Solved 100% CPU Usage - Multiple COM Surrogate Processes

Jesse Allyn

New Member
Thread author
Dec 14, 2014
8
Please help! This is the most frustrating thing to deal with when trying to work from home. The CPU is currently at 100% and there are currently seven COM Surrogate dllhost.exe processes running. There definitely appears to be a virus of some sort on this computer.

Thank you very much, in advance.
 

Attachments

  • Addition.txt
    39.4 KB · Views: 46
  • FRST.txt
    27.9 KB · Views: 51

argus

Former MalwareTips Staff
Verified
Apr 24, 2014
3,395
Helllo,

Before we begin, please note the following:
  • I will working be on your Malware issues, this may or may not, solve other issues you have with your machine.
  • The logs can take some time to research, so please be patient with me.
  • Stay with the topic until I tell you that your system is clean. Missing symptoms does not mean that everything is okay.
  • Instructions that I give are for your system only!
  • Please do not run any tools until requested ! The reason for this is so I know what is going on with the machine at any time. Some programs can interfere with others and hamper the recovery process.
  • Please perform all steps in the order received. If you can't understand something don't hesitate to ask.
  • Again I would like to remind you to make no further changes to your computer unless I direct you to do so. I will not help you if you do not follow my instructions.






Download
51a5f31352b88-icon_MBAR.png
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"


FRST.gif
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
    FRST.gif
    icon and select
    RunAsAdmin.jpg
    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.
 

Jesse Allyn

New Member
Thread author
Dec 14, 2014
8
Thank you for the quick reply. When I open up the Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit, where should I choose to have it "extracted"? It defaults to my Desktop as the extraction location. Is this okay? Or should I create a New Folder specifically for this extraction? Thank you!
 

argus

Former MalwareTips Staff
Verified
Apr 24, 2014
3,395
When I open up the Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit, where should I choose to have it "extracted"? It defaults to my Desktop as the extraction location. Is this okay?

Great, deskop the best.
 

Jesse Allyn

New Member
Thread author
Dec 14, 2014
8
I have completed the Malwarebyters Anti-Rootkit scan and it has detected malware. I just clicked 'Cleanup'. I will reboot the computer once that is completed and then re-run the FRST scan. I will then MBAR logs and the FRST logs. Is this correct? Thank you.
 

Jesse Allyn

New Member
Thread author
Dec 14, 2014
8
I have completed the MBAR and FRST scans. I did the 'Cleanup' option with MBAR and rebooted. I then rescanned with FRST. Attached are the MBAR and FRST logs. THANK YOU!
 

Attachments

  • system-log.txt
    33.8 KB · Views: 41
  • mbar-log-2014-12-14 (13-43-03).txt
    10.6 KB · Views: 44
  • Addition.txt
    38.9 KB · Views: 52
  • FRST.txt
    28.4 KB · Views: 47

argus

Former MalwareTips Staff
Verified
Apr 24, 2014
3,395
Always have one (and no more than one!) AntiVirus program! In this case having more of them will not provide you with better protection - instead they may cause slowness, lock-ups and even mark another ones as harmful, leading to leave your system unstable and even damaged. Please choose only one from the listed below to stay with and uninstall the others:
  • Symantec
  • AVG

Uninstallation procedure:
  • Press the
    WindowsKey.png
    + R on your keyboard at the same time. Type appwiz.cpl and click OK.
  • Search for each uninstalled entry, right-click it and select Uninstall.
This should be done until any other steps will be taken.





FRST.gif
Fix with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool

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

icon_exclaim.gif
Running it on another one may cause damage and render the system unstable.
icon_exclaim.gif
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
    FRST.gif
    icon and select
    RunAsAdmin.jpg
    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.
 

Attachments

  • fixlist.txt
    1.5 KB · Views: 53

Jesse Allyn

New Member
Thread author
Dec 14, 2014
8
I clicked 'Fix' about an hour ago, and the button that once said 'Fix' now says 'Fixing' an hour later. It looks to be functioning. I noticed there is Fixlog document on my Desktop now, however. Should I attach this file now, although the widget still shows as 'Fixing', or wait until complete? Thank you!

P.S - I fully uninstalled Symantec and kept AVG. Also I am extremely happy to report that the CPU Usage has not gone above 8% in over an hour! I think the issue is resolved. Before, it would stay at 100%. I could End processes but after 3-5 minutes it'd be back at 100% with 95+ processes running. This has not occurred once in over an hour!! :D Thank you so very much. I will be donating absolutely.
 

argus

Former MalwareTips Staff
Verified
Apr 24, 2014
3,395
Excellent

EmptyTemp: => Removed 22 GB temporary data.


Is everything ok now?
 

Jesse Allyn

New Member
Thread author
Dec 14, 2014
8
Wow...yes...its' jumping around between 2% and 40% CPU usage with 69 Processes running. It seems to be back to normal, as far as I can tell. I'm beyond satisfied and happy I found this place. Thank you very much for your help and consistently quick responses. I will be donating and encourage everyone else to do the same.
 

argus

Former MalwareTips Staff
Verified
Apr 24, 2014
3,395
Thank you.


Download DelFix by Xplode and save it to your desktop.
  • Run the tool by right click on the
    51a5ce45263de-delfix.png
    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.
 

Jesse Allyn

New Member
Thread author
Dec 14, 2014
8
What System Settings are reset with the 'Reset system settings' checked? Anything I need to worry about or will notice?
 

About us

  • MalwareTips is a community-driven platform providing the latest information and resources on malware and cyber threats. Our team of experienced professionals and passionate volunteers work to keep the internet safe and secure. We provide accurate, up-to-date information and strive to build a strong and supportive community dedicated to cybersecurity.

User Menu

Follow us

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter to know first about the latest cybersecurity incidents and malware threats.

Top