CTFMON.EXE... Spyware? of Legit?

Discussion in 'Malware Help - MG (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by sabriel, Sep 27, 2005.

  1. sabriel

    sabriel Private E-2

    Hi

    My computer has been randomly rebooting itself the last few weeks. I figured it was either
    1) video card overheating
    or
    2) spyware

    Since searching for spyware is easier than fixing option 1, I ran antivirus software, search and destroy and ad-aware over my system. Neither of them turned anything up, so I installed hijackthis to take a look.

    Everything seems to be fine, except for this line:

    O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe

    I do have chinese input for Office XP installed so it might be legit. However, sysinfo.org says it also could be a trojan.

    Should I delete or not?

    And does anyone else have any other ideas why my computer randomly reboots?

    sabriel
     
  2. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    ctfmon.exe is a legit file when running from the location you indicated.

    If you believe you have malware problems that could be causing the reboots, run thru our standard cleaning process given below:

    Please follow the steps below:

    - Run ALL the steps in this Sticky thread READ ME FIRST BEFORE ASKING FOR SUPPORT: Basic Spyware, Trojan And Virus Removal

    Make sure you check version numbers and get all updates.

    - Very Important: Make sure you tell us the results from running the tutorial...was anything found? Were you unable to complete any of the scans?...Were you unable to download any of the tools?...Did you do the on-line scans as suggested? etc.


    After doing ALL of the above you still have a problem make sure you have booted to normal mode and run the steps below:

    - Download HijackThis 1.99.1

    - Unzip the hijackthis.exe file to a folder you create named C:\Program Files\HJT

    - Do NOT run Hijack This from the Desktop, a temp folder, or a sub-folder of C:\Documents and Settings, or choose to run it directly from the downloaded ZIP file.

    - Before running HijackThis: You must close each of the following:your web browser, e-mail client, instant messenger, and programs like notepad, wordpad, MS Word etc. And any other unnecessary running programs.

    - Run HijackThis and save your log file.

    - Post your log as an ATTACHMENT to your next message. (Do NOT copy/paste the log into your post).
     
  3. sabriel

    sabriel Private E-2

    I've run my computer through all the stuff listed in the tutorial....found no virus/spyware/...

    I've attached my hijackthis log anyway... if somebody can take a look and tell me what I've missed.

    maybe the problem is with my computer overheating.....
     

    Attached Files:

  4. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    No visible malware in your log but you can have HJT fix the below items:


    R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://hsremove.com/done.htm
    R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://hsremove.com/done.htm
    O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {85d1f590-48f4-11d9-9669-0800200c9a66} - %windir%\bdoscandel.exe (file missing)
    O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Uninstall BitDefender Online Scanner v8 - {85d1f590-48f4-11d9-9669-0800200c9a66} - %windir%\bdoscandel.exe (file missing)

    You can either choose to run a few more indepth scans that will look for possible hidden problems not shown in an HJT log or you can post your question on the reboots in the Software Forum. Let me know how you would like to proceed.
     

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