Malware causing popups

Discussion in 'Malware Help - MG (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by carr, Nov 4, 2014.

  1. carr

    carr Private E-2

    Hi,

    I am suffering from a lot of pop-ups when using Firefox on my HP computer (Windows 8 64bit). I assume it's caused by malware, so I went through the steps described in this forum (up until the point where it should be fixed), but there was no improvement.

    All the steps were executed nicely, except that I wasn't able to download and execute MGTools from my c:/ root. It claimed I haven't got necessary permissions even though I am administrator. So I ran it from my desktop instead.
    All the logs produced are attached. At least MalwareBytes found something.

    I’d be very thankful for support in handling this infection. Please let me know if I can provide you with any additional information to make it easier.

    //carr
     

    Attached Files:

  2. dr.moriarty

    dr.moriarty Malware Super Sleuth Staff Member

    Welcome to MajorGeeks, carr

    Now shut down your protection software (antivirus, antispyware...etc) to avoid possible conflicts. *Re-enable them before physically reconnecting to your ISP.

    Using "Programs & Features" uninstall: (If you do not find it or it will not uninstall, just keep going.)
    Interenet Optimizer
    Java 7 Update 60

    Run C:\MGtools\analyse.exe by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista or Win 7, 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:
    • O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [uTorrent] "C:\Users\Tinka\AppData\Roaming\uTorrent\uTorrent.exe" /MINIMIZED
    • O20 - AppInit_DLLs: c:\progra~3\intere~1\intere~1.dll
    NOTE: Allowing uTorrent to autorun at startup is a security risk that I'm disabling.

    After clicking Fix, exit HJT.

    Please download OTM by Old Timer and save it to your Desktop.
    • Run OTM.exe by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista, Win7 or Win8, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator).
    • Copy the lines from the below codebox to the clipboard by highlighting ALL of them and pressing CTRL + C
      (or, after highlighting, right-click and choose Copy): Do not include the word Code: which is just a title line of
      the code box
    Code:
    :Files
    C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\LiveSupport\LiveSupport.lnk 
    C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\LiveSupport\Uninstall LiveSupport.lnk 
    C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\LiveSupport
    C:\Windows\TEMP\*.*
    C:\Users\Tinka\AppData\Local\Temp\*.*
    :Reg
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\windows nt\currentversion\windows]
    "AppInit_DLLs"=-
    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
    "uTorrent"=-
    [HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1050885930-947609458-2468654283-1002\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\run]
    "uTorrent"=-
    [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{EBFCF40E-A87B-463F-A782-55BDD4160B5E}]
    [-HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{EBFCF40E-A87B-463F-A782-55BDD4160B5E}]
    [-HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{EAF749DC-CD87-4B04-B22A-D4AC3FBCB2BC}]
    [-HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\Interface\{EAF749DC-CD87-4B04-B22A-D4AC3FBCB2BC}]
    [-HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\{1146AC44-2F03-4431-B4FD-889BC837521F}]
    [-HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\{3A7D3E19-1B79-4E4E-BD96-5467DA2C4EF0}]
    [-HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\{5F189DF5-2D05-472B-9091-84D9848AE48B}]
    [-HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\{6791A2F3-FC80-475C-A002-C014AF797E9C}]
    [-HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\{77D46E27-0E41-4478-87A6-AABE6FBCF252}]
    [-HKU\.DEFAULT\Software\AppDataLow\{1146AC44-2F03-4431-B4FD-889BC837521F}]
    [-HKU\S-1-5-18\Software\AppDataLow\{1146AC44-2F03-4431-B4FD-889BC837521F}]
    [-HKU\S-1-5-21-1050885930-947609458-2468654283-1002\Software\AppDataLow\{1146AC44-2F03-4431-B4FD-889BC837521F}]
    [-HKU\S-1-5-21-1050885930-947609458-2468654283-1002\Software\AppDataLow\{5F189DF5-2D05-472B-9091-84D9848AE48B}]
    :Commands
    [purity]
    [EmptyTemp]
    [start explorer]
    [Reboot]
    • Return to OTM, right click in the Paste List of Files/Folders to Move window (under the yellow bar) and choose Paste.
    • Now click the large http://forums.majorgeeks.com/chaslang/images/MoveIt!.png button.
    • If OTM asks to reboot your computer, allow it to do so. The report should appear in Notepad after the reboot.
    • Close OTM.
    Now navigate to the C:\_OTM\MovedFiles folder ( assuming your Windows drive is C). This is where your log will be
    saved in the form of Date and Time mmddyyyy_hhmmss.log. Just look for the most recent .log file. Attach
    this log file to your next message.

    Now please download Junkware Removal Tool to your desktop.
    • Make sure to shut down your protection software now to avoid potential conflicts.
    • Run the tool by double-clicking it. If you are using Windows Vista or Seven, right-mouse click it and select Run as Administrator.
    • The tool will open and start scanning your system.
    • Note: That JRT may reset your home page to a google default so you will need to restore your home page setting if this happens.
    • Please be patient as this can take a while to complete depending on your system's specifications.
    • On completion, a log (JRT.txt) is saved to your desktop and will automatically open.
    • Attach JRT.txt to your next message.

    Next download AdwCleaner by Xplode and save to your Desktop.
    • Double click on AdwCleaner.exe to run the tool.
      Vista/Windows 7/8 users right-click and select Run As Administrator
    • Click on the Scan button.
    • AdwCleaner will begin...be patient as the scan may take some time to complete.
    • When it's done you'll see: Pending: Please uncheck elements you don't want removed.
    • Now click on the Report button...a logfile (AdwCleaner[R#].txt) will open in Notepad for review (where the largest value of # represents the most recent report).
    • Look over the log especially under Files/Folders for any program you want to save.
    • If there's a program you may want to save, just uncheck it from AdwCleaner.
    • If you're not sure, post the log for review. (all items found are either adware/spyware/foistware)
    • If you're ready to clean it all up.....click the Clean button.
    • After rebooting, a logfile report (AdwCleaner[S0].txt) will open automatically.
    • Attach that logfile to your next reply.
    • A copy of all logfiles are saved in the C:\AdwCleaner folder which are created when running the tool.

    Now install the current version of Sun Java from:
    Make sure that when you install the new version of Java that you uncheck the Install the Ask Toolbar junkware checkbox. You do not want to add the stuff junk that most people consider malware to your PC. Also just in case Oracle changes the Java installation in the future to possible install other junk, uncheck all but just installing Java.

    Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista, Win7 or Win8, don't double click, use right click and select "Run As Administrator").

    Then attach the below logs:
    • the C:\_OTM\MovedFiles log
    • the JRT.TXT log
    • C:\MGlogs.zip
    • AdwCleaner[S#].txt
    Make sure you tell me how things are working now and if FireFox still has pop-ups.
     
  3. carr

    carr Private E-2

    I went through all the steps and the popups seem to have stopped spawning i.e. the computer now has no "symptoms" that I am aware of.

    I wasn't able to uninstall the Interenet Optimizer via the Control Panel, so just skipped it. Screenshot of error message attached.

    //carr
     

    Attached Files:

  4. dr.moriarty

    dr.moriarty Malware Super Sleuth Staff Member

    Ok - those logs look good.
    The only instance of it was taken care of by AdwCleaner.

    If you are not having any other malware problems, it is time to do our final steps:
    1. We recommend you keep Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for scanning/removal of malware. Unless you purchase it, it provide no protection. It do not use any significant amount of resources ( except a little disk space ) until you run a scan.
    2. Go back to step 6 of the READ ME and re-enable your Disk Emulation software with Defogger if you had disabled it.
    3. Any other miscellaneous tools we may have had you install or download can be uninstalled and deleted.
    4. If running Vista, Win 7/8 - it is time to make sure you have re-enabled 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. Go to 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.
    7. If you are running Win 7/8, 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.
    8. After doing the above, you should work through the below link:
    Safe surfing! http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj5/drmoriarty/Emoticons/char145.gif
     
  5. carr

    carr Private E-2

    Hi,

    Unfortunately, today when I started the computer it still had some issues when I was navigating to this site. There was only a reboot in between.

    It seems the popups that open in a separate window have disappeared, but the browser still opens ads in a new tab now and then (which would indicate there's something still unfixed?).

    What should I run to check this?

    //carr
     
  6. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    Hi there. You really ought to start a new thread in malware removal, and attach all of the requested logs. Thanks. :)

    After thought:
    Do you use an ad blocker? Which browser are you seeing ads in? Firefox alone, or Firefox and IE?
     
  7. carr

    carr Private E-2

    In Firefox, I have Adblock Plus (with Pop-up addon).

    I don't normally use IE but tested it and the ads don't seem to appear (at least not with a high frequency).

    On starting a new thread:
    I never performed the final steps (mentioned in dr. moriatry's post).

    Should I 1) do the final steps and then do the whole Malware Removal Guide
    OR 2) skip the final steps and start directly from step 5 in the Guide?

    //carr
     
  8. dr.moriarty

    dr.moriarty Malware Super Sleuth Staff Member

    carr

    For now - please delay following my instructions in post#4. Re-run all of the tools and attach a fresh set of logs in this thread, please.
     
  9. carr

    carr Private E-2

    Hi, I reran all the tools (logs in this and next post).

    I think AdwCleaner found and fixed something, but I am still getting pop-ups opening in new tabs.

    //carr
     

    Attached Files:

  10. carr

    carr Private E-2

    Rest of the logs:
     

    Attached Files:

  11. dr.moriarty

    dr.moriarty Malware Super Sleuth Staff Member

    You should NOT have two anti-virus programs installed - uninstall one of the below immediately:
    Ad-Aware Antivirus
    Windows Defender

    Uninstall Firefox using GeekUninstaller 1.3.2.41
    and then make sure the below folders have been deleted also:

    C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox
    C:\Users\Tinka\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla

    Please reboot then re-install the current version of Firefox:

    Mozilla Firefox 33.0.3 Final

    Did that clear the pop-ups?
     
  12. carr

    carr Private E-2

    OK, I didn't even realize I had two antivirus programs running.
    Followed your advice and now I am completely ad-free :) Many thanks!

    Should I run the final steps now?

    //carr
     
  13. dr.moriarty

    dr.moriarty Malware Super Sleuth Staff Member

    You're welcome, carr

    You can now complete the cleanup steps I gave in post#4.
     
  14. carr

    carr Private E-2

    Finished, and works like a charm.

    Once again, thanks for your help!

    //carr
     
  15. dr.moriarty

    dr.moriarty Malware Super Sleuth Staff Member

    :)

    You're welcome.
     

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