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Removal instructions for Clever Search

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Metallica

Metallica

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Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is Clever Search?
 
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Clever Search 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 Clever Search?

You may see this entry in your list of installed programs:
 
warning4.png

and these warnings during install:

main.png

warning1.png

and this type of advertisements:

warning2.png
 
How did Clever Search get on my computer?
 
Adware applications use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was bundled with other software.
 
How do I remove Clever Search?
 
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.
Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of Clever Search?
  • No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes Clever Search 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 Clever Search adware. It would have warned you before the rogue could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.
 

protection1.png


Technical details for experts
 
You will see these signs in a HijackThis log:
O23 - Service: CS 1.10.0.17 Client Service (cssvc_1.10.0.17) - CS - C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\Service\cssvc.exe
 

You may see these signs in FRST logs:
 (CS) C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\Service\cssvc.exe
 R2 cssvc_1.10.0.17; C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\Service\cssvc.exe [278624 2015-06-03] (CS)
 R1 csfd_1_10_0_17; C:\Windows\System32\drivers\csfd_1_10_0_17.sys [58248 2015-06-03] (CS)
 C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17
 (CS) C:\Windows\system32\Drivers\csfd_1_10_0_17.sys

CleverSearch 1.10.0.17 (HKLM-x32\...\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17) (Version: 1.10.0.17 - CleverSearch)
 
 
Alterations made by the installer:
File system details [View: All details] (Selection)
---------------------------------------------------
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17
       Adds the file terms-of-service.rtf"="29/05/2015 23:32, 24380 bytes, A
       Adds the file Uninstall.exe"="03/06/2015 19:03, 317792 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\3rd Party Licenses
       Adds the file buildcrx-license.txt"="19/05/2014 21:10, 7074 bytes, A
       Adds the file Info-ZIP-license.txt"="19/05/2014 21:10, 2944 bytes, A
       Adds the file JSON-simple-license.txt"="30/10/2014 02:55, 11558 bytes, A
       Adds the file nsJSON-license.txt"="19/05/2014 21:10, 809 bytes, A
       Adds the file Nustache-license.txt"="30/10/2014 02:55, 1079 bytes, A
       Adds the file TaskScheduler-license.txt"="30/10/2014 02:55, 0 bytes, A
       Adds the file UAC-license.txt"="19/05/2014 21:10, 956 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\Service
       Adds the file cssvc.exe"="03/06/2015 19:03, 278624 bytes, A
    In the existing folder C:\Windows\System32\drivers
       Adds the file csfd_1_10_0_17.sys"="03/06/2015 19:03, 58248 bytes, A

Registry details [View: All details] (Selection)
------------------------------------------------
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17]
       "cr-at"="REG_SZ", ""
       "cr-pid"="REG_SZ", ""
       "cr-ver"="REG_SZ", "43.0.2357.130"
       "dbsr"="REG_SZ", "firefox"
       "features"="REG_SZ", "0x01000000"
       "ff-at"="REG_SZ", ""
       "ff-pid"="REG_SZ", ""
       "ff-ver"="REG_SZ", "38.0.5 (x86 en-GB)"
       "hid"="REG_SZ", "CEF25299-C4B8-322F-BFB3-85092F183898"
       "ie-at"="REG_SZ", ""
       "ie-pid"="REG_SZ", ""
       "ie-ver"="REG_SZ", "11.0.9600.17843"
       "iid"="REG_SZ", "00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000"
       "itm"="REG_SZ", "2015-07-03T10:29:53Z"
       "nf-at"="REG_SZ", "70F891AE-5973-250A-39E7-13A650CC729E"
       "nf-pid"="REG_SZ", "3595BB31-DEDC-4442-BA5C-A996ACBE1630"
       "nid"="REG_SZ", "7D5BAFA9-43AD-43BF-9BAE-D2823A38F2CB"
       "osn"="REG_SZ", "Windows 7 Ultimate"
       "ost"="REG_SZ", "x64"
       "osv"="REG_SZ", "6.1.7601"
       "user_sid"="REG_SZ", "S-1-5-21-612512518-1730918975-1677248042-1002"
       "ver"="REG_SZ", "1.10.0.17"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17]
       "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\Uninstall.exe"
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "CleverSearch 1.10.0.17"
       "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "1.10.0.17"
       "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "CleverSearch"
       "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\Uninstall.exe"
       "URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://www.cleversearchapp.com"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\csfd_1_10_0_17]
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "csfd_1_10_0_17"
       "ErrorControl"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "Group"="REG_SZ", "PNP_TDI"
       "ImagePath"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "system32\drivers\csfd_1_10_0_17.sys"
       "Start"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "Tag"="REG_DWORD", 10
       "Type"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "WOW64"="REG_DWORD", 1
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\csfd_1_10_0_17\Enum]
       "0"="REG_SZ", "Root\LEGACY_CSFD_1_10_0_17\0000"
       "Count"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "NextInstance"="REG_DWORD", 1
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\cssvc_1.10.0.17]
       "Description"="REG_SZ", "This service enables CS 1.10.0.17 on HTTP websites"
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "CS 1.10.0.17 Client Service"
       "ErrorControl"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "ImagePath"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, ""C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\Service\cssvc.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: 03/07/2015
Scan Time: 12:37
Logfile: mbamCleverSearch.txt
Administrator: Yes

Version: 2.1.8.1057
Malware Database: v2015.07.03.02
Rootkit Database: v2015.07.01.01
License: Premium
Malware Protection: Disabled
Malicious Website Protection: Enabled
Self-protection: Disabled

OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1
CPU: x64
File System: NTFS
User: {username}

Scan Type: Threat Scan
Result: Completed
Objects Scanned: 334911
Time Elapsed: 4 min, 49 sec

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

Processes: 1
PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\Service\cssvc.exe, 1880, Delete-on-Reboot, [a8b6d7060a80a3938490fd7d05fd09f7]

Modules: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys: 4
PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\cssvc_1.10.0.17, Quarantined, [a8b6d7060a80a3938490fd7d05fd09f7], 
PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17, Quarantined, [9ac45e7fd3b76bcb32e2394114eeab55], 
PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17, Quarantined, [b3abc6174f3b7fb7d7bdf6050df618e8], 
PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\csfd_1_10_0_17, Quarantined, [085679642664e056fb8eca31cb38aa56], 

Registry Values: 1
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\cssvc_1.10.0.17|ImagePath, "C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\Service\cssvc.exe", Quarantined, [4816a23bc5c5ee484b5ffb991aeb5fa1]

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folders: 3
PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17, Delete-on-Reboot, [ee7039a48dfd6cca282bbb409c6718e8], 
PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\3rd Party Licenses, Quarantined, [ee7039a48dfd6cca282bbb409c6718e8], 
PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\Service, Delete-on-Reboot, [ee7039a48dfd6cca282bbb409c6718e8], 

Files: 17
PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\csfd_1_10_0_17.sys, Delete-on-Reboot, [8bceea6b14ec331cb200eba7b8549c91], 
PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\Service\cssvc.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [a8b6d7060a80a3938490fd7d05fd09f7], 
PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\CleaverSearch.exe, Quarantined, [6df1deffed9d0a2c868e007a0af80df3], 
PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\Uninstall.exe, Quarantined, [9ac45e7fd3b76bcb32e2394114eeab55], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-hardwareprofile-v0001, Quarantined, [8ad4da03bfcb3105dfe75632679e9f61], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-install-v0003, Quarantined, [095505d82f5bdf57cafcc4c4b35238c8], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-processes-v0002, Quarantined, [0d5103da404a9e98ae180e7ae32232ce], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-scheduledtasks-v0001, Quarantined, [8ed038a5e4a64aec16b02464d233bc44], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-softwareregkeys-v0002, Quarantined, [aab4c6177d0d74c28c3a8efa5ea731cf], 
PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\terms-of-service.rtf, Quarantined, [ee7039a48dfd6cca282bbb409c6718e8], 
PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\3rd Party Licenses\buildcrx-license.txt, Quarantined, [ee7039a48dfd6cca282bbb409c6718e8], 
PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\3rd Party Licenses\Info-ZIP-license.txt, Quarantined, [ee7039a48dfd6cca282bbb409c6718e8], 
PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\3rd Party Licenses\JSON-simple-license.txt, Quarantined, [ee7039a48dfd6cca282bbb409c6718e8], 
PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\3rd Party Licenses\nsJSON-license.txt, Quarantined, [ee7039a48dfd6cca282bbb409c6718e8], 
PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\3rd Party Licenses\Nustache-license.txt, Quarantined, [ee7039a48dfd6cca282bbb409c6718e8], 
PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\3rd Party Licenses\TaskScheduler-license.txt, Quarantined, [ee7039a48dfd6cca282bbb409c6718e8], 
PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\3rd Party Licenses\UAC-license.txt, Quarantined, [ee7039a48dfd6cca282bbb409c6718e8], 

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.
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