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

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MutantRanch

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Mar 11, 2015
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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.
 
Hello,



They call me TwinHeadedEagle around here, and I'll be working with you.



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  • 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.
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    button below. Doing this, you make it easier for me to analyze and fix your problem.
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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.
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Do you need the scan for this particular question? I realize your reply was the automated so I'll be patient! :)
 
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.
 
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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.
 
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
 
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?
 
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.
 
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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