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[Metallica]

Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is hotivitnetoiqe?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that hotivitnetoiqe 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 hotivitnetoiqe?

You may see this Scheduled Task:



How did hotivitnetoiqe get on my computer?

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

How do I remove hotivitnetoiqe?

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 hotivitnetoiqe?

• No, Malwarebytes removes hotivitnetoiqe completely.
• This PUP creates some scheduled tasks. You can read here how to check for and, if necessary, remove Scheduled Tasks.

How would the full version of Malwarebytes 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 would have protected you against the hotivitnetoiqe hijacker. It will block the site that the hijacker tries to open:

Technical details for experts

Possible signs in FRST logs:

 C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\hotivitnetoiqe

Task: {BDA31733-2CFD-4FC6-B8D9-3DF0D39DC7E9} - System32\Tasks\hotivitnetoiqe => Iexplore.exe hotivit.net/oiqe

Alterations made by the installer:

File system details [View: All details] (Selection)
---------------------------------------------------
    In the existing folder C:\Windows\System32\Tasks
       Adds the file hotivitnetoiqe"="4/11/2018 8:42 AM, 3350 bytes, A

Malwarebytes log:

Malwarebytes
www.malwarebytes.com

-Log Details-
Scan Date: 4/11/18
Scan Time: 8:49 AM
Log File: 8133dec8-3d54-11e8-ae31-080027235d76.json
Administrator: Yes

-Software Information-
Version: 3.3.1.2183
Components Version: 1.0.262
Update Package Version: 1.0.4692
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: 245721
Threats Detected: 13
Threats Quarantined: 13
Time Elapsed: 2 min, 39 sec

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

-Scan Details-
Process: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Module: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Key: 3
Adware.StartPage.BatBitRst, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TREE\HOTIVITNETOIQE, Delete-on-Reboot, [6202], [508591],1.0.4692
Adware.StartPage.BatBitRst, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TASKS\{BDA31733-2CFD-4FC6-B8D9-3DF0D39DC7E9}, Delete-on-Reboot, [6202], [508591],1.0.4692
Adware.StartPage.BatBitRst, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\BOOT\{BDA31733-2CFD-4FC6-B8D9-3DF0D39DC7E9}, Delete-on-Reboot, [6202], [508591],1.0.4692

Registry Value: 1
Adware.StartPage.BatBitRst, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\SCHEDULE\TASKCACHE\TASKS\{BDA31733-2CFD-4FC6-B8D9-3DF0D39DC7E9}|PATH, Delete-on-Reboot, [6202], [508590],1.0.4692

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Data Stream: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folder: 0
(No malicious items detected)

File: 9
Adware.StartPage.BatBitRst, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\TASKS\HOTIVITNETOIQE, Delete-on-Reboot, [6202], [508591],1.0.4692
Adware.StartPage.BatBitRst, C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\ALL USERS\APPLICATION DATA\MICROSOFT\NETWORK\DOWNLOADER\QMGR0.DAT, Delete-on-Reboot, [6202], [-1],0.0.0
Adware.StartPage.BatBitRst, C:\PROGRAMDATA\APPLICATION DATA\MICROSOFT\NETWORK\DOWNLOADER\QMGR0.DAT, Delete-on-Reboot, [6202], [-1],0.0.0
Adware.StartPage.BatBitRst, C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\ALL USERS\APPLICATION DATA\MICROSOFT\NETWORK\DOWNLOADER\QMGR1.DAT, Delete-on-Reboot, [6202], [-1],0.0.0
Adware.StartPage.BatBitRst, C:\PROGRAMDATA\APPLICATION DATA\MICROSOFT\NETWORK\DOWNLOADER\QMGR1.DAT, Delete-on-Reboot, [6202], [-1],0.0.0
Adware.StartPage.BatBitRst, C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\ALL USERS\MICROSOFT\NETWORK\DOWNLOADER\QMGR0.DAT, Delete-on-Reboot, [6202], [-1],0.0.0
Adware.StartPage.BatBitRst, C:\PROGRAMDATA\MICROSOFT\NETWORK\DOWNLOADER\QMGR0.DAT, Delete-on-Reboot, [6202], [-1],0.0.0
Adware.StartPage.BatBitRst, C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\ALL USERS\MICROSOFT\NETWORK\DOWNLOADER\QMGR1.DAT, Delete-on-Reboot, [6202], [-1],0.0.0
Adware.StartPage.BatBitRst, C:\PROGRAMDATA\MICROSOFT\NETWORK\DOWNLOADER\QMGR1.DAT, Delete-on-Reboot, [6202], [-1],0.0.0

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.