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[Resolved] HKU and sites I don't recognize

6 min read

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Post #1
posted on a couple of other forums:

Hi,
I'm the one that freaked out a few days ago about some stuff wrong with my computer. I thought I had everything taken care of after I chatted on the board. I've been running my McAfee Virus scanner and something caught my eye the past few days. The computer's behavior has been okay. Nothing seems to be wrong with it (now anyway) so I'm not sure what any of this means. Anyway, I've spotted the scanner scanning a few websites. Websites that I've never been to before. Websites that I'd never even go to. The start of each one (from what I've noticed starts with HKU) and it'll show up something about Domains and then it'll have a link to porn sites and other various sites. I'll flat out say that I don't look at porn on the internet. I never have. Never will. I'm not looking down my nose at the ones that look at porn. It's cool if ya do. I just don't. So where is this stuff coming from? I'll post my Hijack This post in this post. I still can't make heads or tails out of what's good on this scan and what's not good. I'll also post a few screencaps of the virus scanner and what it shows when it scans those sites. All of this shows up within the 96% mark. Notice how when it gets to the last few percentages the pause and skip buttons grey out and can't be clicked. Is that normal?

I've been scanning other things and no viruses or anything's showing up on there. All that includes Ad-Aware, SpyBot Search and Destroy, etc. Basically it's all the stuff I downloaded in a frenzy from a few days ago.

I won't be back on the computer until tonight. If anything else is needed that'll be as soon as I'll be able to post a reply, anymore information.

Thank you for your time and for any replies. I appreciate it.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 03:46:58, on 6/8/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\aawservice.exe
C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\DVDLauncher.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\hkcmd.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\Agent\mcagent.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Creative\SBLive\Diagnostics\diagent.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTsvcCDA.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee\SiteAdvisor\McSACore.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\MSC\mcmscsvc.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\mcafee\mna\mcnasvc.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\mcafee\mcproxy\mcproxy.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\VIRUSS~1\mcshield.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\Program Files\McAfee\MPF\MPFSrv.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee\MSK\MskSrver.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL$MICROSOFTBCM\Binn\sqlservr.exe
C:\Program Files\Efficient Networks\Tango Manager\app\TangoService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\MsPMSPSv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\EFFICI~1\TANGOM~1\app\TangoManager.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\VIRUSS~1\mcsysmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe
C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe
C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbam.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\notepad.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.windstream.net/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=mcafee&p=%s
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,ShellNext = http://www.alltel.net/newuser/benefits/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: McAfee Phishing Filter - {27B4851A-3207-45A2-B947-BE8AFE6163AB} - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee\msk\mskapbho.dll
O2 - BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: scriptproxy - {7DB2D5A0-7241-4E79-B68D-6309F01C5231} - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee\VIRUSS~1\scriptsn.dll
O2 - BHO: McAfee SiteAdvisor BHO - {B164E929-A1B6-4A06-B104-2CD0E90A88FF} - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee\SITEAD~1\mcieplg.dll
O2 - BHO: Java™ Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl - {E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {FDD3B846-8D59-4ffb-8758-209B6AD74ACC} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: McAfee SiteAdvisor Toolbar - {0EBBBE48-BAD4-4B4C-8E5A-516ABECAE064} - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee\SITEAD~1\mcieplg.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TangoManager] C:\PROGRA~1\EFFICI~1\TANGOM~1\app\TANGOM~1.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdReg] C:\WINDOWS\UpdReg.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DVDLauncher] "C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\DVDLauncher.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINDOWS\System32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\System32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [mcagent_exe] "C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\Agent\mcagent.exe" /runkey
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [diagent] "C:\Program Files\Creative\SBLive\Diagnostics\diagent.exe" startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\MSMSGS.EXE" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SpybotSD TeaTimer] C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SUPERAntiSpyware] C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Spybot - Search && Destroy Configuration - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {02A2D714-433E-46E4-B217-7C3B3FAF8EAE} (ScrabbleCubes Control) - http://www.worldwinner.com/games/v47…abblecubes.cab
O16 - DPF: {1D082E71-DF20-4AAF-863B-596428C49874} (TPIR Control) - http://www.worldwinner.com/games/v50/tpir/tpir.cab
O16 - DPF: {2C153C75-8476-434B-B3C3-57B63A3D1939} (Brickout Control) - http://www.worldwinner.com/games/v48…t/brickout.cab
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://www.update.microsoft.com/micr…?1189562681500
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://www.update.microsoft.com/micr…?1189562658437
O16 - DPF: {8A94C905-FF9D-43B6-8708-F0F22D22B1CB} (Wwlaunch Control) - http://www.worldwinner.com/games/shared/wwlaunch.cab
O16 - DPF: {A52FBD2B-7AB3-4F6B-90E3-91C772C5D00F} (WoF Control) - http://www.worldwinner.com/games/v57/wof/wof.cab
O16 - DPF: {CF969D51-F764-4FBF-9E90-475248601C8A} (FamilyFeud Control) - http://www.worldwinner.com/games/v47…familyfeud.cab
O16 - DPF: {EF791A6B-FC12-4C68-99EF-FB9E207A39E6} (McFreeScan Class) - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/is…57/mcfscan.cab
O18 - Protocol: sacore - {5513F07E-936B-4E52-9B00-067394E91CC5} - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee\SITEAD~1\mcieplg.dll
O20 - AppInit_DLLs:
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.dll
O23 - Service: Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service (aawservice) - Lavasoft - C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\aawservice.exe
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: Creative Service for CDROM Access - Creative Technology Ltd - C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTsvcCDA.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
O23 - Service: Local Service - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\windefs.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: MBackMonitor - McAfee - C:\Program Files\McAfee\MBK\MBackMonitor.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee SiteAdvisor Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\McAfee\SiteAdvisor\McSACore.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Services (mcmscsvc) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\MSC\mcmscsvc.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Network Agent (McNASvc) - McAfee, Inc. - c:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\mcafee\mna\mcnasvc.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Scanner (McODS) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\VIRUSS~1\mcods.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Proxy Service (McProxy) - McAfee, Inc. - c:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\mcafee\mcproxy\mcproxy.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Real-time Scanner (McShield) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\VIRUSS~1\mcshield.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee SystemGuards (McSysmon) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\VIRUSS~1\mcsysmon.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Personal Firewall Service (MpfService) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\Program Files\McAfee\MPF\MPFSrv.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Anti-Spam Service (MSK80Service) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\Program Files\McAfee\MSK\MskSrver.exe
O23 - Service: Tango Service (TangoService) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Efficient Networks\Tango Manager\app\TangoService.exe

–
End of file - 9240 bytes


http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5808/wtf1.jpg
http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/8546/wtf2f.jpg
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/5541/wtf3m.jpg
Edit/Delete Message

Other message for older problems located at: http://forums.mcafeehelp.com/showthread.ph…5002#post565002 —all of that relates to a problem I had with twext.exe. Thankfully that's no longer showing up.


—–
Can somebody please help me with this? And I guess I should explain that I'm absolutely clueless when it concerns Hijack This. I'm absolutely terrifed of messing the computer up completely. I try and leave stuff alone if I don't know what I'm doing. I'm hoping somebody here will walk me through step by step of the HKU and sites I don't recognize problem. I'm honestly hoping the HT log turns out okay because I feel so uncomfortable doing anything with the program tbh.
Post #2
Hi freakingoutbigtime,

:welcome:

My name is Tomk. I would be glad to take a look at your log and help you with solving any malware problems. HijackThis logs can take a while to research, so please be patient and I'd be grateful if you would note the following:

  • I will be 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 the issues on this machine.
  • Please continue to review my answers until I tell you your machine appears to be clear. Absence of symptoms does not mean that everything is clear.
  • It's often worth reading through these instructions and printing them for ease of reference.
  • If you don't know or understand something, please don't hesitate to say or ask!! It's better to be sure and safe than sorry.
  • Please reply to this thread. Do not start a new topic.
HKU stand for HKEY_USERS which is one of the hives in your registry. What I'm thinking you are seeing is the list of entries that your security program is looking for. Rather than things that are being found on your computer. If these things were found, your program would tell you that it thinks it found an infection. It doesn't sound like that is happening.

Let's do a couple things.

  • Please open HijackThis and run Do a system scan only
  • Check the boxes next to ONLY the entries listed below(if present):
    • O2 - BHO: (no name) - {FDD3B846-8D59-4ffb-8758-209B6AD74ACC} - (no file)
      O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
      O20 - AppInit_DLLs:
      O23 - Service: Local Service - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\windefs.exe (file missing)
  • Close all programs except for HijackThis.
  • Click on Fix checked
  • A box will pop up asking you if you wish to fix the selected items. Please choose YES.
  • Once it has fixed them, please exit/close HijackThis.

Then let's get an online scan as a double check.


Please go to Kaspersky website and perform an online antivirus scan.

  • Read through the requirements and privacy statement and click on Accept button.
  • It will start downloading and installing the scanner and virus definitions. You will be prompted to install an application from Kaspersky. Click Run.
  • When the downloads have finished, click on Settings.
  • Make sure these boxes are checked (ticked). If they are not, please tick them and click on the Save button:
    • Spyware, Adware, Dialers, and other potentially dangerous programs
      Archives
      Mail databases
  • Click on My Computer under Scan.
  • Once the scan is complete, it will display the results. Click on View Scan Report.
  • You will see a list of infected items there. Click on Save Report As….
  • Save this report to a convenient place. Change the Files of type to Text file (.txt) before clicking on the Save button.
  • Please post this log in your next reply.
Post #3
Tomk, Hi! Thank you for the reply and for the help. I'd been posting on the McAfee forums and a few other people mentioned that the programs might just be looking for it on the computer and it didn't necessarily mean I had it on the computer. I noticed your post and I wanted to do everything I can to possibly get the computer right again so I went ahead and followed your post. Your instructions were as clear as can be. Thank you for that. :) Okay, let's see what I did. I didn't have that first item on the Hijack This log. I did have the other three and I checked them and selected fix this. I went to the scanning site and followed each step. This is the log for that: ——————————————————————————– KASPERSKY ONLINE SCANNER 7.0 REPORT Monday, June 15, 2009 Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (build 2600) Kaspersky Online Scanner version: 7.0.26.13 Program database last update: Monday, June 15, 2009 08:01:46 Records in database: 2344759 ——————————————————————————– Scan settings: Scan using the following database: extended Scan archives: yes Scan mail databases: yes Scan area - My Computer: C:\ D:\ E:\ Scan statistics: Files scanned: 53034 Threat name: 1 Infected objects: 1 Suspicious objects: 0 Duration of the scan: 02:35:21 File name / Threat name / Threats count C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\.housecall6.6\Quarantine\A0435692.exe.bac_a04316 Infected: Trojan-Spy.Win32.Zbot.vwr 1 The selected area was scanned. I won't be back on the computer until tonight so I'll definitely check the thread as soon as I get online tonight. Thank you again for the help, Tom. I really and truly appreciate it. :) I must say I'm rather pleased with the scanning results. To only get one infection out of 50,000+ files is pretty good imo. What can I do about the one item that came up? Since it's quarantined should it be okay or will I have to do something else? Thanks again! :)
Post #4
freakingoutbigtime,

You are correct. That item was quarantined some time in the past by Trend Micro's Online Housecall. As long as it's in the quarantine, it can't hurt you. You can get rid of it by deleting the whole Housecalls folder. The whole point of a quarantine is to get a file off of your system, but not to lose it. If it turns out to be a false positive, you can restore it from the quarantine. But time has passed now and you obviously don't need that file. Also, Housecall will install again if you should ever need it so I believe that I would dump the whole thing.


Using Windows Explorer (Windows Key + E), locate the following folder, and DELETE it:
C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\.housecall6.6 <–This folder

Restart your computer normally.

That being said, Log looks good :D


You need to create a new Clean restore point:

Click Start Menu > Run > copy and paste

%SystemRoot%\System32\restore\rstrui.exe

Press OK. Choose Create a Restore Point then click Next. Name it (something you'll remember) and click Create, when the confirmation screen shows the restore point has been created click Close.

Remove all previous Restore Points
Click Start Menu > Run > copy and paste

cleanmgr

You may be asked to choose drive. Choose C: At top, click on More Options tab. Click Clean up… button in the System Restore box. Click on Yes button. When finished, click on Cancel button to exit.

Double-click My Computer.
Click the Tools menu, and then click Folder Options.
Click the View tab.
Check "Hide file extensions for known file types."
Under the "Hidden files" folder, Uncheck "Show hidden files and folders."
Check "Hide protected operating system files."
Click Apply, and then click OK.


The following is my standard advice for the future. Use what you can and pat yourself on the back for what you're already doing.

Please take time to read Preventing Malware - Tools and Practices for Safe Computing. Very important information for your consideration is contained therein.

I would also suggest you read this:
So how did I get infected in the first place?
by Tony Klein


Also: "How to prevent malware"
by miekiemoes

Please respond back that you understand the above and let me know if you have any questions. Otherwise, this thread will be closed Resolved. :thumbup:
Post #5 last edited
Hi, Managed to get back online earlier than I anticipated. Thanks for the speedy reply and for the help. :) Let's see what I did now. -I deleted the folder -Restarted and then created the clean restore point -I'd never created a restore point before so I didn't have anything I'd created earlier. I think doing this will be a huge help now that I know how to do it. :) -checked to make sure all the items you talked about were either checked or unchecked I think I got everything. Thank you again for all the help, Tom! :) And once again your post was perfectly clear with what to do. I definitely appreciate that. :)
Post #7
Since this issue appears to be resolved … this Topic has been closed. Glad we could be of assistance. If you're the topic starter, and need this topic reopened, please contact a staff member with the address of the thread. Everyone else please begin a New Topic.

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