Browserchoice.exe -> malware?

Balzer · External Since: Mar 19, 2010 Posts: 2

After turning PC on, got HTML window prompting for BrowserChoice. The
windows looks like a fake scam window. I closed window. Also, Shortcut icon
"Browser Choice" has been added on Desktop, with target path
C:\WINDOWS\system32\browserchoice.exe /launch

Is the malware or some "legit" application and how to remove it?

David H. Lipman · External Since: Mar 14, 2004 Posts: 6081

From: "Balzer"

| After turning PC on, got HTML window prompting for BrowserChoice. The
| windows looks like a fake scam window. I closed window. Also, Shortcut icon
| "Browser Choice" has been added on Desktop, with target path
| C:\WINDOWS\system32\browserchoice.exe /launch

| Is the malware or some "legit" application and how to remove it?

Please submit a sample of "browserchoice" to Virus Total --
http://www.virustotal.com/flash/index_en.html
The submission will then be tested against many different AV vendor's scanners.
That will give you an idea what it is and who recognizes it. In addition Virus
Total will provide the sample to all participating vendors.

You can also submit a suspect, one at a time, via the following email URL...
mailto:scan@virustotal.com?subject=SCAN

When you get the report, please post back the exact results.

--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
Multi-AV - http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp

Steve Pearce · External Since: Aug 11, 2004 Posts: 18

On Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:53:53 +0200, "Balzer"
wrote:

>Is the malware or some "legit" application and how to remove it?

Almost certainly what you seeing the "Browser Choice" update that
Microsoft was forced to produce for EU countries:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/976002

The Real Truth MVP · External Since: Jun 02, 2009 Posts: 25

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2009/dec09/12-16statement.mspx

--
The Real Truth http://pcbutts1-therealtruth.blogspot.com/
*WARNING* Do NOT follow any advice given by the people listed below.
They do NOT have the expertise or knowledge to fix your issue. Do not waste
your time.
David H Lipman, Malke, PA Bear, Beauregard T. Shagnasty, Leythos.

"Steve Pearce" wrote in message

> On Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:53:53 +0200, "Balzer"
> wrote:
>
>>Is the malware or some "legit" application and how to remove it?
>
> Almost certainly what you seeing the "Browser Choice" update that
> Microsoft was forced to produce for EU countries:
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/976002

Jose · External Since: Jan 27, 2009 Posts: 251

On Mar 19, 11:34 am, "SC Tom" wrote:
> "C" wrote in message
>
>
>
> > Steve Pearce wrote:
> >> On Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:53:53 +0200, "Balzer"
> >> wrote:
>
> >>> Is the malware or some "legit" application and how to remove it?
>
> >> Almost certainly what you seeing the "Browser Choice" update that
> >> Microsoft was forced to produce for EU countries:
>
> >>http://support.microsoft.com/kb/976002
>
> > Hmm, I have Windows XP Pro and am in the EU but I didn't get that update.
>
> > --
> > C
>
> According to this articlehttp://www.ghacks.net/2010/02/22/windows-browser-choice-screen-will-c...
> they're starting in England and Belgium first, then branching out to the
> rest of the EU.
> --
> SC Tom

You have to be in what is considered a member country.

Doug W. · External Since: Jun 21, 2007 Posts: 28

"The Real Truth MVP" wrote in message

> http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2009/dec09/12-16statement.mspx
>
>
>
> --
> The Real Truth http://pcbutts1-therealtruth.blogspot.com/
> *WARNING* Do NOT follow any advice given by the people listed
> below.
> They do NOT have the expertise or knowledge to fix your issue.
> Do not waste your time.
> David H Lipman, Malke, PA Bear, Beauregard T. Shagnasty,
> Leythos.
>
=====

AND ESPECIALLY: "The Real Truth MVP" ...AS HE IS A BIG BAD UGLY
TROLL.

=====
>
>
>
> "Steve Pearce" wrote in message
>
>> On Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:53:53 +0200, "Balzer"
>> wrote:
>>
>>>Is the malware or some "legit" application and how to remove
>>>it?
>>
>> Almost certainly what you seeing the "Browser Choice" update
>> that
>> Microsoft was forced to produce for EU countries:
>>
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/976002
>

C · External Since: Feb 27, 2010 Posts: 7

Steve Pearce wrote:
> On Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:53:53 +0200, "Balzer"
> wrote:
>
>> Is the malware or some "legit" application and how to remove it?
>
> Almost certainly what you seeing the "Browser Choice" update that
> Microsoft was forced to produce for EU countries:
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/976002

Hmm, I have Windows XP Pro and am in the EU but I didn't get that update.

--
C

SC Tom · External Since: Jan 27, 2009 Posts: 178

"C" wrote in message

> Steve Pearce wrote:
>> On Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:53:53 +0200, "Balzer"
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Is the malware or some "legit" application and how to remove it?
>>
>> Almost certainly what you seeing the "Browser Choice" update that
>> Microsoft was forced to produce for EU countries:
>>
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/976002
>
> Hmm, I have Windows XP Pro and am in the EU but I didn't get that update.
>
> --
> C

According to this article
http://www.ghacks.net/2010/02/22/windows-browser-choice-screen-will-ca...-confus
they're starting in England and Belgium first, then branching out to the
rest of the EU.
--
SC Tom

C · External Since: Feb 27, 2010 Posts: 7

SC Tom wrote:
>
> "C" wrote in message
>
>> Steve Pearce wrote:
>>> On Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:53:53 +0200, "Balzer"
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Is the malware or some "legit" application and how to remove it?
>>>
>>> Almost certainly what you seeing the "Browser Choice" update that
>>> Microsoft was forced to produce for EU countries:
>>>
>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/976002
>>
>> Hmm, I have Windows XP Pro and am in the EU but I didn't get that update.
>>
>> --
>> C
>
> According to this article
> http://www.ghacks.net/2010/02/22/windows-browser-choice-screen-will-ca...-confus
> they're starting in England and Belgium first, then branching out to the
> rest of the EU.

That explains it. Course, I already have Chrome, Firefox, Seamonkey and
IE8 ... and no desire for Opera.

--
C

C · External Since: Feb 27, 2010 Posts: 7

Jose wrote:

>
> Here is one method to "manage" it.
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2019411
>
> I think I would remove all traces of it instead of managing it.

Now that I know about it, when offered, I will reject it.

--
C

PA Bear [MS MVP] · External Since: Jan 08, 2009 Posts: 454

The Browser Choice Screen for Europe: What to Expect, When to Expect It -
Microsoft On The Issues:
http://microsoftontheissues.com/cs/blogs/mscorp/archive/2010/02/19/the...owser-c

Balzer wrote:
> After turning PC on, got HTML window prompting for BrowserChoice. The
> windows looks like a fake scam window. I closed window. Also, Shortcut
> icon
> "Browser Choice" has been added on Desktop, with target path
> C:\WINDOWS\system32\browserchoice.exe /launch
>
> Is the malware or some "legit" application and how to remove it?

Unknown · External Since: Apr 29, 2007 Posts: 488

I see you're playing stupid again. Looks like you're winning too.
"The Real Truth MVP" wrote in message

> http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2009/dec09/12-16statement.mspx
>
>
>
> --
> The Real Truth http://pcbutts1-therealtruth.blogspot.com/
> *WARNING* Do NOT follow any advice given by the people listed below.
> They do NOT have the expertise or knowledge to fix your issue. Do not
> waste your time.
> David H Lipman, Malke, PA Bear, Beauregard T. Shagnasty, Leythos.
>
>
>
>
> "Steve Pearce" wrote in message
>
>> On Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:53:53 +0200, "Balzer"
>> wrote:
>>
>>>Is the malware or some "legit" application and how to remove it?
>>
>> Almost certainly what you seeing the "Browser Choice" update that
>> Microsoft was forced to produce for EU countries:
>>
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/976002
>

Leythos · External Since: Jan 23, 2009 Posts: 71

In article , trt RemoveThis @void.com says...
> The Real Truth http://pcbutts1-therealtruth.blogspot.com/
> *WARNING* Do NOT follow any advice given by the people listed below.
> They do NOT have the expertise or knowledge to fix your issue. Do not waste
> your time.
>

Still stalking others in your every Usenet post - shows how bad you are.

--
You can't trust your best friends, your five senses, only the little
voice inside you that most civilians don't even hear -- Listen to that.
Trust yourself.
spam999free RemoveThis @rrohio.com (remove 999 for proper email address)

LD55ZRA · External Since: Mar 19, 2010 Posts: 19

Unknown wrote:

>I see you're playing stupid again. Looks like you're winning too.
>
>

Well in that case rejoice and enjoy his every post. You could also ask
you mum to do her bit to polish his below the belt organ.

hth

LD55ZRA · External Since: Mar 19, 2010 Posts: 19

C wrote:

>
> Hmm, I have Windows XP Pro and am in the EU but I didn't get that update.
>
You must have blocked all {useless} updates from Microsoft website. I
didn't get either but I don't get anything from anywhere because I have
blocked everything from reaching my system except the emails and web
pages I visit. All my anti-virus definitions are updated once a week
manually because I don't believe there is any real threat of viruses as
Microsoft Valuable Pigs make out to be. You only get infected if you
allow Microsoft updates. You can't trust anybody on this planet! Not
even Unknown's <unknown.TakeThisOut@unknown.kom --
adsl-99-141-133-84.dsl.emhril.sbcglobal.net 99.141.133.84>mummy.

hth

Unknown · External Since: Apr 29, 2007 Posts: 488

Typical comment from a loonie Limey.
"LD55ZRA" wrote in message

> Unknown wrote:
>
>>I see you're playing stupid again. Looks like you're winning too.
>>
>
> Well in that case rejoice and enjoy his every post. You could also ask
> you mum to do her bit to polish his below the belt organ.
>
> hth

Balzer · External Since: Mar 19, 2010 Posts: 2

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote in message

> The Browser Choice Screen for Europe: What to Expect, When to Expect It -
> Microsoft On The Issues:
> http://microsoftontheissues.com/cs/blogs/mscorp/archive/2010/02/19/the...owser-c
>
>
> Balzer wrote:
>> After turning PC on, got HTML window prompting for BrowserChoice. The
>> windows looks like a fake scam window. I closed window. Also, Shortcut
>> icon
>> "Browser Choice" has been added on Desktop, with target path
>> C:\WINDOWS\system32\browserchoice.exe /launch
>>
>> Is the malware or some "legit" application and how to remove it?
-------------

can I just remove browserchoice.exe from \system32 folder? Which registry
keys should be cleaned also?

Alias · External Since: Mar 22, 2010 Posts: 6

Balzer wrote:
>
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote in message
>
>> The Browser Choice Screen for Europe: What to Expect, When to Expect
>> It - Microsoft On The Issues:
>> http://microsoftontheissues.com/cs/blogs/mscorp/archive/2010/02/19/the...owser-c
>>
>>
>>
>> Balzer wrote:
>>> After turning PC on, got HTML window prompting for BrowserChoice. The
>>> windows looks like a fake scam window. I closed window. Also,
>>> Shortcut icon
>>> "Browser Choice" has been added on Desktop, with target path
>>> C:\WINDOWS\system32\browserchoice.exe /launch
>>>
>>> Is the malware or some "legit" application and how to remove it?
> -------------
>
> can I just remove browserchoice.exe from \system32 folder? Which
> registry keys should be cleaned also?

Why don't you just leave it alone and do something important instead.

--
Alias

Doug W. · External Since: Jun 21, 2007 Posts: 28

"Alias" wrote in message

> Balzer wrote:
>>
>> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote in message
>>
>>> The Browser Choice Screen for Europe: What to Expect, When
>>> to Expect It - Microsoft On The Issues:
>>> http://microsoftontheissues.com/cs/blogs/mscorp/archive/2010/02/19/the...owser-c
>>>
>>>
>>> Balzer wrote:
>>>> After turning PC on, got HTML window prompting for
>>>> BrowserChoice. The
>>>> windows looks like a fake scam window. I closed window.
>>>> Also, Shortcut icon
>>>> "Browser Choice" has been added on Desktop, with target
>>>> path
>>>> C:\WINDOWS\system32\browserchoice.exe /launch
>>>>
>>>> Is the malware or some "legit" application and how to
>>>> remove it?
>> -------------
>>
>> can I just remove browserchoice.exe from \system32 folder?
>> Which registry keys should be cleaned also?
>
> Why don't you just leave it alone and do something important
> instead.
>
> --
> Alias
==
What terrible advice that is.
==

PA Bear [MS MVP] · External Since: Jan 08, 2009 Posts: 454

What Alias said.

Balzer wrote:
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote in message
>
>> The Browser Choice Screen for Europe: What to Expect, When to Expect It -
>> Microsoft On The Issues:
>> http://microsoftontheissues.com/cs/blogs/mscorp/archive/2010/02/19/the...owser-c
>>
>>
>> Balzer wrote:
>>> After turning PC on, got HTML window prompting for BrowserChoice. The
>>> windows looks like a fake scam window. I closed window. Also, Shortcut
>>> icon
>>> "Browser Choice" has been added on Desktop, with target path
>>> C:\WINDOWS\system32\browserchoice.exe /launch
>>>
>>> Is the malware or some "legit" application and how to remove it?
>>> -------------
>
> can I just remove browserchoice.exe from \system32 folder? Which registry
> keys should be cleaned also?