Fear of Infection

Discussion in 'Malware Help - MG (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by Eerekai, Jul 12, 2012.

  1. Eerekai

    Eerekai Private E-2

    Ello there!

    I want to say roughly a week ago, my computer started slowing down quite a bit. I'm used to a little hang-up here and there, but this was some drastic waiting. Then I started hearing random advertisements and media-oriented commercials (like news on celebrities) even though there weren't any windows open. This would occur every 30 to 45 minutes and persist for 5 minutes or so. The media has stopped since then, but there's more.

    Found out that Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) had been turned off somehow and I could not turn it back on, stating that it had been uninstalled (when it was clearly visible in the Uninstall Programs list and took awhile to remove files). I uninstalled MSE, downloaded the latest version, then reinstalled it. Ran it, and it seemed to clear almost everything up. It found a "Sirefef.W" that, whenever I attempted to remove it via MSE, caused MSE to display a critical error and restart my computer. "Sirefef.W" is currently listed in MSE as "Quarantined" and not "Removed".

    Yesterday Firefox and Steam started acting up: failing to load images, slowing down my system, the flash plug-in appears to be using lots of memory, and generally taking a really long time to do anything. I believe whatever is going is affecting my overall internet connection. Today, I tried to update MSE and it told me it couldn't check for virus and spyware updates. While trying to navigate to this website, I was redirected one or two times to different websites instead of here.

    I'm aware that some of these issues may be non-malware related, but I want to try tackling any foreign threats first.

    I appreciate any help someone can provide.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Jul 12, 2012
  2. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Welcome to Major Geeks!

    You have ZeroAccess infection.

    Please do the below so that we can boot to System Recovery Options to run a scan.

    For 32-bit (x86) systems download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to a flash drive.
    For 64-bit (x64) systems download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool x64 and save it to a flash drive.

    Plug the flashdrive into the infected PC.

    Enter System Recovery Options from the Advanced Boot Options:
    • Restart the computer.
    • As soon as the BIOS is loaded begin tapping the F8 key until Advanced Boot Options appears.
    • Use the arrow keys to select the Repair your computer menu item.
    • Select US as the keyboard language settings, and then click Next.
    • Select the operating system you want to repair, and then click Next.
    • Select your user account an click Next.

    On the System Recovery Options menu you will get the following options:
    • Select Command Prompt
    • In the command window type in notepad and press Enter.
    • The notepad opens. Under File menu select Open.
    • Select "Computer" and find your flash drive letter and close the notepad.
    • In the command window type e:\frst.exe (for x64 bit version type e:\frst64) and press Enter
      Note: Replace letter e with the drive letter of your flash drive.
    • The tool will start to run.
    • When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
    • Press Scan button.
    • It will make a log (FRST.txt) on the flash drive. Please attach this file to your next reply. (See: How to attach)
     
  3. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    One more thing I want you to run.


    Goto the below link and follow the instructions for running TDSSKiller from Kaspersky
    • Be sure to attach your log from TDSSKiller
     
  4. Eerekai

    Eerekai Private E-2

    I ran both Farbar and TDSSkiller. Here are the requested logs.
     

    Attached Files:

  5. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Download this >> View attachment fixlist.txt


    Save fixlist.txt to your flash drive.
    • You should now have both fixlist.txt and FRST64.exe on your flash drive.
    Now reboot back into the System Recovery Options as you did previously.
    Run FRST64 and press the Fix button just once and wait.
    The tool will make a log on the flashdrive (Fixlog.txt).
    Please attach this to your next message. (See how to attach)

    Now boot into normal Windows can continue with the below.

    Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista or Win7, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator).


    Then attach the below logs:
    • Fixlog.txt
    • C:\MGlogs.zip
    Make sure you tell me how things are working now!
     
  6. Eerekai

    Eerekai Private E-2

    Alrighty, did as instructed and attached the log and the zip. I wanted to thank you for all you've done so far to help me.

    As for how everything is running...I honestly haven't used my computer much since this procedure started. All my security stuff is turned off as part of the cleaning procedure, so I'd be surfing the net naked. It isn't running any worse than when I started, so that's always a plus :-D
     

    Attached Files:

  7. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    The MGlogs.zip file you attached is not a valid file. Please make sure you run GetLogs.bat as requested and attach only the log that it creates. Do not attempt to make your on ZIP file.
     
  8. Eerekai

    Eerekai Private E-2

    Ello again.

    Reran "C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat" and attached the MGlogs.zip file again. I'm attaching the file "C:\MGlogs.zip", created by the running the requested GetLogs.bat. Not sure why any issues might be occurring.
     

    Attached Files:

  9. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    It's okay this time. You can check both of them yourself and see what I mean. Perhaps you attached it before it was actually finished last time. Or perhpas your upload never finished 100%. This log is slightly larger.

    At any rate, your logs are clean.



    If you are not having any other malware problems, it is time to do our final steps:
    1. We recommend you keep Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for scanning/removal of malware.
    2. Go back to step 6 oof the READ ME and renable your Disk Emulation software with Defogger if you had disabled it.
    3. Any other miscellaneous tools we may have had you install or download can be uninstalled and deleted.
    4. If running Vista or Win 7, 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.
    5. Go to add/remove programs and uninstall HijackThis.
    6. 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.
    7. 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.
    8. After doing the above, you should work thru the below link:
     
  10. Eerekai

    Eerekai Private E-2

    I'm currently trying to work thru the "How to Protect Yourself From Malware!" steps, and I've hit a roadblock. Windows Update will not update. I'm receiving an error code 80246008. I'm not quite sure how to go about fixing this.
     
  11. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Okay then run the below. ( I assume you did not remove MGtools yet as we will need it. )

    Be patient while doing the below. The fixes can take quite awhile to run. Especially the permissions repairs. It may be best to kick it off and goto bed or do something else. It is better not to run anything while the repairs are going on.


    Download Windows Repair by Tweaking.com and unzip the contents into a newly created folder on your desktop.
    • Now run Repair_Windows.exe by double clicking on it ( if you are running Vista or Win 7, use right click and select Run As Administrator)
    • Now select the Start Repairs tab.
    • The click the Start button.
    • Create a System Restore point if prompted.
    • On the next screen, click the Unselect All button to first deselect all repairs.
    • Now select the following repair options:
      • Reset Registry Permissions
      • Reset File Permissions
      • Register System Files
      • Repair WMI
      • Repair Windows Firewall
      • Remove Policies Set By Infections
      • Repair Winsock & DNS Cache
      • Repair Proxy Settings
      • Repair Windows Updates
      • Set Windows Services To Default Startup
    • Now on the lower right side check the box to Restart/Shutdown System When Finished
    • Then make sure the Restart System radio button is enabled.
    • Shutdown any other programs that you are running now before continuing.
    • Now click the Start button.
    • Be patient while the tool repairs the selected items.
    • It should reboot automatically when finished.

    Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista or Win7, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator).


    Then attach the below logs:
    • C:\MGlogs.zip
    Make sure you tell me how things are working now!
     
  12. Eerekai

    Eerekai Private E-2

    Ello Chaslang!

    I wanted to thank you for the help you provided. Unfortunately, earlier today I ran into an issue with a new virus called Security Guard. It was slowly blocking me out of using any program on my computer. I was tired of dealing with the madness, so I saved all my documents, formatted the drive, and reinstalled Windows 7. Got everything up and running now though (with updated security measures in place!)

    I just wanted to say thank you again and I apologize for any time of yours I may have wasted.
     
  13. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    You're welcome. Make sure that in addition to proper protection software, that you keep Windows, and all other software fully updated.
     

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