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Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is PhraseProfessor?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that PhraseProfessor 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 PhraseProfessor?

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



and these warnings during install:







these Scheduled Tasks:



and this type of advertisements:



How did PhraseProfessor get on my computer?

Adware applications use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was bundled with other software.

How do I remove PhraseProfessor?

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 PhraseProfessor?

• No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes PhraseProfessor completely.
• This PUP creates some scheduled tasks. You can read here how to check for and, if necessary, remove Scheduled Tasks.

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 PhraseProfessor adware. It would have warned you before the application 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: PP 1.10.0.21 Client Service (ppsvc_1.10.0.21) - PhraseProfessor - C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\Service\ppsvc.exe

You may see these signs in FRST logs:

 (PhraseProfessor) C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\Service\ppsvc.exe
 R2 ppsvc_1.10.0.21; C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\Service\ppsvc.exe [300128 2015-07-28] (PhraseProfessor)
 R1 ppfd_vt_1_10_0_21; C:\Windows\System32\drivers\ppfd_vt_1_10_0_21.sys [61328 2015-07-28] (PhraseProfessor)
 C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\PhraseProfessor Auto Updater 1.10.0.21 Pending Update
 C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\PhraseProfessor Auto Updater 1.10.0.21 Core
 C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21
 (PhraseProfessor) C:\Windows\system32\Drivers\ppfd_vt_1_10_0_21.sys
 (PhraseProfessor) C:\Windows\system32\Drivers\ppfd_vw_1_10_0_21.sys

PhraseProfessor 1.10.0.21 (HKLM-x32\...\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21) (Version: 1.10.0.21 - PhraseProfessor)
Task: {14B0887F-94AB-4885-981A-45B09BC6518B} - System32\Tasks\PhraseProfessor Auto Updater 1.10.0.21 Core => C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\Update\PhraseProfessorAutoUpdateClient.exe [2015-07-28] (PhraseProfessor)
Task: {1CD40F6B-0623-48FD-98FD-0EF99BD3C00F} - System32\Tasks\PhraseProfessor Auto Updater 1.10.0.21 Pending Update => C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\Update\PhraseProfessorAutoUpdateClient.exe [2015-07-28] (PhraseProfessor)

Alterations made by the installer:

File system details [View: All details] (Selection)
---------------------------------------------------
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21
       Adds the file terms-of-service.rtf"="28/07/2015 19:40, 24499 bytes, A
       Adds the file Uninstall.exe"="28/07/2015 23:47, 316504 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\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)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\Service
       Adds the file ppsvc.exe"="28/07/2015 23:47, 300128 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\Update
       Adds the file Microsoft.Win32.TaskScheduler.dll"="30/10/2014 02:55, 185856 bytes, A
       Adds the file Nustache.Core.dll"="30/10/2014 02:55, 28672 bytes, A
       Adds the file PhraseProfessorAutoUpdateClient.exe"="28/07/2015 23:47, 64096 bytes, A
       Adds the file PhraseProfessorAutoUpdateClient.exe.config"="30/10/2014 02:55, 256 bytes, A
    In the existing folder C:\Windows\System32\drivers
       Adds the file ppfd_vt_1_10_0_21.sys"="28/07/2015 23:47, 61328 bytes, A
       Adds the file ppfd_vw_1_10_0_21.sys"="28/07/2015 23:47, 57744 bytes, A
    In the existing folder C:\Windows\System32\Tasks
       Adds the file PhraseProfessor Auto Updater 1.10.0.21 Core"="03/08/2015 11:06, 4200 bytes, A
       Adds the file PhraseProfessor Auto Updater 1.10.0.21 Pending Update"="03/08/2015 11:06, 4210 bytes, A

Registry details [View: All details] (Selection)
------------------------------------------------
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Tracing\PhraseProfessorAutoUpdateClient_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\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Tracing\PhraseProfessorAutoUpdateClient_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\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21]
       "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\Uninstall.exe"
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "PhraseProfessor 1.10.0.21"
       "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "1.10.0.21"
       "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "PhraseProfessor"
       "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\Uninstall.exe"
       "URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://www.phraseprofessor.com"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21]
       "cr-at"="REG_SZ", ""
       "cr-pid"="REG_SZ", ""
       "cr-ver"="REG_SZ", "43.0.2357.134"
       "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", "1FB0C54E-C74D-AB91-A3A6-1983589F206E"
       "ie-at"="REG_SZ", ""
       "ie-pid"="REG_SZ", ""
       "ie-ver"="REG_SZ", "11.0.9600.17914"
       "iid"="REG_SZ", "00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000"
       "itm"="REG_SZ", "2015-08-03T09:06:39Z"
       "nf-at"="REG_SZ", "CFAC8B2D-9C87-312B-2042-B038B37D952C"
       "nf-pid"="REG_SZ", "E1565589-CEFD-4451-BAED-77392A690F10"
       "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", "1.10.0.21"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\ppfd_vt_1_10_0_21]
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "ppfd_vt_1_10_0_21"
       "ErrorControl"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "Group"="REG_SZ", "PNP_TDI"
       "ImagePath"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "system32\drivers\ppfd_vt_1_10_0_21.sys"
       "Start"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "Tag"="REG_DWORD", 10
       "Type"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "WOW64"="REG_DWORD", 1
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\ppfd_vt_1_10_0_21\Enum]
       "0"="REG_SZ", "Root\LEGACY_PPFD_VT_1_10_0_21\0000"
       "Count"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "NextInstance"="REG_DWORD", 1
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\ppsvc_1.10.0.21]
       "Description"="REG_SZ", "This service enables PP 1.10.0.21 on HTTP websites"
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "PP 1.10.0.21 Client Service"
       "ErrorControl"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "ImagePath"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, ""C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\Service\ppsvc.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: 03/08/2015
Scan Time: 11:18
Logfile: mbamPhraseProfessor.txt
Administrator: Yes

Version: 2.1.8.1057
Malware Database: v2015.08.03.02
Rootkit Database: v2015.07.30.01
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: 328652
Time Elapsed: 4 min, 19 sec

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

Processes: 1
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\Service\ppsvc.exe, 2492, Delete-on-Reboot, [85e98084c9c20d29314c207daf5542be]

Modules: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys: 6
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\ppfd_vt_1_10_0_21, Quarantined, [531b11f3fb903afc97c4aff8fc08bc44], 
PUP.Optional.PhraseProfessor.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\Tree\PhraseProfessor Auto Updater 1.10.0.21 Core, Delete-on-Reboot, [2648bc484f3c58ded6072d7cc24221df], 
PUP.Optional.PhraseProfessor.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\Tree\PhraseProfessor Auto Updater 1.10.0.21 Pending Update, Delete-on-Reboot, [70fe788c256667cfc914cedb7c88748c], 
PUP.Optional.PhraseProfessor.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21, Quarantined, [6e00dd27d1ba231307d8733618ec9a66], 
PUP.Optional.PhraseProfessor.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21, Quarantined, [3e30966ec1ca6bcb76686a3ff01423dd], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\PPSVC_1.10.0.21, Quarantined, [85e98084c9c20d29314c207daf5542be], 

Registry Values: 2
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\ppfd_vt_1_10_0_21|ImagePath, system32\drivers\ppfd_vt_1_10_0_21.sys, Quarantined, [422c9272f5965bdb79e3aafdae567a86]
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\ppsvc_1.10.0.21|ImagePath, "C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\Service\ppsvc.exe", Quarantined, [85e98084c9c20d29314c207daf5542be]

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folders: 4
PUP.Optional.PhraseProfessor.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21, Delete-on-Reboot, [76f863a196f5ff37b41fac62ed16bc44], 
PUP.Optional.PhraseProfessor.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\3rd Party Licenses, Quarantined, [76f863a196f5ff37b41fac62ed16bc44], 
PUP.Optional.PhraseProfessor.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\Service, Delete-on-Reboot, [76f863a196f5ff37b41fac62ed16bc44], 
PUP.Optional.PhraseProfessor.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\Update, Quarantined, [76f863a196f5ff37b41fac62ed16bc44], 

Files: 23
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Windows\System32\drivers\ppfd_vt_1_10_0_21.sys, Delete-on-Reboot, [d242fc81042747b8bd7fee727eae0633], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Windows\System32\drivers\ppfd_vw_1_10_0_21.sys, Delete-on-Reboot, [f610c1a86b1423cbef27951ccd3b907a], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-hardwareprofile-v0001, Quarantined, [f975996bc7c435019c2fc9c8e81c6799], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-install-v0003, Quarantined, [511d74902566072f02c9afe2aa5a2bd5], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-processes-v0002, Quarantined, [ea840df7c5c6f93dbc0fc3ce0301d22e], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-scheduledtasks-v0001, Quarantined, [a9c5c63e860563d3c605a0f107fd54ac], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-softwareregkeys-v0002, Quarantined, [3f2f24e0305bd26458738c0538cc7789], 
PUP.Optional.PhraseProfessor.A, C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\PhraseProfessor Auto Updater 1.10.0.21 Core, Quarantined, [d29cbf450c7f70c6d604b7f2c73da759], 
PUP.Optional.PhraseProfessor.A, C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\PhraseProfessor Auto Updater 1.10.0.21 Pending Update, Quarantined, [4f1f55af4c3f93a3a337b4f5ce36e719], 
PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\Service\ppsvc.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [85e98084c9c20d29314c207daf5542be], 
PUP.Optional.PhraseProfessor.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\terms-of-service.rtf, Quarantined, [76f863a196f5ff37b41fac62ed16bc44], 
PUP.Optional.PhraseProfessor.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\Uninstall.exe, Quarantined, [76f863a196f5ff37b41fac62ed16bc44], 
PUP.Optional.PhraseProfessor.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\3rd Party Licenses\buildcrx-license.txt, Quarantined, [76f863a196f5ff37b41fac62ed16bc44], 
PUP.Optional.PhraseProfessor.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\3rd Party Licenses\Info-ZIP-license.txt, Quarantined, [76f863a196f5ff37b41fac62ed16bc44], 
PUP.Optional.PhraseProfessor.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\3rd Party Licenses\JSON-simple-license.txt, Quarantined, [76f863a196f5ff37b41fac62ed16bc44], 
PUP.Optional.PhraseProfessor.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\3rd Party Licenses\nsJSON-license.txt, Quarantined, [76f863a196f5ff37b41fac62ed16bc44], 
PUP.Optional.PhraseProfessor.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\3rd Party Licenses\Nustache-license.txt, Quarantined, [76f863a196f5ff37b41fac62ed16bc44], 
PUP.Optional.PhraseProfessor.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\3rd Party Licenses\TaskScheduler-license.txt, Quarantined, [76f863a196f5ff37b41fac62ed16bc44], 
PUP.Optional.PhraseProfessor.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\3rd Party Licenses\UAC-license.txt, Quarantined, [76f863a196f5ff37b41fac62ed16bc44], 
PUP.Optional.PhraseProfessor.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\Update\Microsoft.Win32.TaskScheduler.dll, Quarantined, [76f863a196f5ff37b41fac62ed16bc44], 
PUP.Optional.PhraseProfessor.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\Update\Nustache.Core.dll, Quarantined, [76f863a196f5ff37b41fac62ed16bc44], 
PUP.Optional.PhraseProfessor.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\Update\PhraseProfessorAutoUpdateClient.exe, Quarantined, [76f863a196f5ff37b41fac62ed16bc44], 
PUP.Optional.PhraseProfessor.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\PhraseProfessor_1.10.0.21\Update\PhraseProfessorAutoUpdateClient.exe.config, Quarantined, [76f863a196f5ff37b41fac62ed16bc44], 

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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