Adware/Malware From Steam Game

[Effortvirtualbenign]

During the steam summer sale I bought a few games. My computer was fine. Completely clean. never got popups or anything. Until I ran AoE 3 for the first time. I accidentally clicked a Javascript message durine the first run of the game and ever since then the steam client has been swarmed with annoying popups like "Windows 8 PC repair" and such. I'm running windows 10 btw.

I did manage to make it stop for a little while by deleting some programs I didn't install that had no publisher or had install dates from before I built my PC. But as of today, they're back and worse than ever. Before they only affected steam. But now they affect Torch browser and MS edge aswell. I haven't installed anything new.

So far I've run windows defender multiple times and attempted a windows defender offline boot. It failed to install on a USB drive and then successfully installed on a DVD but then failed to actually boot. Locked up my mouse and keyboard forcing me to reboot the old fashioned way.

I also tried to download malwarebytes but failed because the virus/whatever the hell it is, keeps redirecting me.

For now I'm going to try putting windef offline on a USB from my laptop but I'm hoping somebody can offer some tips on how to fix this in case that doesnt work. And maybe offer me some insight as to how this could have happened. Like maybe some ♥♥♥♥♥♥ took advantage of the server issues during the sale or something?

[Tev]

If it was really from the game, everyone on the game forums would be complaining about it.

Check this: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=6057-YLBN-1660

Try installing and running MBAM for example while in Safe Mode.

You can find Steam's htmlcache by holding down [Windows] and [R] -keys

%localappdata%

and entering the Steam -folder within.

[Muppet among Puppets]

The safest way is format and reinstall of the os.
Why would someone try to get pennies for an infection after they sold you a game?

It sounds as if your hosts file is changed, you cant even access antivirus sites. Maybe thats why you got a malicious window while the game tried to show something.

[Effortvirtualbenign]

引用自 Muppet among Puppets：

The safest way is format and reinstall of the os.
Why would someone try to get pennies for an infection after they sold you a game?

It sounds as if your hosts file is changed, you cant even access antivirus sites. Maybe thats why you got a malicious window while the game tried to show something.

I think you misunderstood. I wasn't saying steam or anybody tried to infect me. I was saying maybe the server issues that day created some sort of weakness.

I'll try fixing the hosts file aftr I try running malwarebytes in safe mode. I think my flash drive might be semi fried because I can't install windows defender offline on it from my laptop either. Will have to grab one or those bulk orders on flash drives from newegg sometime.

I havent edited a host file in a few years. Going to have to find a guide on that again.

[Effortvirtualbenign]

Also I've never reinstalled windows. Do you have to purchase a new license for that or can you just use the same one? I accidently bought windows 10 OEM. not sure if that matters.

[Muppet among Puppets]

Then you must read what license you got.

Other possible solution, do you have a restore point prior of the infection?
But if you get malwarebytes to run, you might see what infection there is. But its not guaranteed

[Effortvirtualbenign]

引用自 Muppet among Puppets：

Then you must read what license you got.

Other possible solution, do you have a restore point prior of the infection?
But if you get malwarebytes to run, you might see what infection there is. But its not guaranteed

I got malwarebytes to run and it detecred multiple threats and claimed to have removed them. but upon booting back into normal mode it became apparent that it obviously failed to find and remove the problem because I'm still being redirecred.

What do you mean read my license? I got an OEM license so its good for only one computer.

And I'm not sure when exactly I got infected but I'll look for the restore point. All of my games are installed on drives separate from windows. Not sure if that means anything but though it was worth mentioning

[Muppet among Puppets]

Redirects, check host file.
Dns settings.

[Effortvirtualbenign]

Alright I'll try that. What exactly am I looking for though? Thanks btw

[Effortvirtualbenign]

Ok edited the hosts file and flushed dns. Seems to be running better now. Thanks for the help hopefully this is the end of this bs.

[Muppet among Puppets]

Check the dns numbers in networkadapter settings, not that you have a bad dns inserted.
Keep in mind that something on your computer did all that.

[Worldzworstgamer]

I have had to install AdBlock Plus in Google just to be able to do reply posts here and be able to look at the 2nd page of anything on Steam.. I did a fresh install on my pc and it still was showing up. I know what it was called too ....

AdsKeeper

Is this what you had bothering you OP?

Anyway I recommend that you install AdBlock Plus as that AdKeeper seems really new and might be what is causing you pain. It has almost put me into tears tonight and has been a thorn in my side for a long time now without knowing it.

[Muppet among Puppets]

Dont keep infected computers infected.

[Seven7]

use https://toolslib.net/downloads/viewdownload/1-adwcleaner/ for removing AdsKeeper
Time to start read and think BEFORE to push "next, next, install adware?, OK"

[Effortvirtualbenign]

I may have had that but idk now. Malwarebytes isnt detecting anything on this computer anymore. On my laptop it detects new stuff all the time.

Also Adblock or Ublock is kind of standard in this day and age. You should have already had that installed. I did and ads were still getting through.

[Spawn of Totoro]

If you are still getting ads, try to reset your modem and/or router as they could be infected with a DNS changer.