explorer.exe and IRC.Backdoor.Trojan....Help Please!!!

Welcome to Majorgeeks!

Make sure viewing of hidden files is enabled (per the tutorial).

Please run HijackThis and click on the Open the Misc Tools Section button on the open page. Then select Open process manager on the left-hand side. Look for the following process (or processes) and one at a time kill them by selecting it and then click Kill process. Then click yes.
C:\DOCUME~1\Owner\LOCALS~1\Temp\mdm.exe

After killing all the above processes, click Back.
Then please click Scan 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:
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = about:blank
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = about:blank
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = about:blank
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = about:blank
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = about:blank
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,ShellNext = http://192.168.1.1/
R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Debug ] C:\WINDOWS\SMSS.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Bsx3] RunDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\bs3.dll,DllRun

After clicking Fix, exit HJT.
Boot into safe mode and use Windows Explorer to delete:

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Local Settings\Temp <--- delete all files in this Temp folder
C:\Documents and Settings\Sachi.HOME\Local Settings\Temp <--- delete all files in this Temp folder
C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Desktop\software DVD stuff\PodPlus.v1.2.Incl.Keygen-TMG.rar
C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Desktop\software DVD stuff\setupneoaudio.exe
C:\PROGRAM FILES\Lycos <--- delete this folder
C:\PROGRAM FILES\save <--- delete this folder
C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\Slmss <--- delete this folder
C:\WINDOWS\cdapp <--- delete this folder
C:\WINDOWS\SMSS.exe
C:\WINDOWS\bs3.dll

If you get an error when deleting a file. Right click on the file and check to see if the read only attribute is checked. If it is, uncheck it and try again. Other wise open Task Manager and kill the process if running then delete the file.

Now if running Win XP goto c:\windows\Prefetch and delete all files in this folder.
Now run Ccleaner (installed while running the READ ME FIRST).

Now we need to Reset Web Settings:

1. If you have an Internet Explorer icon on your Desktop, goto step 2. If not, skip to step 3.
2. Now right click on your desktop Internet Explorer icon and select Properties. Then click the Programs tab and then click "Reset Web Settings". Now go back to the General tab and set your home page address to something useful like www.majorgeeks.com. Click Apply. Click Delete Cookies, Click Delete Files and select Delete all Offline content too, Click OK. When it finishes Click OK. Then skip step 3.
3. If you do not have an Internet Explorer icon on your Desktop, click Start, Control Panel (for some systems it may be Start, Settings, Control Panel), Internet Options, Programs tab and then click "Reset Web Settings". Now go back to the General tab and set your home page address to something useful like www.majorgeeks.com. Click Apply. Click Delete Cookies, Click Delete Files and select Delete all Offline content too, Click OK. When it finishes Click OK.

Now reboot in normal mode and post a new HJT log.

Make sure you tell me how things are working now.

Reminder Note: Once we have determined you are malware free you will need to disable System Restore, reboot, and re-enable system restore per step 1 of the READ & RUN ME. This only applies to if using WinXP or WinMe.

 

Okay! Just let me know how things look when you finish.

 

First work through the below link from Norton (this is not a malware issue).

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nav.nsf/docid/2004090712504306?OpenDocument&wsrc=hho&src=hot&prod=Norton+AntiVirus&ver=2005&csm=no&seg=hho

See if it helps resolve your problems with Norton. If not, I suggest uninstalling it and using one of the free programs we list in the below link:

How to Protect yourself from malware!

The above link also gives some free firewalls you can use in step 3.

You also need to be more careful with what you are calling processes. You keep saying Explorer or explorer.exe but it sounds like you really mean Internet Explorer which is iexplore.exe. Explorer (which is explorer.exe) is Windows Explorer which is also the Windows Shell.

 

Don't know for sure. It does not sound like a valid file. Where is it being located? Have you deleted the file yourself manually? Have you emptied your Norton Quarantine? Does the file still exist?

Who knows how well your Norton AV is working since you have other problems with it.

 

You show signs of a Smitfraud infection coming and going! See the below:

O2 - BHO: Nothing - {edbf1bc8-39ab-48eb-a0a9-c75078eb7c8e} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\hp449A.tmp (file missing)

You MUST NOT fix things on your own. If you do, I cannot see what is going on and I cannot determine what the correct steps are. So do not fix anything unless I request it. Also at this point I'm close to saying uninstall Norton (at least while we work on fixing things). Run IE just to try and get the problem back. Then run the steps in the below (many of the items being mentioned will not be seen, that's okay! Just complete all the steps and check for all things mentioned anyway. ) Then attach the smitfiles.txt log when finished.

SpywareStrike, Smitfraud, SpySheriff, SpyAxe & PSGuard Removal

Then attach a new HJT log and tell me what your status is.

Also tell me what is the below used for:

C:\Program Files\NTTE\Flets\app\TangoService.exe
Is it for your Efficient Networks DSL modem! Are you in Japan (I see NTTE.)

 

Well you can use FireFox but we still need to get IE fixed for cases when it is required like even getting MS updates. So give me the Smitfiles.txt log and then also get a new HJT log from after running IE. If problems are coming back, I need to see them so do not fix anything. Let me see them.

 

Yeah well it's 2:49 AM here and I'm finally going to bed!

 

You have it set to about:blank. It is not set to majorgeeks. You must set your home page to what you want and you must allow the change to be accepted by Windows Defender and similar programs or they will block the change. In fact you will need to exit MS Windows Defender to do the below so exit it by right clicking on the icon in the tray and shut it down or exit it. Do this now.

It's not a mystery. You had a Smitfraud infection.

Then run HJT and fix the below line and make sure it stays gone after a reboot:

O2 - BHO: Nothing - {edbf1bc8-39ab-48eb-a0a9-c75078eb7c8e} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\hp449A.tmp (file missing)

Make sure after reboot that you allow any changes to occur if you see a warning message from Windows Defender, otherwise it will block your home page change and possibly the above fix.

 

You're welcome. Let me know when you are finished.

 

As far as I know, that is how Windows Defender works. It does not show an icon in the tray like MS Antispyware did. I believe the option that loads it at run time causes it to be hidden by default. There is no menu select to choose in order to show a tray icon like MS AS had.

Your log is clean. If you are not having any other malware problems, it is time to go back to step 1 of the READ & RUN ME to Disable System Restore which will flush your Restore Points. Then reboot and enable System Restore to create a new clean Restore Point.

After that, you should work thru the below link:

How to Protect yourself from malware!

 

You're welcome. Surf safely!