
Adds the file nsJSON-license.txt"="19-May-14 9:10 PM, 809 bytes, A
Adds the file Nustache-license.txt"="30-Oct-14 2:55 AM, 1079 bytes, A
Adds the file TaskScheduler-license.txt"="30-Oct-14 2:55 AM, 0 bytes, A
Adds the file UAC-license.txt"="19-May-14 9:10 PM, 956 bytes, A
Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\WordAnchor_1.10.0.18\Service
Adds the file wasvc.exe"="04-Jun-15 8:08 PM, 278616 bytes, A
In the existing folder C:\Windows\System32\drivers
Adds the file wafd_1_10_0_18.sys"="04-Jun-15 8:08 PM, 58240 bytes, A
Registry details [View: All details] (Selection)
------------------------------------------------
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\WordAnchor_1.10.0.18]
"DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\WordAnchor_1.10.0.18\Uninstall.exe"
"DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "WordAnchor 1.10.0.18"
"DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "1.10.0.18"
"NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1
"NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1
"Publisher"="REG_SZ", "WordAnchor"
"UninstallString"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\WordAnchor_1.10.0.18\Uninstall.exe"
"URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://www.wordanchorapp.com"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\WordAnchor_1.10.0.18]
"cr-at"="REG_SZ", ""
"cr-pid"="REG_SZ", ""
"cr-ver"="REG_SZ", "43.0.2357.124"
"dbsr"="REG_SZ", "iexplore"
"features"="REG_SZ", "0x01000000"
"ff-at"="REG_SZ", ""
"ff-pid"="REG_SZ", ""
"ff-ver"="REG_SZ", "37.0.1 (x86 en-US)"
"hid"="REG_SZ", "D811DF37-D88F-6CFB-96AE-E5C215F8D72B"
"ie-at"="REG_SZ", ""
"ie-pid"="REG_SZ", ""
"ie-ver"="REG_SZ", "11.0.9600.17728"
"iid"="REG_SZ", "00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000"
"itm"="REG_SZ", "2015-06-17T11:18:30Z"
"nf-at"="REG_SZ", "1D546B57-17F2-566A-5235-64CBBEFFCD6B"
"nf-pid"="REG_SZ", "BB329844-79D5-4B5E-A9AF-53F07CDFDC25"
"nid"="REG_SZ", "3415C160-3827-4C33-88A4-E02CC667BFB8"
"osn"="REG_SZ", "Windows 8.1 Connected"
"ost"="REG_SZ", "x64"
"osv"="REG_SZ", "6.3.9600"
"user_sid"="REG_SZ", "S-1-5-21-3904814319-2759352178-2031478720-1001"
"ver"="REG_SZ", "1.10.0.18"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wafd_1_10_0_18]
"DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "wafd_1_10_0_18"
"ErrorControl"="REG_DWORD", 1
"Group"="REG_SZ", "PNP_TDI"
"ImagePath"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "system32\drivers\wafd_1_10_0_18.sys"
"Start"="REG_DWORD", 1
"Tag"="REG_DWORD", 11
"Type"="REG_DWORD", 1
"WOW64"="REG_DWORD", 1
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wasvc_1.10.0.18]
"Description"="REG_SZ", "This service enables WA 1.10.0.18 on HTTP websites"
"DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "WA 1.10.0.18 Client Service"
"ErrorControl"="REG_DWORD", 1
"ImagePath"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, ""C:\Program Files (x86)\WordAnchor_1.10.0.18\Service\wasvc.exe""
"ObjectName"="REG_SZ", "LocalSystem"
"Start"="REG_DWORD", 2
"Type"="REG_DWORD", 16
"WOW64"="REG_DWORD", 1
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
www.malwarebytes.org
Scan Date: 17-Jun-15
Scan Time: 1:27:12 PM
Logfile: mbamWordAnchor.txt
Administrator: Yes
Version: 2.01.6.1022
Malware Database: v2015.06.17.02
Rootkit Database: v2015.06.15.01
License: Free
Malware Protection: Disabled
Malicious Website Protection: Disabled
Self-protection: Disabled
OS: Windows 8.1
CPU: x64
File System: NTFS
User: {username}
Scan Type: Threat Scan
Result: Completed
Objects Scanned: 347046
Time Elapsed: 29 min, 38 sec
Memory: Enabled
Startup: Enabled
Filesystem: Enabled
Archives: Enabled
Rootkits: Enabled
Heuristics: Enabled
PUP: Enabled
PUM: Enabled
Processes: 1
PUP.Optional.WordAnchor.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordAnchor_1.10.0.18\Service\wasvc.exe, 3136, Delete-on-Reboot, [af17c3f8e2a81422f57d22609f6741bf]
Modules: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Keys: 3
PUP.Optional.WordAnchor.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\wasvc_1.10.0.18, Quarantined, [af17c3f8e2a81422f57d22609f6741bf],
PUP.Optional.WordAnchor.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\WordAnchor_1.10.0.18, Quarantined, [71553c7f4d3dc2743042790923e39d63],
PUP.Optional.WordAnchor.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\wafd_1_10_0_18, Quarantined, [7f47902b7416a98da5a41b76897cae52],
Registry Values: 1
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\wasvc_1.10.0.18|ImagePath, "C:\Program Files (x86)\WordAnchor_1.10.0.18\Service\wasvc.exe", Quarantined, [20a635866b1f8aaccafaafdba65f10f0]
Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Folders: 3
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordAnchor_1.10.0.18, Delete-on-Reboot, [e3e308b3e9a1191d7a43d5ae788e42be],
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordAnchor_1.10.0.18\3rd Party Licenses, Quarantined, [e3e308b3e9a1191d7a43d5ae788e42be],
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordAnchor_1.10.0.18\Service, Delete-on-Reboot, [e3e308b3e9a1191d7a43d5ae788e42be],
Files: 16
PUP.Optional.WordAnchor.A, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\wafd_1_10_0_18.sys, Delete-on-Reboot, [0bc8114b3ff5b8d427762a5ee7bfb935],
PUP.Optional.WordAnchor.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordAnchor_1.10.0.18\Service\wasvc.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [af17c3f8e2a81422f57d22609f6741bf],
PUP.Optional.WordAnchor.A, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\WordAnchor.exe, Quarantined, [96306b50bad0e65011617d0510f653ad],
PUP.Optional.WordAnchor.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordAnchor_1.10.0.18\Uninstall.exe, Quarantined, [71553c7f4d3dc2743042790923e39d63],
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-install-v0003, Quarantined, [c501ceed1d6d56e011c1a1dd4cb931cf],
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-processes-v0002, Quarantined, [19ad2c8f8ffbab8b5181d6a87b8a50b0],
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-scheduledtasks-v0001, Quarantined, [7b4bc9f297f379bd49895f1f21e440c0],
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-softwareregkeys-v0002, Quarantined, [b6104c6ff793af87dbf7592524e1748c],
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordAnchor_1.10.0.18\terms-of-service.rtf, Quarantined, [e3e308b3e9a1191d7a43d5ae788e42be],
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordAnchor_1.10.0.18\3rd Party Licenses\buildcrx-license.txt, Quarantined, [e3e308b3e9a1191d7a43d5ae788e42be],
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordAnchor_1.10.0.18\3rd Party Licenses\Info-ZIP-license.txt, Quarantined, [e3e308b3e9a1191d7a43d5ae788e42be],
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordAnchor_1.10.0.18\3rd Party Licenses\JSON-simple-license.txt, Quarantined, [e3e308b3e9a1191d7a43d5ae788e42be],
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordAnchor_1.10.0.18\3rd Party Licenses\nsJSON-license.txt, Quarantined, [e3e308b3e9a1191d7a43d5ae788e42be],
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordAnchor_1.10.0.18\3rd Party Licenses\Nustache-license.txt, Quarantined, [e3e308b3e9a1191d7a43d5ae788e42be],
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordAnchor_1.10.0.18\3rd Party Licenses\TaskScheduler-license.txt, Quarantined, [e3e308b3e9a1191d7a43d5ae788e42be],
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\WordAnchor_1.10.0.18\3rd Party Licenses\UAC-license.txt, Quarantined, [e3e308b3e9a1191d7a43d5ae788e42be],
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
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