hard to remove malware

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by ragna120k, May 20, 2010.

  1. ragna120k

    ragna120k Private E-2

    Hello,
    This is my first time posting even though I've been lurking for quite some time. I tried to fix this problem on my own, i.e. download cleaning programs etc but I was unsuccessful. I thought I could fix it myself but I was wrong. I believe I have a malware that I can never remove. I ran everything from Spybot S&D to MAM. I even deleted Firefox completely (where you delete profiles, favorites etc)

    Symptoms: Random websites just pops up out of nowhere. When I search on google, random websites popup as well. I had to click back then click again probably 5x before I get the intended website. Please help. i don't know what else I can do. Thank you for your time.

    Here is my hijackexe log:




    Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
    Scan saved at 7:23:14 PM, on 5/20/2010
    Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
    MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)
    Boot mode: Normal
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 21, 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.
     
  3. ragna120k

    ragna120k Private E-2

    Ok I followed everything. The only problem I had was when I tried to run RootRePeal. it just says initializing...please wait.. and I left it alone for 10-20 minutes and it was still like that so I gave up and just rebooted.

    I opened up firefox and sure enough, it's still there. Some random websites popup and then it redirected to the fake security tool whatever. I had to exit out right away before it installs another fake security toolkit.

    Btw, I had to rescan using Spyware and MAM cuz I scanned them first through safe mode but then it wasn't there after I rebooted so I had to scan them in normal mode. Here's the log :)
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited by a moderator: May 22, 2010
  4. ragna120k

    ragna120k Private E-2

    Btw, I had to do a system restore this morning. I couldn't connect on the internet. I followed that instruction on how to repair it with Anti Spyware but it didn't work so I had to do a system restore :(
     
  5. ragna120k

    ragna120k Private E-2

    Update:
    Sigh.. this is bad. I can no longer connect to the internet. I'm using safe mode with networking right now. I did a system restore (it was working fine earlier but now, i did the same restore and it's not working anymore). These anti spyware somewhat crippled my connectivity :( I don't know if I should post this under networking or just keep replying to my own post :(
     
  6. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    Then if SAS or MBAM removed anything other than cookies then I need you to attach the log(s) showing this!

    You are not using any antivirus currently, may I ask why?

    What anti spyware apps??? If something valid was removed by one of the scanners as mentioned above, you need to attach the log(s) showing this.

    FYI: As part of this fix I will require you to download tools. I know you have no internet connection at the moment so you will have to download using a different machine and transfer the tools to CD or flashdrive for instance.

    1. Before we continue I would like for you to use MSConfig to put this machine back into normal start up mode.

    Complete the below in normal mode please and not safe mode.

    2. Please go to Add/Remove programs and uninstall the following software:

    • J2SE Development Kit 5.0 Update 7

    3. Please disable all anti-virus and anti-spyware programs while we do the following (re-enable when you are finished):

    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:

    After clicking Fix exit HJT

    4. Now download The Avenger by Swandog469, and save it to your Desktop.

    • Extract avenger.exe from the Zip file and save it to your desktop
    • Run avenger.exe by double-clicking on it.
    • Do not change any check box options!!
    • Copy everything in the Quote box below, and paste it into the Input script here: part of the window:
    • Now click the Execute button.
    • Click Yes to the prompt to confirm you want to execute.
    • Click Yes to the Reboot now? question that will appear when Avenger finishes running.
    • Your PC should reboot, if not, reboot it yourself.
    • A log file from Avenger will be produced at C:\avenger.txt and it will popup for you to view when you login after reboot.


    5. Go to TDSSKiller and Download TDSSKiller.zip to your Desktop
    • Extract its contents to your Desktop so that you have TDSSKiller.exe directly on your Desktop and not in any subfolder of the Desktop.
    • Click Start > Run and copy/paste the following bold command into Run box and hit Enter.
    "%userprofile%\Desktop\TDSSKiller.exe" -v

    • Follow the instructions to type in "delete" when it asks you what to do when if finds something.
    • When done, a log file should be created on your C: drive named something like TDSSKiller.2.1.1_27.12.2009_14.17.04_log.txt which is based on the program version # and date and time run. Please attach this log to your next reply.

    6. I want you to download combofix (I know you attached a log from running it but there are no signs of it being anywhere on your system now more than likely due to the system restore!) Please refer to the instructions on how to run combofix before you actually use it!

    A guide and tutorial on using ComboFix

    Combofix



    7. Also delete all files in the below bold folders except ones from the current date (Windows will not let you delete the files from the current day).

    • C:\WINDOWS\TEMP

    8. Now reboot your machine and install the most current and up to date version of Java available here at the below link:

    Java Runtime 6

    9. Run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it. Then attach the new C:\MGlogs.zip file that will be created by running this.

    10. Tell me how the PC is behaving now.
     
  7. ragna120k

    ragna120k Private E-2

    ok thanks. i will do these things when i get home.
    I don't have an anti-virus. sorry.
    My internet actually worked. I did CMD then Winsock reset or something.
    But now it's not working again. I'm just gonna follow these when i get home.
    I gotta see if internet is working through safe mode.
    Thanks.
     
  8. ragna120k

    ragna120k Private E-2

    Hmmmm it seems working now. I followed your directions word for word and it seems working now. At first, internet won't connect so I had to do safe mode with networking to check if my net is actually working. Then I had to restart and it worked.

    Thank you so much for your help and your time. Your help is greatly appreciated.:-D:-D:-D

    Here are the logs:


    UPdate: I just got an alert from viewpoint asking me if I want to update it. Should I just ignore that?
     

    Attached Files:

  9. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    If you do not use it then you should uninstall viewpoint media player as requested per the R&R!

    If you are not having any other malware problems, it is time to do our final steps:
    1. We recommend 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" /uninstall
        • Notes: The space between the combofix" and the /uninstall, it must be there.
        • This will uninstall ComboFix and also reset hidden files and folders settings back to Windows defaults.
    3. Go back to step 6 of the READ ME and renable your Disk Emulation software with Defogger if you had disabled it.
    4. Any other miscellaneous tools we may have had you install or download can be uninstalled and deleted.
    5. If we had you download any registry patches like fixme.reg or fixWLK.reg (or any others), you can delete these files now.
    6. 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.
    7. Go to add/remove programs and uninstall HijackThis.
    8. Goto the C:\MGtools folder and find the MGclean.bat file. Double click on this file to run this cleanup program that will remove files and folders
      related to MGtools and some other items from our cleaning procedures.
    9. If you are running Win 7, Vista, Windows XP or Windows ME, do the below:
      • Refer to the cleaning procedures pointed to by step 7 of the READ ME
        for your Window version and see the instructions to Disable System Restore which will flush your Restore Points.
      • Then reboot and Enable System Restore to create a new clean Restore Point.
    10. After doing the above, you should work thru the below link:
     
  10. ragna120k

    ragna120k Private E-2


    Hi and thank you so much again for your help. I have a question though. I put Combofix in C:\. is it ok to change the desktop to C? like
    %userprofile%\C:\combofix" ? i havent tried it because I don't know if it'll have complications. Thank you again for your time.
     
  11. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    It would be easier if you just open My computer, scroll to the C:\ drive and slide ComboFix onto your desktop.
     
  12. ragna120k

    ragna120k Private E-2

    but what about the other files like logs or something? i don't know if its associated with combofix or not. If i move combofix.exe to desktop, would it clear all associated files?
     
  13. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Yes, it will clear all the associated files as well.
     

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