PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo

Short bio

PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo is Malwarebytes' detection name for a family of browser hijackers that redirect the searches on affected browsers through searchalgo.com.

Symptoms

Altered search settings resulting in search results that are routed through searchalgo.com

Type and source of infection

typical tooltip for this family

Protection

Malwarebytes blocks the domain of origin

Remediation

Malwarebytes can detect and remove PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo without further user interaction.

1. Please download Malwarebytes to your desktop.
2. Double-click MBSetup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
3. When your Malwarebytes for Windows installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen.
4. Click on the Get started button.
5. Click Scan to start a Threat Scan.
6. Click Quarantine to remove the found threats.
7. Reboot the system if prompted to complete the removal process.

Malwarebytes removal log

A Malwarebytes log of removal will look similar to this:

Malwarebytes
www.malwarebytes.com
-Log Details-
Scan Date: 8/16/18
Scan Time: 11:00 AM
Log File: d9709bfd-a132-11e8-b916-00ffdcc6fdfc.json
Administrator: Yes
-Software Information-
Version: 3.5.1.2522
Components Version: 1.0.391
Update Package Version: 1.0.6367
License: Premium
-System Information-
OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1
CPU: x64
File System: NTFS
User: {computername}\{username}
-Scan Summary-
Scan Type: Threat Scan
Scan Initiated By: Manual
Result: Completed
Objects Scanned: 251900
Threats Detected: 75
Threats Quarantined: 75
Time Elapsed: 3 min, 37 sec
-Scan Options-
Memory: Enabled
Startup: Enabled
Filesystem: Enabled
Archives: Enabled
Rootkits: Enabled
Heuristics: Enabled
PUP: Detect
PUM: Detect
-Scan Details-
Process: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Module: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Key: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Value: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Data Stream: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Folder: 18
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons download, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\notification, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons hover, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons_tabs, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\button, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\_locales\en, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\_metadata, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\Plus\css, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\Plus\img, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\_locales, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\Plus\js, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\icons, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\Plus, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\js, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\DEFAULT\EXTENSIONS\CBIEIBOBPEFAOBHFNCPIMJIMBIJPLEBE, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
File: 57
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Secure Preferences, Replaced, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Preferences, Replaced, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\DEFAULT\EXTENSIONS\CBIEIBOBPEFAOBHFNCPIMJIMBIJPLEBE\1.0.3_0\MANIFEST.JSON, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\icons\38.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\icons\icon128.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\icons\icon16.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\button\btn_save.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\button\btn_save_hover.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons\big_icon.jpg, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons\icon128.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons\icon16.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons\icon_19x19.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons\icon_38x38.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons\small_icon.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons download\btn.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons download\btn_hover.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons download\frame.jpg, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons download\v.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons hover\danger.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons hover\delete.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons hover\folder.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons hover\frame.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons hover\pause.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons hover\play.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons hover\referrer.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons hover\refresh.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons hover\remove.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons hover\safe.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons hover\stop.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons_tabs\delete.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons_tabs\filter.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons_tabs\folder.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons_tabs\search.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\icons_tabs\settings.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\notification\open_folder.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\notification\pause.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\notification\show_download.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\images\notification\show_file.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\js\background.js, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\js\jquery.min.js, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\js\main.js, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\js\popup.js, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\js\search.js, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\Plus\css\style.css, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\Plus\img\close.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\Plus\img\dislike.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\Plus\img\like.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\Plus\img\logo.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\Plus\img\share.png, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\Plus\js\jquery.min.js, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\Plus\js\main.js, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\Plus\index.html, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\_locales\en\messages.json, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\_metadata\computed_hashes.json, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\_metadata\verified_contents.json, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\popup.css, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
PUP.Optional.SearchAlgo.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe\1.0.3_0\popup.html, Quarantined, [14297], [443230],1.0.6367
Physical Sector: 0
(No malicious items detected)
WMI: 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.

• Open Malwarebytes for Windows.
• Click the Detection History
• Click the Allow List
• To add an item to the Allow List, click Add.
• Select the exclusion type Allow a file or folder and use the Select a folder button to select the main folder for the software that you wish to keep.
• Repeat this for any secondary files or folder(s) that belong to the software.

Traces/IOCs

Chrome extensions:

beebhkphfnalnhgeiclfaaeefplgmkok bglaifdlahmallgalncjpcdbhfbiehmj bjhknobaiffeioiokpkedlplggnafcic cbieibobpefaobhfncpimjimbijplebe dmfdjkfpljiniadicampijngdedfppfh einjjjcdbfelnfmcohhegakmellljihi jdjknidaaaegggmblkdoeplmbgnfegcl honmjepgemgnpinmejdbknnkhioohdko nbbngnmfaihobnkapbhpcpbeiajklmnk nhcmomngmjhpmkgikdcdoeoldbenjfdn