Analysis by: Pearl Charlaine Espejo
ALIASES:

Win32/Bundled.Toolbar.Ask.G (ESET-NOD32); PUA.Askcom.Gen (CAT-QuickHeal)

 PLATFORM:

Windows

 OVERALL RISK RATING:
 DAMAGE POTENTIAL:
 DISTRIBUTION POTENTIAL:
 REPORTED INFECTION:
 INFORMATION EXPOSURE:

  • Threat Type: Potentially Unwanted Application

  • Destructiveness: No

  • Encrypted:

  • In the wild: Yes

  OVERVIEW

This potentially unwanted application may be manually installed by a user.

  TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 6,118,990 bytes
File Type: EXE
Memory Resident: Yes
Initial Samples Received Date: 08 Apr 2016

Arrival Details

This potentially unwanted application may be manually installed by a user.

This malware arrives via the following means:

  • It is bundled with ImgBurn third party application.

Installation

This potentially unwanted application adds the following folders:

  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\_is{letter}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{86D4B82A-ABED-442A-BE86-96357B70F4FE}
  • %User Temp%\{D0C1DA9A-755C-4305-A9F8-F0D31DB5F160}
  • %User Temp%\APN-Stub
  • %User Temp%\APNLogs
  • %User Temp%\AskSearch
  • %Program Files%\Ask.com
  • %Application Data%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\03chnxd8.default\extensions\toolbar@ask.com
  • %Application Data%\AskToolbar

It drops the following files:

  • %Application Data%\AskToolbar\cache.dat
  • %Application Data%\AskToolbar\cache.dat-journal
  • %Application Data%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\03chnxd8.default\searchplugins\askcom.xml
  • %Program Files%\Ask.com\GenericAskToolbar.dll
  • %Program Files%\Ask.com\SaUpdate.exe
  • %Program Files%\Ask.com\TaskScheduler.exe
  • %Program Files%\Ask.com\UpdateTask.exe
  • %Program Files%\Ask.com\Updater\Updater.exe
  • %Program Files%\Ask.com\Updater\config.xml
  • %Program Files%\Ask.com\assets\oobe\b.png
  • %Program Files%\Ask.com\assets\oobe\bl.png
  • %Program Files%\Ask.com\assets\oobe\br.png
  • %Program Files%\Ask.com\assets\oobe\l.png
  • %Program Files%\Ask.com\assets\oobe\pointer.png
  • %Program Files%\Ask.com\assets\oobe\r.png
  • %Program Files%\Ask.com\assets\oobe\t.png
  • %Program Files%\Ask.com\assets\oobe\tl.png
  • %Program Files%\Ask.com\assets\oobe\tr.png
  • %Program Files%\Ask.com\cobrand.ico
  • %Program Files%\Ask.com\config.xml
  • %Program Files%\Ask.com\favicon.ico
  • %Program Files%\Ask.com\mupcfg.xml
  • %Program Files%\Ask.com\precache.exe
  • %User Temp%\APN-Stub\Stb1c7dadd4-9297-4069-be73-448ecd878627.log
  • %User Temp%\APNLogs\ci.log
  • %User Temp%\APNLogs\iw.log
  • %User Temp%\ApnIC.dll
  • %User Temp%\ApnStub.exe
  • %User Temp%\ApnToolbarInstaller.exe
  • %User Temp%\AskSLib.dll
  • %User Temp%\AskSearch\partnercobranding.dat
  • %User Temp%\NEWA.tmp.exe
  • %User Temp%\_MSI5166._IS
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp\AskToolbar_CustomPage.ini
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp\AskToolbar_Screenshot.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp\FindProcDLL.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp\InstallOptions.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp\StartMenu.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp\System.dll
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp\ioSpecial.ini
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp\modern-header.bmp
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp\modern-wizard.bmp
  • %User Temp%\{86D4B82A-ABED-442A-BE86-96357B70F4FE}\AskPartnerCobrandingTool.exe
  • %User Temp%\{86D4B82A-ABED-442A-BE86-96357B70F4FE}\RunIE.exe
  • %User Temp%\{86D4B82A-ABED-442A-BE86-96357B70F4FE}\instApp.exe
  • %User Temp%\{D0C1DA9A-755C-4305-A9F8-F0D31DB5F160}\0x0407.ini
  • %User Temp%\{D0C1DA9A-755C-4305-A9F8-F0D31DB5F160}\1033.MST
  • %User Temp%\{D0C1DA9A-755C-4305-A9F8-F0D31DB5F160}\Ask Toolbar.msi
  • %User Temp%\{D0C1DA9A-755C-4305-A9F8-F0D31DB5F160}\Setup.INI
  • %User Temp%\{D0C1DA9A-755C-4305-A9F8-F0D31DB5F160}\Windows Installer 3.0 for Windows XP and later (x86).prq
  • %User Temp%\{D0C1DA9A-755C-4305-A9F8-F0D31DB5F160}\_ISMSIDEL.INI

Autostart Technique

This potentially unwanted application drops the following files:

  • %Windows%\Tasks\Scheduled Update for Ask Toolbar.job

(Note: %Windows% is the Windows folder, where it usually is C:\Windows on all Windows operating system versions.)

It adds the following registry keys to install itself as a Browser Helper Object (BHO):

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Browser Helper Objects\{D4027C7F-154A-4066-A1AD-4243D8127440}

It adds the following registry entries to install itself as a Browser Helper Object (BHO):

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Browser Helper Objects\{D4027C7F-154A-4066-A1AD-4243D8127440}

It creates the following registry entries to enable automatic execution of dropped component at every system startup:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
ApnUpdater = "%Program Files%\Ask.com\Updater\Updater.exe"

Other System Modifications

This potentially unwanted application adds the following registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\APN

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\APN\
Updater

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\APN\
Updater\Chrome

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\APN\
Updater\Macro

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Ask.com

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AskToolbar

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AskToolbar\
ButtonData

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AskToolbar\
Macro

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AskToolbar\
Prefs

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AskToolbar\
Update

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\
{A5AA24EA-11B8-4113-95AE-9ED71DEAF12A}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{79A765E1-C399-405B-85AF-466F52E918B0}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN\
Updater

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN\
Updater\Macro

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN\
Updater\Uninstall

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
AppID\GenericAskToolbar.DLL

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
AppID\{9B0CB95C-933A-4B8C-B6D4-EDCD19A43874}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{00000000-6E41-4FD3-8538-502F5495E5FC}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{00000000-6E41-4FD3-8538-502F5495E5FC}\InprocServer32

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{D4027C7F-154A-4066-A1AD-4243D8127440}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{D4027C7F-154A-4066-A1AD-4243D8127440}\InprocServer32

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{D4027C7F-154A-4066-A1AD-4243D8127440}\ProgID

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{D4027C7F-154A-4066-A1AD-4243D8127440}\TypeLib

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{D4027C7F-154A-4066-A1AD-4243D8127440}\VersionIndependentProgID

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
GenericAskToolbar.ToolbarWnd

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
GenericAskToolbar.ToolbarWnd.1

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
GenericAskToolbar.ToolbarWnd.1\CLSID

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
GenericAskToolbar.ToolbarWnd\CLSID

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
GenericAskToolbar.ToolbarWnd\CurVer

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Installer\Products\A28B4D68DEBAA244EB686953B7074FEF

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{6C434537-053E-486D-B62A-160059D9D456}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{91CF619A-4686-4CA4-9232-3B2E6B63AA92}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{AC71B60E-94C9-4EDE-BA46-E146747BB67E}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{2996F0E7-292B-4CAE-893F-47B8B1C05B56}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{2996F0E7-292B-4CAE-893F-47B8B1C05B56}\1.0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
DownloadManager

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Browser Helper Objects\{D4027C7F-154A-4066-A1AD-4243D8127440}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\
UserData\S-1-5-18\Products\
A28B4D68DEBAA244EB686953B7074FEF\InstallProperties

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{86D4B82A-ABED-442A-BE86-96357B70F4FE}

It adds the following registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\
Folders
%Program Files%\Ask.com\Updater\ = ""

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\
Folders
%Program Files%\Ask.com\ = ""

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\
Folders
%Program Files%\Ask.com\assets\oobe\ = ""

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\
Folders
%Program Files%\Ask.com\assets\ = ""

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
AppID\{9B0CB95C-933A-4B8C-B6D4-EDCD19A43874}
= "GenericAskToolbar"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
AppID\GenericAskToolbar.DLL
AppID = "{9B0CB95C-933A-4B8C-B6D4-EDCD19A43874}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
GenericAskToolbar.ToolbarWnd.1
= "Ask Toolbar"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
GenericAskToolbar.ToolbarWnd.1\CLSID
= "{D4027C7F-154A-4066-A1AD-4243D8127440}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
GenericAskToolbar.ToolbarWnd
= "ToolbarWnd Class"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
GenericAskToolbar.ToolbarWnd\CLSID
= "{D4027C7F-154A-4066-A1AD-4243D8127440}"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
GenericAskToolbar.ToolbarWnd\CurVer
= "GenericAskToolbar.ToolbarWnd.1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{D4027C7F-154A-4066-A1AD-4243D8127440}
= "Ask Toolbar"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{D4027C7F-154A-4066-A1AD-4243D8127440}\ProgID
= "GenericAskToolbar.ToolbarWnd.1"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{D4027C7F-154A-4066-A1AD-4243D8127440}\VersionIndependentProgID
= "GenericAskToolbar.ToolbarWnd"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{D4027C7F-154A-4066-A1AD-4243D8127440}\InprocServer32
= "%Program Files%\Ask.com\GenericAskToolbar.dll"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Browser Helper Objects\{D4027C7F-154A-4066-A1AD-4243D8127440}
= "Ask Toolbar BHO"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{00000000-6E41-4FD3-8538-502F5495E5FC}\InprocServer32
= "%Program Files%\Ask.com\GenericAskToolbar.dll"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{2996F0E7-292B-4CAE-893F-47B8B1C05B56}\1.0
= "GenericAskToolbar 1.0 Type Library"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{2996F0E7-292B-4CAE-893F-47B8B1C05B56}\1.0\
0\win32
= "%Program Files%\Ask.com\GenericAskToolbar.dll"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
TypeLib\{2996F0E7-292B-4CAE-893F-47B8B1C05B56}\1.0\
HELPDIR
= "%Program Files%\Ask.com"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{AC71B60E-94C9-4EDE-BA46-E146747BB67E}
= "IAskToolbar"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{91CF619A-4686-4CA4-9232-3B2E6B63AA92}
= "IAskButton"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Interface\{6C434537-053E-486D-B62A-160059D9D456}
= "IAskMenu"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\
{A5AA24EA-11B8-4113-95AE-9ED71DEAF12A}
AppName = "SaUpdate.exe"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\
{A5AA24EA-11B8-4113-95AE-9ED71DEAF12A}
AppPath = "%Program Files%\Ask.com\"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Ask.com
RegPath = "Software\AskToolbar\Macro"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN\
Updater\Macro
homepageurl = "http://www.search.ask.com/?l=dis&o=15788"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\
{A5AA24EA-11B8-4113-95AE-9ED71DEAF12A}
AppPath = "%Program Files%\Ask.com\"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\
{A5AA24EA-11B8-4113-95AE-9ED71DEAF12A}
AppName = "SaUpdate.exe"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\
UserData\S-1-5-18\Products\
A28B4D68DEBAA244EB686953B7074FEF\InstallProperties
HelpLink = "http://about.ask.com/en/docs/about/index.shtml"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\
UserData\S-1-5-18\Products\
A28B4D68DEBAA244EB686953B7074FEF\InstallProperties
InstallLocation = "%Program Files%\Ask.com\"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\
UserData\S-1-5-18\Products\
A28B4D68DEBAA244EB686953B7074FEF\InstallProperties
Publisher = "Ask.com"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{86D4B82A-ABED-442A-BE86-96357B70F4FE}
HelpLink = "http://about.ask.com/en/docs/about/index.shtml"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{86D4B82A-ABED-442A-BE86-96357B70F4FE}
InstallLocation = "%Program Files%\Ask.com\"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{86D4B82A-ABED-442A-BE86-96357B70F4FE}
Publisher = "Ask.com"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\
UserData\S-1-5-18\Products\
A28B4D68DEBAA244EB686953B7074FEF\InstallProperties
DisplayName = "Ask Toolbar"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\
{86D4B82A-ABED-442A-BE86-96357B70F4FE}
DisplayName = "Ask Toolbar"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Installer\Products\A28B4D68DEBAA244EB686953B7074FEF
ProductName = "Ask Toolbar"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Installer\Products\A28B4D68DEBAA244EB686953B7074FEF\
SourceList
PackageName = "Ask Toolbar.msi"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
CLSID\{D4027C7F-154A-4066-A1AD-4243D8127440}
= "Ask Toolbar"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Installer\Products\A28B4D68DEBAA244EB686953B7074FEF
ProductName = "Ask Toolbar"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\
Installer\Products\A28B4D68DEBAA244EB686953B7074FEF
ProductIcon = "c:\program files\ask.com\fv_27.ico"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AskToolbar\
Prefs
DataDir = "%Application Data%\AskToolbar\"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AskToolbar\
Macro
InstallDir = "%Program Files%\Ask.com\"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{171DEBEB-C3D4-40b7-AC73-056A5EBA4A7E}
DisplayName = "Ask Search"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{171DEBEB-C3D4-40b7-AC73-056A5EBA4A7E}
URL = "http://websearch.ask.com/redirect?client=ie&tb=IMB&o=15785&src=crm&q={searchTerms}&locale=en_US&apn_ptnrs=^HQ&apn_dtid=^YYYYYY^YY^PH&apn_uid=90A10F67-56B8-4BC8-9ADA-B4BA4A738121&apn_sauid=5ADDED2C-55C9-4C8B-AE65-8495DAFC93A4"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{171DEBEB-C3D4-40b7-AC73-056A5EBA4A7E}
FaviconUrl = "http://www.ask.com/favicon.ico"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AskToolbar\
Update
SuggestionsURL_JSON = "http://ss.websearch.ask.com/query?qsrc=2922&li=ff&sstype=prefix&q={searchTerms}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{171DEBEB-C3D4-40b7-AC73-056A5EBA4A7E}
SuggestionsURL_JSON = "http://ss.websearch.ask.com/query?qsrc=2922&li=ff&sstype=prefix&q={searchTerms}"

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\
Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{171DEBEB-C3D4-40b7-AC73-056A5EBA4A7E}
DisplayName = "Ask Search"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN\
Updater
hpratinstall = "http://www.search.ask.com/?l=dis&o=15788"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN\
Updater
landing-page = "http://sp.ask.com/toolbar/updater/TB1/updater.html"

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\APN\
Updater
search-suggestions = "http://ss.websearch.ask.com/query?qsrc=2922&li=ff&sstype=prefix&q={searchTerms}"

Other Details

This potentially unwanted application connects to the following possibly malicious URL:

  • http://{BLOCKED}t.{BLOCKED}k.com
  • http://{BLOCKED}ia.ask.com/media/toolbar/stub/1.0.0.0/ApnIC.dll?{parameters}
  • http://{BLOCKED}tic.ask.com
  • http://{BLOCKED}gets.ask.com
  • http://{BLOCKED}lbar.{BLOCKED}r.com/search/search?{parameters}
  • http://{BLOCKED}g.{BLOCKED}lytics.com/images/nocache/apn/tr.gif?{parameters}
  • http://{BLOCKED}.{BLOCKED}k.com
  • http://{BLOCKED}s.{BLOCKED}rch.ask.com/query?{parameters}
  • http://{BLOCKED}rch.{BLOCKED}k.com/installed?{parameters}
  • http://{BLOCKED}rch.ask.com/interim/askbardis/getTbProperties.jsp?{parameters}
  • http://{BLOCKED}rch.ask.com/redirect?{parameters}
  • http://{BLOCKED}rch.ask.com/update?{parameters}
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}k.com
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}h.ask.com
  • http://www.{BLOCKED}h.ask.com/?{parameters}
  • http://{BLOCKED}a.{BLOCKED}er.com/wxdata/search/search?

  SOLUTION

Minimum Scan Engine: 9.800
SSAPI PATTERN File: 1.723.00
SSAPI PATTERN Date: 14 Apr 2016

Step 1

Before doing any scans, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.

Step 2

Note that not all files, folders, and registry keys and entries are installed on your computer during this malware's/spyware's/grayware's execution. This may be due to incomplete installation or other operating system conditions. If you do not find the same files/folders/registry information, please proceed to the next step.

Step 3

Restart in Safe Mode

[ Learn More ]

Step 4

Delete this registry value

[ Learn More ]

Important: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this step only if you know how or you can ask assistance from your system administrator. Else, check this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.

 
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • ApnUpdater = "%Program Files%\Ask.com\Updater\Updater.exe"

Step 5

Delete this registry key

[ Learn More ]

Important: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this step only if you know how or you can ask assistance from your system administrator. Else, check this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.

  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
    • APN
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
    • Ask.com
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
    • AskToolbar
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy
    • {A5AA24EA-11B8-4113-95AE-9ED71DEAF12A}
  • In HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • {79A765E1-C399-405B-85AF-466F52E918B0}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
    • APN
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppID
    • GenericAskToolbar.DLL
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppID
    • {9B0CB95C-933A-4B8C-B6D4-EDCD19A43874}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID
    • {00000000-6E41-4FD3-8538-502F5495E5FC}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID
    • {D4027C7F-154A-4066-A1AD-4243D8127440}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes
    • GenericAskToolbar.ToolbarWnd
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes
    • GenericAskToolbar.ToolbarWnd.1
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Installer\Products
    • A28B4D68DEBAA244EB686953B7074FEF
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface
    • {6C434537-053E-486D-B62A-160059D9D456}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface
    • {91CF619A-4686-4CA4-9232-3B2E6B63AA92}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface
    • {AC71B60E-94C9-4EDE-BA46-E146747BB67E}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib
    • {2996F0E7-292B-4CAE-893F-47B8B1C05B56}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects
    • {D4027C7F-154A-4066-A1AD-4243D8127440}
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Products
    • A28B4D68DEBAA244EB686953B7074FEF
  • In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
    • {86D4B82A-ABED-442A-BE86-96357B70F4FE}

Step 6

Search and delete these folders

[ Learn More ]
Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the "More advanced options" option to include all hidden folders in the search result.
  • %User Temp%\ns{random characters}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\_is{letter}.tmp
  • %User Temp%\{86D4B82A-ABED-442A-BE86-96357B70F4FE}
  • %User Temp%\{D0C1DA9A-755C-4305-A9F8-F0D31DB5F160}
  • %User Temp%\APN-Stub
  • %User Temp%\APNLogs
  • %User Temp%\AskSearch
  • %Program Files%\Ask.com
  • %Application Data%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\03chnxd8.default\extensions\toolbar@ask.com
  • %Application Data%\AskToolbar

Step 7

Search and delete these files

[ Learn More ]
There may be some files that are hidden. Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the "More advanced options" option to include all hidden files and folders in the search result.
  • %Windows%\Tasks\Scheduled Update for Ask Toolbar.job

Step 8

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as PUA_ASKTOOLBAR.GA. If the detected files have already been cleaned, deleted, or quarantined by your Trend Micro product, no further step is required. You may opt to simply delete the quarantined files. Please check this Knowledge Base page for more information.


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