CloudScout Ads in Steam

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DisgruntledSteamUser

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Thread author
Jun 16, 2015
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Hello everyone,

I'm getting these really annoying CloudScout ads all over the store page on Steam and for the life of me I can't figure out how to get rid of them. I initially had them in Google Chrome as well but I was able to get rid of them there.

I removed all my new programs from the "add or remove programs" section of my computer. I've run numerous anti-virus/adware/malware scans to no avail (I've run adwcleaner, malware bytes, hitman pro, avast, ccleaner, herdprotect scan). Nothing seems to be picking it up. I've tried uninstalling and re-installing steam multiple times to different hard drives and that hasn't worked either. Is there anything left I can try?

I'm at my wits end here.
 
Hello,



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



Before we start please read and note the following:
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    fjqb1h.png
    button below. Doing this, you make it easier for me to analyze and fix your problem.
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51a612a8b27e2-Zoek.png
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
    51a612a8b27e2-Zoek.png
    icon and select
    RunAsAdmin.jpg
    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:
    Code: 
    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.
 
I ran the script. The ads are still appearing in Steam. If you'd like an image or anything like that let me know. I don't know if this will help either but just as an fyi my steam is installed on my F drive while I have windows installed on my C drive.

Attached you'll find the log file from Zoek.
 

Attachments

FRST.gif
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
    FRST.gif
    icon and select
    RunAsAdmin.jpg
    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.
 
FRST.gif
Fix with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool

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

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

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
    FRST.gif
    icon and select
    RunAsAdmin.jpg
    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.
 

Attachments

I ran it. Attached you'll find the fix log. I had both files on my desktop. My steam store page still has advertisements unfortunately. (I really appreciate the help by the way)
 

Attachments

Yes, it's only Steam as far as I can tell. I don't see it in Chrome or Internet Explorer. I had issues with Google Chrome initially but I was able to get rid of them. I just can't seem to get rid of them in Steam. I've attached an image of what the ads look like. They're clickable links imbedded into different words on the store pages.
 

Attachments

  • Steam Ads.JPG
    Steam Ads.JPG
    53.1 KB · Views: 19
The thing about the validation is it only allows me to do it for a games files. I tried it for Counter-Strike because I actually get adds on the main page in game for that too. It didn't end up working unfortunately.

This is really frustrating. Am I out of luck? Am I just going to have to wipe all of my hard-drives? It seems really crazy to me that this piece of adware is so hard to locate.
 

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