Windows Security Service can't be started

[V5er]

I don't know if my PC is still infected since I did a full system restore, however the past events and current symptoms are not as they were before the crash.
As a result I am not confident that my PC is protected as it should be by the current security software installed on it.

Hopefully the logs and any additional steps as advised will identify what, if any, issues are present.

Many thanks,

V5er

 

[kuttus]

Hi and welcome to the malwaretips.com forums!

I'm Kuttus 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 backup any personal files and folders before you start.
<hr />

STEP 1: Run a scan with AdwCleaner

<ol><li>Download 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></> (This link will automatically download Security Check on your computer)</li>

<li>Close all open programs and internet browsers.</li>
<li>Double click on <>adwcleaner.exe</> to run the tool.</li>
<li>Click on <>Delete</>,then confirm each time with <>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 <>C:\AdwCleaner[S1].txt</> as well.</li>
</ol>
<hr/>
STEP 2: Run a scan with Junkware Removal Tool

Please download Junkware Removal Tool to your desktop from here

• Turn off your antivirus software now to avoid potential conflicts
• Double-click to run the tool. For Windows Vista or 7 users, right-click the file and select Run as Administrator
• The tool will open and start scanning your system
• Please be patient as this can take a while to complete depending on your system's specifications
• On completion, a log (JRT.txt) will be saved to your desktop and will automatically open
• Post the contents of JRT.txt into your next reply

---

Please run the following utility so that I can get a log of your system...
STEP 3 : 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>Close/disable all anti virus and anti malware programs so they do not interfere with the running of ComboFix.
<>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</>.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. 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 />

 

[V5er]

Hi Kuttus, thank you for helping me out!

I have run the recommended software and attached the log files. However Combofix would not work in Windows 8 at all.

Regards,

V5er

 

[kuttus]

Okay. Are you using a Cracked Version of Windows 8?

STEP 1: Run a scan with Farbar Service Scanner

<ol> <li>Download Farbar Service Scanner from the below link.
<><a title="External link" href="http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/farbar/FSS.exe" rel="external">FABAR SERVICE SCANNER</a></> <em> (This link will automatically download Farbar Service Scanner on your computer)</em></li>
<li>Run the ulity and checkmark all the boxes</li>
<li> Click on the Scan button.
<img src="http://malwaretips.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/fabar.png" /></li>
<li>Add the log that will produce in your next reply.</li></ol>
<hr />

 

[V5er]

No, it was preinstalled on my laptop.

Okay. Are you using a Cracked Version of Windows 8?

STEP 1: Run a scan with Farbar Service Scanner

<ol> <li>Download Farbar Service Scanner from the below link.
<><a title="External link" href="http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/farbar/FSS.exe" rel="external">FABAR SERVICE SCANNER</a></> <em> (This link will automatically download Farbar Service Scanner on your computer)</em></li>
<li>Run the ulity and checkmark all the boxes</li>
<li> Click on the Scan button.
<img src="http://malwaretips.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/fabar.png" /></li>
<li>Add the log that will produce in your next reply.</li></ol>
<hr />

 

[kuttus]

Okay. Please download and Run the following 3 Registry Fixes........

• mpsdrv
• MpsSvc
• bfe

After that restart the computer. After a restart run the FABAR SERVICE SCANNER once more and send me the new log file......... Make sure you restart the computer before start the new scan.

 

[V5er]

Ok, log file attached.

Okay. Please download and Run the following 3 Registry Fixes........

• mpsdrv
• MpsSvc
• bfe

After that restart the computer. After a restart run the FABAR SERVICE SCANNER once more and send me the new log file......... Make sure you restart the computer before start the new scan.

 

[kuttus]

STEP 1: Download and Run Windows Repair (all in one)

Download Windows Repair (all in one)

• Install the program then run it.
• Go to step 2 and allow it to run Disc check by clicking Do It
• Go to step 3 and allow it to run SFC
• Go to start repairs tab select advanced mode and click start.
•  Check the box next to "Restart/Shutdown system when finished" and ensure the following is checked along with the default checks
  1. Reset File Permissions
  2. Register System Files
  3. Repair WMI
  4. Remove Policies Set By Infections
  5. Remove Temp Files
•   Then click Start.
  

 

[V5er]

Ok I ran Windows Repair as advised and rebooted.

Then I checked Windows Defender and Firewall. I still could not access them at all. Could this be due to McAfee Security?

I then ran a Farbar Service scan and attached the results.

STEP 1: Download and Run Windows Repair (all in one)

Download Windows Repair (all in one)

• Install the program then run it.
• Go to step 2 and allow it to run Disc check by clicking Do It
• Go to step 3 and allow it to run SFC
• Go to start repairs tab select advanced mode and click start.
•  Check the box next to "Restart/Shutdown system when finished" and ensure the following is checked along with the default checks
  1. Reset File Permissions
  2. Register System Files
  3. Repair WMI
  4. Remove Policies Set By Infections
  5. Remove Temp Files
•   Then click Start.
  

 

[kuttus]

Hi,

Is your McAfee working now?

 

[V5er]

Hi,

Is your McAfee working now?

Yes McAfee is working normally now, thank you.

 

[kuttus]

Just check if you are facing any other issues....

 

[V5er]

Just check if you are facing any other issues....

Hi, everything except inoperable Windows Defender and Firewall seems to be ok. I ran scans with all the software recommended in this thread and apart from Farbar there are no reported problems.

As long as Mcafee is behaving itself I'm happy.

Many thanks for your help!

 

[kuttus]

You are most welcome......

Double click on OTL to run it

• Click on the Cleanup button at the top.
• You will be asked to reboot the machine to finish the Cleanup process. Choose Yes
• This will remove itself and other tools we may have used.

---

Now that your PC is clean, I recommend you to create a new System Restore point then purge the old ones after.

For XP
How to create a Restore Point in XP
Delete all restore points except the most recent one

For Vista
Create a restore point
Delete all but the most recent restore point

For Windows 7
Create a restore point
Delete all but the most recent restore point - Click the Delete all but the most recent restore point link

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Keep your system updated

• Keeping your programs (especially Adobe and Java products) updated is essential. Update Checker will notify you if any of your programs require an update.
• Microsoft releases patches for Windows and Office products regularly to patch up Windows and Office product bugs and vulnerabilities.
• Please ensure you update your system regularly and have automatic updates on. You can learn how to turn Automatic Updates on here

---

I also recommend you to switch your antivirus program to a better one. Here are some suggestions:

• avast! 7 Home Edition - Don't use it with Online Armor
• Avira AntiVir Personal
• Microsoft Security Essentials

In addition to your antivirus, you need additional protection such as a firewall and behavioural blocker.

• Online Armor
• Comodo Firewall - If you are an advance user

Here are only a few suggestions that will improve your system security. Should you wish to allow us to make full recommendations and set your PC up with maximum security, please start a thread here. Our community of PC enthusiasts and experts will give you feedback and help you secure your system from future malware infections.

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Internet Explorer may be the most popular browser but it's definitely not the most secure browser. Consider using other browsers with addition add-ons to safeguard your system while browsing the internet.

Firefox is a more secure, faster browser than Internet Explorer. Firefox contains less vulnerabilities, reducing the risk of drive-by downloads. In addition, you can add the following add-ons to increase security.

• KeyScramber - Encrypts your keystrokes to protect you against keyloggers that steals personal & banking information
• AdBlock - Disable/blocks advertisements on websites so you won't accidentally click on a malicious ad.
• NoScript - Disables Flash & Java contents to avoid exploits or drive-by attacks
• Web of Trust - Shows the website rating by other users and blocks dangerous and poor-rated sites

Google Chrome is another good browser that is faster and more secure than Internet Explorer by having a sandbox feature. Additionally, you can add the following add-on to Chrome to heighten security.

• AdBlock

---

Lastly, it is important to perform system maintenance on a regular basis. Here are a few tools and on-demand scanners that you should keep & use every 1-2 weeks to keep your system healthy.

• CCleaner
• Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
• Temp File Cleaner by OldTimer

Other than that, stay safe out there! If you have any other questions or concerns, feel free to ask

<hr />
What's next?

1. Bulild up your malware defenses by starting a new thread in Security Configuration Wizard forum.
2. Learn how to avoid malware by reading this article <a href="http://malwaretips.com/blogs/how-to-easily-avoid-pc-infections/">How to easily avoid malware</a>
3. Be an active member in the MalwareTips community!

My virus removal help is always free. Should you wish to show your appreciation via a donation, it will be much appreciated.​