Malware problem (Personal Protector)

Buxton · Dec 11, 2009

I have the Personal Protector virus, but this version seems much worse than the others I have read about on various websites.

I can not restart my computer in safe mode.

I am unable to manually delete the files causing this because my task bar is disabled. I tried enabling the task bar by selecting Run -> REG add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentV… /v DisableTaskMgr /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f, but the virus closes any program I try to open except web browsers.

The one or two times I was able to delete the Personal Protector folder (the program became unresponsive and I was able to delete), it just installed itself a few seconds later.

Also, after restarting, my desktop appears normal for a few seconds. Then everything disappears and the wallpaper is replaced with a red background.

Is there anything I can do to fix this?

Buxton · Dec 11, 2009

Nevermind. I think I got it.

I used another computer on my network to rename the two folders containing the viruses (C:\Program Files\Personal Protector and C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Microsoft PData).

I quickly shut down the computer before the virus reinstalled itself.

When I turned the computer back on, Personal Protector and inetprovider.dll did not start automatically, and I was able to delete them.

There were still remnants left over, but at least I was able to run anti-virus software this time around.

dr.moriarty · Dec 13, 2009

Thanks for letting us know your progress, Buxton. Should you need our assistance with removing all remnants of the infection:

Please follow the instructions in the below link:

READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide

and attach the requested logs when you finish these instructions.

**** 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. MGtools will frequently run even when all other tools will not.

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 and Malwarebytes ( 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.

If you cannot seem to login to an infected user account, try using a different user account (if you have one) in either normal or safe boot mode and running only SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes while logged into this other user account. Then reboot and see if you can log into the problem user account. If you can then run SUPERAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes, ComboFix and MGtools on the infected account as requested in the instructions.

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 problem (Personal Protector)

Buxton Private E-2

Buxton Private E-2

dr.moriarty Malware Super Sleuth Staff Member