System Progressive Protection

[Vee_in_SA]

Hi
I am just really scared that the malware is still on my PC somewhere, doing nasty things and going to steal my personal details!
Is there a way for me to check for certain?
In addition - going forward - is there an affordable or even free anti-virus that you recommend that could protect me from these attacks again?
Thanks in advance
Vee

 

[Jack]

Hi and welcome to the malwaretips.com forums!

I'm Jack and I am going to try to assist you with your problem. Please take note of the below:

• I will start working on your malware issues, this may or may not, solve other issues you have with your machine.
• The fixes are specific to your problem and should only be used for this issue on this machine!
• The process is not instant. Please continue to review my answers until I tell you your machine is clear. Absence of symptoms does not mean that everything is clear.
• If you don't know, stop and ask! Don't keep going on.
• Please reply to this thread. Do not start a new topic.
• Refrain from running self fixes as this will hinder the malware removal process.
• It may prove beneficial if you print of the following instructions or save them to notepad as I post them.

Your security programs may give warnings for some of the tools I will ask you to use. Be assured, any links I give are safe.


Before we start:
Please be aware that removing malware is a potentially hazardous undertaking. I will take care not to knowingly suggest courses of action that might damage your computer. However it is impossible for me to foresee all interactions that may happen between the software on your computer and those we'll use to clear you of infection, and I cannot guarantee the safety of your system. It is possible that we might encounter situations where the only recourse is to re-format and re-install your operating system, or to necessitate you taking your computer to a repair shop.

Because of this, I advise you to back up any personal files and folders before you start.
<hr />
STEP 1 : Run a scan with Combofix

Please read and follow very carefully the below instructions​

Download ComboFix from one of the following locations:

COMBOFIX DOWNLOAD LINK #1 (This link will automatically download Combofix on your computer)
COMBOFIX DOWNLOAD LINK #2 (This link will automatically download Combofix on your computer)

VERY IMPORTANT !!! Save ComboFix.exe to your Desktop
<ul>
<li>Close any open browsers.</li>
<li><>Very Important!</> Temporarily <>disable</> your <>anti-virus</>, <>script blocking</> and any <>anti-malware</> real-time protection <em><>before</> </em>performing a scan. They can interfere with ComboFix or remove some of its embedded files which may cause <em>"unpredictable results"</em>.</li>
<li><>WARNING: Combofix will disconnect your machine from the Internet as soon as it starts</></li>
<li>Please do not attempt to re-connect your machine back to the Internet until Combofix has completely finished.
If there is no internet connection after running Combofix, then restart your computer to restore back your connection.</li>
</ul>

How to run the Combofix scan :

1. Double click on ComboFix.exe & follow the prompts.
2. Accept the disclaimer and allow to update if it asks
3. Combofix will now start scanning your computer.
4. When finished, it shall produce a log for you. Please include the C:\ComboFix.txt in your next reply.

Additional notes:
<ol><li> DO NOT mouse-click Combofix's window while it is running. That may cause it to stall.</li>
<li>DO NOT "re-run" Combofix. If you have a problem, reply back for further instructions.</li>
<li>IF after the reboot you get errors about programms being marked for deletion then reboot, that will cure it.</li></ol>
<hr />
What's next?

Please post in your next reply:
1.Combofix log
2.Let me know if you had any problems with the above instructions and also <>let me know how things are running now!</>

 

[Vee_in_SA]

Hi Jack

Thanks a ton. Quick question on the back up.
If I back up now to an external hard drive and there is malware / virus on PC will or could this be pushed across to the hard drive?

 

[Vee_in_SA]

Ok, I have done what you requested. Please find attached the Combofix file.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Jack]

Ok,lets run the following scans:
STEP 1: Run a scan with Kaspersky TDSSKiller
<ol>
<li>Download Kaspersky TDSKiller from the below link.
<><a title="External link" href="http://support.kaspersky.com/downloads/utils/tdsskiller.exe" rel="external">KASPERKSY TDSSKILLER DOWNLOAD LINK</a></> <em>(This link will automatically download Kaspersky TDSSKiller on your computer)</em>
</li>
<li>Double-click on <>TDSSKiller.exe</> to run the application.
<img src="http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/1907/tdss1.png" alt="Posted Image" /></li>
<li>Click <>Change parameters</>
<img src="http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/288/tdss2.png" alt="Posted Image" /></li>
<li>Check the boxes next to <>Verify Driver Digital Signature</> and <>Detect TDLFS file system</>, then click <>OK</>
<img src="http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/1456/tdss3.png" alt="Posted Image" /></li>
<li>Click on the <>Start Scan</> button to begin the scan and wait for it to finish.
<>NOTE:</> Do not use the computer during the scan!</li>
<li>During the scan it will look similar to the image below:
<img src="http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/9136/tdss4.jpg" alt="Posted Image" /></li>
<li>When it finishes, you will either see a report that no threats were found like below:
<img src="http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/9898/tdss5.jpg" alt="Posted Image" />
If no threats are found at this point, just click the <>Report</> selection on the top right of the form to generate a log. A log file report will pop which you can just close since the report file is already saved.</li>
<li>If any infection or suspected items are found, you will see a window similar to below:
<img src="http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/905/tdss7.jpg" alt="Posted Image" />
<ul>
<li>If you have files that are shown to fail <em>signature check</em> do not take any action on these. Make sure you select <>Skip</>. I will tell you what to do with these later. They may not be issues at all.</li>
<li>If <em>Suspicious objects</em> are detected, the default action will be Skip. Leave the default set to Skip.</li>
<li>If <em>Malicious objects</em> are detected, they will show in the Scan results. TDSSKiller automatically selects an action (Cure or Delete) for malicious objects
Make sure that <>Cure</> is selected. <>VERY IMPORTANT!</> - If <em>Cure</em> is not available, please choose <>Skip</> instead. DO NOT choose Delete unless instructed to do so.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Click <>Continue</> to apply selected actions.</li>
<li>A reboot may be required to complete disinfection. A window like the below will appear:
<img src="http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/4812/tdss6.jpg" alt="Posted Image" />
Reboot immediately if TDSSKiller states that one is needed.</li>
<li>Whether an infection is found or not, a log file should have already been created on your C: drive (or whatever drive you boot from) in the root folder named something like <>TDSSKiller.2.1.1_2.12.2012_14.17.04_log.txt</> which is based on the program version # and date and time run.</li>
<li>Attach this log to your next reply.</li>
</ol>
<hr />
STEP 2: Run a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware in Chamelon mode
<ol>
<li>Download <>Malwarebytes Chameleon from the below link and extract it to a folder in a convenient location
<a title="External link" href="http://downloads.malwarebytes.org/file/chameleon" rel="nofollow external">MALWREBYTES CHAMELEON DOWNLOAD LINK</a> </>(This link will automatically download Malwarebytes Chameleon on your computer)</li>
<li>Make certain that your infected PC is connected to the internet and then open the folder you created or copied, on your infected computer and double-click on svchost.exe.
If the Chameleon help file itself will not open, then double-click each file one by one until you find one that works, which will be indicated by a black DOS/command prompt window.</em></li>
<li>Follow the onscreen instructions to press a key to continue and Chameleon will proceed to download and install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for yo</li>
<li>Once it has done this, it will attempt to update Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, click <>OK</> when it says that the database was updated successful</li>
<li>Next, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will automatically open and perform a Quick scan</li>
<li>Upon completion of the scan, if anything has been detected, click on <>Show Result</></li>
<li>Have Malwarebytes Anti-Malware remove any threats that are detected and click <>Yes</> if prompted to reboot your computer to allow the removal process to complete</li>
<li>After your computer restarts, open <>Malwarebytes Anti-Malware</> and perform a Full System scan to verify that there are no remaining threats</li>
Please add both logs in your next reply.
</ol>
<hr />
What's next?
Attach the following logs to your post (You can find here details on how to use the Attachment System):
1.Kaspersky TDSSKiller log
2.Malwarebytes log
3.Let me know if you had any problems with the above instructions and also let me know how things are running now!

 

[Vee_in_SA]

Hi Jack

I managed TDSSKiller fine (report attached). But ran into the same issue with MalwareBytes, got to DOS screen, followed prompts, downloads something and then I get message that the set up files are corrupt. I have attached screen shot. This was the same issue I had first time around.

What else can I try? Do the reports still indicate that the malware is on my system?

Thanks
Vee

 

[Vee_in_SA]

Herewith updated screen shot after I clicked on OK on the system error message.

 

[Jack]

Lets check what's going on:
STEP 1: Run a scan with RogueKiller
<ol>
<li>Please <>download the latest official version of </><>RogueKiller</>.
<a href="http://www.sur-la-toile.com/RogueKiller/RogueKiller.exe" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ROGUEKILLER DOWNLOAD LINK</a> (This link will automatically download RogueKiller on your computer)</li>
<li><>Double click on RogueKiller.exe</> to start this utility and then <>wait for the Prescan to complete</>.This should take only a few seconds and then you can <>click the Start button</> to perform a system scan.
<img title="Click on the Start button to perform a system scan" src="http://malwaretips.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/roguek-1.png" alt="[Image: roguekiller-1.png]" width="600" height="450" border="0" /></li>
<li>After the scan has completed, <>press the Delete button</> to remove any malicious registry keys.
<img title="Press Delete to remove the malicious registry keys" src="http://malwaretips.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/roguek-2.png" alt="[Image: roguekiller-2.png]" width="600" height="450" border="0" /></li>
<li>Next we will need to restore your shortcuts, <>so click on the ShortcutsFix button </>and allow the program to run.
<img title="Click on the Start button to perform a system scan" src="http://malwaretips.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/roguek-3.png" alt="[Image: roguekiller-1.png]" width="600" height="450" border="0" /></li>
</ol>

The report has been created on the desktop.In your next reply please post:

All RKreport.txt text files located on your desktop.

<hr />

STEP 2: Run Temp File Cleaner by OldTimer
<ol>
<li>You can download the TFC utility from the below link
<a title="External link" href="http://oldtimer.geekstogo.com/TFC.exe" rel="nofollow external"><>TFC DOWNLOAD LINK</></a> <em>(This link will automatically download Temp File Cleaner on your computer)</em></li>
<li>Please double-click <>TFC.exe</> to run it. (<>Note:</> If you are running on Vista or 7, right-click on the file and choose <>Run As Administrator</>).</li>
<li>It <>will close all programs</> when run, so make sure you have <>saved all your work</> before you begin.</li>
<li>Click the <>Start</> button to begin the process. Depending on how often you clean temp files, execution time should be anywhere from a few seconds to a minute or two. <>Let it run uninterrupted to completion</>.</li>
<li>Once it's finished it should <>reboot your machine</>. If it does not, please <>manually reboot the machine</> yourself to ensure a complete clean.</li>
</ol>
<hr />
STEP 3: Run a scan with ESET Online Scanner
<ol>
<li>Download ESET Online Scanner utility from the below link
<><a title="External link" href="http://download.eset.com/special/eos/esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe" rel="nofollow">ESET ONLINE SCANNER DOWNLOAD LINK</a></> <em>(This link will automatically download ESET Online Scanner on your computer.)</em></li>
<li>Double click on the Eset installer program (esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe).</li>
<li>Check <>Yes, I accept the Terms of Use</></li>
<li>Click the <>Start</> button.</li>
<li>Check <>Scan archives</></li>
<li>Push the <>Start</> button.</li>
<li>ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer. Please be patient as this can take some time.</li>
<li>When the scan completes, push <>List of found threats</></li>
<li>Push <>Export to Text file </> and save the file to your desktop using a unique name, such as <>ESET Scan</>. Include the contents of this report in your next reply.Note - when ESET doesn't find any threats, no report will be created.</li>
<li>Push the <>back</> button.</li>
<li>Push <>Finish</></li>
</ol>
<hr />
What's next?

Please add in your next reply:
1.RogueKiller log
2.ESET log
3.Let me know if you had any problems with the above instructions and also <>let me know how things are running now!</>

 

[Vee_in_SA]

Seriously?! Please advise.

 

[Vee_in_SA]

Here we go. As requested.

 

[Jack]

Good morning Vee,
The AVG alert regarding RogueKiller was just a false possitive so in this particular case was correct to ignore that notification.
It looks like you have some adware (Babylon) on this machine which we need to remove.
TIP: You should always pay attention when installing software because often, a software installer includes optional installs, such as this Babylon program. Be very careful what you agree to install. Always opt for the custom installation and deselect anything that is not familiar, especially optional software that you never wanted to download and install in the first place. It goes without saying that you should not install software that you don’t trust.

Lets run the following tools:
STEP 1: Run a scan with AdwCleaner

<ol><li>Download&nbsp;AdwCleaner from the below link.
<><a href="http://general-changelog-team.fr/fr/downloads/finish/20-outils-de-xplode/2-adwcleaner" target="_blank">ADWCLEANER DOWNLAOD LINK</a></>&nbsp;(This link will automatically download Security Check on your computer)</li>

<li>Close all open programs and internet browsers.</li>
<li>Double click on&nbsp;<>adwcleaner.exe</>&nbsp;to run the tool.</li>
<li>Click on&nbsp;<>Delete</>,then confirm each time with&nbsp;<>Ok</>.</li>
<li>Your computer will be rebooted automatically. A text file will open after the restart.</li>
<li>Please post the contents of that logfile with your next reply.</li>
<li>You can find the logfile at&nbsp;<>C:\AdwCleaner[S1].txt</>&nbsp;as well.</li>
</ol>
NEXT,
<ul>
<li>Double click on&nbsp;<>adwcleaner.exe</>&nbsp;to run the tool.</li>
<li>Click on&nbsp;<>Uninstall</>.</li>
<li>Confirm with&nbsp;<>yes</>.</li>
</ul>
<hr />

STEP 2: Run a HitmanPro scan and remove any malicious file.
<ol>
<li><>Download the latest official version of HitmanPro</>.
<a href="http://www.surfright.nl/en/hitmanpro/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> <>HITMANPRO DOWNLOAD LINK</></a> <em>(This link will open a download page in a new window from where you can download HitmanPro)</em></li>
<li>Start HitmanPro  by <>double clicking on the previously downloaded file.</> and then following the prompts.
<img src="http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/hpro4.png" alt="[Image: hitmanproscan4.png]" border="0" /></li>
<li>Once the scan is complete, a screen displaying all the malicious files that the program found will be shown as seen in the image below.After reviewing each malicious object click <>Next</> .
<img src="http://malwaretips.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/rsz_hpro5.png" alt="[Image: hitmanproscan5.png]" border="0" /></li>
<li>Click <>Activate free license</> to start the free 30 days trial and remove the malicious files.
<img src="http://malwaretips.com/images/removalguide/hpro6.png" alt="[Image: hitmanproscan6.png]" border="0" /></li>
</ol>
Add to your next post, any log that HitmanPro might generate.
<hr />
STEP 3: Run a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware from here : http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam-download.php.
Install,update and run a system scan with this program.
At the end of the scan it should create a log,please add this log in your next reply
<hr />
STEP 4: Run a scan with Security Check
<ol><li>Download&nbsp;<>Security Check</>&nbsp;from&nbsp;the below link:
<a href="http://screen317.spywareinfoforum.org/SecurityCheck.exe" target="_blank">SECURITY CHECK DOWNLOAD LINK</a> (This link will automatically download Security Check on your computer)</li>
<li>Double-click&nbsp;<>SecurityCheck.exe</></li>
<li>Follow the onscreen instructions inside of the black box.</li>
<li>A&nbsp;<>Notepad</>&nbsp;document should open automatically called&nbsp;<>checkup.txt</>; please post the contents of that document.
</ol>
<hr/>

What's next?
Attach the following logs to your post (You can find here details on how to use the Attachment System):
1.Security Check log
2.AdwCleaner log
3.HitmanPro Log
4.Malwarebytes Log
5.Let me know if you had any problems with the above instructions and also let me know how things are running now!

 

[Vee_in_SA]

I have to change Hitman log file extension from .log to .txt to get it to attach.

I still can't get the Malware Bytes to work. I disabled my AVG and firewall, but its just getting 'stuck' on connecting to server for updates and then says not responding. I've tried about 5 times including restarts and reboots!
I skipped to step 4.

 

[Vee_in_SA]

Hi Jack
Have you had some time to review previous post yet?
What should my next steps be please?

Thanks
Vee

 

[Jack]

Hello Vee,
Sorry for the delay, I was gone over the weed-end!
So you've managed to install Malwarebytes however you can't update it right? What firewall are you using?
Also I'll need a fresh OTL log:
<ol><li>Download the OTL utility using the below link :
<><a title="External link" href="http://oldtimer.geekstogo.com/OTL.exe" rel="nofollow external">OTL DOWNLOAD LINK</a> <em>(This link will automatically download OTL on your computer)</em></></li>
<li>Double click on the icon to run it. Make sure all other windows are closed and to let it run uninterrupted.
<img src="http://malwaretips.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/OTL-logo.png" alt="" title="OTL-logo" width="106" height="118" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3946" /></li>
<li>When the window appears, <>underneath Output</> at the top change it to <>Minimal Output</>.</li>
<li>Check the boxes beside <>LOP Check</> and <>Purity Check</>.</li>
<li>Click the<> Run Scan</> button.
<img src="http://malwaretips.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/OTL.png" alt="" title="OTL" width="658" height="584" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3945" /></li>
<li>When the scan completes, it will open two notepad windows. <>OTL.Txt</> and <>Extras.Txt</>. These are saved in the same location as OTL.
<>Please post this 2 logs in your first reply.</>.</li></ol>
<em>Note: If OTL.exe will not run, it may be blocked by malware. Try these alternate versions: <a title="External link" href="http://www.itxassociates.com/OT-Tools/OTL.scr" rel="nofollow external">OTL.scr</a>, or <a title="External link" href="http://oldtimer.geekstogo.com/OTL.com" rel="nofollow external">OTL.com</a>.</em>
<hr />

 

[Vee_in_SA]

Hi Jack
No worries - just eager to get this sorted now. :-(
Yes, I could install it, but update just froze. I did disable my firewall and AVG at the time.
I just have standard Windows Firewall, as far as I know.
Let me run these OTL scans quick.
Thanks
Vee

 

[Vee_in_SA]

Its not giving me an Extras.txt?

 

[Jack]

Its not giving me an Extras.txt?

No need to worry, the Extras log is generated only once at the first scan.
Lets run the following tool:
STEP 1: Run the Complete Internet Repair utility.
<ol><li>Download <a title="External link" href="http://www.datum-forensics.com/down/comintrep.exe" rel="nofollow external" rel="nofollow">Complete Internet Repair utility</a> to your desktop</li>
<li>Unzip all the files to their own folder on the desktop</li>
<li>Within the folder double click <>CIntRep</></li>
<li>Select the following items,then press the GO button.
<ul><li>Reset Interent Protocol (TCP/IP)</li>
<li>Repair Winsock (Reset Catalog)</li>
<li>Renew Internet Connection</li>
<li>Flush DNS Resolver Cache</li>
<li>Reset Windows Firewall Configuration</li></ul>
</li>
</ol>

STEP 2: Run a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Try to update and run a system scan Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
At the end of the scan it should create a log,please add this log in your next reply.

 

[Vee_in_SA]

Hi again
Complete Internet Repair done.

I have disabled my AVG and firewall and I cannot get the update for Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to run properly. It just says "connecting to server" and nothing happens for ages.
What else should I do?

 

[Vee_in_SA]

Nevermind - clearly I just have too little patience. It has updated.

 

[Vee_in_SA]

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log attached!