Issues With Adobe Connectivity After 127.0.0.1 Virus

My wife and I have a small art business with an ASUS ALL-IN-ONE desktop running Windows 10. We have Comcast
as our ISP and use Comcast hardware such as the modem. We were recently
infected with the 127.0.0.1 Manual Proxy virus. I researched the solution on line and ran several AV and malware
programs and it appeared that the virus was removed. Immediately after that, I discovered that my Adobe Creative
Cloud program, which we use every day, would no longer connect to the Adobe server and we could not get updates to
the Creative Cloud. Assuming that this was an Adobe problem, on Monday of this week, I called Adobe and spent
2 hours on the phone with them while they tried to fix the problem remotely. They were unseccessful and actually
worsened the problem since now the Creative Cloud said I don't have a active license (which i do) and I cannot connect
to resolve the problem. The tech from Adobe said this was a Windows connectivity problem and I tend to agree. I
have a similar configuration at home and it works fine although it did not get the 127.0.0.1 proxy virus.

I want it to be clear that everything else appears to be working as expected. I have three browsers, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge
and they all connect to the Internet as expected. When the virus struck, it only caused Chrome to fail.
All the other browsers were ok. I have gone to several download sites and internet speed and strength sites and the computer
passes all the tests. It is only the abililty to connect with the Adobe servers through the Creative Cloud app that fails.

This is what I have done from the beginning of the problem (virus infection)
Ran numerous AV and malware programs
Restored the hosts file to its default state
Tried the Google 8.8.8.8 DNS fix
Turned the Windows Firewall and Windows defender AV programs completely off
Ran Windows diagnostics numerous times on the network connectivity and never got any results
Adobe tech support ran clean boot and safe mode boots
Removed the wifi router and hooked PC ethernet cable directly to Comcast modem
Reset the Comcast modem many times

None of the above things resolved the ability to connect with the Adobe server.

I received the following info from the Adobe tech support today and this may help anyone who can help
to tell me what to do:
"Use the following host/port combinations when logging in to the Adobe Application Manager with an Adobe ID to
download, install, and activate licensing for CC applications via a Creative Cloud membership.
*.adobe.com:443
*.adobelogin.com:443
In addition, the following host/port combinations are required to locate and download updates:
ccmdl.adobe.com:80
swupmf.adobe.com:80
swupdl.adobe.com:80"

I consider myself an intermediate computer user but I admit that I do not understand what all the port
stuff above means and what could have caused this. I suspect the registry is corrupted in some area
or the Windows socket software is corrupted and that is causing this problem. I might add that if the solution
is a long drawn out registry editing session, I am willing to do that. I have done it before with success.

Without a solution from you experts, I see only two possible solutions. I have an image I can restore that I made
before I lost the license info from Adobe as a result of the Adobe tech support efforts. This will enable me to keep using
the Adobe software for a while but without the ability to get the updates.
Right now, I only have demo rights to the Creative Cloud and those expire this Monday.
I could also do a Windows PC reset but I have never done one and I would like to know if all the Windows OS software will
be restored to factory conditions.

If you can help, please contact me. I have noticed that Major Geeks has many internet repair tools. Would one of these resolve my problem.

 

It could be something as simple as a hosts file entry. The hosts file can be configured to prevent any IP from being called, substituting 127.0.0.1 for the IP returned by DNS. Check C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc for any Adobe entries and just delete them. You may need to show hidden files and folders first and use Notepad to open the file.

Welcome to MG btw

 

That should read 'Check for the hosts file in C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc'

 

Thank you for your reply but I have gone through the hosts file several times and deleting Adobe entries and then resetting it to the original default condition. It did not resolve my problem. I continue to appreciate all the responses I have gotten on this issue and unless soemthing different comes along, I will have to reset my PC.

 

OK, but it would seem like there are still virus residues. Before resetting you could try the MG Malware Forum - noting the requirements of the top sticky.

 

Thank you for the link. I have run several anti-malware and anti-virus programs several times in their full scan mode and I did find boatloads of malware the first time but each time since then I have not found anything. I'll try the technique given in your link though. Some other malware forums talk about how the 127.0.0.1 can corrupt windows socket, DSN stack, etc even though you run all the anti-virus & malware programs. I intend to reset these after I try these techniques and then reset the PC if that all fails.

 

I tried everything in your post and I thank you for the info but unfortunately, these malware killers did not resolve my connectivity with the Adobe server. I did the quarantine or clean actions one at a time and rebooted after each to make sure I wasn't hurting my PC. I ended up doing a clean install since even going to an earlier (not early enough I suspect) image did not work. The clean install did resolve all the issues but I am in the midst of putting all my apps back on. Thanks again.

 

Sometimes it's the only sensible way, however disciplined you may be with your imaging.