Strange issues, malware likely culprit. Can't figure it out.

Discussion in 'Malware Help - MG (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by Jax2, May 17, 2010.

  1. Jax2

    Jax2 Private E-2

    Hi all.

    First, I've been using computers for over 20 years now. I am more than a little experienced and yet, this one has me stumped. I've tried everything I can think of and as of yet, I've had no luck getting rid of the issues. I'd very much rather not do a complete system restore, so I'm turning to you guys.

    Here is a list of some of the issues going on as well as some of the things I've tried in order to fix it.

    1. Google searches hijacked now and then, not always.
    2. Random websites popping open in new tabs, usually going to such things as bogus news websites like "News 6" or News 7 ...etc
    3. Sound Mixer randomly failing - Still have basic computer sounds but cannot hear anything in flash applications or divx/movies
    4. Windows XP taskbar turns gray until reboot.
    5. DivX and other flash apps randomly stop displaying video until reboot

    As I have said, I've tried pretty much everything I could think of.
    I downloaded microsoft essentials and ran it, came back with nothing, was fully updated. Later removed due to massive system resource usage.

    Lavasoft Adaware, also comes back clean.
    Spybot S&D, clean
    Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, clean
    Ran CCLeaner, no help
    Ran AVG 8.5 full scan, nothing.

    All of these were also done in safe mode, as well as running AVG & Malwarebytes directly from command prompt without even entering safe mode.

    Hijackthis 1.9.1 returns the following results, none of which look fishy to me:


    Any help would be appreciated.

    Jax2
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited by a moderator: May 18, 2010
  2. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    Welcome to Major Geeks!

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

    Pleases 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.
     

MajorGeeks.Com Menu

Downloads All In One Tweaks \ Android \ Anti-Malware \ Anti-Virus \ Appearance \ Backup \ Browsers \ CD\DVD\Blu-Ray \ Covert Ops \ Drive Utilities \ Drivers \ Graphics \ Internet Tools \ Multimedia \ Networking \ Office Tools \ PC Games \ System Tools \ Mac/Apple/Ipad Downloads

Other News: Top Downloads \ News (Tech) \ Off Base (Other Websites News) \ Way Off Base (Offbeat Stories and Pics)

Social: Facebook \ YouTube \ Twitter \ Tumblr \ Pintrest \ RSS Feeds