Solved CloudScout Ads Popping Up On Some Sites

[ballcap]

I keep getting these ad pop ups on websites when I browse, from CloudScout advertisements on the sides and top/bottom of the web pages, and clicking on empty space opens up a fullscreen pop up. It affects all my browsers: Chrome, Safari, IE

I ran a AdwCleaner scan and it keeps showing the same Scheduled Tasks that I check to delete, but they never delete: ArcadeGiant Updater, CloudScout, and Super Optimizer Schedule

please help me

 

[argus]

Helllo,

My name is Argus and and I will be helping you with your computer problems.

Before we begin, please note the following:

• I will working be on your Malware issues, this may or may not, solve other issues you have with your machine.
• The logs can take some time to research, so please be patient with me.
• Stay with the topic until I tell you that your system is clean. Missing symptoms does not mean that everything is okay.
• Instructions that I give are for your system only!
• Please do not run any tools until requested ! The reason for this is so I know what is going on with the machine at any time. Some programs can interfere with others and hamper the recovery process.
• Please perform all steps in the order received. If you can't understand something don't hesitate to ask.
• Again I would like to remind you to make no further changes to your computer unless I direct you to do so. I will not help you if you do not follow my instructions.

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.

 

[ballcap]

Thank you for your quick reply, Argus. I did what you asked, and here are my attached files

 

[argus]

Always have one (and no more than one!) AntiVirus program! In this case having more of them will not provide you with better protection - instead they may cause slowness, lock-ups and even mark another ones as harmful, leading to leave your system unstable and even damaged. Please choose only one from the listed below to stay with and uninstall the others:

• Bitdefender
• Avast

Uninstallation procedure:

• Press the
  
  + R on your keyboard at the same time. Type appwiz.cpl and click OK.
• Search for each uninstalled entry, right-click it and select Uninstall.

This should be done until any other steps will be taken.

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.

 

[ballcap]

Thank you. i have attached the file. i ran the FRST fix after uninstalling avast antivirus. Now, I only have BitDefender

 

[argus]

How's your computer behaving now?

 

[ballcap]

well, the ads still come up. The computer seems to be running slower, after performing the fix

 

[argus]

Download and run Avast Uninstall Utility
https://www.avast.com/de-de/uninstall-utility

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.

 

[ballcap]

I've also noticed after I restart the computer, a folder pops up over my desktop called BdBkpFolder...its location is in
C:\Users\...\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\BdBkpFolder. Anyway, I did what you asked of me, and attached the file

 

[argus]

Scan with Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and save it to your desktop.

• Install the progam and select update.
• Once updated, click the Settings tab, in the left panel choose Detection & Protection and tick Scan for rootkits.
• Click the Scan tab, choose Threat Scan is checked and click Scan Now.
• If threats are detected, click the Apply Actions button. You will now be prompted to reboot. Click Yes.
• Upon completion of the scan (or after the reboot), click the History tab.
• Click Application Logs and double-click the Scan Log.
• At the bottom click Export and choose Text file.

Save the file to your desktop and include its content in your next reply.

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.

 

[ballcap]

I have attached the files as you requested. Awaiting further instructions

 

[argus]

Please attach a screenshot here Bitdefender alerts.
Two Antivirus have made a big problem.

Download and run Avast Uninstaller.
https://www.avast.com/de-de/uninstall-utility

 

[ballcap]

I ran the Avast Uninstaller, and have attached images of what the ads appear as on the websites, and BitDefender logs

 

[ballcap]

Also, when I click on a websites empty space, a pop up comes up. Here is the screenshot

 

[argus]

Scan with ESET Online Scanner

This step can only be done using Internet Explorer, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
Temporary disable your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware protection - instructions here.
Please visit ESET Online Scanner website.
Click there Run ESET Online Scanner.

If using Internet Explorer:

• Accept the Terms of Use and click Start.
• Allow the running of add-on.

If using Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome:

• Download esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe that you'll be given link to.
• Double click esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe.
• Allow the Terms of Use and click Start.

To perform the scan:

• Make sure that Remove found threats is unchecked.
• Scan archives is checked.
• In Advanced Settings: Scan for potentially unwanted applications, Scan for potentially unsafe applications and Enable Anti-Stealth technology are checked.
• Click Start
• The program will begin to download it's virus database. The speed may vary depending on your Internet connection.
• When completed, the program will begin to scan. This may take several hours. Please, be patient.
• Do not do anything on your machine as it may interrupt the scan.
• When the scan is done, click Finish.
• A logfile will be created at C:\Program Files (x86)\ESET\ESET Online Scanner. Open it using Notepad.

Please include this logfile in your next reply.Don't forget to re-enable previously switched-off protection software!

 

[ballcap]

I guess there were two log files, so I have attached both

 

[argus]

Re-run zoek and run this script:

CloudScout;u

 

[ballcap]

I ran the line of code in zoek, but still the ads persist. I have the log attached

I'm thinking the only way to deal with this is to uninstall Windows

 

[argus]

I'm thinking the only way to deal with this is to uninstall Windows

I think this is the best solution.
Logs nothing we did not show, sorry.