What is Search Know?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Search Know 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 effected by Search Know?
This is how the first screen of the installer looks:
And you may see these browser extensions/add-ons:
and this entry in your list of installed programs:
How did Search Know get on my computer?
Browser hijackers use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was bundled with other software.
How do I remove Search Know?
Our program Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can detect and remove this potentially unwanted application.
- 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.
- No, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware removes Search Know completely.
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 Search Know 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: Search Know - {267900e9-d7c1-4e8e-b09b-23b437693506} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Search Know\Extensions\267900e9-d7c1-4e8e-b09b-23b437693506.dllPossible signs in FRST logs:
BHO-x32: Search Know -> {267900e9-d7c1-4e8e-b09b-23b437693506} -> C:\Program Files (x86)\Search Know\Extensions\267900e9-d7c1-4e8e-b09b-23b437693506.dll [2015-11-04] () FF Extension: Search Know - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\Extensions\[email protected] [2015-11-04] [not signed] C:\Program Files (x86)\Search Know Search Know (HKLM-x32\...\Search Know) (Version: 2.0.5785.36654 - Search Know) <==== ATTENTIONAlterations made by the installer:
File system details [View: All details] (Selection) --------------------------------------------------- Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Search Know Adds the file 7za.exe"="03/11/2015 23:27, 536064 bytes, A Adds the file Uninstaller.exe"="04/11/2015 05:21, 313416 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Search Know\Extensions Adds the file 267900e9-d7c1-4e8e-b09b-23b437693506.dll"="04/11/2015 04:26, 145608 bytes, A Adds the file [email protected]"="04/11/2015 05:10, 9133 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\extensions Adds the file [email protected]"="04/11/2015 05:10, 9133 bytes, A Registry details [View: All details] (Selection) ------------------------------------------------ [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\none] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "78039093-797D-499F-8B9F-BC39300094BF" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{F4D738F7-CF85-4D7D-88B0-D24E78E0426E}] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "ISearchKnowBHO" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{F4D738F7-CF85-4D7D-88B0-D24E78E0426E}\ProxyStubClsid32] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{00020424-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{F4D738F7-CF85-4D7D-88B0-D24E78E0426E}\TypeLib] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{6DF7B721-D460-476E-A657-5A3E359A9104}" "Version"="REG_SZ", "1.0" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{6DF7B721-D460-476E-A657-5A3E359A9104}\1.0] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "SearchKnowIEClientLib" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{6DF7B721-D460-476E-A657-5A3E359A9104}\1.0\0\win32] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\Search Know\Extensions\267900e9-d7c1-4e8e-b09b-23b437693506.dll" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{6DF7B721-D460-476E-A657-5A3E359A9104}\1.0\FLAGS] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "0" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{6DF7B721-D460-476E-A657-5A3E359A9104}\1.0\HELPDIR] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\Search Know\Extensions" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{267900e9-d7c1-4e8e-b09b-23b437693506}] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "Search Know" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{267900e9-d7c1-4e8e-b09b-23b437693506}\InprocServer32] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\Search Know\Extensions\267900e9-d7c1-4e8e-b09b-23b437693506.dll" "ThreadingModel"="REG_SZ", "Apartment" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{267900e9-d7c1-4e8e-b09b-23b437693506}\Programmable] [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{267900e9-d7c1-4e8e-b09b-23b437693506}\TypeLib] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{6df7b721-d460-476e-a657-5a3e359a9104}" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{267900e9-d7c1-4e8e-b09b-23b437693506}\Version] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "1.0" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{99415057-7C50-439D-AA20-02D83C071B61}] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "1" "{99415057-7C50-439D-AA20-02D83C071B61}"="REG_SZ", "{99415057-7C50-439D-AA20-02D83C071B61}" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{F83D1872-D9FF-47F8-B5A0-49CC51E24EE8}] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "642caa45-644f-43ec-b997-0081f0fcc42f" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\none] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "78039093-797D-499F-8B9F-BC39300094BF" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\Interface\{F4D738F7-CF85-4D7D-88B0-D24E78E0426E}] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "ISearchKnowBHO" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\Interface\{F4D738F7-CF85-4D7D-88B0-D24E78E0426E}\ProxyStubClsid32] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{00020424-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\Interface\{F4D738F7-CF85-4D7D-88B0-D24E78E0426E}\TypeLib] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "{6DF7B721-D460-476E-A657-5A3E359A9104}" "Version"="REG_SZ", "1.0" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{267900e9-d7c1-4e8e-b09b-23b437693506}] "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "Search Know" "NoExplorer"="REG_DWORD", 1 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Search Know] "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\Search Know\uninstaller.exe"" "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "Search Know" "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "2.0.5785.36654" "EstimatedSize"="REG_DWORD", 980 "HelpLink"="REG_SZ", "mailto:[email protected]" "InstallDate"="REG_SZ", "20151104" "InstallLocation"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\Search Know" "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1 "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1 "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "Search Know" "QuietUninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\Search Know\uninstaller.exe"" "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Program Files (x86)\Search Know\uninstaller.exe"" "URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://www.searchitknow.com/support" "URLUpdateInfo"="REG_SZ", "http://www.searchitknow.com" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\SearchKnow] "cg"="REG_SZ", "642caa45-644f-43ec-b997-0081f0fcc42f"Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware www.malwarebytes.org Scan Date: 04/11/2015 Scan Time: 08:32 Logfile: mbamSearchKnow.txt Administrator: Yes Version: 2.2.0.1020 Malware Database: v2015.11.04.02 Rootkit Database: v2015.10.28.01 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: 306013 Time Elapsed: 4 min, 55 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: 17 PUP.Optional.Yontoo, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\CLASSES\CLSID\{267900e9-d7c1-4e8e-b09b-23b437693506}, Quarantined, [9f6395e5cdbe89ad105dfa3cd42e6c94], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\WOW6432NODE\CLSID\{267900e9-d7c1-4e8e-b09b-23b437693506}, Quarantined, [9f6395e5cdbe89ad105dfa3cd42e6c94], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\TYPELIB\{6df7b721-d460-476e-a657-5a3e359a9104}, Quarantined, [9f6395e5cdbe89ad105dfa3cd42e6c94], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\INTERFACE\{F4D738F7-CF85-4D7D-88B0-D24E78E0426E}, Quarantined, [9f6395e5cdbe89ad105dfa3cd42e6c94], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\CLASSES\INTERFACE\{F4D738F7-CF85-4D7D-88B0-D24E78E0426E}, Quarantined, [9f6395e5cdbe89ad105dfa3cd42e6c94], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\WOW6432NODE\INTERFACE\{F4D738F7-CF85-4D7D-88B0-D24E78E0426E}, Quarantined, [9f6395e5cdbe89ad105dfa3cd42e6c94], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\CLASSES\TYPELIB\{6df7b721-d460-476e-a657-5a3e359a9104}, Quarantined, [9f6395e5cdbe89ad105dfa3cd42e6c94], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\WOW6432NODE\TYPELIB\{6df7b721-d460-476e-a657-5a3e359a9104}, Quarantined, [9f6395e5cdbe89ad105dfa3cd42e6c94], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\EXPLORER\BROWSER HELPER OBJECTS\{267900E9-D7C1-4E8E-B09B-23B437693506}, Quarantined, [9f6395e5cdbe89ad105dfa3cd42e6c94], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\EXT\SETTINGS\{267900E9-D7C1-4E8E-B09B-23B437693506}, Quarantined, [9f6395e5cdbe89ad105dfa3cd42e6c94], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\EXT\STATS\{267900E9-D7C1-4E8E-B09B-23B437693506}, Quarantined, [9f6395e5cdbe89ad105dfa3cd42e6c94], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\CLASSES\CLSID\{99415057-7C50-439D-AA20-02D83C071B61}, Quarantined, [3bc7c0ba6922e4520d67c63dd72b02fe], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\WOW6432NODE\CLSID\{99415057-7C50-439D-AA20-02D83C071B61}, Quarantined, [3bc7c0ba6922e4520d67c63dd72b02fe], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\CLASSES\CLSID\{F83D1872-D9FF-47F8-B5A0-49CC51E24EE8}, Quarantined, [f2104139b5d6e452d99cc43fe121ea16], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\WOW6432NODE\CLSID\{F83D1872-D9FF-47F8-B5A0-49CC51E24EE8}, Quarantined, [f2104139b5d6e452d99cc43fe121ea16], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\Search Know, Quarantined, [3cc6057596f5d462e4a59bff36cb748c], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\SearchKnow, Quarantined, [b44e7703deadf3437f79cb00fd063dc3], Registry Values: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Data: 0 (No malicious items detected) Folders: 3 PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\Program Files (x86)\Search Know, Quarantined, [bb476317236866d03ab50a6e0cf6827e], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\Program Files (x86)\Search Know\Extensions, Quarantined, [bb476317236866d03ab50a6e0cf6827e], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\Search Know, Quarantined, [48ba39411a71a5910ae6c8b0bd454bb5], Files: 6 PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\Program Files (x86)\Search Know\Extensions\267900e9-d7c1-4e8e-b09b-23b437693506.dll, Quarantined, [9f6395e5cdbe89ad105dfa3cd42e6c94], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\SearchKnow.exe, Quarantined, [10f22258bfcc1323f6934f4b61a09b65], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\Program Files (x86)\Search Know\Uninstaller.exe, Quarantined, [3cc6057596f5d462e4a59bff36cb748c], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\t59s5t8p.default\extensions\[email protected], Quarantined, [3ac894e6d8b3171f15e1ac1f6f94f20e], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\Program Files (x86)\Search Know\7za.exe, Quarantined, [bb476317236866d03ab50a6e0cf6827e], PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\Program Files (x86)\Search Know\Extensions\[email protected], Quarantined, [bb476317236866d03ab50a6e0cf6827e], 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