Solved Undesirable audio in Firefox browser

[Monken]

A sound appeared several months ago after a set of bulk files downloaded. Could come with a software, or a subliminal message. I was downloading (no installing) marketing tools, ebooks, etc and subliminal tracks. Originally, I thought it was an script hidden in the browser or the computer, and I checked the registry, and system files where usually these kind of scripts can be hidden. I have a download manager that shows an icon when some audio, video or file link appears. Before the sound comes, that icon shows for a couple seconds, and I already could see that it is in the form of a video, but I cannot access the source link because it doesn't give me time to click the icon. No one of the malware checks I have done has been able to find the source of this mysterious file. I uploaded some of the scans I have done. I hope someone can help me to get rid of this annoying issue that obligate me to surf the internet without sound. Thank you in advance for any helping hand!

 

[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 for the repair.

Rules and policies

We won't support any piracy.
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!
The same applies to any use of P2P software: uTorrent, BitTorrent, Vuze, Kazaa, Ares... We don't provide any help for P2P, except for their removal. All P2P software has to be uninstalled or at least fully disabled before proceeding!

Failure to follow these guidelines will result with closing your topic and withdrawning any assistance.

Scan with ZOEK

Please download ZOEK by Smeenk 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.
• 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:
  

  createsrpoint;
  autoclean;
  emptyclsid;
  emptyalltemp;
  ipconfig /flushdns >>"%temp%\log.txt";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)

Upload it in your next reply.

 

[Monken]

Hi Sir,
I followed your instructions, and this program deleted a bunch of my games and some programs that I usually use, and are not risky. Anyway, here is the report. Now I should check it in detail to reinstall what I need. Well, here I am, waiting for your next instruction.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Sorry to hear that, but yes, Zoek does it sometimes and I can't do anything about it, I am not maintaining that tool. Can you reinstall what is missing because we can always restore your PC to the time before you run Zoek.

 

[Monken]

I understand, don't worry. I will see what can I do. Now, the issue is that the damn sound is still there. I am hearing it right now.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

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.

 

[Monken]

Sorry for the delay. I did the new scan, and honestly, I thought that I was gave it to you already, so I was waiting for your reply.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

You're missing Addition.txt report.

 

[Monken]

I didn't get it. I'll run it once again.

 

[Monken]

OK, the problem was that I didn't check that process. Here is the new scan with everything included.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

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.



- Uninstall Firefox (Programs and Features)

Then

Click Start, copy in search %appdata%\ Then delete folder Mozilla
Click Start, copy in search %LOCALAPPDATA%\ delete folder Mozilla

Then delete following folders:

C:\Program Files (x86)\mozilla firefox
C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Maintenance Service


Restart your PC.
Then install Firefox again.

Choose the independent browser

 

[Monken]

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.



- Uninstall Firefox (Programs and Features)

Then

Click Start, copy in search %appdata%\ Then delete folder Mozilla
Click Start, copy in search %LOCALAPPDATA%\ delete folder Mozilla

Then delete following folders:

C:\Program Files (x86)\mozilla firefox
C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Maintenance Service


Restart your PC.
Then install Firefox again.

Choose the independent browser

 

[Monken]

I have done everything, and it looks like the issue was fixed. If I have it again, I will tell you here. Thank you so much!

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Since there are no more problems, we can declare this PC clean

Now, we can proceed with post-cleanup procedures. Let's remove my tools and create a new, non infected restore point concurrently deleting old ones.


Step 1. - Creation of system restore point and tools removal.


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). I don't need it for review.

Tool deletes old system restore points and creates a fresh system restore point after cleaning.


Step 2. - Tips and tricks to keep your computer clean, safe and in a good shape.


Security tips - highly recommended reading:

• Simple and easy ways to keep your computer safe and secure on the Internet

Maintenance tips:

• Optimize Windows for better performance

Additional software that I personally use and install on all my clients devices:

• Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (paid version highly recommended) - 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.
• CryptoPrevent - tool for protection against Cryptolocker and similar ransomware infections.
• Adblock - to surf the web without annoying ads!
• Qualys BrowserCheck - cloud service that scans your browsers and plugins to see if they’re all up-to-date.

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

 

[Monken]

Hi TwinHeadedEagle,

Well, everything is done, and working fine. I downloaded some of the programs you purposed, because I already have the others. I am very thankful with your help, and I will give you some incentive soon. It will not be a lot because I am disabled, but at least will show my gratitude.