internet browser opens to webthangs automatically

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by damamo, Jan 31, 2009.

  1. damamo

    damamo Private E-2

    I read the posts on here about webthangs (one of the reason why I became a member of this forum) and just finished all the steps recommended to the other users. I am going to include all the necessary log files and would really appreciate any help before I take the drastic measure of reformatting.

    The history: 6 weeks ago I inadvertently installed a codec that infected my computer (I ran Avast at the time, but it didn't protect me too much, it just alerted me when stuff started going haywire). Luckily I figured out what was going on and didn't install anything off popups. I ran Spybot and Malware, as well as Registry Mechanic and Registry Fix and they took out a lot of junk, inlcluding Zlob and Vundo (or at least bits of them obviosuly). But the browser kept opening continually to webthangs.com.

    I eventually took my computer to an IT shop that claimed to fix the problem and installed a trial version of Kaspersky Internet Security 2009. However, as soon as the 30 days were up (I wasn't able to buy the license), the problems began all over again. I installed the trial version of Kaspersky AntiVirus 2009 in the hopes that it would take it away, but to no avail. I now purchased the license for it, but have yet to use since I may have to reformat.

    So upon startup Internet Explorer immediately tries to load to webthangs.com, but gets a 404 Not Found error, and then tries to get on every 20 minutes or so.

    I have now run HiJackThis and all the programs this forum suggests. I have also gone through and removed all unnecessary programs previously running and disabled many programs that used to run in startup by fixing their options (not by fiddling with msconfig).

    I've been at this for over a month and this is my absolute last hope. Thank you so much for any help you may be able to give me.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. damamo

    damamo Private E-2

    The rest of the log files
     

    Attached Files:

  3. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    If you haven't already, please disable the Guest account in User accounts.

    Please use add/remove programs to uninstall:
    URL Assistant
    Viewpoint Media Player

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

    Run C:\MGtools\analyse.exe by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator). This is really HijackThis (select Do a system scan only) 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:
    After clicking Fix, exit HJT.

    Now Copy the bold text below to notepad. Save it as fixME.reg to your desktop. Be sure the "Save as" type is set to "all files" Once you have saved it double click it and allow it to merge with the registry.
    Make sure that you tell me if you receive a success message about adding the above
    to the registry. If you do not get a success message, it definitely did not work.


    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
    * 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 the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it. Then attach the new C:\MGlogs.zip file that will be created by running this and also attach the log from Avenger.
     
  4. damamo

    damamo Private E-2

    Thank you!

    I followed your instructions and upon reboot it stopped automatically opening my browser. I attached both log files as requested.

    Is that it from here?

    I am now going to follow the forum's advice on how to stay protected. One more thing, is there a special way I need to get rid of all the apps I had to install and their log files and such or can I just do it from Add/Remove programs, because I noticed there was a different way to remove Combofix?

    Once again, thank you guys so much!
     

    Attached Files:

  5. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Sweet....your logs are clean.

    If you are not having any other malware problems, it is time to do our final steps:

    1. We recommed you keep SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for scanning/removal of malware. Unless you purchase them, they provide no real time protection. They are useful as backup scanners. 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" /u
        • Notes: The space between the combofix" and the /u, it must be there.
        • This will uninstall ComboFix and also reset hidden files and folders settings back to Windows defaults.

      • Delete the C:\combofix folder from combofix (if it exists)

    3. Any other miscellaneous tools we may have had you install or download can be uninstalled and deleted.
    4. 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.
    5. Go to add/remove programs and uninstall HijackThis.
    6. You can delete the C:\MGtools folder and the C:\MGtools.exe file. You can also delete the C:\MGlogs.zip
    7. If you are running Vista, Windows XP or Windows ME, do the below:
      • Refer to the cleaning steps in the READ ME for your Window version and see the steps 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:

     
  6. damamo

    damamo Private E-2

    Once again, THANK YOU!!!
     
  7. damamo

    damamo Private E-2

    Just a quick thing I noticed last night as I was working through your last instructions.

    When I shut down my computer I get an error box mentioning something about a gtb.exe file. What is that and how do I get rid of it?
     
  8. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    It refers to the Google Toolbar. Look in add/remove programs and uninstall it.
     

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