Solved Many DLLHOST.EXE COM Surrogates, iexplore.exe

Taruchyaan

New Member
Thread author
Oct 20, 2014
7
Saturday, I noticed my computer was lagging very badly, so I checked my task manager, and saw that memory usage was almost at capacity. Checking the processes running, I saw several DLLHOST.EXE*32 running, one taking over 1GB of memory. I started a virus scan, and got a lot of popups saying memory was low and to close DLLHOST.EXE. Virus scan found nothing, so I scanned with malwarebytes, and it came up with nothing. Scanned with spybot search and destroy, found nothing. Did a clean on registry with CCleaner. Started up the computer today, and it seemed fine at first, but then it started lagging again and checked processes again. Searched for some other options, did another virus scan with Avast (a bootscan), tried AdwCleaner, did malwarebytes making sure it would scan for rootkits which it found 2 and quarantined. I restarted, but the issue still remains: several DLLHOST.EXE are running and Avast spams me with detected threats from iexplore.exe. I've attached the FRST log and the most recent malware scan (the one that detected two), and I have logs from AdwCleaner, but there's 4, not sure which one is needed or if you want all of them ([R0], [R2], [R3], and [S0]).
Help would be much appreciated! Thank you.
 

Attachments

  • FRST.txt
    56 KB · Views: 54
  • malwarelog.txt
    1.3 KB · Views: 43
Last edited:

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



51a5bf3d99e8a-ComboFixlogo16.png
Scan with ComboFix

This is a very powerful tool that should be used only if advised by Malware Analyst.
Do not run ComboFix on your own!


Referring to this instruction, please download ComboFix by sUBs and save it to your desktop.
Temporary disable your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware protection - instructions here.

  • Right-click on
    51a5bf3d99e8a-ComboFixlogo16.png
    icon and select
    RunAsAdmin.jpg
    Run as Administrator to start the tool.
  • Accept the disclaimer and agree if prompted to install Recovery Console.
  • Do not take any actions while ComboFix goes through your System - it may cause it to stall!
  • This scan may take some time!
  • When finished - it will display a logfile (located also on your main drive, usually C:\ComboFix.txt).

Include that log in your next reply.
icon_idea.gif
If you'll encounter any issues with internet connection after running ComboFix, please visit this link.
icon_idea.gif
If an error about operation on the key marked for deletion will appear after running the tool, please reboot your machine.
 

Taruchyaan

New Member
Thread author
Oct 20, 2014
7
Ran ComboFix, and "Dumphive.3xe has stopped responding" message popped up just before the log loaded, I don't know if that's relevant.
 

TwinHeadedEagle

Level 41
Verified
Mar 8, 2013
22,627
No problem. This looks clean, let's scan again:


FRST.gif
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
    FRST.gif
    icon and select
    RunAsAdmin.jpg
    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.
 

Taruchyaan

New Member
Thread author
Oct 20, 2014
7
Did the scan, but I don't get an Addition.txt. There is one from a previous scan, tried to move it to another location, scanned again and no Addition.txt at all. But here is the FRST.txt
 

Attachments

  • FRST.txt
    75.6 KB · Views: 58

Taruchyaan

New Member
Thread author
Oct 20, 2014
7
Oh, my bad! I was a little groggy this morning. Did another scan, here is the Addition.txt, as well as the FRST.txt with it.
 

Attachments

  • Addition.txt
    25.4 KB · Views: 207
  • FRST.txt
    75.7 KB · Views: 47

TwinHeadedEagle

Level 41
Verified
Mar 8, 2013
22,627
51a46ae42d560-malwarebytes_anti_malware.png
Scan with Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and save it to your desktop.
  • Install the progam and select update.
  • Once updated, click the Settings tab, in the left panel choose Detctions & protection and tick Scan for rootkits.
  • Click the Scan tab, choose Threat Scan is checked and click Scan Now.
  • If threats are detected, click the Apply Actions button. You will now be prompted to reboot. Click Yes.
  • Upon completion of the scan (or after the reboot), click the History tab.
  • Click Application Logs and double-click the Scan Log.
  • At the bottom click Export and choose Text file.
Save the file to your desktop and include its content in your next reply.




adwcleaner_new.png
Fix with AdwCleaner

Please download AdwCleaner by Xplode and save the file to your desktop.

  • Right-click on
    adwcleaner_new.png
    icon and select
    RunAsAdmin.jpg
    Run as Administrator to start the tool.
  • Follow the prompts and click Scan.
  • When finished, please click Clean.
  • Upon completion, click Report. A log (AdwCleaner[S*].txt) will open.

Please include the contents of that file in your reply.




Press the
WindowsKey.png
+ R on your keyboard at the same time. Type sfc /scannow and click OK.
 

Taruchyaan

New Member
Thread author
Oct 20, 2014
7
Here are the two files, and sfc scan was done.
 

Attachments

  • malwarefile.txt
    1 KB · Views: 55
  • AdwCleaner[S0].txt
    16.3 KB · Views: 59

Taruchyaan

New Member
Thread author
Oct 20, 2014
7
Everything seems fine. I've only seen one dllhost.exe running in processes, so I assume that's normal? Performance-wise, everything seems as good as it used to be, and there are no more threat alerts from Avast, so thank you very much! I really appreciate all the time you took to help me.
 

TwinHeadedEagle

Level 41
Verified
Mar 8, 2013
22,627
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:
icon_exclaim.gif
MUST READ - security tips:

icon_exclaim.gif
MUST READ - general maintenance:


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.




Recommended additional software:
icon_arrow.gif
TFC - to clean unneeded temporary files.
icon_arrow.gif
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware - to scan your system from time to time in search for malware.
icon_arrow.gif
Malwarebytes' Anti-Exploit - to prevent plenty of mostly exploited vulnerabilities.
icon_arrow.gif
McShield - to prevent infections spread by removable media.
icon_arrow.gif
Unchecky - to prevent from installing additional foistware, implemented in legitimate installations.
icon_arrow.gif
FiheHippo.com Update Checker - to keep your programs up-to-date.
icon_arrow.gif
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
    51a5ce45263de-delfix.png
    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 :)
 

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