PUA

About “PUP.Optional.SearchProtect” infection

Malware Removal

The PUP.Optional.SearchProtect is considered dangerous by lots of security experts. When this infection is active, you may notice unwanted processes in Task Manager list. In this case, it is adviced to scan your computer with GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware

Gridinsoft Anti-Malware

Removing PC viruses manually may take hours and may damage your PC in the process. We recommend using GridinSoft Anti-Malware for virus removal. Allows to complete scan and cure your PC during the trial period.
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What PUP.Optional.SearchProtect virus can do?

  • SetUnhandledExceptionFilter detected (possible anti-debug)
  • Yara rule detections observed from a process memory dump/dropped files/CAPE
  • Guard pages use detected – possible anti-debugging.
  • Dynamic (imported) function loading detected
  • Enumerates running processes
  • Repeatedly searches for a not-found process, may want to run with startbrowser=1 option
  • Authenticode signature is invalid
  • Behavioural detection: Transacted Hollowing
  • Collects and encrypts information about the computer likely to send to C2 server
  • Creates a hidden or system file
  • Attempts to modify proxy settings

How to determine PUP.Optional.SearchProtect?


File Info:

name: 6754A50F7735BB364928.mlw
path: /opt/CAPEv2/storage/binaries/41f07fdf7f0661ce223cc016af85d11b0aa066266ce714b6f360f0121a09d76b
crc32: 8E089262
md5: 6754a50f7735bb364928246230e1c2a3
sha1: 91d91330a004de2bb3151090c9cbff99254cf25e
sha256: 41f07fdf7f0661ce223cc016af85d11b0aa066266ce714b6f360f0121a09d76b
sha512: 75b44e7e23fbbed7182b53deb41d9896290f7ee58c1caf7d9d53f9ee4a34037890e26359669e6e3b28171215aba354d33d2d912c88276ba50aa87fe59a390565
ssdeep: 49152:oV0lmp47WJI1ASZQIiqBjOvr11Vk0+fd/iia6T+h1W:o04p4QrWiqBjc11Vkb
type: PE32 executable (GUI) Intel 80386, for MS Windows
tlsh: T120A5AE22B7C6C072E9A331B5406F637E947A7A70D72585C3A3C42E5D2E701D3A33AB56
sha3_384: e98ae881451ce9d6565cc56a66c8ce69f0349b0ef772451e8a125df4ffee6f912112a6e99f79c1c07bf23bef0708964a
ep_bytes: e8e8af0000e97ffeffff558bec837d08
timestamp: 2015-05-17 14:58:15

Version Info:

0: [No Data]

PUP.Optional.SearchProtect also known as:

LionicTrojan.Win32.Generic.4!c
DrWebAdware.Conduit.348
MicroWorld-eScanGen:Variant.Doina.7947
FireEyeGeneric.mg.6754a50f7735bb36
ALYacGen:Variant.Doina.7947
CylanceUnsafe
SangforPUP.Win32.SearchProtect.8
K7AntiVirusAdware ( 004b8b561 )
K7GWAdware ( 004b8b561 )
Cybereasonmalicious.f7735b
BitDefenderThetaAI:Packer.5A8E6E0A1F
SymantecTrojan.Gen.2
ESET-NOD32a variant of Win32/Conduit.SearchProtect.Y potentially unwanted
Paloaltogeneric.ml
CynetMalicious (score: 100)
Kasperskynot-a-virus:AdWare.Win32.SearchProtect.wlg
BitDefenderGen:Variant.Doina.7947
NANO-AntivirusRiskware.Win32.Conduit.dryzoa
AvastFileRepMalware
RisingTrojan.Generic@ML.95 (RDML:0CDTcTJYlXugMLWE6TYnVA)
Ad-AwareGen:Variant.Doina.7947
SophosGeneric PUA JB (PUA)
VIPRETrojan.Win32.Generic!BT
McAfee-GW-EditionBehavesLike.Win32.CoinMiner.vh
EmsisoftGen:Variant.Doina.7947 (B)
IkarusPUA.Conduit.SearchProtect
GDataWin32.Application.SearchProtect.AK
MAXmalware (ai score=87)
Antiy-AVLTrojan/Generic.ASMalwS.10D948B
MicrosoftPUAAdvertising:Win32/Conduit
McAfeeArtemis!6754A50F7735
VBA32BScope.Adware.SearchProtect
MalwarebytesPUP.Optional.SearchProtect
APEXMalicious
TencentWin32.Adware.Searchprotect.Woga
YandexRiskware.SearchProtect!Y81Ae5e7/sE
eGambitUnsafe.AI_Score_100%
FortinetRiskware/Conduit_SearchProtect
WebrootPua.Conduit
AVGFileRepMalware
CrowdStrikewin/malicious_confidence_100% (D)

How to remove PUP.Optional.SearchProtect?

PUP.Optional.SearchProtect removal tool
  • Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
  • Open GridinSoft Anti-Malware and perform a “Standard scan“.
  • Move to quarantine” all items.
  • Open “Tools” tab – Press “Reset Browser Settings“.
  • Select proper browser and options – Click “Reset”.
  • Restart your computer.

About the author

Paul Valéry

I'm a cyber security analyst and data science expert with 5+ years of experience with security software contractors.

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