Another COM surrogate/dllhost.exe infection
- Thread starter wobbegong
- 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:
Scan with TDSSKiller
Please download TDSSKiller by Kaspersky and save it to your desktop.
If anything will be found follow this guidelines:
A report will be created in your root directory, (usually C:\ drive) in the form of TDSSKiller.[Version]_[Date]_[Time]_log.txt. Please include the contents of that file in your next post.
Scan with ComboFix
This is a very powerful tool that should be used only if advised by Malware Analyst.
Do not run ComboFix on your own!
Referring to this instruction, please download ComboFix by sUBs and save it to your desktop.
Temporary disable your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware protection - instructions here.
Include that log in your next reply.
If you'll encounter any issues with internet connection after running ComboFix, please visit this link.
If an error about operation on the key marked for deletion will appear after running the tool, please reboot your machine.
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.
Please download TDSSKiller by Kaspersky and save it to your desktop.
- Right-click on
icon and select
Run as Administrator to start the tool.
- Click on Change parameters and put a checkmark beside Loaded modules. A reboot will be needed to apply the changes, allow it to do so.
- Your machine may appear very slow and unusable after that - it's normal.
- TDSSKiller will run automaticaly. Click on Change parameters and click OK.
- Click the Start Scan button and wait patiently.
If anything will be found follow this guidelines:
- If a suspicious object is detected, the default action will be Skip, click on Continue.
- If malicious objects are found, they will show in the Scan results - Select action for found objects and offer three options.
Ensure Cure (default) is selected, then click Continue > Reboot now to finish the cleaning process.
If Cure is not available, please choose Skip instead. - Do not choose Delete unless instructed!
A report will be created in your root directory, (usually C:\ drive) in the form of TDSSKiller.[Version]_[Date]_[Time]_log.txt. Please include the contents of that file in your next post.
This is a very powerful tool that should be used only if advised by Malware Analyst.
Do not run ComboFix on your own!
Referring to this instruction, please download ComboFix by sUBs and save it to your desktop.
Temporary disable your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware protection - instructions here.
- Right-click on
icon and select
Run as Administrator to start the tool.
- Accept the disclaimer and agree if prompted to install Recovery Console.
- Do not take any actions while ComboFix goes through your System - it may cause it to stall!
- This scan may take some time!
- When finished - it will display a logfile (located also on your main drive, usually C:\ComboFix.txt).
Include that log in your next reply.
ETA: I waited and combofix is generating a log report.
Um... I suspended my antivirus software but for only 15min before running combofix. Combofix completed stage 50 about 10min ago and the cursor is blinking but Norton was supposed to have reactivated during this time.
Um... I suspended my antivirus software but for only 15min before running combofix. Combofix completed stage 50 about 10min ago and the cursor is blinking but Norton was supposed to have reactivated during this time.
Last edited:
I had issues with my computer in trying to run TDSSKiller, (rebooted computer in safe mode, had trouble downloading due to firewalls, etc.)so it generated a couple of logs. The first complete scan it said no threats. The second scan it had 1 threat that was suspicious and skipped.
After Combofix, when I boot my computer in Normal mode, I get a popup in my notepad "Decrypt_Instruction" and an Internet Explorer window automatically pops up to "Cryptowall 2.0" I can't find where this notepad file is stored but under Search it is listed as a program.
When I reconnected to the internet after Combofix, I had a random background audio file running and my computer stalled. I pressed the power button for a hard shutdown and rebooted in normal mode. The Cryptowall stuff is back but otherwise I was able to get to this website and log on without problems.
After Combofix, when I boot my computer in Normal mode, I get a popup in my notepad "Decrypt_Instruction" and an Internet Explorer window automatically pops up to "Cryptowall 2.0" I can't find where this notepad file is stored but under Search it is listed as a program.
When I reconnected to the internet after Combofix, I had a random background audio file running and my computer stalled. I pressed the power button for a hard shutdown and rebooted in normal mode. The Cryptowall stuff is back but otherwise I was able to get to this website and log on without problems.
Reran Combofix after ensuring that Norton would be disabled for the entire duration of the scan. Here is the report. Still have the Cryptowall popups on reboot. Thanks, your help is much appreciated!
Last edited:
- Mar 8, 2013
- 22,627
Good. This looks okay 
Now let's scan with FRST again:
Scan with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool
Please re-run Farbar Recovery Scan Tool to give me a fresh look at your system.
Now let's scan with FRST again:
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.
- 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.
Okay, after the Fix the computer had to restart. When it restarted, the Notepad file for "Decryption" is gone, but there is still an automatic opening of my web-browser (Internet Explorer) to a Cryptowall webpage. Norton Antivirus will popup in front and recommend not continuing to the page, but I'd prefer to not have it in the first place!
When I search for the virus files on my computer, "Install_Tor" Internet Shortcut is listed as a program under C:\Users\ComputerName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows... the rest of it gets cutoff. Anyhow, I am unable to locate this location in order to delete the file. When I search for Decrypt_Instruction, nothing pops up except for the coding in the fixlist and the latest FRST logs.
However, when I searched for the Install_Tor shortcut in the computer, I found 12 instances of the triad: Decrypt_Instruction text, Decrypt_Instruction HTML, and Install_Torr html shortcuts. Even though searching for the Decrypt file came up empty? I deleted them.
Finally, when Microsoft Word asks me if I want to try to recover a document, is it okay to press yes? Or should I need to delete all files that are corrupted?
Thank you.
When I search for the virus files on my computer, "Install_Tor" Internet Shortcut is listed as a program under C:\Users\ComputerName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows... the rest of it gets cutoff. Anyhow, I am unable to locate this location in order to delete the file. When I search for Decrypt_Instruction, nothing pops up except for the coding in the fixlist and the latest FRST logs.
However, when I searched for the Install_Tor shortcut in the computer, I found 12 instances of the triad: Decrypt_Instruction text, Decrypt_Instruction HTML, and Install_Torr html shortcuts. Even though searching for the Decrypt file came up empty? I deleted them.
Finally, when Microsoft Word asks me if I want to try to recover a document, is it okay to press yes? Or should I need to delete all files that are corrupted?
Thank you.
Last edited:
- Mar 8, 2013
- 22,627
I don't think you'll be able to restore you documents.
Scan with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool
Please re-run Farbar Recovery Scan Tool to give me a fresh look at your system.
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.
- Mar 8, 2013
- 22,627
Great! For some reason I was now able to delete the last html shortcut to Install_TOR (couldn't yesterday). No more popup window when I restarted the computer.
One last question. When the computer started acting up we made a copy of our partitioned drive onto an external hard drive. It appears that some files were already encrypted by Cryptowall before the download. Is there any way to scan the external drive with your programs to make sure there is no active infection on it?
One last question. When the computer started acting up we made a copy of our partitioned drive onto an external hard drive. It appears that some files were already encrypted by Cryptowall before the download. Is there any way to scan the external drive with your programs to make sure there is no active infection on it?
Last edited:
- Mar 8, 2013
- 22,627
Okay on the external drive issue.
My computer has been acting normal now, so... is that it? Do I need to uninstall combofix, Kaspersky, etc.?
My computer has been acting normal now, so... is that it? Do I need to uninstall combofix, Kaspersky, etc.?
- 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.
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.
FiheHippo.com Update Checker - to keep your programs up-to-date.
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
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