Solved Need assistance in removing Adclicker, Trojan.Powelik, and Exploit Tool Kit

James Brohard

New Member
Thread author
Oct 22, 2014
9
10/18/2014, Norton reporting intrusion attempts, (BLOCKED) from AdClicker, Trojan.Powelik, and Exploit Tool Kit.

Norton reporting intrusion attempts, (BLOCKED).
Also when performing a disk clean up through Norton 360 a massive amount of files are being created each day at C: \Users\My user name\AppDate\Local\Temp\ in countless directories under this. I ran Disk Clean up through Norton 360, came back about 2 hours later and the system had already generated over 45K files. Leave it a day and it's over 100K files.
These Trojans are not only causing intrusion attempts but by creating all these logs it is totally hogging my systems speed.
Also I tried to look into running your FRST64.exe but NORTON said it was dangerous and removed it. With a warning like that I'm not sure if I even trusting trying to use that file to collect logs.

I have ran Norton 360 full scan, Windows Defender, and Malware Bytes. NONE of them reported any issues, yet this massive file creation and Norton intrusion attempts keep happening.
 

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.




FRST.gif
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.
 

James Brohard

New Member
Thread author
Oct 22, 2014
9
I tried to download FRST64.exe yesterday but Norton 360 Quarantined that download calling it frst64.exe (WS.Reputation.1)
This makes me suspicious of trying to run this file.
I'm not sure what to do about this, or if this file is safe?

I should also mention that some how my IE "Internet Security" zone settings keep getting changed from "Medium-high" with "Enable Protected Mode" set to "Enabled", to "Custom" with "Enable Protected Mode" Disabled.

Can these Trojans actually change these settings?
If not what is causing this to occur?

James
 

TwinHeadedEagle

Level 41
Verified
Mar 8, 2013
22,627
Both your problems are well known, Norton detection is false and Internet Explorer settings are changed by malware. Just disable Norton and run FRST tool.
 

James Brohard

New Member
Thread author
Oct 22, 2014
9
Sorry it took me so long to get back to you, things came up.

Attached are the two files you asked for.
While Norton 360 seems to be blocking outbound attempts these infections are both creating a huge amount of files in the Windows Temp directory 250K + in about 4 hours, but it also keeps changing my IE security settings.

Thanks in advance for your help.
I hope this process is successful,

James
 

Attachments

  • Addition.txt
    73.5 KB · Views: 63
  • FRST.txt
    47.3 KB · Views: 63

TwinHeadedEagle

Level 41
Verified
Mar 8, 2013
22,627
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.
 

James Brohard

New Member
Thread author
Oct 22, 2014
9
I ran ComboFix successfully, and have attached the log file.

I do have one bit of feedback and a question.
The current instructions are wrong for Disabling Norton 360, they state to go to the Norton Icon in the toolbar right click and disable Anti-Virus Auto Protect. This only does part of what is needed.

The step that is missing is as follows:
Bring up Norton 360, Click on Settings, Antivirus, then on the "Antispyware and Updates" tab.
Under that tab you have to turn off "Antispyware". That feature does not turn off automatically when you disable Antivirus Auto Protect.
Might want to contact the appropriate people and have them update those instructions.

Now for my question. I see by looking at the log file that it did find and remove one of the three, Poweliks, but I didn't see where it mentioned the others?

Also it stated that it removed the following file
C:\users\ My user name\AppData\Local\TapTap\score.xml
and directory
C:\users\ My user name\AppDate\Local\TapTap

Note: for this example I replaced my true user name with the "My user name" indicator.

Question:
Is the TapTap directory part of the combofix or is that where the virus was located?
 

Attachments

  • ComboFix.txt
    27.2 KB · Views: 71

James Brohard

New Member
Thread author
Oct 22, 2014
9
So far, so good!
I turned it off overnight but it's back up to speed, the huge file generation has stopped. IE is not changing it's security settings anymore.
Only thing that concerns me is the the log file seems to only indicate that it found Trojan.Powelik, but I didn't see any mention of the other two that were being reported previously (Adclicker, and Exploit Tool Kit).

How can I tell for sure it if is clean of all viruses?

I did run a Norton full scan again last night after a reboot and it still didn't find any issues, but it didn't even when I was infected before.

James
 

James Brohard

New Member
Thread author
Oct 22, 2014
9
Oh, OK. Is there anyway to tell for sure that my PC is now clean of any viruses or malware?
It seems to be behaving, a terrific improvement.
 

TwinHeadedEagle

Level 41
Verified
Mar 8, 2013
22,627
Let's run final check:


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.
 

James Brohard

New Member
Thread author
Oct 22, 2014
9
OK here is the results of the final check.
Let me know what you think.

Best Regards,
James
 

Attachments

  • FRST.txt
    47.3 KB · Views: 89
  • Addition.txt
    73 KB · Views: 54

TwinHeadedEagle

Level 41
Verified
Mar 8, 2013
22,627
PC seems clean :)


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 :)
 

James Brohard

New Member
Thread author
Oct 22, 2014
9
Thanks so much TwinHeadedEagle!!!
You made this highly stressful situation easy!
I will donate to your cause tomorrow and follow your advice.
I'll write you one more time tomorrow.

Thanks again,
James
 

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