Problems while trying to follow Read & Run Me First

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by dyachanin, May 25, 2009.

  1. dyachanin

    dyachanin Private E-2

    OK, I need help and I'm hoping this is the correct way to do so. A laptop I'm working with appears to be infected with Vundo.H. In trying to eradicate it, I was following procedures listed in the Read & Run Me First forum, but can only get so far before things "stop working". I'll gladly provide whatever information is necessary to let you know where I am in the process.
     
    dyachanin, May 25, 2009
    #1
  2. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    What stops working? 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.You can also try renaming them.

    Do you have a problem running MGTools.exe?
     
    TimW, May 27, 2009
    #2
  3. dyachanin

    dyachanin Private E-2

    Since the notebook was able to boot in Normal Mode, I attempted to run all procedures that way, since that’s what the R&RMF guidance directed. I guess I wasn’t smart enough to try Safe Mode once I got hung up. Here’s what happened:

    In Normal Mode:
    All pre-Cleaning procedures executed successfully (notebook is running XP Home SP3).
    Downloads had to be executed on another computer since internet was hosed on the target machine, but all files were successfully copied over.
    SuperAntiSpyware found a few infected items and seemed to successfully remove them.
    MalwareBytes found 4 Vundo.H infected items and prompted for a reboot to complete the cleanup. The reboot didn’t delete anything. However, I moved forward.
    ComboFix appeared to start execution. A small file extraction-like window popped-up, followed by a blue colored window. However, after 10+ minutes of no activity, I rebooted and wrote to the forum.

    In Safe Mode (tonight):
    I tried to re-run the MalwareBytes process. Same files found, for which the subsequent reboot still did nothing.
    ComboFix seemed to work correctly this time until just before it was supposed to generate the log. It prompted for an auto-reboot which I allowed it to do. However, when it rebooted I allowed it to come up in Normal Mode (the prompt said not to do a reboot manually so I let it do its thing with no intervention). Another blue colored window popped-up, but after 15+ minutes of no activity, I rebooted (I’m really not that impatient).

    Now that I was back in Normal Mode:
    I executed MGTools which ran to completion.
    For one last try, I re-ran MalwareBytes. The Vundo.H items were gone (I noticed one of the files cleaned out by ComboFix), but it found 3 more items infected with BHO.H. These, however, appeared to be cleaned successfully.

    I tried accessing the internet on the target machine and was successful. I’m cautiously optimistic but it appears at least the major issue is fixed.

    My question now is whether I need to re-run ComboFix or anything else to make sure it’s “clean”.
    Lastly, do you recommend any particular combination of applications that will assist my friend’s daughter in keeping unwanted junk off her system?
     

    Attached Files:

    dyachanin, May 29, 2009
    #3
  4. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Please disable all anti-virus and anti-spyware programs while we do the following (re-enable when you are finished):

    Run C:\MGtools\analyse.exe by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator). 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:
    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.
    * -Do not change any check box options!!
    * Copy everything in the Quote box below, and paste it into the Input script here: part of the window:


    * Now click the Execute button.
    * Click Yes to the prompt to confirm you want to execute.
    * Click Yes to the Reboot now? question that will appear when Avenger finishes running.
    * Your PC should reboot, if not, reboot it yourself.
    * A log file from Avenger will be produced at C:\avenger.txt and it will popup for you to view when you login after reboot.
    -
    Now run Ccleaner to clean out only temp files and nothing else!

    Now run the C:\MGtools\GetLogs.bat file by double clicking on it (Note: if using Vista, don't double click, use right click and select Run As Administrator).

    Then attach the below logs:

    * C:\Avenger.txt
    * C:\MGlogs.zip

    Make sure you tell me how things are working now!
     
    TimW, May 31, 2009
    #4
  5. dyachanin

    dyachanin Private E-2

    I ran C:\MGtools\analyse.exe, but the line I was supposed to check did not exist. I pasted the quote as directed and ran Avenger. Upon completion, the notebook sucessfully rebooted. I'm attaching the resultant logs as requested.

    The notebook seems to be running just fine. Automatic security notifications are coming in from Microsoft again and IE connects without issue. The sun is shining, the birds are singing and all seems right again with the world!

    Thanks, Tim

    P.S. - Any specific threads you'd recommend for anti-ware packages Anna should use to surf safely?
     

    Attached Files:

    dyachanin, Jun 3, 2009
    #5
  6. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Sweet.....your logs are clean. If you are not having any other malware problems, it is time to do our final steps:

    1. We recommed you keep SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for scanning/removal of malware. Unless you purchase them, they provide no real time protection. They are useful as backup scanners. They do not use any significant amount of resources ( except a little disk space ) until you run a scan.
    2. If we had you use ComboFix, uninstall ComboFix (This uninstall will only work as written if you installed ComboFix on your Desktop like we requested.)
      • Click START then RUN and enter the below into the run box and then click OK. Note the quotes are required
      • "%userprofile%\Desktop\combofix" /u
        • Notes: The space between the combofix" and the /u, it must be there.
        • This will uninstall ComboFix and also reset hidden files and folders settings back to Windows defaults.

      • Delete the C:\combofix folder from combofix (if it exists)

    3. Any other miscellaneous tools we may have had you install or download can be uninstalled and deleted.
    4. If running Vista, it is time to make sure you have reenabled UAC by double clicking on the C:\MGtools\enableUAC.reg file and allowing it to be added to the registry.
    5. Go to add/remove programs and uninstall HijackThis.
    6. You can delete the C:\MGtools folder and the C:\MGtools.exe file. You can also delete the C:\MGlogs.zip
    7. If you are running Vista, Windows XP or Windows ME, do the below:
      • Refer to the cleaning steps in the READ ME for your Window version and see the steps to Disable System Restore which will flush your Restore Points.
      • Then reboot and Enable System Restore to create a new clean Restore Point.

    8. After doing the above, you should work thru the below link:

     
    TimW, Jun 5, 2009
    #6
  7. dyachanin

    dyachanin Private E-2

    Everything still seems fine. I've completed al the final steps. However, one item had me somewhat concerned. The C:\Combofix folder had the same icon as the My Computer item (rather than a standard folder icon). When I opened it, the contents appeared to be identical to opening My Computer. It wasn't until I did a Properties that it came back indicating it was a folder. A bit scary thinking you're going to delete My Computer!

    Thanks again for everything!!
    David
     
    dyachanin, Jun 6, 2009
    #7
  8. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    You are most welcome. Safe surfing. :)
     
    TimW, Jun 8, 2009
    #8

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