Recently I found my computer was running slow and then I downloaded and installed Malwarebytes, after scanning my computer, it detected a bunch of PUM.Hijack.StartMenu viruses along with other PUP viruses. I tried to remove all of them, however they just kept coming back after restart. Also I tried to do a system restore but it was unsuccessful. How do I get rid of this virus? Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
PUM.Hijack.StartMenu is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that can cause an immense problem to the functioning of a computer system. Nowadays, there are many people complain that a virus has infected on their browser or a toolbar is added on their computer for some reasons, without their permission. If you are suffering from the same issue, then a PUP could be installed on your computer secretly. Similarly to other PUP detections, PUM.Hijack.StartMenu refers to a class of applications that may consist of adware, spyware and special programs and comes bundled with other software. Spyware and adware are technically not considered malicious because they cannot harm your computer. However, they can monitor your computing activity and display ads that you may not want to see.
PUM.Hijack.StartMenu is typically bundled with free programs that you download from the web and it can be present on your computer when you perform a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. However, it won’t help to eliminate the virus. Even though Malware Anti-malware scan can find the infected objects, when you reboot the computer to remove them, on the next scan, the PUPs are found again. With this potentially unwanted program inside the computer, it may cover the screen of the computer system with disturbing pop-up advertisements. You may see annoying alerts about coupons, discounts and deals from time to time and cannot find any way to get rid of them. In addition, it could trace the web user’s surfing routine and transfer this details to advertisers. Considering PUM.Hijack.StartMenu can change your browser settings to allow further virus infection or attack, you should get rid of it without any hesitation.
From malicious drive-by-download scripts from corrupted porn and shareware / freeware websites.
Through spam email attachments, media downloads and social networks.
When clicking suspicious popups or malicious links.
Open unknown email or download media files that contain the activation code of the virus.
Note: No matter how does the virus access your PC, users should know that there are no tools can remove this pesky backdoor automatically at this moment, it is suggested users not spend much time in downloading or paying any security software which claims can delete this stubborn virus. It is totally useless. To completely get rid of PUM.Hijack.StartMenu, professional manual guide is needed.
1. End the malicious process from Task Manager.
Once PUM.Hijack.StartMenu is installed, computer user may notice that CPU usage randomly jumps to 100 percent. At any time Windows always has many running processes. A process is an individual task that the computer runs. In general, the more processes, the more work the computer has to do and the slower it will run. If your system’s CPU spike is constant and remain at a constant 90-95%, users should check from Task Manager and see if there is a suspicious process occupying the system resources and then end it immediately.
(The name of the virus process can be random.)
Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to quickly bring up Task Manager Window：
2. Show hidden files and folders.
Open Folder Options by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Appearance and Personalization, and then clicking Folder Options.
Click the View tab.
Under Advanced settings, click Show hidden files and folders, uncheck Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) and then click OK.
3. Open Registry entries. Find out the malicious files and entries and then delete all.
Attention: Always be sure to back up your PC before making any changes.
a. Press the “Start” button and then choose the option “Run”. In the “Open” field, type “regedit” and click the “OK” button.
b. All malicious files and registry entries related to PUM.Hijack.StartMenu that should be deleted:
%AllUsersProfile%\[random]
%AppData%\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Templates\[random]
%AllUsersProfile%\Application Data\.exe
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Settings “net
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current\Winlogon\
PUM.Hijack.StartMenu is a potentially unwanted program that may display various ads or pop-up windows offering deals or online shopping savings. Most of the time users install this unwanted application themselves from unreliable web page but they never notice it. It may inform that the oncoming installation of PUM.Hijack.StartMenu but if you are too careless and miss the step to cancel the installation, it will let this unwanted program access your computer. Then you will find some settings have been changed 0n your computer but you cannot recall changing them. Perhaps your home page has been changed as well and you see some undesired webpages that advertise different products which you do not need at all. On the other hand, it can slow down your computer and make legitimate program keep not responding. To protect your PC from being damaged, you need to uninstall this unwanted program manually and completely.
Note: If you are not knowledgeable enough to be able to distinguish the location of this virus, or you are afraid of making mistake during the manual removal, please contact experts from Yoocare Online Tech Support for further help.
Published by on December 6, 2013 5:36 am, last updated on January 7, 2014 5:25 am
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