Firefox redirects - where to start?

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by twatripp, Aug 13, 2010.

  1. twatripp

    twatripp Private E-2

    I have read many threads on this and other forums and have done all the basics, but I have gotten nowhere. As described by others, when I do a Google search in Firefox and then click on a result, I am randomly redirected to other sites. Some of the sites seem harmless, but others are blocked by McAfee as dangerous. Operating Windows 7
    I have done the following:
    1. Scanned with Spybot, Ad-Aware, McAfee, MS removal tool.
    2. Uninstalled Firefox, ran the scans again, ran Norton registry cleaner and then reinstalled Firefox. The next time I started computer, the redirects came back.
    I will appreciate your guidance. Thanks.
     
  2. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert 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 aother 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. twatripp

    twatripp Private E-2

    I should have made it clear. I have already done all the steps in the Malware Removal Guide Read and Run me First. Nothing was found by Spybot or AdAware. CCleaner has been run. All the steps. Thanks.
     
  4. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Neither spybot nor adaware are part of the Read and Run instructions. Please attach the requested logs:
    SAS
    MBAM
    ComboFix.
    C:\MGLogs.zip
     
  5. twatripp

    twatripp Private E-2

    I understand that. However, I have once again gone through the Read and Run First Guide and I do not find any reference to the items that you request. No links to where to get them nor how to run them. I would appreciate some help. As I said I have done everything I can see in Read and Run Guide. Is there some other guide that will lead me to the requested programs to run. Thanks
     
  6. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    All of the download links are right HERE

    SuperAntispyware
    MalwareBytes Antimalware
    ComboFix
    C:\MGTools.exe

     
  7. twatripp

    twatripp Private E-2

    I ran the attached scans a couple of days ago and I believe my problem is fixed - at least it hasn't come back yet. I have attached the RootRepeal error log as I was unable to get it to run. I even uninstalled my antivirus and firewall and tried running in safe mode and just couldn't get it to run. Would you recommend keeping the SuperAntiSpyware program as a primary anti-spyware program? Thanks again. Jack:)
     

    Attached Files:

  8. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Yes, it would appear that the scans took care of any malware issues you were having. You did not attach the MBAM log, which appears to have found a few things. It is here:
    Code:
    "C:\Users\Jack\AppData\Roaming\Malwarebytes\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\Logs\"
    mbam-l~1.txt  Aug 13 2010        2014  "mbam-log-2010-08-13 (16-41-18).txt"
    Your logs are clean, so 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 real time 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:




    Support MajorGeeks with Geek Wear!
     
  9. twatripp

    twatripp Private E-2

    Here is the log from Malwarebytes that I failed to send before. Everything still OK. I will do the cleanup items now. Thanks again.. Jack
     

    Attached Files:

  10. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    You are most welcome. Safe surfing. :)
     

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