In-text advertising and random spam tabs opening

[FKAcookie]

Hi

I recently performed a clean install on my laptop of Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit), which was fine, but now I'm finding that certain words are being double-underlined and made into hyperlinks and when you hover over it, a small advertisement box will pop-up which I assume to be in-text advertising.

Also when I open up a new tab, wherever I click for the first time, be it blank space or a link, a new tab will open with more advertisements, mainly for PC enhancing programs/tools.

I am using Sophos Anti-Virus and I have run a scan with that and the log file is attached (SAV.txt).

I also followed a guide called "Remove Pop-up Ads from Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome" (http://malwaretips.com/blogs/remove-adware-popup-ads/) and the log reports for the scans that were performed are also attached.

However, after doing all this, the in-text ads and spam tabs haven't disappeared.

I have also uploaded a screenshot of the in-text ads.


Thanks for any help
Carl

 

[FKAcookie]

Forgot to upload log reports from Junkware Removal Tool and HitmanPro

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Hello,



They call me TwinHeadedEagle around here, and I'll be working with you.



Before we start please read and note the following:

• At the top of your post, please click on the "Watch thread" button and make sure to check Watch this thread...and receive email notifications. This will send an email to you as soon as I reply to your topic, allowing me to solve your problem faster.
• Please do not install any new software during the cleaning process other than the tools I provide for you. This can hinder the cleaning process. Please do not perform System Restore or any other restore.
• Instructions I give to you are very simple and made for complete beginner to follow. That's why you need to read through my instructions carefully and completely before executing them.
• Please do not run any tools other than the ones I ask you to, when I ask you to. Some of these tools can be very dangerous if used improperly. Also, if you use a tool that I have not requested you use, it can cause false positives, thereby delaying the complete cleaning of your machine.
  
• All tools we use here are completely clean and do not contain any malware. If your antivirus detects them as malicious, please disable your antivirus and then continue.
• If during the process you run across anything that is not in my instructions, please stop and ask. If any tool is running too much time (few hours), please stop and inform me.
• I visit forum several times at day, making sure to respond to everyone's topic as fast as possible. But bear in mind that I have private life like everyone and I cannot be here 24/7. So please be patient with me. Also, some infections require less, and some more time to be removed completely, so bear this in mind and be patient.
• Please stay with me until the end of all steps and procedures and I declare your system clean. Just because there is a lack of symptoms does not indicate a clean machine. If you solved your problem yourself, set aside two minutes to let me know.
  
• Please attach all report using
  
  button below. Doing this, you make it easier for me to analyze and fix your problem.
  
• Do not ask for help for your business PC. Companies are making revenue via computers, so it is good thing to pay someone to repair it.
• If I don't hear from you within 3 days from this initial or any subsequent post, then this thread will be closed.

Did you try to restore your router to factory settings?

 

[FKAcookie]

I haven't tried that so will give it a go. Is that done through the hub settings on a browser?

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Yes, you can do it through the browser

 

[FKAcookie]

Hi I reset my router to factory settings through the browser and then waited for it to reboot. I checked a webpage and at first it looked like it worked as there were no double-underlined hyperlinks but when I clicked a trusted link and then went back to the previous page the in-text ads were popping up again and the spam tabs popped up as well.

Just to let you know I didn't restart my browser between resetting the router and after i had rebooted. Didn't know if that had an effect. Also I thought I'd let you know that I have AdBlock installed just in case it helps.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Scan with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool

Please re-run Farbar Recovery Scan Tool to give me a fresh look at your system.

• Right-click on
  
  icon and select
  
  Run as Administrator to start the tool.
  (XP users click run after receipt of Windows Security Warning - Open File).
• Make sure that Addition option is checked.
• Press Scan button and wait.
• The tool will produce two logfiles on your desktop: FRST.txt and Addition.txt.

Please include their content into your next reply.

 

[FKAcookie]

Hi

I've attached the log files you requested.

Cheers
Carl

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Fix with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool

This fix was created for this user for use on that particular machine.

Running it on another one may cause damage and render the system unstable.

​

Download attached fixlist.txt file and save it to the Desktop:

Both files, FRST and fixlist.txt have to be in the same location or the fix will not work!

• Right-click on
  
  icon and select
  
  Run as Administrator to start the tool.
  (XP users click run after receipt of Windows Security Warning - Open File).
• Press the Fix button just once and wait.
• If for some reason the tool needs a restart, please make sure you let the system restart normally. After that let the tool complete its run.
• When finished FRST will generate a log on the Desktop, called Fixlog.txt.

Please attach it to your reply.

 

[FKAcookie]

Hi I ran the fix, FRST prompted my computer to restart after it had finished fixing and created the log file

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

How is your PC now?

 

[FKAcookie]

Sorry I've not replied for the last couple of days but it's still not fixed, still getting the in-text ads and spam tabs.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Is it happening in all browsers?

 

[FKAcookie]

I only have Chrome and IE installed but it is happening in both

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Scan with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool

Please re-run Farbar Recovery Scan Tool to give me a fresh look at your system.

• Right-click on
  
  icon and select
  
  Run as Administrator to start the tool.
  (XP users click run after receipt of Windows Security Warning - Open File).
• Make sure that Addition option is checked.
• Press Scan button and wait.
• The tool will produce two logfiles on your desktop: FRST.txt and Addition.txt.

Please include their content into your next reply.

 

[FKAcookie]

Hey I ran FRST, you'll find the log files attached

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Fix with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool

This fix was created for this user for use on that particular machine.

Running it on another one may cause damage and render the system unstable.

​

Download attached fixlist.txt file and save it to the Desktop:

Both files, FRST and fixlist.txt have to be in the same location or the fix will not work!

• Right-click on
  
  icon and select
  
  Run as Administrator to start the tool.
  (XP users click run after receipt of Windows Security Warning - Open File).
• Press the Fix button just once and wait.
• If for some reason the tool needs a restart, please make sure you let the system restart normally. After that let the tool complete its run.
• When finished FRST will generate a log on the Desktop, called Fixlog.txt.

Please attach it to your reply.

 

[FKAcookie]

Find the fix log attached

 

[FKAcookie]

FYI my browsers still have the ads and spam tabs showing

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Can you try to reset your router?