Browser is being locked up and tabs keep duplicating when closed

[Justin Pierce]

1) I just wanted to note that I found nothing in Programs And Features

2) Pretty sure the beginning of all this a mini pop up told me the FBI had seized control of my computer. After it left the screen I quickly searched "FBI browser" on Google using Internet Explorer which brought up websites explaining hackers were imitating the FBI asking for money. However, my page looks nothing like the ones shown so now I am even more confused. I'd like to note that I no longer see the word FBI anywhere after the first time.

3) I'm using Internet Explorer right now and it seems perfectly fine.

What type of bug is this?

Thanks for any help

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Hello,



They call me TwinHeadedEagle around here, and I'll be working with you.



Before we start please read and note the following:

• At the top of your post, please click on the "Watch thread" button and make sure to check Watch this thread...and receive email notifications. This will send an email to you as soon as I reply to your topic, allowing me to solve your problem faster.
• Please do not install any new software during the cleaning process other than the tools I provide for you. This can hinder the cleaning process. Please do not perform System Restore or any other restore.
• Instructions I give to you are very simple and made for complete beginner to follow. That's why you need to read through my instructions carefully and completely before executing them.
• Please do not run any tools other than the ones I ask you to, when I ask you to. Some of these tools can be very dangerous if used improperly. Also, if you use a tool that I have not requested you use, it can cause false positives, thereby delaying the complete cleaning of your machine.
  
• All tools we use here are completely clean and do not contain any malware. If your antivirus detects them as malicious, please disable your antivirus and then continue.
• If during the process you run across anything that is not in my instructions, please stop and ask. If any tool is running too much time (few hours), please stop and inform me.
• I visit forum several times at day, making sure to respond to everyone's topic as fast as possible. But bear in mind that I have private life like everyone and I cannot be here 24/7. So please be patient with me. Also, some infections require less, and some more time to be removed completely, so bear this in mind and be patient.
• Please stay with me until the end of all steps and procedures and I declare your system clean. Just because there is a lack of symptoms does not indicate a clean machine. If you solved your problem yourself, set aside two minutes to let me know.
  
• Please attach all report using
  
  button below. Doing this, you make it easier for me to analyze and fix your problem.
  
• Do not ask for help for your business PC. Companies are making revenue via computers, so it is good thing to pay someone to repair it.
• If I don't hear from you within 3 days from this initial or any subsequent post, then this thread will be closed.

Please download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to your desktop.

Note: You need to run the version compatibale with your system. If you are not sure which version applies to your system download both of them and try to run them.
Only one of them will run on your system, that will be the right version.

• Double-click to run it. When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
• Press Scan button.
• It will make a log (FRST.txt) in the same directory the tool is run. Please attach it to your reply.
• The first time the tool is run, it makes also another log (Addition.txt). Please attach it to your reply.

 

[Justin Pierce]

Wow thank you. I didn't think anyone would have an answer for me.

I opened up Firefox today because I was curious and it was no longer acting up.

But, when I tried to put in any of my passwords for my accounts online it would act like it was logging in but wouldn't. I went into Internet Explorer, typed the same passwords and they worked correctly. Figured the threat was just hiding in the background so I changed the passwords using Internet Explorer.

Figured I'd let you know about this and I hope these are what you're looking for

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Fix with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool

This fix was created for this user for use on that particular machine.

Running it on another one may cause damage and render the system unstable.

​

Download attached fixlist.txt file and save it to the Desktop:

Both files, FRST and fixlist.txt have to be in the same location or the fix will not work!

• Right-click on
  
  icon and select
  
  Run as Administrator to start the tool.
  (XP users click run after receipt of Windows Security Warning - Open File).
• Press the Fix button just once and wait.
• If for some reason the tool needs a restart, please make sure you let the system restart normally. After that let the tool complete its run.
• When finished FRST will generate a log on the Desktop, called Fixlog.txt.

Please attach it to your reply.

Scan with ComboFix

This is a very powerful tool that should be used only if advised by Malware Analyst.
Do not run ComboFix on your own!

Referring to this instruction, please download ComboFix by sUBs and save it to your desktop.
Temporary disable your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware protection - instructions here.

• Right-click on
  
  icon and select
  
  Run as Administrator to start the tool.
• Accept the disclaimer and agree if prompted to install Recovery Console.
• Do not take any actions while ComboFix goes through your System - it may cause it to stall!
• This scan may take some time!
• When finished - it will display a logfile (located also on your main drive, usually C:\ComboFix.txt).

Include that log in your next reply.

If you'll encounter any issues with internet connection after running ComboFix, please visit this link.

If an error about operation on the key marked for deletion will appear after running the tool, please reboot your machine.

 

[Justin Pierce]

Something personal came up this weekend so I apologize it took me so long to respond.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Any progress?

 

[Justin Pierce]

Is there more I am supposed to upload? I put the two files you asked for in my last post.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

No, I am just asking how is your PC now?

 

[Justin Pierce]

Firefox is letting me log into websites, so it would seem you have solved the issue. Thank you!

I have a few questions if you don't mind answering them.
1) How will I know if the computer is free of defects?

2) What would you suggest I do to make it harder for these threats to penetrate my computer?
-For instance, are there settings I should set for my internet browser (Firefox and Internet Explorer)?
-What brand of anti-virus scanner software (McAfee, Kaspersky, Norton, etc) should I have running?
-Should I start making random scans using the software you suggested I download?

3) Should I even keep the suggested programs installed (ComboFix and Farbar Recovery Scan Tool)?

4) Is there something I should do in the System & Security portion in the Control Panel??

5) How did you become so knowledgeable with fixing computers?

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

No problem

1) I checked your reports, there is nothing bad anymore.

2) I'll give you some recommendations in my final speech. If something from there isn't clear, you can ask me.

3) We will delete them in my final speech.

4) You can enable the monitoring if it warns you in your taskbar. You do not have Antivirus installed, right?

5) Probably by spending a lot of time in front of computers. And by willing to learn


Glad I could help. We will delete all used tools and I'll give you some tips to harden your security and learn how to protect yourself

Recommended reading:
​

MUST READ - security tips:

• Computer Security - a short guide to staying safer online.
• Simple and easy ways to keep your computer safe and secure on the Internet

MUST READ - general maintenance:

• What to do if your Computer is running slowly?

The Importance of Software Updating:
​

In order to stay protected it is very important that you regularly update all of your software. Cybercriminals depend on the apathy of users around software updates to keep their malicious endeavor running.​

Operating systems, such as Windows, and applications, such as Adobe Reader or JAVA, are used by tens of millions of computers and devices around the world, making them a huge target for cybercriminals. Downloading updates and installing them can sometimes be tedious, but the advantages you get from the updates are certainly worth it.

• How to configure and use Automatic Updates in Windows
• How to update Java
• How to update Adobe Reader

Recommended additional software:
​

TFC - to clean unneeded temporary files.

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware - to scan your system from time to time in search for malware.

Malwarebytes' Anti-Exploit - to prevent plenty of mostly exploited vulnerabilities.

McShield - to prevent infections spread by removable media.

Unchecky - to prevent from installing additional foistware, implemented in legitimate installations.

FiheHippo.com Update Checker - to keep your programs up-to-date.

Adblock - to surf the web without annoying ads!

Post-cleanup procedures:​

Download DelFix by Xplode and save it to your desktop.

• Run the tool by right click on the
  
  icon and Run as administrator option.
• Make sure that these ones are checked:
  • Remove disinfection tools
  • Purge system restore
  • Reset system settings
• Push Run and wait until the tool completes his work.
• All tools we used should be gone. Tool will create an report for you (C:\DelFix.txt)

The tool will also record healthy state of registry and make a backup using ERUNT program in %windir%\ERUNT\DelFix
Tool deletes old system restore points and create a fresh system restore point after cleaning.

My help is free for everybody.
If you're happy with the help provided and/or wish to buy me a beer for the assistance you received, then you can consider a donation:
Thank you!​

Stay safe,
TwinHeadedEagle

 

[Justin Pierce]

1) I am definitely glad to read that.

4) I didn't have an antivirus at the time just because I was on deployment (Navy) and didn't need it at that time. I've installed all the recommended additional software as well as Microsoft Security Essentials which I received from one of the Microsoft downloads in the control panel. It says it is for real-time protection and Virus & spyware definitions. What do you mean by enable the monitoring?

6) Will any of the programs counter act with the Microsoft Security Essentials program and do you know if this program is even useful?

7) So I will do a scan using Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware which will find threats and quarantine them. When I get rid of them, I will do another scan just because I feel iffy using the program. It will pop up again with more "threats." Do you know why this is or should I just uninstall it and just use the Microsoft Security Essentials program?

8) Thought I would throw this out here. I installed a program called IObit Uninstaller and it seems to uninstall programs better than the control panel uninstaller because it will as do a "Power Scan" which goes in even further to find the program from deep within and delete it. Have heard of this program? If not, it seems to do a great job and perhaps you could use it and even suggest it to other people if you find it worthy.

Thanks once again

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

4) You can see if everything is allright in Action Center

Control Panel\System and Security\Action Center


6) They are all useful and won't interfere with each other.


7) How do you mean again more threats?


8) I do not suggest any of these programs. IOBIT is know to steal other's people ideas, so doesn't have very good reputation.

 

[Justin Pierce]

4) Alright


6) Then I will leave them be


7) There were 22 threats found of PUP.Optional.Incredibar.A
Location Found: C:\Users\Fox\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\z8x96xnv.default\prefs.js
I followed the location and found prefs.js & I also noticed prefs.js.BAK
Should I manually delete these?


8) "I do not suggest any of these programs." Are you saying the ones that were below "Additional Recommended Software" or are you just saying other programs like IOBIT?
And If IOBIT is known to steal other peoples ideas does that mean I should get rid of it because it could steal my information?

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

7. Yes, delete them both.

8. They won't steal anything yours "probably", but they don't have a good reputation across IT experts. At the other side, I do not see any reason why you should run any of these programs that start with Optimize, Optimizer, Registry Fix, Registry Cleaner, TuneUp, System Care and similar. Services they provide aren't going to give you any benefit, how can you speed up your PC without hardware upgrade? Microsoft optimized it very, very well and there is no need to spend you money on this. I tried them myself long time ago, and they damaged my system. I encountered situation when these programs interfere with system and when we deleted them everything was good.