Caught Something.??

[stevegun]

Hi, whilst viewing a website recently I had a pop-up from Spybot which said it had stopped some malware from loading and gave me the title (which i should have sceendumped but didn't sorry)! I then re-booted and while the pc loaded normally until the screen background it then freezes for 10mins or more until it very slowly loads the rest of the desktop items and ZA firewall etc. It then appears to run relatively normally, although due to my suspicions i havn't ventured back online as i suspect there is something lurking in the system which Spybot didn't stop! I have run all the usual programmes in safe mode inc: ZA/Spybot/MS Antispyware/Counterspy/Systemechanic/Ad-Aware/A-Squared but nothing was found - any ideas?

I am running P4 pc with ZA as firewall through router and xp sp3!

Many thanks..

[bjgarrick]

Welcome to MajorGeeks.com!

Please follow the instructions in the below link and attach the requested logs when you finish these instructions.

• READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide

• 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.

Notes:

1. If you run into problems trying to run theREAD & RUN ME or any of the scans in normal boot mode. You can run 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:
   • Starting your computer in Safe mode
2. If you have problems downloading on the problem PC, download the tools on another PC and 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.

[stevegun]

Have carried out all steps in guide and have attached logs, I have also kept a screen dump of a very strange message relating to Defender and "Mallware" which must be suspect due to its poor spelling!

I am still having the same problems e.g. pc boots as far as desktop background and then sits for anything up to 10mins before loads rest of desktop icons and ZA firewall etc. I have looked in task man during this dead period and there is nothing loaded in the applications box and no processor usage although there are loads of processes running!

This follows the original problem e.g. Spybot S&D stopping (or so i thought) some malicious activity, and ever since the have had the loading problems above.

Thanks.

[stevegun]

2nd post to above with remainder of attachements...

[bjgarrick]

Pre-Instructions:

1. First, please disable any antivirus and/or antispy programs you have installed so they will not block this fix.
   
2. Print out these instructions or save them to a text file so that you can operate with All Browser Windows CLOSED.

Step 1:
Please look in Add/Remove Programs for the following and uninstall if found. If you get any errors just make a note and proceed.

Java(TM) 6 Update 7

Step 2:
Next, select the following lines but DO NOT CLICK FIX until you exit all browser sessions including the one you are reading in right now:

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\jusched.exe"

Again, make sure ALL browser windows are closed when you click FIX.

Step 4:
Now we need to use ComboFix to remove a bunch of malware files.

• Make sure that combofix.exe that you downloaded while doing the READ & RUN ME is on your Desktop but Do not run it!
  • If it is not on your Desktop, the below will not work.
• Open Notepad and copy/paste the text in the below quote box into it:

KILLALL::

File::
c:\program files\unmsjvm.exe
c:\program files\Readme.rtf
C:\WINDOWS\system32\smrgdf.exe

Registry::
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\windows\currentVersion\Run]
"QuickTime Task"=-
"Adobe Reader Speed Launcher"=-
"SunJavaUpdateSched"=-

• Save the above as CFscript.txt and make sure you save it to the same location (should be on your Desktop) as ComboFix.exe
• At this point, you MUST EXIT ALL BROWSERS NOW before continuing!
• You should have both the ComboFix.exe and CFScript.txt icons on your Desktop.
• Now use your mouse to drag CFscript.txt on top of ComboFix.exe
• Follow the prompts.
• When it finishes, a log will be produced named c:\combofix.txt
• I will ask for this log below

Note:

Do not mouseclick combofix's window while it is running. That may cause it to stall.

Step 5:
Default Security Settings

To Default Security Settings:
For Internet Explorer 6 users:
Click Start > Run > type inetcpl.cpl and press ENTER, when Internet Properties comes up navigate to the Security Tab and click Default Level for the following:

• Internet
• Local Intranet
• Trusted Sites
• Restricted Sites.

Click OK to exit.

For Internet Explorer 7 users:
Click Start > Run > type inetcpl.cpl and press ENTER, when Internet Properties comes up, navigate to the Security Tab and simply click the "Reset all zones to default level" button. Click OK to exit.

Step 6:
Please download ATF Cleaner by Atribune. This program does not require an installation. The executable actually runs the program.

NOTE: This program is for Windows XP and Windows 2000 only. ATF Cleaner will remove all files from the items that are checked so if you have some cookies you'd like to save. Please move them to a different directory first.

• Double-click ATF-Cleaner.exe to run the program.
• Under Main choose: Select All
• Click the Empty Selected button.

If you use Firefox browser

• Click Firefox at the top and choose: Select All
• Click the Empty Selected button.
  • NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.

If you use Opera browser

• Click Opera at the top and choose: Select All
• Click the Empty Selected button.
  • NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.

Click Exit on the Main ATF Cleaner menu to close the program.

Step 7:
Next I would like you to install the current version of Sun Java: Sun Java Runtime Environment

Step 8:
Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator).

Then attach the below logs:

• C:\ComboFix.txt
• C:\MGlogs.zip

Let me know of any problems you may have encountered with the above instructions and also let me know how things are running now.

[stevegun]

Hi have run all above as listed and attached logs - but still have same problems!!

Many thanks.

[bjgarrick]

First, please disable Spybot's TeaTimer. See the thread below for detailed instructions.

How to disable Spybot's TeaTimer

Once you complete this, reboot and let me know how things are running and what problems remain.

[stevegun]

Hi, thanks but tea-timer was already turned off, and still have same problems!

Many thanks.

[bjgarrick]

Originally Posted by stevegun

Hi, thanks but tea-timer was already turned off, and still have same problems!

Please explain your problems in detail and attach a screenshot if necessary.

[stevegun]

Hi, the problem is as described in my very first post, that is upon booting the pc will load normally until the desktop background and then takes anything from 5-10 minutes to load all the icons and shortcuts and remainder of desktop when before the Spybot S&D incident it loaded in 20-30 seconds!

Many thanks.

[bjgarrick]

Did you purchase CounterSpy?

Also, try to uninstall Spybot, reboot see if anything changes. It's not malware related, your logs are clean.

FYI, you have a little too much protection to be honest. You only need one antivirus, one firewall and one antispy program or either a suite with all in one.

1. a-squared Free
2. Ad-Aware
3. CounterSpy
4. Spyboy S&D
5. ZoneLabs

If you reinstall Spybot S&D, do not install the TeaTimer feature.

[stevegun]

Hi I did purchase Counterspy although I think its out of susbscription.

I have tried uninstalling Spybot, but no luck!

I think the pc is due for a wipe and re-install as its some years old and must be full of nasties by now!

Many thanks.

[bjgarrick]

Originally Posted by stevegun

Hi I did purchase Counterspy although I think its out of susbscription.

If it has expired and you do no plan on renewing I would sugges uninstalling.

Originally Posted by stevegun

I have tried uninstalling Spybot, but no luck!

What happens? Do you get any errors?

Try this, download Your Uninstaller! 2008 6.1, save to your desktop and install. Run this program and uninstall Spybot. Once complete let me know if problem remains.

Originally Posted by stevegun

I think the pc is due for a wipe and re-install as its some years old and must be full of nasties by now!

Actually your logs are not bad.

[stevegun]

Hi, seem to have fixed by uninstalling various anti-malware progs which could have been conflicting!

Many thanks for your assistance!

[bjgarrick]

Originally Posted by stevegun

Hi, seem to have fixed by uninstalling various anti-malware progs which could have been conflicting!

Many thanks for your assistance!

You're Welcome!

hint...my post #11