Possible infection [system32\config]

Discussion in 'Malware Help - MG (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by iZver, Nov 4, 2009.

  1. iZver

    iZver Private E-2

    Hi!

    My problem:
    I believe something's wrong with my computer. To be more precise, I believe I've got a rootkit. Obviously formatting came first to my mind. And I intend to do it, if I must. But I want to know if I really am infected.

    I've, by pure luck, discovered something's changing my windows folder. What happened is, I extracted something with winRAR, and I saw the default location was sys32. Which is weird, because I don't extract stuff to there. So I went to check for recent changes in my sys32 folder, and I'll be damned, I found, sys32\config folder, that was changed just recently.

    I googled it, and found some articles saying it is an infection. Anyway I read on, and by pure chance find your awesome forum . I go to check again for recent changes, and I find that my drivers\etc folder has been changed recently, and some other folders too. So I decide to ask you for help.

    And another thing, the folder config in system32 keeps updating (date modified) very often. like every 10minutes or so.

    I really hope you help me. But until you respond, I'll keep my passwords away from this computer. Obviously mail and some other basic passwords are gone, but I don't rly care about that. I don't have anything important there.

    I have 2 snapsots of the folder:
    These snapshots are from my old windows, but the layout of the folder hasnt changed

    [​IMG][​IMG]

    ANOTHER THING: I have formated today, and installed kaspersky. But now, after, hmm, 4 hours, I go to check system32, and config folder is again there, again being modified.
    Which makes me think, that either this folder is completely normal,or I have a mayor infestation. The real problem is, that I have an external disk with 500gb's of data, and 2 partitions. One is system and windows, other is logical and data only.

    So this windows 7 is a fresh install.

    HijackThis Log:
    What is with all the File Missing reports? Is it a faulty install?

    Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
    Scan saved at 11:27:37, on 3.11.2009
    Platform: Unknown Windows (WinNT 6.01.3504)
    MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.7600.16385)
    Boot mode: Normal


    Edit by chaslang: Inline HJT log removed. READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide sticky not followed.



    Thanks for your help!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 7, 2009
    iZver, Nov 4, 2009
    #1
  2. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Welcome to Major Geeks!

    The system32\config folder is a required system folder. You should not be trying to do anything with it unless your goal is to break your PC.

    Normal and this is why you should not be running HijackThis on your own. It is only to be used by experts and only when requested.


    If you are worried about have any malware, HijackThis is not what you should be running. The below is.

    Please read ALL of this message including the notes before doing anything.

    Please follow the instructions in the below link:

    READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide


    and attach the requested logs when you finish these instructions.
    • **** If something does not run, write down the info to explain to us later but keep on going. ****
    • Do not assume that because one step does not work that they all will not. MGtools will frequently run even when all other tools will not.

    • After completing the READ & RUN ME and attaching your logs, make sure that you tell us what problems still remain ( if any still do )!
    Helpful Notes:

    1. If you run into problems trying to run the READ & RUN ME or any of the scans in normal boot mode, you can run the steps in safe boot mode but make sure you tell us what you did later when you post logs. See the below if you do not know how to boot in safe mode:
    2. If you have problems downloading on the problem PC, download the tools and the manual updates for SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes ( links are given in the READ & RUN ME) onto another PC and then burn to a CD. Then copy them to the problem PC. You will have to skip getting updates if (and only if) your internet connection does not work. Yes you could use a flash drive too but flash drives are writeable and infections can spread to them.
    3. If you cannot seem to login to an infected user account, try using a different user account (if you have one) in either normal or safe boot mode and running only SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes while logged into this other user account. Then reboot and see if you can log into the problem user account. If you can then run SUPERAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes, ComboFix and MGtools on the infected account as requested in the instructions.
    4. To avoid additional delay in getting a response, it is strongly advised that after completing the READ & RUN ME you also read this sticky:
    Any additional post is a bump which will add more delay. Once you attach the logs, your thread will be in the work queue and as stated our system works the oldest threads FIRST.
    ​
     
    chaslang, Nov 7, 2009
    #2

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