Solved http://us.yhs4.search.yahoo.com/ browser hijacker

[boozle]

A few weeks ago, I installed windows 8 on my 27 inch iMac using bootcamp. I installed eclipse, JVM and JDK to start with. I also installed chrome. Later, when I used google Chrome's "Omnibar," to search I was redirected to the fake yahoo browser hijacking site http://us.yhs4.search.yahoo.com/. Do not go to that link or you may have the same misery I have had.

(I have watched the thread and chosen to receive email notifications, so just reply. )

I have really not done much to try and fix it yet. I am an amateur coder and work a very small bid with pyhon and java. I do not know much about the internal workings of OS' but that will hopefully change with my high school courses in the next few years to come.

I would really appreciate if someone could help me completely remove this issue.

 

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

Fix with AdwCleaner

Please download AdwCleaner by Xplode and save the file to your desktop.

• Right-click on
  
  icon and select
  
  Run as Administrator to start the tool.
• Follow the prompts and click Scan.
• When finished, please click Clean.
• Upon completion, click Report. A log (AdwCleaner[S*].txt) will open.

Please include the contents of that file in your reply.




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.

 

[boozle]

I got this:

# AdwCleaner v3.307 - Report created 18/08/2014 at 15:03:30
# Updated 17/08/2014 by Xplode
# Operating System : Windows 8.1 (64 bits)
# Username : Matt Pharr - PHARRWINDOWS
# Running from : C:\Users\Matt\Downloads\AdwCleaner.exe
# Option : Scan

***** [ Services ] *****


***** [ Files / Folders ] *****


***** [ Scheduled Tasks ] *****


***** [ Shortcuts ] *****


***** [ Registry ] *****

Key Found : HKCU\Software\Softonic
Key Found : [x64] HKCU\Software\Softonic
Key Found : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Extension Compatibility\{74F475FA-6C75-43BD-AAB9-ECDA6184F600}

***** [ Browsers ] *****

-\\ Internet Explorer v11.0.9600.17239


-\\ Google Chrome v36.0.1985.143

[ File : C:\Users\Matt\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\preferences ]


[ File : C:\Users\Matt\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\preferences ]


[ File : C:\Users\Matt\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\preferences ]


[ File : C:\Users\Matt\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\preferences ]


[ File : C:\Users\Matt\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\preferences ]


[ File : C:\Users\Matt\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\preferences ]


[ File : C:\Users\Matt\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\preferences ]


[ File : C:\Users\Matt\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\preferences ]


[ File : C:\Users\Matt\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\preferences ]


[ File : C:\Users\Matt\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\preferences ]


[ File : C:\Users\Matt\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\preferences ]


[ File : C:\Users\Matt\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\preferences ]


[ File : C:\Users\Matt\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\preferences ]


[ File : C:\Users\Matt\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\preferences ]


*************************

AdwCleaner[R0].txt - [1980 octets] - [18/08/2014 15:03:30]

########## EOF - C:\AdwCleaner\AdwCleaner[R0].txt - [2040 octets] ##########

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Okay, now I need two FRST reports.

 

[boozle]

.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Can you please just attach them. Use Upload a File option. Thanks.

 

[boozle]

There. Sorry.

 

[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.

 

[boozle]

There.

Edit: It did reboot to OS X instead of windows.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

How is your PC now?

 

[boozle]

It appears to have stopped redirecting to the malicious fake yahoo site.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Good, then we're done


Below you will find my thoughts about securing your machine. Go ahead through it, you will benefit from some useful advice about safe computing.

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:
​

TFC - 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.

CryptoPrevent - to secure yourself from very severe CryptoLocker infection.

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

FiheHippo.com Update Checker - to keep your programs up-to-date.

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

 

[boozle]

Nope. Not solved. I went right back to the malicious site today, unfortunately.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

When does this happen? On all sites or only on certain?

 

[boozle]

It happens whenever I type a search into the google "omnibar" at the top of the screen. Only then.

 

[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.

 

[boozle]

There.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Is it fixed now?

 

[boozle]

It does not appear to be coming up anymore, again. I think I will clear all my bookmarks and history and whatnot to make sure there are no directs to malicious sites in between.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Okay, then we're done