Steam Spam Ad Pop Ups - Let's find solutions.

[SecretEnding]

The purpose of this thread is for users to contribute their solutions to the spam ad pop up problem that I've seen dated back at least a couple of years according to my online searches. Please avoid asking for help, that is not the purpose of this thread. Please feel free to test out the programs listed by myself and other users who have successfully solved the pop up problem and give feedback on what worked for you.

My story:
After spending two entire days looking online and running a rather long list of different anti-
malware programs in an attempt to stop the pop ups that only appear while clicking around on Steam via their UI, I decided that a solutions thread required. Hopefully it will be an on-going attempt with the community to offer working solutions to the problem that avoids the (so far most common) "Just format your computer." solution. There has been very little success found online to this problem. Not everyone wants to format their computer.

Let's begin.

The problem?
While clicking around on the Steam UI, random spam advertisements pop up (ranging from sex ads to money schemes). Not sure why or how this happened (I've never had any problem with my systems in the past seven years) yet it seems to have slipped by my careful web browsing and Avast security.
To note:
While I am not a parent, I know parents allow their kids use Steam to play games while keeping a parental lock on actual websites to control their content. What concerns me is that there is no way of preventing kids from viewing some pretty... Questionable... Material that pops ups. If there is anyone who looks after the Steam UI that reads this thread, it would be appreciated to hear some feedback / suggestions on possible solutions.

In my attempts to remove this virus, the following programs have been attempted:
- AdwCleaner[www.bleepingcomputer.com] (Found one proxy on Firefox. Fixed it, no change to Steam.)
- RogueKiller[www.bleepingcomputer.com] (No results.)
- SpyHunter[www.enigmasoftware.com] (Mixed reviews online. It was the only program that showed results with a great many results, but in order to fix them, they required money. Some reviews say it's the typical 'fake' virus creator, and others say it's a solid program. I won't spend money on this unless there are actual users in this thread that would recommend such a program.)
- ComboFix[www.bleepingcomputer.com] (Sadly doesn't work on Win 8.1. - would need to hear reviews from other Steam users if this worked. Warning: This has been marked as an advanced user program. So please, be careful when using this. Help from professional forms is suggested.)
- Microsoft Fix It[support.microsoft.com] (No results. For IE users. I use Firefox, so I didn't expect much help from this program.)
- Malwarebytes[www.malwarebytes.org] (The typical suggestion - yet the one that never shows any results from many of the OP follow up posts.)
- Kasperssky[www.kaspersky.ca] (Installed the 30 day full trail, no results.)
- Avast[www.avast.com] (No results.)

Untested programs:
- Hitman Pro[www.surfright.nl]
- SUPERAntiSpyware[www.superantispyware.com]
- ESET Online Scanner[www.eset.com]
- Junkware Removal Tool[www.bleepingcomputer.com]
- Hijack This[download.cnet.com] (It's been the tool I use the most in the past, but I want to try and find one of the easier ways to remove this problem - as the general population isn't very computer savvy and with a wrong click of the button might cripple your system.)

Update
- Spybot Search & Destroy[www.safer-networking.org]
The good news? While typing this post, I ran Spybot in the background. It finished and I fixed the suggested results after eyeballing them to make sure none were important processes. There seems to be no more pop ups upon testing the Steam UI again.
The bad news? No chance to test the last handful of programs to see if they would work.
I'll test Steam out again later today and see if it's good to go (an update to follow after the weekend with a yay or nay).

So please! Fellow Steam users! Please post up any solutions you have to this problem that has worked for you! I hope that anyone who has problems like this in the future will locate this thread and thank us for compiling a tidy list that aids them in finding a solution to this very annoying problem.

Cheers,
SeCreTEnDing

Tags: popups pop ups pop up spam advertisement virus help solution problem steam ad ads malware

[TGC> The Games Collector]

I usually only use MSE to identify the spyware, then google up the name of the culprit and follow a steps guide to remove them. It's not too hard, especially if you know your way around the system. MSE might not be good at removing them, but at least he can see them.
And yeah, most of the above mentioned anti-malware is involved in removing it.
I would like to add that some of these programs can really damage the system if you let them remove everything in sight. Only target the malware, and use a guide if you're unsure of what you're doing.

A way to prevent malware mess is to ALWAYS be vigilant when you're installing something. Most adware gets installed with a software pack. Just anything, even things like flashplayer comes paired with (optional) junkware these days.
And try to avoid sketchy sites with your default browser, or use a more secure browser.

Oh, something you forgot to mention: Flush your browser's config to factory setting when you removed the malware. Sometimes it's rigged to redownload a virus. Really nasty trick.

[Satoru]

The solution is
1) install antivirus BEFORE you get infected
2) STop downloading junk off the internet

Malware doesn't appear on your computer by magic

[Seven7]

an antirootkit+livecd|usb+common sense+google=never have ads - used last 15 years

hint: if AV find nothig, use tools like HiJackThis|AVZ|uVS|RSIT + re-flash&re-set your router ;)

ninja'd by Satoru

[UberFiend]

Spybot

BitDefender

AVG free

[SecretEnding]

TGC - MSE is one I forgot to mention but I'll add it. On a general pesonal rule of note, I tend to save Microsoft soultions till the very end - which means that you, the users, shouldn't of course! Will include the browser flush when I update the post later. Thanks TGC.

Satoru - Agreed, but I'm looking for solutions, not preventions. =) People won't generally look on here ahead of time. Trying to help them once they are infected.

[SecretEnding]

Seven7 - I can relate. It totally caught me off guard when the infection occured. Even more so that it was such a pain in the ass to remove. I'll update the main post later with your suggestions.

UberFiend - Thanks for the list. I'll include BitDefender and AVG to the list. Did you have the Steam UI pop up problem at all? Or are those programs you use just for prevention?

Thinking I might just need to add an extra section just for a list of secuirty measures to take after removing the malware.

[Seven7]

To check the OS and programs on known vulnerabilities, there are special tools
it is the AVZ + script to test basic vulnerabilities, RSIT, HJT, utility from Kaspersky Lab: Kaspersky Security Scan, Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool, Kaspersky Rescue Disk, PSI from Secunia. It's free tools.

[Spawn of Totoro]

Some malware can not be detected or removed unless you are running in safe mode or are scanning before the OS boots with a boot-able CD/USB and an AV/AM program.

SpyBot S&D offers one and there are others out there too, for free.
http://www.safer-networking.org/features/bootcd/

Remember to burn the disk or set up a USB on a clean system as a contaminated system could add it's own code as well.

Also, check the browsers for plug-ins that may be causing it as the system can't get cleaned with those plug-ins active.

[Spawn of Totoro]

Muppet among Puppets님이 먼저 게시:

People who become experts in removing seem to expect to get infected.

Yep, right next to those who claim they don't need an AV program because they have never gotten a virus.

[Parry]

Make sure to get the premium version of MalwareBytes. I have many keys if it is needed by anybody. Also, Keyscrambler Premium is good for trying to best keep people from being able to get your keystrokes. But the best protection you have is being smart in what you download and what links you click on.

[SecretEnding]

I'll update the main thread tomorrow with the suggestions and advice from everyone.

Side note, I get a chance to test out some more removal. Bloody infection is still hanging on.

DocBlaze1 - I'll welcome a MB key to test out if the premium version is able to clean house. One of these programs must be able to do it (in safe mode).

Keep bringing out the suggestions / what worked for you. As far as I can tell, we haven't had any malware survivers post in here with their solutions.

[SecretEnding]

I've no clue what you're talking about. Explain?

[Seven7]

Muppet among Puppets님이 먼저 게시:

You are probably wasting time, while not gaining sure safety.

If a person has the time and desire - let them fun!

I'm a lazy person, if after 15 minutes I did not solved the problem with the OS - I just restore it from the image made ​​by Clonezilla | Acronis | Norton Ghost - it only takes 5-10 minutes + same time to restore bookmarks | saves

[SecretEnding]

Seven7 - That's cool man. I'm currently between jobs, and figured I might as well help provide a solution to the problem for those who don't back up. I could restore, but what's the point!

[Seven7]

If you are not an anti-virus expert, and does not have a website / forum for help - you will not help, unfortunately - people who catch ads pop up's never care about security, do not read any warnings, instructions, manuals - this is why support so overloaded, I know whereof I speak, I translated Steam support articles, writing and translating manuals, but people too lazy to even look into the sticky topics.

Do not waste your time in vain - the man is a creature that learns something only after repeatedly hit your or his? more coorect? head against the wall (I hope I have used the words correctly, and this metaphor does not look like something rude)

Desire to understand something and help others - always commendable, but sometimes turns into a "battle with windmills"