[Resolved] Trojan Horse Removal

Hello Members,

My Notepad is infected with the virus TROJAN HORSE.

It has eaten up the speed, and my system crashes every now and then. It takes lot of time in booting also.

I did tried running full system scan with the Antiviruses like - Nortan, AVG, & Macfee, but still not able to delete the virus.

It shows the error in the Windows EXE file. I have a lot of data, which makes it difficult to format the system. I am in a mess.

Please do advice.

Thanks

Tushar

Please do the following:

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Please download DDS from either of these links

LINK 1
LINK 2

and save it to your desktop.

• Disable any script blocking protection
• Double click dds.pif to run the tool.
• When done, two DDS.txt's will open.
• Save both reports to your desktop.

—————————————————
Please include the contents of the following in your next reply:

DDS.txt
Attach.txt.


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[external image: Posted Image]
Download GMER Rootkit Scanner from here or here.

• Extract the contents of the zipped file to desktop.
• Double click GMER.exe. If asked to allow gmer.sys driver to load, please consent .
• If it gives you a warning about rootkit activity and asks if you want to run scan…click on NO.
  
  [external image: Posted Image]
  Click the image to enlarge it
  
• In the right panel, you will see several boxes that have been checked. Uncheck the following …
  • Sections
  • IAT/EAT
  • Drives/Partition other than Systemdrive (typically C:\)
  • Show All (don't miss this one)
• Then click the Scan button & wait for it to finish.
• Once done click on the [Save..] button, and in the File name area, type in "Gmer.txt" or it will save as a .log file which cannot be uploaded to your post.
  
• Save it where you can easily find it, such as your desktop, and post it in your next reply.

**Caution**
Rootkit scans often produce false positives. Do NOT take any action on any "<— ROOKIT" entries

Thanks TEACHING TEAM! Please do find the attachment for the same. Do let me know! Thanks Tushar!

Hi,

Please do the following:

Download ComboFix from one of the following locations:
Link 1
Link 2

VERY IMPORTANT !!! Save ComboFix.exe to your Desktop

* IMPORTANT - Disable your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware applications, usually via a right click on the System Tray icon. They may otherwise interfere with our tools. If you have difficulty properly disabling your protective programs, refer to this link here

• Double click on ComboFix.exe & follow the prompts.

As part of it's process, ComboFix will check to see if the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console is installed. With malware infections being as they are today, it's strongly recommended to have this pre-installed on your machine before doing any malware removal. It will allow you to boot up into a special recovery/repair mode that will allow us to more easily help you should your computer have a problem after an attempted removal of malware.

• Follow the prompts to allow ComboFix to download and install the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console, and when prompted, agree to the End-User License Agreement to install the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console.

**Please note: If the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console is already installed, ComboFix will continue it's malware removal procedures.

[external image: Posted Image]

• Once the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console is installed using ComboFix, you should see the following message:

[external image: Posted Image]

• Click on Yes, to continue scanning for malware.

When finished, it shall produce a log for you. Please include the C:\ComboFix.txt in your next reply.
Notes:
1. Do not mouse-click Combofix's window while it is running. That may cause it to stall.
2. Do not "re-run" Combofix. If you have a problem, reply back for further instructions.


Please make sure you include the combo fix log in your next reply as well as describe how your computer is running now

Due to inactivity this topic will be closed. If you need help please start a new thread.

Dear Teaching Team,

I was not able to reply to the previous thread, http://forums.whatthetech.com/Trojan_Horse_t106656.html

I have run the Combofix and installed Microsoft Recovery Console.

Please review the C:\ComboFix.txt in your next reply.

Awaiting your response.

Thanks

Hi Teaching Team, I forgot to add, when I restarted my notebook, I got two options for booting - Microsoft Recovery Console option, and - The Normal Option, i.e., the Windows XP Home Edition when I tried using the former one I got a blue screen informing me about the errors and updates. Currently I am updating my laptop. The good thing is to some extent the virus is gone, but not completely. Please do review the attached ComboFix.txt file attached with the previous post. Do let me know. Thanks Tushar

Hi,

Please do the following:

• Very Important! Temporarily disable your anti-virus, script blocking and any anti-malware real-time protection before following the steps below.
• They can interfere with ComboFix or remove some of its embedded files which may cause "unpredictable results".

Copy/paste the text inside the Codebox below into notepad:

Here's how to do that:
Click Start > Run type Notepad click OK.
This will open an empty notepad file:

Copy all the text inside of the code box - Press Ctrl+C (or right click on the highlighted section and choose 'copy')

Registry::
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\active setup\installed components\{66D0FA89-E793-DA07-06B1-80FEF7F8FBC7}]

DDS::
IE: &Search - http://edits.mywebsearch.com/toolbaredits/menusearch.jhtml?p=ZRxdm185YYIN

FireFox::
FF - ProfilePath - c:\documents and settings\Bhai\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\wk4d0mmy.default\
FF - plugin: c:\program files\Mozilla Firefox\plugins\NPMyWebS.dll

Now paste the copied text into the open notepad - press CTRL+V (or right click and choose 'paste')

Save this file to your desktop, Save this as "CFScript"

Here's how to do that:

1.Click File;
2.Click Save As… Change the directory to your desktop;
3.Change the Save as type to "All Files";
4.Type in the file name: CFScript
5.Click Save …

[external image: Posted Image]

• Referring to the screenshot above, drag CFScript.txt into ComboFix.exe.
• ComboFix will now run a scan on your system. It may reboot your system when it finishes. This is normal.
• When finished, it shall produce a log for you.
• Copy and paste the contents of the log in your next reply.

CAUTION: Do not mouse-click ComboFix's window while it is running. That may cause it to stall.


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Please download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

• Double Click mbam-setup.exe to install the application.
• Make sure a checkmark is placed next to Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, then click Finish.
• If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
• Once the program has loaded, select "Perform Quick Scan", then click Scan.
• The scan may take some time to finish, so please be patient.
• When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
• Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected. <– very important
• When disinfection is completed, a log will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to Restart. (See Extra Note)
• The log is automatically saved by MBAM and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.
• Copy&Paste the entire report in your next reply.

Extra Note:If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove, you will be presented with 1 of 2 prompts, click OK to either and let MBAM proceed with the disinfection process, if asked to restart the computer, please do so immediately.



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Run an on-line scan with Kaspersky

Using Internet Explorer or Firefox, visit Kaspersky On-line Scanner

1. Click Accept, when prompted to download and install the program files and database of malware definitions.
2. To optimize scanning time and produce a more sensible report for review:

• Close any open programs
• Turn off the real time scanner of any existing antivirus program while performing the online scan

3. Click Run at the Security prompt.
The program will then begin downloading and installing and will also update the database.
Please be patient as this can take several minutes.

• Once the update is complete, click on My Computer under the green Scan bar to the left to start the scan.
• Once the scan is complete, it will display if your system has been infected. It does not provide an option to clean/disinfect. We only require a report from it.
• Do NOT be alarmed by what you see in the report. Many of the finds have likely been quarantined.
• Click View scan report at the bottom.
  
  [external image: Posted Image]
  
• Click the Save as Text button to save the file to your desktop so that you may post it in your next reply

In your next reply please include

• ComboFix Log
• MBAM Log
• Kaspersky report

Due to inactivity this topic will be closed. If you need help please start a new thread.

Dear Teaching Team,

Please do find the following as an attachment with the thread,

* ComboFix Log
* MBAM Log
* Kaspersky report (not showing any viruses, so as such there was no attachment)

This is in response with the old thread for the removal of the Trojan Horse, http://forums.whatthetech.com/Trojan_Horse…al_t107335.html

I have few other issues with the notebook,

1) At the system boot up, I am being provided with the option of
- Microsoft Recovery Console (what should be done to it) &
- Microsoft Windows XP (which currently I am using)

2) At every drive there is a folder named as under
- $AVG8.VAULT$ (no idea whether to delete it or retain it)

Please do advice with the above mentioned points also.

Thanks
Tushar

Hi, Please try and stay with this topic until I give you the all clear, we are almost done. Keep the Recovery Console installed. It is there for your protection, only adds about two seconds to your bootup time and can be used in an emergency if your computer crashes. Leave the AVG vault in place, that is where AVG stores any files it finds. Please post a fresh DDS and Attach.txt and advise how your computer is running now and if there are any outstanding issues

Dear CatByte, Thanks for your reply. Kindly, do find the attached fresh DDS.txt and Attach.txt Coming to 'Recovery Console', I am not able to log in via it. There is a blue screen appearing at the boot up time while logging in, via Windows Recovery Console, which displays the message, "error and program terminated, run CHDSK to perform some check for the disk" Please do suggest. Thanks Tushar

Hi, Please do not choose Recovery Console to log in with That is only there if your system crashes and is unbootable normally If you bootup normally, your XP Home Edition should be selected by default, It will take a few seconds then boot into XP on it's own without having to choose anything. I will look over your logs and be back with further instructions shortly

Thanks Catbyte. Looking forward for your reply. Tushar

hi,

Your logs are clean,

Just some housekeeping to take care of now:

Please do the following:

P2P - I see you have P2P software Azureus Vuze, BitTorrent & Limewire installed on your machine. We are not here to pass judgment on file-sharing as a concept. However, we will warn you that engaging in this activity and having this kind of software installed on your machine will always make you more susceptible to re-infections. It may be contributing to your current situation. This page will give you further information.
Please note: Even if you are using a "safe" P2P program, it is only the program that is safe. You will be sharing files from uncertified sources, and these are often infected. The bad guys use P2P filesharing as a major conduit to spread their wares.
Please see this topic for more information:
Perils of P2P File Sharing.
I would strongly recommend that you uninstall these now. You can do so via Control Panel >> Add or Remove Programs.

NEXT

Visit ADOBEand download the latest version of Acrobat Reader (version 9.2)
Having the latest updates ensures there are no security vulnerabilities in your system.


NEXT


Please download JavaRa to your desktop and unzip it to its own folder.

• Run JavaRa.exe, pick the language of your choice and click Select. Then click Remove Older Versions
• Accept any prompts.
• Open JavaRa.exe again and select Search For Updates.
• Select Update Using Sun Java's Website then click Search and click on the Open Webpage button.
• Scroll down to the Java SE Runtime Environment (JRE) option.
• Download and install the latest Java Runtime Environment (JRE) version for your computer.(version 6, update 16)

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Follow these steps to uninstall Combofix

• Click START then RUN
• Now type Combofix /uninstall in the runbox and click OK. Note the space between the ..X and the /U, it needs to be there.

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Now to remove the rest of the tools that we have used in fixing your machine:

• Make sure you have an Internet Connection.
• Download OTC to your desktop and run it
• A list of tool components used in the Cleanup of malware will be downloaded.
• If your Firewall or Real Time protection attempts to block OTC to reach the Internet, please allow the application to do so.
• Click Yes to begin the Cleanup process and remove these components, including this application.
• You will be asked to reboot the machine to finish the Cleanup process. If you are asked to reboot the machine choose Yes.

If any logs remain after using this tool > right click and delete them.

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Below I have included a number of recommendations for how to protect your computer against malware infections.

• It is good security practice to change your passwords to all your online accounts on a fairly regular basis, this is especially true after an infection. Refer to this Microsoft article
  Strong passwords: How to create and use them
  Then consider a password keeper, to keep all your passwords safe.
  
• Keep Windows updated by regularly checking their website at :
  http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
  This will ensure your computer has always the latest security updates available installed on your computer.
  
  
• SpywareBlaster protects against bad ActiveX, it immunizes your PC against them.
  
  
• SpywareGuard offers realtime protection from spyware installation attempts. Make sure you are only running one real-time anti-spyware protection program ( eg : TeaTimer, Windows Defender ) or there will be a conflict.
  
  
• Make Internet Explorer more secure
  
  • Click Start > Run
  • Type Inetcpl.cpl & click OK
  • Click on the Security tab
  • Click Reset all zones to default level
  • Make sure the Internet Zone is selected & Click Custom level
  • In the ActiveX section, set the first two options ("Download signed and unsigned ActiveX controls) to "Prompt", and ("Initialize and Script ActiveX controls not marked as safe") to "Disable".
  • Next Click OK, then Apply button and then OK to exit the Internet Properties page.
• ATF Cleaner - Cleans temporary files from IE and Windows, empties the recycle bin and more. Great tool to help speed up your computer and knock out those nasties that like to reside in the temp folders.
  
  
• MVPS Hosts file replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well known ad sites and other bad sites. Basically, this prevents your computer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1 which is your local computer, meaning it will be difficult to infect yourself in the future.
  
  WOT, Web of Trust, warns you about risky websites that try to scam visitors, deliver malware or send spam. Protect your computer against online threats by using WOT as your front-line layer of protection when browsing or searching in unfamiliar territory. WOT's color-coded icons show you ratings for 21 million websites, helping you avoid the dangerous sites:
  • Green to go
  • Yellow for caution
  • Red to stop
  WOT has an addon available for both Firefox and IE
  
  
• For Firefox, I highly recommend this add-on to keep your PC even more secure.
  
  • NoScript - for blocking ads and other potential website attacks
• Keep a backup of your important files - Now, more than ever, it's especially important to protect your digital files and memories. This article is full of good information on alternatives for home backup solutions.
  
• ERUNT (Emergency Recovery Utility NT) allows you to keep a complete backup of your registry and restore it when needed. The standard registry backup options that come with Windows back up most of the registry but not all of it. ERUNT however creates a complete backup set, including the Security hive and user related sections. ERUNT is easy to use and since it creates a full backup, there are no options or choices other than to select the location of the backup files. The backup set includes a small executable that will launch the registry restore if needed.
  
• In light of your recent issue, I'm sure you'd like to avoid any future infections. Please take a look at these well written articles:
  Think Prevention.
  PC Safety and Security–What Do I Need?.

**Be very wary with any security software that is advertised in popups or in other ways. They are not only usually of no use, but often have malware in them.


Thank you for your patience, and performing all of the procedures requested.

Please respond one last time so we can consider the thread resolved and close it, thank-you.