On Tuesday (12/30/14) I started getting a lot of intrusion attempt warnings from Norton, then I remembered a similar problem that you guys fixed for me some months ago, so I checked system processes and performance and discovered that a bunch of dllhost.exe processes were running simultaneously and taking up a huge amount of resources. I'm able to end the processes, but they always come back, anywhere from immediately to an hour later.
Numerous instances of dllhost.exe *32 consuming resources
- Thread starter Scott Fulmar
- Start date
- 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:
Download
Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit to your desktop.
Scan with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool
Please re-run Farbar Recovery Scan Tool to give me a fresh look at your system.
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.
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- 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.
Download
- Double-click the icon to start the tool.
- It will ask you where to extract it, then it will start.
- Warning! Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit needs to be run from an account with administrator rights.
- Click in the introduction screen "next" to continue.
- Click in the following screen "Update" to obtain the latest malware definitions.
- Once the update is complete select "Next" and click "Scan".
- When the scan is finished and no malware has been found select "Exit".
- If malware was detected, make sure to check all the items and click "Cleanup". Reboot your computer.
- Open the MBAR folder and paste the content of the following files in your next reply:
- "mbar-log-{date} (xx-xx-xx).txt"
- "system-log.txt"
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.
Here are the Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit files -- it detected and cleaned up one instance of malware.
I was watching the system processes while waiting for the Anti-Rootkit to scan, and I saw many more bogus processes in addition to dllhost.exe -- such as ctfmon.exe, dplaysvr.exe, dpnsvr.exe, msfeedssync.exe, wextract.exe, and the list goes on. There were multiple instances of these and/or they were using huge amounts of resources.
I was watching the system processes while waiting for the Anti-Rootkit to scan, and I saw many more bogus processes in addition to dllhost.exe -- such as ctfmon.exe, dplaysvr.exe, dpnsvr.exe, msfeedssync.exe, wextract.exe, and the list goes on. There were multiple instances of these and/or they were using huge amounts of resources.
- Mar 8, 2013
- 22,627
Sorry, I didn't see the instruction to "re-run" FRST, I thought that section was redundant because I had already submitted some FRST results. Here are the new results.
By the way, I haven't had any more problems since running the Malwarebytes tool. And I took care of the inability to download internet files myself, it may have been unrelated. A setting had been mysteriously changed in my Internet Explorer browser, which I just changed back.
- Mar 8, 2013
- 22,627
- Mar 8, 2013
- 22,627
Of course 
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
MUST READ - security tips:
MUST READ - general maintenance:
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.
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.
Adblock - to surf the web without annoying ads!
Download DelFix by Xplode and save it to your desktop.
Tool deletes old system restore points and create a fresh system restore point after cleaning.
Stay safe,
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:
- Computer Security - a short guide to staying safer online.
- Simple and easy ways to keep your computer safe and secure on the Internet
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:
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)
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!
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
You guys are simply awesome -- this is the second time you've healed my computer. I believe I'm going to download every one of those recommended software tools now.
I'm amazed you guys do this for free -- I hope most people donate once you've fixed their problems. You can always rely on a donation from me, at least.
I'm amazed you guys do this for free -- I hope most people donate once you've fixed their problems. You can always rely on a donation from me, at least.
- Mar 8, 2013
- 22,627
I wish, but only small amount of them actually donate. But, let's not speak about it.
Your support is greatly appreciated, thanks!
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