help with browser hijacker

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by Mathgirl, Jul 21, 2010.

  1. Mathgirl

    Mathgirl Private E-2

    Hello,

    Macafee recently detected and deleted several different things. The first one was a file called mhtjabstssd.exe, since it was a FakeAlert-Fakespy!env.a trojan virus. I thought everything was fine, but then a few days later Macafee found other things, which it labeled Generic.dx!tef, or Generic.dx!teh. The only problem I had was that my browser/internet would stop working. However, now it will just occasionally hijack the browser when I type in google, or start a new tab with something random on it. I have no idea how to get rid of it, and Macafee isn't finding anything else. I use Mozilla, not IE.

    I have already checked my C:\\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\host file, and it is as it should be.

    I have also downloaded Hijack This, and deleted some suspicious looking files, which had names that matched the files that Macafee had detected as Trojans and deleted.

    However, there is one that won't be deleted, and I think it is not supposed to be there, but not sure. If it is, how can I delete it, since it says access denied? The thing it found is this: O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Vgihaxeyuv] rundll32.exe "C:\WINDOWS\agejiles.dll",Startup.

    Any help would be appreciated. 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. Mathgirl

    Mathgirl Private E-2

    So, I am confused at the step involving the ccleaner. I clicked on the provided link, and it took me to a page describing ccleaner. So I clicked on "Recommended Download", but it then took me to a page to download Registry Mechanic. I was wondering if these were the same thing? Or if I downloaded the wrong thing, and if so, I couldn't find what I was supposed to download. And the Registry Mechanic menus didn't look like what was described for ccleaner in the instructions. Also, I had to reboot my computer, since the malware blocked my internet again.

    Also, I was wondering, if I am supposed to reboot at the mconfig stage, after changing the boot mode to Normal? (I mean, it was already in normal mode).

    A prompt reply would be appreciated.

    Thanks
     
  4. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Date: 2010-06-24
    Size: 1.10 MB
    License: Freeware
    Requires: Win All
    Downloaded: 1690326 Times

    http://www.majorgeeks.com/images/icons/star.jpg Improve Performance: Update Your Drivers http://www.majorgeeks.com/images/dll.gif
    http://www.majorgeeks.com/images/icons/1x1.gif http://www.majorgeeks.com/images/icons/arrowd.gif[FONT=verdana, arial] Download@MajorGeeks [/FONT]---> use this link for CCLeaner.
    http://www.majorgeeks.com/images/icons/1x1.gif http://www.majorgeeks.com/images/icons/arrowd.gif[FONT=verdana, arial] Download@MajorGeeks[/FONT]

    Wait for the download to begin...dont click anything else.
     
  5. Mathgirl

    Mathgirl Private E-2

    I have attached the logs, and my problem has not been fixed.

    Combofix did not work. It installed the restore application, and I clicked yes to continue with scan, but then it had an error and my computer rebooted.

    My problem has not been fixed: a new tab in Mozilla popped up just a little while ago with some random page. Also, my computer will occasionally make noises that go with alerts, but no alerts pop up. However, an error message will pop up dealing with Win something (I'm sorry I can't remember, it doesn't happen often.)

    So these problems started Monday evening. I wasn't surfing the web or anything, clicking on links. Just sending emails, and let it sit for a while. (First there was the FakeAlert-FakeSpy trojan that was detected and deleted on Thursday, which happened while clicking on a google images search result.) My internet "stopped" working, and my browser was marked as "offline." After rebooting, the internet will work for a while, and random tabs will pop up in the browser, or a google search will get hijacked. Macafee detected some trojans and deleted them on Tuesday, but that didn't stop it.

    Maybe part of the problem was that my computer wasn't updated apparently? Last night I just installed Service Pack 3, and my boyfriend informed me that this update was supposed to be installed a year ago. I had never heard anything about it, so I didn't even know that I needed it.

    Thanks
     

    Attached Files:

  6. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Please also download MBRCheck to your desktop

    • Double click MBRCheck.exe to run (vista and Win 7 right click and select Run as Administrator)
    • It will show a Black screen with some information that will contain either the below line if no problem is found:
      • Done! Press ENTER to exit...

    • Or you will see more information like below if a problem is found:
      • Found non-standard or infected MBR.
      • Enter 'Y' and hit ENTER for more options, or 'N' to exit:

    • Either way, just choose to exit the program at this point since we want to see only the scan results to begin with.
    • MBRCheck will create a log named similar to MBRCheck_07.16.10_00.32.33.txt which is random based on date and time.
    • Attach this log to your next message.
     
  7. Mathgirl

    Mathgirl Private E-2

    Here is my log.
     

    Attached Files:

  8. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Do you have all important data backed up? You really should do this before continuing since we will need to rewrite your MBR to fix this and while most times this can be done without any problem, these infections can react badly and that could result in a PC not being bootable. You really don't have much choice though since these infections are too dangerous to your security to leave on a PC.

    Also note if you have a Dell PC which uses a non-standard MBR ( or another manufacturer's who does similar to Dell) , fixing the mbr may prevent access the the Dell Restore Utility, which allows you to press a key on startup and revert your computer to a factory delivered state. There are a couple of known fixes for said condition, though the methods are somewhat advanced. If you are unwilling to take such a risk, you should not continue but you risk serious problems leaving this infection in place and thus your only other option would be to try using the Dell Restore Utility to return a factory ship state which will remove everything you additional you have put onto the PC.


    Now if you wish to continue and fix the malware - please do the following:

    * Run MBRCheck.exe
    * Wait until you see the following lines:
    o Enter 'Y' and hit ENTER for more options, or 'N' to exit:
    o Options:
    [1] Dump the MBR of a physical disk to file.
    [2] Restore the MBR of a physical disk with a standard boot code.
    [3] Exit.
    Enter your choice:

    * Please push the 'Y' key and then press Enter
    * When the program asks you to Enter your choice: enter 2 to Restore the MBR and press the Enter key
    * Now the program will ask you to "Enter the physical disk number to fix (0-99, -1 to cancel):"
    o Enter 0 and press the Enter key.
    * The program will show Available MBR codes as below

    * You need to select your version of Windows from the list. For example, enter 0 or 1 for XP or enter 3 for Vista.....etc. and then press Enter.
    * The program will prompt for confirmation. Type 'YES' and hit Enter.
    * Left click on the title bar (where program name and path is written). From menu chose Edit -> Select All
    * You will see all the text in the window get highlighted.
    * Hit the Enter key on your keyboard to copy all of the text into the clipboard.
    * Paste that text into Notepad, save it to your desktop as MBRfix.txt
    * Restart your PC.
    * Attach the MBRfix.txt file to your next message..

    Now please re-run MBRCheck.exe and attach that log also.
     
  9. Mathgirl

    Mathgirl Private E-2

    Here are the MBR logs.

    Everything booted up fine. Though, I don't think the problem is gone yet. When I restarted my browser to post the logs, a tab popped up, saying something about registry repair and it wanted me to install/run some file. The file was from http://74downloads.com or something. Highly suspicious.
     

    Attached Files:

  10. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

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

    Then attach the below logs:

    * C:\MGlogs.zip

    We at least have now removed the MBR infection.
     
  11. Mathgirl

    Mathgirl Private E-2

    updated MGtools log.
     

    Attached Files:

  12. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    * Make sure that combofix.exe that you downloaded while doing the READ & RUN ME is on your Desktop but Do not run it!
    If it is not on your Desktop, the below will not work.
    * Also make sure you have shut down all protection software (antivirus, antispyware...etc) or they may get in the way of allowing ComboFix to run properly.
    * If ComboFix tells you it needs to update to a new version, make sure you allow it to update.
    * Open Notepad and copy/paste the text in the below code box into it (make sure you scroll all the way down in the code box to get all lines selected ):
    Code:
    KILLALL::
    
    File::
    C:\WINDOWS\Ugoyiyawevanuz.dat
    C:\WINDOWS\Wpiboq.bin
    C:\WINDOWS\temp\flaF.tmp
    C:\Documents and Settings\Jennifer Weber\Local Settings\Temp\aca3.tmp
    
    Folder::
    C:\Documents and Settings\Jennifer Weber\Local Settings\Application Data\ivpmtjutr
    
    * Save the above as CFscript.txt and make sure you save it to the same location (should be on your Desktop) as ComboFix.exe
    * At this point, you MUST EXIT ALL BROWSERS NOW before continuing!
    * You should have both the ComboFix.exe and CFScript.txt icons on your Desktop.
    If it asks you to overide the previous file with the same name, click YES.
    * Now use your mouse to drag CFscript.txt on top of ComboFix.exe
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/sUBs/CFScriptB-4.gif
    * Follow the prompts.
    * When it finishes, a log will be produced named c:\combofix.txt
    * I will ask for this log below

    Note:

    Do not mouseclick combofix's window while it is running. That may cause it to stall.

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

    Then attach the below logs:

    * C:\ComboFix.txt
    * C:\MGlogs.zip

    Make sure you tell me how things are working now!
     
  13. Mathgirl

    Mathgirl Private E-2

    I followed all the directions: turned off Macafee and my firewall, copied the CFscript.tx file, and dragged it onto the Combofix logo on my desktop. It updated itself, but then when it started scanning, it did the same thing it did before: a blue screen that said an error has been detected and the computer must reboot to avoid damage.

    And then I ran the MGtools thing again, even though Combofix didn't work. So far no wacky tabs have popped up in my browser, but they do tend to be intermittent and not consistent.
     

    Attached Files:

  14. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Bummer. Now download The Avenger by Swandog469, and save it to your Desktop.

    * Extract+ avenger.exe from the Zip file and save it to your desktop

    Please disable all anti-virus and anti-spyware programs while we do the following (re-enable when you are finished):

    * Run avenger.exe by double-clicking on it.
    * -Do not change any check box options!!
    * Copy everything in the Quote box below, and paste it into the Input script here: part of the window:

    * Now click the Execute button.
    * Click Yes to the prompt to confirm you want to execute.
    * Click Yes to the Reboot now? question that will appear when Avenger finishes running.
    * Your PC should reboot, if not, reboot it yourself.
    * A log file from Avenger will be produced at C:\avenger.txt and it will popup for you to view when you login after reboot.

    Now run Ccleaner!

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

    Then attach the below logs:

    * C:\Avenger.txt
    * C:\MGlogs.zip

    Make sure you tell me how things are working now!
     
  15. Mathgirl

    Mathgirl Private E-2

    Quick question. For this new application that I am to download/install and run, should I still have my disk emulation software turned off before I run it? (I don't even know if I have any of that software, or even really what is does.)

    Thanks
     
  16. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Yes, leave your disc emulation software off until we are sure you are clean and I give you the final instructions. :)
     
  17. Mathgirl

    Mathgirl Private E-2

    I ran avenger, then ccleaner, and MGtools. So far, no tabs have popped up in my browser, (usually they will pop up when I first open the browser), but will probably just have to wait and see on that, as they do tend to be intermittent.
     

    Attached Files:

  18. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    You did keep your disc emulation software disabled when you ran MGTools? I am not seeing any malware, but one log is indicating a problem.

    * Please download TDSSKiller to your Desktop
    * Extract its contents to your Desktop so that you have TDSSKiller.exe directly on your Desktop and not in any subfolder of the Desktop.
    * Click Start > Run and copy/paste the following bold command into Run box and hit Enter.

    "%userprofile%\Desktop\TDSSKiller.exe" -v

    * Follow the instructions to type in "delete" when it asks you what to do when if finds something.
    * When done, a log file should be created on your C: drive named something like TDSSKiller.2.1.1_27.12.2009_14.17.04_log.txt which is based on the program version # and date and time run. Please attach this log to your next reply.
     
  19. Mathgirl

    Mathgirl Private E-2

    I copied what you said: "%userprofile%\Desktop\TDSSKiller.exe" -v
    into the run prompt, and it said Error! Valid command line parameters. Then it listed a bunch of stuff. I had unzipped the file and dragged TDSSKiller.exe to the desktop. So I don't know what's wrong.

    The CD emulation programs were turned off yesterday when I ran MGtools, as it was requested.

    (and the tabs are still popping up)
     
  20. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Go to start / run and put in the full path:
    C:\Documents and Settings\Jennifer Weber\Desktop\TDSSKiller.exe" -v

    Tell me if that works.
     
  21. Mathgirl

    Mathgirl Private E-2

    That did not work. It said that it couldn't find it.
    Are there supposed to be quotations on both sides? What does the -v do? And if I have it on my desktop, why can't I just click on it to run it, instead of doing it through the command prompt?
     
  22. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Kaspersky has changed how it needs to be run.

    Go to TDSSKiller and Download TDSSKiller.zip to your Desktop

    • Extract its contents to your Desktop so that you have TDSSKiller.exe directly on your Desktop and not in any subfolder of the Desktop.
    • Now double click the TDSSkiller.exe file to run it ( if using Vista or Windows 7 do not double click on it but rather, right click and select Run As Administrartor.
    • Allow the application to run and a window will open showing that it is TDSSkiller from Kaspersky
    • Click Start scan
    • It will run rather quickly and will notify you of whether anything is found or not.
    • Follow the instructions to delete/quarantine if asks you what to do when if finds something.
    • Whether an infection is found or not, a log file should be created on your C: drive ( or whatever drive you boot from) in the root folder named something like TDSSKiller.2.1.1_27.12.2009_14.17.04_log.txt which is based on the program version # and date and time run. Please attach this log to your next reply. (See: HOW TO: Attach Items To Your Post )
     
  23. Mathgirl

    Mathgirl Private E-2

    Sorry to be a pain, but for this one, should I also disable my antivirus software and my firewall? I know I had to do it for other ones, but the directions also usually said that it needed to be off. I just want to make sure that I'm doing everything correctly, so we can get rid of this sucker once and for all.
     
  24. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    No you should not need to disable your protection unless you find it gets in the way. However let me give you a modified procedure since a simpler EXE version of the tool is available that does not have to be unZIP'ed. Please use the below instructions.


    Download TDSSKiller from Kaspersky to your directly onto your Desktop
    • Now double click the TDSSkiller.exe file to run it ( if using Vista or Windows 7 do not double click on it but rather, right click and select Run As Administrartor. )
    • Allow the application to run if prompted by Windows or any security programs you have installed
    • It will start the scan and run rather quickly and will notify you of whether anything is found or not.
    • Follow the instructions to delete/quarantine if asks you what to do when if finds something.
    • Whether an infection is found or not, a log file should be created on your C: drive ( or whatever drive you boot from) in the root folder named something like TDSSKiller.2.1.1_27.12.2009_14.17.04_log.txt which is based on the program version # and date and time run. Please attach this log to your next reply. (See: HOW TO: Attach Items To Your Post )
     
  25. Mathgirl

    Mathgirl Private E-2

    here is the log.
     

    Attached Files:

  26. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    That found a bad file. Please now attach a new MGLogs.zip. Run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator).
     
  27. Mathgirl

    Mathgirl Private E-2

    Here is the log.
     

    Attached Files:

  28. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Looks like that took care of it. Are you still having issues?
     
  29. Mathgirl

    Mathgirl Private E-2

    That did seem to take care of it. I was waiting for a while to see if it would do anything. I guess I am a little worried that there's still something else on my computer that didn't get found. Macafee found and deleted something that was in System Volume the other day, before I ran TDSSKiller. So I don't know if that's good or bad. I suppose there is more to do now, if it is clean? To keep it clean? Set a system restore point?
     
  30. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Anything found in the system restore folders can only be removed by toggling system restore, which we will have you do with these final instructions:

    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:

     
  31. Mathgirl

    Mathgirl Private E-2

    Thanks! I have followed those instructions!
     
  32. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

  33. Mathgirl

    Mathgirl Private E-2

    Sorry to bother you again, but I have a question. My computer usually automatically recognizes my mp3 player (from Creative Labs) and asks me what I want to do with it. My computer is not recognizing that it is connected. I don't think I turned off the Autorun feature. Did defogger not turn it back on? I don't really know what to do. I can't edit my player, thought thank God it is charging.
     
  34. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    I have no idea why that has happened. I suggest you start a thread in the software forum for some input regarding that issue. :)
     

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