Solved dllhost.exe Com and maybe powershell.exe, too, disrupting computer.

[Ed3530]

I've tried Malwarebytes, McAfee, and CC Cleaner as well as restoring to a previous Restore Point in an attempt to get my computer(HP Pavilion dv4) working properly again. Initially, besides running slowly, I was suddenly getting messages from via the internet that my copy of the Windows 7 Home operating system was not valid. I got in touch with someone at Microsoft via online chat, and after some back and forth, he directed me to HP. I couldn't find anything on HP's site that looked as if I could follow up on this problem. So I restored my system (after doing a regular backup to an external hard drive) to a previous Restore Point. The messages regarding an invalid copy of Windows Home Premium OS stopped, but by installing Malwarebytes, I then began to see the pop-up notifications of "Malicious Website Blocked" with variuos domains listed (sometimes none), various IPs listed, various ports listed, always as an Outbound type and the Process was ID'd as C:\Windows\SysWOW64\dllhost.exe

I have been keeping Windows Task Manager open & have watched it closely. The dllhost.exe shows up in the list of processes, I end the process or process tree, powershell.exe fires up for just an instant, then dllhost.exe makes another appearance. I can do this many, many times, and then sometimes the dllhost.exe doesn't make any appearances or doesn't make any for a long time.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Hello,

http://malwaretips.com/threads/preparation-guide-before-requesting-malware-removal-help.20334/

 

[Ed3530]

I will indeed provide a donation if I am happy with the help provided, TwinHeadedEagle. What do I do now besides follow the link that you provided?

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

This link explains how we work here and what you need to do in order to get assisted.

 

[Ed3530]

Here are the two files from running FRST64.exe

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

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.

 

[Ed3530]

Ran Fix, rec'd notice that I needed to reboot. Rebooted...here's the attached Fix txt file.

 

[Ed3530]

After reboot (and having run Fix), no additional pop-up notifications from Malwarebytes about Malicious Website Blocked...so far.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Very good. How is your Pc now?

 

[Ed3530]

Still no problems & it's running fine. I have Windows Task Manager opened...no appearances of dllhost.exe! Can you tell me a.) what specifically caused the problem (I try to be very careful on anything that I open or download) and b.) its source--so I don't end up doing the same thing again? Also, was there anything that YOU put in that Fix.txt file that I downloaded or was that a generic thing?

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

It was a Poweliks trojan that caused your problems.


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

Recommended reading:
​

MUST READ - security tips:

• Computer Security - a short guide to staying safer online.
• Simple and easy ways to keep your computer safe and secure on the Internet

MUST READ - general maintenance:

• What to do if your Computer is running slowly?

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.

• How to configure and use Automatic Updates in Windows
• How to update Java
• How to update Adobe Reader

Recommended additional software:
​

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.

Adblock - to surf the web without annoying ads!

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)

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.

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!​

Stay safe,
TwinHeadedEagle