I have a problem with my computer. I was getting MANY pop-ups (this only happened recently), and occasionally a new tab will open up with this address- hxtp://static.australianbrewingcompany.com/g/?z=1&ilmernzkvtaztus=EC9A74F79C022073&pu=ZmFjZWJvb2suY29t&s=firefox&nm=ilmernzkvtaztus&t=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tLw==. I went online and found a proposed solution. They said that I should uninstall two programs from my comp. Once I did, the real problems started. I couldn’t search anything concerning the term “australianbrewingcompany”, nor was I able to get back to this board. I had to restore my computer to an earlier date (5 weeks before) and I got control of my browser back (I use Firefox), but I am still plagued with pop-ups. Any suggestions?
Hi Lamar,
Please break that link as with hxtp
Adcode is being flagged here probably, see: http://209.9.239.101/?report=86fd74c49f53a08253bd993d4a5d48f388583769
Visit that link only in a browser with NoScript and RequestPoliciy add-ons active and in a VM or sandbox, meant for security researchers only!)
Maybe a qualified malware remover here should have a look into a possible infection of the OS from Conduit or a similar browser hijacker,
whenever you experiece persistent problems.
polonus
follow guide and attach the requested logs (not copy and paste) http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0
we need Malwarebytes / OTL / aswMBR
when done a malware expert will check the logs
Here is my log-
most important are OTL and aswMBR diagnostic logs…
your computer seems to be a Adware nest. :o
Last of logs-
this is Malwarebytes protection log … we dont need that.
we need OTL log … see the guide again… there is a big picture of it below the Malwarebytes instructions
if there is something you dont understand … ask
Please excuse my ignorance! Here is the OTL log-
Let me know if this stops it
Warning This fix is only relevant for this system and no other, using on another computer may cause problems
Be advised that when the fix commences it will shut down all running processes and you may lose the desktop and icons, they will return on reboot
Run OTL
[*]Under the Custom Scans/Fixes box at the bottom, paste in the following
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/73555776/OTL_Fix.GIF
:Commands
[CREATERESTOREPOINT]
:OTL
IE:64bit: - HKLM\..\SearchScopes\{2fa28606-de77-4029-af96-b231e3b8f827}: "URL" = http://search.ask.com/web?q={searchterms}&l=dis&o=CPNTDF
IE:64bit: - HKLM\..\SearchScopes\{9BB47C17-9C68-4BB3-B188-DD9AF0FD22}: "URL" = http://dts.search-results.com/sr?src=ieb&appid=0&systemid=2&sr=0&q={searchTerms}
IE - HKLM\..\SearchScopes\{2fa28606-de77-4029-af96-b231e3b8f827}: "URL" = http://search.ask.com/web?q={searchterms}&l=dis&o=CPNTDF
IE - HKLM\..\SearchScopes\{9BB47C17-9C68-4BB3-B188-DD9AF0FD22}: "URL" = http://dts.search-results.com/sr?src=ieb&appid=0&systemid=2&sr=0&q={searchTerms}
- HKU\S-1-5-21-1609915331-22847031-2169837016-1001\..\SearchScopes\{2C9D3C0B-5D38-445E-A4EF-78F296E39E1C}: "URL" = http://www.ant.com/search?s=browser&q={searchTerms}
IE - HKU\S-1-5-21-1609915331-22847031-2169837016-1001\..\SearchScopes\{2fa28606-de77-4029-af96-b231e3b8f827}: "URL" = http://search.ask.com/web?q={searchterms}&l=dis&o=CPNTDF
IE - HKU\S-1-5-21-1609915331-22847031-2169837016-1001\..\SearchScopes\{327EC2C2-0E0D-4B5F-9FF6-5669E5996A0D}: "URL" = http://search.conduit.com/ResultsExt.aspx?q={searchTerms}&SearchSource=4&ctid=CT3289847&CUI=UN94667720938622967
IE - HKU\S-1-5-21-1609915331-22847031-2169837016-1001\..\SearchScopes\{9BB47C17-9C68-4BB3-B188-DD9AF0FD22}: "URL" = http://dts.search-results.com/sr?src=ieb&appid=0&systemid=2&sr=0&q={searchTerms}
FF - prefs.js..browser.search.defaultenginename: "WhiteSmoke New Customized Web Search"
FF - prefs.js..browser.search.defaultthis.engineName: "WhiteSmoke New Customized Web Search"
FF - prefs.js..browser.search.defaulturl: "http://search.conduit.com/ResultsExt.aspx?ctid=CT3289847&CUI=UN37155375912628811&UM=2&SearchSource=3&q={searchTerms}"
FF - prefs.js..browser.search.selectedEngine: "WhiteSmoke New Customized Web Search"
[2013/12/02 00:36:18 | 000,000,000 | ---D | M] (No name found) -- C:\Users\Ronnie\AppData\Roaming\mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\obi2pf2o.default\extensions\{f69e22c7-bc50-414a-9269-0f5c344cd94c}
[2013/12/02 00:39:32 | 000,000,000 | ---D | M] (ScorpionSaver) -- C:\Users\Ronnie\AppData\Roaming\mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\obi2pf2o.default\extensions\ScorpionSaver@jetpack
[2013/05/25 15:32:13 | 002,511,122 | ---- | M] () (No name found) -- C:\Users\Ronnie\AppData\Roaming\mozilla\firefox\profiles\obi2pf2o.default\extensions\jid1-bpzDizt9E1R7nw@jetpack.xpi
[2013/11/29 15:06:32 | 000,477,367 | ---- | M] () (No name found) -- C:\Users\Ronnie\AppData\Roaming\mozilla\firefox\profiles\obi2pf2o.default\extensions\{f69e22c7-bc50-414a-9269-0f5c344cd94c}.xpi
[2013/03/09 23:06:57 | 000,001,005 | ---- | M] () -- C:\Users\Ronnie\AppData\Roaming\mozilla\firefox\profiles\obi2pf2o.default\searchplugins\conduit.xml
O3:64bit: - HKLM\..\Toolbar: (no name) - !{e6d87380-6e47-11db-9fe1-0800200c9a66} - No CLSID value found.
O3:64bit: - HKLM\..\Toolbar: (no name) - 10 - No CLSID value found.
O3 - HKLM\..\Toolbar: (no name) - !{e6d87380-6e47-11db-9fe1-0800200c9a66} - No CLSID value found.
O3 - HKLM\..\Toolbar: (Wincore Mediabar) - {c2d64ff7-0ab8-4263-89c9-ea3b0f8f050c} - C:\PROGRA~2\BEARSH~1\MediaBar\Datamngr\ToolBar\wincorebsdtx.dll File not found
O3 - HKLM\..\Toolbar: (no name) - 10 - No CLSID value found.
O3 - HKU\S-1-5-21-1609915331-22847031-2169837016-1001\..\Toolbar\WebBrowser: (no name) - {7FEBEFE3-6B19-4349-98D2-FFB09D4B49CA} - No CLSID value found.
O4 - HKU\.DEFAULT..\Run: [SearchProtect] \SearchProtect\bin\cltmng.exe File not found
O4 - HKU\S-1-5-18..\Run: [SearchProtect] \SearchProtect\bin\cltmng.exe File not found
[2013/12/02 00:39:29 | 000,000,000 | ---D | C] -- C:\Program Files (x86)\ScorpionSaver
[2013/12/02 00:37:52 | 000,000,000 | ---D | C] -- C:\Program Files\Level Quality Watcher
[2013/11/30 20:56:40 | 000,000,000 | ---D | C] -- C:\Users\Ronnie\AppData\Local\{3E0456A1-7930-4749-B748-936C9A260C89}
[2013/11/26 19:46:11 | 000,000,000 | ---D | C] -- C:\Users\Ronnie\AppData\Local\NativeMessaging
[2013/11/20 20:46:02 | 000,000,000 | ---D | C] -- C:\Users\Ronnie\AppData\Local\{16894BD1-A4E0-43F8-BFB0-314A2866FB6D}
[2013/03/09 23:43:33 | 000,000,000 | ---D | M] -- C:\Users\Ronnie\AppData\Roaming\DSite
:Files
C:\Users\Ronnie\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\klibnahbojhkanfgaglnlalfkgpcppfi
:Commands
[resethosts]
[emptytemp]
[Reboot]
[*]Then click the Run Fix button at the top
[*]Let the program run unhindered, reboot the PC when it is done
[*]Open OTL again and click the Quick Scan button. Post the log it produces in your next reply.
THEN
Please download AdwCleaner by Xplode onto your desktop.
[*]Close all open programs and internet browsers.
[*]Double click on AdwCleaner.exe to run the tool.
[*]Click on Scan.
[*]After the scan is complete click on “Clean”
[*]Confirm each time with Ok.
[*]Your computer will be rebooted automatically. A text file will open after the restart.
[*]Please post the content of that logfile with your next answer.
[*]You can find the logfile at C:\AdwCleaner[S1].txt as well.
Here are my latest results-
And-
Are the alerts still occurring ?
No, not as of yet. With any luck, my computer is clean. Thank you!!!
If all is well tomorrow let me know and I will tidy up
My problem appears to be resolved! Thanks for all of the help. I wonder if Avast will prevent this from happening again?
Unfortunately this comes under the heading of PUP (potentially unwanted programme) and by default Avast has that off as it can be very noisy
But I have found that the hardened mode is a good substitute with more control
Set the hardened mode to moderate, screenshot at the end 
In that case methinks I will send you on your merry way
Subject to no further problems
I will remove my tools now and give some recommendations, but, I would like you to run for 24 hours or so and come back if you have any problems
Now the best part of the day ----- Your log now appears clean 
A good workman always cleans up after himself so…The following will implement some cleanup procedures as well as reset System Restore points:
Run OTL and hit the cleanup button. It will remove all the programmes we have used plus itself.
Clear Restore Points
Go Start > All Programmes > Accessories > System tools
Right click Disc Cleanup and select run as administrator
When it pops up at the first prompt select OK after it has done some calculations the tabs will appear
Select More Options tab
Press Sytem Restore and Shadow Copies Cleanup button
Now that you are clean, to help protect your computer in the future I recommend that you get the following free programmes:
CryptoPrevent install this programme to lock down and prevent crypto ransome ware
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/73555776/CryptoPrevent.JPG
Update and run weekly to keep your system clean
It is critical to have both a firewall and anti virus to protect your system and to keep them updated.
To learn more about how to protect yourself while on the internet read our little guide How did I get infected in the first place ?Keep safe 