DealKeeper Popup Ad Causes Phishing Redirects. Remove Stubborn Ads!

VilmaTech helps remove DealKeeper
and the related programs

OUTLINE

• Is DealKeeper virus?
• Ads by DealKeeper make a scene
• Analyze DealKeeper popup

  a. how deal keeper enters computer?
  b. why the ads come back after removal?
  c. potential dangers that you should notice

• Follow Steps to remove Dealkeeper ads fast and completely
• Final
• Other related posts

Is DealKeeper Virus?

Actually, DealKeeper is not that horrible as many people think. It is no more than an adware adopting BHO and JS techniques with an aim at promoting business. Security company would rather categorize it as a PUP and separate it from adware as it adopts rogue actions to stay on a target machine and redirect searches to promote sales.

Technically, it is not a virus at all, that’s why anti-virus programs are not able to remove it or stop it even after quarantining some suspicious files. Yet its unsolicited installation and re-image do arouse panic and concerns and you should be concerned since it is programmed loosely to simply promote products and intercept traffic. Bug can be found anytime to be exploited by infections concealed in the Internet.

DealKeeper Causes Unpleasant Scenes

DealKeeper, the PUP, that seems to attack Windows platforms only so far. An adware as it is, DealKeeper manages to give rise to the following problems:

1. Computer runs slow in general.
2. Hourglass lingers longer than usual on desktop and Windows explorer.
3. Additional items are detected after its installation, especially web applications.
4. Random browser pop-ups indicating that your Java is out of date (it's not).
5. Cannot close the pop-up but only allowed to click Okay which would bring up phishing website; Trovi.com has been detected to be part of this.
6. DealKeeper seems sporadic.
7. Embedded links (picture attached to reply) appear.
8. Random "Network cannot be accessed" errors for working websites.
9. Ads by DealKeeper keep creating dialog boxes.

DealKeeper Analysis

How DealKeeper Gets on A Machine?

As a sales promotional tool, DealKeeper needs to cooperate with other products so as to push itself quick into the market. Being a starter, no big brand would post product on its site, but freeware/shareware will since those kind of programs need to get money from high usage rate so as to keep operating. In other word, DealKeeper helps those programs to reach more PC users and those programs allow its bundle in return. And drive-by download is the common way for the PUP to get onto your computer. Therefore, it is recommended to apply customized installation method over recommended installation method.


Why Ads by DealKeeper Keep Coming Back?

The reason can be figured out easily which is incomplete removal. Though DealKeeper is not a virus, its BHO technique and JS technique would download its executable file (including extension), .dll file (the one to keep it working) and .dat file (the one containing its information). It is clear now that the PUP is not just about browser issue, but also system issue. Removing it from browser settings are way too far from complete removal.

In addition, drive-by download is its major dissemination routine, one should remove the programs that installed themselves without consent after the harassment of DealKeeper altogether for precautions.


Potential Dangers:

DealKeeper’s behaviors seem to be normal at the time being. However, it should be removed as soon as possible not only because of the irritating scenario it arouses, but also because of potential dangers. Random injections of additional items into system configuration can lead to vulnerability which is easily to be exploited by destructive infections. Once being taken advantage, BHO and JS techniques will be utilized to commit misdeeds:

1. BHO technique was created to help programmers to customize surfing experience; thus it allows direct download and installation; once being exploited, virus components will be downloaded without being interfered.
2. JS technique has been applied to help remember log-in credentials to save trouble and direct people to the most-visited sites faster; once being taken advantage by infections, it will help the evil to collect log-in credential to endanger your information security.

Remove DealKeeper Ads Manually - Feasible Solution

A. end DealKeeper’s running processes according to the path name.

Access Task Manager > hit View tab > choose “Select Columns”> check “Image Path Name” and PID > access All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Information >Software Environment > Running Tasks > end DealKeeper's running processes according to the path name.




B. remove DealKeeper's extension from browser settings.



Tools menu >“Manage add-ons” >‘Toolbars and Extensions’> check the creation day of extensions there > remove the ones created on or after when DealKeeper was spotted >‘Search Providers’ > remove the ones created on or after DealKeeper was spotted.


Tools menu >“Options” >‘Add-ons’ > check the creation day of extensions by clicking on “More info” > remove the ones created on or after DealKeeper was spotted >‘plugins’ > remove the ones created on or after DealKeeper was spotted.


Spanner icon > Tools > extensions > remove the ones created on or after DealKeeper was spotted.

 
Menu > Extensions >“Manage Extensions” > remove the ones created on or after DealKeeper was spotted.




C. enable popup blocker to stop DealKeeper from popping up.


Tools window > Options > Privacy tab on the next window > check “Block pop-ups” > block DealKeeper.


Tools > Web features button > select DealKeeper.


Tool menu > Options > “Under the Hood” > “Content Settings” > “Pop-ups” > “Exceptions” > make sure that DealKeeper is not there > OK button.


Opera’s menu > “settings” > “Preference” > General tab > “Pop-up” > “Block Unwanted Pop-ups” > OK button.




D. end explorer.exe and call healthy explorer.exe.

Copy explorer.exe from healthy computer > paste the healthy explorer.exe into the affected computer under the catalogue detected > Task Manger > end explorer.exe > click on “File” > select “New Task” > hit browse button > select the healthy “exporer.exe” > hit Enter key.




E. show hidden files and folders to remove all items related to ads by DealKeeper.


Windows 7/XP/Vista
‘Control Panel’ > 'user accounts and family safety' > 'Folder Options’ > View tab > tick ‘Show hidden files and folders' and non-tick 'Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)’ > ‘OK’.

Windows 8
Start screen > Windows Explorer > View tab > tick ‘File name extensions’ and ‘Hidden items’ options > OK button.

a.when done, remove the given items:

C:\Users\[user name]\AppData\Local\Temp\
C:\WINDOWS\Temp
C:\Documents and Settings\[user name]\Local Settings\Temp
C:\Documents and Settings\[user name]\Local Settings\Temporary Internet File

b. navigate to the following directories and remove the items generated on and after the date on and after DealKeeper was firstly detected:

C:\Windows
%SystemDriver%\
C:\Program Files\
C:\windows\system32\
C:\users\user\appdata\local\
C:\Users\[your username]\Documents\
c:\users\[username]\appdata\locallow\

DealKeeper popup ad doesn’t belong to virus; however, it can be dangerous as random modifications to browser settings will lead to web vulnerability, which will make the machine susceptible to browser malware/infections. The browser chaos including browser redirect issue and underlined in-text letters with hyperlink directing to commercial ads can be foreseeable should the removal is not performed timely.

Other Related Posts

Trovi.com, Get to Know Its Dangers and Remove Trovi.com Completely

Remove Trovigo.com, Trovigo Has Companions!





Anthony Cook is not a cook, instead he’s a young but also qualified online technician specialized in removing computer virus and resolving error issues. He’s been employed by Global PC Support Center to work in California branch since he finished a six-month internship as a University of California graduate to fully play his strength in this field.