Some malware keeps installing unwanted software to my PC. I suspect it's svchost kind of thing. I have provided inputs to the required questions. Please let me know if there is anything else I need to provide. Truly appreciate your help. I have been manually uninstalling the unwanted software on a daily basis. Sometimes I had to use safe mode to do so.
Malware installs unwanted software repeatedly, suspecting svchost infection
- Thread starter stevejiang
- Start date
- Mar 8, 2013
- 22,627
Hello,
They call me TwinHeadedEagle around here, and I'll be working with you.
Before we start please read and note the following:
Rules and policies
We won't support any piracy.
That being told, if any evidence of illegal OS, software, cracks/keygens or any other will be revealed, any further assistance will be suspended. If you are aware that there is this kind of stuff on your machine, remove it before proceeding!
The same applies to any use of P2P software: uTorrent, BitTorrent, Vuze, Kazaa, Ares... We don't provide any help for P2P, except for their removal. All P2P software has to be uninstalled or at least fully disabled before proceeding!
Failure to follow these guidelines will result with closing your topic and withdrawning any assistance.
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.
Post its content into your next reply.
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 for the repair.
- If I don't hear from you within 3 days from this initial or any subsequent post, then this thread will be closed.
We won't support any piracy.
That being told, if any evidence of illegal OS, software, cracks/keygens or any other will be revealed, any further assistance will be suspended. If you are aware that there is this kind of stuff on your machine, remove it before proceeding!
The same applies to any use of P2P software: uTorrent, BitTorrent, Vuze, Kazaa, Ares... We don't provide any help for P2P, except for their removal. All P2P software has to be uninstalled or at least fully disabled before proceeding!
Failure to follow these guidelines will result with closing your topic and withdrawning any assistance.
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:
Code: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.
Last edited by a moderator:
Please find the uploaded zoek scan result. Thanks for your quick response.
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 for the repair.
- If I don't hear from you within 3 days from this initial or any subsequent post, then this thread will be closed.
Rules and policies
We won't support any piracy.
That being told, if any evidence of illegal OS, software, cracks/keygens or any other will be revealed, any further assistance will be suspended. If you are aware that there is this kind of stuff on your machine, remove it before proceeding!
The same applies to any use of P2P software: uTorrent, BitTorrent, Vuze, Kazaa, Ares... We don't provide any help for P2P, except for their removal. All P2P software has to be uninstalled or at least fully disabled before proceeding!
Failure to follow these guidelines will result with closing your topic and withdrawning any assistance.
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 selectRun 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:
Code: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.
- Mar 8, 2013
- 22,627
Had more serious problems. It installed lots of windows updates at shut down time. After that, it still attempts to install unwanted software. It crashed many times. I had to find ways to let it live longer - safe mode boot and uninstall softwares, and/or system restore. After many attempts, it eventually was able to live for at least 10s of minutes, long enough for me to type these sentences.
- Mar 8, 2013
- 22,627
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 find the updated scan results. Thanks for looking. I left the PC powered on for a day and haven't seen anything bad. But I have seen this before, so not sure whether the malware is gone or not.
- Mar 8, 2013
- 22,627
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.
Fixlog.txt is attached.
The moment FRST shuts down the computer, two more software were installed. So I know it's still not clean.
The moment FRST shuts down the computer, two more software were installed. So I know it's still not clean.
In addition, HitmanPro reports a suspicious file: c:\Windows\system32\MpKslbYoFO.dll. Do I need to take any action with HitmanPro? Thanks.
- Mar 8, 2013
- 22,627
I tend to think it's getting better. Last reboot didn't see any new install. But don't know for sure yet. Need a few more days to find out.
I believe the malware got into my computer when I had to install a software from some website. I didn't have any protection software at that time. Now I have installed Malwarebyte, although it can't clean my computer. Will it effectively prevent me from getting malware like this in future? Do you have a good write up on what I should do in future? I have computer technology background but is not a software professional. Thanks.
I believe the malware got into my computer when I had to install a software from some website. I didn't have any protection software at that time. Now I have installed Malwarebyte, although it can't clean my computer. Will it effectively prevent me from getting malware like this in future? Do you have a good write up on what I should do in future? I have computer technology background but is not a software professional. Thanks.
- Mar 8, 2013
- 22,627
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 
MUST READ - security tips:
MUST READ - general maintenance:
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.
CCleaner - 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.
Adblock - to surf the web without annoying ads!
Download DelFix by Xplode and save it to your desktop.
Tool deletes old system restore points and create a fresh system restore point after cleaning.
Stay safe,
TwinHeadedEagle
Recommended reading:
- Computer Security - a short guide to staying safer online.
- Simple and easy ways to keep your computer safe and secure on the Internet
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.
Recommended additional software:
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)
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!
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
- Mar 8, 2013
- 22,627
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.
That's the only glitch it had. Overall, the situation a lot better. No unwanted software installs in >24 hours. In the task manager process list, svchost is completely gone. So if you don't see anything wrong in this scan, I will be glad to close this one. Thanks a lot for all the help.
The moment I posted last reply, HitmanPro reported multiple suspicious items. They look like things I had before. Not sure if I have to rely on HitmanPro to detect and remove them in future.
In the HitmanPro reports, these files appear to get into my computer 1.2 days ago. The installation of these applications didn't get invoked in last several power cycles. It might be just leftovers before yesterday's scan/fix cleaned up the malware.
- Mar 8, 2013
- 22,627
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.
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