Spyware/Trojan/Pop-Ups got me locked-up!

Hello this is the first time I have had any real spyware/virus trouble and seeking assistance.

I have looked at all the Read Me steps, but my computer will not let me follow any of them. I am running Windows 2000.

Upon start up in "normal mode" I get the following:

a) screen with no icons on desktop
b) icons on desktop but when you move mouse pointer down towards start button the hour glass is locked up
c) icons on desktop but multiple Prrogram Error messages (OSA.exe, AcroTray.exe, exp.exe, backWeb-8876480.exe, THNALL~1.exe) which say:

"xxx.exe has generated errors and will be closed by Windows. You will need to restart the program. An error log is being created."

If I attempt to run Ad-Aware, Spybot, etc. I get a similar xxx.exe message.

Some times ZoneAlarm will start up and when it does I get DrWatson Fatal Error messages, which indicate Windows 2000 returned error code = 87. The parameter is incorrect.

Then a series of pop-up ads for various.

A program called WareOut appeared on my desktop and usually tries to start scanning. During this attempt to scan, it actually finished scanning and found 1082 items. Unfortunately, I cannot save the log file. It gives me an error. A few items I see are:

Run HKLM: surfsidekick 3 (C:\Program Files\SurfSideKick 3\Ssk.exe)
Run HKLM: richup (C:\WINNT\System32\richup.exe)
Run HKLM: system service62 (C:\WINT\System32\pokapoka62.exe)

In addtion, WinFixer 2005 actually performed a scan and detected 3460 Severe System Threats.

Most of the time, if I am lucky, I can use one of the open IE pop-up ad windows and slowly crawl to a web-site, such as Majorgeeks, where I was able to download HijackThis.

I am unable to do anything booting in "safe mode" or "safe mode with networking support".

So, in closing I have attempted to follow all the initial steps, but am at a loss.

Any help that could be provided would be extremely helpful.

 

Please follow standard cleanup procedures as given below:

- Run ALL the steps in this Sticky thread READ ME FIRST BEFORE ASKING FOR SUPPORT: Basic Spyware, Trojan And Virus Removal

Make sure you check version numbers and get all updates.

- Very Important: Make sure you tell us the results from running the tutorial...was anything found? Were you unable to complete any of the scans?...Were you unable to download any of the tools?...Did you do the on-line scans as suggested? etc.


After doing ALL of the above and you still have a problem, make sure you have booted to normal mode and run the steps below:



http://www.majorgeeks.com/images/grenade.gif Download HijackThis 1.99.1

http://www.majorgeeks.com/images/grenade.gif Unzip the hijackthis.exe file to a folder you create named C:\Program Files\HJT

http://www.majorgeeks.com/images/grenade.gif 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 ZIP file as your backups will not be safely stored.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/images/grenade.gifBefore running HijackThis: You must close each of the following:your web browser, e-mail client, instant messenger, and programs like notepad, wordpad, MS Word etc. And any other unnecessary running programs.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/images/grenade.gifRun HijackThis and save your log file.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/images/grenade.gif Post your log as an ATTACHMENT to your next post. (Do NOT copy/paste the log into your post as it will be removed).

http://www.majorgeeks.com/images/grenade.gifNeed help with HJT? See this thread: NO HIJACK THIS LOG FILES BEFORE READING THIS: HJT Tutorial & LOG File Posting

 

BJGarrick:

Thanks for the reply. I have attempted to perform all the required Read Me steps, however am unable due to my computer's problem.

Next, I copied the HijackThis.exe file from a flash drive to my C:\Program Files\HJT folder. No luck. Trying to execute the file results in the following Program Error message:

"HijackThis.exe has generated errors and will be closed by Windows. You will need to restart the program. An error log is being created."

Any direction to proceed?

Thanks.

 

Download this trial version of Ewido Security Suite

• Install ewido security suite
• Launch ewido, there should be an icon on your desktop double-click it.
• The program will have a window come up. One of the buttons on the left is to Update. Click the Update button.and then Start the Update. The update will start and a progress bar will show the updates being installed.
• After it completes the update, click the Scanner button

Now exit Ewido. Now print the below instructions or save them locally because I want you do have no browsers opened and also have no connection to the internet (unplug your cable) while doing the below.

Okay, reboot into safe mode and follow the steps below. (If you have any problems at all trying to get into safe mode to complete these steps, just run them in normal boot mode and make sure you tell me when you come back.)

Open up Ewido and do the following:

• Click on Scanner
• Then click Settings
• Under What to Scan? Select Scan every file
• Then click OK
• Click on Complete System Scan and the scan will start.
• Let the program scan the machine

While the scan is in progress you will be prompted to clean files that are infected. Leave the defaults selections (to Remove and backup) and click OK. To save yourself some time, you can select Perform action with all infections and then click OK. With the option to scan every file, a lot of cookies will be removed.

Once the scan has completed, there will be a button located on the bottom of the screen named Save report

• Click Save report
• Save the report to your desktop or anyplace you will be able to find it to upload here.

Reboot into normal mode and reconnect to the internet.

Come back here and post the Ewido Scan Report along with a fresh HJT log.

 

BJGarrick:

Thanks for the reply. I had previously downloaded some of the tools, such as: Ad-Aware, Ewido, CWShredder, CleanUp, Spybot, etc. I am attempting to install ewido. No luck. Trying to execute the file results in the first install screen followed by the following Program Error message:

"ewido-setup.exe has generated errors and will be closed by Windows. You will need to restart the program. An error log is being created."

Then the following Program Error message:

"secserv.exe has generated errors and will be closed by Windows. You will need to restart the program. An error log is being created."

The hour glass locks up after that point.

Any direction to proceed?

Thanks.

 

Download the following two files, create a folder on your desktop, call it TSC. Save these 2 files there!

Sysclean Package

Pattern.zip

Once you have these downloaded into the folder you just created, REBOOT INTO SAFE MODE!

Once in Safe Mode double click the file sysclean.com. When the system cleaner loads, click SCAN to start the scanner.

After you complete the scan reboot and see if you can now run Ewido and HJT.