What is TV Guru?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that TV Guru is a browser NewTab. These so-called "NewTabs" can 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.
TV Guru is a member of the Mindspark/Ask family now known as IAC Applications.
How do I know if my computer is affected by TV Guru?
You may see this Chrome extension:
these warnings during install:
and this newtab-page in the affected browser:
How did TV Guru get on my computer?
Browser hijackers use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was downloaded from their website, but it was alaso available in the webstore
How do I remove TV Guru?
Our program Malwarebytes can detect and remove this potentially unwanted program.
You can use their own uninstall instructions first, but I would advise to follow the steps below anyway.
- 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.
- No, Malwarebytes removes TV Guru completely.
- If your browsers have been hijacked, you should read our Restore Browser page. You can read there how to fix additional browser redirect methods.
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 TV Guru hijacker. It would have blocked traffic to their domain:
Technical details for experts
Possible signs in a FRST log:
CHR Extension: (TV Guru) - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp [2018-07-24]Significant changes made by the installers:
File system details [View: All details] (Selection) --------------------------------------------------- Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0 Adds the file dynamicNewTab.html"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 1136 bytes, A Adds the file manifest.json"="7/24/2018 10:38 AM, 2574 bytes, A Adds the file productnewtab.html"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 1136 bytes, A Adds the file stubby.html"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 1137 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\_metadata Adds the file computed_hashes.json"="7/24/2018 10:38 AM, 4670 bytes, A Adds the file verified_contents.json"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 5388 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\config Adds the file config.json"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 1903 bytes, A Adds the file extension-config.json"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 1114 bytes, A Adds the file extension-dev-config.json"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 1236 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\icons Adds the file icon128.png"="7/24/2018 10:38 AM, 5508 bytes, A Adds the file icon16.png"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 1357 bytes, A Adds the file icon19disabled.png"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 1404 bytes, A Adds the file icon19on.png"="7/24/2018 10:38 AM, 692 bytes, A Adds the file icon48.png"="7/24/2018 10:38 AM, 2057 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\js Adds the file ajax.js"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 2250 bytes, A Adds the file b2b-partner-tracking.js"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 11023 bytes, A Adds the file background.js"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 21158 bytes, A Adds the file chrome.js"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 180 bytes, A Adds the file content_script.js"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 5815 bytes, A Adds the file dlp.js"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 5690 bytes, A Adds the file dlpHelper.js"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 1836 bytes, A Adds the file extension_detect.js"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 4343 bytes, A Adds the file genericLoadRemoteSettings.js"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 2908 bytes, A Adds the file index.js"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 82 bytes, A Adds the file initOfferCEF.js"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 8991 bytes, A Adds the file logger.js"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 575 bytes, A Adds the file offerService.js"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 13159 bytes, A Adds the file pageUtils.js"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 1811 bytes, A Adds the file PartnerId.js"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 16439 bytes, A Adds the file product.js"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 4511 bytes, A Adds the file storage.js"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 1675 bytes, A Adds the file TabManager.js"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 189 bytes, A Adds the file TemplateParser.js"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 3080 bytes, A Adds the file ul.js"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 3862 bytes, A Adds the file urlFragmentActions.js"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 2521 bytes, A Adds the file urlUtils.js"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 5385 bytes, A Adds the file util.js"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 4027 bytes, A Adds the file webtooltabAPI.js"="4/10/2018 9:10 AM, 8762 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp Adds the file 000003.log"="7/24/2018 10:38 AM, 4443 bytes, A Adds the file CURRENT"="7/24/2018 10:38 AM, 16 bytes, A Adds the file LOCK"="7/24/2018 10:38 AM, 0 bytes, A Adds the file LOG"="7/24/2018 10:38 AM, 185 bytes, A Adds the file MANIFEST-000001"="7/24/2018 10:38 AM, 41 bytes, A Registry details [View: All details] (Selection) ------------------------------------------------ [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Google\Chrome\PreferenceMACs\Default\extensions.settings] "lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp"="REG_SZ", "685A067DCEA23B057FC551D461A6F1A93DD79A8C21D6A23E3928E7B2F8564B16"The Malwarebytes scan log:
Malwarebytes www.malwarebytes.com -Log Details- Scan Date: 7/24/18 Scan Time: 10:47 AM Log File: 4064ee49-8f1e-11e8-8df9-00ffdcc6fdfc.json Administrator: Yes -Software Information- Version: 3.5.1.2522 Components Version: 1.0.374 Update Package Version: 1.0.6037 License: Premium -System Information- OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1 CPU: x64 File System: NTFS User: {computername}\{username} -Scan Summary- Scan Type: Threat Scan Scan Initiated By: Manual Result: Completed Objects Scanned: 251626 Threats Detected: 53 Threats Quarantined: 53 Time Elapsed: 3 min, 51 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: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Value: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Data: 0 (No malicious items detected) Data Stream: 0 (No malicious items detected) Folder: 7 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\_metadata, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\config, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\icons, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\js, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Local Extension Settings\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\EXTENSIONS\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 File: 46 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\config\config.json, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\config\extension-config.json, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\config\extension-dev-config.json, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\icons\icon128.png, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\icons\icon16.png, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\icons\icon19disabled.png, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\icons\icon19on.png, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\icons\icon48.png, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\js\logger.js, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\js\ajax.js, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\js\b2b-partner-tracking.js, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\js\background.js, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\js\chrome.js, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\js\content_script.js, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\js\dlp.js, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\js\dlpHelper.js, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\js\extension_detect.js, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\js\genericLoadRemoteSettings.js, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\js\index.js, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\js\initOfferCEF.js, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\js\offerService.js, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\js\pageUtils.js, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\js\PartnerId.js, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\js\product.js, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\js\storage.js, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\js\TabManager.js, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\js\TemplateParser.js, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\js\ul.js, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\js\urlFragmentActions.js, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\js\urlUtils.js, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\js\util.js, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\js\webtooltabAPI.js, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\_metadata\computed_hashes.json, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\_metadata\verified_contents.json, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\dynamicNewTab.html, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\manifest.json, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\productnewtab.html, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\13.421.13.213_0\stubby.html, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\000003.log, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\CURRENT, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\LOCK, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\LOG, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\LOG.old, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\lialdndmdkpfpkhjedaclgdhibaibekp\MANIFEST-000001, Quarantined, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Secure Preferences, Replaced, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 PUP.Optional.TVGuru, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Preferences, Replaced, [2163], [544389],1.0.6037 Physical Sector: 0 (No malicious items detected) WMI: 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