Thai Advertisement on Google Homepage

[Scott]

A post has been removed.   No discussion of ways to block ads is permitted.  

[rapom]

On 6/21/2017 at 1:26 AM, johnnymo said:

I use Malwarebytes whenever I get a serious infection.

It comes as a free 30 day trial but I un-install it after the clean up.

That allows me to re-instal it at any later date, should I need it again

Why uninstall? Uninstalling does not extend the free trial expiration date. The current version of Malwarebytes 3 Premium has a 14-day free trial that reverts back to the free basic protection plan, currently version 3.0.6., which never expires. The free version does not offer real time protection but does detect and remove malware, spyware and rootkits, when you initiate a system scan. I use McAfee and the free version of Malwarebytes on my desktop and 3 laptops and have never had any issues.

[rapom]

On 6/21/2017 at 0:17 AM, Mike45 said:

i really want to remove it if possible not just block it

 

Removing viewable ads from your computer's display will be fruitless. unless you use an ad-blocker. An ad-blocker does not remove the ad, it just prevents you from seeing it. Most ads are not in your computer's operating system but are attached to the browsers or web pages you are viewing. Advertisers use cookies or plug-ins that enable them to display their ads. You can somewhat limit unwanted ads by clearing your browser's history, cookies and plugin data. On Chrome go into settings, click on "more tools", in the pop-up click "clear browser history". A new window will pop up. You first chose how far back in the history you want to clear, then check the first 4 boxes in the list below that. Go to the bottom of the page and click "clear data". I would then install your preferred ad-blocker app, then restart your computer. Your ad problem should be fixed. Just be aware that websites such as Thai Visa use cookies to track subscribers and your login information will be lost and you will have to sign back in, after you clear cookies. Also, there will be times you will have to turn your ad-blocker off as it will block pop-ups on pages you view, such as video attachments. 

[Rob13]

What happened to the OP? 

[Mike45]

59 minutes ago, Rob13 said:

What happened to the OP? 

I'm crying in my beer. I'm remembering when my browser didn't open up its own tabs and I didn't have these problems.

I haven't tried the Chrome browser reset yet because I don't want to lose my remembered passwords. 

 

I don't understand how I got this problem and why none of these programs can find the problem and eliminate it. 

 

To clarify for those that don't understand. I'm not trying to remove legitimate ad's from pages I visit.  I've never found them much of a problem. I haven't gone to any Porn sites and picked this up there. 

I can't figure out how both my computers that are connected by ethernet cable to a router have the same problem on Chrome. My wife uses one for Thai sites and I use the other exclusively for my use mostly for running Tax programs and spreadsheets and Quicken using a VPN to access my financial accounts in the USA.

I've tried all the suggestions on my computer but none on my wife's yet because I haven't had any success. 

Any other suggestions would be most appreciated. 

[Rob13]

5 minutes ago, Mike45 said:

I haven't tried the Chrome browser reset yet because I don't want to lose my remembered passwords. 

 

 It's a headache but usually it'll get rid of the adware that Adwcleaner misses.

 

 

Edited June 23, 2017 by Rob13

[ThaidDown]

28 minutes ago, Mike45 said:

I haven't tried the Chrome browser reset yet because I don't want to lose my remembered passwords. 

Chrome reset should not remove saved passwords, bookmarks or browsing history,

 

More info  https://www.howtogeek.com/171924/how-to-reset-your-web-browser-to-its-default-settings/

 

 

[Mike45]

39 minutes ago, Rob13 said:

 It's a headache but usually it'll get rid of the adware that Adwcleaner misses.

 

 

I did a adwcleaner scan on my wifes computer. it found and eliminated 606 threats.

I just ran it for a second time today on my computer. It found the same issue both times in a Chrome extension. It said it cleaned it last time.

pbjikboenpfhbbejgkoklgkhjpfogcam

 

[Rob13]

1 minute ago, Mike45 said:

pbjikboenpfhbbejgkoklgkhjpfogcam

 

 

That's probably your adware. You might find it by doing a file search and delete it manually. Sometimes a google search will give you some advice on how to get rid of it. I bet you a hundred bucks browser reset will clear it. I know you don't want to do that though.

[dddave]

On 6/21/2017 at 11:13 PM, RichCor said:

Secondly, you should also try to find how this infection was introduced to your system, usually through downloaded free software, and remove that source as well.

RC, How does one go about tracing the origin of an infection?

[Mike45]

45 minutes ago, Rob13 said:

 

That's probably your adware. You might find it by doing a file search and delete it manually. Sometimes a google search will give you some advice on how to get rid of it. I bet you a hundred bucks browser reset will clear it. I know you don't want to do that though.

Like I said it found that issue with the long gobbilygook name. It found the same one in a previous scan and told me it cleaned it but it didn't. I did a browser reset and then clicked the clean function on Adwcleaner which then rebooted. Ran another scan it found 5 new things none of which was the suspected one. cleaned and rebooted.

The problem appears to be gone.  My wife's computer appears to be OK also. I didn't do a reset on hers and I didnt notice the long gobbilygook name from her scan....to many results 606

Thank You very much Rob13 for your assistance. None of the other programs worked. 

 

[Rob13]

Glad that worked. I run the ADW about once a week. It's a great program for cleaning junk you're anti-virus misses.

[RichCor]

1 hour ago, dddave said:

On 6/21/2017 at 11:13 PM, RichCor said:

Secondly, you should also try to find how this infection was introduced to your system, usually through downloaded free software, and remove that source as well.

RC, How does one go about tracing the origin of an infection?

Realizing when and how an infection was invoked may give the user some knowledge of preventing the same in the future.

Most systems don't 'journal' system changes. But the files that are part of the installed malware may have similar date/timestamping that will indicate when it was installed. The user may be able to mentally recall what actions they were doing around this timeframe. 

 

For system administrators there are tools provided by many of the AV companies to trace though system logs to find the date/timestamp, and if a network share issue the IP of the source machine. (ex: Sophos source of infection tool (SOI): How to download and use).