Solved win32/hao123

[Sniffeh]

Browser & Explorer windows are randomly blacking out as if theres some kind of graphics malfunction. For some odd reason, one morning after I logged into Windows, my monitor powered off and said "no signal". It did this for almost a week straight. I thought it was my card, so I replaced it but the problem persisted. I formatted my drive and reinstalled Windows. It hasn't powered the monitor down since but my system got laggy.
Recently my computer pretty much locked down from lag and I could not do much of anything, even if safemode. I formated the drive AGAIN and reinstalled Windows. Now when I scan my system with antimalware it says theres something called "win32/hao123" on it. I cannot get anything to removed it. I googled "win32/hao123" and thats how I found this forum. I followed the instructions here http://malwaretips.com/blogs/pup-optional-hao123-a-virus/

I tried downloading Windows Updates and it got stuck on 60 of 180. Soon after, a window pulled up to inform me my computer was out of memory. Please someone help me get this crap off my computer.

 

[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.

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 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.

 

[Sniffeh]

First off, thank you so much for responding so quickly. Here is the notepad it pulled up:

Zoek.exe v5.0.0.0 Updated 31-12-2014
Tool run by Sniffeh on Fri 01/02/2015 at 1:09:20.82.
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 x86
Running in: Normal Mode Internet Access Detected
Launched: C:\Users\Sniffeh\Desktop\zoek.exe [Scan all users] [Script inserted]

==== System Restore Info ======================

==== Empty Folders Check ======================

C:\Users\Sniffeh\AppData\Roaming\IHlpr deleted successfully
C:\Users\Sniffeh\AppData\Local\Adobe deleted successfully
C:\Users\Sniffeh\AppData\Local\VirtualStore deleted successfully

==== Deleting CLSID Registry Keys ======================

HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-4105882941-2421808598-371462730-1000\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{D832CFCE-6436-48D8-8C93-92A5E4641BB6} deleted successfully
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-4105882941-2421808598-371462730-1000-{ED1FC765-E35E-4C3D-BF15-2C2B11260CE4}-0\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{D832CFCE-6436-48D8-8C93-92A5E4641BB6} deleted successfully

==== Deleting CLSID Registry Values ======================


==== Deleting Services ======================


==== Batch Command(s) Run By Tool======================


==== Firefox Start and Search pages ======================

ProfilePath: C:\Users\Sniffeh\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\5nn5f444.default
user_pref("browser.startup.homepage", "http://sniffeh.deviantart.com/");
user_pref("browser.search.defaultenginename", "Google");
user_pref("browser.search.selectedEngine", "Yahoo!");
user_pref("keyword.URL", "https://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=greentree_ff1&ei=utf-8&ilc=12&type=903578&p=");

==== Firefox Extensions ======================

ProfilePath: C:\Users\Sniffeh\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\5nn5f444.default
- Download Status Bar - %ProfilePath%\extensions\{6c28e999-e900-4635-a39d-b1ec90ba0c0f}.xpi
- Adblock Plus - %ProfilePath%\extensions\{d10d0bf8-f5b5-c8b4-a8b2-2b9879e08c5d}.xpi

AppDir: C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox
- Default - %AppDir%\browser\extensions\{972ce4c6-7e08-4474-a285-3208198ce6fd}

==== Firefox Plugins ======================

Profilepath: C:\Users\Sniffeh\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\5nn5f444.default
424899266BA430CCE5DDB6C1B4BE1B99 - C:\Windows\system32\Macromed\Flash\NPSWF32_16_0_0_235.dll - Shockwave Flash
0CA4180B21C6B728578F3B0433BB740E - C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC\npvlc.dll - VLC Web Plugin


==== Set IE to Default ======================

Old Values:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main]
"Start Page"="http://www.google.com"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes]
"DefaultScope"="{D832CFCE-6436-48D8-8C93-92A5E4641BB6}"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{D832CFCE-6436-48D8-8C93-92A5E4641BB6}] not found

New Values:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main]
"Start Page"="http://www.google.com"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes]
"DefaultScope"="{012E1000-F331-11DB-8314-0800200C9A66}"

==== All HKCU SearchScopes ======================

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes
{012E1000-F331-11DB-8314-0800200C9A66} Google Url="http://www.google.com/search?q={searchTerms}"
{0633EE93-D776-472f-A0FF-E1416B8B2E3A} Bing Url="http://www.bing.com/search?q={searchTerms}&src=IE-SearchBox&FORM=IE8SRC"
{EADAE90A-0608-4CA4-A3FC-5C4445CFDE3C} Google Url="http://www.google.com/search?q={sea...rce}&ie={inputEncoding?}&oe={outputEncoding?}"

==== Empty IE Cache ======================

C:\Users\Sniffeh\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Low\Content.IE5 emptied successfully
C:\Users\Sniffeh\AppData\Local\Temp\acro_rd_dir\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5 emptied successfully
C:\Users\Sniffeh\AppData\Local\Temp\Low\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5 emptied successfully
C:\Windows\serviceprofiles\networkservice\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5 emptied successfully
C:\Windows\serviceprofiles\Localservice\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5 emptied successfully
C:\Users\Sniffeh\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\index.dat will be deleted at reboot
C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\index.dat will be deleted at reboot
C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\index.dat will be deleted at reboot

==== Empty FireFox Cache ======================

C:\Users\Sniffeh\AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\5nn5f444.default\cache2 emptied successfully

==== Empty Chrome Cache ======================

No Chrome User Data found

==== Empty All Flash Cache ======================

Flash Cache Emptied Successfully

==== Empty All Java Cache ======================

No Java Cache Found

==== C:\zoek_backup content ======================

C:\zoek_backup (files=0 folders=0 0 bytes)

==== Empty Temp Folders ======================

C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Temp emptied successfully
C:\Users\Default User\AppData\Local\Temp emptied successfully
C:\Users\Sniffeh\AppData\Local\Temp will be emptied at reboot
C:\Windows\serviceprofiles\networkservice\AppData\Local\Temp will be emptied at reboot
C:\Windows\serviceprofiles\Localservice\AppData\Local\Temp emptied successfully
C:\Windows\Temp will be emptied at reboot

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

How is your PC now?

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.

 

[Sniffeh]

How is your PC now?

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.

My antivirus doesn't see that Win32/hao123 thing anymore. I don't know what that program was you had me run but I think it may have nailed it.

 

[Sniffeh]

How is your PC now?

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.

Here are the logs you requested.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

You do not have Antivirus installed.

 

[Sniffeh]

I've been running Eset online scanner because it detected the bug. I did in fact have Malewarebytes but my free trial was up.
I've been trying to install Windows Live Essentials but it keeps failing. Its telling me that another program is preventing it from installing.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Avoid Windows Live Essentials, install other antivirus (e.g. Avast, AVG, Panda, Bitdefender)>

 

[Sniffeh]

Avoid Windows Live Essentials, install other antivirus (e.g. Avast, AVG, Panda, Bitdefender)>

No I don't use Windows virus removal programs. They don't work for well #####.
I was trying to install Windows Live Essentials because I use the Photo Gallery to tag
and organize my photos.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Hm, I don't know what could be the problem, I think it is better to contact their support.

Everything else fine?

 

[Sniffeh]

Hm, I don't know what could be the problem, I think it is better to contact their support.

Everything else fine?

I think...you got it. I hope. I don't see any trace of it anymore. I will let you know if it comes back.
Thank you so much for the help.

 

[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.

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

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

 

[Sniffeh]

So I was browsing on Firefox yesterday and parts of webpages started going black on me. Its weird.
Flash seems to be effected as well. I'm not sure if this is caused by a virus or hardware failure but its annoying.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Can you reinstall Firefox?

 

[Sniffeh]

Can you reinstall Firefox?

Sure. Should I do a clean reinstall?

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Yes.

 

[Sniffeh]

So I was running ESET Online Scanner this morning and *sighs heavily*
Win32/hao.123 was detected on my system AGAIN. Also I somehow got something called "Search Protection" installed on my computer that changed my default search provider in Firefox. I just did a format and reinstalled Windows like,
not even 2 days ago. I ran Zoek again with the script you provided. It found something called "Opencandy"
and removed it. I don't know think it removed Win32/hao.123 though. I ran ESET Online Scanner after my system rebooted and its still detecting it.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

This is not real threat, this is something bundled with some of your applications. Don't worry about it.

 

[Sniffeh]

This is not real threat, this is something bundled with some of your applications. Don't worry about it.

It is a real threat. Every website I have found that talks about this thing says it steals personal information and provides hackers with backdoors to my computer.