svchost.exe Malware Problem

Taiping

New Member
Thread author
Jun 5, 2015
12
I keep getting the attached warning from AVAST which says it has blocked an infection pointing to a URL web address, and apparently originating from the Windows 7 program svchost.exe.

Now I've gone through the svchost.exe malware removal guide on this site several times, being very agressive to remove any suspect files (which has stopped some programs working, which I've had for years).
That is, I've run ESET POWERLINKS, MALWAREBYTES, HITMANPRO, ROGUEKILLER, and EMISOFT, all with latest updates several times, but still I get the AVAST warning popup.

Any thoughts appreciated. FRST.txt file attached,
Rgds.
 

Attachments

  • FRST.txt
    93.5 KB · Views: 18
  • SVCHOST 20150606jpg.jpg
    SVCHOST 20150606jpg.jpg
    142.3 KB · Views: 25

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:
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    button below. Doing this, you make it easier for me to analyze and fix your problem.

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That being told, if any evidence of illegal OS, software, cracks/keygens or any other will be revealed, any further assistance will be suspended. If you are aware that there is this kind of stuff on your machine, remove it before proceeding!
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You're missing Addition.txt report.
 

TwinHeadedEagle

Level 41
Verified
Mar 8, 2013
22,627
51a612a8b27e2-Zoek.png
Scan with ZOEK

Please download ZOEK by Smeenk and save it to your desktop (preferred version is the *.exe one)
Temporary disable your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware protection - instructions here.

  • Right-click on
    51a612a8b27e2-Zoek.png
    icon and select
    RunAsAdmin.jpg
    Run as Administrator to start the tool.
  • Wait patiently until the main console will appear, it may take a minute or two.
  • In the main box please paste in the following script:
    Code:
    createsrpoint;
    autoclean;
    emptyalltemp;
    chrdefaults;
    ipconfig /flushdns;b
  • Make sure that Scan All Users option is checked.
  • Push Run Script and wait patiently. The scan may take a couple of minutes.
  • When the scan completes, a zoek-results logfile should open in notepad.
  • If a reboot is needed, it will be opened after it. You may also find it at your main drive (usually C:\ drive)

Post its content into your next reply.
 

Taiping

New Member
Thread author
Jun 5, 2015
12
Tks - I disabled AVAST and ran ZOEK.
Here are the results.
I had to reboot the PC when AVAST again blocked the svchost.exe malware.
If it's any help, I think AVAST seems to give the pop-up message soon after starting the PC -- could it be something in the Start-Up programs listed in msconfig?
 

Attachments

  • zoek-results 20150606.txt
    153.5 KB · Views: 17

TwinHeadedEagle

Level 41
Verified
Mar 8, 2013
22,627
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.
 

Taiping

New Member
Thread author
Jun 5, 2015
12
OK, here 'tis . . .
Hope I've done this correctly.
 

Attachments

  • FRST.txt
    93.5 KB · Views: 14
  • Addition.txt
    57.3 KB · Views: 15

Taiping

New Member
Thread author
Jun 5, 2015
12
I'm not sure the last FRST scan had the updated time stamp, so I deleted the FRST.txt and Addition.txt files and ran FRST again.
The new results are attached.
 

Attachments

  • Addition.txt
    57.4 KB · Views: 19
  • FRST.txt
    92.9 KB · Views: 15

Taiping

New Member
Thread author
Jun 5, 2015
12
Just to mention that several minutes after the last FRST scan, AVAST again had a pop-up message as attached.
I was not doing anything on the computer at the time.
Shortly afterwards, I had another 2 AVAST warnings.
 

Attachments

  • SVCHOST 20150606 #2.jpg
    SVCHOST 20150606 #2.jpg
    133.5 KB · Views: 20

TwinHeadedEagle

Level 41
Verified
Mar 8, 2013
22,627
FRST.gif
Fix with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool

icon_exclaim.gif
This fix was created for this user for use on that particular machine.
icon_exclaim.gif

icon_exclaim.gif
Running it on another one may cause damage and render the system unstable.
icon_exclaim.gif

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
    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).
  • 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.
 

Attachments

  • fixlist.txt
    3.3 KB · Views: 20

Taiping

New Member
Thread author
Jun 5, 2015
12
Did as requested.
FRST64.exe and FRST.txt are on Drive (E) on my PC, not the Desktop. I ran FRST but could not see the FIXLOG.txt file in Drive (E).
I did an Internet Explorer search for the file and found 2 files in different places in Drive (C), the operating system.
I attach these 2 files.

By the way, and I don't know if this is relevant at all, but a couple of days ago I read somewhere that there should only be one copy of SVCHOST.exe under C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 but I found several files of that name on Drive (C), not just one.
I searched again today for the file and found one SVCHOST.exe and two files names SVCHOST.exe.mui under SYSTEM32, but another one under something called CHAMELEON\WINDOWS and the "Date Modified" for this file was 14/4/2015.
But I thought before I could find more examples of SVCHOST.exe on Drive (C).
Hope this helps.
 

Attachments

  • Fixlog.txt
    7.7 KB · Views: 13
  • Fixlog_07-06-2015_06-20-38.txt
    7.7 KB · Views: 19

Taiping

New Member
Thread author
Jun 5, 2015
12
Just to mention that today I noticed that the Windows system was not Activated. Seems that MS detected different hardware (I upgraded my PC recently with a new motherboard and CPU etc). I had to phone Microsoft to re-Activate the system. Now shows Activated OK.
No further AVAST pop-up messages since your last fix.
 

Taiping

New Member
Thread author
Jun 5, 2015
12
Thank you very much for your help. No further AVAST pop-ups to date. A couple of queries . . .
1. Can you tell me in simple terms (for this non-techie) what you think the problem was, and knowing that, how can I avoid similar problems in the future?
2. I'm happy to contribute a small donation to your beer fund if you tell me where to send it. I prefer BTC instead of PayPal to avoid the horrendous PayPal charges.
 

TwinHeadedEagle

Level 41
Verified
Mar 8, 2013
22,627
Thank you very much :)

You've had Chrome hijacker, it is very common infection these days.


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:
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MUST READ - security tips:

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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:
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CCleaner - to clean unneeded temporary files.
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Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware - to scan your system from time to time in search for malware.
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Malwarebytes' Anti-Exploit - to prevent plenty of mostly exploited vulnerabilities.
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McShield - to prevent infections spread by removable media.
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Unchecky - to prevent from installing additional foistware, implemented in legitimate installations.
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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 :)
 

Taiping

New Member
Thread author
Jun 5, 2015
12
In the future, about SVCHOST.exe, if I find any more files with this name outside of the SYSTEM32 folder, can I just delete the additional SVCHOST.exe files, or is this unwise?
 

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