Spywareguard 2009 infection (contained)

Dear Major Attitude and others,

My system was recently infected with Spywareguard 2009. (System is XP, service pack 3, fully updated.) I used a clean machine to contact your forums, and read, and read, and read.

I have followed all recommended steps, in order. They were very successful.
In addition, I am in compliance with your requirements: No cracks, keygens, or other illegal programs are on my system; Javaware has been updated to the most current version, and I am running a normal startup. (I was using a selective startup; once I set a normal startup I simply turned off unwanted options in the programs themselves, as per your instructions.)

I disabled the browser redirect that Spywareguard installed as per forum instructions. The file that was responsible for the redirects was tdssserv.sys, and was located in the hidden drivers section on my system. Once I disabled (not unistalled) it, I was able to browse normally. This file was removed on one of my many scans; I did not manually delete it. I was able to halt Spywareguard processes and run my normal anti-virus (Kaspersky) and anti-malware progams (spywarebot, Adaware, and Windows Defender.) These removed the active portions of the program. (I also discovered that task manager had been programmed to an unexplained task every hour. The file it ran was removed when Kaspersky found it.)

Then I downloaded the programs recommended in your posts and ran them. Then I ran my anti-virus and anti spyware again, several times. My system currently rates as clean by every measure. The popups and warnings are gone, and, since I also downloaded a bunch of stuff from you and ran it, like defraggers, cleaners, and so on, my system is much faster than before the infection.

I have not downloaded combofix. I intend to do so upon being told to by you or another malware expert. (I have run Hijack this and contacted several of their forums. In each case I was told that the processes left on my system were normal, and safe.)

Notify me if you wish to see combofix logs, or if you have suggestions or advice for me.

Thanks for your time.

Joseph Bonnar.

 

http://www.majorgeeks.com/images/grenade.gifWelcome! to MajorGeeks.com!http://www.majorgeeks.com/images/grenade.gif

Please follow the instructions in the READ & RUN ME FIRST link given further down and attach the requested logs when you finish these instructions.

• If you have problems where no tools seem to run, please try following the steps given in the below and then continue on no matter what you find. You only need to try the TDSSserv steps if having problems getting scans in the Read & Run Me First.
  • TDSSserv Non-Plug & Play Driver Disable
• 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.

READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide


Helpful Notes:

1. 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 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
2. If you have problems downloading on the problem PC, download the tools and the manual updates for SUPERAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes and Spybot ( 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.
3. To avoid additional delay in getting a response, it is advised that after completing the READ & RUN ME you also read this sticky:
   • Don't Bump! It Only Hurts You!
4. 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.

 

The following logs are attached to this post:

Super Anti Spyware logs.
Malware Bytes logs.
Combofix logs.

The zip file from mgtools will be attached to the next reply.

Please note:
I am attaching logs as per the request. My system seems to be clean. Since I have no issues remaining other than minor cleanup, feel free to push me to the very bottom of your work queue.

Joseph Bonnar

 

The zip folder created by MGtools is included here.

 

Step 1:

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:

Again, make sure ALL browser windows are closed when you click FIX.​

Step 2:

Now we need to use ComboFix to remove a bunch of malware files.

• Make sure that combofix.exe that you downloaded while doing the READ & RUN ME is on your Desktop but Do not run it!
  • If it is not on your Desktop, the below will not work.
• Open Notepad and copy/paste the text in the below quote box into it:

• Save the above as CFscript.txt and make sure you save it to the same location (should be on your Desktop) as ComboFix.exe
• At this point, you MUST EXIT ALL BROWSERS NOW before continuing!
• You should have both the ComboFix.exe and CFScript.txt icons on your Desktop.
• Now use your mouse to drag CFscript.txt on top of ComboFix.exe
• Follow the prompts.
• When it finishes, a log will be produced named c:\combofix.txt
• I will ask for this log below

Note:

Do not mouseclick combofix's window while it is running. That may cause it to stall.​

Step 3:

Default Security Settings

To Default Security Settings:
For Internet Explorer 6 users:
Click Start > Run > type inetcpl.cpl and press ENTER, when Internet Properties comes up navigate to the Security Tab and click Default Level for the following:

• Internet
• Local Intranet
• Trusted Sites
• Restricted Sites.

Click OK to exit.

For Internet Explorer 7 users:
Click Start > Run > type inetcpl.cpl and press ENTER, when Internet Properties comes up, navigate to the Security Tab and simply click the "Reset all zones to default level" button. Click OK to exit.

NOTE: If it's "grey" then it's already at the default level.​

Step 4:

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.​

Step 5:

Finally, 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:\ComboFix.txt
• C:\MGlogs.zip

​

Let me know of any problems you may have encountered with the above instructions and also let me know how things are running now.

 

What is this D: drive for? What are these files?

 

There should be no D drive on this hard disk, my D drive is my CD Drive.

This concerns me. Please note that I ran all scans with a CDrom installed, but the ROM was merely used (from shrink wrap) to ferry over an update for my Kaspersky antivirus when I was unable to directly connect to the internet.

Final logs (attached) were run with no CD rom in the reader.

 

Let’s run ComboFix once more.

• Make sure that combofix.exe that you downloaded while doing the READ & RUN ME is on your Desktop but Do not run it!
  • If it is not on your Desktop, the below will not work.
• Open Notepad and copy/paste the text in the below quote box into it:

• Save the above as CFscript.txt and make sure you save it to the same location (should be on your Desktop) as ComboFix.exe
• At this point, you MUST EXIT ALL BROWSERS NOW before continuing!
• You should have both the ComboFix.exe and CFScript.txt icons on your Desktop.
• Now use your mouse to drag CFscript.txt on top of ComboFix.exe
• Follow the prompts.
• When it finishes, a log will be produced named c:\combofix.txt
• I will ask for this log below

Note:

Do not mouseclick combofix's window while it is running. That may cause it to stall.

Finally, 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:\ComboFix.txt
• C:\MGlogs.zip

Let me know of any problems you may have encountered with the above instructions and also let me know how things are running now.

 

All instructions were followed, I had no problems with running them. There seems to be a new version of combofix available; I did not download or use it as the one I was using was the one you recommended I download.

Logs are attached as requested.

Note: My system is running well right now. There are no issues with spyware, viruses, ransomware, or other forms of malware that I know of, other than what you have already helped me repair. My login time has dropped about 50%, this is due to removing (properly) unneeded and unwanted startup programs. Disk performance is highly improved, due to dumping unneeded programs and defragging.

Thank you for your help, I'm hoping that this is the last bit done.

Joe Bonnar

 

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

1. We recommend you keep SUPERAntiSpyware & Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for scanning/removal of malware. Unless you purchase them, they provide no protection. 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. If we had you run Avenger, you can delete all files related to Avenger now.
4. Any other miscellaneous tools we may have had you install or download can be uninstalled and deleted.
5. If we had you download any registry patches like fixme.reg or fixWLK.reg (or any others), you can delete these files now.
6. If running Vista, it is time to make sure you have re-enabled UAC by double clicking on the C:\MGtools\enableUAC.reg file and allowing it to be added to the registry.
7. Go to Add/Remove Programs and uninstall HijackThis.
8. You can delete the C:\MGtools folder and the C:\MGtools.exe file. You can also delete the C:\MGlogs.zip
9. If you are running Windows Vista, Windows XP or Windows ME, you need to follow the below:
   • Refer to the cleaning steps in the READ ME for your Windows 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.
10. After doing the above, you should work thru the below link:
    • How to Protect yourself from malware!

 

And done.

I appreciate your help. I have noticed a tremendous improvement in my computer response time, disk access seems much improved, login times are down by 50%. I will continue to monitor my system and keep it neat, tidy, and malware free.

As a side note, I got infected because I was using security steps that would have been good three years ago, but which are now outdated. I'm using suggestions from your site as well as other resources to improve my security and prevent further problems.

Joe Bonnar

 

You're Welcome!

Surf Safely!:major