Malware can't be removed; AVP not working

Jordan101 · May 1, 2009

Hello,

I'm the unofficial tech person at my company. That means that while not a tech person (in terms of qualifications or skills), I'm the most tech savvy person in the company and consequently, get the job of trying to fix all the computers.

Right now, I have a problem that is far beyond my limited skills. One of our people has a laptop that has either malware or a virus infecting it. Two symptoms are present: first, when using firefox web pages get redirected to advertising or to unrelated google searches; second, the machine seems more sluggish than usual.

I have tried to download anti-spyware software (e.g. Spy Sweeper, CounterSpy, MalwareBytes, Superantispyware, PC Doctor) and nothing works. In some cases such as Counterspy and PC Doctor, the executable will run but the program will not update (and thus, not allow for a scan). In other cases such as MalwareBytes, the executable simply will not run.

I have run a Trend Micro anti-virus scan. It seems to detect something but it crashes before the scan can complete. The same thing happens with Panda Activescan. Last night, I ran Panda Activescan for over 8 hours. When I woke up, the scan had frozen at the 52% point and had found 1 infected file, which it didn't appear to clean up.

Anyway, I'd really appreciate any help.

Best regards,
Jordan

chaslang · May 4, 2009

Welcome to Major Geeks!

Please follow the instructions in the READ & RUN ME FIRST link given futher down and attach the requested logs when you finish these instructions.

If you have problems where no tools seem to run, please try following the steps given in the below and then continue on no matter what you find. You only need to try the TDSSserv steps if having problems getting scans in the Read & Run Me First.

TDSSserv Non-Plug & Play Driver Disable

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.

READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide

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:

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:

Starting your computer in Safe mode

If you have problems downloading on the problem PC, download the tools and the manual updates for SUPERAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes and Spybot ( 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.

To avoid additional delay in getting a response, it is strongly advised that after completing the READ & RUN ME you also read this sticky:

Don't Bump! It Only Hurts You!!!

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.

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Malware can't be removed; AVP not working

Jordan101 Private E-2

chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member