Solved I seemto have the dllhost.exe comsurrogat issue that is going around. Not sure where or how to start

[Lloyd]

I run Win 7/32 on my laptop. On Sep 16 my laptop started running very slowly. Checked task manager and discovered cpu and memory usage were at 100% -- it looked like a dllhost.exe comsurrogate issue. I googled and found this issue addressed in your forum. I quarantined dllhost.exe, I downloaded and ran Farbar scan tool on Sep 19 -- had to go out of town. On sep 30 I turned back to this issue and downloaded and reran Farbar scan tool (attached files). I also downloaded combofix and adw to run and attach logs but combofix seems to have encountered a problem at the following screen:

Rebooting Windows ... please wait
please allow combofix to reboot the machine
Warning!! do not manually reboot the machine yourself
Well... 20 hours later, no reboot.

I have no idea what to do next -- 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.

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.

 

[Lloyd]

Thank you Double Eagle. I will attempt to follow your instructions to the letter. On Sep 30 before my post I downloaded the Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and ran it as administrator (I had previously run it on Sep 19). I also downloaded ComboFix which subsequently stalled a the reboot screen which says...

Rebooting Windows ... please wait
please allow combofix to reboot the machine
Warning!! do not manually reboot the machine yourself

As a result I can't connect to the Internet and the flash drive does not connect when plugged in.i will upload the combofix.txt file that was created. Also I will re-upload frst.txt. I can't rerun Farbar with 'fixlist.txt' is the directory.

Not really sure how to overcome the 'combofix' issue? Should I close the admisistrator icon on the task bar? Should I reboot the machine? Should I attempt to restore the Internet connection?

FYI: I am following the thread and receiving your emails.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

You needed to run FRST fix first, then ComboFix. Do so please.

 

[Lloyd]

I closed the stalled combofix and tried to reboot. my laptop has been trying to shut down for 1 hour. obviously, I can't rerun fst until I get my machine shut down and rebooted. What now?

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Reset it using button.

 

[Lloyd]

ok, I powered off then back on. Next, I reran fst and combofix -- files attached. Thank you for your patience and efforts.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

I need FRST fix, not Scan report. After you finish it, tell me how is your PC now?

 

[Lloyd]

sorry, fixlist attached. seems to be running better -- per task manager: cpu 52-56%, memory 38-39% (both seem a bit high)

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Good. We removed virus, how is the situation now?

 

[Lloyd]

when I shutdown a powershell.exe application error pops up very briefly then it closes.

So there definitely was a virus?

I looked in sytem32 folder and 'dllhost.exe' was not there. It seems like I quarantined it to another folder (maybe my desktop). I must have accidently deleted it. Will this present a problem?

Thanks again, I will buy you a beer. Good luck!

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

when I shutdown a powershell.exe application error pops up very briefly then it closes.

Okay, we will scan again.

I looked in sytem32 folder and 'dllhost.exe' was not there. It seems like I quarantined it to another folder (maybe my desktop). I must have accidently deleted it. Will this present a problem?

I don't think so.

Scan with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool

Please re-run Farbar Recovery Scan Tool to give me a fresh look at your system.

• 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).
• Make sure that Addition option is checked.
• Press Scan button and wait.
• The tool will produce two logfiles on your desktop: FRST.txt and Addition.txt.

Please include their content into your next reply.

 

[Lloyd]

files attached

 

[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 ZOEK

Please download ZOEK by Smeenk and save it to your desktop (preferred version is the *.exe one)
Temporary disable your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware protection - instructions here.

• Right-click on
  
  icon and select
  
  Run as Administrator to start the tool.
• Wait patiently until the main console will appear, it may take a minute or two.
• In the main box please paste in the following script:
  

  createsrpoint;
  autoclean;
  emptyalltemp;
  ipconfig /flushdns;b

• Make sure that Scan All Users option is checked.
• Push Run Script and wait patiently. The scan may take a couple of minutes.
• When the scan completes, a zoek-results logfile should open in notepad.
• If a reboot is needed, it will be opened after it. You may also find it at your main drive (usually C:\ drive)

Post its content into your next reply.

 

[Lloyd]

files attached. all appears to be working properly. no powershell.exe message at boot or at shut down. thanks and enjoy the weekend

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

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.

CryptoPrevent - to secure yourself from very severe CryptoLocker infection.

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

 

[Lloyd]

Thanks, all done -- two last questions about additional software recommendations.

1. Is this all I need or should I supplement with either an anti-virus software or an Internet Security software? If so, which?

2. I currently use Microsoft Security Essentials and Windows Defender -- should I disable/uninstall? if so, which?

Once again your help was appreciated and I did buy you several beers -- please advise if they did not it to your table.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

No problem

1. Yes, I think you should install all of these software. If you're using CCleaner, than you can skip TFC.

2. I do not see Microsoft Security Essentials installled, just Windows Defender. It would be good to install Antivirus. Windows Defender will be disabled after you install Antivirus.