I am seeing a recurring “threat secured” popup from Avast while using my duckduckgo browser for windows
Threat Name URL:Blacklist
URL htt://www.dinetteonine.com/favicon.ico (http changed to htt throughout this post to disable links)
Process C:\ProgramFiles\WindowsApps\DuckDuckGo.DesktopBrowser_0.151.3.0_x64_ya2fgkz3nks94\
WindowsBrowser\DuckDuckGo.exe
Detected by WebShield
The DuckDuckGo Browser doesn’t have a way to clear caches, cookies, etc. apart from the Fireproof button, but the fireproof button doesn’t fix this problem. I read on another site that HijackThis can be used to help diagnose an issue like this. I downloaded HijackThis and created a .log file. When I ran it, HijackThis displayed a popup saying that my system denied write access to the Hosts file and said that I would have to edit this file manually to fix any issues. It said to find the line(s) that HIjackThis reports and delete them. The site that directed me to HijackThis recommended posting the contents of the HijackThis.log file to this site where perhaps someone can recommend how to proceed. Log file contents are included below. Any suggestions? Thanks.
(Sorry for the long post, but I wasn’t sure if I could attach a file to the post.
Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 12:32:20 PM, on 3/23/2026
Platform: Unknown Windows (WinNT 6.02.1008)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v11.0 (11.00.19041.5794)
Boot mode: Normal
Running processes:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Acrobat 11.0\Acrobat\acrotray.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Acrobat Reader DC\Reader\AdobeCollabSync.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Acrobat Reader DC\Reader\AdobeCollabSync.exe
C:\Users\redacted\Downloads\hijackthis.exe
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = htt://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = htt://www.duckduckgo.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = htt://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=255141
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = htt://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = htt://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = htt://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=255141
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = %11%\blank.htm
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = C:\Windows\SysWOW64\blank.htm
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=
O2 - BHO: IEToEdge BHO - {1FD49718-1D00-4B19-AF5F-070AF6D5D54C} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\146.0.3856.72\BHO\ie_to_edge_bho.dll
O2 - BHO: Skype for Business Click to Call BHO - {31D09BA0-12F5-4CCE-BE8A-2923E76605DA} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\root\Office15\OCHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Adobe Acrobat Create PDF Helper - {AE7CD045-E861-484f-8273-0445EE161910} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\WCIEActiveX\AcroIEFavClient.dll
O2 - BHO: Microsoft SkyDrive Pro Browser Helper - {D0498E0A-45B7-42AE-A9AA-ABA463DBD3BF} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\root\Office15\GROOVEEX.DLL
O2 - BHO: SmartSelect - {F4971EE7-DAA0-4053-9964-665D8EE6A077} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\WCIEActiveX\AcroIEFavClient.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Adobe Acrobat Create PDF Toolbar - {47833539-D0C5-4125-9FA8-0819E2EAAC93} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\WCIEActiveX\AcroIEFavClient.dll
O4 - HKLM..\Run: [StatusAlerts] “C:\Program Files (x86)\HP\StatusAlerts\bin\HPStatusAlerts.exe” /enum:on /alerts:on /notifications:on /fl:on /fr:on /appData:on /tmcp:on
O4 - HKLM..\Run: [Acrobat Assistant 8.0] “C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Acrobat 11.0\Acrobat\Acrotray.exe”
O4 - HKLM..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] “C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe”
O4 - HKCU..\Run: [OneDrive] “C:\Users\redacted\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneDrive\OneDrive.exe” /background
O4 - HKCU..\Run: [GarminExpress] “C:\Program Files (x86)\Garmin\Express\express.exe” /minimized
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-21-2248547941-2475626682-4197141822-1001..\Run: [OneDrive] “C:\Users\redacted\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneDrive\OneDrive.exe” /background (User ‘?’)
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-21-2248547941-2475626682-4197141822-1001..\Run: [GarminExpress] “C:\Program Files (x86)\Garmin\Express\express.exe” /minimized (User ‘?’)
O4 - S-1-5-21-2248547941-2475626682-4197141822-1001 Startup: RT-Updater.lnk = C:\Ross-Tech\VCDS\VCDS.EXE (User ‘?’)
O4 - S-1-5-21-2248547941-2475626682-4197141822-1001 Startup: Send to OneNote.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\root\office15\onenotem.exe (User ‘?’)
O4 - Startup: RT-Updater.lnk = C:\Ross-Tech\VCDS\VCDS.EXE
O4 - Startup: Send to OneNote.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\root\office15\onenotem.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\Root\Office15\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Se&nd to OneNote - res://C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\Root\Office15\ONBttnIE.dll/105
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\root\Office15\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra ‘Tools’ menuitem: Se&nd to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\root\Office15\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: Skype for Business Click to Call - {31D09BA0-12F5-4CCE-BE8A-2923E76605DA} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\root\Office15\OCHelper.dll
O9 - Extra ‘Tools’ menuitem: Skype for Business Click to Call - {31D09BA0-12F5-4CCE-BE8A-2923E76605DA} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\root\Office15\OCHelper.dll
O9 - Extra button: OneNote Lin&ked Notes - {789FE86F-6FC4-46A1-9849-EDE0DB0C95CA} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\root\Office15\ONBttnIELinkedNotes.dll
O9 - Extra ‘Tools’ menuitem: OneNote Lin&ked Notes - {789FE86F-6FC4-46A1-9849-EDE0DB0C95CA} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\root\Office15\ONBttnIELinkedNotes.dll
O11 - Options group: [ACCELERATED_GRAPHICS] Accelerated graphics
O18 - Protocol: osf - {D924BDC6-C83A-4BD5-90D0-095128A113D1} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\root\Office15\MSOSB.DLL
O18 - Protocol: tbauth - {14654CA6-5711-491D-B89A-58E571679951} - C:\Windows\SysWOW64\tbauth.dll
O18 - Protocol: windows.tbauth - {14654CA6-5711-491D-B89A-58E571679951} - C:\Windows\SysWOW64\tbauth.dll
O23 - Service: Adobe Acrobat Update Service (AdobeARMservice) - Adobe Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\armsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Adobe Genuine Software Monitor Service (AGMService) - Adobe Systems, Incorporated - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\AdobeGCClient\AGMService.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\alg.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: aswbIDSAgent - AVAST Software - C:\Program Files\Avast Software\Avast\aswidsagent.exe
O23 - Service: Avast Antivirus (avast! Antivirus) - Gen Digital Inc. - C:\Program Files\Avast Software\Avast\AvastSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Avast Tools (avast! Tools) - Gen Digital Inc. - C:\Program Files\Avast Software\Avast\aswToolsSvc.exe
O23 - Service: AvastWscReporter - AVAST Software - C:\Program Files\Avast Software\Avast\wsc_proxy.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Content Protection HECI Service (cphs) - Intel Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\iigd_dch.inf_amd64_fae569f4aac5ff16\IntelCpHeciSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Content Protection HDCP Service (cplspcon) - Intel Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\iigd_dch.inf_amd64_fae569f4aac5ff16\IntelCpHDCPSvc.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\CredentialEnrollmentManager.exe,-100 (CredentialEnrollmentManagerUserSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\CredentialEnrollmentManager.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: CredentialEnrollmentManagerUserSvc_181155 - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\CredentialEnrollmentManager.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Dell Command | Power Manager Notify (dcpm-notify) - Dell Inc. - C:\Program Files\Dell\CommandPowerManager\NotifyService.exe
O23 - Service: Dell Data Vault Service API (DDVCollectorSvcApi) - Dell Technologies Inc. - C:\Program Files\Dell\DellDataVault\DDVCollectorSvcApi.exe
O23 - Service: Dell Data Vault Collector (DDVDataCollector) - Dell Technologies Inc. - C:\Program Files\Dell\DellDataVault\DDVDataCollector.exe
O23 - Service: Dell Data Vault Processor (DDVRulesProcessor) - Dell Technologies Inc. - C:\Program Files\Dell\DellDataVault\DDVRulesProcessor.exe
O23 - Service: Dell Digital Delivery Services - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Dell Digital Delivery Services\Dell.D3.WinSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Dell Optimizer (DellOptimizer) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Dell\DellOptimizer\DellOptimizer.exe
O23 - Service: Dell TechHub (DellTechHub) - Dell - C:\Program Files\Dell\TechHub\Dell.TechHub.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\DiagSvcs\DiagnosticsHub.StandardCollector.ServiceRes.dll,-1000 (diagnosticshub.standardcollector.service) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\DiagSvcs\DiagnosticsHub.StandardCollector.Service.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: DIAL Communication Service (DialComService) - DIAL GmbH - C:\Program Files (x86)\DIAL GmbH\DIAL Communication Framework\DialComService.exe
O23 - Service: Express Connect Dynamic Bandwidth Management (ECDBWM) - Rivet Networks, LLC. - C:\Program Files\ExpressConnect\ECDBWMService.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\efssvc.dll,-100 (EFS) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @oem171.inf,%ServiceDisplayName%;Intel(R) Dynamic Tuning service (esifsvc) - Intel Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\dptf_cpu.inf_amd64_c2c5b0e17a28a48f\esif_uf.exe
O23 - Service: ExpressConnect Analytics Service - Rivet Networks - C:\Program Files\ExpressConnect\ExpressConnectAnalyticsService.exe
O23 - Service: ExpressConnect Network Service - Rivet Networks - C:\Program Files\ExpressConnect\ExpressConnectNetworkService.exe
O23 - Service: ExpressConnect AP Selector Service (ExpressConnectService) - Rivet Networks, LLC. - C:\Program Files\ExpressConnect\ExpressConnectService.exe
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\fxsresm.dll,-118 (Fax) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\fxssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\GameInputSvc.exe,-101 (GameInputSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\GameInputSvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: HP LaserJet Service - HP - C:\Program Files (x86)\HP\HPLaserJetService\HPLaserJetService.exe
O23 - Service: @oem124.inf,%iaStorAfsService.ServiceName%;Intel(R) Optane™ Memory Service (iaStorAfsService) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\iaStorAfsService.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Graphics Command Center Service (igccservice) - Intel Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\igcc_dch.inf_amd64_c18e9c8eed547b01\OneApp.IGCC.WinService.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) HD Graphics Control Panel Service (igfxCUIService2.0.0.0) - Intel Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\cui_dch.inf_amd64_c36cd6406677db45\igfxCUIService.exe
O23 - Service: @oem244.inf,%TPMProvisioningServiceName%;Intel(R) TPM Provisioning Service (Intel(R) TPM Provisioning Service) - Intel(R) Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\iclsclient.inf_amd64_e09549ff94cfc588\lib\TPMProvisioningService.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Audio Service (IntelAudioService) - Intel - C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\intcoed.inf_amd64_581d7e91d349facc\AS\IAS\IntelAudioService.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) User Awareness Service (IntelContextService) - Intel Corp - C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel(R) User Awareness Service\UserAwarenessService.exe
O23 - Service: Intuit Update Service v5 (IntuitUpdateServiceV5) - Intuit Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\Update Service v5\IntuitUpdateService.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Dynamic Application Loader Host Interface Service (jhi_service) - Intel Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\dal.inf_amd64_8a3f88e34f6b8385\jhi_service.exe
O23 - Service: @keyiso.dll,-100 (KeyIso) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Management and Security Application Local Management Service (LMS) - Intel Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\lms.inf_amd64_dc8575dca42caa2c\LMS.exe
O23 - Service: Macrium Service (MacriumService) - Paramount Software UK Ltd - C:\Program Files\Macrium\Common\MacriumService.exe
O23 - Service: Malwarebytes Service (MBAMService) - Malwarebytes - C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes\Anti-Malware\MBAMService.exe
O23 - Service: MBVpnTunnelService - Malwarebytes - C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes\Anti-Malware\MBVpnTunnelService.exe
O23 - Service: Mozilla Maintenance Service (MozillaMaintenance) - Mozilla Foundation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Maintenance Service\maintenanceservice.exe
O23 - Service: @comres.dll,-2797 (MSDTC) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdtc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\System32\netlogon.dll,-102 (Netlogon) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Container LS (NVDisplay.ContainerLocalSystem) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nvdm.inf_amd64_90aa6eeaeb0581d4\Display.NvContainer\NVDisplay.Container.exe
O23 - Service: NVWMI - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nvdm.inf_amd64_90aa6eeaeb0581d4\NVWMI\nvWmi64.exe
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\PerceptionSimulation\PerceptionSimulationService.exe,-101 (perceptionsimulation) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\PerceptionSimulation\PerceptionSimulationService.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Intel® PROSet/Wireless Service (PIEServiceNew) - Intel Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\piecomponent.inf_amd64_ef0d92102be8d7c5\Intel_PIE_Service.exe
O23 - Service: ProtonVPN Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Proton Technologies\ProtonVPN\ProtonVPNService.exe
O23 - Service: ProtonVPN Update Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Proton Technologies\ProtonVPN\ProtonVPN.UpdateService.exe
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\Locator.exe,-2 (RpcLocator) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\locator.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @oem124.inf,%RstMwService.ServiceName%;Intel(R) Storage Middleware Service (RstMwService) - Intel Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\iastorac.inf_amd64_ba273d0ffb93e225\RstMwService.exe
O23 - Service: Realtek Audio Universal Service (RtkAudioUniversalService) - Realtek Semiconductor - C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\realtekservice.inf_amd64_04ff63d068f8c626\RtkAudUService64.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Quick Share (SamsungQuickShareService) - QuickShareService - C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\SAMSUNGELECTRONICSCoLtd.SamsungQuickShare_2.3.22.0_x64__wyx1vj98g3asy\QuickShareService\QuickShareService.exe
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\SecurityHealthAgent.dll,-1002 (SecurityHealthService) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\SecurityHealthService.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection\MsSense.exe,-1001 (Sense) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection\MsSense.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\SensorDataService.exe,-101 (SensorDataService) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\SensorDataService.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @firewallapi.dll,-50323 (SNMPTRAP) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\snmptrap.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spectrum.exe,-101 (spectrum) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\spectrum.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spoolsv.exe,-1 (Spooler) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\spoolsv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\sppsvc.exe,-101 (sppsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\sppsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: SAMSUNG Mobile Connectivity Service (ss_conn_service) - DEVGURU Co., LTD. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Samsung\USB Drivers\27_ssconn\conn\ss_conn_service.exe
O23 - Service: Synology Active Backup for Business Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Synology\ActiveBackupforBusinessAgent\service\Synology Active Backup for Business Service.exe
O23 - Service: @oem94.inf,%ThunderboltServiceName.SrvName%;Thunderbolt™ Application Launcher (TbtHostControllerService) - Intel Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\ThunderboltService.exe
O23 - Service: @oem26.inf,%TbtP2pShortcutServiceName.SrvName%;Thunderbolt™ Peer to Peer Shortcut (TbtP2pShortcutService) - Intel Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\TbtP2pShortcutService.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\TieringEngineService.exe,-702 (TieringEngineService) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\TieringEngineService.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vaultsvc.dll,-1003 (VaultSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: VirtualBox system service (VBoxSDS) - Oracle Corporation - C:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox\VBoxSDS.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vds.exe,-100 (vds) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\vds.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\vssvc.exe,-102 (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\vssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Waves Audio Services (WavesSysSvc) - Waves Audio Ltd. - C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\wavesapo9de_sc.inf_amd64_1ce6e947fe5e7a53\WavesSysSvc64.exe
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\wbengine.exe,-104 (wbengine) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\wbengine.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe,-110 (wmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Management Engine WMI Provider Registration (WMIRegistrationService) - Intel Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\mewmiprov.inf_amd64_2c17521ca0d3f79c\WMIRegistrationService.exe
O23 - Service: @%PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe,-101 (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (file missing)
–
End of file - 17999 bytes