Removal instructions for Veritasi

[Metallica]

What is Veritasi?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Veritasi 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 Veritasi?

You may see this browser add-on:



and these warnings during install:







How did Veritasi get on my computer?

Browser hijackers use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was a redirect from a site with explicit content to a browser trap, aimed at Chrome users.

How do I remove Veritasi?

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:
  Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
• Then click Finish.
• Once the program has loaded, select Scan Now. Or select the Threat Scan from the Scan menu.
• If an update is available, it will be implemented before the rest of the scanning procedure.
• When the scan is complete, make sure that all Threats are selected, and click Remove Selected.
• Restart your computer when prompted to do so.

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

• No, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware removes Veritasi 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 Premium version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware would have protected you against the Veritasi hijacker. It would have warned you before the application could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.

 

Technical details for experts

Possible signs in FRST logs:

 

 CHR Extension: (Veritasi) - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\faiaabbemgpndkgpjljhmjahkbpoopfp [2016-11-24]

Alterations made by the installer:
 

    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\faiaabbemgpndkgpjljhmjahkbpoopfp\6.3.1_0
       Adds the file aa1.js"="11/23/2016 9:12 PM, 4849 bytes, A
       Adds the file aa2.js"="11/23/2016 9:13 PM, 3315 bytes, A
       Adds the file aa3.png"="11/24/2016 8:37 AM, 143 bytes, A
       Adds the file manifest.json"="11/24/2016 8:37 AM, 973 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\faiaabbemgpndkgpjljhmjahkbpoopfp\6.3.1_0\_metadata
       Adds the file computed_hashes.json"="11/24/2016 8:37 AM, 276 bytes, A
       Adds the file verified_contents.json"="11/23/2016 9:17 PM, 1709 bytes, A

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:
 

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
www.malwarebytes.org

Scan Date: 11/24/2016
Scan Time: 5:31 PM
Logfile: mbamVeritasi.txt
Administrator: Yes

Version: 2.2.1.1043
Malware Database: v2016.11.24.08
Rootkit Database: v2016.11.20.01
License: Premium
Malware Protection: Disabled
Malicious Website Protection: Enabled
Self-protection: Enabled

OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1
CPU: x64
File System: NTFS
User: {username}

Scan Type: Threat Scan
Result: Completed
Objects Scanned: 302221
Time Elapsed: 8 min, 21 sec

Memory: Enabled
Startup: Enabled
Filesystem: Enabled
Archives: Enabled
Rootkits: Enabled
Heuristics: Enabled
PUP: Enabled
PUM: Enabled

Processes: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Modules: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folders: 3
Rogue.ForcedExtension, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\faiaabbemgpndkgpjljhmjahkbpoopfp, Quarantined, [c94fd0f46832f145e0bcc31b16ed9070], 
Rogue.ForcedExtension, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\faiaabbemgpndkgpjljhmjahkbpoopfp\6.3.1_0, Quarantined, [c94fd0f46832f145e0bcc31b16ed9070], 
Rogue.ForcedExtension, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\faiaabbemgpndkgpjljhmjahkbpoopfp\6.3.1_0\_metadata, Quarantined, [c94fd0f46832f145e0bcc31b16ed9070], 

Files: 6
Rogue.ForcedExtension, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\faiaabbemgpndkgpjljhmjahkbpoopfp\6.3.1_0\aa1.js, Quarantined, [c94fd0f46832f145e0bcc31b16ed9070], 
Rogue.ForcedExtension, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\faiaabbemgpndkgpjljhmjahkbpoopfp\6.3.1_0\aa2.js, Quarantined, [c94fd0f46832f145e0bcc31b16ed9070], 
Rogue.ForcedExtension, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\faiaabbemgpndkgpjljhmjahkbpoopfp\6.3.1_0\aa3.png, Quarantined, [c94fd0f46832f145e0bcc31b16ed9070], 
Rogue.ForcedExtension, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\faiaabbemgpndkgpjljhmjahkbpoopfp\6.3.1_0\manifest.json, Quarantined, [c94fd0f46832f145e0bcc31b16ed9070], 
Rogue.ForcedExtension, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\faiaabbemgpndkgpjljhmjahkbpoopfp\6.3.1_0\_metadata\computed_hashes.json, Quarantined, [c94fd0f46832f145e0bcc31b16ed9070], 
Rogue.ForcedExtension, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\faiaabbemgpndkgpjljhmjahkbpoopfp\6.3.1_0\_metadata\verified_contents.json, Quarantined, [c94fd0f46832f145e0bcc31b16ed9070], 

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.