Solved 20+ dllhost.exe*32 running...sigh

[hlmp]

I really just want to do my lesson planning before my students come back on Monday...ugh.
About two weeks ago I noticed that the system was running very slow. Opened the task manager and noticed 20+ versions of dllhost.exe*32 running. Attempted to open Google Chrome to research this and ngnix (spelling?) website opened.
I uninstalled and reinstalled Chrome hoping that would help, no, not so much. I then went on a long and painful journey of scanning, rebooting, rescanning...with no luck. What software did I try? Ha. Too many to still have this...SpyBot, Kapersky (detected a trojan, alas it didn't help), Malwarebytes (also detected something, but again no luck), hitman pro (removed more potentially harmful crap), Emsisoft (spotted a trojan every time it ran but could never successfully remove it...really why is there so much crap?). I have removed every single file that I created from the machine.
Still having the multiple runnings and attempted opening of an outbound website (blocked by Malwarebytes or so it says), cd5c5c5.com.
Any assistance you can offer would be 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.

SpyBot S&D Warning

MVPS.org is no longer recommending SpyBot S&D due to very poor testing results (scroll down and read under Freeware Antispyware Products).
My advice is to get rid of this program. To do so:

• Press the
  
  + R on your keyboard at the same time. Type appwiz.cpl and click OK.[/*]
• Search for SpyBot, right-click the entry and click Uninstall.[/*]

This is optional, but please consider it.




First, go to Control Panel and uninstall following (skip lines that cannot be uninstalled):
- Catalina Savings Printer
- Download Updater

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 Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

Please re-run

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware.

• First of all, select update.
• Once updated, click the Settings tab, in the left panel choose Detctions & protection and tick Scan for rootkits.
• Click the Scan tab, choose Threat Scan is checked and click Scan Now.
• If threats are detected, click the Apply Actions button. You will now be prompted to reboot. Click Yes.
• Upon completion of the scan (or after the reboot), click the History tab.
• Click Application Logs and double-click the newest Scan Log.
• At the bottom click Export and choose Text file.

Save the file to your desktop and include its content in your next reply.

 

[hlmp]

Removed SpyBot. Uninstalled Catalina Savings Printer. Was unable to locate Download Updater in the programs list. Ran the fixlist.txt with Farbar. It took about half an hour and did prompt a system reboot. Reboot was slower than normal, but I am guessing that is expected. Malwarebytes scan is attached. So far no dllhost.exe*32 running since applying the fix. Next steps?

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Very good, how is the situation now, PC seems clean.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Since this issue appears to be resolved, I am closing the topic. If that is not the case and you need or wish to continue with this topic, please contact me or any staff member with the address of the thread.

Other members who need assistance please start your own topic in a new thread. Thanks!