Solved Dual Infection: .trashes USB virus and lataminternet browser hijacker

[Kellsbells]

Hello all,

I am new here, so thanks in advance for any help. After googling around I was impressed with the site and its response to my virus, which seems to be especially tricky to remove.

I think this started in mid October this year when I was using a USB drive to print files for work at an internet cafe in Colombia where I live. I noticed that all the files on the USB drive became shortcuts which directed me to a .trashes file that could not be accessed. When I connected another USB to my laptop, the same thing happened. Shortly thereafter I noticed that my browser homepage was always http://login.lataminternet.com/search.php?q= and I could not change it.

There is a lot of info about these online, especially in Spanish. I followed a spanish language youtube tutorial to try and clear the .trashes, mostly just rooting around in newer files that look suspicious and deleting them. But I am not sure the virus is really gone. When I looked at the threads relating to lataminternet I decided I was in over my head. Also, I don't know how to back up my files since I can't connect any external drives without possibly infecting them!

All requested scans are attached. I live in an area where internet can be unreliable, so if I don't reply for a day it's probably just because the network is down. I'll be back!

Thanks again,

Kelly

 

[argus]

Helllo,

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.

Scan with McSield

Please download McShield by dr_bora and save it to your desktop.

• Install it on your machine.
• It will initially run a scan and show the result as a toaster by the system clock.
• Start the Control Centre by clicking on the
  
  icon in your system tray.
• Go to the Scanner tab and tick unhide items on flash drives.
• Plug in the drive and McShield will start a scan.
• A logfile of this scan may be found in the Logs tab of the main screen.

Please include that log in your next reply.

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.

 

[Kellsbells]

Hi, thanks so much for your quick response. Should I have all the potentially infected external drives (flash drives) connected for these steps?

Kelly

 

[argus]

Not.

 

[Kellsbells]

Hello,

I interpreted your message to mean just insert the flash drive which was initally infected during the scan, which I did. Logs are attached.

After running the Fix file and the restart I was able to reset my browser homepage to Gmail and it stayed that way! I have also noticed that a program I downloaded years ago to let me set images as my desktop (which windows 7 starter does not allow) has been disabled. What does that mean?

Thanks!

Kelly

 

[argus]

USB is clean, do you have a shortcut?

 

[Kellsbells]

No, no more shortcuts.

 

[argus]

Very good.

Is everything ok now?

 

[Kellsbells]

Yes, I think so, thank you! The program that was disabled in the fix, Oceanis Change Background W7, can I still use it? Also, the other USBs which were infected by the .trashes virus, how do I clean them without infecting any other machines?

 

[argus]

Oceanis Change Background W7, can I still use it?

You can.

Also, the other USBs which were infected by the .trashes virus, how do I clean them without infecting any other machines?

Plug in the drive and McShield will start a scan.