Please Help. QuicKetaSearch.com problem

Hi, My home page has been hijacked by QuickMetasearch.com. I have tried the steps recommended by Major Attitude in his "Try this first" thread. Unfortunately, this did not work. I am particularly worried now because the QuickMetasearch.com page occassionally displays pornographic images and I don't want my children exposed to this.

Please help. I have downloaded the latest version of HijackThis and can send you the logs.

Thanks.

 

Make sure you have HijackThis 1.99.1 and follow the guidelines on where to install it and how to post a log as an attachment. This is all covered in the sticky thread NO HIJACK THIS LOG FILES BEFORE READING THIS: HJT Tutorial & LOG File Posting

Now post a HijackThis log as an attachment to your message (Do not post the log inline). All running programs should be closed, including your web browser and e-mail. Please close these before running Hijack This!

To repeat: Do NOT run Hijack This from the Desktop, a temp folder, or a sub-folder of C:\Documents and Settings, or choose to run it directly from the downloaded ZIP file. Place it in its own folder, for example C:\Program Files\HJT


We are very busy here at MajorGeeks.Com PhilliePhan, Chaslang or myself with check back when time permits.!

 

Thanks bjgarrick,

I did not have version 1.99.1, but have since downloaded it and ran it to create a new log file. I tied to attach the log file to this message, but when I went to Go Advanced and then clicked on Manage Attachments... nothing happened. I was expecting some sort of dialog to pop up where I would browse for and attach the log file. Have I done something wrong? Has anyone else reported this problem? Are there any other ways for me to attach the file?

 

Try to attach it again as an attachment using the "Manage Attachments" button. If you can not sucessfully do this then post the log inline and I will have a mod convert it for you.

 

Bjgarrick,

Again, Thanks. I was still unable to use the manage attachments button, so I have attached the log file inline, as instructed.

---------------

 

The first thing I notice is that your Operating System is WAY out dated. After we complete the cleaning process I would recommend you updating to at LEAST Windows XP Service Pack1a.

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


PanicWare

STHomePage

STLinks


Please print out these instructions so that you can operate with All Browser Windows CLOSED.

Please make sure System Restore is OFF and the Viewing of Hidden Files & Folders is Enabled as per the tutorial.


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 = http://www.dellnet.com

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://quickmetasearch.com/?said=acc0001_ho
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://quickmetasearch.com/?said=acc0001_ho

O2 - BHO: HomePageCtrl Class - {1B9CB0F8-118B-49C1-956D-B703E976F8E3} - C:\Program Files\STHomePage\STHomePage2.dll
O2 - BHO: TChkBHO Class - {698BDD6E-C8A4-4465-BE11-DAF2FE0B1575} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\dlqlqwdm.dll
O2 - BHO: STLinksCtrl Class - {B54BFA47-D897-49CA-9657-05EC9F80A32B} -C:\Program Files\STLinks\STLinks2.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {D714A94F-123A-45CC-8F03-040BCAF82AD6} - C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files\SbCIe028.dll

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Service] C:\WINDOWS\System32\prvdi.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Windows Service] C:\WINDOWS\System32\prvdi.exe

O9 - Extra button: SideStep - {3E230861-5C87-11D3-A1C6-00105A1B41B8} -C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files\SbCIe028.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {869EE607-5376-486d-8DAC-EDC8E239AD5F} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\c_10230.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {869EE607-5376-486d-8DAC-EDC8E239AD5F} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\c_10230.dll (HKCU)

O16 - DPF: {640B39C1-D713-464F-92C3-75BD972B95EE} - http://download.sidestep.com/get/k00719/sb028.cab


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



NOW:
Please boot into Safe Mode with the Viewing of Hidden Files & Folders Enabled and navigate to and DELETE the following if they should remain:


C:\Program Files\STHomePage <--- Delete Whole Folder!

C:\Program Files\STLinks <--- Delete Whole Folder!

C:\Program Files\PanicWare <--- Delete Whole Folder!

C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\dlqlqwdm.dll

C:\WINDOWS\System32\prvdi.exe

C:\WINDOWS\System32\c_10230.dll

C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files\SbCIe028.dll


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 , Scan with HijackThis and attach the new log.
Let me know of any problems you may have encountered with the above instructions and also let me know how things are running now.

Good Luck!

 

Re: Please Help. QuickMetaSearch.com problem

OK, Went through all the steps and thus far things look ok. I am attaching a copy of the latest hijack this log (inline, once again, the button for manage attachments doesn't work for me)

Some items of note as I was going through all of the steps.

1. First went into Add or Remove Programs and sought to uninstall the three items you mentioned. (Panicware, ST HomePage and STLinks). I uninstalled PANICWARE, could not find the other 2.

2. After running hijackthis to perform fixes, I could not find "02 - BHO: HomePageCtrl Class - {1B9CB0F8-118B-49C1-956D-B703E976F8E3} - C:\Program Files\STHomePage\STHomePage2.dll

I "fixed" all of the other items that you pointed out

3. After fixing, I booted in safe mode and deleted the PanicWare and STLinks folders. I could not find the STHomePage folder. Also, I could not find dlqlqwdm.dll, prvdi.exe, or SbCle028.dll. I did find and delete c_10230.dll

4. Next, I ran CC cleaner and then Spybot Search and Destroy. S&D found one problem, I think it was called SPEX. I removed it.

5. Ran Cleanmgr, rebooted to normal mode and ran hijack this... see log below... Please let me know if you see anything of concern.

Thanks for your help.

----------------
Edit by chaslang: Inline log attached.

 

Log is clean! Are you currently experiencing any problems?

Again let me point out that your Operating System is WAY out dated. This is one of your main problems, your not protected when your browse. You need to install Windows XP Service Pack 2 to ensure protection while browsing.


Lets do this to assure you settings are normal as malware will set these to LOW so it can install things without your knowledge.


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.

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.

 

Alright, my logs are clean. Thats music to my ears. I just took the steps to ensure that my internet security settings are set to default levels. Now, on to updating to SP2.

You guys are great. thanks for the help

 

Your Welcome!

You should see this article on How to Protect yourself from malware!