Major about.blank issue

I have been invaded by about.blank for the 2nd time and I can't get rid of it! The first time I was successful in getting rid of it using a couple spy ware programs and about.blank buddy. Not working this time! I have Trend Micro and Microsoft Anti Spyware running all the time and it got passed those and I have run Ad Aware, CWShredder, Hijack This, Reg Scrub, Remove about.blank buddy and Spybot. I also tried to change the internet explorer browser settings back through the Microsoft Spyware program and it won't let me change them. I went into regedit (and probably shouldn't have) and tried to change the registry but again it immediately reverts to about.blank and I am completely wore out!!! I just downloaded Foxfire as a browser just to be able to access the internet! Any suggestions? I am going to try to attach the hijack this file I got and yes about.blank would not allow this program to change or 'fix' it either!!! HELP!

Pam King

 

Your Operating System and Internet Explorer versions are WAY out of date and represent a major security risk. After we fix your current problems, you must get updated. You need to install Service Pack 2 for security purposes.

Please look in Add or Remove Programs for the following and Uninstall them if found:

SpyKiller

BestPopupKiller

SpyKiller is on a list of rogue AntiSpyware programs, see the site below for more information.
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm


Please boot into Safe Mode with the Viewing of Hidden Files & Folders Enabled


Now scan with HijackThis and Check the Boxes for the following:

Make sure All Browser Windows are Closed when you Click FIX.

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = about:blank
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.startsearches.net/bar.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = http://www.startsearches.net/

R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing

O2 - BHO: VMHomepage Class - {FFFFFFFF-FFFF-FFFF-FFFF-FFFFFFFFFFFF} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\hp644C.tmp

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SpyKiller] C:\Program Files\SpyKiller\spykiller.exe /startup
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [BestPopUpKiller] C:\Program Files\BestPopUpKiller\BestPopupKiller.exe /startup

O15 - Trusted Zone: *.awmdabest.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.frame.crazywinnings.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.instanetforms.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.transactiondesk.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.awmdabest.com (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.frame.crazywinnings.com (HKLM)

O16 - DPF: {4D7F48C0-CB49-4EA6-97D4-04F4EACC2F3B} (InstallShield Setup Player 2K2) - http://johnboy.instanetforms.com/inet5_doc/InstanetForms/ILOAD/RCO/setup.exe
O16 - DPF: {D8089245-3211-40F6-819B-9E5E92CD61A2} - https://register3.valueactive.com/237/webolr/OCX/FlashAX.cab

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

NOW:
Navigate to and DELETE the following if they should remain:

C:\Program Files\SpyKiller ←–– Delete this whole folder if it exist!

C:\Program Files\BestPopupKiller ←–– Delete this whole folder if it exist!

C:\WINDOWS\popuper.exe

C:\WINDOWS\System32\msole32.exe

C:\WINDOWS\System32\shnlog.exe

C:\WINDOWS\System32\intmonp.exe

C:\WINDOWS\System32\intmon.exe

C:\WINDOWS\System32\hp644C.tmp

NEXT:
Run CCleaner and Spybot S&D and have Spybot fix what it finds.
Note: Dont forget to update Spybot S&D by selecting "Search For Updates"

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

FINAL STEP

Reset Web Settings & Default Security 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.

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


To Default Security Settings:
Right click on your desktop Internet Explorer icon and select Properties. Then click the Security Tab and click Default Level for Internet, Local Intranet, Trusted Sites, and Restricted Sites.


After doing ALL of the above, Scan with HijackThis and attach the new log.

 

Wow! I think it's ok, I just hate to say that too soon!! Anyway, thanks for the help, you are great, it sure beats my 7 and 1/2 hours of agony trying to do it myself!

As long as I'm on a roll, one more thing....there's this yellow yield sign that keeps popping up on my bar and it's some darn thing from Microsoft with ads attached...can you tell me how to remove that?

I also attached the new log per your previous note.

Thanks again,
Pam King

 

Download Pocket KillBox
(Don't run it yet)

Please boot into Safe Mode with the Viewing of Hidden Files & Folders Enabled

Copy the contents of the Quote Box below to Notepad. Then click File and then Save As. Change the Save as Type to All Files. Name the file fix.reg and then click save. (make sure you save it somewhere you can find it. Saving it to your Desktop may make that easy.)

Double-click on the fix.reg file on your desktop (or locate it with Windows Explorer and double click on it if not saved to the Desktop) and when it prompts to merge, click YES!

Locate PocketKillbox

Now, Copy and Paste C:\WINDOWS\popuper.exe into the box – If it exists, it will show up in Blue. Check the option to Delete on Reboot and Click the Red X and Yes to the confirmation message. A message will ask if you want to reboot now – Click NO.

Now, Copy and Paste C:\WINDOWS\System32\msole32.exe into the box – If it exists, it will show up in Blue. Check the option to Delete on Reboot and Click the Red X and Yes to the confirmation message. A message will ask if you want to reboot now – Click NO.

Now, Copy and Paste C:\WINDOWS\System32\intmonp.exe into the box – If it exists, it will show up in Blue. Check the option to Delete on Reboot and Click the Red X and Yes to the confirmation message. A message will ask if you want to reboot now – Click YES.

Now, allow Killbox to reboot your system. After you have rebooted and windows has loaded. Scan with HJT and attach a fresh log.

 

Once again, thanks for allowing me to regain my sanity!! I wasn't able to do what you asked until today (re the regedit4) but I did have a little problem locating the files for the PocketKillbox. I ended up typing them in exactly as you had them for copy and paste, and then followed all your instructions and it appears my computer is once again MINE!!

Can't thank you enough....do you work off donations or what?? Would like to know how I can "repay" you for your services.

I have attached the new log, per your request. Again, Thanks.

Sincerely,
Pam King

ps: And I will be recommending your site to everyone I know!

 

Your Welcome!

Your HJT log is now clean, are you having any further problems?