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Spyware / Malware / Virus Removal

Help Get Rid Of About:blank

87 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 Advice, software, and links below may be out of date — treat specific steps and download links with caution.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
OK - here we go again:-
=======================
OK this is long and involved - It will take me four or five posts - as I will be posting copies of pictures that I copied when I infected this on myself.

With these pictures will be file names from my infection - THAT WILL NOT BE THE SAME AS YOURS - they are provided as examples only. Please read the text for the filenames that you will need to find and delete etc.

My suggestion is so that you can follow all of that to copy all the text to a wordpad file on your computer - along with the pictures if you think they will help you.

Then once you boot to safe mode - DO NOT OPEN INTERNET EXPLORER OR GO TO THE INTERNET WITH ANY OTHER METHOD - until you have completed the last of those tasks.

Please continue with the next step if you run into a problem with the current one. Just be sure to let us know what the problem was when you reply.

Please make sure that you can view all hidden files. Instructions on how to do this can be found here:

How to see hidden files in Windows

Please download About:Buster from here: http://tools.zerosrealm.com/AboutBuster.zip. Once it is downloaded extract it to
c:\aboutbuster. We will use that program later in this process.

Please download Reg Lite from here:
http://www.resplendence.com/download/reglite.exe
Once it is downloaded double click to install. We will use that program later in this process.

Reboot your computer into Safe Mode and follow these steps:

Step 1:

Click on start, then control panel, then administrative programs, then services. Look for a service called Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Helper. Double click on the that service and click stop and then set the startup to disabled. Also write down the name and path of the file listed in the Path to executable field. This filename must be deleted below.

[external image: Posted Image]

[external image: Posted Image]
Post #17
Step 2:

Press control-alt-delete to get into the task manager and end the follow processes if they exist:

c:\windows\greenstone.bmp:goyeb
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lttal.dl
C:\WINDOWS\mfcdl.dll
C:\WINDOWS\system32\d3sy.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\sysev32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\d3fs32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\sysqn32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\apigo32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\addpj.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\sdkra.exe

[external image: Posted Image]

Step 3:
I now need you to delete the following files:

c:\windows\greenstone.bmp:goyeb
The file from the services above.
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lttal.dl
C:\WINDOWS\mfcdl.dll
C:\WINDOWS\system32\d3sy.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\sysev32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\d3fs32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\sysqn32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\apigo32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\addpj.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\sdkra.exe

If you get an error when deleting a file. Right click on the file and check to see if the read only attribute is checked. if it is uncheck it and try again.

[external image: Posted Image]

[external image: Posted Image]

[external image: Posted Image]
Post #18
Step 4:
Then close all programs and windows and run hijackthis. Put a checkmark next to each of these entries and press the fix button when ready:

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\lttal.dll/sp.html#12802
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\lttal.dll/sp.html#12802
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\lttal.dll/sp.html#12802
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\lttal.dll/sp.html#12802
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\lttal.dll/sp.html#12802
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\lttal.dll/sp.html#12802
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\lttal.dll/sp.html#12802
R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {9B8792A5-DF6B-F04D-6FA8-5369E8EDCD35} - C:\WINDOWS\mfcdl.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [d3sy.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\d3sy.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [sysev32.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\sysev32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [d3fs32.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\d3fs32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [sysqn32.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\sysqn32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [apigo32.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\apigo32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [addpj.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\addpj.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [sdkra.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\sdkra.exe

[external image: Posted Image]
Post #19
Step 5:

In the next step we are going to remove a service that gets installed by this malware.

start reglite.

Navigate to: (You can use copy and paste from this into the address bar).

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\O?’ŽrtñåȲ$Ó

If O?’ŽrtñåȲ$Ó exists , right click on it and choose delete from the menu.

[external image: Posted Image]

Now navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\Root\LEGACY_O?’ŽrtñåȲ$Ó

If LEGACY_O?’ŽrtñåȲ$Ó exists then right click on it and choose delete from the menu.

If you have trouble deleting a key. Then click once on the key name to highlight it and click on the Permission menu option under Security or Edit. Then Uncheck "Allow inheritible permissions" and press copy. Then click on everyone and put a checkmark in "full control". Then press apply and ok and attempt to delete the key again.

If it does not find that second key - it will drop you one stage below - and you should be able to see something similar to the next two pictures.

A funny named key :-

[external image: Posted Image]

With a sub key with our bad service name in - so deleted that key and sub key.

[external image: Posted Image]

Step 6:

This is the step where we will use About:Buster that you had downloaded previously.

Navigate to the c:\aboutbuster directory and double-click on aboutbuster.exe When the tool is open press the OK button, then the Start button, then the OK button, and then finally the Yes button. It will start scanning your computer for files. If it asks if you would like to do a second pass, allow it to do so.

Now you can reboot to normal mode - and do a new Hijackthis log and post that with the about:buster log for me to see.
Post #20
I did all the steeps. The only problems I had were, I couldn't find the the file C:\WINDOWS\mfcdl.dll, but I deleted all of the other ones. I ran reglite, but I found a different symbol thingy you said. So I didnt delete it. Here is my new hijack log.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.98.2
Scan saved at 8:28:02 PM, on 11/18/2004
Platform: Windows XP (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 (6.00.2600.0000)

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:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SNDSrvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SPBBC\SPBBCSvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXPPS.EXE
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\IWP\NPFMntor.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\LXSUPMON.EXE
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Program Files\BigFix\BigFix.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Kimberly Pitts\Desktop\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.bellsouth.net/
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O2 - BHO: CNavExtBho Class - {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
O3 - Toolbar: Yahoo! Companion - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\ycomp5_5_5_0.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SSC_UserPrompt] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Security Center\UsrPrmpt.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Symantec NetDriver Monitor] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMNET~1\SNDMon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LXSUPMON] C:\WINDOWS\System32\LXSUPMON.EXE RUN
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSConfig] C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\MSConfig.exe /auto
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - Global Startup: BigFix.lnk = C:\Program Files\BigFix\BigFix.exe
O9 - Extra button: ICQ - {6224f700-cba3-4071-b251-47cb894244cd} - C:\Program Files\ICQ\ICQ.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: ICQ - {6224f700-cba3-4071-b251-47cb894244cd} - C:\Program Files\ICQ\ICQ.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: MoneySide - {E023F504-0C5A-4750-A1E7-A9046DEA8A21} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Money\System\mnyviewer.dll
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://www.emachines.com
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/v5co…b?1100548595181
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{A9A53EFE-8B5C-4424-93A2-00EE889B9992}: NameServer = 205.152.37.23 205.152.132.23
Post #21
I don't know if everything is fixed or not, but my computer is running a lot faster. So far about blank has been goneand my home page is back..
Post #22
OK - it does look to have worked this time.

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 restore 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
Post #23 last edited

I ran reglite, but I found a different symbol thingy you said.  So I didnt delete it.


If that 'different symbol thingy' has the same sort of coding to the service name

O?’ŽrtñåȲ$Ó

or looks like

[external image: Posted Image]

and has a sub key of '0000' with a service looking like this

[external image: Posted Image]

then you should delete it.

To leave it will run the risk that it could reinstall.
Post #24
Took a while to get bLogfile of HijackThis v1.98.2
Scan saved at 9:02:40 PM, on 11/22/2004
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

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\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXPPS.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\IWP\NPFMntor.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SNDSrvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SPBBC\SPBBCSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\wanmpsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\LXSUPMON.EXE
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Program Files\BigFix\BigFix.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Kimberly Pitts\Desktop\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.bellsouth.net/
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O2 - BHO: CNavExtBho Class - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Yahoo! Companion - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\ycomp5_5_5_0.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Symantec NetDriver Monitor] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMNET~1\SNDMon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LXSUPMON] C:\WINDOWS\System32\LXSUPMON.EXE RUN
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSConfig] C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\MSConfig.exe /auto
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - Global Startup: BigFix.lnk = C:\Program Files\BigFix\BigFix.exe
O9 - Extra button: ICQ - {6224f700-cba3-4071-b251-47cb894244cd} - C:\Program Files\ICQ\ICQ.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: ICQ - {6224f700-cba3-4071-b251-47cb894244cd} - C:\Program Files\ICQ\ICQ.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: MoneySide - {E023F504-0C5A-4750-A1E7-A9046DEA8A21} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Money\System\mnyviewer.dll
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://www.emachines.com
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/v5co…b?1100548595181
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/2004061…all/xscan53.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{A9A53EFE-8B5C-4424-93A2-00EE889B9992}: NameServer = 205.152.37.23 205.152.132.23

ack to you. Hade to go out of town.Here is my hjt log.
Post #25
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..
Post #27
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