What is SmartWeb?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that SmartWeb 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 SmartWeb?
You may see this entry in your list of installed programs:
and this Scheduled Task:
How did SmartWeb get on my computer?
Adware applications use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was bundled with other software.
How do I remove SmartWeb?
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.
- This PUP creates a scheduled task. You can read here how to check for and, if necessary, remove Scheduled Tasks.
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 SmartWeb 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:
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SmartWeb] C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\SmartWeb\SmartWebHelper.exe
O4 - Startup: SmartWeb.lnk = {username}\AppData\Local\SmartWeb\SmartWebHelper.exe
You may see these signs in FRST logs:
(SoftBrain Technologies Ltd.) C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\SmartWeb\SmartWebHelper.exe
(SoftBrain Technologies Ltd.) C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\SmartWeb\SmartWebApp.exe
HKLM-x32\...\Run: [SmartWeb] => C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\SmartWeb\SmartWebHelper.exe [270368 2015-02-17] (SoftBrain Technologies Ltd.)
Startup: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\SmartWeb.lnk [2015-07-08]
ShortcutTarget: SmartWeb.lnk -> C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\SmartWeb\SmartWebHelper.exe (SoftBrain Technologies Ltd.)
C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\SmartWeb Upgrade Trigger Task
C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\SmartWeb
SmartWeb (HKLM-x32\...\SmartWeb) (Version: 8.0.9 - SoftBrain Technologies Ltd.) <==== ATTENTION
Alterations made by the installer:
File system details [View: All details] (Selection)
---------------------------------------------------
Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\SmartWeb
Adds the file __u.exe"="08/07/2015 12:25, 172673 bytes, A
Adds the file SmartWebApp.exe"="17/02/2015 12:00, 557088 bytes, A
Adds the file SmartWebHelper.exe"="17/02/2015 12:00, 270368 bytes, A
Adds the file swhk.dll"="17/02/2015 12:00, 106528 bytes, A
Adds the file uninst.lnk"="08/07/2015 12:25, 1006 bytes, A
Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\LocalLow\SmartWeb\Data
Adds the file 1.txt"="30/12/2014 00:56, 10335 bytes, A
Adds the file a.txt"="30/12/2014 00:56, 55599 bytes, A
Adds the file b.txt"="30/12/2014 00:56, 68530 bytes, A
Adds the file c.txt"="30/12/2014 00:56, 66389 bytes, A
Adds the file d.txt"="30/12/2014 00:56, 44204 bytes, A
Adds the file e.txt"="30/12/2014 00:56, 41227 bytes, A
Adds the file f.txt"="30/12/2014 00:56, 35768 bytes, A
Adds the file g.txt"="30/12/2014 00:56, 36462 bytes, A
Adds the file h.txt"="30/12/2014 00:56, 37333 bytes, A
Adds the file i.txt"="30/12/2014 00:56, 23157 bytes, A
Adds the file j.txt"="30/12/2014 00:56, 14466 bytes, A
Adds the file k.txt"="30/12/2014 00:56, 19869 bytes, A
Adds the file l.txt"="30/12/2014 00:56, 39635 bytes, A
Adds the file m.txt"="30/12/2014 00:56, 62764 bytes, A
Adds the file n.txt"="30/12/2014 00:56, 22263 bytes, A
Adds the file o.txt"="30/12/2014 00:56, 22847 bytes, A
Adds the file p.txt"="30/12/2014 00:56, 56132 bytes, A
Adds the file q.txt"="30/12/2014 00:56, 3578 bytes, A
Adds the file r.txt"="30/12/2014 00:56, 26982 bytes, A
Adds the file s.txt"="30/12/2014 00:56, 101077 bytes, A
Adds the file t.txt"="30/12/2014 00:56, 55888 bytes, A
Adds the file u.txt"="30/12/2014 00:56, 11378 bytes, A
Adds the file v.txt"="30/12/2014 00:56, 18618 bytes, A
Adds the file w.txt"="30/12/2014 00:56, 24781 bytes, A
Adds the file wlu.txt"="04/06/2015 10:12, 54651 bytes, A
Adds the file x.txt"="30/12/2014 00:56, 1891 bytes, A
Adds the file y.txt"="30/12/2014 00:56, 5061 bytes, A
Adds the file z.txt"="30/12/2014 00:56, 6097 bytes, A
In the existing folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
Adds the file SmartWeb.lnk"="08/07/2015 12:25, 1112 bytes, A
In the existing folder C:\Windows\System32\Tasks
Adds the file SmartWeb Upgrade Trigger Task"="08/07/2015 12:25, 4058 bytes, A
Registry details [View: All details] (Selection)
------------------------------------------------
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"SmartWeb"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\SmartWeb\SmartWebHelper.exe"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SmartWeb]
"DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\SmartWeb\__u.exe"
"DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "SmartWeb"
"DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "8.0.9"
"Publisher"="REG_SZ", "SoftBrain Technologies Ltd."
"UninstallString"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\SmartWeb\__u.exe _?=C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\SmartWeb"
"URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://www.Smart-Web.me"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AppDataLow\Software\SmartWeb\Settings]
"activation_date"="REG_SZ", "2015-07-08 10:26:02"
"active_type"="REG_DWORD", 15
"cfg_last_modified"="REG_SZ", "Wed, 08 Jul 2015 10:26:00"
"cfg_time_stamp"="REG_DWORD", 1436351162
"country"="REG_SZ", ""
"current_user"="REG_SZ", "0C976813-BCA0-4F94-BA0F-A8CCA39DAB33"
"cx_server_location"="REG_SZ", "http://xml.smart-web.me/SiteXMLFolder"
"dist_id"="REG_BINARY, ..
"extra_params"="REG_SZ", ""
"group"="REG_SZ", "SW_N"
"impr_type"="REG_DWORD", 5
"installed"="REG_DWORD", 0
"local_machine"="REG_SZ", "607CC739-080027B0CD0E"
"menu_action_url"="REG_SZ", ""
"next_settings_check"="REG_DWORD", 1436408760
"offers_animation_type"="REG_DWORD", 1
"pr_link_style"="REG_SZ", "cursor:pointer;"
"pr_link_tag"="REG_SZ", "DIV"
"pr_link_text"="REG_SZ", "<img src="http://service.smart-web.me/Img/P_Link.png" title="Compare price for this product with SmartWeb " />"
"rs_link_style"="REG_SZ", "cursor:pointer;"
"rs_link_tag"="REG_SZ", "DIV"
"rs_link_text"="REG_SZ", "<img src="http://service.smart-web.me/Img/R_Link_16.png" title="Compare price for this product with SmartWeb " />"
"server_req_url"="REG_SZ", "http://service.smart-web.me/default.aspx"
"service_support"="REG_DWORD", 255
"settings_check_interval"="REG_DWORD", 16
"slider_per_url"="REG_DWORD", 0
"snooze_interval"="REG_DWORD", 8760
"sub_dist_id"="REG_SZ", "-"
"up_impr_count"="REG_DWORD", 0
"up_last_impr"="REG_DWORD", 0
"xml_type"="REG_DWORD", 2
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
www.malwarebytes.org
Scan Date: 08/07/2015
Scan Time: 12:37
Logfile: mbamSmartweb.txt
Administrator: Yes
Version: 2.1.8.1057
Malware Database: v2015.07.08.03
Rootkit Database: v2015.07.07.01
License: Premium
Malware Protection: Enabled
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: 335152
Time Elapsed: 4 min, 11 sec
Memory: Enabled
Startup: Enabled
Filesystem: Enabled
Archives: Enabled
Rootkits: Enabled
Heuristics: Enabled
PUP: Enabled
PUM: Enabled
Processes: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Modules: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Keys: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Values: 1
PUP.Optional.SmartWeb.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\RUN|SmartWeb, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\SmartWeb\SmartWebHelper.exe, Quarantined, [afa44b942268122471ca0612f014fb05]
Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Folders: 1
PUP.Optional.SmartWeb.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\SmartWeb, Quarantined, [143fe1fe7119bd79e0b87a8be61ed62a],
Files: 5
PUP.Optional.SmartWeb.A, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\SmartWebInstaller.exe, Quarantined, [7ed529b6dbaf0a2ce0e3917760a211ef],
PUP.Optional.SmartWeb.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\SmartWeb\swhk.dll, Quarantined, [aaa914cb3d4d6cca665d4fb950b23cc4],
PUP.Optional.SmartWeb.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\SmartWeb\uninst.lnk, Quarantined, [143fe1fe7119bd79e0b87a8be61ed62a],
PUP.Optional.SmartWeb.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\SmartWeb.lnk, Quarantined, [460dd10ebcce44f289b15ebacf35cb35],
PUP.Optional.SmartWeb.A, C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\SmartWeb Upgrade Trigger Task, Quarantined, [c58e24bb56347cba0c313eda8282847c],
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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