What is DNS Keeper?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that DNS Keeper is adware. These adware applications display advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing.
This adware is a DNS hijacker.
How do I know if my computer is affected by DNS Keeper?
You may see this entry in your list of installed programs:
and this warning during install:
and this Scheduled Task :
How did DNS Keeper get on my computer?
Adware applications use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was bundled with other software.
How do I remove DNS Keeper?
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 DNS Keeper completely.
- 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 adware application.
As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware would have protected you against the DNS Keeper 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:
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{45B09BD0-96AE-417A-BE38-54811B4E2126}: NameServer = 82.163.143.160,82.163.142.162 O17 - HKLM\System\CS1\Services\Tcpip\..\{45B09BD0-96AE-417A-BE38-54811B4E2126}: NameServer = 82.163.143.160,82.163.142.162You may see these signs in FRST logs:
() C:\Program Files (x86)\DNS Keeper\dnstolley.exe Tcpip\..\Interfaces\{45B09BD0-96AE-417A-BE38-54811B4E2126}: [NameServer] 82.163.143.160,82.163.142.162 C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\DNSTOLLEY C:\Program Files (x86)\DNS Keeper DNS Keeper version 1.3 (HKLM-x32\...\{E1527582-8509-4011-B922-29E3FB548882}_is1) (Version: 1.3 - www.vidpot.tv) Task: {E223DB36-E378-4CFF-B711-150915352B09} - System32\Tasks\DNSTOLLEY => C:\Program Files (x86)\DNS Keeper\dnstolley.exe [2015-08-12] ()Alterations made by the installer:
File system details [View: All details] (Selection) --------------------------------------------------- Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\DNS Keeper Adds the file config.ini"="12/08/2015 15:39, 468 bytes, A Adds the file ConsoleApplication1.dll"="12/08/2015 15:39, 241664 bytes, A Adds the file DNSTOLLEY.cer"="12/08/2015 15:39, 1099 bytes, A Adds the file dnstolley.exe"="12/08/2015 15:39, 628224 bytes, A Adds the file Info.rtf"="12/08/2015 15:39, 1567 bytes, A Adds the file License.rtf"="12/08/2015 15:39, 22275 bytes, A Adds the file LogoBlack.ico"="12/08/2015 15:39, 38059 bytes, A Adds the file LogoGreen.ico"="12/08/2015 15:39, 57754 bytes, A Adds the file LogoYellow.ico"="12/08/2015 15:39, 58346 bytes, A Adds the file Microsoft.Win32.TaskScheduler.dll"="12/08/2015 15:39, 239616 bytes, A Adds the file settings.ini"="18/09/2015 09:00, 19 bytes, A Adds the file unins000.dat"="18/09/2015 08:59, 18440 bytes, A Adds the file unins000.exe"="18/09/2015 08:57, 719521 bytes, A Adds the file ZonaTools.XPlorerBar.dll"="12/08/2015 15:39, 67584 bytes, A In the existing folder C:\Windows\System32\Tasks Adds the file DNSTOLLEY"="18/09/2015 08:59, 26340 bytes, A Registry details [View: All details] (Selection) ------------------------------------------------ [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\5da059a482fd494db3f252126fbc3d5b] "DP"="REG_SZ", "47" "FX"="REG_SZ", "1" "SDP1"="REG_SZ", "00001" "SDP2"="REG_SZ", "00001" "status"="REG_SZ", "1" "UID"="REG_SZ", "43e50dc2737246f081ab04e666dd87bf" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\5da059a482fd494db3f252126fbc3d5b] "FX"="REG_SZ", "1" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\5da059a482fd494db3f252126fbc3d5b\Settings] "InstallPath"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\DNS Keeper" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{E1527582-8509-4011-B922-29E3FB548882}_is1] "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "DNS Keeper version 1.3" "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "1.3" "EstimatedSize"="REG_DWORD", 2927 "Inno Setup: App Path"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\DNS Keeper" "Inno Setup: Icon Group"="REG_SZ", "DNS Keeper" "Inno Setup: Language"="REG_SZ", "english" "Inno Setup: Setup Version"="REG_SZ", "5.5.5 (a)" "Inno Setup: User"="REG_SZ", "{username}" "InstallDate"="REG_SZ", "20150918" "InstallLocation"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\DNS Keeper\" "MajorVersion"="REG_DWORD", 1 "MinorVersion"="REG_DWORD", 3 "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1 "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1 "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "www.vidpot.tv" "QuietUninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\DNS Keeper\unins000.exe" /SILENT" "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\DNS Keeper\unins000.exe"" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces\{45B09BD0-96AE-417A-BE38-54811B4E2126}] "NameServer"= REG_SZ, "82.163.143.160,82.163.142.162"Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware www.malwarebytes.org Scan Date: 18/09/2015 Scan Time: 09:10 Logfile: mbamDNSkeeper.txt Administrator: Yes Version: 2.1.8.1057 Malware Database: v2015.09.18.02 Rootkit Database: v2015.08.16.01 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: 333046 Time Elapsed: 4 min, 18 sec Memory: Enabled Startup: Enabled Filesystem: Enabled Archives: Enabled Rootkits: Enabled Heuristics: Enabled PUP: Enabled PUM: Enabled Processes: 2 PUP.Optional.DNSUnlocker, C:\Program Files (x86)\DNS Keeper\dnstolley.exe, 3356, Delete-on-Reboot, [baa0969b4c3fab8b33013f782ed33fc1] PUP.Optional.DNSUnlocker, C:\Program Files (x86)\DNS Keeper\dnstolley.exe, 2156, Delete-on-Reboot, [baa0969b4c3fab8b33013f782ed33fc1] Modules: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Keys: 2 PUP.Optional.DNSUnlocker.BrwsrFlsh, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TREE\DNSTOLLEY, Delete-on-Reboot, [d3874be652396cca67b6255a17edff01], PUP.Optional.DNSKeeper.BrwsrFlsh, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\{E1527582-8509-4011-B922-29E3FB548882}_is1, Quarantined, [0a50ea47008b8ea81010fe033ec5768a], Registry Values: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Data: 1 Trojan.DNSChanger, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\TCPIP\PARAMETERS\Interfaces\{45B09BD0-96AE-417A-BE38-54811B4E2126}|NameServer, 82.163.143.160,82.163.142.162, Good: (), Bad: (82.163.143.160,82.163.142.162),Replaced,[ee6cc0712962b482f732c1b222e3fa06] Folders: 1 PUP.Optional.DNSKeeper.BrwsrFlsh, C:\Program Files (x86)\DNS Keeper, Delete-on-Reboot, [0a50ea47008b8ea81010fe033ec5768a], Files: 16 PUP.Optional.DNSUnlocker, C:\Program Files (x86)\DNS Keeper\dnstolley.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [baa0969b4c3fab8b33013f782ed33fc1], PUP.Optional.DNSKeeper, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\DNS Keeper.exe, Quarantined, [362441f093f8c4722790756b9d64fa06], PUP.Optional.DNSUnlocker, C:\Program Files (x86)\DNS Keeper\ZonaTools.XPlorerBar.dll, Quarantined, [69f1d75a5734ac8ae0d59027aa578b75], PUP.Optional.DNSUnlocker.BrwsrFlsh, C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\DNSTOLLEY, Quarantined, [5109cc65ff8c5ed81108413e2ed67888], PUP.Optional.DNSKeeper.BrwsrFlsh, C:\Program Files (x86)\DNS Keeper\config.ini, Quarantined, [0a50ea47008b8ea81010fe033ec5768a], PUP.Optional.DNSKeeper.BrwsrFlsh, C:\Program Files (x86)\DNS Keeper\ConsoleApplication1.dll, Quarantined, [0a50ea47008b8ea81010fe033ec5768a], PUP.Optional.DNSKeeper.BrwsrFlsh, C:\Program Files (x86)\DNS Keeper\DNSTOLLEY.cer, Quarantined, [0a50ea47008b8ea81010fe033ec5768a], PUP.Optional.DNSKeeper.BrwsrFlsh, C:\Program Files (x86)\DNS Keeper\Info.rtf, Quarantined, [0a50ea47008b8ea81010fe033ec5768a], PUP.Optional.DNSKeeper.BrwsrFlsh, C:\Program Files (x86)\DNS Keeper\License.rtf, Quarantined, [0a50ea47008b8ea81010fe033ec5768a], PUP.Optional.DNSKeeper.BrwsrFlsh, C:\Program Files (x86)\DNS Keeper\LogoBlack.ico, Quarantined, [0a50ea47008b8ea81010fe033ec5768a], PUP.Optional.DNSKeeper.BrwsrFlsh, C:\Program Files (x86)\DNS Keeper\LogoGreen.ico, Quarantined, [0a50ea47008b8ea81010fe033ec5768a], PUP.Optional.DNSKeeper.BrwsrFlsh, C:\Program Files (x86)\DNS Keeper\LogoYellow.ico, Quarantined, [0a50ea47008b8ea81010fe033ec5768a], PUP.Optional.DNSKeeper.BrwsrFlsh, C:\Program Files (x86)\DNS Keeper\Microsoft.Win32.TaskScheduler.dll, Delete-on-Reboot, [0a50ea47008b8ea81010fe033ec5768a], PUP.Optional.DNSKeeper.BrwsrFlsh, C:\Program Files (x86)\DNS Keeper\settings.ini, Quarantined, [0a50ea47008b8ea81010fe033ec5768a], PUP.Optional.DNSKeeper.BrwsrFlsh, C:\Program Files (x86)\DNS Keeper\unins000.dat, Quarantined, [0a50ea47008b8ea81010fe033ec5768a], PUP.Optional.DNSKeeper.BrwsrFlsh, C:\Program Files (x86)\DNS Keeper\unins000.exe, Quarantined, [0a50ea47008b8ea81010fe033ec5768a], 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