Please Help

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by Gewain, Dec 6, 2007.

  1. Gewain

    Gewain Private E-2

    Hi,
    This virus/malware/thing has been annoy my family for weeks now and being the most PC adept member of the household means that I have been charged with the task of getting rid of it.
    I have tried everything I know of and all the things suggested by knowledgable friends and the avast [the AV software we use] support staff.
    Please help me.

    Symptoms:

    A Pop-up which claims to be a "Windows Security Alert" and bears the following message:

    Warning! Potential Spyware Operation!

    Your computer is making unauthorized copies of your system and
    Internet files. Run full scan now to pervent any unathorised access
    to your files! Click YES to download spyware remover ...

    Finished off with "Yes" and "No" option buttons.


    The other effect is that if I try to open the control panel I get a restrictions notice that tells me to contact the systems administrator [which is me], this also stops me from turning off system restore.
    I get the same message when I log into the admin profile in safe mode.
     
    Gewain, Dec 6, 2007
    #1
  2. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    TimW, Dec 7, 2007
    #2
  3. Gewain

    Gewain Private E-2

    So sorry, I thought I had attached them. ah well here they are anyway.
     

    Attached Files:

    Gewain, Dec 7, 2007
    #3
  4. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Please use add/remove programs to uninstall:
    J2SE Development Kit 5.0 Update 10"
    J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 10"
    J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 11"
    Java 2 Runtime Environment, SE v1.4.2_03"
    Java(TM) 6 Update 2"
    Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment 6 Update 1

    Please disable all anti-virus and anti-spyware programs while we do the following:

    Run C:\MGtools\analyse.exe by double clicking on it. 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:
    NOTE: HJT may popup an error about the AppInit_DLLs line. Ignore it and click OK to continue.

    After clicking Fix, exit HJT.

    Now download The Avenger by Swandog469, and save it to your Desktop.

    * Extract avenger.exe from the Zip file and save it to your desktop
    * Run avenger.exe by double-clicking on it.
    * Check the 'Input script manually' box.
    * Click on the magnifying glass icon.
    * Copy everything in the Quote box below, and paste it in the box that opens:

    * Now click the 'Done' button.
    * Click on the traffic light icon and OK the prompt.
    * You will be prompted to restart, OK the prompt and your PC should reboot, if not, reboot it yourself.
    * A log file from Avenger will be produced at C:\avenger.txt

    Download the attached GetRunKeys.zip file into your I:\MGtools folder. Extract the GetRunKey.bat file from the ZIP file into the I:\MGtools folder thus overwriting the current version that is there.

    Now run the I:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it. Then attach the new I:\MGlogs.zip file that will be created by running this.
    ms.majorgeeks.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=76413&d=1195874724]GetRunKey.zip[/url]
     
    TimW, Dec 7, 2007
    #4
  5. Gewain

    Gewain Private E-2

    How can I get to Add/Remove Programs without the control panel?
    Also tried using appwiz.cpl in Run and got the restrictions notice again.
     
    Gewain, Dec 7, 2007
    #5
  6. Gewain

    Gewain Private E-2

    Ok, I used CCleaner instead of Add/Remove Programs, then I followed the rest of your instructions down to:

    Which I cannot do as there is no attachment that I can find.
     
    Gewain, Dec 8, 2007
    #6
  7. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Sorry about that ....lets try it again:
    Download the attached GetRunKeys.zip file into your I:\MGtools folder. Extract the GetRunKey.bat file from the ZIP file into the I:\MGtools folder thus overwriting the current version that is there.

    Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it. Then attach the new C:\MGlogs.zip file that will be created by running this.
    GetRunKey.zip
     
    TimW, Dec 8, 2007
    #7
  8. Gewain

    Gewain Private E-2

    Ok here we go.
     

    Attached Files:

    Gewain, Dec 8, 2007
    #8
  9. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Please disable all anti-virus and anti-spyware programs while we do the following:

    Run C:\MGtools\analyse.exe by double clicking on it. 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:
    NOTE: HJT may popup an error about the AppInit_DLLs line. Ignore it and click OK to continue.

    After clicking Fix, exit HJT.

    Now Copy the bold text below to notepad. Save it as fixME.reg to your desktop. Be sure the "Save as" type is set to "all files" Once you have saved it double click it and allow it to merge with the registry.
    Now download The Avenger by Swandog469, and save it to your Desktop.

    * Extract avenger.exe from the Zip file and save it to your desktop
    * Run avenger.exe by double-clicking on it.
    * Check the 'Input script manually' box.
    * Click on the magnifying glass icon.
    * Copy everything in the Quote box below, and paste it in the box that opens:

    * Now click the 'Done' button.
    * Click on the traffic light icon and OK the prompt.
    * You will be prompted to restart, OK the prompt and your PC should reboot, if not, reboot it yourself.
    * A log file from Avenger will be produced at C:\avenger.txt

    Please download ATF Cleaner by Atribune. This program does not require an installation. The executable actually runs the program.

    NOTE: This program is for Windows XP and Windows 2000 only. ATF Cleaner will remove all files from the items that are checked so if you have some cookies you'd like to save. Please move them to a different directory first.

    * Double-click ATF-Cleaner.exe to run the program.
    * Under Main choose: Select All
    * Click the Empty Selected button.

    If you use Firefox browser

    * Click Firefox at the top and choose: Select All
    * Click the Empty Selected button.
    o NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.

    If you use Opera browser

    * Click Opera at the top and choose: Select All
    * Click the Empty Selected button.
    o NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.

    Click Exit on the Main ATF Cleaner menu to close the program.

    Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it. Then attach the new C:\MGlogs.zip file that will be created by running this and also attach the log from Avenger.
     
    TimW, Dec 9, 2007
    #9
  10. Gewain

    Gewain Private E-2

    Latest logs attached and a quick question:
    is it right that I'm only doing these tasks in my own profile or should they be done in the other user profiles aswell or should they be done in the safe mode admin profile?
     

    Attached Files:

    Gewain, Dec 9, 2007
    #10
  11. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    You should be doing this in an administrator profile ...or in safe mode as an administrator.

    You also need to disable your security software as it seems to be blocking the fixes.

    Let's try again:
    Run C:\MGtools\analyse.exe by double clicking on it. 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:
    NOTE: HJT may popup an error about the AppInit_DLLs line. Ignore it and click OK to continue.

    After clicking Fix, exit HJT.

    Now Copy the bold text below to notepad. Save it as fixME.reg to your desktop. Be sure the "Save as" type is set to "all files" Once you have saved it double click it and allow it to merge with the registry.
    * Run avenger.exe by double-clicking on it.
    * Check the 'Input script manually' box.
    * Click on the magnifying glass icon.
    * Copy everything in the Quote box below, and paste it in the box that opens:
    * Now click the 'Done' button.
    * Click on the traffic light icon and OK the prompt.
    * You will be prompted to restart, OK the prompt and your PC should reboot, if not, reboot it yourself.
    * A log file from Avenger will be produced at C:\avenger.txt

    Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it. Then attach the new C:\MGlogs.zip file that will be created by running this and also attach the log from Avenger.
     
    TimW, Dec 10, 2007
    #11
  12. Gewain

    Gewain Private E-2

    Ok this was done in safe mode admin profile without networking so the security software did not even load.
     

    Attached Files:

    Gewain, Dec 10, 2007
    #12
  13. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    This is a particularly stubborn bit of malware......

    Let's try this again....in safe mode:

    Run C:\MGtools\analyse.exe by double clicking on it. 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:
    NOTE: HJT may popup an error about the AppInit_DLLs line. Ignore it and click OK to continue.

    After clicking Fix, exit HJT.

    Now Copy the bold text below to notepad. Save it as fixME.reg to your desktop. Be sure the "Save as" type is set to "all files" Once you have saved it double click it and allow it to merge with the registry.
    Now reboot into normal mode and:
    * Run avenger.exe by double-clicking on it.
    * Check the 'Input script manually' box.
    * Click on the magnifying glass icon.
    * Copy everything in the Quote box below, and paste it in the box that opens:
    * Now click the 'Done' button.
    * Click on the traffic light icon and OK the prompt.
    * You will be prompted to restart, OK the prompt and your PC should reboot, if not, reboot it yourself.
    * A log file from Avenger will be produced at C:\avenger.txt

    Now re-run ComboFix.

    Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it. Then attach the new C:\MGlogs.zip file that will be created by running this and also attach the log from Avenger and ComboFix.
     
    TimW, Dec 11, 2007
    #13
  14. Gewain

    Gewain Private E-2

    Ok a few problems arose this time:
    1. Running C:\MGtools\analyse.exe did not bring up the line below
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [owymfqwj] C:\hmdvdoph.bat

    2. On double clicking fixME.reg to merge it with the registry a message appeared to tell me that "Registry editing has been disabled by the Administrator.".

    3. When avenger.exe rebooted the PC another message came up to say that it could not create file avenger.txt .
     

    Attached Files:

    Gewain, Dec 12, 2007
    #14
  15. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Well this is just rude!!

    Let's try this again after booting into safe mode:
    Please disable all anti-virus and anti-spyware programs while we do the following:

    Run C:\MGtools\analyse.exe by double clicking on it. 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:
    NOTE: HJT may popup an error about the AppInit_DLLs line. Ignore it and click OK to continue.

    After clicking Fix, exit HJT.

    Now Copy the bold text below to notepad. Save it as fixME.reg to your desktop. Be sure the "Save as" type is set to "all files" Once you have saved it double click it and allow it to merge with the registry.
    * Run avenger.exe by double-clicking on it.
    * Check the 'Input script manually' box.
    * Click on the magnifying glass icon.
    * Copy everything in the Quote box below, and paste it in the box that opens:

    * Now click the 'Done' button.
    * Click on the traffic light icon and OK the prompt.
    * You will be prompted to restart, OK the prompt and your PC should reboot, if not, reboot it yourself.
    * A log file from Avenger will be produced at C:\avenger.txt

    Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it. Then attach the new C:\MGlogs.zip file that will be created by running this and also attach the log from Avenger.
     
    TimW, Dec 12, 2007
    #15
  16. Gewain

    Gewain Private E-2

    Latest Status:

    analyse.exe ran to plan.

    fixME.reg caused message "Registry editing has been disabled by your administrator."

    avenger.exe
    ran as you instructed except I told it to delete setings.exe from each of the user profiles. the log complained that C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup was a folder not a file and therefore could not be deleted, so I ran avenger a second time with the same settings as the first except changing the "offensive" line to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\startup.exe the log this second run produced is the one that is attached.

    GetLogs.bat ran but also caused the same message as fixME.reg

    Also now whenever the PC starts [no matter mode nor profile] the following message appears:
    Windows cannot find 'C:\WINDOWS\system32\msanton.exe'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file go to the Start Menu and select Search.

    Finally while I was in Safe Mode Administrator profile I noticed the following "user profile"-like folders:
    Default User
    gbzzWNILtsW
    Owner
     

    Attached Files:

    Gewain, Dec 12, 2007
    #16
  17. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Both profiles were created aug. 2004
    gbzzWNILtsW
    gbzzWNILtsW.CAPABILITY
    Delete them if you wish.

    What are these:
    C:\Program Files\pticbenf.txt
    C:\Fix the Fiend
    C:\wally
    If you don't know, delete them.

    Let's try this again after booting into safe mode as adninistrator:
    Please disable all anti-virus and anti-spyware programs while we do the following:

    Run C:\MGtools\analyse.exe by double clicking on it. 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:
    Then use windows explorer to see if this still exists:
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\msanton.exe

    Reboot into normal mode and run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it. Then attach the new C:\MGlogs.zip file that will be created by running this.
     
    TimW, Dec 12, 2007
    #17
  18. Gewain

    Gewain Private E-2

    I deleted the profiles.

    I also removed the .txt file and wally [even though I know what wally is, a program for creating custom sprays in TFC, I never really figured out how to use it], I have kept Fix the Fiend as it is the folder I created sor the software I d/led from here [that didn't need to go in a specific place] eg. spybot and combofix.

    I ran analyse.exe and fixed "F2 - REG..." but "O7 - HKCU..." and "O7 - HKLM..." did not come up on the list.

    Using explorer I found that msanton no longer exists, he says with the glee of someone who hopes that msanton.exe was the cause of his pc problems.
     

    Attached Files:

    Gewain, Dec 13, 2007
    #18
  19. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    One last time ( he says with fingers crossed):

    Please disable all anti-virus and anti-spyware programs while we do the following:

    Run C:\MGtools\analyse.exe by double clicking on it. 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:
    NOTE: HJT may popup an error about the AppInit_DLLs line. Ignore it and click OK to continue.

    After clicking Fix, exit HJT.

    Now Copy the bold text below to notepad. Save it as fixME.reg to your desktop. Be sure the "Save as" type is set to "all files" Once you have saved it double click it and allow it to merge with the registry.
    Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it. Then attach the new C:\MGlogs.zip file that will be created by running this.
     
    TimW, Dec 13, 2007
    #19
  20. Gewain

    Gewain Private E-2

    hi,
    ran analyse.exe no sign of froody or timoty.exe,
    fixME.reg worked fine.
     

    Attached Files:

    Gewain, Dec 14, 2007
    #20
  21. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Sweet....Your logs look clean.

    If you are not having any other malware problems, it is time to do our final steps:

    1. If we used Pocket Killbox during your cleanup, do the below
    * Run Pocket Killbox and select File, Cleanup, Delete All Backups
    2. If we used ComboFix, you can delete the ComboFix.exe file, C:\ComboFix folder, C:\QooBox folder, C:\WINDOWS\nircmd.exe, C:\combofix.txt and C:\ComboFix-quarantined-files.txt logs that was created.
    3. If we user SDFix you can delete all the SDFix related files and folders from your Desktop or whereever you installed it.
    4. If we used SmitFraudFix, you can delete all files and folders related to it now including the c:\rapport.txt log.
    5. If we used VundoFix, you can delete the VundoFix.exe file and the C:\VundoFix Backups folder and C:\vundofix.txt log that was created.
    6. If we had your run FixWareOut, you can delete the Fixwareout.exe file and the C:\fixwareout folder.
    7. If we had you run Avenger, you can delete all files related to Avenger now.
    8. If we had you download any registry patches like fixme.reg or fixWLK.reg (or any others), you can delete these files now.
    9. You can delete the C:\MGtools folder and the C:\MGtools.exe file. You can also delete C:\MGlogs.zip
    10. If you are running Windows XP or Windows ME, do the below:
    * go back to step 8 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.

    9. After doing the above, you should work thru the below link:
    * How to Protect yourself from malware!
     
    TimW, Dec 14, 2007
    #21
  22. Gewain

    Gewain Private E-2

    Wonderful Thankyou and Merry Christmas.
     
    Gewain, Dec 14, 2007
    #22
  23. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    You are quite welcome...safe surfing!! :)
     
    TimW, Dec 14, 2007
    #23
  24. Gewain

    Gewain Private E-2

    Drat.

    It seems we're not out of the woods yet; I tried to disable system restore but I got the restrictions notice again.
     
    Gewain, Dec 14, 2007
    #24
  25. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Was this on the same user account? Attach a new MGLogs.zip ....also run ComboFix again. We may need to do an online scan ...but let me look at the logs first.
     
    TimW, Dec 14, 2007
    #25
  26. Gewain

    Gewain Private E-2

    sorry, I had to d/l the programs again.
     

    Attached Files:

    Gewain, Dec 14, 2007
    #26
  27. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Yup....it's back....are you on a different user account? We need to search for this in all accounts. So when we finish this fix, I want you to search for: C:\WINDOWS\system32\timoty.exe

    Now:
    Please disable all anti-virus and anti-spyware programs while we do the following:

    Run C:\MGtools\analyse.exe by double clicking on it. 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:
    NOTE: HJT may popup an error about the AppInit_DLLs line. Ignore it and click OK to continue.

    After clicking Fix, exit HJT.

    Now Copy the bold text below to notepad. Save it as fixME.reg to your desktop. Be sure the "Save as" type is set to "all files" Once you have saved it double click it and allow it to merge with the registry.
     
    TimW, Dec 14, 2007
    #27
  28. Gewain

    Gewain Private E-2

    now I'm confused because I was just coming back on here to tell you not to worry; it seems to have fixed itself, even the control panel is back.
     
    Gewain, Dec 14, 2007
    #28
  29. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Are you sure? Have you done a search for the file? Are you still getting pop ups about permisssions?
     
    TimW, Dec 14, 2007
    #29

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