How to remove *dayoftheweek.com (Removal Guide)

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Written by: Stelian Pilici

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What is *dayoftheweek.com?

*dayoftheweek.com is a dangerous search hijacker virus (DNS hijacker) that alters the Windows HOSTS file and registry to hijack Firefox, Explorer and other internet browsers. If your computer is infected with Search Redirect Virus it will take you to fake websites 2 or 3 times after you click on a Google / Yahoo / Bing listing, as well as loading up a series of false popups to try and sell you some fake products. *dayoftheweek.com is a serious security and privacy risk that can steal credit card information and change important Windows registry files.
You are strongly advised to follow our removal instructions below.

Am I infected?
This is how the main screen of the rogue application looks:

[Image: YPVb0.png]

Removal Instructions
(If you experience any problems completing these instructions, please start a new thread here)

STEP 1 : Start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking

  • Remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from your computer, and then restart your computer.
  • Do one of the following:
    • If your computer has a single operating system installed, press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts. You need to press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you will need to try again by waiting until the Windows logon prompt appears, and then shutting down and restarting your computer.
    • If your computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys to highlight the operating system you want to start in safe mode, and then press F8.
  • On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode with Networking , and then press ENTER. For more information about options, see Advanced startup options (including safe mode).
    [Image: I6J8P.jpg]
  • Log on to your computer with a user account that has administrator rights.

STEP 2 : Download and run RKill to terminate known malware processes.

RKill is a program that attempts to terminate known malware processes so that your normal security software can then run and clean your computer of infections. When RKill runs it will kill malware processes and then import a Registry file that removes incorrect file associations and fixes policies that stop us from using certain tools.

As RKill only terminates a program’s running process, and does not delete any files, after running it you should not reboot your computer as any malware processes that are configured to start automatically will just be started again.

  1. Download RKill
    Below are a list of RKill download links using different filenames. We offer RKill under different filenames because some malware will not allow processes to run unless they have a certain filename. Therefore when attempting to run RKill, if a malware terminates it please try a different filename offered below.




  2. Double-click on the RKill icon in order to automatically attempt to stop any processes associated with this rouge.
    [Image: ZnT7s.png]
  3. Now RKill will start working in the background, please be patient while the program looks for various malware programs and tries to ends them.
    [Image: gATdF.png]

    • If you receive a message that RKill is an infection, that is a fake warning given by the rogue. As a possible solution we advise you to leave the warning on the screen and then try to run RKill again.Run RKill until the fake program is not visible but not more than ten times.
    • If you continue having problems running RKill, you can download the other renamed versions of RKill from the above links.
  4. When Rkill has completed its task, it will generate a log. You can then proceed with the rest of the guide.

Note: Do not reboot your computer after running RKill as the malware programs will start again.

STEP 3 : Download and run TDSSKiller.

  • Download TDSSKiller.exe and save it on your desktop
  • Before you can run TDSSKiller, you first need to rename it so that you can get it to run. To do this, right-click on the TDSSKiller.exe icon that should now be on your Desktop and select Rename. You can now edit the name of the file and should name it a random name with the .com extension. For example, azdt.com or qwerty.com.
  • Once the file is renamed, double-click on it to launch it.
  • TDSSKiller will now start and display the welcome screen as shown below.
    [Image: N2Nk5.png]
  • TDSSKiller will now scan your computer for the TDSS infection. When the scan has finished it will display a result screen stating whether or not the infection was found on your computer. If it was found it will display a screen similar to the one below.
    [Image: 2663-2-eng.png]
  • To remove the infection simply click on the Continue button and TDSSKiller will attempt to clean the infection.
  • A reboot might require after disinfection.

STEP 4 :Download and scan with the ZeroAccess rootkit removal tool

  1. Please download the latest version of the ZeroAccess rootkit removal tool.

  2. Double click on antizeroaccess.exe to run it.
    [Image: 31653863.png]
  3. After the program will start it will ask you if you want to perform a System scan,in order to scan : press “Y” and then Enter.
    [Image: 28987717.png]
  4. The ZeroAccess rootkit removal tool will start now removing the malicious files.
    If during the removal process the program will displays a message stating that it needs to reboot, please allow this request.

STEP 5 :Download and scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

  1. Please download the latest official version of Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware. [Image: 1208__malwarebytes.png]

  2. Install Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware by double clicking on mbam-setup.
    [Image: AxE4f.png]
  3. Follow the prompts. Make sure that Update Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware and Launch Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware are checked. Then click Finish.
    [Image: EFk1d.png]
  4. On the Scanner tab, make sure the Perform full scan option is selected and then click on the Scan button to start scanning your computer for malicious files.
    [Image: Yomki.png]
  5. Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware will now start scanning your computer for infected files .When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
    [Image: dVY31.png]
  6. You will now be presented with a screen showing you the malware infections that the program found.
    Please note that the infections found may be different than what is shown in the image.
    Make sure that everything is Checked (ticked) and click on Remove Selected.
    [Image: ZqRnb.png]
  7. Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware will start now removing the malicious files.
    If during the removal process Malwarebytes will displays a message stating that it needs to reboot, please allow this request.
    [Image: kY6jB.png]

Malwarebytes should completely remove this infection however you should also download other free anti-malware software from the list below and run a full system scan to make sure that your computer is clean :

STEP 6 : Make sure that DNS settings are not changed

  1. Right click on the Network icon in the Notification area, and click on Open Network and Sharing Center.
    [Image: iKUf0.png]
  2. Click on the Change adapter settings link in the left blue pane.
    [Image: nX5Rf.png]
  3. Right click on Local Area Connection icon and select Properties.
    [Image: uuE9i.png]
  4. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv 4) and click Properties button.
    [Image: UvSEz.png]
  5. Choose Obtain DNS server address automatically and click OK.
    [Image: 44032302.png]

STEP 7 : Check Windows HOSTS file
The hosts file is one of several system facilities to assist in addressing network nodes in a computer network. It is a common part in an operating system’s Internet Protocol (IP) implementation, and serves the function of translating human-friendly hostnames into numeric protocol addresses, called IP addresses, that identify and locate a host in an IP network.
Because of its role in local name resolution, the hosts file represents an attack vector for malicious software. The file may be hijacked, for example, by adware, computer viruses, trojan horse software, and may be modified to redirect traffic from the intended destination to sites hosting content that may be offensive or intrusive to the user or the user’s computer system.

  1. Go to > C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc.
    [Image: ZO11L.png]
  2. Double-click “hosts” file to open it. Choose to open with Notepad.
    [Image: ICJx6.png]
  3. The “hosts” file should look the same as in the image below. There should be only one line: 127.0.0.1 localhost in Windows XP and 127.0.0.1 localhost ::1 in Windows Vista/7. If there are more, then remove them and save changes.
    Windows XP :
    [Image: GosL9.jpg]
    Windows Vista and 7 :
    [Image: vMS3u.png]
    You can find more details on how to reset your host file here.

If you are still experiencing problems on your machine, please start a new thread here.

How was I infected?

  • Rogues can get on to computers without the user’s consent through Drive-by downloads. When a user visits a compromised or infected website, the site immediately checks for any security vulnerabilities on the machine to inject the malicious code.
  • Peer-to-peer (P2P) programs utorrent, Limewire, and Kazaa are frequently used by hackers to distribute malware
  • Hackers can also trick the user into downloading a file, saying it is a legitimate file needed to view a video or pictures.

How can I prevent these infections?

1. Keep Your System Updated

  • Microsoft releases patches for Windows and Office products regularly to patch up Windows and Office product bugs and vulnerabilities. Please ensure you update your system regularly.

    To update Windows and Office

    1. Go to Start > Control Panel > Automatic Updates
    2. Select Automatic (recommended) if you want the updates to be downloaded and installed without prompting you.
    3. Select Download updates for me, but let me choose when to install them button if you want the updates to be downloaded automatically but to be installed at another time.

To manually update Windows,

    Start Internet Explorer. Go to Tools > Windows Update

2. Keep your Antivirus up-to-date

Make sure that you update your antivirus, firewall and anti-spyware programs regularly. If you don’t have an antivirus, download any one of the following:

3. Avoid Peer-to-peer programs

  • Peer-to-peer programs are legitimate but the files shared are extremely dangerous. Hackers often use fake file names to trick users into downloading malware.

4. Switch your browser

  • Firefox is a more secure, faster browser than Internet Explorer. Firefox contains less vulnerabilities, reducing the risk of drive-by downloads.
  • Google Chrome is another good browser that is faster and more secure than Internet Explorer.

5. Read our other “Security Tips”

How to Stay Safe Online

Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:

  1. Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.

    Shield Guide

    It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.

  2. Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.

    updates-guide

    Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.

  3. Be careful when installing programs and apps.

    install guide

    Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."

  4. Install an ad blocker.

    Ad Blocker

    Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.

  5. Be careful what you download.

    Trojan Horse

    A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.

  6. Be alert for people trying to trick you.

    warning sign

    Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.

  7. Back up your data.

    backup sign

    Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.

  8. Choose strong passwords.

    lock sign

    Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.

  9. Be careful where you click.

    cursor sign

    Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.

  10. Don't use pirated software.

    Shady Guide

    Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.

To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.

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