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Spyware / Malware / Virus Removal

Help Me Help Me Help

15 min read

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Nice to see it all worked - and thanks for the feedback - it may well help others.

We still have some things to do though - we cleaned the infection - but some things the infection did need to be put right.

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

Step 7:

Copy the contents of the Quote Box below to Notepad.
Name the file as fix.reg
Change the Save as Type to All Files
Save this file on the desktop

REGEDIT4


[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\HSA]

[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SE]

[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SW]


Then double-click on the fix.reg file, and when it prompts to merge say yes, and this will clear some registry entries left behind by the process.

Step 8:
Reboot your computer back to normal mode so that we can see if we need to restore some deleted files:
  • This infection delete the windows file, shell.dll.

    If you are using XP,2000, or NT please download shell.dll from here: shell-dll.zip. Once the file is downloaded uncompress the zip file and copy shell.dll to the following locations ((%windir% being thelocation you installed windows):

    %windir%\system32
    %windir%\system

    If you are using Windows 98/ME please download shell.dll from here: shell98-dll.zip. Once the file is downloaded uncompress the zip file and copy shell.dll to the following locations (%windir% being thelocation you installed windows):

    %windir%\system
  • Download the Hoster from here. Press "Restore Original Hosts" and press "OK". Exit Program. This will restore the original deleted Hosts file.
  • If you have Spybot S&D installed you will also need to replace one file. Go here: Merijn's Files (sdhelper) and download SDHelper.dll. Copy the file to the folder containing you Spybot S&D program (normally C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy). Then click Start > Run > regsvr32 "C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll" and press the OK button
  • If you are using Windows 95, 98, or ME it is possible that the malware deleted your control.exe. Please check for the existence of this file by going to to Merijn Files control.exe and examine where the file should be for your operating system. If the file is missing then download the appropriate file and place it in the proper place according to this information.
Step 9:

Run an online antivirus scan at:

http://housecall.antivirus.com/

Reboot and post a last log
Okay done, done and done. Below is last (I hope) HijackThis log.

Only problems and/or questions I have about these last 3 steps.

Step 8 - "This infection delete the windows file, shell.dll" -

Downloaded the shell.dll from site - copied and when I went to add to WINDOWS\system32 and WINDOWS\system, I found that the shell.dll file had NOT been deleted (it was there, in each). I went ahead and replaced with the downloaded shell.dll file, I hope that was the right thing to do. :blink:

Step 9 - ran the online virus scan at housecall.com. It found 30 (ack, count 'em - 30!) files infected with TROJ AGENT.EL or .FR and BR - 27 of which were listed in the sys32 area with file names like 'addcx32.exe' - Housecall noted they were "not cleanable" and should just be deleted. So I did (although it caused me a bit of :ph34r: angst). Just following directions and hope that was right.

I exited SpyDoc and pop-up blocker programs before doing the Hijack scan. Thank you again. . .

HIJACKTHIS log:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.98.2
Scan saved at 8:54:42 PM, on 11/14/2004
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
c:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
C:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\Unload\hpqcmon.exe
C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE
C:\Program Files\VERITAS Software\Update Manager\sgtray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\igfxtray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\hkcmd.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\navapw32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswctrl.exe
C:\Program Files\HP CD-DVD\Umbrella\hpcdtray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Hijackthis\HijackThis.exe

R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O2 - BHO: NAV Helper - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - c:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - c:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [hpsysdrv] c:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE NvQTwk,NvCplDaemon initialize
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CamMonitor] c:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\Unload\hpqcmon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KBD] C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [StorageGuard] "C:\Program Files\VERITAS Software\Update Manager\sgtray.exe" /r
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Recguard] C:\WINDOWS\SMINST\RECGUARD.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINDOWS\System32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\System32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PS2] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ps2.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NAV Agent] c:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\navapw32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [dla] C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswctrl.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP CD-DVD] C:\Program Files\HP CD-DVD\Umbrella\hpcdtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Symantec NetDriver Monitor] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMNET~1\SNDMon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Spyware Doctor] "C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\spydoctor.exe" /Q
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\MSMSGS.EXE
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\MSMSGS.EXE
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O16 - DPF: cpcScanner - http://www.crucial.com/controls/cpcScanner.cab
O16 - DPF: {0E5F0222-96B9-11D3-8997-00104BD12D94} (PCPitstop Utility) - http://www.pcpitstop.com/pcpitstop/PCPitStop.CAB
O16 - DPF: {1842B0EE-B597-11D4-8997-00104BD12D94} (iCC Class) - http://www.pcpitstop.com/internet/pcpConnCheck.cab
O16 - DPF: {644E432F-49D3-41A1-8DD5-E099162EEEC5} (Symantec RuFSI Utility Class) - http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/SharedC…n/bin/cabsa.cab
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/2004061…all/xscan53.cab
O16 - DPF: {CE28D5D2-60CF-4C7D-9FE8-0F47A3308078} (ActiveDataInfo Class) - https://www-secure.symantec.com/techsupp/ac…ta/SymAData.cab
O16 - DPF: {E77C0D62-882A-456F-AD8F-7C6C9569B8C7} (ActiveDataObj Class) - https://www-secure.symantec.com/techsupp/ac…/ActiveData.cab
Very nice - you have one 'orphaned' entry in the log now - not bad - just not linking to anything.

R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing

that can be fixed with hijackthis as before.

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

May I think you for the good feedback that you have given - it helps enormously to make sure we can give the correct advice.

You do look clean now - below is my normal keep clean speech - spyware doctor (if paid for) will do similar work to ad-aware and Spybot - but those other two are free - so you could still use them as well. If not paid for, I would un-install spyware Doctor and install those other two, Spybot has a 'teatimer' option which is very good at stopping things from being changed in the registry (key items). If you are uninstalling spyware doctor fix its line in hijackthis too.

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

This is my normal post for when you are clear - which you now are - or seem to be. Please advise of any problems you still have :-

Now that you are clean, please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:
  • Disable and Enable System Restore. - If you are using Windows ME or XP then you should disable and re-enable system restore to make sure there are no infected files found in a restore point.
    You can find instructions on how to enable and re enable system restore here:
    Managing Windows Millennium System Restore
    or
    Windows XP System Restore Guide
    re-enable system restore with instructions from tutorial above
  • 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 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.
    • Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the Internet Properties page.
  • Use an Anti Virus Software - It is very important that your computer has an anti-virus software running on your machine. This alone can save you a lot of trouble with malware in the future. See this link for a listing of some on line & their stand-alone anti virus programs:
    Computer Safety On line - Anti-Virus
  • Update your Anti Virus Software - It is imperitive that you update your Anti virus software at least once a week (Even more if you wish). If you do not update your anti virus software then it will not be able to catch any of the new variants that may come out.
  • Use a Firewall - I can not stress how important it is that you use a Firewall on your computer. 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. For an article on Firewalls and a listing of some available ones see the link below:
    Computer Safety On line - Software Firewalls
  • Visit Microsoft's Windows Update Site Frequently - It is important that you visit http://www.windowsupdate.com regularly. This will ensure your computer has always the latest security updates available installed on your computer. If there are new updates to install, install them immediately, reboot your computer, and revisit the site until there are no more critical updates.
  • Install Spybot - Search and Destroy - Install and download Spybot - Search and Destroy with its TeaTimer option.
    This will provide real-time spyware & hijacker protection on your computer alongside your virus protection. You should also scan your computer with program on a regular basis just as you would an anti virus software. A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
    Instructions for - Spybot S & D and Ad-aware
  • Install Ad-Aware - Install and download Ad-Aware. You should also scan your computer with the program on a regular basis just as you would an anti virus software in conjunction with Spybot. A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
    Instructions for - Spybot S & D and Ad-aware
  • Install SpywareBlaster - SpywareBlaster will added a large list of programs and sites into your Internet Explorer settings that will protect you from running and downloading known malicious programs. A article on anti-malware products with links for this program and others can be found here:
    Computer Safety on line - Anti-Malware
  • Update all these programs regularly - Make sure you update all the programs I have listed regularly. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new malicious programs are released.
Follow this list and your potential for being infected again will reduce dramatically.

May your God go with you..
I accomplished all the remaining items listed, including downloading AdAware & SpyBotSD. Everything seems to be running smoothly now. I'm sure your good advice about keeping it that way will keep me on the path to a clean machine. My best to you, ChrisRLG :) You are my hero
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