Multiple COM Surrogates

[JuvenileEagle]

I noticed my CPU laboring harder and ran MalwareBytes yesterday. The scan found 9 items as shown in the attached report. Afterwards I noticed several COM Surrogate Processes running in the task manager. Screen shot is attached. The processes are running from the file C:/Windows/SysWOW64/dllhost.exe.

I submitted the dllhost.exe file to https://www.virustotal.com/en/ but it scanned clean.

Today I ran MalwareBytes again and the scan turned up 7 more items shown in attached report. MSE also ran in the background and turned up 2 more items in attached screenshot. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

 

[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.

Download

Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit to your desktop.

• Double-click the icon to start the tool.
• It will ask you where to extract it, then it will start.
• Warning! Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit needs to be run from an account with administrator rights.
• Click in the introduction screen "next" to continue.
• Click in the following screen "Update" to obtain the latest malware definitions.
• Once the update is complete select "Next" and click "Scan".
• When the scan is finished and no malware has been found select "Exit".
• If malware was detected, make sure to check all the items and click "Cleanup". Reboot your computer.
• Open the MBAR folder and paste the content of the following files in your next reply:
  • "mbar-log-{date} (xx-xx-xx).txt"
  • "system-log.txt"

Scan with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool

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.

 

[JuvenileEagle]

Thanks for your reply.

Sorry for the amateur question but I get the attached message when I try to download the Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit. am running MSE antivirus and IE 11. Where do I change my security setting?

Thanks,
You can call me JE.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Re-enable downloads in Internet Explorer

1. Close all Internet Explorer windows.
2. Press the Windows key
   
   + R.
3. Type inetcpl.cpl into the Open field and click OK. This will open Internet Properties (otherwise known as Internet Options).
   
   
   
   
   Figure 1-1
   
   
4. Click the Security tab
   
   Reset all zones to default level.
   
   
   
   
   Figure 1-2
   
   
5. When you are finished, click OK to save your changes.

 

[JuvenileEagle]

TwinHeadedEagle,

Thanks for the instructions. I changed my IE settings, downloaded and ran Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit and I have attached the "mbar-log-{date} (xx-xx-xx).txt" and "system-log.txt" files. Two problems were detected and cleaned.

Should I proceed to the run Farbar Recovery Scan Tool? I know we are not finished yet but my computer is already running better.

Thanks,
JE

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Yes, proceed with Farbar.

 

[JuvenileEagle]

Ran Farbar scan as instructed, the FRST.txt and Addition.txt files are attached. I noticed some errors in the Addition.txt file. I did not but should I have pressed the "Fix" button?

Thanks

 

[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.

 

[JuvenileEagle]

TwinHeadedEagle,

I was not working today and while waiting for your reply I updated and ran Malwarebytes again and got some detections and fixes. I then ran Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit again with 1 detection and fix, see attached files. My system automatically downloaded some system updates afterwards. So I ran Malwarebytes and Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit once more without any detections. As a precaution I ran Farbar one more time and those files are also attached and unedited.

Sorry to confuse things but I want to make sure I should go ahead with your last instructions. I will sit tight and not run anything else in the meantime.

Thanks,
JE

 

[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.

 

[JuvenileEagle]

As instructed I ran Farbar with your fixlist.txt file. It seamed to work fine the computer rebooted as appears to run fine except that I cannot get Internet Explorer to launch. I put the Fixlog.txt file (see attached) on a USB drive and logged on another computer to respond to you. Waiting further instructions.

Thanks

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

What happens with IE?

 

[JuvenileEagle]

When I try to launch IE from the taskbar shortcut it brings up the wheel and spins a few seconds but does nothing. Also, if I try to launch IE from the list of programs it does the same think. Windows media player also does the same think. Additionally, when I insert a USB drive it does not show from the "Open Devices and Printers" shortcut from the taskbar. I have to eject with Windows Explorer. Other programs will access the internet like MSE for an update (did not run) but I cannot launch IE.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

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.

 

[JuvenileEagle]

As instructed ran Farbar and attached files.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Do this please:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

 

[JuvenileEagle]

I performed the "sfc /verifyonly" check as a precaution and it turned up clean. See attached image. Still having same issues at previously stated.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Can you try to reinstall it?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/318378

 

[JuvenileEagle]

Have been unable to so far, cannot get a browser up. Can I download an .exe file to a disc and try it that way.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Instructions are pretty clear what to do, you first need to uninstall it and then to download and install.