Solved Is Upgrading Windows enough to remove "COM Surrogate" malware?

MutantRanch

New Member
Thread author
Mar 11, 2015
6
The darn COM Surrogate malware you all seem to know about somehow got on my computer. I haven't been using that box for several months now but need to use it again....

It's an older model computer with VISTA so I'm thinking of just purchasing Windows 7 or 8 and installing that operating system. I don't know if doing only that is enough to remove the malware though. Can you answer that for me? I do not have the original operating system disks or recovery disks or whatever they're called. There are no programs or files on this computer that I need to recover. I just want to clean-sweep it and upgrade the Windows.
 

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 for the repair.
  • If I don't hear from you within 3 days from this initial or any subsequent post, then this thread will be closed.




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Rules and policies

We won't support any piracy.
That being told, if any evidence of illegal OS, software, cracks/keygens or any other will be revealed, any further assistance will be suspended. If you are aware that there is this kind of stuff on your machine, remove it before proceeding!
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Scan with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool

Please download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to your desktop.

Note: You need to run the version compatibale with your system. If you are not sure which version applies to your system download both of them and try to run them.
Only one of them will run on your system, that will be the right version.


  • Double-click to run it. When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
  • Press Scan button.
  • It will make a log (FRST.txt) in the same directory the tool is run. Please attach it to your reply.
  • The first time the tool is run, it makes also another log (Addition.txt). Please attach it to your reply.
 

MutantRanch

New Member
Thread author
Mar 11, 2015
6
Do you need the scan for this particular question? I realize your reply was the automated so I'll be patient! :)
 

TwinHeadedEagle

Level 41
Verified
Mar 8, 2013
22,627
Sorry. This is preliminary step we require anyone who is opening the topic to do. I don't think you'll need to upgrade your system, but anyway I need reports to see if infection is present or not.
 
Last edited:

MutantRanch

New Member
Thread author
Mar 11, 2015
6
Scan logs attached. Looking forward to your analysis!

Thanks!
 

Attachments

  • Addition.txt
    59.5 KB · Views: 29
  • FRST.txt
    36.4 KB · Views: 38

TwinHeadedEagle

Level 41
Verified
Mar 8, 2013
22,627
Before we continue, let me ask you one thing.

Is this work/business machine? We do not provide free help for work/business computers. This forum is run by volunteers that spend their time free of charge. If you're making money via this PC then you should pay for its repair.
 

MutantRanch

New Member
Thread author
Mar 11, 2015
6
Agreed, and it is a work computer. I intend to upgrade to Windows 7 or 8 - and pay for it. But I was looking for someone to be able to tell me ahead of time if that kind of an upgrade would be sufficient to remove this malware or if I would have to ALSO have an additional malware cleaning process. Can you tell me if the Windows upgrade would be sufficient to remove the malware?

Thank you, Dan
 

TwinHeadedEagle

Level 41
Verified
Mar 8, 2013
22,627
To be honest, I am not sure, so I need more info. Do you intend to install Windows 7 from scratch or to just upgrade without loosing files?
 

MutantRanch

New Member
Thread author
Mar 11, 2015
6
I was planning to install from scratch. I don't have any files or programs that I am at risk of losing or can't be reinstalled... But I don't know the process well enough to know if that means malware does away.
 

TwinHeadedEagle

Level 41
Verified
Mar 8, 2013
22,627
If you install Windows 7/8 from scratch, then you will remove any malware. If you're planning to do so, make sure that you have hardware drivers.
 

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