What is Webalta?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Webalta 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.
How do I know if my computer is affected by Webalta?
You may see these entries in your list of installed software:
and these warnings in your Chrome Settings menu:
these browser add-ons:
these Scheduled Tasks:
and you will see these icons in your taskbar and on your desktop:
How did Webalta get on my computer?
Browser hijackers use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was bundled with other software.
How do I remove Webalta?
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.
- No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes Webalta completely.
- Please read the next post in this thread to find - optional - removal instructions for other programs you may find in this bundle.
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 Webalta 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
Possible signs in FRST logs (please note that these include bundled but legitimate items):
Internet Explorer Version 11 (Default browser: "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Amigo\Application\amigo.exe" -- "%1") (Mail.Ru) C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Mail.Ru\MailRuUpdater.exe (Mail.Ru) C:\Program Files (x86)\Mail.Ru\MailRuUpdater\MailRuUpdater.exe (Mail.Ru) C:\Program Files (x86)\Mail.Ru\Update Service\mrupdsrv.exe HKCU\...\Run: [MailRuUpdater] => C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Mail.Ru\MailRuUpdater.exe [6273240 2016-04-07] (Mail.Ru) HKCU\...\Run: [amigo] => C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Amigo\Application\amigo.exe [692952 2015-11-17] (Mail.Ru) HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = hxxp://mail.ru/cnt/10445?gp=801408 SearchScopes: HKCU -> DefaultScope {FFEBBF0A-C22C-4172-89FF-45215A135AC7} URL = hxxp://go.mail.ru/search?q={SearchTerms}&fr=iextn&gp=801908 SearchScopes: HKCU -> {FFEBBF0A-C22C-4172-89FF-45215A135AC7} URL = hxxp://go.mail.ru/search?q={SearchTerms}&fr=iextn&gp=801908 BHO-x32: �����@Mail.Ru -> {8E8F97CD-60B5-456F-A201-73065652D099} -> C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Mail.Ru\Sputnik\IESearchPlugin.dll [2016-04-08] (Mail.Ru) FF DefaultSearchEngine: @Mail.Ru FF SelectedSearchEngine: [email protected] FF Homepage: hxxps://mail.ru/cnt/11956636?fr=ffhp1.0.2&gp=801408 FF Keyword.URL: hxxp://go.mail.ru/distib/ep/?product_id=%7B880697CB-2973-45B7-BAFF-6C2EBFD37EEC%7D&gp=801908 FF Plugin HKCU: @unity3d.com/UnityPlayer,version=1.0 -> C:\Users\{username}\AppData\LocalLow\Unity\WebPlayer\loader\npUnity3D32.dll [2015-06-08] (Unity Technologies ApS) FF SearchPlugin: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\searchplugins\mailru.xml [2016-04-08] FF Extension: ?????????? ???????? @Mail.Ru - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\extensions\{a38384b3-2d1d-4f36-bc22-0f7ae402bcd7} [2016-04-08] FF Extension: Neiron Search Tools - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\extensions\[email protected] [2016-04-08] FF Extension: ???????? ???????? Mail.Ru - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\Extensions\[email protected] [2016-04-08] FF Extension: [email protected] - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{profile}.default\Extensions\[email protected] [2016-04-08] CHR HomePage: Default -> mail.ru/cnt/11956636?rciguc__PARAM__ CHR StartupUrls: Default -> "hxxp://mail.ru/cnt/10445?gp=801408" CHR DefaultSearchURL: Default -> hxxp://go.mail.ru/distib/ep/?q={searchTerms}&product_id=%7B62B572A8-2CCE-4B90-ABED-10355C20A8A9%7D&gp=801908 CHR DefaultSearchKeyword: Default -> go.mail.ru CHR DefaultSuggestURL: Default -> hxxp://suggests.go.mail.ru/ff3?q={searchTerms} CHR Extension: (Mail.Ru) - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\bgcifljfapbhgiehkjlckfjmgeojijcb [2016-04-08] CHR Extension: (???????? ???????? Mail.Ru) - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lbjjfiihgfegniolckphpnfaokdkbmdm [2016-04-08] CHR Extension: (?????????? ???????? Mail.Ru) - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\oelpkepjlgmehajehfeicfbjdiobdkfj [2016-04-08] OPR Extension: (Neiron Search Tools) - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Opera Software\Opera Stable\Extensions\mhljmbhdpcbofeflpfiehajciopgajen [2016-04-08] R2 mrupdsrv; C:\Program Files (x86)\Mail.Ru\Update Service\mrupdsrv.exe [2555096 2016-04-07] (Mail.Ru) R2 Updater.Mail.Ru; C:\Program Files (x86)\Mail.Ru\MailRuUpdater\MailRuUpdater.exe [6273240 2016-04-07] (Mail.Ru) C:\Program Files (x86)\Mail.Ru C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\MailRuUpdater C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\????????.lnk C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\?????????????.lnk C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\?????????.lnk C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\????????.lnk C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\?????????????.lnk C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\?????????.lnk C:\Users\{username}\AppData\LocalLow\Unity C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Unity C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\MailProducts C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Mail.Ru C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Amigo C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\PhoenixBrowser Updater C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\?????? ? ?????????.url C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\phoenixguard C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Neiron C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\everysale4 C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PhoenixBrowserUpdater C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Web Search Tools C:\ProgramData\Mail.Ru C:\Program Files (x86)\Twilight Tech C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\gua.exe C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\int_mm_s.exe C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\lfs.exe C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\mtm_p.exe C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\nrn_tmp.exe C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\setup_.exe C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\spt_mm_s.exe C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\sx_brows.exe PhoenixBrowser Updater (HKCU\...\PhoenixBrowser Updater) (Version: 1.0 - Phoenix) Twilight Pretty Search (HKLM-x32\...\Twilight Pretty Search) (Version: 1.00.01.00 - Twilight Tech Co., Ltd.) Unity Web Player (HKCU\...\UnityWebPlayer) (Version: 5.0.3f2 - Unity Technologies ApS) ???????? (HKCU\...\Amigo) (Version: 44.4.2403.3 - Mail.Ru) ?????? ??????????????? ?????????? ???????? (HKCU\...\MailRuUpdater) (Version: - Mail.Ru) Task: {5552646B-592E-4B00-AA95-52A489BC947F} - System32\Tasks\PhoenixBrowser Updater => C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PhoenixBrowserUpdater\PhoenixBrowserUpdater.exe [2015-05-30] () Task: {58A3D45F-8CCB-4026-B5EE-91FCAEE38021} - System32\Tasks\MailRuUpdater => C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Mail.Ru\MailRuUpdater.exe [2016-04-07] (Mail.Ru) ShortcutWithArgument: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Mail.Ru.lnk -> C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe (Microsoft Corporation) -> url,FileProtocolHandler "hxxp://www.mail.ru/cnt/20775012?gp=800908" ShortcutWithArgument: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar\Mail.Ru.lnk -> C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe (Microsoft Corporation) -> url,FileProtocolHandler "hxxp://www.mail.ru/cnt/20775012?gp=800908" FirewallRules: [{CD15117B-95CC-4E0C-8BC5-9072081E73D0}] => (Allow) C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Amigo\Application\amigo.exe Shortcut: C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\?????????.lnk -> C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Amigo\Application\vk.exe () Shortcut: C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\????????.lnk -> C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Amigo\Application\amigo.exe (Mail.Ru) Shortcut: C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\?????????????.lnk -> C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Amigo\Application\ok.exe () Shortcut: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\?????????.lnk -> C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Amigo\Application\vk.exe () Shortcut: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\????????.lnk -> C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Amigo\Application\amigo.exe (Mail.Ru) Shortcut: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\?????????????.lnk -> C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Amigo\Application\ok.exe () Shortcut: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Twilight Pretty Search.lnk -> C:\Program Files (x86)\Twilight Tech\Pretty Search\dummyDlg.exe () Shortcut: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\?????????.lnk -> C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Amigo\Application\vk.exe () Shortcut: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\????????.lnk -> C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Amigo\Application\amigo.exe (Mail.Ru) Shortcut: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\?????????????.lnk -> C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Amigo\Application\ok.exe () Shortcut: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar\?????????.lnk -> C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Amigo\Application\vk.exe () Shortcut: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar\????????.lnk -> C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Amigo\Application\amigo.exe (Mail.Ru) Shortcut: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar\?????????????.lnk -> C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Amigo\Application\ok.exe () Shortcut: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\StartMenu\?????????.lnk -> C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Amigo\Application\vk.exe () Shortcut: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\StartMenu\????????.lnk -> C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Amigo\Application\amigo.exe (Mail.Ru) Shortcut: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\StartMenu\?????????????.lnk -> C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Amigo\Application\ok.exe () ShortcutWithArgument: C:\Users\MBAM\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Internet Explorer.lnk -> C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe (Microsoft Corporation) -> hxxp://get3mail.ru/?id=7&subid=10022 ShortcutWithArgument: C:\Users\MBAM\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\System Tools\Internet Explorer (No Add-ons).lnk -> C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe (Microsoft Corporation) -> hxxp://get3mail.ru/?id=7&subid=10022 ShortcutWithArgument: C:\Users\MBAM\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Google Chrome.lnk -> C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe (Google Inc.) -> hxxp://get3mail.ru/?id=7&subid=10022 ShortcutWithArgument: C:\Users\MBAM\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Launch Internet Explorer Browser.lnk -> C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe (Microsoft Corporation) -> hxxp://get3mail.ru/?id=7&subid=10022 ShortcutWithArgument: C:\Users\MBAM\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar\Google Chrome.lnk -> C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe (Google Inc.) -> hxxp://get3mail.ru/?id=7&subid=10022 ShortcutWithArgument: C:\Users\MBAM\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar\Internet Explorer.lnk -> C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe (Microsoft Corporation) -> hxxp://get3mail.ru/?id=7&subid=10022 ShortcutWithArgument: C:\Users\MBAM\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar\Mozilla Firefox.lnk -> C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe (Mozilla Corporation) -> hxxp://get3mail.ru/?id=7&subid=10022 ShortcutWithArgument: C:\Users\MBAM\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar\Opera.lnk -> C:\Program Files (x86)\Opera\launcher.exe (Opera Software) -> hxxp://get3mail.ru/?id=7&subid=10022 ShortcutWithArgument: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Mail.Ru.lnk -> C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe (Microsoft Corporation) -> url,FileProtocolHandler "hxxp://www.mail.ru/cnt/20775012?gp=800908" ShortcutWithArgument: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar\Mail.Ru.lnk -> C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe (Microsoft Corporation) -> url,FileProtocolHandler "hxxp://www.mail.ru/cnt/20775012?gp=800908" InternetURL: C:\Users\{username}\Favorites\Mail.Ru ????? - ????????? ??? ???????!.url -> hxxp://agent.mail.ru InternetURL: C:\Users\{username}\Favorites\Mail.Ru.url -> hxxp://www.mail.ru InternetURL: C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\?????? ? ?????????.url -> hxxp://go.mail.ru/?sct=1&fr=ni&gp=800908Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware www.malwarebytes.org Scan Date: 4/8/2016 Scan Time: 9:10 AM Logfile: mbamMailRu.txt Administrator: Yes Version: 2.2.1.1043 Malware Database: v2016.04.08.01 Rootkit Database: v2016.04.03.01 License: Premium Malware Protection: Disabled Malicious Website Protection: Enabled Self-protection: Enabled OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1 CPU: x64 File System: NTFS User: {username} Scan Type: Threat Scan Result: Completed Objects Scanned: 363155 Time Elapsed: 9 min, 28 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: 3 PUP.Optional.PhoenixBrowser, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TREE\PhoenixBrowser Updater, Delete-on-Reboot, [f76a6e3ebadf2016cce03a5b25df5da3], PUP.Optional.PrettySearch, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\Twilight Pretty Search, Quarantined, [75ec3f6dbbde83b3d6eec3519a69e21e], PUP.Optional.PhoenixBrowser, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\PhoenixBrowser Updater, Quarantined, [e57cd1db58414bebc632f036f60dfb05], Registry Values: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Data: 0 (No malicious items detected) Folders: 3 PUP.Optional.TwilightPrettySearch, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Web Search Tools, Quarantined, [85dc7d2fefaa59ddb5c29aa8a163dc24], PUP.Optional.PrettySearch, C:\Program Files (x86)\Twilight Tech\Pretty Search, Quarantined, [75ec3f6dbbde83b3d6eec3519a69e21e], PUP.Optional.PhoenixBrowser, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PhoenixBrowserUpdater, Quarantined, [e57cd1db58414bebc632f036f60dfb05], Files: 12 Adware.WebAlta, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\setup.exe, Quarantined, [df820d9f5742a591145d8383eb176a96], Adware.WebAlta, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\setup_.exe, Quarantined, [c59cf2ba831620161c55ce380df554ac], PUP.Optional.PhoenixBrowser, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\sx_brows.exe, Quarantined, [a9b8ddcfe0b9c571943ee223719119e7], PUP.Optional.PhoenixBrowser, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PhoenixBrowserUpdater\PhoenixBrowserUpdater.exe, Quarantined, [2041f9b3cccdf640627001048e743dc3], PUP.Optional.TwilightPrettySearch, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Web Search Tools\Twilight Pretty Search.lnk, Quarantined, [85dc7d2fefaa59ddb5c29aa8a163dc24], PUP.Optional.TwilightPrettySearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Twilight Pretty Search.lnk, Quarantined, [2b363e6e44559a9c1464ca78d13345bb], PUP.Optional.PhoenixBrowser, C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\PhoenixBrowser Updater, Quarantined, [baa73b71702937ffdcced9bcfd07cc34], PUP.Optional.PrettySearch, C:\Program Files (x86)\Twilight Tech\Pretty Search\dummyDlg.exe, Quarantined, [75ec3f6dbbde83b3d6eec3519a69e21e], PUP.Optional.PrettySearch, C:\Program Files (x86)\Twilight Tech\Pretty Search\orange-uninstall.ico, Quarantined, [75ec3f6dbbde83b3d6eec3519a69e21e], PUP.Optional.PrettySearch, C:\Program Files (x86)\Twilight Tech\Pretty Search\uninstall.exe, Quarantined, [75ec3f6dbbde83b3d6eec3519a69e21e], PUP.Optional.PhoenixBrowser, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PhoenixBrowserUpdater\prefs, Quarantined, [e57cd1db58414bebc632f036f60dfb05], PUP.Optional.PhoenixBrowser, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PhoenixBrowserUpdater\Uninstall.exe, Quarantined, [e57cd1db58414bebc632f036f60dfb05], 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