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Removal instructions for HoroscopeZone

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Started by Metallica , Dec 20 2018 03:29 AM

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#1
Metallica
Posted 20 December 2018 - 03:29 AM

Metallica

    Spyware Veteran

  • GeekU Moderator
  • 33,101 posts
Content is republished with permission from Malwarebytes.

What is HoroscopeZone?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that HoroscopeZone is a search 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 HoroscopeZone?

You may see this entry in your list of installed Chrome extensions:

main.png

and these warnings during install:

warning1.png

warning2.png

warning3.png

warning4.png

You will see this icon in your Chrome menu-bar:

icons.png

and this changed setting:

warning5.png

How did HoroscopeZone get on my computer?

Browser hijackers use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was downloaded from the webstore:

webstore.png

after a redirect from their website:

website.png

How do I remove HoroscopeZone?

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 HoroscopeZone?
  • No, Malwarebytes removes HoroscopeZone completely.
How would the full version of Malwarebytes help protect me?

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

Malwarebytes would have protected you against the HoroscopeZone hijacker. It would have blocked their website, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.

Technical details for experts

Possible signs in FRST logs:

CHR DefaultSearchURL: Default -> hxxps://feed.horoscope-zone.com/?q={searchTerms}&publisher=horoscope-zone&barcodeid=539690000000000
CHR DefaultSearchKeyword: Default -> HoroscopeZone
CHR DefaultSuggestURL: Default -> hxxps://suggest.horoscope-zone.com/suggest/get?q={searchTerms}
CHR Extension: (HoroscopeZone) - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk [2018-12-20]
Alterations made by the installer:

File system details [View: All details] (Selection)
---------------------------------------------------
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk\1.0.1_0
       Adds the file closer.js"="11/28/2018 1:43 PM, 15 bytes, A
       Adds the file manifest.json"="12/20/2018 8:48 AM, 2320 bytes, A
       Adds the file popup.html"="11/28/2018 1:43 PM, 1159 bytes, A
       Adds the file tab.html"="11/28/2018 1:43 PM, 165 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk\1.0.1_0\_metadata
       Adds the file computed_hashes.json"="12/20/2018 8:48 AM, 2561 bytes, A
       Adds the file verified_contents.json"="11/28/2018 1:43 PM, 2947 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk\1.0.1_0\images
       Adds the file how-1.png"="11/28/2018 1:43 PM, 2862 bytes, A
       Adds the file how-2.png"="11/28/2018 1:43 PM, 3247 bytes, A
       Adds the file logo-small.png"="11/28/2018 1:43 PM, 1331 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk\1.0.1_0\images\icons
       Adds the file 128x128.png"="12/20/2018 8:48 AM, 19595 bytes, A
       Adds the file 16x16.png"="12/20/2018 8:48 AM, 841 bytes, A
       Adds the file 64x64.png"="12/20/2018 8:48 AM, 7045 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk\1.0.1_0\scripts
       Adds the file background.js"="11/28/2018 1:43 PM, 31318 bytes, A
       Adds the file jquery-3.3.1.min.js"="11/28/2018 1:43 PM, 86927 bytes, A
       Adds the file popup.js"="11/28/2018 1:43 PM, 600 bytes, A
       Adds the file sitecontent.js"="11/28/2018 1:43 PM, 77 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk\1.0.1_0\styles
       Adds the file popup.css"="11/28/2018 1:43 PM, 1270 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Web Applications\_crx_hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk
       Adds the file HoroscopeZone.ico"="12/20/2018 8:48 AM, 229345 bytes, A
       Adds the file HoroscopeZone.ico.md5"="12/20/2018 8:48 AM, 16 bytes, A

Registry details [View: All details] (Selection)
------------------------------------------------
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Google\Chrome\PreferenceMACs\Default\extensions.settings]
       "hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk"="REG_SZ", "48CCDADC63754E58E7713FE319982868152A30AA44B022FE9332957334100778"
Malwarebytes log:

Malwarebytes
www.malwarebytes.com

-Log Details-
Scan Date: 12/20/18
Scan Time: 9:09 AM
Log File: 88d1ab0a-042e-11e9-8ccd-00ffdcc6fdfc.json

-Software Information-
Version: 3.6.1.2711
Components Version: 1.0.482
Update Package Version: 1.0.8403
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: 236967
Threats Detected: 29
Threats Quarantined: 29
Time Elapsed: 2 min, 58 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: 1
PUP.Optional.HoroscopeZone, HKCU\SOFTWARE\GOOGLE\CHROME\PREFERENCEMACS\Default\extensions.settings|hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk, Quarantined, [244], [611022],1.0.8403

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Data Stream: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folder: 7
PUP.Optional.HoroscopeZone, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk\1.0.1_0\images\icons, Quarantined, [244], [611022],1.0.8403
PUP.Optional.HoroscopeZone, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk\1.0.1_0\_metadata, Quarantined, [244], [611022],1.0.8403
PUP.Optional.HoroscopeZone, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk\1.0.1_0\scripts, Quarantined, [244], [611022],1.0.8403
PUP.Optional.HoroscopeZone, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk\1.0.1_0\images, Quarantined, [244], [611022],1.0.8403
PUP.Optional.HoroscopeZone, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk\1.0.1_0\styles, Quarantined, [244], [611022],1.0.8403
PUP.Optional.HoroscopeZone, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk\1.0.1_0, Quarantined, [244], [611022],1.0.8403
PUP.Optional.HoroscopeZone, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\EXTENSIONS\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk, Quarantined, [244], [611022],1.0.8403

File: 21
PUP.Optional.HoroscopeZone, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk\1.0.1_0\images\icons\128x128.png, Quarantined, [244], [611022],1.0.8403
PUP.Optional.HoroscopeZone, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk\1.0.1_0\images\icons\16x16.png, Quarantined, [244], [611022],1.0.8403
PUP.Optional.HoroscopeZone, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk\1.0.1_0\images\icons\64x64.png, Quarantined, [244], [611022],1.0.8403
PUP.Optional.HoroscopeZone, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk\1.0.1_0\images\how-1.png, Quarantined, [244], [611022],1.0.8403
PUP.Optional.HoroscopeZone, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk\1.0.1_0\images\how-2.png, Quarantined, [244], [611022],1.0.8403
PUP.Optional.HoroscopeZone, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk\1.0.1_0\images\logo-small.png, Quarantined, [244], [611022],1.0.8403
PUP.Optional.HoroscopeZone, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk\1.0.1_0\scripts\background.js, Quarantined, [244], [611022],1.0.8403
PUP.Optional.HoroscopeZone, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk\1.0.1_0\scripts\jquery-3.3.1.min.js, Quarantined, [244], [611022],1.0.8403
PUP.Optional.HoroscopeZone, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk\1.0.1_0\scripts\popup.js, Quarantined, [244], [611022],1.0.8403
PUP.Optional.HoroscopeZone, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk\1.0.1_0\scripts\sitecontent.js, Quarantined, [244], [611022],1.0.8403
PUP.Optional.HoroscopeZone, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk\1.0.1_0\styles\popup.css, Quarantined, [244], [611022],1.0.8403
PUP.Optional.HoroscopeZone, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk\1.0.1_0\_metadata\computed_hashes.json, Quarantined, [244], [611022],1.0.8403
PUP.Optional.HoroscopeZone, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk\1.0.1_0\_metadata\verified_contents.json, Quarantined, [244], [611022],1.0.8403
PUP.Optional.HoroscopeZone, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk\1.0.1_0\closer.js, Quarantined, [244], [611022],1.0.8403
PUP.Optional.HoroscopeZone, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk\1.0.1_0\manifest.json, Quarantined, [244], [611022],1.0.8403
PUP.Optional.HoroscopeZone, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk\1.0.1_0\popup.html, Quarantined, [244], [611022],1.0.8403
PUP.Optional.HoroscopeZone, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hmhlaofpmelkiphncgmnnbicoafngkgk\1.0.1_0\tab.html, Quarantined, [244], [611022],1.0.8403
PUP.Optional.HoroscopeZone, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Secure Preferences, Replaced, [244], [611022],1.0.8403
PUP.Optional.HoroscopeZone, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Preferences, Replaced, [244], [611022],1.0.8403
PUP.Optional.HoroscopeZone, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Secure Preferences, Replaced, [244], [611028],1.0.8403
PUP.Optional.HoroscopeZone, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Secure Preferences, Replaced, [244], [611028],1.0.8403

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
Save yourself the hassle and get protected.
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