Malware? -Slow Startup

Welcome to MGs!

Please read step 7 of the READ ME again. HJT logs must be posted from normal boot mode.
Also msconfig must not be used to control startups.

Before attaching a new HJT log you should uninstall Messenger Plus! 3 as recommended in step 0 of the READ ME. This is an undesirable program.

 

I was not referring too Messenger Plus 2. You have MessengerPlus3. See it in your HJT log. Are you sure it is not in Add/Remove programs?

Also are you aware that Ares contains malware?

You also appear to be running multiple antivirus applications. Did you read step 3 in the READ & RUN ME?

 

Those options have nothing to do with Windows Search. They only apply to Windows Explorer. For Windows XP search requires additional options to look for hidden or system files. For you education read the below link but don't waste any mode time searching for it now.

Searching for Hidden Files on WinXP

I'll look at your logs now.

 

Empty your Deleted Items folder for Outlook Express. You have a NetSky infection in there.

Your Sun Java version is out of date. You will need to get the new version installed and then delete the old. But don't do this until all malware has been fixed.

You still did not uninstall one of the two antivirus applications you are running. You have BitDefender 8 and Symantec running. Goto Add/Remove programs and uninstall one of them.

Note I did not tell you to uninstall MS Antispyware earlier. It is not an antivirus application.

You should also uninstall Ares which contains malware.

 

Make sure viewing of hidden files is enabled (per the tutorial).
Make sure you have uninstalled Ares (but I'm including it in the list below anyway).

Run HijackThis 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:
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {785CEAC8-4B9C-8E07-79EF-CC0D6466787F} - (no file)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [skip dupe upload 64] C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Bags Hide Skip Dupe\2 drv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [Windows] system.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ares] "C:\Program Files\Ares\Ares.exe" -h
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MessengerPlus3] "C:\Program Files\Messenger Plus! 3\MsgPlus1.exe" /WinStart
O9 - Extra button: Bonjour - {7F9DB11C-E358-4ca6-A83D-ACC663939424} - blank (file missing)

After clicking Fix, exit HJT.
Boot into safe mode and use Windows Explorer to delete (only delete exact matches nothing else):
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Bags Hide Skip Dupe <--- the whole folder
C:\Program Files\Messenger Plus! 3 <--- the whole folder
C:\windows\system32\system.exe
C:\Program Files\Ares
If you get an error when deleting a file. Right click on the file and check to see if the read only attribute is checked. If it is, uncheck it and try again. Other wise open Task Manager and kill the process if running then delete the file.

Now if running Win XP goto c:\windows\Prefetch and delete all files in this folder.
Now run Ccleaner (installed while running the READ ME FIRST).

Now we need to Reset Web Settings:

1. If you have an Internet Explorer icon on your Desktop, goto step 2. If not, skip to step 3.
2. Now 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. Then skip step 3.
3. 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.

Now reboot in normal mode and post a new HJT log.

Make sure you tell me how things are working now.

Reminder Note: Once we have determined you are malware free you will need to disable System Restore, reboot, and re-enable system restore per step 1 of the READ & RUN ME. This only applies to if using WinXP or WinMe.

 

The below items can be fixed with HJT since they are not really needed (note this is not malware - just unessential and a waste of resources):
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background


Other items you will have to determine whether you need them. Only you know what you need to use.

I'll tell you one other item I would definitely not allow to always load at startup:

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [areslite] "C:\Program Files\Ares Lite Edition\AresLite.exe" -h

 

Another item that is not necessary to load at startup is:

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Skype] "C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe" /nosplash /minimized

Just run it when you want to connect to them but there is no need for it to always be loaded.

 

You're welcome. If you are not having any other malware problems, it is time to go back to step 1 of the READ & RUN ME to Disable System Restore which will flush your Restore Points. Then reboot and enable System Restore to create a new clean Restore Point.

After that, you should work thru the below link:

How to Protect yourself from malware!