CoolWWWSearch will not go away

I've done the following to get rid of this: Ran Ad-Aware, ran ccleaner, ran MS Antispyware, ran SpyBot S&D, and ran CWShredder. I followed the instructions in 'Read and Run Me first'. Spybot keeps finding the following: CoolWWWSearch.Feat2Installer.ADS, CoolWWWSearch.SearchKlick, CoolWWWSearch.Search, and Trek Blue Error Nuker. They keep coming back every time I reboot! Internet Explorer will not even start on this computer so I cannot do any online scans. My hjt log follows. Please help. Thanks!

• Edit by bjgarrick: Unrequested, Inline HJT log removed!

 

Download the following two files, create a folder on your desktop, call it TSC. Save these 2 files there!

Sysclean Package

Pattern.zip

Once you have these downloaded into the folder you just created, REBOOT INTO SAFE MODE!

Once in Safe Mode double click the file sysclean.com. When the system cleaner loads, click SCAN to start the scanner. After you complete the scan reboot and attach a fresh HJT log.

 

I ran the sysclean scan. Here is the fresh HJT log.

• Edit by bjgarrick: Inline HJT log removed!

 

Download this trial version of Ewido Security Suite

• Install ewido security suite
• Launch ewido, there should be an icon on your desktop double-click it.
• The program will have a window come up. One of the buttons on the left is to Update. Click the Update button.and then Start the Update. The update will start and a progress bar will show the updates being installed.
• After it completes the update, click the Scanner button

Now exit Ewido. Now print the below instructions or save them locally because I want you do have no browsers opened and also have no connection to the internet (unplug your cable) while doing the below.

Okay, reboot into safe mode and follow the steps below. (If you have any problems at all trying to get into safe mode to complete these steps, just run them in normal boot mode and make sure you tell me when you come back.)

Open up Ewido and do the following:

• Click on Scanner
• Then click Settings
• Under What to Scan? Select Scan every file
• Then click OK
• Click on Complete System Scan and the scan will start.
• Let the program scan the machine

While the scan is in progress you will be prompted to clean files that are infected. Leave the defaults selections (to Remove and backup) and click OK. To save yourself some time, you can select Perform action with all infections and then click OK. With the option to scan every file, a lot of cookies will be removed.

Once the scan has completed, there will be a button located on the bottom of the screen named Save report

• Click Save report
• Save the report to your desktop or anyplace you will be able to find it to upload here.

Reboot into normal mode and reconnect to the internet.

Come back here and post the Ewido Scan Report along with a fresh HJT log.

 

I ran the Ewido scan per your instructions and have attached the report. After I re-connected to the internet, I was actually able to get into Internet Explorer. The home page was set to about:blank. I changed it and my change has actually held. I then re-ran Spybot which found and fixed the following: CoolWWWSearch, CoolWWWSearch.Feat2Installer, CoolWWWSearch.IELinks, CoolWWWSearch.SearchKlick, and TrekBlueErrorNuker. I ran Spybot again, and this time I got a clean scan. I am now getting a clean scan with Spybot, Adaware and Microsoft AntiSpyware. I am attaching a current HJT log. Please let me know if there is anything else I need to do. Thanks.

 

Please download Spy Sweeper

• Click the link above to download the program.
• Install it. Once the program is installed, it will open.
• It will prompt you to update to the latest definitions, click Yes.
• Once the definitions are installed, click Options on the left side.
• Click the Sweep Options tab.
• Under What to Sweep please put a check next to the following:
  
  • Sweep Memory
  • Sweep Registry
  • Sweep Cookies
  • Sweep All User Accounts
  • Enable Direct Disk Sweeping
  • Sweep Contents of Compressed Files
  • Sweep for Rootkits
  • Please UNCHECK Do not Sweep System Restore Folder.
• Click Sweep Now on the left side.
• Click the Start button.
• When it's done scanning, click the Next button.
• Make sure everything has a check next to it, then click the Next button.
• It will remove all of the items found.
• Click Session Log in the upper right corner, copy everything in that window.
• Click the Summary tab and click Finish.
• Paste the contents of the session log you copied into notepad and save it as spysweeper.txt and attach it to your next post along with a fresh HJT log.

 

Finished spy sweeper. Attached are requested files.

 

Scan with HijackThis and Check the Boxes for the following:

Make sure All Browser Windows are Closed when you Click FIX.

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = about:blank
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = about:blank
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = about:blank
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = about:blank

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://red.clientapps.yahoo.com/customize/ie/defaults/su/sbcydsl/*http://www.yah oo.com

R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing

O2 - BHO: Class - {6602821E-1F16-2AAC-597D-DB12248285E3} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\sdktj.dll (file missing)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {FDD3B846-8D59-4ffb-8758-209B6AD74ACC} - (no file)

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [atlwm.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\atlwm.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [winxn32.exe] C:\WINDOWS\winxn32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [sysrf.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\sysrf.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [sdkxe32.exe] C:\WINDOWS\sdkxe32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [sdkot32.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\sdkot32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ntoe32.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ntoe32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ntac32.exe] C:\WINDOWS\ntac32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [msah32.exe] C:\WINDOWS\msah32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [javawp.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\javawp.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ipsg.exe] C:\WINDOWS\ipsg.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [d3qs32.exe] C:\WINDOWS\d3qs32.exe

O9 - Extra button: EmpirePoker - {77E68763-4284-41d6-B7E7-B6E1F053A9E7} - C:\Program Files\EmpirePoker\EmpirePoker.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: EmpirePoker - {77E68763-4284-41d6-B7E7-B6E1F053A9E7} - C:\Program Files\EmpirePoker\EmpirePoker.exe (file missing)

Again, make sure All Browser Windows are Closed when you Click FIX.

NOW:
Please boot into Safe Mode with the Viewing of Hidden Files & Folders Enabled and navigate to and DELETE the following if they should remain:

C:\WINDOWS\ntac32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\msah32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\ipsg.exe
C:\WINDOWS\d3qs32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\sdkxe32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\winxn32.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\atlwm.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\sysrf.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\sdkot32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ntoe32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\javawp.exe

NEXT:
Run CCleaner to clean up cookies and temp files.

Run full scans with Ad-Aware SE & Spybot S&D and have both programs fix what they find.
Note: Remember to get all updates before doing the scans.

Then, as an added precaution, Go to Start > Run and type: cleanmgr and then click OK. Make sure the boxes for these are checked:
Temporary Files
Temporary Internet Files
Recycle Bin

And Click OK.


Reboot to Normal Windows , Scan with HijackThis and attach the new log.
Let me know of any problems you may have encountered with the above instructions and also let me know how things are running now.

Good Luck!

 

I ran everything as instructed. Everything seemed to run ok. Adaware only found 2 negligible objects and Spybot did not find any. I am attaching my new HJT log - it doesn't look like the about:blank items went away. Should I try again? Please advise. Thanks for your help!

 

Download Pocket KillBox
(Don't run it yet)

Now scan with HijackThis and Check the Boxes for the following:

Make sure All Browser Windows are Closed when you Click FIX.

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = about:blank
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = about:blank
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.yahoo.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = about:blank
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = about:blank
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = about:blank

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [atlwm.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\atlwm.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [12.tmp.exe] C:\DOCUME~1\Papa\LOCALS~1\Temp\12.tmp.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [12.tmp] C:\DOCUME~1\Papa\LOCALS~1\Temp\12.tmp.exe

Again, make sure All Browser Windows are Closed when you Click FIX.

NEXT:
Run CCleaner to clean up cookies and temp files.


Next, you will be entering items into Pocket KillBox. Please select the “Delete on Reboot” Option. Copy&Paste each of the file names listed below into the box one by one, making sure Delete on Reboot is Checked for each entry. Click the Red X for each entry, but DO NOT Allow your machine to be rebooted until the last item has been entered:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\atlwm.exe

C:\Documents and Settings\Papa\Local Settings\Temp\12.tmp.exe

• If you get an error message about Pending Operations, just reboot your computer manually.

After you complete the above, procede with the below...

FINAL STEP

Reset Web Settings & Default Security Settings:


To Reset Web Settings:
Right click on your desktop Internet Explorer icon and select Properties. Then click the Programs tab and then click "Reset Web Settings". Now go back to the General tab and set your home page address to something useful like www.majorgeeks.com. Click Apply. Click Delete Cookies, Click Delete Files and select Delete all Offline content too, Click OK. When it finishes Click OK.

If you do not have an Internet Explorer icon on your Desktop, click Start, Control Panel (for some systems it may be Start, Settings, Control Panel), Internet Options, Programs tab and then click "Reset Web Settings". Now go back to the General tab and set your home page address to something useful like www.majorgeeks.com. Click Apply. Click Delete Cookies, Click Delete Files and select Delete all Offline content too, Click OK. When it finishes Click OK


To Default Security Settings:
Right click on your desktop Internet Explorer icon and select Properties. Then click the Security Tab and click Default Level for Internet, Local Intranet, Trusted Sites, and Restricted Sites.


Once you have completed ALL of the above, reboot and attach a fresh HJT log.

 

Attached is new HJT log. I don't see anymore about:blank items listed. Does this mean I'm clean? Let me know if I need to do anything else. Thanks again!

 

Your HJT log is clean, are you having any further problems?

 

Everything seems to be running great now. Thanks for everything!

 

Your Welcome!

You should see this article on How to Protect yourself from malware!

Surf Safely!