Solved dllhost.exe/explorer.exe infection

[Kyricchi]

I've also attached the combofix log file. FRST was stuck on "Listing installed programs" for several hours, so I can't be sure how complete it is.

 

[argus]

Helllo,

My name is Argus and and I will be helping you with your computer problems.

Before we begin, please note the following:

• I will working be on your Malware issues, this may or may not, solve other issues you have with your machine.
• The logs can take some time to research, so please be patient with me.
• Stay with the topic until I tell you that your system is clean. Missing symptoms does not mean that everything is okay.
• Instructions that I give are for your system only!
• Please do not run any tools until requested ! The reason for this is so I know what is going on with the machine at any time. Some programs can interfere with others and hamper the recovery process.
• Please perform all steps in the order received. If you can't understand something don't hesitate to ask.
• Again I would like to remind you to make no further changes to your computer unless I direct you to do so. I will not help you if you do not follow my instructions.

Download

Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit to your desktop.

• Double-click the icon to start the tool.
• It will ask you where to extract it, then it will start.
• Warning! Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit needs to be run from an account with administrator rights.
• Click in the introduction screen "next" to continue.
• Click in the following screen "Update" to obtain the latest malware definitions.
• Once the update is complete select "Next" and click "Scan".
• When the scan is finished and no malware has been found select "Exit".
• If malware was detected, make sure to check all the items and click "Cleanup". Reboot your computer.
• Open the MBAR folder and paste the content of the following files in your next reply:
  • "mbar-log-{date} (xx-xx-xx).txt"
  • "system-log.txt"

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
  
  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.

Please include their content into your next reply.

 

[Kyricchi]

Hello Argus! I had some issues running FRST. I had to boot into safe mode with networking. F8 wasn't working so I had to do a bcdedit through the command prompt. In normal mode, FRST paused at listing installed programs and gave no logs. In safe mode it also paused at listing installed programs, but did create a log. So I'm not entirely sure that it's a full log, but I'll post all four here.

 

[argus]

Za vise antivirusa


Always have one (and no more than one!) AntiVirus program! In this case having more of them will not provide you with better protection - instead they may cause slowness, lock-ups and even mark another ones as harmful, leading to leave your system unstable and even damaged. Please choose only one from the listed below to stay with and uninstall the others:

• Comodo
• Avast

Uninstallation procedure:

• Press the
  
  + R on your keyboard at the same time. Type appwiz.cpl and click OK.
• Search for each uninstalled entry, right-click it and select Uninstall.

This should be done until any other steps will be taken.

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.

 

[Kyricchi]

Quick question about the antivirus. The only thing Comodo is used for is the firewall. It does have the capability to scan, but no real-time or scheduled scan. Avast requires the paid version to access its firewall, so I've been using it for real-time protection and weekly system scans. And Windows firewall is meh. Would you still recommend unistalling one of the programs?

 

[argus]

No, if the Comodo firewall do not touch.

 

[Kyricchi]

Alrighty. Ran the fix. It did ask for a restart. Here's the log file.

 

[argus]

How is the situation now?

 

[Kyricchi]

The coupons toolbar is still trying to communicate with the internet, and slimcleaner is still active, but that could just be adware. exlorer.exe hasn't appeared since the mbar scan, so the attempted redirects has stopped as well.

 

[argus]

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
  
  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.

Please include their content into your next reply.

 

[Kyricchi]

Here are the log files.

 

[argus]

Uninstall some programs

We need to uninstall some unwanted/unneeded programs.

• Press the
  
  + R on your keyboard at the same time. Type appwiz.cpl and click OK.
• Search there for each entry mentioned below, right-click the entry and click Uninstall one at a time

The list of programs to uninstall:

• CouponBar
• CouponXplorer Internet Explorer Toolbar

After completing uninstalls, please manually reboot your machine!

Note: If you get the message like: An error occurred while trying to uninstall, just press Yes.

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.

 

[Kyricchi]

I had to uninstall CouponBar in safe mode, it told me access denied otherwise. The other item told me "module not found." Here's the fixlog.

 

[Kyricchi]

I had to uninstall CouponBar in safe mode, it told me access denied otherwise. The other item told me "module not found." Here's the fixlog.

 

[Kyricchi]

I just got a little notice that I thought might interest you.

Title: pcdrcui.exe - Application Error

Text: Application has generated an exception that could not be handled

Process ID=0x788 (1928), Thread ID=0x1bdc (7132).

Click OK to terminate the application.
Click CANCEL to debug the application.

 

[argus]

Click OK to terminate the application.


How is the situation now?

 

[Kyricchi]

It seems to be running fine. Slimcleaner is still running at boot up, but I've been waiting to uninstall it until you ask me to. That's the only thing abnormal.

 

[argus]

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.

 

[Kyricchi]

Alright, here's the log. I also wanted to mention that the alert I posted in post 15 is still occurring. I did tell commodo to treat pcdrcui as an isolated application, so that might be causing it.

 

[argus]

How's your computer behaving now?