Solved Multiple dllhost.exe *32 COM Surrogate instances

[Lessa]

Hi, everybody.

I think I've got a serious issue with malware and viruses. It first started a few days ago, God knows why. All of a sudden it got reeeeally slow and I would constantly get Adobe Flash Player update pop ups. Also, it kept saying 'powershell has stopped working'. So thanks to MalwareBytes a ton of viruses were found and I was able to move them to quarantine. So I thought I was done with it, but no... what happens now is that everytime I open my task manager, it shows more than one dllhost.exe *32 by COM Surrogate process running. I just opened it again and there are 7 of those running (about half an hour ago, there were 5 of those), plus one dllhost.exe which cannot be opened. Curiously, when I open the folders where they are located, I'm always redirected to the same SysWOW64 folder and they all appear to be the same file. I even scanned it with my PANDA antivirus and it seems to be ok. I also have Malwarebytes installed and so far it seems to be a good antimalware program. It's detected a ton of viruses and malwares so far. I have ComboFix on my computer as well, so if I need to run it it is already here and I just downloaded adwCleaner, FRST and aswMBR. I've also seen a bunch of shortcuts to Google Chrome entitled "install_tor" and a few others saying "decrypt" something. I've scanned my files with Malwarebytes and surprinsingly they were not recognized by it (I myself found them)! I'm currently scanning all my files with Panda Antivirus and so far nothing has been found other than cookies. Please, help me! Thank you.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

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
  
  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.

Scan with TDSSKiller

Please download TDSSKiller by Kaspersky and save it to your desktop.

• Right-click on
  
  icon and select
  
  Run as Administrator to start the tool.
• Click on Change parameters and put a checkmark beside Loaded modules. A reboot will be needed to apply the changes, allow it to do so.
• Your machine may appear very slow and unusable after that - it's normal.
• TDSSKiller will run automaticaly. Click on Change parameters and click OK.
• Click the Start Scan button and wait patiently.

If anything will be found follow this guidelines:

• If a suspicious object is detected, the default action will be Skip, click on Continue.
• If malicious objects are found, they will show in the Scan results - Select action for found objects and offer three options.
  Ensure Cure (default) is selected, then click Continue > Reboot now to finish the cleaning process.
  If Cure is not available, please choose Skip instead.
• Do not choose Delete unless instructed!

A report will be created in your root directory, (usually C:\ drive) in the form of TDSSKiller.[Version]_[Date]_[Time]_log.txt. Please include the contents of that file in your next post.

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.

 

[Lessa]

I couldn't find the TSSD Killer report in the C drive, so with the program still open I went to "report" and a new window showed up. I copied all the information, created a new notepad file and pasted it there. I hope that's ok.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

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.

 

[Lessa]

Should I create a new folder on desktop and paste both FRST and fixlist.txt files to this folder or should I just leave both files on desktop? Also, should I paste FRST.txt there as well or that one will not be useful anymore?

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

You can either create the folder or leave them both on the Desktop. Only fixlog will be enough for now.

 

[Lessa]

Alright. So, apparently the dllhost.exe processes are gone.

Are they really gone according to fixlog??

If so, thank you so much!!!!! =D =D

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Yes, I think you're clean

Is everything all right now?

 

[Lessa]

Not only does it look clean, but I also haven't had any other signs of possible infections and, in addition, my laptop is working at its normal speed once again. Problem solved. It something else comes up, I will let you know.

Again, thank you sooo much, Mr. TwinHeadedEagle!!!! You really are an expert.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

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:
​

MUST READ - security tips:

• Computer Security - a short guide to staying safer online.
• Simple and easy ways to keep your computer safe and secure on the Internet

MUST READ - general maintenance:

• What to do if your Computer is running slowly?

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.

• How to configure and use Automatic Updates in Windows
• How to update Java
• How to update Adobe Reader

Recommended additional software:
​

TFC - to clean unneeded temporary files.

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware - to scan your system from time to time in search for malware.

Malwarebytes' Anti-Exploit - to prevent plenty of mostly exploited vulnerabilities.

McShield - to prevent infections spread by removable media.

Unchecky - to prevent from installing additional foistware, implemented in legitimate installations.

FiheHippo.com Update Checker - to keep your programs up-to-date.

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
  
  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

 

[Lessa]

So, hi, it's me again. I was going to follow the steps in order to keep my laptop safe, but then I noticed that apparently there's a new malware (or it might be the same one (?)) on my laptop. This time is not about dllhost.exe but about this other file entitled "Qogdcewxcff.exe *32" and on its description it says it's from Google Chrome, which obviously it's not since I did not even have it installed on my computer. Multiple instances of it, too. Around 20. Now my laptop is slow again. Should I take the same steps that I did before?

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

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.

 

[Lessa]

Ok. I ran FRST.exe as an administrator. Is that ok?

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

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.

 

[Lessa]

I have no more signs of malware, apparently! Laptop seems to be back to normal. Hope it doesn't come back! Does it look ok?

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Yes, it looks okay.

 

[Lessa]

So should I take the steps to the post clean-up procedures now? I'll do that before I get any other threats.

Thanks once again!!! Really!

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Yes, you can do it now.

 

[Lessa]

Hi once again,

I found out that I have Cryptowall 2.0 virus on my laptop! I scanned all my files through Malware Bytes twice (once with my laptop working normally and once with it on safe mode) and nothing was found. Then, I downloaded Spy Hunter and it did find the virus but, in order to get rid of it (and the 259 other threats), I would need to get the paid version of it first. Then I tried getting a keygen but now I think I might be getting even more viruses trying to eliminate the one that's already on my computer. What should I do? this is getting too stressful

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Can you please avoid torrent sites and everything that is pirate related, I won't clean you PC when you behave stupid.