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Spyware / Malware / Virus Removal

[Resolved] Google redirect (via Firefox)

20 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 Advice, software, and links below may be out of date — treat specific steps and download links with caution.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 #16 last edited
There isn't one Anti-Virus program that will catch everything. Avast is a very good freeware Anti-Virus program.


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Infected Thunderbird E-Mails
The ESET log indicates that there are infected emails in the Inbox and Trash folder in Thunderbird.

Please delete the emails in your Inbox folder - keep only the emails that are of extreme importance. After you finish deleting the emails, please right click on the Deleted Items folder and click Empty 'Deleted Items' Folder. Note: The wording may be slightly different.



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OTL Fix
Run OTL.exe
  • Copy/paste the following text written inside of the code box into the Custom Scans/Fixes box located at the bottom of OTL

    :Services
:OTL
PRC - C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe (Microsoft Corporation)
O3 - HKCU\..\Toolbar\WebBrowser: (no name) - {4A1C6093-14F9-44D7-860E-5D265CFCA9D9} - No CLSID value found.
O3 - HKCU\..\Toolbar\WebBrowser: (no name) - {A58686ED-FC46-44C3-95C6-4A812AB776F1} - No CLSID value found.
O7 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel present
O16 - DPF: Microsoft XML Parser for Java file:///C:/WINDOWS/Java/classes/xmldso.cab (Reg Error: Key error.)
@Alternate Data Stream - 196 bytes -> C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\TEMP:284D1EE4
@Alternate Data Stream - 195 bytes -> C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\TEMP:C265C458
@Alternate Data Stream - 162 bytes -> C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\TEMP:DCE70D73
@Alternate Data Stream - 153 bytes -> C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\TEMP:820563D3
:Commands
[emptytemp]
[start explorer]
[Reboot]
  • Then click the Run Fix button at the top
  • Let the program run unhindered, reboot when it is done


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Java Outdated
Your Java is out of date. Older versions have vulnerabilities that malware can use to infect your system.
Please follow these steps to remove older version Java components and update.

  • Download the latest version of Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 6 and save it to your desktop.
  • Scroll down to where it says "Java SE Runtime Environment (JRE) 6 Update 18. The Java SE Runtime Environment (JRE) allows end-users to run Java applications."
  • Click the "Download" button to the right.
  • Select the Windows platform from the drop-down menu.
  • Read the License Agreement and then check the box that says: " I agree to the Java SE Runtime Environment 6 with JavaFX License Agreement". Click on Continue.The page will refresh.
  • Click on the link to download Windows Offline Installation and save the file to your desktop.
  • Close any programs you may have running - especially your web browser.
  • Now go to Start > Settings > Control Panel, double-click on Add/Remove Programs and remove all older versions of Java.
  • Check (highlight) any item with Java Runtime Environment (JRE or J2SE or Java™ 6) in the name.
  • Click the Remove or Change/Remove button.
  • Repeat as many times as necessary to remove each Java version.
  • Reboot your computer once all Java components are removed.
  • Then from your desktop double-click on jre-6u18-windows-i586-p.exe to install the newest version.
  • After the install is complete, go into the Control Panel (using Classic View) and double-click the Java Icon. (looks like a coffee cup)
    • On the General tab, under Temporary Internet Files, click the Settings button.
    • Next, click on the Delete Files button
    • There are two options in the window to clear the cache - Leave BOTH CheckedApplications and AppletsTrace and Log Files
  • Click OK on Delete Temporary Files Window

    Note: This deletes ALL the Downloaded Applications and Applets from the CACHE.
  • Click OK to leave the Temporary Files Window
  • Click OK to leave the Java Control Panel.


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Time for some housekeeping
The following will implement some cleanup procedures as well as reset System Restore points:
[external image: Posted Image]
Click Start > Run and copy/paste the following bolded text into the Run box and click OK: ComboFix /Uninstall

If you still have any tools or logs leftover on your computer you can go ahead and delete those off of your computer now.



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OTL Clean-Up
Clean up with OTL:
  • Double-click OTL.exe to start the program.
  • Close all other programs apart from OTL as this step will require a reboot
  • On the OTL main screen, press the CLEANUP button
  • Say Yes to the prompt and then allow the program to reboot your computer.

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Firewall

Looking over your log it seems you don't have any evidence of a third party FIREWALL. As the term conveys a firewall is an extra layer of security installed onto computers which restricts access to systems from the outside world. Firewalls protect against hackers and malicious intruders.

If you are using the built-in Windows XP firewall it is not recommended as it does not block outgoing connections. This means that any malware on your computer is free to phone home for more instructions. Simply put Windows XP contains a mediocre firewall. This firewall is NO replacement for a dedicated software solution. Remember to use only one firewall at the same time.

I would recommend to install install a free firewall for personal use from one of these excellent vendors. Choice is yours:



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All Clean Speech

===> Make sure you've re-enabled any Security Programs that we may have disabled during the malware removal process. <===

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
  • Please consider using an alternate browser. Mozilla's Firefox browser is fantastic; it is much more
    secure than Internet Explorer, immune to almost all known browser hijackers, and also has the best built-in pop up
    blocker (as an added benefit!) that I have ever seen. If you are interested, Firefox may be downloaded from Here
    • If you choose to use 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.
Post #17
I took all steps, and purchased the next level of Avast! I now plan to use that edition of Avast! on a regular basis, and the ESET scanner periodically. The Thunderbird folder has now been cleaned, and is about 40% smaller. The Java install to which you referred me appears to be an SDK, but within it is Java so perhaps that's ok. I use a quick mental algorithm to generate passwords, which usually include at least 8 characters. It is statistically unlikely that two or more sites would get the same pw. Computer seems to be running fine. I've done restore points plus backups (work-in-progress, email, and Firefox) periodically during this entire process, and am confident that nothing has been lost. No more questions - I'm very grateful for your guidance and assistance.

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