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PUP.Optional.Astromenda
Short bio
PUP.Optional.Astromenda is a browser hijacker, which will change your browser homepage to astromenda[.]com and set the default search engine to Astromenda Search
Symptoms
The most notable symptom of infection is a change of your browser homepage to astromenda[.]com
Type and source of infection
Pup.Optional.Astromenda typically is bundled with free software downloads and will install as part of the free software installation process
Protection
Malwarebytes blocks the installation of Astromenda by detecting the installer and blocking the websites that spread this software.
Remediation
Malwarebytes can detect and remove PUP.Optional.GlobalSystemMechanic without further user interaction.
- Please download Malwarebytes to your desktop.
- Double-click mb3-setup-consumer-{version}.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
- Then click Finish.
- Once the program has fully updated, select Scan Now on the Dashboard. Or select the Threat Scan from the Scan menu.
- If another update of the definitions 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.
Malwarebytes removal log
A Malwarebytes removal log will look similar to the following:
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: 1
PUP.Optional.Astromenda, HKU\S-1-5-21-188956620-362750976-1332021141-1000-{ED1FC765-E35E-4C3D-BF15-2C2B11260CE4}-0\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\INTERNET EXPLORER\SEARCHSCOPES\{2E00D31D-D171-423D-836D-1A4D7EA7F1A9}, Quarantined, [1730bd0a3f3ccd690f9e0b60db2707f9],
Registry Values: 1
PUP.Optional.Astromenda, HKU\S-1-5-21-188956620-362750976-1332021141-1000-{ED1FC765-E35E-4C3D-BF15-2C2B11260CE4}-0\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\INTERNET EXPLORER\SEARCHSCOPES|DefaultScope, {2E00D31D-D171-423D-836D-1A4D7EA7F1A9}, Quarantined, [e3648641592275c1c7656c7460a244bc]
Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Folders: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Add to exclusions
Should users wish to keep this program and exclude it from being detected in future scans, they can add the program to the exclusions list. Here’s how to do it.
The Exclusions tab includes a list of items to be excluded from scans. The items may include files, folders, websites, or applications that connect to the Internet, as well as previously detected exploits.
To access the exclusions in Malwarebytes:
- Click on the Settings tab in the left pane.
- Click on the Exclusions tab.
- Click the Add Exclusion button.
- Select the exclusion type Exclude a File or Folder and use the Browse button to select the main folder for the software that you wish to keep.
- Repeat this for any secondary folder(s) that belong to the software.
- If you want to allow the program to connect to the internet, for example to fetch updates, add an exclusion of the type Exclude an application that Connects to the Internet and use the Browse button to select the file you wish to grant access.
