SettingsModifier:Win32/PossibleHostsFileHijack

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by cookfamily, Dec 10, 2008.

  1. cookfamily

    cookfamily Private E-2

    I got this message(thread title) from windows defender.
    System:
    Dell Dimension 3000
    Windows XP Home version 2002 SP3
    Intel Pentium 4 2.8 GHz
    512 MB ram
    I ran the basic computer maintenance procedures
    Smart defrag took 21 hours
    I run the free version of Avast for virus scanner
    I'm not sure but I think windows firewall has been off, I didn't even know I had this available. I thought windows defender was a firewall.
    I followed all the steps, downloaded all the tools and ran all the scans under Malware removal.
    Windows Defender still has the "settings modifier" under quaruntine.
    I have noted some strange activity like programs launching automatically but I'm not sure if I have a malicious infection.
    This is my first ever post and I'm trying to be brief. Below are my logs.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Welcome to Major Geeks!

    We cannot continue until you attach the last log that was requested from running MGtools.
     
  3. cookfamily

    cookfamily Private E-2

    Here is the MGTOOLS file. I had to spend a little time figuring out how to attatch the fourth file and make sure it was still associated with the original thread. I am having a great time learning to work in this environment. I really enjoy the tone of this forum. Thanks
     

    Attached Files:

  4. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    You're in pretty good shape after running the cleaning procedure. We just have a few more things to do.

    First did you knowingly install Freecorder Toolbar? If not then uninstall it.


    Run this Disable/Remove Windows Messenger to remove Windows Messenger. Do not confuse Windows Messenger with MSN Messenger because they are not the same. Windows Messenger is a frequent cause of popups.

    Uninstall the below old versions of software:
    My Way Search Assistant <-- should have been uninstalled in step 1 of the READ ME
    Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.4
    Viewpoint Media Player <-- should have been uninstalled in step 1 of the READ ME

    Run C:\MGtools\analyse.exe by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator). This is really HijackThis (select Do a system scan only) and select the following lines but DO NOT CLICK FIX until you exit all browser sessions including the one you are reading in right now:

    R3 - URLSearchHook: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - (no file)
    O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {BA52B914-B692-46c4-B683-905236F6F655} - (no file)
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
    O8 - Extra context menu item: &Search - ?p=ZJxdm035YYUS

    After clicking Fix, exit HJT.

    Now copy the bold text below to notepad. Save it as fixme.reg to your desktop. Be sure the "Save as" type is set to "all files" Once you have saved it double click it and allow it to merge with the registry.
    Make sure that you tell me if you receive a success message about adding the above
    to the registry. If you do not get a success message, it definitely did not work.

    Now reboot your PC.

    After reboot, run Ccleaner!

    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 log:
    • C:\MGlogs.zip
    Make sure you tell me how things are working now!
     
  5. cookfamily

    cookfamily Private E-2

    Hi,
    Here is the most recent MGlogs zip file. I did get a success message after running the fixme.reg file. It has been several days since following the procedures in the last post and I believe everything is running properly. I was having trouble on online retail sites. Once into a catalog the back button would be continually redirected. Now the back button properly backs us up one page.
    Thank you so much for your assistance. :-D
     

    Attached Files:

  6. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    You're welcome. Your logs are clean.


    If you are not having any other malware problems, it is time to do our final steps:
    1. We recommed you keep SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for scanning/removal of malware. Unless you purchase them, they provide no protection. They do not use any significant amount of resources ( except a little disk space ) until you run a scan.
    2. If we had you use ComboFix, uninstall ComboFix (This uninstall will only work as written if you installed ComboFix on your Desktop like we requested.)
      • Click START then RUN and enter the below into the run box and then click OK. Note the quotes are required
      • "%userprofile%\Desktop\combofix" /u
        • Notes: The space between the combofix" and the /u, it must be there.
        • This will uninstall ComboFix and also reset hidden files and folders settings back to Windows defaults.
      • Delete the C:\combofix folder from combofix (if it exists)
    3. Any other miscellaneous tools we may have had you install or download can be uninstalled and deleted.
    4. If we had you download any registry patches like fixme.reg or fixWLK.reg (or any others), you can delete these files now.
    5. If running Vista, it is time to make sure you have reenabled UAC by double clicking on the C:\MGtools\enableUAC.reg file and allowing it to be added to the registry.
    6. Go to add/remove programs and uninstall HijackThis.
    7. You can delete the C:\MGtools folder and the C:\MGtools.exe file. You can also delete the C:\MGlogs.zip
    8. If you are running Vista, Windows XP or Windows ME, do the below:
      • Refer to the cleaning steps in the READ ME for your Window version and see the steps to Disable System Restore which will flush your Restore Points.
      • Then reboot and Enable System Restore to create a new clean Restore Point.
    9. After doing the above, you should work thru the below link:
     

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