Possible Malware/Spyware infection...windows damaged?

Nass · Dec 1, 2009

For about a week, my computer has been extremely messed up. I installed a small plugin for a program, and then everything went to poop. First firefox started getting all sorts of weird popups, then it wouldnt go to any sites I typed in, it would redirect to ridiculous things. Then explorer stopped responding, once Windows loaded everything would freeze. Nothing responds for a really long time. For example, if I click the Start button and walk away and come back 15 minutes later, it's open. It's really slow and frustrating. So I tried system file checker, it did nothing. Then I tried to get in safe mode, it worked, and I did a scan with both Norton 360 and Spybot, all of which found multiple malware and spyware, so I cleaned it up, restarted and still had the same problem. I tried to get back into safe mode, and the drivers loading would freeze at $sys$core. I got into windows normally, it loads spybot up to scan right away, so nothings on the screen but the blank background and spybots scan, and thats when I can use task manager to launch things like firefox or internet explorer, otherwise its slow and nonresponsive (thats what im on right now to send this.) I did the Checkdisk (chkdsk) command and it took about 2 hours and then I could get in safe mode again. Then I rebooted, and tried to get into safe mode again, and $sys$core was stuck again. I've done this cycle multiple times now, and its really frustrating. I did a HJT log and sent it to my phone so I could post it here, so let me know if you need it. I'd appreciate any help you guys could offer. Thanks.

- Ken

TimW · Dec 3, 2009

Welcome to Major Geeks!

Please read ALL of this message including the notes before doing anything.

Pleases 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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Possible Malware/Spyware infection...windows damaged?

Nass Private E-2

TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member