Posted 02 June 2018 - 01:35 PM
Just downloaded and installed Torch Browser. I had it before and had come to believe it had picked up a virus so I uninstalled it.
Question: Now I see references to Torch being a virus. Is the entire program meant (designed) to infect devices with adware etc, therefore must be removed?
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If it must go, does anyone know of a similar free media downloader, either stand-alone or maybe a browser that is not malware that includes a convenient media downloader?
Thanks lots!
Arachibutyrophobia
Posted 02 June 2018 - 01:43 PM
If you believe that you are or have been infected you should run the scans below to determine if you are infected.
Please run the scans suggested below in the order that they are requested and post the logs in the same order. Unless otherwise instructed post the logs in your topic, do not use a host website to post these logs. Please do not wrap your logs in quotes or code brackets or use use spoilers.
Please download and run RKill
RKill attempts to terminate known malware processes so that your normal security software can then run and clean your computer of infections. RKill will not remove any of the processes it stops, you will need to run security scans to remove any malware found. These settings will remain until the computer is rebooted, for this reason you must run your security applications before the computer is restarted.
Please download RKill and install it.
When RKill is run it will display a console screen similar to the one below:
After this has run you will see another image explaining that RKill has finished running and you should be able to run the scan. You need to click/tap on OK.
When RKill has finished running a log will be displayed showing all of the processes that were terminated by RKill.
Attention: At this time you need to run your security applications listed below. When the scan has finished running a lot will be posted in Notepad. Copy and paste this log in your topic.
Importanat: There is a possibility that malware may recognize RKill and keep it from running, if this is the case do the following.
If while RKill is running you may see a message from the malware stating that the program could not be run because it is a virus or is infected. This is the malware trying to protect itself. Two methods that you can try to get past this and allow RKill to run are:
1) Rename Rkill so that it has a .com extension.
2) Download a version that is already renamed as files that are commonly white-listed by malware. The main Rkill download page contains individual links to renamed versions.
After the application has run successfully and you have run the requested scans you should reboot the computer to restore the processes and Windows Registry entries.
Please run TDSSKiller.
Please download TDSSKiller from here and save it to your Desktop.
The log for the TDSSKiller can be very long. If you go to the bottom of the log to where you find Scan finished you will see the results of the scan. If it shows Detected object count: 0 and Actual detected object count: 0, this means that nothing malicious was found and you will not need to post the log.
1. Doubleclick on TDSSKiller.exe to run the application, then click on Change parameters.
2. Check Loaded Modules, Verify Driver Digital Signature, and Detect TDLFS file system.
If you are asked to reboot because an "Extended Monitoring Driver is required" please click Reboot now.
3. Click Start Scan and allow the scan process to run.
4. If threats are detected select Cure (if available) for all of them unless otherwise instructed. If threats are not found you will see a screen like the one below.
***Do NOT select Delete!
Click on Continue.
5. Click on Reboot computer.
Please copy the TDSSKiller.[Version]_[Date]_[Time]_log.txt file found in your root directory (in most cases this is c: Drive) and paste it into your next reply.
Note: The log may be very long. You may need to break it into parts to post the whole log in your topic.
Please run Malwarebytes AntiMalware
Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 2.2.
1) Double-click on mbam-setup.exe, then click on Run to install the application, follow the prompts through the installation.
2) Malwarebytes will automatically open. You will see an image like the one below, click on Update Now. 
3) Click on Settings, you will see a image like the one below.
When Settings opens click on Detection and Protection, then under Non-Malware Protection, click on the down arrow for PUP (Potentially Unwanted Programs) detections and select Treat detections as malware. Under Detection Options place a check in the box for Scan for rootkits
4) Click on Scan (next to Settings), then click on Scan Now. The scan will automatically run now.
5) When the scan is complete the results will be displayed. Click on Delete All.
6) Please post the Malwarebytes log.
To find the Malwarebytes log do the following. Copy and paste the log in your topic.
*Open Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
*Click the Scan Tab at the top.
*Click the View detailed log link on the right.
*Click Copy to Clipboard at the bottom...come back to this thread, click Add Reply, then right-click and choose Paste.
*Alternatively, you can click Export and save the log as a .txt file on yout Desktop or another location.
*Be sure to post the complete log to include the top portion which shows MBAM's database version and your operating system.
Please download AdwCleaner and install it.
When AdwCleaner opens click on Scan to start the scan.
Once the search is complete a list of the pending items will be displayed. If you see any which you do not want removed, remove the check mark next to it.
If there are no malicious programs are found you will receive a message informing you of this.
Click on Clean to remove the selected items. If you have any questions about any items in the list please copy and paste the list in your topic so we can review it. 
You will receive a message telling you that all programs will be closed so that the infections can be removed. Click on OK. The computer will be restarted to complete the cleaning process.
When the cleaning process is complete a log of what was removed will be presented. Please copy and the paste this log in your topic.
Please run the ESET OnlineScan
This scan takes quite a long time to run, so be prepared to allow this to run
till it is completed.
***Please note. If you run this scan using Internet Explorer you won't need
to download the Eset Smartinstaller.***
ESET Online Scanner
Family and loved ones will always be a priority in my daily life. You never know when one will leave you.
Posted 02 June 2018 - 03:02 PM
QUOTE:
Bundling of unwanted softwareTorch Media receives payments from companies like Ask.com to bundle potentially unwanted programs with the browser. Users may be asked to install search toolbars or adware programs during installation. These bundled programs commonly do one or more of the following things:
While this practice is deemed controversial by some, users are given a chance to opt out of sponsored software and Torch claims to work fine without it.[16]
Torch makes contradictory claims about the software they bundle. Their online troubleshooter claims that "Torch does not install additional toolbars" while at the same time stating that "the Torch installer may include an optional Ask.com toolbar" on another page.[17]
“Every atom in your body came from a star that exploded and the atoms in your left hand probably came from a different star than your right hand. It really is the most poetic thing I know about physics...you are all stardust.”― Lawrence M. Krauss
If we are to have another contest in the near future of our national existence, I predict that the dividing line will not be Mason and Dixon’s, but between patriotism and intelligence on the one side, and superstition, ambition, and ignorance on the other. Ulysses S. Grant...Republican president who correctly predicted the cause of Trump's attempted coup.
Posted 03 June 2018 - 02:58 PM
buddy215:
First time I installed Torch, I began to notice a "Windows Security Alert", which started insisting I need a program to repair the presence of a virus. This Windows Security Alert became more aggressive each time I opened Torch. Of course, Microsoft is not associated with such behavior so i uninstalled Torch, being sure to remove it from my Downloads Folder so it would be a complete fresh download. I thought maybe I had missed something optional when I installed it, so the second time I was careful to read everything during the installation process. When it was re-installed, the Windows Security Alert is there, so I suppose it either comes bundled with Torch or it was still on my computer somewhere.
I will go through the steps DC3 has given and see what happens.
Posted 03 June 2018 - 06:23 PM
Sounds like a plan...be sure to post the results of scans that DC3 can review and offer further advice if needed.
“Every atom in your body came from a star that exploded and the atoms in your left hand probably came from a different star than your right hand. It really is the most poetic thing I know about physics...you are all stardust.”― Lawrence M. Krauss
If we are to have another contest in the near future of our national existence, I predict that the dividing line will not be Mason and Dixon’s, but between patriotism and intelligence on the one side, and superstition, ambition, and ignorance on the other. Ulysses S. Grant...Republican president who correctly predicted the cause of Trump's attempted coup.
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