Search Engine Redirect Problem

I have a search-engine virus. This affects all search engines I have tried -- google, Yahoo, MSN -- and both Firefox and IE. It appears to be redirecting to another site. Search results come up but the websites are random unrelated sites.

I have run full scans on McAfee anti-virus 8.0, also CCleaner programs and registry, Spybot S&D and AdAware Anniversary Edition (both fully updated), but these did not find the problem. Next I ran Malwarebytes, full scan, but it didn't find anything.

Next I ran a boot scan on avast, which found two items -- one I moved to chest, but the other looked like a type of registry key but it couldn't repair, delete or move it, gave an error saying file not found.

After booting up, Avast listed the following file as a possible problem:
C:\Windows\System32\wdmaud.sys
type: rootkit: hidden process

Is this a valid system file, or should it be deleted?

What else do you recommend?
Please help, thanks!

 

Quick follow-up since I couldn't edit original message:
In the avast boot-scan, both files found were sent to the "chest."
The two files in the chest:
1. C:\Program Files\Online Services\Netscape Online\NSsetup.exe -- don't think this would be the problem.
2. A0166513.exe
C:\System Volume Information\_restore{8F7A5040-9305-48DA-A5EE-E7EE68E6A938}\RP1472

Even with these two files in the chest, the search engine still has the redirect problem

 

Follow-up -- problem resolved now. I found out that the wdmaud.sys file was suspect, and deleted it through Avast. That fixed the search redirect.

 

Avast found a file in the System Volume Information (apparently part of the system roll back feature), and I quarantined that file.

What other file or registry key should I look for?

Thanks.

 

I cannot tell for sure since you did not run our cleaning procedures and attach our logs. However frequently it is the below registry key:


[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Drivers32]
"aux"="wdmaud.sys"[/QUOTE]

I have CCleaner and have run the "registry" part a few times. Currently I don't see anything like this in the CCleaner listing.

What other program(s) do I need to run to do the cleaning procedures and/or get registry listings?
Thanks.

 

Please follow the instructions in the READ & RUN ME FIRST link given further down and attach the requested logs when you finish these instructions.

• If you have problems where no tools seem to run, please try following the steps given in the below and then continue on no matter what you find. You only need to try the TDSSserv steps if having problems getting scans in the Read & Run Me First.
  • TDSSserv Non-Plug & Play Driver Disable
• 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.

READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide


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 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 and the manual updates for SUPERAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes and Spybot ( 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. To avoid additional delay in getting a response, it is advised that after completing the READ & RUN ME you also read this sticky:
   • Don't Bump! It Only Hurts You!
4. 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.