[Closed] Extremely slow Laptop, Fearing Impending Disaster

Hey, You all have helped me before. I'm hoping you can help again. I'm running a Toshiba Satellite A105 with Windows XP Media Center Edition. I'm also employing Norton 360, WInpatrol, and Spyware Blaster as precautions against malware. Sadly, it seems like something got through the net. Almost a year ago i had a near catastrophic system crash, and i'm hoping to avoid dealing with that again. Every single function on this computer, from bootup to scans, to getting on the internet, they are all extremely slow. I'm connected to a high speed internet line, and it still took five minutes for just this one page to load. My computer can't seem to connect to the internet worth a dayam, and when it does, it rarely lasts long. Please help me out. I already have ATF Cleaner, Combofix, HijackThis, and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware downloaded. If there's a specific combination of reports and scans you'd like me to run, please let me know ASAP. Thank you.

[external image: Posted Image]

Hi, welcome to the WTT Forums. My username is Raktor, and I would be glad to help you with your malware issues. I'd be grateful if you would note the following:

• Absence of symptoms does not always mean the computer is clean
• Please do not run any scans or fixes without my direction.
• Finally, stay with this topic until I give you the final 'All clear' post.

Sorry, none of the programs you downloaded are what I need right now.

1) DDS
[external image: Posted Image]
Please download DDS and save it to your desktop from here or here or here.
Disable any script blocker, and then double click dds.scr to run the tool.

• When done, DDS will open two (2) logs:
  
  • DDS.txt
  • Attach.txt
• Save both reports to your desktop.

2) GMER
Please 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.
• 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 put it in your next reply.

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

3) What You Will Need To Post:

• DDS logs
• GMER log

THanks for the help. Here are the DDS logs: [attachment removed] [attachment removed] and the GMER log: [attachment removed] I'm waiting with baited breath.

THanks for the help. Here are the DDS logs: 📎Attach.txt 📎DDS.txt and the GMER log: 📎gmer.txt I'm waiting with baited breath.

Download Combofix from any of the links below to your desktop.

Link 1
Link 2


==================================

Disable all antivirus and antispyware software, then double click on ComboFix.exe & follow the prompts.

• When finished, it will produce a report for you.
• Please post the C:\ComboFix.txt so we can continue cleaning the system.

Here you go- sorry this took so long. There was an issue with the links you gave me. The first one gave me a corrupted version of the file, and the other one was just a forum page in spanish with no obvious indications of download links. Luckily, i found another link to the program, and here is my combofix log. 📎ComboFix.txt Thanks.

1. Close any open browsers.

2. Close/disable all anti virus and anti malware programs so they do not interfere with the running of ComboFix.

3. Open notepad and copy/paste the text in the quotebox below into it:

http://forums.whatthetech.com/Extremely_sl…er_t108782.html

Collect::
c:\windows\system32\drivers\lvuvc.hs

Registry::
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"AGRSMMSG"=-
"QuickTime Task"-
"iTunesHelper"=-

Save this as "CFScript.txt", and as Type: All Files (*.*) in the same location as ComboFix.exe


[external image: Posted Image]

Refering to the picture above, drag CFScript into ComboFix.exe

When finished, it shall produce a log for you at C:\ComboFix.txt which I will require in your next reply.

=====================

Sorry about the links. There are a lot of 'helper' applications running - stopping some of these from launching on startup will improve system speed. Below is a list, in your reply mention which ones you want to remove (if any). Also, post the combofix log.
ehome.exe - Media centre
TvsTray.exe - Toshiba virtual sound tray
SmoothView - Toshiba zooming application
DLACTRLW.exe - Sonic RecordNow
Pinger.exe - Toshiba Software Update
MSKDetct.exe - McAfee SpamKiller
Communications_Helper - Logitech communications manager
Quickcam.exe - Logitech QuickCam Ribbon
PSDrvCheck.exe - Pinnacle software update
osCheck.exe - Norton 360 OS Check

Here's the new Combofix log: 📎combofix2.txt And as far as the helper programs- pretty much all of them, assuming that the programs they work for won't suffer. BUt as far as i'm concerned, McAffee Spamkiller and a couple other things can go away forever. I haven't used McAffee in at least a year.

• Download OTL to your desktop.
• Double click on the icon to run it. Make sure all other windows are closed and to let it run uninterrupted.
• When the window appears, underneath Output at the top change it to Minimal Output.
• Check the boxes beside LOP Check and Purity Check.
• Click the Run Scan button. Do not change any settings unless otherwise told to do so. The scan wont take long.
  
• When the scan completes, it will open two notepad windows. OTL.Txt and Extras.Txt.
  Note:These logs can be located in the OTL. folder on you C:\ drive if they fail to open automatically.
• Please copy (Edit->Select All, Edit->Copy) the contents of these files, one at a time, and post it with your next reply. You may need two posts to fit them both in.

Here you go! 📎Extras.Txt 📎OTL.Txt

Nothing in there to remove.

1) MBAM
Please download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware to your desktop.

• Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
• At the end, be 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.
• When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
• Be sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected .
• When completed, a log will open in Notepad. Please save it to a convenient location and post the results.
• Note: If you receive a notice that some of the items couldn't be removed, that they have been added to the delete on reboot list, please reboot.

2) ESET
You can use either Internet Explorer or Mozilla FireFox for this scan.

• Please go here then click on: [external image: Posted Image]
  

  Note: If using Mozilla Firefox you will need to download esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe when prompted then double click on it to install.
  All of the below instructions are compatible with either Internet Explorer or Mozilla FireFox.

• Select the option YES, I accept the Terms of Use then click on: [external image: Posted Image]
• When prompted allow the Add-On/Active X to install.
• Make sure that the option Remove found threats is NOT checked, and the option Scan archives is checked.
• Now click on Advanced Settings and select the following:

• • Scan for potentially unwanted applications
  • Scan for potentially unsafe applications
  • Enable Anti-Stealth Technology
• Now click on: [external image: Posted Image]
• The virus signature database… will begin to download. Be patient this make take some time depending on the speed of your Internet Connection.
• When completed the Online Scan will begin automatically.
• Do not touch either the Mouse or keyboard during the scan otherwise it may stall.
• When completed select Uninstall application on close if you so wish, make sure you copy the logfile first!
• Now click on: [external image: Posted Image]
• Use notepad to open the logfile located at C:\Program Files\ESET\EsetOnlineScanner\log.txt.
• Copy and paste that log as a reply to this topic.

3) What You Will Need To Post:

• MBAM log
• ESET log

📎log.txt 📎mbam_log_2009_12_15__11_40_32_.txt The first one is the ESET log, the second is the MBAM log.

Also- My Norton 360 just did its regularly scheduled scan, and it is still coming up with a tracking cookie or something like that,

Looking all clean!

The following will implement some cleanup procedures as well as reset System Restore points:

• Please press the Windows Key and R on your keyboard. This will bring up the Run… command.
• Now type in Combofix /Uninstall in the runbox and click OK. (Notice the space between the "x" and "/")
  🖼Click to load external image (Posted Image)
• Please follow the prompts to uninstall Combofix.
• You will then recieve a message saying Combofix was uninstalled successfully once it's done uninstalling itself.

Your current version of Adobe Reader is out of date, and may contain security issues. Please uninstall the version you have now from Add/Remove programs, and then download and install the latest Adobe Reader.

Your version of Java is outdated.

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. Download and install the latest Java Runtime Environment (JRE) version for your computer.

How to reduce your chances of infection in the future

Web Browsers
Internet Explorer does come pre-installed with all Windows machines - but this doesn't necessarily mean you have to use it! Because it is the most widely used browser, it is targeted by more malware writers, making you more susceptible to infection. There are many other free alternatives out there that offer better security, take one of these for a spin and see if it takes your fancy.
Mozilla Firefox
Google Chrome
Opera

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 Firefox, Google Chrome and Internet Explorer.

If you would prefer to keep using Internet Explorer, follow these additional steps to make the browser more secure.

• From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.
• Click once on the Security tab.
• Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
• Click once on the Custom Level button.
  
  • Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt.
  • Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable.
  • Change the Initialise and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to Disable.
  • Change the Installation of desktop items to Prompt.
  • Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt.
  • Change the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt.
• When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.
• If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the Yes button.

Additional Security Measures
Keep your software up-to-date - You should be manually performing updates of your software once a week to ensure that you are current with anti-virus definitions and patched for any security vulnerabilities. This does not just apply to your anti-virus/anti-malware software; malware authors rely on exploiting commonly used software such as Java and Adobe Reader, which need to be kept up to date as well.

Keep Windows up-to-date - Use Windows Update regularly to stay current with security patches and service packs.

MVPS Hosts File - This custom hosts file effectively blocks a wide range of unwanted ads, banners, 3rd party Cookies, 3rd party page counters, web bugs, and many hijackers.

Firewalls - Without a firewall your computer is susceptible to being hacked and taken over. If you use the Windows Firewall you might think that's sufficient - but it only controls one way of the traffic (inbound). Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly.

What Not To Do
The Perils of P2P File Sharing - Even if a P2P application is on the 'safe' list, malware can still be downloaded through infected files - executables, zip files and even MP3s. It is just not worth the risk.

Fake Security/Optimization Software - 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.

Additional Reading
How to prevent Malware - I strongly recommend that you read Miekiemoses' good advice

Please reply to this thread once more if you are satisfied so that we can mark the problem as resolved.

Great, thank you, I still have a few questions, though. First, the list of programs that run on startup and inhibit the startup process- how do i eliminate them? Second, is it an issue that Norton 360 is still picking up tracking cookies? (See my last post) and thirdly, my subscription for Norton expires in a few days. What is an acceptable (albeit cheaper) alternative that will get me the kind of security I need without taking up too much of my resources?