Malicious adware, spyware, etc. removal

I have a few problems going on. I am running Windows 7 Ultimate, 32 bit, which I just recently reinstalled. I have Malwarebytes installed and every morning when I turn on my PC it automatically runs, and every morning it comes up with the same 10 threats. They are: PUP.Optional.CrushArcade.A Folder & Files = 5x total, and: PUP.Optional.Gamezooks.A Folder & Files = 5x total. How do I get rid of these, I don't know where to find them on my PC? They are not installed programs. Also, I keep getting pop-ups that open a new tab automatically and my pop-ups are blocked.

Hi Deb1957,

Please re-run Malwarebytes and chose to delete all detected items once the scan completes. Reboot the PC, check if the issue persists and post the log.
Also, let me know what browser are you using.


Best wishes!

Hi thank you for responding, fortunately I was able to find those files and folders thru my extension settings and I deleted them, so this morning when the Malwarebytes ran they did not appear. However, the other issue with the pop-ups is still happening and it's very aggravating. I am using Google Chrome as my browser and I have pop-ups blocked. I NEVER ever use Internet Explorer. I did go into Chrome yesterday and reset all my settings to default, but these dang pop-ups won't go away. Please help....thank you.

Hi Deb1957,

Download AdwCleaner and run a scan with it to remove any leftovers undetected by MalwareBytes.
Next, add the "AdBlock Plus" addon to your Chrome. This will block pop-ups and ads from various websites.
Let me know the result.

Ok I will do that today and let you know the result. Thank you so much

I ran the AdwCleaner and this is the log that came up afterwards:


# Updated 09/07/2015 by Xplode
# Database : 2015-08-14.2 [Server]
# Operating system : Windows 7 Ultimate Service Pack 1 (x86)
# Username : Deb1 - DEB1-PC
# Running from : C:\Users\Deb1\Downloads\adwcleaner_4.208.exe
# Option : Cleaning

***** [ Services ] *****


***** [ Files / Folders ] *****


***** [ Scheduled tasks ] *****


***** [ Shortcuts ] *****


***** [ Registry ] *****


***** [ Web browsers ] *****

-\\ Internet Explorer v11.0.9600.17937


-\\ Google Chrome v44.0.2403.155

[C:\Users\Deb1\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Secure Preferences] - Deleted [Homepage] :
[C:\Users\Deb1\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Secure Preferences] - Deleted [Startup_URLs] : 1EC24EFFFCB912EC69889BB0856A59FE97E15F4D3001ADD7E42F07B074B27706"},"software_reporter":{"prompt_reason":"2DA4EC5749CAB111CCDF4D645820C9C89B92E2ECCCD73D91390101581B3FF91A","prompt_seed":"7259366906F0F6E61FD36743624A7611647141CFC0B7C19DCA2B24A6C6DFB205","prompt_version":"D7BDE06138A6CC5A2BE50FB427FC690BEA08129ADDC50233030177FB7A21211B"},"sync":{"remaining_rollback_tries":"EC04C233F45965E6CD788CAC556D85F153B333F2858905EB45071E246BE372E5"}},"super_mac":"050DE51BDB6A6235B3AF817DAF73768F6F742AE8FE635C42552AF4110D6C5D34"},"session":{"startup_urls":["hxxp://search.conduit.com/?ctid=CT3317458&octid=EB_ORIGINAL_CTID&SearchSource=55&CUI=&UM=4&UP=SPDC0B5DD9-CA94-430F-B747-E8AC71A4952F&SSPV=

*************************

AdwCleaner[R0].txt - [6223 bytes] - [14/08/2015 11:52:00]
AdwCleaner[S0].txt - [1577 bytes] - [14/08/2015 11:54:03]

########## EOF - C:\AdwCleaner\AdwCleaner[S0].txt - [1636 bytes] ##########

Hi Deb1957,

Do you still experience the pop-ups?
According to the AdwCleaner log several entries related to Conduit (a platform which is widely used by toolbar creators) has been removed.