Removal instructions for PriceFountain

[Metallica]

What is PriceFountain?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that PriceFountain is a browser hijacker. These so-called "hijackers" manipulate your browser(s), for example to change your startpage or searchscopes, so that the affected browser visits their site or one of their choice. This one also displays advertisements.

How do I know if my computer is affected by PriceFountain?

You may see this entry in your list of installed software:

and these browser add-ons:

How did PriceFountain get on my computer?

Browser hijackers use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was bundled with other software.

How do I remove PriceFountain?

Our program Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can detect and remove this potentially unwanted program.

• Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to your desktop.
• Double-click mbam-setup-version.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
• At the end, be sure a check-mark is placed next to the following:
  • Enable free trial of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium
  • Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
• Then click Finish.
• If an update is found, you will be prompted to download and install the latest version.
• Once the program has loaded, select Scan now. Or select the Threat Scan from the Scan menu.
• When the scan is complete , make sure that everything is set to "Quarantine", and click Apply Actions.
• Reboot your computer if prompted.

Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of PriceFountain?

• If you are using Firefox, you may have to remove the Extension manually under Add-ons > Extensions. Click on the Remove button behind the PriceFountain entry.

Look at the replies to this topic for the additional guides.

How would the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware help protect me?

We hope our application and this guide have helped you eradicate this hijacker.

As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware would have protected you against the PriceFountain hijacker. It would have warned you before the rogue could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.

Technical details for experts

Signs in a HijackThis log:

O2 - BHO: PriceFountain - {b608cc98-54de-4775-96c9-097de398500c} - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PriceFountain\PriceFountainIE.dllO4 - HKCU\..\Run: [pricefountainw.exe] C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PriceFountain\pricefountainw.exe HKEY_CURRENT_USER Software\PriceFountain

Alterations made by the installer:

File system details  ---------------------------------------------    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PriceFountain       Adds the file prfo.dll"="12/7/2014 9:24 AM, 641024 bytes, A       Adds the file pricefountain.exe"="12/7/2014 9:25 AM, 610816 bytes, A       Adds the file PriceFountainFirefox.xpi"="10/26/2014 6:02 PM, 3966 bytes, A       Adds the file PriceFountainIE.dll"="11/27/2014 11:25 AM, 88064 bytes, A       Adds the file PriceFountainUpdateVer.exe"="1/3/2015 11:34 AM, 479744 bytes, A       Adds the file pricefountainw.exe"="12/7/2014 9:24 AM, 461824 bytes, A       Adds the file sfx.exe"="1/3/2015 11:34 AM, 491553 bytes, A       Adds the file uninst.exe"="1/3/2015 11:27 AM, 1631232 bytes, A    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PriceFountain\logs       Adds the file installation.log"="1/3/2015 11:34 AM, 2792 bytes, A       Adds the file main.log"="1/3/2015 11:34 AM, 2615 bytes, A       Adds the file wd.log"="1/3/2015 11:34 AM, 183 bytes, A    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\PriceFountain       Adds the file PriceFountain Help.url"="1/3/2015 11:34 AM, 152 bytes, A       Adds the file PriceFountain.url"="1/3/2015 11:34 AM, 148 bytes, A       Adds the file Uninstall PriceFountain.lnk"="1/3/2015 11:34 AM, 1036 bytes, A    In the existing folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\6qeoodjs.default-1401006518835\extensions       Adds the file {b6a94784-0ffb-4121-88c6-435139067ee2}.xpi"="10/26/2014 6:02 PM, 3966 bytes, A    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\6qeoodjs.default-1401006518835\extensions\staged       Adds the file {b6a94784-0ffb-4121-88c6-435139067ee2}.xpi"="10/26/2014 6:02 PM, 3966 bytes, ARegistry details  ------------------------------------------    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{b608cc98-54de-4775-96c9-097de398500c}]       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "PriceFountain"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{b608cc98-54de-4775-96c9-097de398500c}\InProcServer32]       "(Default)"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PriceFountain\PriceFountainIE.dll"       "ThreadingModel"="REG_SZ", "Apartment"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{b608cc98-54de-4775-96c9-097de398500c}]       "NoExplorer"="REG_DWORD", 1    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce]       "piratebaymirror"="REG_SZ", ""    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]       "pricefountainw.exe"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PriceFountain\pricefountainw.exe HKEY_CURRENT_USER Software\PriceFountain"    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\PriceFountain]       "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PriceFountain\uninst.exe,0"       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "PriceFountain (remove only)"       "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "1.0.8.6"       "EstimatedSize"="REG_DWORD", 1       "HelpLink"="REG_SZ", "http://www.PriceFountain.net/"       "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1       "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1       "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "Price Fountain"       "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", ""C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PriceFountain\uninst.exe" /uninstall"       "URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://support.PriceFountain.net/"    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PriceFountain]       "brand"="REG_SZ", "PriceFountain"       "Channel"="REG_SZ", "somopf"       "dll_moudle_name"="REG_SZ", "DLL"       "dll-file-name"="REG_SZ", "prfo.dll"       "domain_operational"="REG_SZ", "pricejs.info"       "dump_folder_path"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PriceFountain\logs\"       "exe_moudle_name"="REG_SZ", "EXE"       "firstW"="REG_SZ", "1"       "FunnelId"="REG_SZ", "040d369b-bca1-4dd8-96a0-b0290af78085"       "InstallDateHuman"="REG_SZ", "03/01/2015 10:34:48"       "InstallDateMachine"="REG_SZ", "20150103103448"       "InstallDir"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PriceFountain"       "InstallId"="REG_SZ", "v5532D312D352D32312D343031363730303230352DD8D1ABF768"       "InstallStatus"="REG_SZ", "OK"       "instgrp"="REG_SZ", "20141204__1086__lnk_aromani_70"       "main_log_name"="REG_SZ", "main.log"       "mainProgFile"="REG_SZ", "pricefountain.exe"       "midnight_express_operational_domain"="REG_SZ", "pricejs.net"       "midnight_file"="REG_SZ", "common.js"       "OriginalCommand"="REG_SZ", "/muse /partner=somopf"       "OriginalOptimize"="REG_SZ", "0"       "Partner"="REG_SZ", "somopf"       "pmwc"="REG_SZ", "1"       "pmwt"="REG_SZ", "0"       "quick_url_path"="REG_SZ", "/dealdo/event-report"       "s3_url_gen"="REG_SZ", "https://dumpster-server.herokuapp.com/manager/query"       "SampleGroup"="REG_SZ", "2"       "slug"="REG_SZ", "pricefountain"       "sub_midnight"="REG_SZ", "j"       "sub_opt"="REG_SZ", "i"       "sub_quick"="REG_SZ", "q"       "Uninst"="REG_SZ", "C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PriceFountain\uninst.exe"

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malwarewww.malwarebytes.orgScan Date: 1/3/2015Scan Time: 11:41:56 AMLogfile: mbamPriceFountain.txtAdministrator: YesVersion: 2.00.4.1028Malware Database: v2015.01.03.04Rootkit Database: v2014.12.30.01License: FreeMalware Protection: DisabledMalicious Website Protection: DisabledSelf-protection: DisabledOS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1CPU: x86File System: NTFSUser: MalwarebytesScan Type: Threat ScanResult: CompletedObjects Scanned: 286320Time Elapsed: 3 min, 28 secMemory: EnabledStartup: EnabledFilesystem: EnabledArchives: EnabledRootkits: DisabledHeuristics: EnabledPUP: EnabledPUM: EnabledProcesses: 2PUP.Optional.PriceFountain.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PriceFountain\pricefountain.exe, 2360, Delete-on-Reboot, [f0100ae9bbce270f7371dd74a2619868]PUP.Optional.PriceFountain.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PriceFountain\pricefountainw.exe, 948, Delete-on-Reboot, [f0100ae9bbce270f7371dd74a2619868]Modules: 0(No malicious items detected)Registry Keys: 6PUP.Optional.PriceFountain.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID\{b608cc98-54de-4775-96c9-097de398500c}, Quarantined, [f0100ae9bbce270f7371dd74a2619868], PUP.Optional.PriceFountain.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\EXPLORER\BROWSER HELPER OBJECTS\{B608CC98-54DE-4775-96C9-097DE398500C}, Quarantined, [f0100ae9bbce270f7371dd74a2619868], PUP.Optional.PriceFountain.A, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\EXT\SETTINGS\{B608CC98-54DE-4775-96C9-097DE398500C}, Quarantined, [f0100ae9bbce270f7371dd74a2619868], PUP.Optional.PriceFountain.A, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\EXT\STATS\{B608CC98-54DE-4775-96C9-097DE398500C}, Quarantined, [f0100ae9bbce270f7371dd74a2619868], PUP.Optional.PriceFountain.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID\{B608CC98-54DE-4775-96C9-097DE398500C}\INPROCSERVER32, Quarantined, [f0100ae9bbce270f7371dd74a2619868], PUP.Optional.PriceFountain.A, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\PriceFountain, Quarantined, [f0100ae9bbce270f7371dd74a2619868], Registry Values: 1PUP.Optional.PriceFountain.A, HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\RUN|pricefountainw.exe, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PriceFountain\pricefountainw.exe HKEY_CURRENT_USER Software\PriceFountain, Quarantined, [f0100ae9bbce270f7371dd74a2619868]Registry Data: 0(No malicious items detected)Folders: 3PUP.Optional.PriceFountain.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PriceFountain, Delete-on-Reboot, [f0100ae9bbce270f7371dd74a2619868], PUP.Optional.PriceFountain.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PriceFountain\logs, Delete-on-Reboot, [f0100ae9bbce270f7371dd74a2619868], PUP.Optional.PriceFountain.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\PriceFountain, Quarantined, [2cd4856ea8e1ae8836446eee42c123dd], Files: 19PUP.Optional.Somoto.A, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\SomotoA.exe, Quarantined, [728e3eb5d7b214225c134fe9c7395ca4], PUP.Optional.Somoto.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\appshat_generic.exe, Quarantined, [c838ee05137655e19bf41f031ee22ad6], PUP.Optional.Somoto.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\biclient.exe, Quarantined, [f50bbb38fe8b6ec842c3d761d031d729], PUP.Optional.Somoto, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\UpdateCheckerSetup.exe, Quarantined, [b64a29ca2762261094c80f1827d97090], PUP.Optional.PriceFountain.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PriceFountain\prfo.dll, Quarantined, [f0100ae9bbce270f7371dd74a2619868], PUP.Optional.PriceFountain.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PriceFountain\pricefountain.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [f0100ae9bbce270f7371dd74a2619868], PUP.Optional.PriceFountain.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PriceFountain\PriceFountainFirefox.xpi, Quarantined, [f0100ae9bbce270f7371dd74a2619868], PUP.Optional.PriceFountain.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PriceFountain\PriceFountainIE.dll, Quarantined, [f0100ae9bbce270f7371dd74a2619868], PUP.Optional.PriceFountain.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PriceFountain\PriceFountainUpdateVer.exe, Quarantined, [f0100ae9bbce270f7371dd74a2619868], PUP.Optional.PriceFountain.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PriceFountain\pricefountainw.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [f0100ae9bbce270f7371dd74a2619868], PUP.Optional.PriceFountain.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PriceFountain\sfx.exe, Quarantined, [f0100ae9bbce270f7371dd74a2619868], PUP.Optional.PriceFountain.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PriceFountain\uninst.exe, Quarantined, [f0100ae9bbce270f7371dd74a2619868], PUP.Optional.PriceFountain.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PriceFountain\logs\dlllog.log, Quarantined, [f0100ae9bbce270f7371dd74a2619868], PUP.Optional.PriceFountain.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PriceFountain\logs\installation.log, Quarantined, [f0100ae9bbce270f7371dd74a2619868], PUP.Optional.PriceFountain.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PriceFountain\logs\main.log, Delete-on-Reboot, [f0100ae9bbce270f7371dd74a2619868], PUP.Optional.PriceFountain.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\PriceFountain\logs\wd.log, Delete-on-Reboot, [f0100ae9bbce270f7371dd74a2619868], PUP.Optional.PriceFountain.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\PriceFountain\PriceFountain Help.url, Quarantined, [2cd4856ea8e1ae8836446eee42c123dd], PUP.Optional.PriceFountain.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\PriceFountain\PriceFountain.url, Quarantined, [2cd4856ea8e1ae8836446eee42c123dd], PUP.Optional.PriceFountain.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\PriceFountain\Uninstall PriceFountain.lnk, Quarantined, [2cd4856ea8e1ae8836446eee42c123dd], Physical Sectors: 0(No malicious items detected)(end)

As mentioned before the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware could have protected your computer against this threat.

We use different ways of protecting your computer(s):

• Dynamically Blocks Malware Sites & Servers
• Malware Execution Prevention

Save yourself the hassle and get protected.