Need help with dllhost.exe *32 / COM Surrogate/ Trojan.Powelik

[Raikou]

Hi, I've recently been affected by this. I've tried multiple ways to try to eliminate this by reading other posts/fixes but I can't shake it. As mentioned, multiple dllhost.exe processes keep popping up. I try to maintain them by ending them before my computer completely freezes. If I leave it for too long, the fan goes haywire and my laptop starts heating up. I've been turning off my internet access when doing offline tasks, but that's just a delayed fix.

I've ran MalwareBytes in SafeMode but nothing was found. I tried running FRST fix but after running it for 12+ hrs I gave up and canceled it. I've scanned with Norton 360 and nothing. Although today it finally found something and removed it but didn't fix the issue. There's constant instances of Norton blocked Trojan.Powelik and Web Attack Angler Exploit Kit Website 12 etc. Also, I occasionally I get PowerShell (or something along those words) has stopped working. Internet Explorer occassionally tends to crash or freeze.

As of now, I am unable to download any files. The only workaround I've found was to either download them to my phone and transfer them or to upload them to my Google Drive and then download.

Also, this is an issue that pre-dates the current one; I am unable to install any HP Updates when the computer prompts me. Some programs and their directories have been altered and cannot be opened by the shortcuts or cannot be found by their icon name (? - I doubt these are correct terms) so I have to find it through the program name (?) The majority of folders in All Programs have (empty) directories. For example, Paint no longer shows up in All Programs, in order for me to open it I run a search for mspaint.exe.

I was contemplating just restoring my computer and starting fresh, but I wasn't sure if using the Recovery Disks contain the pre-installed program that HP had on here. i.e. CyberLink Power Suite.

Sorry for being long-winded. Any help would be greatly appreciated. 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 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
  
  icon and select
  
  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.

If you'll encounter any issues with internet connection after running ComboFix, please visit this link.

If an error about operation on the key marked for deletion will appear after running the tool, please reboot your machine.

 

[Raikou]

Hi TwinHeadedEagle,

Thanks for replying so quickly. I ran both TDSKiller and ComboFix. TDSKiller didn't find anything but when I ran ComboFix it seemed to do some good. At first I saw one dllhost.exe process a few times but they would quickly go away. I restarted my computer and it seems like it's done the trick.

Is there a common reason that these infections occur? It seemed to happen after I updated my Adobe when it prompted me. I always make sure it's legit and not a pop-up.

Also do you have any insight of a reason that my directories have been cleared and some common system files have been hidden?

Again, thanks for your help.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

I do not know how this infection spreads, probably torrent sites, I can only imagine.

Also do you have any insight of a reason that my directories have been cleared and some common system files have been hidden?

I do not understand.


Let's run one more check:

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
  
  icon and select
  
  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.

 

[Raikou]

Yes, it's a bit hard to explain. So a while back I had a Google redirect problem that I tried to take care of. I can't quite remember what steps I took but I noticed that something happened to my computer where the HP Updates were being blocked (now seems to be working, thanks) and many of the programs in the All Programs list of the Start Menu had been altered. There a lot of (empty) directory folders. Some Windows programs were removed or hidden. For example, Paint and WM Player don't show up on there anymore, I have to search for MSPaint.exe/wmplayer.exe in order to open and use them. The common directories (Documents, Pictures, Music, etc.) had been taken off of the Start Menu. I had to manually find them and re-add them on there.

I added a screenshot of what I am trying to explain. Also the new scan files. Again, thanks for taking the time out to help me.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

About empty folders, it is normal when you uninstall programs. You can delete them manually. About other programs, I don't have idea how this happened.

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.

 

[Raikou]

Attached is the log. I still can't seem to download any files using Internet Explorer. "Your current security settings do not allow this file to be donwloaded." I might just reinstall it.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Okay, let's run one more scan. How is your PC now?

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
  
  icon and select
  
  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.

 

[Raikou]

Still having the download issue with IE. Other than that, I haven't had any issues with COM Surrogate. Attached are the new files.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Okay, this will be our last fix:

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.