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Spyware / Malware / Virus Removal

[Closed] possible Sasser/Sasser lookalike infection

4 min read

This thread's last reply is from . Advice, software, and links below may be out of date — treat specific steps and download links with caution.

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Post #1
I'm still uncertain whether this problem stems from the Sasser worm or from a registry error or some other possible malfunction in my OS. However, symptoms are as follows:

Computer fails to recognize any form of external input (i.e., USB drives, Internet connection, CDs, etc.)

Processes limited to:
explorer.exe
aswUpdSv.exe
lsass.exe [I'm uncertain if this is 'L'sass or 'I'sass]
services.exe
winlogon.exe
csrss.exe
smss.exe
System
System Idle Process

Unable to copy/paste or drag and drop any icon to any other location

Services in MSONFIG are all stopped with the exception of "avast! iAVS4 Control Service." and I am unable to run them, regardless of enabling and rebooting

Denied access to disabling "Remote Procdure Call (RPC) Locator" and "Remote Procedure Call (RPC)" services in MSCONFIG

Incredibly slow boot-up.



If at all possible, I'd like to avoid simply reformatting the hard drive, as there are hundreds of pictures and thousands of music files saved that are very valuable to my whole family.
Post #2
[external image: Posted Image]


DO NOT use any TOOLS such as Combofix, Vundofix, or HijackThis fixes without supervision.

Doing so could make your pc inoperatible and could require a full reinstall of your OS, losing all your programs and data.


Stay with this topic until I give you the all clean post.

You might want to print these instructions out.

I suggest you do this:

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


Please do not delete anything unless instructed to.



Next:

Please download ATF Cleaner by Atribune.
Download - ATF Cleaner»

Double-click ATF-Cleaner.exe to run the program.
Under Main choose: Select All
Click the Empty Selected button.


(If you use FireFox or the Opera browser
To keep saved passwords, click No at the prompt.)

It's normal after running ATF cleaner that the PC will be slower to boot the first time.

Next:


Download ComboFix from one of these locations:

Link 1
Link 2


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


  • Disable your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware applications, usually via a right click on the System Tray icon. They may otherwise interfere with our tools. Note: If you are having difficulty properly disabling your protective programs, or are unsure as to what programs need to be disabled, please refer to the information available through this link : Protective Programs

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

    Note: Combofix will run without the Recovery Console installed.

  • 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.
"copy/paste" a new HijackThis log file into this thread as well.

Notes:

1.Do not mouse-click Combofix's window while it is running. That may cause it to stall.
2. ComboFix may reset a number of Internet Explorer's settings, including making I-E the default browser.
3. Combofix prevents autorun of ALL CD, floppy and USB devices to assist with malware removal & increase security. If this is an issue or makes it difficult for you – please tell your helper.
4. CF disconnects your machine from the internet. The connection is automatically restored before CF completes its run. If CF runs into difficulty and terminates prematurely, the connection can be manually restored by restarting your machine.

Give it atleast 20-30 minutes to finish if needed.


Also please describe how your computer behaves at the moment.
Post #3
That'd be all well and good, but I can't connect to the internet using that computer, and it doesn't recognize any external input like USB drives.
Post #4
Lets see if we can get the PC back on the internet. This file will fit on a floppy or thumb drive.

Get a copy of winsockxpfix.exe and copy it to the infected computer.
You just run it and things should work OK after it reboots your system.

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/winsockxpfix.html



Get a copy of winsockxpfix.exe in case you lose your internet connect during the fix. You just run it and things should work OK after it reboots your system.

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/winsockxpfix.html

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