Cloudscout adware keeps reappearing despite multiple removal attempts

wroll

New Member
Thread author
May 11, 2015
6
The intermittency of the symptoms is extremely frustrating as I can’t tell when I have got rid of the problem or whether it’s just lurking in the background – meaning I feel a complete lack of security and privacy and so can’t use my PC the way I want to. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated!

The scan logs I have attached are after Cloudscout reappeared following the fresh browser installs - I have not done any clean-ups since the fresh installs. Attached scan logs are: Adwcleaner, FRST, HitmanPro, and EEK. MBAM runs clean.

Note: I have seen on your forum that Cloudscout can sometimes be tied to Adobe Flash updates. I have updated Flash both on my PC and tablet within the last couple of months, but I haven’t investigated the potential for this to be the cause yet.
 

Attachments

  • AdwCleaner[R6].txt
    1.5 KB · Views: 26
  • FRST_09-05-2015_13-20-34.txt
    44.4 KB · Views: 36
  • Addition_09-05-2015_13-20-34.txt
    31.3 KB · Views: 29
  • HitmanPro_20150508_1211.log
    3.7 KB · Views: 27
  • a2scan_150508-122342.txt
    852 bytes · Views: 25
  • a2scan_150508-122540.txt
    1.7 KB · Views: 25

TwinHeadedEagle

Level 41
Verified
Mar 8, 2013
22,627
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
    fjqb1h.png
    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.




warning.gif
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.



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.
 

wroll

New Member
Thread author
May 11, 2015
6
In case it's of any relevance, I forgot to mention that I tried to set up KIS's Trusted Applications mode, but it found 193 untrusted applications (didn't say anything about there being any trusted applications when I ran the scan)! Needless to say, I couldn't activate Trusted Applications mode.
 

wroll

New Member
Thread author
May 11, 2015
6
After I set Zoek to run the script, I got the error in a popup window "PEVZ.exe has stopped working". I'm not sure if it's related, but I had turned off the wifi connection (internet) before running Zoek, because I had turned off the the antivirus protection.
Anyhow, Zoek still continued to run and then request a reset. The results are in the attached file.
 

Attachments

  • zoek-results.txt
    9.2 KB · Views: 38

wroll

New Member
Thread author
May 11, 2015
6
Still no signs of it returning thankfully :).

I think I should probably still run a few of the tools to perform cleanup of other cookies and PUMs (as per scans in my original post), but other than that, are there any scans I can perform to ensure Cloudscout is well and truly gone and not lurking in the background waiting to reappear?

Thanks
 

TwinHeadedEagle

Level 41
Verified
Mar 8, 2013
22,627
51a46ae42d560-malwarebytes_anti_malware.png
Scan with Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

Please re-run
51a46ae42d560-malwarebytes_anti_malware.png
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware.

  • First of all, 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 newest 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.
 

wroll

New Member
Thread author
May 11, 2015
6
Hi TwinHeadedEagle
MBAM ran clean - log attached.

The other day the hyperlinking text (believe it is Cloudscout) reappeared in a session of Chrome on my tablet. Hopefully unrelated to the computer as I have not logged back into my Chrome account (i.e. no syncing) since prior to starting this thread. MBAM and Kaspersky on the tablet run clean and have not detected anything. I removed Firefox and cleared all cache and drowsing history from Chrome, and rolled it back to the factory version that came on the tablet, then updated it again to the latest version. Symptoms are yet to reappear since then.

Thanks
 

Attachments

  • MBAM - log file_20150519.txt
    1.1 KB · Views: 18

Tooksta

New Member
May 21, 2015
1
TwinHeadedEagle - first, your profile pic rocks, and second - thanks for saving my computer's arse. I followed your instructions and got rid of that crap Cloudscout from my PC. Thanks so much man! :)
 

About us

  • MalwareTips is a community-driven platform providing the latest information and resources on malware and cyber threats. Our team of experienced professionals and passionate volunteers work to keep the internet safe and secure. We provide accurate, up-to-date information and strive to build a strong and supportive community dedicated to cybersecurity.

User Menu

Follow us

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter to know first about the latest cybersecurity incidents and malware threats.

Top