Help Needed Removing Malware

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by khimelion, May 25, 2006.

  1. khimelion

    khimelion Private E-2

    Hello,

    I have Windows XP SP2 and have been trying to remove malware from my computer. I am certain I have malware due to the excess pop-ups I receive. I found and followed the directions posted here:

    http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407

    Unfortunately my internet connectivity didn't work in Safe Mode with Networking. I presume this was due to my wireless connectivity. Therefore I had to run the online virus and Trojan scanning applications in Normal Mode.

    I was unable to save a log from the Panda Active Scan program because the application shut down abruptly. Before it shut down I did notice it detected at least 5 spyware incidents.

    I have attached my logs from running Bitdefender and HijackThis.

    Any help you can give me would be great!

    Kim
     

    Attached Files:

  2. khimelion

    khimelion Private E-2

    Hi again,

    I ran Panda again and this time was able to successfully obtain a scan report. It is attached.

    Hope you can help!
    Kim
     

    Attached Files:

  3. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    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:\WINDOWS\system32\pwinnqag.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:
    R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = about:blank
    R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = about:blank
    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = about:blank
    R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing
    O2 - BHO: (no name) - {549B5CA7-4A86-11D7-A4DF-000874180BB3} - (no file)
    O2 - BHO: (no name) - {FDD3B846-8D59-4ffb-8758-209B6AD74ACC} - (no file)
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Microsoft Office] C:\WINDOWS\system32\msoff.exe
    O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [qzqm] C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\qzqm\qzqmm.exe
    O4 - Startup: Zeno.lnk = C:\WINDOWS\system32\pwinnqag.exe
    O20 - Winlogon Notify: WebCheck - C:\WINDOWS\system32\richost.dll (file missing)


    After clicking Fix, exit HJT.
    Boot into safe mode and use Windows Explorer to delete:
    C:\Program Files\Common Files\qzqm <--- the whole folder
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\msoff.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\pwinnqag.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\richost.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.
     
  4. khimelion

    khimelion Private E-2

    Thanks for all the help!

    Things appear to be better now but we won't know for sure for a couple days.

    I attached my current HijackThis log.

    I'll come back in a day or so and let you know how things are going. I'll post another log if I still have problems.

    Thanks again!

    Kim
     

    Attached Files:

  5. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    You're welcome. Since you are using McAfee Antispyware, you should now uninstall Windows Defender to avoid excessive use of system resources and also possible conflicts.

    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!
     
  6. khimelion

    khimelion Private E-2

    All is well for now.

    This website and your help has helped tremedously... surfing the web is much more pleasurable when I'm not closing miscellaneous new IE windows every two minutes.

    Thanks again for the help and I'll do my best to stay malware free!

    Kim
     
  7. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    You're welcome. Surf Safely!
     

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