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Removal instructions for Quick Ref

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Metallica

Metallica

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What is Quick Ref?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Quick Ref is adware. These adware applications display advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing.

How do I know if my computer is affected by Quick Ref?

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

warning4.png

and these advertisements:

warning1.png

During install you may see:

main.png

How did Quick Ref get on my computer?

Adware applications use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was bundled with other software.

How do I remove Quick Ref?

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 Quick Ref?
  • No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes Quick Ref completely.
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 Quick Ref adware. It would have warned you before the rogue could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.

protection1.png

Technical details for experts

You will see these signs in a HijackThis log:

O23 - Service: Quick Ref 1.10.0.8 Client Service (qrsvc_1.10.0.8) - Quick Ref - C:\Program Files\QuickRef_1.10.0.8\Service\qrsvc.exe
You may see these entries in a FRST log:

 (Quick Ref) C:\Program Files\QuickRef_1.10.0.8\Service\qrsvc.exe R2 qrsvc_1.10.0.8; C:\Program Files\QuickRef_1.10.0.8\Service\qrsvc.exe [278592 2015-01-21] (Quick Ref) R1 qrnfd_1_10_0_8; C:\Windows\System32\drivers\qrnfd_1_10_0_8.sys [52720 2015-01-21] (Quick Ref) () C:\Program Files\QuickRef_1.10.0.8 (Quick Ref) C:\Windows\system32\Drivers\qrnfd_1_10_0_8.sys
Alterations made by the installer:

File system details  ---------------------------------------------    Adds the folder C:\Program Files\QuickRef_1.10.0.8       Adds the file terms-of-service.rtf"="1/17/2015 12:53 AM, 24062 bytes, A       Adds the file Uninstall.exe"="1/21/2015 8:39 PM, 315136 bytes, A    Adds the folder C:\Program Files\QuickRef_1.10.0.8\3rd Party Licenses       Adds the file buildcrx-license.txt"="5/19/2014 9:10 PM, 7074 bytes, A       Adds the file Info-ZIP-license.txt"="5/19/2014 9:10 PM, 2944 bytes, A       Adds the file JSON-simple-license.txt"="10/30/2014 2:55 AM, 11558 bytes, A       Adds the file nsJSON-license.txt"="5/19/2014 9:10 PM, 809 bytes, A       Adds the file Nustache-license.txt"="10/30/2014 2:55 AM, 1079 bytes, A       Adds the file TaskScheduler-license.txt"="10/30/2014 2:55 AM, 0 bytes, A       Adds the file UAC-license.txt"="5/19/2014 9:10 PM, 956 bytes, A    Adds the folder C:\Program Files\QuickRef_1.10.0.8\Service       Adds the file qrsvc.exe"="1/21/2015 8:39 PM, 278592 bytes, A    In the existing folder C:\Windows\System32\drivers       Adds the file qrnfd_1_10_0_8.sys"="1/21/2015 8:38 PM, 52720 bytes, ARegistry details  ------------------------------------------    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\QuickRef_1.10.0.8]       "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\QuickRef_1.10.0.8\Uninstall.exe"       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "Quick Ref 1.10.0.8"       "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "1.10.0.8"       "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1       "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1       "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "Quick Ref"       "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files\QuickRef_1.10.0.8\Uninstall.exe"       "URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://www.quickrefapp.com"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\QuickRef_1.10.0.8]       "cr-at"="REG_SZ", ""       "cr-pid"="REG_SZ", ""       "cr-ver"="REG_SZ", "39.0.2171.95"       "dbsr"="REG_SZ", "iexplore"       "features"="REG_SZ", "0x01000000"       "ff-at"="REG_SZ", ""       "ff-pid"="REG_SZ", ""       "ff-ver"="REG_SZ", "25.0 (en-US)"       "hid"="REG_SZ", "EAB871D2-7CB3-316A-5E47-5DCF98DEC0A8"       "ie-at"="REG_SZ", ""       "ie-pid"="REG_SZ", ""       "ie-ver"="REG_SZ", "11.0.9600.17501"       "iid"="REG_SZ", "00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000"       "itm"="REG_SZ", "2015-02-03T11:37:29Z"       "nf-at"="REG_SZ", "CA84E9B0-1CB5-2ADA-A813-E2DBF396627C"       "nf-pid"="REG_SZ", "9EB3AE2C-47D2-4CC7-BE91-C23A766C7BA2"       "nid"="REG_SZ", "8D41449E-BF91-4FFA-A606-498E2B5BF005"       "osn"="REG_SZ", "Windows 7 Ultimate N"       "ost"="REG_SZ", "x32"       "osv"="REG_SZ", "6.1.7601"       "user_sid"="REG_SZ", "S-1-5-21-4016700205-1717049133-1125222536-1001"       "ver"="REG_SZ", "1.10.0.8"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\qrnfd_1_10_0_8]       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "qrnfd_1_10_0_8"       "ErrorControl"="REG_DWORD", 1       "Group"="REG_SZ", "PNP_TDI"       "ImagePath"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "system32\drivers\qrnfd_1_10_0_8.sys"       "Start"="REG_DWORD", 1       "Tag"="REG_DWORD", 10       "Type"="REG_DWORD", 1    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\qrnfd_1_10_0_8\Enum]       "0"="REG_SZ", "Root\LEGACY_QRNFD_1_10_0_8\0000"       "Count"="REG_DWORD", 1       "NextInstance"="REG_DWORD", 1    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\qrsvc_1.10.0.8]       "Description"="REG_SZ", "This service enables Quick Ref 1.10.0.8 on HTTP websites"       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "Quick Ref 1.10.0.8 Client Service"       "ErrorControl"="REG_DWORD", 1       "ImagePath"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, ""C:\Program Files\QuickRef_1.10.0.8\Service\qrsvc.exe""       "ObjectName"="REG_SZ", "LocalSystem"       "Start"="REG_DWORD", 2       "Type"="REG_DWORD", 16
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malwarewww.malwarebytes.orgScan Date: 2/3/2015Scan Time: 12:46:54 PMLogfile: mbamQuickRef.txtAdministrator: YesVersion: 2.00.4.1028Malware Database: v2015.02.03.04Rootkit Database: v2015.01.14.01License: FreeMalware Protection: DisabledMalicious Website Protection: DisabledSelf-protection: DisabledOS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1CPU: x86File System: NTFSUser: MalwarebytesScan Type: Threat ScanResult: CompletedObjects Scanned: 290082Time Elapsed: 3 min, 27 secMemory: EnabledStartup: EnabledFilesystem: EnabledArchives: EnabledRootkits: DisabledHeuristics: EnabledPUP: EnabledPUM: EnabledProcesses: 1PUP.Optional.QuickRef.A, C:\Program Files\QuickRef_1.10.0.8\Service\qrsvc.exe, 2784, Delete-on-Reboot, [7e92e13988023501875a53c3d23044bc]Modules: 0(No malicious items detected)Registry Keys: 4PUP.Optional.QuickRef.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\qrsvc_1.10.0.8, Quarantined, [7e92e13988023501875a53c3d23044bc], PUP.Optional.QuickRef.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\qrnfd_1_10_0_8, Quarantined, [799768b291f937ff09d841d57e8401ff], PUP.Optional.QuickRef.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\QuickRef_1.10.0.8, Quarantined, [ca4681995d2dc670835eab6b7d85af51], PUP.Optional.QuickRef.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\QuickRef_1.10.0.8, Quarantined, [8789d34767233204a88a206107fc7888], Registry Values: 0(No malicious items detected)Registry Data: 0(No malicious items detected)Folders: 3PUP.Optional.QuickRef.A, C:\Program Files\QuickRef_1.10.0.8, Delete-on-Reboot, [1000b664eaa0df57f6859de3ad56669a], PUP.Optional.QuickRef.A, C:\Program Files\QuickRef_1.10.0.8\3rd Party Licenses, Quarantined, [1000b664eaa0df57f6859de3ad56669a], PUP.Optional.QuickRef.A, C:\Program Files\QuickRef_1.10.0.8\Service, Delete-on-Reboot, [1000b664eaa0df57f6859de3ad56669a], Files: 17PUP.Optional.QuickRef.A, C:\Program Files\QuickRef_1.10.0.8\Service\qrsvc.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [7e92e13988023501875a53c3d23044bc], PUP.Optional.QuickRef.A, C:\Windows\System32\drivers\qrnfd_1_10_0_8.sys, Quarantined, [799768b291f937ff09d841d57e8401ff], PUP.Optional.QuickRef.A, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\quickref-setup-1.10.0.8.exe, Quarantined, [0b0583978efcdd59469b45d14db5867a], PUP.Optional.QuickRef.A, C:\Program Files\QuickRef_1.10.0.8\Uninstall.exe, Quarantined, [ca4681995d2dc670835eab6b7d85af51], PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-hardwareprofile-v0001, Quarantined, [d937b06ab6d4d165b7cfdc2c957043bd], PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-install-v0003, Quarantined, [26ea3bdfabdf0e28097d9e6afa0b1de3], PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-processes-v0002, Quarantined, [21ef5ac00b7f65d17610f3150afbda26], PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-scheduledtasks-v0001, Quarantined, [3dd31208fb8f4ee8533355b343c207f9], PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-softwareregkeys-v0002, Quarantined, [719f0d0db7d3a88e23635badf80d629e], PUP.Optional.QuickRef.A, C:\Program Files\QuickRef_1.10.0.8\terms-of-service.rtf, Quarantined, [1000b664eaa0df57f6859de3ad56669a], PUP.Optional.QuickRef.A, C:\Program Files\QuickRef_1.10.0.8\3rd Party Licenses\buildcrx-license.txt, Quarantined, [1000b664eaa0df57f6859de3ad56669a], PUP.Optional.QuickRef.A, C:\Program Files\QuickRef_1.10.0.8\3rd Party Licenses\Info-ZIP-license.txt, Quarantined, [1000b664eaa0df57f6859de3ad56669a], PUP.Optional.QuickRef.A, C:\Program Files\QuickRef_1.10.0.8\3rd Party Licenses\JSON-simple-license.txt, Quarantined, [1000b664eaa0df57f6859de3ad56669a], PUP.Optional.QuickRef.A, C:\Program Files\QuickRef_1.10.0.8\3rd Party Licenses\nsJSON-license.txt, Quarantined, [1000b664eaa0df57f6859de3ad56669a], PUP.Optional.QuickRef.A, C:\Program Files\QuickRef_1.10.0.8\3rd Party Licenses\Nustache-license.txt, Quarantined, [1000b664eaa0df57f6859de3ad56669a], PUP.Optional.QuickRef.A, C:\Program Files\QuickRef_1.10.0.8\3rd Party Licenses\TaskScheduler-license.txt, Quarantined, [1000b664eaa0df57f6859de3ad56669a], PUP.Optional.QuickRef.A, C:\Program Files\QuickRef_1.10.0.8\3rd Party Licenses\UAC-license.txt, Quarantined, [1000b664eaa0df57f6859de3ad56669a], 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.
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