Cannot remove live security platinum

[grozer]

 

[Jack]

Can you temporarily disable your antivirus/firewall and see if you get your internet connection back.


1.Right-click the ZoneAlarm tray icon on the right-hand side of the taskbar. A list of options is displayed.
2.Select Shutdown ZoneAlarm (or similar, depending on the version).
3.The ZoneAlarm firewall is temporarily disabled. To reactivate it, you must locate the ZoneAlarm shortcut in your Start menu or on the desktop, and launch it. The firewall will automatically re-initialise.

 

[grozer]

I was to go into the Zone Alarm monitor and turn off the advanced firewall which did allow me to get to the internet. After I checked that this worked I reactivated the firewall and was not able to load any web pages. I have always had the firewall active. I shouldn't leave it off permanently should I?

Shortly after I did this test Hitman Pro popped up with a potential malicious software warning for a file located in C:\windows\system32 named services.exe and Hitman wants me to allow removal. Should I go ahead?

 

[grozer]

Just noticed something and cant believe I missed this before but looking at the programs list, I just realized there is still a folder for Live Security Platinum, as well as a shortcut to launch the program. If I rightclick on the program and look at properties, then click open file location it takes me directly to a folder C:\ProgramData\225932DB04060D0AEAC5FCEF875F002 which contains three files, an exe, and ico and one without an extensions. All file names are identical to the folder alpha numeric name. Can I just delete these files?

 

[Jack]

Yes,you'll need to temporarily disable your firewall so that you can connect to the Internet...
Do not remove the services.exe file as it's a critical Windows file that got corrupted by this infection.
NEXT,lets run a Combofix scan...
STEP 1 : Run a scan with Combofix
 
Download ComboFix from one of the following locations: 

COMBOFIX DOWNLOAD LINK #1 (This link will automatically download Combofix on your computer)
COMBOFIX DOWNLOAD LINK #2  (This link will automatically download Combofix on your computer)
 
VERY IMPORTANT !!! Save ComboFix.exe to your Desktop  
 
<ul>
<li>Close any open browsers.</li>
<li>Close/disable all anti virus and anti malware programs so they do not interfere with the running of ComboFix.
-----------------------------------------------------------
<ul>
<li><>Very Important!</> Temporarily <>disable</> your <>anti-virus</>, <>script blocking</> and any <>anti-malware</> real-time protection <em><>before</></em>performing a scan. They can interfere with ComboFix or remove some of its embedded files which may cause <em>"unpredictable results"</em>.</li>
<li><em>Click on <a title="External link" href="http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic114351.html" rel="nofollow external"><>this link</></a> to see a list of programs that should be disabled. The list is not all inclusive. If yours is not listed and you don't know how to disable it, please ask.</em>
-----------------------------------------------------------</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Close any open browsers.</li>
<li><>WARNING: Combofix will disconnect your machine from the Internet as soon as it starts</></li>
<li>Please do not attempt to re-connect your machine back to the Internet until Combofix has completely finished.</li>
<li>If there is no internet connection after running Combofix, then restart your computer to restore back your connection.</li>
</ul>
-----------------------------------------------------------</li></ul>

1. Double click on ComboFix.exe & follow the prompts.
2. Accept the disclaimer and allow to update if it asks
   
3. When finished, it shall produce a log for you. 
   [*]Please include the C:\ComboFix.txt in your next reply.

Notes:
<ol><li> Do not mouse-click Combofix's window while it is running. That may cause it to stall.</li>
<li> Do not "re-run" Combofix. If you have a problem, reply back for further instructions.</li>
<li>  If after the reboot you get errors about programms being marked for deletion then reboot, that will cure it.</li></ol>



<hr />
What's next?

Please post in your next reply:
1.Combofix log
2.Let me know if you had any problems with the above instructions and also <>let me know how things are running now!</>

 

[grozer]

Did you see my second post about the live security platinum program folder I found? Should I just delete that first before doing the scan?

 

[Jack]

Yes,you can go ahead and delete them.......

 

[grozer]

OK I think this resolved my issue. I have attached the combofix.txt file. I will admit I thought I deactivated everything before kicking off Combofix, but before it started to run I got the warning message that ZoneAlarm was still running. I had completedly closed down and exited the program but I guess somehow it was still running and I couldnt figure out another way to shut it down.

Then when Combofix rebooted my machine, all my malware scanning programs I had started up and I closed them quickly. The ComboFix blue screen was open and I did see the message that said my services.exe file was infected and restored.

Do you think the Zone Alarm message or the reloading of the malware scanners could have corrupted the repair by ComboFix? Everything seems to be running smoothly again with no sluggishness.

 

[Jack]

Next,please perform the following steps:

STEP 1: Run a scan with RogueKiller
<ol>
<li>Please <>download the latest official version of </><>RogueKiller</>.
<a href="http://www.sur-la-toile.com/RogueKiller/RogueKiller.exe" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">RogueKiller Download Link</a> (This link will automatically download RogueKiller on your computer)</li>
<li><>Double click on RogueKiller.exe</> to start this utility and then <>wait for the Prescan to complete</>.This should take only a few seconds and then you can <>click the Start button</> to perform a system scan.
<img title="Click on the Start button to perform a system scan" src="http://malwaretips.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/roguek-1.png" alt="[Image: roguekiller-1.png]" width="600" height="450" border="0" /></li>
<li>After the scan has completed, <>press the Delete button</> to remove any malicious registry keys.
<img title="Press Delete to remove the malicious registry keys" src="http://malwaretips.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/roguek-2.png" alt="[Image: roguekiller-2.png]" width="600" height="450" border="0" /></li>
<li>Next we will need to restore your shortcuts, <>so click on the ShortcutsFix button </>and allow the program to run.
<img title="Click on the Start button to perform a system scan" src="http://malwaretips.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/roguek-3.png" alt="[Image: roguekiller-1.png]" width="600" height="450" border="0" /></li>
</ol>

The report has been created on the desktop.In your next reply please post:

All RKreport.txt text files located on your desktop.

<hr />
STEP 2. Run a scan with ESET Online Scanner
<ol>
<li>Download ESET Online Scanner utility.
<><a title="External link" href="http://download.eset.com/special/eos/esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe" rel="nofollow">ESET Online Scanner Download Link</a></> <em>(This link will automatically download ESET Online Scanner on your computer.)</em></li>
<li>Double click on the Eset installer program (esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe).</li>
<li>Check <>Yes, I accept the Terms of Use</></li>
<li>Click the <>Start</> button.</li>
<li>Check <>Scan archives</></li>
<li>Push the <>Start</> button.</li>
<li>ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer. Please be patient as this can take some time.</li>
<li>When the scan completes, push <>List of found threats</></li>
<li>Push <>Export to Text file </> and save the file to your desktop using a unique name, such as <>ESET Scan</>. Include the contents of this report in your next reply.Note - when ESET doesn't find any threats, no report will be created.</li>
<li>Push the <>back</> button.</li>
<li>Push <>Finish</></li>
</ol>
<hr />
STEP 3: Download and run OTL
<ol><li>Download the OTL utility using the below link :
<><a title="External link" href="http://oldtimer.geekstogo.com/OTL.exe" rel="nofollow external">OTL DOWNLOAD LINK</a> <em>(This link will automatically download OTL on your computer)</em></></li>
<li>Double click on the icon to run it. Make sure all other windows are closed and to let it run uninterrupted.
<img src="http://malwaretips.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/OTL-logo.png" alt="" title="OTL-logo" width="106" height="118" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3946" /></li>
<li>When the window appears, <>underneath Output</> at the top change it to <>Minimal Output</>.</li>
<li>Check the boxes beside <>LOP Check</> and <>Purity Check</>.</li>
<li>Under the Custom Scan box paste this in:

%SYSTEMDRIVE%\*.exe
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\*.exe
%APPDATA%\*.
/md5start
atapi.sys
explorer.exe
winlogon.exe
Userinit.exe
svchost.exe
csrss.exe
PrintIsolationHost.exe
consrv.dll
/md5stop
%systemroot%\*. /mp /s
hklm\software\clients\startmenuinternet|command /rs
%systemroot%\system32\*.dll /lockedfiles
%systemroot%\Tasks\*.job /lockedfiles
%systemroot%\system32\drivers\*.sys /lockedfiles
CREATERESTOREPOINT

</li>
<li>Click the<> Run Scan</> button.</li>
<li>When the scan completes, it will open two notepad windows. <>OTL.Txt</> and <>Extras.Txt</>. These are saved in the same location as OTL.
<>Please post this 2 logs in your first reply.</>.</li></ol>
<em>Note: If OTL.exe will not run, it may be blocked by malware. Try these alternate versions: <a title="External link" href="http://www.itxassociates.com/OT-Tools/OTL.scr" rel="nofollow external">OTL.scr</a>, or <a title="External link" href="http://oldtimer.geekstogo.com/OTL.com" rel="nofollow external">OTL.com</a>.</em>
<hr />
What's next?

Attach the following logs to your post (You can find here details on how to use the Attachment System):

1.RogueKiller logs
2.ESET log
3.OTL logs
4.Let me know if you had any problems with the above instructions and also let me know how things are running now!

 

[grozer]

Followed the steps and everything went as expected. Several files removed by ESET. My PC seems to be running smoothly, though I haven't had much time to run through various things. Logs are attached.

 

[Jack]

Can you please run the below scans:
STEP 1: Run a HitmanPro scan
<ol>
<li><>Download the latest official version of HitmanPro</>.
<a href="http://www.surfright.nl/en/hitmanpro/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> <>HITMANPRO DOWNLOAD LINK</></a> <em>(This link will open a download page in a new window from where you can download HitmanPro)</em></li>
<li>Start HitmanPro  by <>double clicking on the previously downloaded file.</> and then following the prompts.
<img src="http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/hpro4.png" alt="[Image: hitmanproscan4.png]" border="0" /></li>
<li>Once the scan is complete, a screen displaying all the malicious files that the program found will be shown as seen in the image below.After reviewing each malicious object click <>Next</> .
<img src="http://malwaretips.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/rsz_hpro5.png" alt="[Image: hitmanproscan5.png]" border="0" /></li>
<li>Click <>Activate free license</> to start the free 30 days trial and remove the malicious files.
<img src="http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/hpro6.png" alt="[Image: hitmanproscan6.png]" border="0" /></li>
<li>HitmanPro will now start removing the infected objects, and in some instances, may suggest a reboot in order to completely remove the malware from your system. In this scenario, always confirm the reboot action to be on the safe side.
</ol>
Add to your next reply, any log that HitmanPro might generate.
<hr />
STEP 2: Run a scan with Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool
Click <a title="External link" href="http://www.kaspersky.com/antivirus-removal-tool?form=1" rel="nofollow external" rel="nofollow"><>here</></a> to download the Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool.
<ol>
<li>Save it to your desktop.</li>
<li>Double click the setup file to run it.</li>
<li>Follow the onscreen prompts until it is installed</li>
<li>Click the Options button (the 'Gear' icon), then make sure only the following are ticked:
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #ff0000;">System Memory</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #ff0000;">Hidden startup objects</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #ff0000;">Disk boot sectors</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #ff0000;">Local Disk (C: )</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #ff0000;">Also any other drives (Removable that you may have)</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Then click on <>Actions</> on the left hand side</li>
<li>Click <>Select Action</>, then make sure both <>Disinfect</> and <>Delete if disinfection fails</> are ticked</li>
<li>Click on <>Automatic Scan</></li>
<li>Now click the <>Start Scanning</> button, to run the scan</li>
<li>After the scan is complete, click the reports button ('Paper icon', next to the 'Gear' icon) on the right hand side</li>
<li>Click <>Detected threats</> on the left</li>
<li>Now click the <>Save</> button, and save it as <>kaslog.txt</> to your <>Desktop</></li>
<li>Please attach kaslog.txt in your next reply.</li>
</ol>
<hr />

STEP 3: Run Windows Repair All in One

<ol><li>Download the Windows Repair All in One utility from the below link.
<a title="External link" href="http://www.tweaking.com/content/page/windows_repair_all_in_one.html" rel="nofollow"><>WINDOWS REPAIR ALL IN ONE DOWNLOAD LINK</></a>  <em>(This link will open a download page in a new window from where you can download Windows Repair All in One Portable version)</em></li>
<li>Double-click <>tweaking.com_windows_repair_aio.zip</> and extract the <>Tweaking.com - Windows Repair</> folder to your desktop.</li>
<li>Now open this folder and double-click <>Repair_Windows.exe</>.</li>
<li>Click the <>Start Repairs</> tab on the far right.</li>
<li>Click the <>Start</> button (bottom right)
Note: When asked if you would like to create a restore point. It is recommended just in-case something does not go as planned.</li>
<li>Click <>Unselect All</></li>
<li>Put a checkmark in the following items:
<ul>
<li>Repair Hosts File</li>
<li>Remove Temp Files</li>
<li>Remove Policies Set By Infections</li>
</ul>
Note: Leave everything else unchecked</li>
<li>Put a checkmark in <>Restart System When Finished</></li>
<li>Now click the <>Start</> button (bottom right)</li>
</ol>
<hr />

</ol>What's next?

Attach the following logs to your post (You can find here details on how to use the Attachment System):

1.Kaspersky log
3.RogueKiller logs
4.Let me know if you had any problems with the above instructions and also let me know how things are running now!

 

[grozer]

I finally got some time to run these steps and everything went as expected. I attached the logs for the steps I was asked to complete even though the comments at the end asked for other logs??? System is running very smoothly now.

 

[Jack]

Unless you are having other problems, it is time to do the final steps.

<>Remove ComboFix</>
<ol>
<li>Hold down the <>Windows key</> + <>R</> on your keyboard. This will display the Run dialogue box</li>
<li>In the Run box, type in <>ComboFix /Uninstall</> <em>(Notice the space between the "x" and "/")</em> then click <>OK</> <a href="http://malwaretips.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/combofix-uninstall.png"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4129" title="Uninstall Combofix" src="http://malwaretips.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/combofix-uninstall.png" alt="Combofix uninstall command" width="413" height="212" /></a></li>
<li>Follow the prompts on the screen</li>
<li>A message should appear confirming that ComboFix was uninstalled</li>
</ol>
<hr />
<>Remove the OTL utility</>

Run OTL and hit the <>CleanUp</> button. It will remove all the programs we have used plus itself.
Also,you can go to Add or Remove Programs section and remove any other programs that we have used.
</ul>
<hr />
<img src="http://users.telenet.be/bluepatchy/miekiemoes/images/javaicon.gif" alt="Posted Image" /> Your <>Java</> is out of date. Older versions have vulnerabilities that malware can use to infect your system. Please follow these steps to remove older version of <>Java</> components and upgrade the application. <></><>Upgrading Java</>:
<ul>
<li>Go to<a title="External link" href="http://java.com/en/" rel="nofollow external"> this site</a> and click <>Do I have Java</></li>
<li>It will check your current version and then offer to update to the latest version</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<>Clean your temporary files</>
<ol>
<li>You can download the TFC utility from the below link
<a title="External link" href="http://oldtimer.geekstogo.com/TFC.exe" rel="nofollow external"><>TFC DOWNLOAD LINK</></a> <em>(This link will automatically download Temp File Cleaner on your computer)</em></li>
<li>Please double-click <>TFC.exe</> to run it. (<>Note:</> If you are running on Vista or 7, right-click on the file and choose <>Run As Administrator</>).</li>
<li>It <>will close all programs</> when run, so make sure you have <>saved all your work</> before you begin.</li>
<li>Click the <>Start</> button to begin the process. Depending on how often you clean temp files, execution time should be anywhere from a few seconds to a minute or two. <>Let it run uninterrupted to completion</>.</li>
<li>Once it's finished it should <>reboot your machine</>. If it does not, please <>manually reboot the machine</> yourself to ensure a complete clean.</li>
</ol>

What's next?

1. I ly advise you,to start a thread in our Security Configuration Wizard forum, to build up your computer malware defenses.
2. It's good to know that the best way to prevent future infections is to know how to avoid them,so with this in mind I ly recommend that you read this article on how to avoid computer infections. > <a href="http://malwaretips.com/blogs/how-to-easily-avoid-pc-infections/">How to easily avoid PC infections</a>