Removal instructions for Gem Grab

Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is Gem Grab?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Gem Grab 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 Gem Grab?

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

and this warning during install:

and these browser add-ons:

How did Gem Grab get on my computer?

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

How do I remove Gem Grab?

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 Gem Grab?

No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes Gem Grab 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 Gem Grab hijacker. 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

Signs in a HijackThis log:

O2 - BHO: Gem Grab - {8a9f7308-7b78-41c3-ba2a-823585a354ab} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Gem Grab\Extensions\8a9f7308-7b78-41c3-ba2a-823585a354ab.dll

Possible signs in FRST logs:

 BHO-x32: Gem Grab -> {8a9f7308-7b78-41c3-ba2a-823585a354ab} -> C:\Program Files (x86)\Gem Grab\Extensions\8a9f7308-7b78-41c3-ba2a-823585a354ab.dll [2015-08-07] ()
 FF Extension: Gem Grab - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\Extensions\[email protected] [2015-08-07]
 C:\Program Files (x86)\Gem Grab

Gem Grab (HKLM-x32\...\Gem Grab) (Version: 2.0.5696.42568 - Gem Grab) <==== ATTENTION

Alterations made by the installer:

File system details [View: All details] (Selection)
---------------------------------------------------
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Gem Grab
       Adds the file 7za.exe"="07/08/2015 00:57, 536064 bytes, A
       Adds the file Uninstaller.exe"="07/08/2015 08:38, 313600 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Gem Grab\Extensions
       Adds the file 8a9f7308-7b78-41c3-ba2a-823585a354ab.dll"="07/08/2015 00:42, 145600 bytes, A
       Adds the file [email protected]"="07/08/2015 00:42, 11836 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\extensions
       Adds the file [email protected]"="07/08/2015 00:42, 11836 bytes, A

Registry details [View: All details] (Selection)
------------------------------------------------
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{9627596A-5D81-4496-A44B-108A799B7CBC}]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "IGemGrabBHO"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{9627596A-5D81-4496-A44B-108A799B7CBC}\ProxyStubClsid32]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{00020424-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{9627596A-5D81-4496-A44B-108A799B7CBC}\TypeLib]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{554F9BA2-31E3-40DE-B9C4-04026007DD5D}"
       "Version"="REG_SZ", "1.0"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{554F9BA2-31E3-40DE-B9C4-04026007DD5D}\1.0]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "GemGrabIEClientLib"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{554F9BA2-31E3-40DE-B9C4-04026007DD5D}\1.0\0\win32]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\Gem Grab\Extensions\8a9f7308-7b78-41c3-ba2a-823585a354ab.dll"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{554F9BA2-31E3-40DE-B9C4-04026007DD5D}\1.0\FLAGS]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "0"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{554F9BA2-31E3-40DE-B9C4-04026007DD5D}\1.0\HELPDIR]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\Gem Grab\Extensions"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{8a9f7308-7b78-41c3-ba2a-823585a354ab}]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "Gem Grab"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{8a9f7308-7b78-41c3-ba2a-823585a354ab}\InprocServer32]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\Gem Grab\Extensions\8a9f7308-7b78-41c3-ba2a-823585a354ab.dll"
       "ThreadingModel"="REG_SZ", "Apartment"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{8a9f7308-7b78-41c3-ba2a-823585a354ab}\Programmable]
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{8a9f7308-7b78-41c3-ba2a-823585a354ab}\TypeLib]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{554f9ba2-31e3-40de-b9c4-04026007dd5d}"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{8a9f7308-7b78-41c3-ba2a-823585a354ab}\Version]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "1.0"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{B853E835-9F24-4F4B-B55C-E554D15CCCD2}]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "1"
       "{B853E835-9F24-4F4B-B55C-E554D15CCCD2}"="REG_SZ", "{B853E835-9F24-4F4B-B55C-E554D15CCCD2}"
       "1"="REG_SZ", ""
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{F83D1872-D9FF-47F8-B5A0-49CC51E24EE8}]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "063de4a6-90e7-4b51-9bc0-5b49cf9b7f64"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\Interface\{9627596A-5D81-4496-A44B-108A799B7CBC}]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "IGemGrabBHO"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\Interface\{9627596A-5D81-4496-A44B-108A799B7CBC}\ProxyStubClsid32]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{00020424-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\Interface\{9627596A-5D81-4496-A44B-108A799B7CBC}\TypeLib]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{554F9BA2-31E3-40DE-B9C4-04026007DD5D}"
       "Version"="REG_SZ", "1.0"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\GemGrab]
       "cg"="REG_SZ", "063de4a6-90e7-4b51-9bc0-5b49cf9b7f64"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{8a9f7308-7b78-41c3-ba2a-823585a354ab}]
       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "Gem Grab"
       "NoExplorer"="REG_DWORD", 1
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Gem Grab]
       "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\Gem Grab\uninstaller.exe""
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "Gem Grab"
       "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "2.0.5696.42568"
       "EstimatedSize"="REG_DWORD", 983
       "HelpLink"="REG_SZ", "mailto:[email protected]"
       "InstallDate"="REG_SZ", "20150807"
       "InstallLocation"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\Gem Grab"
       "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "Gem Grab"
       "QuietUninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\Gem Grab\uninstaller.exe""
       "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\Gem Grab\uninstaller.exe""
       "URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://www.gemgrab.net/support"
       "URLUpdateInfo"="REG_SZ", "http://www.gemgrab.net"

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
www.malwarebytes.org

Scan Date: 07/08/2015
Scan Time: 09:09
Logfile: mbamGemGrab.txt
Administrator: Yes

Version: 2.1.8.1057
Malware Database: v2015.08.07.01
Rootkit Database: v2015.08.06.01
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: 329533
Time Elapsed: 4 min, 9 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: 11
PUP.Optional.GemGrab.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\CLASSES\CLSID\{8a9f7308-7b78-41c3-ba2a-823585a354ab}, Quarantined, [7a8365a02f5c95a14df6197426dc9967], 
PUP.Optional.GemGrab.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\WOW6432NODE\CLSID\{8a9f7308-7b78-41c3-ba2a-823585a354ab}, Quarantined, [7a8365a02f5c95a14df6197426dc9967], 
PUP.Optional.GemGrab.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\TYPELIB\{554f9ba2-31e3-40de-b9c4-04026007dd5d}, Quarantined, [7a8365a02f5c95a14df6197426dc9967], 
PUP.Optional.GemGrab.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\INTERFACE\{9627596A-5D81-4496-A44B-108A799B7CBC}, Quarantined, [7a8365a02f5c95a14df6197426dc9967], 
PUP.Optional.GemGrab.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\CLASSES\INTERFACE\{9627596A-5D81-4496-A44B-108A799B7CBC}, Quarantined, [7a8365a02f5c95a14df6197426dc9967], 
PUP.Optional.GemGrab.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\WOW6432NODE\INTERFACE\{9627596A-5D81-4496-A44B-108A799B7CBC}, Quarantined, [7a8365a02f5c95a14df6197426dc9967], 
PUP.Optional.GemGrab.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\CLASSES\TYPELIB\{554f9ba2-31e3-40de-b9c4-04026007dd5d}, Quarantined, [7a8365a02f5c95a14df6197426dc9967], 
PUP.Optional.GemGrab.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\WOW6432NODE\TYPELIB\{554f9ba2-31e3-40de-b9c4-04026007dd5d}, Quarantined, [7a8365a02f5c95a14df6197426dc9967], 
PUP.Optional.GemGrab.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\EXPLORER\BROWSER HELPER OBJECTS\{8A9F7308-7B78-41C3-BA2A-823585A354AB}, Quarantined, [7a8365a02f5c95a14df6197426dc9967], 
PUP.Optional.GemGrab.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\Gem Grab, Quarantined, [ab52ab5aa8e32a0c264dea962dd86d93], 
PUP.Optional.GemGrab.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\GemGrab, Quarantined, [bf3e50b56427b3832615c1eb34d00bf5], 

Registry Values: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folders: 3
PUP.Optional.GemGrab.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\Gem Grab, Quarantined, [ba43e5207d0e82b44d33f61b1ee5d62a], 
PUP.Optional.GemGrab.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\Gem Grab\Extensions, Quarantined, [ba43e5207d0e82b44d33f61b1ee5d62a], 
PUP.Optional.GemGrab.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\Gem Grab, Quarantined, [7c815fa6d0bb50e6701133de0df637c9], 

Files: 6
PUP.Optional.GemGrab.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\Gem Grab\Extensions\8a9f7308-7b78-41c3-ba2a-823585a354ab.dll, Quarantined, [7a8365a02f5c95a14df6197426dc9967], 
PUP.Optional.GemGrab.A, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\e90.exe, Quarantined, [21dcc540315a41f5076cdca4a95c5ca4], 
PUP.Optional.GemGrab.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\Gem Grab\Uninstaller.exe, Quarantined, [ab52ab5aa8e32a0c264dea962dd86d93], 
PUP.Optional.GemGrab.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\extensions\[email protected], Quarantined, [d6273bca7b10181e786df21f9d6619e7], 
PUP.Optional.GemGrab.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\Gem Grab\7za.exe, Quarantined, [ba43e5207d0e82b44d33f61b1ee5d62a], 
PUP.Optional.GemGrab.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\Gem Grab\Extensions\[email protected], Quarantined, [ba43e5207d0e82b44d33f61b1ee5d62a], 

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 07 August 2015 - 01:51 AM

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