unable to remove search-great browser hijacker from Chrome (continued)

[NeilH]

apologies to icotonev for not replying sooner on thread unable to remove search-great browser hijacker from Chrome
been unable to get time online over festive period
I have followed the steps recommended on previous thread
files generated are attached

 

[icotonev]

The chrome browser on my window 11 laptop has started defaulting to yahoo as search engine even when instructed to do otherwise.

Hello and Happy New Year..!

Before we continue I would like to reset your Chrome browser settings to their original defaults. This will reset your startup page, new tab page, search engine, and pinned tabs. It will also disable all extensions and clear temporary data like cookies. Your favorites, history, and saved passwords will not be cleared.Уou will need to reset Chrome Sync. Here’s how:

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. At the top right, select Profile
   
   
   Sync is on.
3. Select Turn off.

To delete synced info from your Google Account:

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. Go to chrome.google.com/sync.
3. Select Delete data.

Sign in and sync in Chrome - Computer - Google Chrome Help

When you sign in to Chrome with your Google Account, you can get your info on all your devices and use additional Chrome features. When you sign in You can get your bookmarks, passwords, and

support.google.com

You can delete your Chrome browsing history and other browsing data, like saved form entries, or just delete data from a specific date.

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. At the top right, click More
   
   
   Delete browsing data.
3. Choose a time range, like Last hour or All time.
4. Select the types of information you want to remove.
5. Click Delete data.
   • If you delete cookies while signed in to Chrome, you won't be signed out of your Google Account.

Delete browsing data in Chrome - Android - Google Chrome Help

You can delete your Chrome browsing history and other browsing data, like saved form entries, or just delete data from a specific date. What happens to your info Data th

support.google.com

To reset or restore Chrome settings to default in Windows 11, do the following:

1. Open Chrome.
2. Type chrome://settings in address bar
3. Hit Enter.
4. Scroll towards the end and click on Advanced settings.
5. Toward the end, you will see Restore settings to their original defaults.
6. Click on the button to restore to open the Reset settings panel
7. Click on Reset settings button.

Reset Chrome settings to default - Google Chrome Help

You can restore your browser settings in Chrome at any time. You might need to do this if apps or extensions you installed changed your settings without your knowledge. Your saved bookmarks and passwo

support.google.com

Next ....:

Farbar Recovery Scan Tool - Fix

NOTICE: This script was written specifically for this user, for use on this particular machine. Running this on another machine may cause damage to your operating system that cannot be undone

Please download the attached file to the same folder where the Farbar tool is running from.
The location is listed in the 3rd line of the FRST.txt log you have submitted.

Run FRST and click Fix only once and wait.

The Computer will restart when the fix is completed.

It will create a log (Fixlog.txt) please post it to your reply.

 

[NeilH]

Hello and Happy New Year..!

Before we continue I would like to reset your Chrome browser settings to their original defaults. This will reset your startup page, new tab page, search engine, and pinned tabs. It will also disable all extensions and clear temporary data like cookies. Your favorites, history, and saved passwords will not be cleared.Уou will need to reset Chrome Sync. Here’s how:

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. At the top right, select Profile
   
   
   Sync is on.
3. Select Turn off.

To delete synced info from your Google Account:

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. Go to chrome.google.com/sync.
3. Select Delete data.

Sign in and sync in Chrome - Computer - Google Chrome Help

When you sign in to Chrome with your Google Account, you can get your info on all your devices and use additional Chrome features. When you sign in You can get your bookmarks, passwords, and

support.google.com

You can delete your Chrome browsing history and other browsing data, like saved form entries, or just delete data from a specific date.

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. At the top right, click More
   
   
   Delete browsing data.
3. Choose a time range, like Last hour or All time.
4. Select the types of information you want to remove.
5. Click Delete data.
   • If you delete cookies while signed in to Chrome, you won't be signed out of your Google Account.

Delete browsing data in Chrome - Android - Google Chrome Help

You can delete your Chrome browsing history and other browsing data, like saved form entries, or just delete data from a specific date. What happens to your info Data th

support.google.com

To reset or restore Chrome settings to default in Windows 11, do the following:

1. Open Chrome.
2. Type chrome://settings in address bar
3. Hit Enter.
4. Scroll towards the end and click on Advanced settings.
5. Toward the end, you will see Restore settings to their original defaults.
6. Click on the button to restore to open the Reset settings panel
7. Click on Reset settings button.

Reset Chrome settings to default - Google Chrome Help

You can restore your browser settings in Chrome at any time. You might need to do this if apps or extensions you installed changed your settings without your knowledge. Your saved bookmarks and passwo

support.google.com

Next ....:

Farbar Recovery Scan Tool - Fix

NOTICE: This script was written specifically for this user, for use on this particular machine. Running this on another machine may cause damage to your operating system that cannot be undone

Please download the attached file to the same folder where the Farbar tool is running from.
The location is listed in the 3rd line of the FRST.txt log you have submitted.

Run FRST and click Fix only once and wait.

The Computer will restart when the fix is completed.

It will create a log (Fixlog.txt) please post it to your reply.

thanks. log attached

 

[icotonev]

Thank you..!

Malwarebytes AdwCleaner

• Please download AdwCleaner and save it to your Desktop
• Close all open programs and browsers
• Right click on the icon and select Run as administrator
• Click Scan now
• Uncheck any detected items you would to keep then click Next
• If a Preinstalled software was found! screen appears review it if you'd like then click OK

The section at the bottom under Pre-Installed Software is software that was apparently installed when the device was new by your PC manufacturer.Personally, I don't keep anything from this software that I don't use/need. But it's your computer, so the decision is yours.

• Review the list of Preinstalled software and place a check mark in those you do not wish to keep
• Click Quarantine, then Continue
• When completed click View Log File
• Copy and paste the contents in your reply
• Close the AdwCleaner window

In your next reply, please post:

• AdwCleaner report

 

[NeilH]

Thank you..!

Malwarebytes AdwCleaner

• Please download AdwCleaner and save it to your Desktop
• Close all open programs and browsers
• Right click on the icon and select Run as administrator
• Click Scan now
• Uncheck any detected items you would to keep then click Next
• If a Preinstalled software was found! screen appears review it if you'd like then click OK

The section at the bottom under Pre-Installed Software is software that was apparently installed when the device was new by your PC manufacturer.Personally, I don't keep anything from this software that I don't use/need. But it's your computer, so the decision is yours.

• Review the list of Preinstalled software and place a check mark in those you do not wish to keep
• Click Quarantine, then Continue
• When completed click View Log File
• Copy and paste the contents in your reply
• Close the AdwCleaner window

In your next reply, please post:

• AdwCleaner report

 

[icotonev]

Greetings..! What problems are you seeing now..? Is your problem solved..?

 

[NeilH]

still no difference unfortunately. Searches made via google in Chrome are still diverting to yahoo search

 

[icotonev]

still no difference unfortunately. Searches made via google in Chrome are still diverting to yahoo search

Did you do these three steps...?

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. At the top right, select Profile
   
   
   Sync is on.
3. Select Turn off.

To delete synced info from your Google Account:

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. Go to chrome.google.com/sync.
3. Select Delete data.

Sign in and sync in Chrome - Computer - Google Chrome Help

When you sign in to Chrome with your Google Account, you can get your info on all your devices and use additional Chrome features. When you sign in You can get your bookmarks, passwords, and

support.google.com

You can delete your Chrome browsing history and other browsing data, like saved form entries, or just delete data from a specific date.

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. At the top right, click More
   
   
   Delete browsing data.
3. Choose a time range, like Last hour or All time.
4. Select the types of information you want to remove.
5. Click Delete data.
   • If you delete cookies while signed in to Chrome, you won't be signed out of your Google Account.

Delete browsing data in Chrome - Android - Google Chrome Help

You can delete your Chrome browsing history and other browsing data, like saved form entries, or just delete data from a specific date. What happens to your info Data th

support.google.com

To reset or restore Chrome settings to default in Windows 11, do the following:

1. Open Chrome.
2. Type chrome://settings in address bar
3. Hit Enter.
4. Scroll towards the end and click on Advanced settings.
5. Toward the end, you will see Restore settings to their original defaults.
6. Click on the button to restore to open the Reset settings panel
7. Click on Reset settings button.

Reset Chrome settings to default - Google Chrome Help

You can restore your browser settings in Chrome at any time. You might need to do this if apps or extensions you installed changed your settings without your knowledge. Your saved bookmarks and passwo

support.google.com

 

[icotonev]

Next ....:

Fresh FRST logs

Please run FRST tool once more, and attach for me fresh logs:

• Double-click on the FRST icon to run it, as you did before. When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
• Press Scan button and wait for a while.
• The scanner will produce two logs on your Desktop: FRST.txt and Addition.txt.
• Please attach these two logs in your next reply.

In your next reply, please post:

• Fresh FRST logs

 

[icotonev]

The following will remove the tools we used as well as reset system restore points:

KpRm by Kernel-panik

• Download KpRm and save it to your Desktop (see here if you must use Chrome)
• Note: If the file is detected as malware it is not and it is safe to download. The detection is a false positive.
• Right click on the icon and select Run as administrator
• Click Yes on the Disclaimer
• Place a check mark in Delete Tools, Create Restore Point, and Delete in 7 days
• Click Run
• Click OK on All operations are completed
• KpRm will delete itself from you Desktop and you can either save or remove the report that is generated
• You are free to remove any other tools/reports still remaining
• Please copy and paste its contents in your next reply.

Due to lack of activity, this topic is now closed. You requested help but did not respond to follow-up questions or instructions within three days and your topic has been moved here.
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