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Removal instructions for Clever Search

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Metallica

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What is Clever Search?

 

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Clever Search 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 Clever Search?

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

 

warning4.png

and these warnings during install:

main.png

warning1.png

and this type of advertisements:

warning2.png

 

How did Clever Search get on my computer?

 

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

 

How do I remove Clever Search?

 

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 Clever Search?
  • No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes Clever Search 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 Clever Search 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: CS 1.10.0.17 Client Service (cssvc_1.10.0.17) - CS - C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\Service\cssvc.exe
 

You may see these signs in FRST logs:

 (CS) C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\Service\cssvc.exe R2 cssvc_1.10.0.17; C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\Service\cssvc.exe [278624 2015-06-03] (CS) R1 csfd_1_10_0_17; C:\Windows\System32\drivers\csfd_1_10_0_17.sys [58248 2015-06-03] (CS) C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17 (CS) C:\Windows\system32\Drivers\csfd_1_10_0_17.sysCleverSearch 1.10.0.17 (HKLM-x32\...\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17) (Version: 1.10.0.17 - CleverSearch)
 

 

Alterations made by the installer:

File system details [View: All details] (Selection)---------------------------------------------------    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17       Adds the file terms-of-service.rtf"="29/05/2015 23:32, 24380 bytes, A       Adds the file Uninstall.exe"="03/06/2015 19:03, 317792 bytes, A    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\3rd Party Licenses       Adds the file buildcrx-license.txt"="19/05/2014 21:10, 7074 bytes, A       Adds the file Info-ZIP-license.txt"="19/05/2014 21:10, 2944 bytes, A       Adds the file JSON-simple-license.txt"="30/10/2014 02:55, 11558 bytes, A       Adds the file nsJSON-license.txt"="19/05/2014 21:10, 809 bytes, A       Adds the file Nustache-license.txt"="30/10/2014 02:55, 1079 bytes, A       Adds the file TaskScheduler-license.txt"="30/10/2014 02:55, 0 bytes, A       Adds the file UAC-license.txt"="19/05/2014 21:10, 956 bytes, A    Adds the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\Service       Adds the file cssvc.exe"="03/06/2015 19:03, 278624 bytes, A    In the existing folder C:\Windows\System32\drivers       Adds the file csfd_1_10_0_17.sys"="03/06/2015 19:03, 58248 bytes, ARegistry details [View: All details] (Selection)------------------------------------------------    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17]       "cr-at"="REG_SZ", ""       "cr-pid"="REG_SZ", ""       "cr-ver"="REG_SZ", "43.0.2357.130"       "dbsr"="REG_SZ", "firefox"       "features"="REG_SZ", "0x01000000"       "ff-at"="REG_SZ", ""       "ff-pid"="REG_SZ", ""       "ff-ver"="REG_SZ", "38.0.5 (x86 en-GB)"       "hid"="REG_SZ", "CEF25299-C4B8-322F-BFB3-85092F183898"       "ie-at"="REG_SZ", ""       "ie-pid"="REG_SZ", ""       "ie-ver"="REG_SZ", "11.0.9600.17843"       "iid"="REG_SZ", "00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000"       "itm"="REG_SZ", "2015-07-03T10:29:53Z"       "nf-at"="REG_SZ", "70F891AE-5973-250A-39E7-13A650CC729E"       "nf-pid"="REG_SZ", "3595BB31-DEDC-4442-BA5C-A996ACBE1630"       "nid"="REG_SZ", "7D5BAFA9-43AD-43BF-9BAE-D2823A38F2CB"       "osn"="REG_SZ", "Windows 7 Ultimate"       "ost"="REG_SZ", "x64"       "osv"="REG_SZ", "6.1.7601"       "user_sid"="REG_SZ", "S-1-5-21-612512518-1730918975-1677248042-1002"       "ver"="REG_SZ", "1.10.0.17"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17]       "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\Uninstall.exe"       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "CleverSearch 1.10.0.17"       "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "1.10.0.17"       "NoModify"="REG_DWORD", 1       "NoRepair"="REG_DWORD", 1       "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "CleverSearch"       "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", "C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\Uninstall.exe"       "URLInfoAbout"="REG_SZ", "http://www.cleversearchapp.com"    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\csfd_1_10_0_17]       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "csfd_1_10_0_17"       "ErrorControl"="REG_DWORD", 1       "Group"="REG_SZ", "PNP_TDI"       "ImagePath"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "system32\drivers\csfd_1_10_0_17.sys"       "Start"="REG_DWORD", 1       "Tag"="REG_DWORD", 10       "Type"="REG_DWORD", 1       "WOW64"="REG_DWORD", 1    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\csfd_1_10_0_17\Enum]       "0"="REG_SZ", "Root\LEGACY_CSFD_1_10_0_17\0000"       "Count"="REG_DWORD", 1       "NextInstance"="REG_DWORD", 1    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\cssvc_1.10.0.17]       "Description"="REG_SZ", "This service enables CS 1.10.0.17 on HTTP websites"       "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "CS 1.10.0.17 Client Service"       "ErrorControl"="REG_DWORD", 1       "ImagePath"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, ""C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\Service\cssvc.exe""       "ObjectName"="REG_SZ", "LocalSystem"       "Start"="REG_DWORD", 2       "Type"="REG_DWORD", 16       "WOW64"="REG_DWORD", 1
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malwarewww.malwarebytes.orgScan Date: 03/07/2015Scan Time: 12:37Logfile: mbamCleverSearch.txtAdministrator: YesVersion: 2.1.8.1057Malware Database: v2015.07.03.02Rootkit Database: v2015.07.01.01License: PremiumMalware Protection: DisabledMalicious Website Protection: EnabledSelf-protection: DisabledOS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1CPU: x64File System: NTFSUser: {username}Scan Type: Threat ScanResult: CompletedObjects Scanned: 334911Time Elapsed: 4 min, 49 secMemory: EnabledStartup: EnabledFilesystem: EnabledArchives: EnabledRootkits: EnabledHeuristics: EnabledPUP: EnabledPUM: EnabledProcesses: 1PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\Service\cssvc.exe, 1880, Delete-on-Reboot, [a8b6d7060a80a3938490fd7d05fd09f7]Modules: 0(No malicious items detected)Registry Keys: 4PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\cssvc_1.10.0.17, Quarantined, [a8b6d7060a80a3938490fd7d05fd09f7], PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17, Quarantined, [9ac45e7fd3b76bcb32e2394114eeab55], PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17, Quarantined, [b3abc6174f3b7fb7d7bdf6050df618e8], PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\csfd_1_10_0_17, Quarantined, [085679642664e056fb8eca31cb38aa56], Registry Values: 1PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\cssvc_1.10.0.17|ImagePath, "C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\Service\cssvc.exe", Quarantined, [4816a23bc5c5ee484b5ffb991aeb5fa1]Registry Data: 0(No malicious items detected)Folders: 3PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17, Delete-on-Reboot, [ee7039a48dfd6cca282bbb409c6718e8], PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\3rd Party Licenses, Quarantined, [ee7039a48dfd6cca282bbb409c6718e8], PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\Service, Delete-on-Reboot, [ee7039a48dfd6cca282bbb409c6718e8], Files: 17PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\csfd_1_10_0_17.sys, Delete-on-Reboot, [8bceea6b14ec331cb200eba7b8549c91], PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\Service\cssvc.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [a8b6d7060a80a3938490fd7d05fd09f7], PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\CleaverSearch.exe, Quarantined, [6df1deffed9d0a2c868e007a0af80df3], PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\Uninstall.exe, Quarantined, [9ac45e7fd3b76bcb32e2394114eeab55], PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-hardwareprofile-v0001, Quarantined, [8ad4da03bfcb3105dfe75632679e9f61], PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-install-v0003, Quarantined, [095505d82f5bdf57cafcc4c4b35238c8], PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-processes-v0002, Quarantined, [0d5103da404a9e98ae180e7ae32232ce], PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-scheduledtasks-v0001, Quarantined, [8ed038a5e4a64aec16b02464d233bc44], PUP.Optional.Vitruvian.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\vitruvian-installer-softwareregkeys-v0002, Quarantined, [aab4c6177d0d74c28c3a8efa5ea731cf], PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\terms-of-service.rtf, Quarantined, [ee7039a48dfd6cca282bbb409c6718e8], PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\3rd Party Licenses\buildcrx-license.txt, Quarantined, [ee7039a48dfd6cca282bbb409c6718e8], PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\3rd Party Licenses\Info-ZIP-license.txt, Quarantined, [ee7039a48dfd6cca282bbb409c6718e8], PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\3rd Party Licenses\JSON-simple-license.txt, Quarantined, [ee7039a48dfd6cca282bbb409c6718e8], PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\3rd Party Licenses\nsJSON-license.txt, Quarantined, [ee7039a48dfd6cca282bbb409c6718e8], PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\3rd Party Licenses\Nustache-license.txt, Quarantined, [ee7039a48dfd6cca282bbb409c6718e8], PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\3rd Party Licenses\TaskScheduler-license.txt, Quarantined, [ee7039a48dfd6cca282bbb409c6718e8], PUP.Optional.CleverSearch.A, C:\Program Files (x86)\CleverSearch_1.10.0.17\3rd Party Licenses\UAC-license.txt, Quarantined, [ee7039a48dfd6cca282bbb409c6718e8], 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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