TDSSserv won't die!

Mablung · Jan 17, 2009

Recently I found that I had a browser hijacker which was making real-looking google search results link to random ad sites. Searching around, I found that someone had a similar problem, and when I ran an Ad-aware Scan, I got the same results as he had. Following a bunch of instructions which all led to a Malwarebytes search I found nothing. Soon after I found that it was a program called TDSSserv. I disabled the driver, uninstalled and re-installed Malwarebytes as told, and the same nothing came up. Looking for another solution online, I was led to this program called Exterminate It, which I used to scan my hard drive. Within minutes it had found the exact items in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. However to "exterminate" I needed to purchase the product. Thinking that there was an alternative, I didn't buy it. After several more searches that all led to Malwarebytes, Downloaded a program called ComboFix, which failed, and so I entered the regedit. There I followed the path that Exterminate It had discovered to the items and deleted them all. End of story? No.
After restarting, I discovered that a forum member had been correct; the rootkit rewrites itself when the computer is restarted. I then, by advice, downloaded Hijackthis, and saved a logfile.
It's not doing anything at the moment, but I can't afford to have something like this in my system. Should I buy Exterminate It or format my hard drive?

Oh, and here's the logfile:

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

chaslang · Jan 18, 2009

Welcome to Major Geeks!

Do not waste your money on Exterminate-It.

Please follow the instructions in the READ & RUN ME FIRST link given futher 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:

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, 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.

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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TDSSserv won't die!

Mablung Private E-2

chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member