searchnu/410 removal help [Solved]

The system seems to be running quite well. A bit faster and a bit more stable wireless connection. There were no huge problems before other then having to reset the wireless a fair bit over the last little while. One thing is yesterday my antivirus (mcaffee) seemed to totally disappear both from the tray and the folder was empty under programs too. Today it is back although still mostly disabled.

Hi,

Glad to hear things are running better. Is McAfee up and running now?

Let's get some updates…

You have an older version of Adobe Reader. You can download the current version HERE

You may want to consider Foxit Reader instead. It may be a bit lighter on resources.

Visit their support forum
Foxit Forum

In either case you should uninstall Adobe Reader 8.2.0 first. Be sure to move any PDF documents to another folder first though.
———-

Run a new scan with OTL and the post the logs made into your next reply.

Hi, Thanks very much for everything. Yes McAfee is up and running with firewall switched on again. I'm not sure about the Adobe. In the program list I show I am running 9.5. Not sure what the latest version is as I can't follow your link to adobe and google search links will not load the adobe.com pages either. The foxit does look interesting so I will check it. Adobe has become very annoying about chronically updating lately. regardless I'll remove 9.5 before installing foxit. Thanks again.

Ok… Be sure to post the new OTL log when you get it completed.

Sorry I missed the bit about the new OTL log. I see the broken line at the bottom of your post and just think your signature starts there. So here is the log… I did minimal output hopefully that is ok.

Hi,

I think we are just about done.

I see you are running Internet Explorer 6. The most recent version for Windows XP is Internet Explorer 8. Even if you do not use this browser it's important to keep it updated because Internet Explorer is the default browser Windows uses to perform its updates. You can download and install it from here.

We seem to have some stragglers we need to remove.

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
  IE - HKCU\..\SearchScopes\{171DEBEB-C3D4-40b7-AC73-056A5EBA4A7E}: "URL" = http://websearch.ask.com/redirect?client=ie&tb=ORJ&o=&src=crm&q={searchTerms}&locale=&apn_ptnrs=&apn_dtid=OSJ000&apn_uid=BE6A9A93-3B36-461C-AFEE-C6CCEDB7270B&apn_sauid=967B71C9-A9E4-4FFF-8F16-0A1979EE9829
  FF - prefs.js..browser.search.defaultengine: "Ask.com"
  FF - prefs.js..browser.search.defaultenginename: "Ask.com"
  FF - prefs.js..browser.search.order.1: "Ask.com"
  [2012/03/08 10:40:25 | 000,002,252 | —- | M] () – C:\Program Files\mozilla firefox\searchplugins\bing.xml
  [2012/03/30 10:48:43 | 000,002,519 | —- | M] () – C:\Program Files\mozilla firefox\searchplugins\Search_Results.xml
  
  :Files
  ipconfig /flushdns /c
  
  :Commands
  [purity]
  [resethosts]
  [emptytemp]
  [clearallrestorepoints]
  [start explorer]
  [Reboot]

• Then click the Run Fix button at the top
• Let the program run unhindered. There will be a log created when it completes that I will need in your next reply. Reboot when it is done.
• Then run a new scan and post a new OTL log ( don't check the boxes beside LOP Check or Purity this time )

Log created after run of 'run fix' (it actually came up after the reboot)

All processes killed
========== SERVICES/DRIVERS ==========
========== OTL ==========
Registry key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{171DEBEB-C3D4-40b7-AC73-056A5EBA4A7E}\ deleted successfully.
Registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{171DEBEB-C3D4-40b7-AC73-056A5EBA4A7E}\ not found.
Prefs.js: "Ask.com" removed from browser.search.defaultengine
Prefs.js: "Ask.com" removed from browser.search.defaultenginename
Prefs.js: "Ask.com" removed from browser.search.order.1
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\searchplugins\bing.xml moved successfully.
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\searchplugins\Search_Results.xml moved successfully.
========== FILES ==========
< ipconfig /flushdns /c >
Windows IP Configuration
Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.
C:\Documents and Settings\Jim Uffelmann\My Documents\Program Downloads\cmd.bat deleted successfully.
C:\Documents and Settings\Jim Uffelmann\My Documents\Program Downloads\cmd.txt deleted successfully.
========== COMMANDS ==========
C:\WINDOWS\System32\drivers\etc\Hosts moved successfully.
HOSTS file reset successfully

[EMPTYTEMP]

User: Administrator
->Temp folder emptied: 0 bytes
->Temporary Internet Files folder emptied: 0 bytes

User: All Users

User: Default User
->Temp folder emptied: 0 bytes
->Temporary Internet Files folder emptied: 0 bytes
->Flash cache emptied: 0 bytes

User: Jim Uffelmann
->Temp folder emptied: 254817 bytes
->Temporary Internet Files folder emptied: 31477282 bytes
->Java cache emptied: 0 bytes
->FireFox cache emptied: 135152176 bytes
->Google Chrome cache emptied: 0 bytes
->Flash cache emptied: 2745 bytes

User: LocalService
->Temp folder emptied: 0 bytes
->Temporary Internet Files folder emptied: 32902 bytes

User: NetworkService
->Temp folder emptied: 0 bytes
->Temporary Internet Files folder emptied: 32902 bytes

User: the Others
->Temp folder emptied: 0 bytes
->Temporary Internet Files folder emptied: 0 bytes
->Java cache emptied: 0 bytes
->FireFox cache emptied: 0 bytes
->Flash cache emptied: 0 bytes

%systemdrive% .tmp files removed: 0 bytes
%systemroot% .tmp files removed: 709968 bytes
%systemroot%\System32 .tmp files removed: 0 bytes
%systemroot%\System32\dllcache .tmp files removed: 0 bytes
%systemroot%\System32\drivers .tmp files removed: 0 bytes
Windows Temp folder emptied: 0 bytes
%systemroot%\system32\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\Temp folder emptied: 0 bytes
%systemroot%\system32\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files folder emptied: 33170 bytes
RecycleBin emptied: 817 bytes

Total Files Cleaned = 160.00 mb

Restore points cleared and new OTL Restore Point set!

OTL by OldTimer - Version 3.2.39.2 log created on 04052012_103205

Files\Folders moved on Reboot…

Registry entries deleted on Reboot…



The final OTL scan logs are attached as well

Hi,

Providing there are no other malware related problems…

IT APPEARS THAT YOUR LOGS ARE NOW CLEAN SO LETS DO A COUPLE OF THINGS TO WRAP THIS UP!!

This infection appears to have been cleaned, but I can not give you any absolute guarantees. As a precaution, I would go ahead and change all of your passwords as this is especially important after an infection.
———-

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

Click Start > Run and copy/paste the following text into the Run box as shown and click OK.
Combofix /Uninstall
(Note: There is a space between the ..X and the /U that needs to be there.)

[external image: Posted Image]
———-

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.

———-

Any of the logs that you created for use in the forums or remaining tools that have not yet been removed can be deleted so they aren't cluttering up your desktop.

Here are some tips to reduce the potential for spyware infection in the future:

1. Make your Internet Explorer more secure - This can be done by following these simple instructions:

• 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 Initialize 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.
• Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the Internet Properties page.

2. Enable Protected Mode in Internet Explorer. This helps Windows Vista users stay more protected from attack by running Internet Explorer with restricted privileges as well as reducing the ability to write, alter or destroy data on your system or install malicious code. To make sure this is running follow these steps:

• Open Internet Explorer
• Click on Tools > Internet Options
• Press Security tab
• Select Internet zone then place check next to Enable Protected Mode if not already done
• Do the same for Local Intranet, Trusted Sites and Restricted Sites and then press Apply
• Restart Internet Explorer and in the bottom right corner of your screen you will see Protected Mode: On showing you it is enabled.

3. Use and update an anti-virus software - I can not overemphasize the need for you to use and update your anti-virus application on a regular basis. With the ever increasing number of new variants of malware arriving on the scene daily, you become very susceptible to an attack without updated protection.

4. Firewall
Using a third-party firewall will allow you to give/deny access for applications that want to go online. Without a firewall your computer is susceptible to being hacked and taken over. Simply using a firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly. A tutorial on firewalls can be found here. **There are firewalls listed in this tutorial that could be downloaded and used but I would personally only recommend using one of the following two below:
Online Armor Free
Agnitum Outpost Firewall Free

5. Make sure you keep your Windows OS current. Windows XP users can visit Windows update regularly to download and install any critical updates and service packs. Windows Vista/7 users can open the Start menu > All Programs > Windows Update > Check for Updates (in left hand task pane) to update these systems. Without these you are leaving the back door open.

6. Consider a custom hosts file such as MVPS HOSTS. 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. For information on how to download and install, please read this tutorial by WinHelp2002
Note: Be sure to follow the instructions to disable the DNS Client service before installing a custom hosts file.

7. WOT (Web of Trust) As "Googling" is such an integral part of internet life, this free browser add on warns you about risky websites that try to scam visitors, deliver malware or send spam. It is especially helpful 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. WOT has an add-on available for Firefox, Internet Explorer as well as Google Chrome.

8.Finally, I strongly recommend that you read TonyKlein's good advice So how did I get infected in the first place?

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

I think we're all good. The Run window told me 'combofix' could not be found. I could not find it through programs or 'add remove software' either. i seem to recall that it had a box to uninstall automatically when done and I may have checked that off. Explorer was pretty much set to all of those settings. I did not see anything like 'enable protected mode' when looking at zones on explorer. I really do not use explorer at all. I will look into the WOT extension for firefox. My ISP provides me with mcaffee and I keep it up dated. It used to be fsecure but they changed. Mcaffe doesn't seem great to me. As well firefox seems to have run through so many updates the extensions have not kept up. I know how I got infected although really I put too much faith in Cnet finding me good downloads for what I need. I had a bad feeling when I saw the Koyote logo because I seem to recall having trouble with that before. The conversion software I loaded worked well and problems weren't immediately apparent. I'll also check out the tutorial on MVPS

Ok sounds good.

By the way…if you don't like your antivirus program you could try either of the two following. I recommend either of them highly and best of all…they are free.

Microsoft Security Essentials
Avast

Great thanks for all that.

You are more than welcome. I am glad that I could help.

Since this issue appears to be resolved … this Topic has been closed. Glad we could be of assistance.

If you're the topic starter, and need this topic reopened, please contact a staff member with the address of the thread.

Everyone else please follow the instructions here http://forums.whatthetech.com/you_Infected_t106388.html
and start a New Topic.