Solved Persisting Cloudscape ads and eFixPro popups in Firefox

[Andy_P]

I have tried ALL the steps detailed in your guide at
http://malwaretips.com/blogs/ads-by-cloudscout-removal/
Step 1 - nothing seen in Remove Programs
Step 2 - nothing found by AdwCleaner
Step 3 - nothing found by MalwareBytes
(scans by both of those done yesterday as well)
Step 4 - Scan by HitMan Pro found some potential issues (just "Riskware" and 2 tracking cookies) - Allowed program to remove those and rebooted.

Opened Firefox (v37.0.1) and issues still remained, so continued to...
Step 5 - Reset Firefox to defaults (Screens are now different to your screenshots and it is called "Refresh Firefox" rather than "Reset Firefox") but it seems to do the same thing.

New Browser profile created, all extensions removed but bookmarks etc imported successfully.

Exactly the same problems remain:
1. Frames at top of Firefox screens with "Ads by CloudScout (no longer empty as AdBlock extension no longer installed)
2. New tabs or windows opening that usually suggest "EFixPro Windows 8.1 PC Repair"

I am typing this on my PC, so I do not have immediate access to any scan logs, but can try to find them on my daughter's laptop if necessary.

 

[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 for the repair.
• If I don't hear from you within 3 days from this initial or any subsequent post, then this thread will be closed.

Rules and policies

We won't support any piracy.
That being told, if any evidence of illegal OS, software, cracks/keygens or any other will be revealed, any further assistance will be suspended. If you are aware that there is this kind of stuff on your machine, remove it before proceeding!
The same applies to any use of P2P software: uTorrent, BitTorrent, Vuze, Kazaa, Ares... We don't provide any help for P2P, except for their removal. All P2P software has to be uninstalled or at least fully disabled before proceeding!

Failure to follow these guidelines will result with closing your topic and withdrawning any assistance.

Scan with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool

Please download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to your desktop.

Note: You need to run the version compatibale with your system. If you are not sure which version applies to your system download both of them and try to run them.
Only one of them will run on your system, that will be the right version.

• Double-click to run it. When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
• Press Scan button.
• It will make a log (FRST.txt) in the same directory the tool is run. Please attach it to your reply.
• The first time the tool is run, it makes also another log (Addition.txt). Please attach it to your reply.

 

[Andy_P]

Howdy, TwinHeadedEagle, glad to have you ride into town.

Sorry for delay replying, I wrote my post two minutes before I left for work and have just got home. Daughter only home from College until Tuesday, so I need to prise the laptop from her whenever possible to hopefully get this sorted for her before she goes.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Scan with ZOEK

Please download ZOEK by Smeenk and save it to your desktop (preferred version is the *.exe one)
Temporary disable your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware protection - instructions here.

• Right-click on
  
  icon and select
  
  Run as Administrator to start the tool.
• Wait patiently until the main console will appear, it may take a minute or two.
• In the main box please paste in the following script:
  

  createsrpoint;
  autoclean;
  emptyalltemp;
  ipconfig /flushdns;b

• Make sure that Scan All Users option is checked.
• Push Run Script and wait patiently. The scan may take a couple of minutes.
• When the scan completes, a zoek-results logfile should open in notepad.
• If a reboot is needed, it will be opened after it. You may also find it at your main drive (usually C:\ drive)

Post its content into your next reply.

 

[Andy_P]

Thanks. She's just taken it to bed, I'll be back in the morning.

 

[Andy_P]

Good Morning.
I have run the zoek.exe scan (I had to disable Avast anti-virus to get it to download and kept it disabled while I ran the scan.

Here are the results.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Very good. How is your PC behaving now?

 

[Andy_P]

Still poorly... in the last few minutes since rebooting from Zoek I have had a pop-up box saying "ADS BY Cloudscape", also this page has several more embedded ad frames(also Cloudscape) with a video running in one of them, and a new FF tab just opened with the McAfee Official UK store and anew browser window opened with the eFix Pro site

 

[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.

 

[Andy_P]

Sorry *CloudScout

 

[Andy_P]

New scans attached, sir.

 

[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.

 

[Andy_P]

Fixlog.txt as requested

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Very good. How is your PC behaving now?

 

[Andy_P]

You sir, may well be a genius...

On a brief test, NO ad. windows in this forum page, and no new rogue tabs or browser windows appearing so far.

It has been a battle against time to get this done before my daughter goes back to college tomorrow, and you have done magnificently.

She is asleep now, but I will get her to give it a more thorough test in the morning and hopefully all will be well and she will be able to thank you herself too.
What beer do you drink?

 

[Andy_P]

Oh, one thing to check.... 'Hitman Pro' is still running at boot time (installed from the original steps I tried (see 1st post)) . Shall I delete it now,or does it give some protection and be worth leaving installed?

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

I don't make a difference what beer to drink

You can uninstall HitmanPro now.


Glad I could help. We will delete all used tools and I'll give you some tips to harden your security and learn how to protect yourself

Recommended reading:
​

MUST READ - security tips:

• Computer Security - a short guide to staying safer online.
• Simple and easy ways to keep your computer safe and secure on the Internet

MUST READ - general maintenance:

• What to do if your Computer is running slowly?

The Importance of Software Updating:
​

In order to stay protected it is very important that you regularly update all of your software. Cybercriminals depend on the apathy of users around software updates to keep their malicious endeavor running.​

Operating systems, such as Windows, and applications, such as Adobe Reader or JAVA, are used by tens of millions of computers and devices around the world, making them a huge target for cybercriminals. Downloading updates and installing them can sometimes be tedious, but the advantages you get from the updates are certainly worth it.

• How to configure and use Automatic Updates in Windows
• How to update Java
• How to update Adobe Reader

Recommended additional software:
​

[img=[URL]http://forum.programosy.pl/images/smilies/icon_arrow.gif][/URL] CCleaner - to clean unneeded temporary files.

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware - to scan your system from time to time in search for malware.

Malwarebytes' Anti-Exploit - to prevent plenty of mostly exploited vulnerabilities.

McShield - to prevent infections spread by removable media.

Unchecky - to prevent from installing additional foistware, implemented in legitimate installations.

Adblock - to surf the web without annoying ads!

Post-cleanup procedures:​

Download DelFix by Xplode and save it to your desktop.

• Run the tool by right click on the
  
  icon and Run as administrator option.
• Make sure that these ones are checked:
  • Remove disinfection tools
  • Purge system restore
  • Reset system settings
• Push Run and wait until the tool completes his work.
• All tools we used should be gone. Tool will create an report for you (C:\DelFix.txt)

The tool will also record healthy state of registry and make a backup using ERUNT program in %windir%\ERUNT\DelFix
Tool deletes old system restore points and create a fresh system restore point after cleaning.

My help is free for everybody.
If you're happy with the help provided and/or wish to buy me a beer for the assistance you received, then you can consider a donation:
Thank you!​

Stay safe,
TwinHeadedEagle

 

[Andy_P]

So, to finish off, I have:
1. Uninstalled hitman pro
2. Run Delfix(success, log produced)
3. Installed MalwareBytes AntiExploit
4. Installed McShield
5. Installed Unchecky
(CCCleaner, AntiMalwareBytes AntiMalware and Adblock Plus are already installed)

Daughter is extremely grateful....I managed to disinfect her PC myself last time this happened, but this time had me beat! Hope these extra controls will keep it safe.

Thank you again and please have a drink on us.

Adios Amigo