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[Metallica]

Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is WeatherBuddy?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that WeatherBuddy 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 WeatherBuddy?

This is the main window of the program:



and you may find this icon on your desktop, in the startmenu and the taskbar:



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



How did WeatherBuddy get on my computer?

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

How do I remove WeatherBuddy?

Our program Malwarebytes can detect and remove this potentially unwanted program.

• Please download Malwarebytes to your desktop.
• Double-click mb3-setup-consumer-{version}.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
• Then click Finish.
• Once the program has fully updated, select Scan Now on the Dashboard. Or select the Threat Scan from the Scan menu.
• If another update of the definitions is available, it will be implemented before the rest of the scanning procedure.
• 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 WeatherBuddy?

• No, Malwarebytes removes WeatherBuddy completely.

How would the full version of Malwarebytes help protect me?

We hope our application and this guide have helped you eradicate this adware.

As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes would have protected you against the WeatherBuddy adware. It would have warned you before the adware could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.

Technical details for experts

Possible signs in FRST logs:

 (ELLS LLC) C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\WeatherBuddy\WeatherBuddy.exe
 Startup: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\WeatherBuddy.lnk [2017-03-28]
 ShortcutTarget: WeatherBuddy.lnk -> C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\WeatherBuddy\WeatherBuddy.exe (ELLS LLC)
 C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\WeatherBuddy.lnk
 C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\WeatherBuddy
 C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\WeatherBuddy

WeatherBuddy (HKLM-x32\...\{DC5A49C4-A2D7-4704-A118-BFF7CB39D954}) (Version: 1.0.15 - ELLS LLC)

Alterations made by the installer:

File system details [View: All details] (Selection)
---------------------------------------------------
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\WeatherBuddy
       Adds the file WeatherBuddy.exe"="3/17/2017 2:24 AM, 3669504 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Installer\{DC5A49C4-A2D7-4704-A118-BFF7CB39D954}
       Adds the file WeatherBuddy.ico"="3/28/2017 10:55 AM, 104286 bytes, RA
    In the existing folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
       Adds the file WeatherBuddy.lnk"="3/28/2017 10:55 AM, 2184 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\WeatherBuddy
       Adds the file WeatherBuddy.lnk"="3/28/2017 10:55 AM, 2158 bytes, A
    In the existing folder C:\Users\{username}\Desktop
       Adds the file WeatherBuddy.lnk"="3/28/2017 10:55 AM, 2144 bytes, A
    In the existing folder C:\Windows
       Adds the file WeatherBuddy.INI"="3/28/2017 10:55 AM, 62 bytes, A
    In the existing folder C:\Windows\Installer
       Adds the file 29d195.msi"="3/28/2017 10:55 AM, 2797568 bytes, A
       Adds the file SourceHash{DC5A49C4-A2D7-4704-A118-BFF7CB39D954}"="3/28/2017 10:55 AM, 20480 bytes, A

Registry details [View: All details] (Selection)
------------------------------------------------
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\Folders]
       "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\WeatherBuddy\"="REG_SZ", ""
       "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Installer\"="REG_SZ", ""
       "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Installer\{DC5A49C4-A2D7-4704-A118-BFF7CB39D954}\"="REG_SZ", ""
       "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\WeatherBuddy\"="REG_SZ", ""
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UpgradeCodes\AA5028B5BC71B024A9D288ECF365F9F0]
       "4C94A5CD7D2A40741A81FB7FBC939D45"="REG_SZ", ""
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{DC5A49C4-A2D7-4704-A118-BFF7CB39D954}]
       "AuthorizedCDFPrefix"="REG_SZ", ""
       "Comments"="REG_SZ", ""
       "Contact"="REG_SZ", ""
       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "WeatherBuddy"
       "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "1.0.15"
       "EstimatedSize"="REG_DWORD", 3578
       "HelpLink"="REG_SZ", ""
       "HelpTelephone"="REG_SZ", ""
       "InstallDate"="REG_SZ", "20170328"
       "InstallLocation"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\WeatherBuddy\"
       "InstallSource"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}1\AppData\Local\Temp\{DC5A49C4-A2D7-4704-A118-BFF7CB39D954}\"
       "Language"="REG_DWORD", 1033
       "ModifyPath"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "MsiExec.exe /X{DC5A49C4-A2D7-4704-A118-BFF7CB39D954}"
       "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "ELLS LLC"
       "Readme"="REG_SZ", ""
       "Size"="REG_SZ", ""
       "UninstallString"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "MsiExec.exe /X{DC5A49C4-A2D7-4704-A118-BFF7CB39D954}"
       "URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://www.WeatherBuddy.com"
       "URLUpdateInfo"="REG_SZ", ""
       "Version"="REG_DWORD", 16777231
       "VersionMajor"="REG_DWORD", 1
       "VersionMinor"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "WindowsInstaller"="REG_DWORD", 1
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ELLS LLC\WeatherBuddy]
       "channel"="REG_SZ", "118"
       "InstallLocation"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\WeatherBuddy\"
       "Version"="REG_SZ", "1.0.15"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Installer\Products\4C94A5CD7D2A40741A81FB7FBC939D45]
       "AdvertiseFlags"="REG_DWORD", 388
       "Assignment"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "AuthorizedLUAApp"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "Clients"="REG_MULTI_SZ, ": "
       "DeploymentFlags"="REG_DWORD", 2
       "InstanceType"="REG_DWORD", 0
       "Language"="REG_DWORD", 1033
       "PackageCode"="REG_SZ", "CB0A4BC3BD3CD8B4DB30E729B8DE1F67"
       "ProductIcon"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Installer\{DC5A49C4-A2D7-4704-A118-BFF7CB39D954}\WeatherBuddy.ico"
       "ProductName"="REG_SZ", "WeatherBuddy"
       "Version"="REG_DWORD", 16777231
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Installer\Products\4C94A5CD7D2A40741A81FB7FBC939D45\SourceList]
       "LastUsedSource"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "n;2;C:\Users\{username}1\AppData\Local\Temp\{DC5A49C4-A2D7-4704-A118-BFF7CB39D954}\"
       "PackageName"="REG_SZ", "WeatherBuddy_no_interstat.msi"
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Installer\Products\4C94A5CD7D2A40741A81FB7FBC939D45\SourceList\Media]
       "1"="REG_SZ", ";Cabinet #1"
       "DiskPrompt"="REG_SZ", "WeatherBuddy Installation [1]"

Malwarebytes log:

Malwarebytes
www.malwarebytes.com

-Log Details-
Scan Date: 3/28/17
Scan Time: 11:09 AM
Logfile: mbamWeatherBuddy.txt
Administrator: Yes

-Software Information-
Version: 3.0.5.1299
Components Version: 1.0.43
Update Package Version: 1.0.1613
License: Premium

-System Information-
OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1
CPU: x64
File System: NTFS
User: {computername}\{username}

-Scan Summary-
Scan Type: Threat Scan
Result: Completed
Objects Scanned: 367075
Time Elapsed: 6 min, 50 sec

-Scan Options-
Memory: Enabled
Startup: Enabled
Filesystem: Enabled
Archives: Enabled
Rootkits: Enabled
Heuristics: Enabled
PUP: Enabled
PUM: Enabled

-Scan Details-
Process: 1
PUP.Optional.WeatherBuddy, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\WEATHERBUDDY\WEATHERBUDDY.EXE, Quarantined, [10882], [383207],1.0.1613

Module: 1
PUP.Optional.WeatherBuddy, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\WEATHERBUDDY\WEATHERBUDDY.EXE, Quarantined, [10882], [383207],1.0.1613

Registry Key: 2
PUP.Optional.WeatherBuddy, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\{DC5A49C4-A2D7-4704-A118-BFF7CB39D954}, Delete-on-Reboot, [10882], [383221],1.0.1613
PUP.Optional.WeatherBuddy, HKCU\SOFTWARE\ELLS LLC\WeatherBuddy, Delete-on-Reboot, [10882], [383222],1.0.1613

Registry Value: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Data Stream: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folder: 2
PUP.Optional.WeatherBuddy, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\WeatherBuddy, Delete-on-Reboot, [10882], [383210],1.0.1613
PUP.Optional.WeatherBuddy, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\ROAMING\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\START MENU\PROGRAMS\WEATHERBUDDY, Delete-on-Reboot, [10882], [383211],1.0.1613

File: 6
PUP.Optional.WeatherBuddy, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\WEATHERBUDDY\WEATHERBUDDY.EXE, Delete-on-Reboot, [10882], [383207],1.0.1613
PUP.Optional.WeatherBuddy, C:\USERS\{username}\DESKTOP\IC-0.30BB154F866D4.EXE, Delete-on-Reboot, [10882], [383208],1.0.1613
PUP.Optional.WeatherBuddy, C:\USERS\{username}\DESKTOP\WEATHERBUDDY.LNK, Delete-on-Reboot, [10882], [383223],1.0.1613
PUP.Optional.WeatherBuddy, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\ROAMING\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\START MENU\PROGRAMS\STARTUP\WEATHERBUDDY.LNK, Delete-on-Reboot, [10882], [383220],1.0.1613
PUP.Optional.WeatherBuddy, C:\WINDOWS\INSTALLER\29D195.MSI, Delete-on-Reboot, [10882], [383207],1.0.1613
PUP.Optional.WeatherBuddy, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\WeatherBuddy\WeatherBuddy.lnk, Delete-on-Reboot, [10882], [383211],1.0.1613

Physical Sector: 0
(No malicious items detected)


(end)

As mentioned before the full version of Malwarebytes 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.