Being driven crazy by COM surrogate/dllhost32.exe*/ff5ee.com infection -Respectfully Request HELP!

MacDevilish

New Member
Thread author
Nov 3, 2014
4
This seems to be a growing threat, and it is driving me crazy. I respectfully request assistance in removing this PITA from my computer. Reached out to Norton, and got the run around "...we don't really handle this kinda thing..." Was nearly to the point of launching the computer into orbit, but a friend recommended I reach out to the gurus here. Any assistance you can give would be greatly appreciated!

I have included the FRST.txt and Addition.txt for your assessment.

Cheers!

Mac
 

Attachments

  • FRST.txt
    52.9 KB · Views: 228
  • Addition.txt
    42.9 KB · Views: 54

TwinHeadedEagle

Level 41
Verified
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:
  • 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
    fjqb1h.png
    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.




TDSSKiller_Kaspersky.png
Scan with TDSSKiller

Please download TDSSKiller by Kaspersky and save it to your desktop.

  • Right-click on
    TDSSKiller_Kaspersky.png
    icon and select
    RunAsAdmin.jpg
    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.




51a5bf3d99e8a-ComboFixlogo16.png
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.

  • Right-click on
    51a5bf3d99e8a-ComboFixlogo16.png
    icon and select
    RunAsAdmin.jpg
    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.
icon_idea.gif
If you'll encounter any issues with internet connection after running ComboFix, please visit this link.
icon_idea.gif
If an error about operation on the key marked for deletion will appear after running the tool, please reboot your machine.
 

MacDevilish

New Member
Thread author
Nov 3, 2014
4
Hi TwinHeadedEagle! Thank you for your assistance! Attached are the results of the TDSSKILLER run- it didn't find any threats, but the problem still remains - I look forward to your assessment!

Cheers!

Mac
 

Attachments

  • TDSSKILLERlog.txt
    104.8 KB · Views: 56

MacDevilish

New Member
Thread author
Nov 3, 2014
4
Sorry for the delay, TwinHeadedEagle! ComboFix has been run, and here are the results! Had a bit of a challenge figuring out how to completely shut down Norton, but I look forward to your assessment of what the issues may be!

Cheers!

Mac
 

Attachments

  • combofix Log.txt
    29.3 KB · Views: 45

TwinHeadedEagle

Level 41
Verified
Mar 8, 2013
22,627
Norton is pretty boring about tools we use here, but this isn't important. How is your PC now?



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.
 

MacDevilish

New Member
Thread author
Nov 3, 2014
4
Hi TwinHeadedEagle - I don't see any instances of the COM Surrogate running, and there don't seem to be any alerts popping up! I'll let you make the final assessment on the status/condition of my system-it seems that the problem has been solved, but that is only by my cursory examination (and you are the expert, so I defer to your greater experience and knowledge!). What do you think is the best way (other than not going on the internet at all) of avoiding an infection like this again? Thank you for your insight, analysis and solution! When this is all greenlighted, I will be buying you a CASE of ale, not just a single pint :)!

Cheers!

Mac
 

Attachments

  • AdditionFinalScan.txt
    45.6 KB · Views: 48
  • FRSTfinalscan.txt
    56.8 KB · Views: 77

TwinHeadedEagle

Level 41
Verified
Mar 8, 2013
22,627
This looks better. I'll give you a lot of readings and tools when we finish. I just want to remove some remnants now, and this will be our last step.


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

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Running it on another one may cause damage and render the system unstable.
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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
    3 KB · Views: 60

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