Help novice: About:blank / trojan hijack problems

Please be gentle, First time post by utter novice. Since sat 12th feb my computer has become infected by trojans; and my computer has the about:blank infection. Excuse me if I get the terminology wrong. I've read Major attitude's "basic spyware, trojans etc" and run all the suggested programmes as instructed. Some things seem to be detected, but I still have the about:blank homepage. Also, every time i boot up in normal mode by mcaffee version7 internet security suite, a small window pops up saying a trojan has been cleaned, with the reference "c:\windows\system32\hdrsy.dll" or other hd***.dll extensions. Each time it requires a reboot.Each time a new trojan appears as cleaned. When I do a full viruscan it only detects the current trojan. All this is driving me mad. Can anyone help? I've run hijack this, and have saved the log. I'm not posting yet as instructed. I've read some of the other similar problems other users have had, but i'm worried i'll struggle to understand all the technical jargon required for me to fix this. I know my way around a computer but serious fixing of problems is new to me. I'm running windows xp sp1. I only installed this a couple of weeks ago and that's fairly new to me still. I was previously on windows 98. Tiny computer with 27GB, 128mb ram. PLEASE HELP.

 

I was hoping for some help. I don't seem to be getting a response. Is it because i'm new to the forum? Do you only help regular users?
I could really do with some assistance. Please help with my problem!

 

If you have followed ALL the steps in this Sticky thread READ ME FIRST BEFORE ASKING FOR SUPPORT: Basic Spyware, Trojan And Virus Removal then procede to the next steps.

If you already have any of the programs linked in the tutorial please double check your version to make sure you have the latest one and that you have any/all updates for the programs.

NOTE: In order to resolve the issues you are having it is very important that you at least try to perform all the steps as outlined. If you have any difficulty please post back letting us know what steps you have completed, what you found while doing the scans if anything and details about any problems you have encountered in completing the steps. The more details you can provide the better.


After doing ALL of the above if you still have a problem:

Make sure you have HijackThis 1.99.1 and follow the guidelines on where to install it and how to post a log as an attachment. This is all covered in the sticky thread NO HIJACK THIS LOG FILES BEFORE READING THIS: HJT Tutorial & LOG File Posting

Now post a HijackThis log as an attachment to your message (Do not post the log inline). All running programs should be closed, including your web browser, e-mail. Close before running Hijack This!

To repeat: Do NOT run Hijack This from the Desktop, a temp folder, or a sub-folder of C:\Documents and Settings, or choose to run it directly from the downloaded ZIP file. Place it in its own folder, for example C:\Program Files\HJT

 

Thanks for your reply. Even though I'd followed all the basic procedures as suggested in the guidance, I decided to update all and run all the checks again to be on the safe side. So I've now run all the programmes suggested with results as follows:
The Trend micro scan gave the following homecall message :"unable to clean C:\windows\system32\qwsxp.dll because it is currently in use".
The Symantec scan showed file infected "c:\windows\downloaded programfiles\yglwkv.exe is infected with dialer.target". It didn't give me anoption to remove this.
I ran Mcaffee avert stinger - just said 125441 clean files.
In Adaware se it showed 8 new critical objects - 1 register key & 7 register values. These were all coolweb. They were quarantine and removed.
In Spybot - first immunised to update. Then, ran search & destroy.This found the following: SpyA; clipgear download wear; coolwwsearch.bootconf; eacceleration.All 4 were fixed & removed.
CW shredder found nothing.
HS said it removed 8 items
About:Buster listed no problems.
Kil2me showed nothing.
After running all these and rebooting in normal mode I still have same problems. McAffee is still popping open having cleaned a trojan. When I reboot to clean it pops up with a new clened trojan.So on and so on.
My homepage still is set as About:blank no matter how often i change it.
I am now posting the hijack 1.99 log, and did this in normal mode with internet explore closed. I also closed items in tray (including mcaffee) but still think that mcaffee might have somehow still been running in background.
Can you please advise what to check so that I can rerun hijack this 1.99 and fix some of the things that are causing my problems. I am tearing my hair out with this!!
thanks

 

There are only a few of us who volunteer our free time here and we keep odd hours! We try to get to everybody . . .

I'll get you started here - Some of these will come back as I've rarely seen this baddie go easily! We'll see if we can make a dent for when BJ checks back.



Please print out these instructions so that you can operate with All Browser Windows CLOSED.
Please make sure System Restore is OFF and the Viewing of Hidden Files is Enabled as per the tutorial.


Now scan with HijackThis and Check the Boxes for the following:
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer,SearchURL = c
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer,(Default) = http://clearsurfing.net/srch.php?qq=%s
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = e
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = f
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = res://C:\WINDOWS\System32\qwsxp.dll/sp.html (obfuscated)
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = res://C:\WINDOWS\System32\qwsxp.dll/sp.html (obfuscated)
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = res://C:\WINDOWS\System32\qwsxp.dll/sp.html (obfuscated)
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = res://C:\WINDOWS\System32\qwsxp.dll/sp.html (obfuscated)
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,Default_Search_URL = about:blank
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = i
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = p
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = q
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = g
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,HomeOldSP = about:blank
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = o
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,HomeOldSP = about:blank
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = 127.0.0.1
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName = Favorites

O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5400FB26-1674-4987-AF96-19F3D1AD3C4D} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\qwsxp.dll
O2 - BHO: BrowserHelper Class - {EBCDDA60-2A68-11D3-8A43-0060083CFB9C} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\NZDD.DLL

O3 - Toolbar: FreshBar - {06ABAA2D-34AB-4902-A326-409BD9B9A7A5} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\iesp2.dll

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [rdspclips.exe] rdspclips.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DVDUpgrade] DVDUpgrd.exe /async9x

O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {233A9694-667E-11d1-9DFB-006097D5040A} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: Contacts - {9239E4EC-C9A6-11D2-A844-00C04F68D538} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\INTERNET EXPLORER\IECONT.DLL (file missing)

O16 - DPF: {11111111-1111-1111-1100-000000000000} - mhtml:file:///C:\My%20Documents\My%20Music\Virtual%20Albums\video\video.asx!file:///ieupdate.exe
O16 - DPF: {CD17FAAA-17B4-4736-AAEF-436EDC304C8C} (ContentAuditX Control) - http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/5805...ch.com/audit/includes/ContentAuditControl.cab

O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{95ADD9C6-3D5C-4126-B85C-3ED67CD9EF9C}: NameServer = 69.50.176.156,195.225.176.31

O18 - Filter: text/html - {162E88CA-7A27-4D78-BC3D-E6D35A87A37F} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\qwsxp.dll
O18 - Filter: tœ†5?òZEÆR - {A1400954-D1A6-472D-9AB4-9BCA335980F6} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\qwsxp.dll
O18 - Filter: tœ†5?ò½EÆR - {B12926AB-ED09-4C93-AEF6-1F11D527C85D} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\qwsxp.dll
O18 - Filter: tœ†5?òÀEÆR - {162E88CA-7A27-4D78-BC3D-E6D35A87A37F} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\qwsxp.dll
O18 - Filter: tœ†5?òÏTÆR - {64813ADB-AA23-46EF-9574-2E124AB8F47C} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\qwsxp.dll

O19 - User stylesheet: (file missing)

Again, make sure All Browser Windows are Closed when you Click FIX.

NOW:
Please boot into Safe Mode with the Viewing of Hidden Files Enabled and navigate to and DELETE the following if they should remain:

C:\WINDOWS\System32\qwsxp.dll
rdspclips.exe
DVDUpgrd.exe --> You'll have to search for these. Probably find them in System32 Folder

If the above files give you trouble, you'll need to try a special procedure to remove them.

NEXT:
Run CCleaner and Spybot S&D and have Spybot fix what it finds.

Then, as an added precaution, Go to Start > Run and type: cleanmgr and then click OK. Make sure the boxes for these are checked:
Temporary Files
Temporary Internet Files
Recycle Bin

And Click OK.

Reboot to Normal Windows and Scan with HijackThis and attach that log.

I am sure BJ will check back in a timely manner!

Best luck
PP

 

Many thanks philliephan. I did as you suggested in your post, late last night, and first indications were hopeful for some improvement. However, I still seem to have the about:blank setting as homepage when you look in Internet Explorer, Tools, Options. A couple of other odd things also keep occuring. As soon as I get home from work tonight I am going to bootup and run another hijack this log and post it here with the problems i've still got. Hopefully, either yourself or bjgarrick can help me erradicate the remaining problems. Many thanks for both your help so far, it's massively appreciated. I'll post again later with log.

 

Was you able to complete every step that PP explained successfully?


Will be awaiting new log

Bj

 

I believe so. Unfortunately, because it was quite late I only had chance to reboot once. At first glance it seems that the mcaffee repeated popup has stopped. However, I will see if that has totally gone when I get home tonight. Then, I'm going to rerun Hijack this and post the log. I've still got some problems (including about:blank) but I'm hoping with the great step by step advice you've both been giving that there's light at the end of a stressful tunnel! I'll post again later. thanks

 

As per my last post, I've now booted up again, and it seems the mcaffee popup that continually showed a cleaned trojan has stopped doing that. Hopefully, that's a good sign. However, as I mentioned before, when I go into Internet explorer and tools options general tab it still sets homepage as About:Blank. I also often have to still click my blueyonder isp link a second time, as the first attempt fails when going onto the internet. I don't know if that is because the first attempt is trying to divert me elsewhere, but because I'm on broadband a dialler divert would be a waste of time. Also when I open my IE browser it appears as a small window that I then have to maximise. No matter what I do it doesn't save a maximised browser when I end my session. Also, when I boot up I am getting a boxed message"Microsoft Outllok: Either there is no default mail client or cant fulfill messaging.Run microsoft outlook & set as default. I want to get rid of this as I use Incredimail and am still using that with no problems.
I will now post my log in the hope you can advise me as to my next move.
many thanks

 

If possible, before BJ checks back, please run About:Buster and HSRemove again as per the instructions in the Cleanup Tutorial and then attach a fresh HJT Log from normal Windows boot.

PP

 

The only bad thing I see is the about:blank thats back. Do as PP said in post 10.

Run about:Buster & HSRemove

After you run these 2 programs do another scan with HijackThis and Check the Boxes for the following:

Again, make sure All Browser Windows are Closed when you Click FIX.


R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = res://C:\WINDOWS\System32\qwsxp.dll/sp.html (obfuscated)

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = res://C:\WINDOWS\System32\qwsxp.dll/sp.html (obfuscated)

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = res://C:\WINDOWS\System32\qwsxp.dll/sp.html (obfuscated)

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = res://C:\WINDOWS\System32\qwsxp.dll/sp.html (obfuscated)

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,HomeOldSP = about:blank

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,HomeOldSP = about:blank

O16 - DPF: {54823A9D-6BAE-11D5-B519-0050BA2413EB} (ChkDVDCtl Class) - http://www.gocyberlink.com/winxp/CheckDVD.cab

O16 - DPF: {7142BA01-8BDF-11CF-9E23-0000E8A37440} (Surround Video Control Object) - http://www.panormania.com/cabs/svideo.cab


NOW:
Please boot into Safe Mode with the Viewing of Hidden Files Enabled and navigate to and DELETE the following file if it remains:

C:\WINDOWS\System32\qwsxp.dll


Now, Reboot into normal mode


Then, reset your web settings.

To Reset Web Settings:
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, Default ALL security settings


Reboot to Normal Windows and Scan with HijackThis and attach that log.
Let me know of any problems you may have encountered with the above instructions

 

Many thanks Bjgarrick and PhilliePhan. I ran About:Buster & HS Remove as suggested. I ran hijack this and checked& fixed the items as instructed. Couldn't find C:\windows\system32\qwsxp.dll. I'm hoping that's a good thing. I reset web settings, and then defaulted security settings.
So, where are we now? Well, the mcaffee popup is definitely resolved. On rebooting the about:blank seems to have disappeared as homepage. Both those things on there own are fantastic, and thanks a million for that. My only remaining issues seem to be:
1) I've still got the microsft outlook box appearing each time I boot up saying "Microsoft Outllok: Either there is no default mail client or cant fulfill messaging.Run microsoft outlook & set as default. I still want to get rid of this as I use Incredimail and am still using that with no problems.
2) IE browser on clicking is still not loading as a maximised window.
3) Things seem to be acting a bit slower than normal. I wondered if something in particular might be slowing my processes down. Any suggestions?
4) I have update notification for windows xp sp2. Should I update now?
I've posted my log. Thanks again for your continued valued help. It's greatly appreciated.

 

Go ahead and do another scan with HijackThis and Check the Boxes for the following:

Again, make sure All Browser Windows are Closed when you Click FIX.


R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://hsremove.com/done.htm



NEXT:
Run CCleaner and Spybot S&D and have Spybot fix what it finds.


Then, as an added precaution, Go to Start > Run and type: cleanmgr and then click OK. Make sure the boxes for these are checked:
Temporary Files
Temporary Internet Files
Recycle Bin

And Click OK.


Reboot and Scan with HijackThis and attach the new log.
Let me know of any problems you may have encountered with the above instructions and how your computer is running now.

Good Luck!

 

Thanks BJ. I have done as suggested. The microsoft outlook window has stopped appearing. My only problems that persist are the ie browser not opening a a maximised window, and performance is still sluggish. I'm going to try clear out some unneccesary old programmes, and run system defragment. Hopefully, this will help. I'm going to run the upgrade for windows xp sp2 unless you suggest otherwise. If this is now goodbye I'd like to say a great big thanks to both yourself and PhilliePhan. this is a truly excellent site. A week ago I was tearing my hair out after battling for over a week with no success in removing the spyware etc my computer had been infected with.
If you have any other suggestions that's great, if not thanks for the great support and help you've given.

 

Your log is clean!

As far as the IE windows not opening maximized, mine does the same thing sometime. This would be best answered in the software forum. Only thing I can suggest is to stretch as big as possible and close, this should open IE the same size as you made it. As far as spyware/virus your clean!

You should see this article on How to Protect yourself from malware!

Browse Safely!