Unwanted programme

Frogletina

I was trying to watch a video when it would not play saying I needed Adobe Flashplayer. I have tried to add this before but it kept saying I needed to close Mozilla firefox, but this was already closed. I am not sure how I lost it from my programmes as I have had it on there before.

Today I tried to install it but other programmes were with it which I cancelled during the process and then I got a McAfee warning so I said I didn't want to continue installing and was advised that this would not happen.

When I went to log back into Chrome instead of my usual tabs I got three unwanted ones.

I checked on my installed programmes and uninstalled what I could but I am left with one called WSE_lasaoren.

I have tried to uninstall this but I get a message to say to check that my browsers are closed (which they are). If I try to uninstall when the browser is open, I get the same message but then a new one to say if I continue to uninstall then the browser will be closed during the uninstall process, but nothing happens.

When I opened Mozilla firefox, I got a message to say would I allow Lasaoren on there to which I said no so I can use Mozilla firefox with no problems. However, I like to use Chrome.

Please can anyone advise me what I should try now?

kwikbreaks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-uL2VhCtWc

Probably worth downloading and running Malwarebytes too - https://www.malwarebytes.org/ in case there is other junk lurking.

When you install anything make sure it comes from the official site. During the install some legit programs request permission to install other stuff. If you don't want the extras (and mostly you won't) read the messages and check/uncheck boxes as appropriate as you go through the install. Run Malwarebytes after anyway as it will pick up any unwanted junk as can spyware scanners which you will doubtless get recommendations for later.

Strider590

kwikbreaks wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-uL2VhCtWc

Probably worth downloading and running Malwarebytes too - https://www.malwarebytes.org/ in case there is other junk lurking.

When you install anything make sure it comes from the official site. During the install some legit programs request permission to install other stuff. If you don't want the extras (and mostly you won't) read the messages and check/uncheck boxes as appropriate as you go through the install. Run Malwarebytes after anyway as it will pick up any unwanted junk as can spyware scanners which you will doubtless get recommendations for later.

This ^^

I recently had to clean up my parents laptop because they'd installed iTunes from some random website and it came bundled with no less than 7 pieces of malware.

Which in turn blocked Google and the Malwarebytes websites to prevent the user fixing the problem. Blocked proxy websites to stop you bypassing the above blocks, blocked network access to other machines (to stop access to software from another PC) and generally made it it take about 6 hours JUST to get malwarebytes installed. It did this to try and force me to use a USB drive, which is something you NEVER do on an infected machine.
In the end I used my FTP server to download malwarebytes.

Once installed, the IP address for it's updates had been blocked so it was effectively useless and the active protection would not run and something kept force closing malwarebytes every 60 seconds. After getting that fixed it removed 7 bits of malware and no less than 950 dodgy files, by which time i'd spent nearly 9 hours of my Sunday trying to fix the damn thing.

So yeah, NEVER download from unofficial sources UNLESS you check with someone who knows their sh*t :cool:

fenlander_uk

Full removal instructions are here. A bit time-consuming running all the scans, but you should end up with a clean computer.

Lasaoran is one of many browser hijackers lurking in freeware downloads on unscrupulous sites. There is a rash of the things at present, so always use the 'Custom' install option and take care to deselect the extras you don't want. When downloading freeware, stick to reputable sites like Snapfiles, FileHippo, Major Geeks or Sourceforge. For mainstream free applications, try Ninite.

Gillor

fenlander_uk wrote: »

When downloading freeware, stick to reputable sites like Snapfiles, FileHippo, Major Geeks or Sourceforge.....

And you have to be careful with some of these

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/filehippo-starts-offering-downloads-via-installers

Frogletina

Thanks everyone - I am running malwarebytes now. Once it has completed I will update the thread.

Frogletina

I am pleased to report that I have been able to remove the unwanted programme as well as some others that I found via Malwarebytes.

Once again, thank you all for your help

frogletina

Strider590

fenlander_uk wrote: »

When downloading freeware, stick to reputable sites like Snapfiles, FileHippo, Major Geeks or Sourceforge..

I'd probably be inclined to remove Major Geeks from that list, they used to be brilliant, but I don't feel they can be trusted anymore, i've had a few malware/spyware loaded apps from them in the past and I suspect they either sold the website OR got greedy.

fenlander_uk

Gillor wrote: »

And you have to be careful with some of these

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/filehippo-starts-offering-downloads-via-installers

That's sad news. Unchecky is a useful safeguard but above all vigilance...

Gillor

fenlander_uk wrote: »

Checky is a useful safeguard but above all vigilance...

+1 for vigilance and Unchecky, a great little programme for helping to avoid downloading much of the cr*p which is often bundled with freeware.