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Spyware / Malware / Virus Removal

Virus or Malware?

9 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 Advice, software, and links below may be out of date — treat specific steps and download links with caution.

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In brief… just started experiencing lag spikes on a game i play (HoN). It isn't a few second delay or anything it is pretty extreme to the point where things will lockup and i will have to wait 20 - 30 seconds and all actions that have occured will finally process… here is the recommended summary from DDS DDS (Ver_10-03-17.01) - NTFSx86 Run by [removed] at 22:43:14.77 on 24/06/2010 Internet Explorer: 8.0.7600.16385 Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 6.1.7600.0.1252.2.1033.18.2047.581 [GMT -3:00] SP: Spybot - Search and Destroy *disabled* (Outdated) {ED588FAF-1B8F-43B4-ACA8-8E3C85DADBE9} ============== Running Processes =============== C:\Windows\system32\wininit.exe C:\Windows\system32\lsm.exe C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k DcomLaunch C:\Windows\system32\nvvsvc.exe C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k RPCSS c:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Essentials\MsMpEng.exe C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceNetworkRestricted C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalSystemNetworkRestricted C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalService C:\Windows\system32\nvvsvc.exe C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k NetworkService C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceNoNetwork C:\Windows\system32\Dwm.exe C:\Windows\system32\taskhost.exe C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceAndNoImpersonation C:\Windows\system32\PnkBstrA.exe C:\Windows\system32\PnkBstrB.exe C:\Program Files\Sandboxie\SbieSvc.exe C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\3D Vision\nvSCPAPISvr.exe C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k imgsvc C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDWinSec.exe C:\Windows\system32\WUDFHost.exe C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k NetworkServiceNetworkRestricted C:\Windows\system32\SearchIndexer.exe C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalServicePeerNet C:\Program Files\Ventrilo\Ventrilo.exe C:\Program Files\Heroes of Newerth\hon.exe C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe C:\Windows\system32\Macromed\Flash\FlashUtil10d.exe C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe C:\Windows\system32\taskhost.exe C:\Windows\system32\taskeng.exe C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe C:\Windows\system32\SearchProtocolHost.exe C:\Windows\system32\SearchFilterHost.exe C:\Windows\system32\SearchProtocolHost.exe C:\Windows\system32\DllHost.exe C:\Windows\system32\DllHost.exe C:\Users\ROB\Desktop\dds.scr C:\Windows\system32\conhost.exe C:\Windows\system32\wbem\wmiprvse.exe ============== Pseudo HJT Report =============== uStart Page = hxxp://www.facebook.com/ BHO: Adobe PDF Link Helper: {18df081c-e8ad-4283-a596-fa578c2ebdc3} - c:\program files\common files\adobe\acrobat\activex\AcroIEHelperShim.dll BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection: {53707962-6f74-2d53-2644-206d7942484f} - c:\program files\spybot - search & destroy\SDHelper.dll BHO: Groove GFS Browser Helper: {72853161-30c5-4d22-b7f9-0bbc1d38a37e} - c:\program files\microsoft office\office12\GrooveShellExtensions.dll BHO: Java™ Plug-In 2 SSV Helper: {dbc80044-a445-435b-bc74-9c25c1c588a9} - c:\program files\java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll mPolicies-system: ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin = 5 (0x5) mPolicies-system: ConsentPromptBehaviorUser = 3 (0x3) mPolicies-system: EnableUIADesktopToggle = 0 (0x0) IE: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - c:\progra~1\micros~2\office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000 IE: {3AD14F0C-ED16-4e43-B6D8-661B03F6A1EF} - c:\program files\pokerstars\PokerStarsUpdate.exe IE: {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - {48E73304-E1D6-4330-914C-F5F514E3486C} - c:\progra~1\micros~2\office12\ONBttnIE.dll IE: {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - {FF059E31-CC5A-4E2E-BF3B-96E929D65503} - c:\progra~1\micros~2\office12\REFIEBAR.DLL IE: {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - c:\program files\spybot - search & destroy\SDHelper.dll DPF: {1E54D648-B804-468d-BC78-4AFFED8E262F} - hxxp://www.nvidia.com/content/DriverDownload/srl/3.0.0.4/srl_bin/sysreqlab_nvd.cab DPF: {67DABFBF-D0AB-41FA-9C46-CC0F21721616} - hxxp://download.divx.com/player/DivXBrowserPlugin.cab DPF: {8AD9C840-044E-11D1-B3E9-00805F499D93} - hxxp://java.sun.com/update/1.6.0/jinstall-1_6_0_16-windows-i586.cab DPF: {CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0016-ABCDEFFEDCBA} - hxxp://java.sun.com/update/1.6.0/jinstall-1_6_0_16-windows-i586.cab DPF: {CAFEEFAC-FFFF-FFFF-FFFF-ABCDEFFEDCBA} - hxxp://java.sun.com/update/1.6.0/jinstall-1_6_0_16-windows-i586.cab DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} - hxxp://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/get/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab DPF: {E2883E8F-472F-4FB0-9522-AC9BF37916A7} - hxxp://platformdl.adobe.com/NOS/getPlusPlus/1.6/gp.cab Handler: grooveLocalGWS - {88FED34C-F0CA-4636-A375-3CB6248B04CD} - c:\program files\microsoft office\office12\GrooveSystemServices.dll SEH: Groove GFS Stub Execution Hook: {b5a7f190-dda6-4420-b3ba-52453494e6cd} - c:\program files\microsoft office\office12\GrooveShellExtensions.dll ============= SERVICES / DRIVERS =============== R1 MpFilter;Microsoft Malware Protection Driver;c:\windows\system32\drivers\MpFilter.sys [2009-12-2 149040] R2 SBSDWSCService;SBSD Security Center Service;c:\program files\spybot - search & destroy\SDWinSec.exe [2010-5-30 1153368] R2 Stereo Service;NVIDIA Stereoscopic 3D Driver Service;c:\program files\nvidia corporation\3d vision\nvSCPAPISvr.exe [2010-4-3 240232] R3 SbieDrv;SbieDrv;c:\program files\sandboxie\SbieDrv.sys [2010-2-3 115432] R3 VST_DPV;VST_DPV;c:\windows\system32\drivers\VSTDPV3.SYS [2009-7-13 980992] R3 VSTHWBS2;VSTHWBS2;c:\windows\system32\drivers\VSTBS23.SYS [2009-7-13 266752] S3 b57nd60x;Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet - NDIS 6.0;c:\windows\system32\drivers\b57nd60x.sys [2009-7-13 229888] S3 MpNWMon;Microsoft Malware Protection Network Driver;c:\windows\system32\drivers\MpNWMon.sys [2009-12-2 42368] S3 WatAdminSvc;Windows Activation Technologies Service;c:\windows\system32\wat\WatAdminSvc.exe [2010-5-29 1343400] =============== Created Last 30 ================ 2010-06-16 08:45:32 0 —ha-w- c:\windows\system32\drivers\Msft_User_WpdMtpDr_01_09_00.Wdf 2010-06-16 03:00:43 0 d—–w- c:\users\rob\appdata\roaming\NVIDIA 2010-06-16 02:58:41 138056 —-a-w- c:\windows\system32\drivers\PnkBstrK.sys 2010-06-16 02:58:41 138056 —-a-w- c:\users\rob\appdata\roaming\PnkBstrK.sys 2010-06-16 02:58:09 189248 —-a-w- c:\windows\system32\PnkBstrB.exe 2010-06-16 02:58:05 75064 —-a-w- c:\windows\system32\PnkBstrA.exe 2010-06-16 02:58:04 2419568 —-a-w- c:\windows\system32\pbsvc_apb.exe 2010-06-14 03:54:57 0 d—–w- c:\program files\NVIDIA Corporation 2010-06-14 03:54:20 7772 —-a-w- c:\windows\system32\nvinfo.pb 2010-06-14 03:40:00 0 d—–w- c:\program files\SystemRequirementsLab 2010-06-14 03:32:36 0 d—–w- c:\program files\Realtime Worlds 2010-06-03 04:34:23 0 d—–w- c:\program files\StarCraft II Beta 2010-05-31 02:38:38 0 d—–w- c:\programdata\Spybot - Search & Destroy 2010-05-31 02:38:38 0 d—–w- c:\program files\Spybot - Search & Destroy 2010-05-30 02:51:19 0 d—–w- c:\windows\system32\Wat 2010-05-30 00:02:38 977920 —-a-w- c:\windows\system32\wininet.dll 2010-05-30 00:02:28 2614272 —-a-w- c:\windows\explorer.exe 2010-05-30 00:02:27 285696 —-a-w- c:\windows\system32\winlogon.exe 2010-05-30 00:02:19 133720 —-a-w- c:\windows\system32\drivers\ksecpkg.sys 2010-05-30 00:02:19 1037312 —-a-w- c:\windows\system32\lsasrv.dll 2010-05-30 00:01:57 740864 —-a-w- c:\windows\system32\inetcomm.dll 2010-05-29 23:51:03 3954568 —-a-w- c:\windows\system32\ntkrnlpa.exe 2010-05-29 23:51:03 3899280 —-a-w- c:\windows\system32\ntoskrnl.exe 2010-05-29 23:50:55 427520 —-a-w- c:\windows\system32\vbscript.dll 2010-05-29 23:50:49 2048 —-a-w- c:\windows\system32\tzres.dll 2010-05-29 23:48:29 95744 —-a-w- c:\windows\system32\drivers\mrxsmb20.sys 2010-05-29 23:48:29 221696 —-a-w- c:\windows\system32\drivers\mrxsmb10.sys 2010-05-29 23:48:29 123392 —-a-w- c:\windows\system32\drivers\mrxsmb.sys 2010-05-29 23:26:04 172032 —-a-w- c:\windows\system32\wintrust.dll 2010-05-29 23:25:58 132608 —-a-w- c:\windows\system32\cabview.dll 2010-05-29 23:21:35 0 d—–w- c:\program files\Microsoft Security Essentials ==================== Find3M ==================== 2010-05-21 17:14:28 221568 ——w- c:\windows\system32\MpSigStub.exe 2010-05-08 06:02:49 77105 —-a-w- c:\windows\War3Unin.dat 2010-05-08 05:44:57 2829 —-a-w- c:\windows\War3Unin.pif 2010-05-08 05:44:57 139264 —-a-w- c:\windows\War3Unin.exe 2010-04-03 21:27:00 985704 —-a-w- c:\windows\system32\nvsvc.dll 2010-04-03 21:27:00 66664 —-a-w- c:\windows\system32\nvshext.dll 2010-04-03 21:27:00 13683816 —-a-w- c:\windows\system32\nvcpl.dll 2010-04-03 21:27:00 129640 —-a-w- c:\windows\system32\nvvsvc.exe 2010-04-03 21:27:00 110696 —-a-w- c:\windows\system32\nvmctray.dll 2010-04-02 19:54:38 600680 —-a-w- c:\windows\system32\NVUNINST.EXE 2009-07-14 04:56:42 31548 —-a-w- c:\windows\inf\perflib\0409\perfd.dat 2009-07-14 04:56:42 31548 —-a-w- c:\windows\inf\perflib\0409\perfc.dat 2009-07-14 04:56:42 291294 —-a-w- c:\windows\inf\perflib\0409\perfi.dat 2009-07-14 04:56:42 291294 —-a-w- c:\windows\inf\perflib\0409\perfh.dat 2009-07-14 04:41:57 174 –sha-w- c:\program files\desktop.ini 2009-07-14 00:34:40 291294 —-a-w- c:\windows\inf\perflib\0000\perfi.dat 2009-07-14 00:34:40 291294 —-a-w- c:\windows\inf\perflib\0000\perfh.dat 2009-07-14 00:34:38 31548 —-a-w- c:\windows\inf\perflib\0000\perfd.dat 2009-07-14 00:34:38 31548 —-a-w- c:\windows\inf\perflib\0000\perfc.dat 2009-06-10 21:26:35 9633792 –sha-r- c:\windows\fonts\StaticCache.dat 2009-07-14 01:14:45 396800 –sha-w- c:\windows\winsxs\x86_microsoft-windows-mail-app_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_f12e83abb108c86c\WinMail.exe ============= FINISH: 22:44:14.19 ===============
Hi,

Please do the following:

[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 …
    • 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 attach it in your reply.

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

Please do the following:

Download Combofix from either of the links below, and save it to your desktop.

Link 1
Link 2



**Note: It is important that it is saved directly 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.
  • When finished, it will produce a report for you.
  • Please post the C:\ComboFix.txt for further review.
Hi

Please do the following:


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.



NEXT

**Vista users - right click on the IE icon and run as administrator

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
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.46 www.malwarebytes.org Database version: 4250 Windows 6.1.7600 Internet Explorer 8.0.7600.16385 29/06/2010 11:59:57 AM mbam-log-2010-06-29 (11-59-57).txt Scan type: Quick scan Objects scanned: 133214 Time elapsed: 4 minute(s), 51 second(s) Memory Processes Infected: 0 Memory Modules Infected: 0 Registry Keys Infected: 0 Registry Values Infected: 0 Registry Data Items Infected: 0 Folders Infected: 0 Files Infected: 0 Memory Processes Infected: (No malicious items detected) Memory Modules Infected: (No malicious items detected) Registry Keys Infected: (No malicious items detected) Registry Values Infected: (No malicious items detected) Registry Data Items Infected: (No malicious items detected) Folders Infected: (No malicious items detected) Files Infected: (No malicious items detected)

Attachments:

Hi

I suggest you delete the windows.old folder entirely (why do you have that folder?)
then run this tool

Download TFC to your desktop
  • Close any open windows.
  • Double click the TFC icon to run the program
  • TFC will close all open programs itself in order to run,
  • Click the Start button to begin the process.
  • Allow TFC to run uninterrupted.
  • The program should not take long to finish it's job
  • Once its finished it should automatically reboot your machine,
  • if it doesn't, manually reboot to ensure a complete clean
It's normal after running TFC cleaner that the PC will be slower to boot the first time.


NEXT

Please post a fresh DDS and Attach.log and advise how your computer is running now and if there are any outstanding issues
Attached as requested… What I am finding now, for whatever odd reason… I'm unable to play most online games… its as if ports are not open to connect to games and i'm constantly getting time-outs when doing tracerts to the game servers there are some t/o hops and high ping hops that i have never gotten before. When doing a port scan it shows my ports are all stealthed however currently not using windows firewall, router is set to a static IP. Any thoughts?
well, unfortunately that's out of my area of expertise.

there is no malware remaining so we can clean up the tools used.

what I suggest you do is post a new topic in our Internet forum and let the expert tech's there take a look at those settings for you, I'm sure it can probably be reset.

Link them back to this thread so they can see you are clean of malware.

now let's clean up our tools

Please do the following:


[external image: Posted Image]
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) 20 and save it to your desktop.
  • Scroll down to where it says JDK 6 Update 20 (JDK or JRE)
  • Click the Download JRE button to the right
  • Select the Windows platform from the dropdown menu.
  • Read the License Agreement and then check the box that says: "I agree to the Java SE Runtime Environment 6u20 with JavaFX 1 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.
  • Go to Start > Control Panel, double-click on Add or 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 versions.
  • Reboot your computer once all Java components are removed.
  • Then from your desktop double-click on jre-6u20-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 Applets
      Trace 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.



NEXT

You can delete the DDS and GMER folders from your desktop.


NEXT


Follow these steps to uninstall Combofix

  • Make sure your security programs are totally disabled.
  • Click START then RUN
  • Now copy/paste Combofix /uninstall into the runbox and click OK. Note the space between the ..X and the /U, it needs to be there.

[external image: Posted Image]



If there are any logs/tools remaining > right click and delete them.


NEXT


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.

  • 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.


  • 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

  • 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.

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