PUP.Optional.BrowseFox

Short bio

PUP.Optional.BrowseFox is the detection name for BrowseFox, a large family of adware that uses different methods of browser hijacking and monetizing to get their message across.

Type and source of infection

BrowseFox adware is usually installed by a bundler, but they do create sites and offer them as separate downloads. The bundled installer is usually different from the official one. The bundled installers require arguments for a full installation and are sometimes even aware of running on a virtual machine, both to hinder researchers.

Protection

Malwarebytes protects users from PUP.Optional.BrowseFox by using real-time protection.

Malwarebytes blocks PUP.Optional.BrowseFox

Remediation

Malwarebytes can detect and remove PUP.Optional.BrowseFox 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 log of removal will look similar to this:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
www.malwarebytes.org

Scan Date: 5/13/2016
Scan Time: 9:10 AM
Logfile: mbamSearchExpanse.txt
Administrator: Yes

Version: 2.2.1.1043
Malware Database: v2016.05.13.02
Rootkit Database: v2016.05.06.01
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: 310877
Time Elapsed: 8 min, 8 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: 6
PUP.Optional.Yontoo, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\CLASSES\CLSID\{99415057-7C50-439D-AA20-02D83C071B61}, Quarantined, [91d58154adec1026ab21fb4e9a68ac54], 
PUP.Optional.Yontoo, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\WOW6432NODE\CLSID\{99415057-7C50-439D-AA20-02D83C071B61}, Quarantined, [91d58154adec1026ab21fb4e9a68ac54], 
PUP.Optional.Yontoo, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\CLASSES\CLSID\{F83D1872-D9FF-47F8-B5A0-49CC51E24EE8}, Quarantined, [a0c6884d8c0d9a9cb815a3a646bc4db3], 
PUP.Optional.Yontoo, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\WOW6432NODE\CLSID\{F83D1872-D9FF-47F8-B5A0-49CC51E24EE8}, Quarantined, [a0c6884d8c0d9a9cb815a3a646bc4db3], 
PUP.Optional.BrowseFox, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\Search Expanse, Quarantined, [6cfa72636a2fc2749854903b59a8e818], 
PUP.Optional.Yontoo, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\SearchExpanse, Quarantined, [26402ca9b5e4310585ab557e33d02ed2], 

Registry Values: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folders: 2
PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\Program Files (x86)\Search Expanse, Quarantined, [8ed832a39efb49edfdf99c049072956b], 
PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\Program Files (x86)\Search Expanse\Extensions, Quarantined, [8ed832a39efb49edfdf99c049072956b], 

Files: 4
PUP.Optional.BrowseFox, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\SearchExpance.exe, Quarantined, [f86e24b19108d85efeee9d2e08f9a65a], 
PUP.Optional.BrowseFox, C:\Program Files (x86)\Search Expanse\Uninstaller.exe, Quarantined, [6cfa72636a2fc2749854903b59a8e818], 
PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\Program Files (x86)\Search Expanse\7za.exe, Quarantined, [8ed832a39efb49edfdf99c049072956b], 
PUP.Optional.Yontoo, C:\Program Files (x86)\Search Expanse\Extensions\firefox@www.searchexpanse.com.xpi, Quarantined, [8ed832a39efb49edfdf99c049072956b], 

Physical Sectors: 0
(No malicious items detected)


(end)

Add an exclusion

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.