TDSS malware I think

Hello Chaps - I have big problems with my PC. Last Sunday it appears that I acquired the TDSS virus/malware, and I've spend several nights trying to sort it out, with no success. The symptoms I have are:
- re-directs from google searches
- no access to certain security related sites
- spybot and AVG refusing to update

I've done as much research as I can and tried several things including:

- deleting registry entries for TDSS type entries (using find to find them !)
- trying to disable services (but I can't find any)
- trying to disable devices (but again I can't find any, hidden ot otherwise)

I can delete registry entries, but they always come back on a re-boot.

Other symptoms are:

- system restore gets to the screen where I hit next to restore, and just does nothing, just stays on that screen
- some software doesn't run (e.g. the Malwarebytes software, it appears on the process list, bit does nothing. Same thing for Spybot)
- can't install superantispy either

I was running AVG7.5. I've managed to get AVG 8 installed, but this hasn't helped.

Any clues to my next steps to sort this would be much appreciated.

 

Here is the Hijack log - should have posted this first time around - I'm a new boy I'm afraid !

• Edit by bjgarrick: Inline HJT log removed. READ & RUN ME FIRST sticky not followed.

​

 

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.

 

Thank you so much for pointing me at the instructions - should have done that first off - sorry. The instructions have been followed and appear to have finally resolved the issue.

The instructions are very clear and easy to follow and covered pretty much all the eventualities.

The logs are attached here as requested, as 2 zip files.

One comments and some questions if you don't mind:

- when running SAS, I not only had to rename the setup exe, I also had to rename the program exe as that was also being blocked.

- there are a few directories left on my machine - should I leave them for now of should they be removed ? (Qoobox, combofix, cmdcons, MGtools)

- I also spotted lots of TDSS entries in the registry - presumably these are there to prevent re-infection ?

Ta again,

Alfie

 

Pre-Instructions:

1. We need to disable Spybot S&D's TeaTimer, see this article on How to disable Spybot's TeaTimer
   [*]First, please disable any antivirus and/or antispy programs you have installed so they will not block this fix.
   
2. Print out these instructions or save them to a text file so that you can operate with All Browser Windows CLOSED.

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.

 

I've run the steps as requested. All appears to be OK now - what a relief!

2 logs attached as requested.

Once again, many thanks.

Are there any further steps needed ?

...Alfie

 

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!