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Winfixer issues

18 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 Advice, software, and links below may be out of date — treat specific steps and download links with caution.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 #31
I ran APM and it was successful (ie it said DONE!) but it caused a fatal system error. I tried this three times and the same fatal error (c000021a) ocurred. Thus each time I rebooted sfax would reinstall itself. So in short, I can unload it with APM, but it causes an immediate fatal error and sfax loads it's self when I reboot. Do you know of anything else I can do? Emma
Post #32
Bummer….. :( There is a wiser, more knowledgeable, person monitoring this thread. We'll have to wait to see what he says…. When we get this resolved, we'll have to "give credit where credit is due" - to him. Frankly, I'm stumped. :scratch: I will post again when I get some "direction".
Post #33
Please submit this file:

c:\windows\sfax.dll

Here:

BleepingComputer Malware Submissions

For expert evaluation.

Copy and paste the contents of the quote box below into notepad.

Save it as file name: fixme.reg. Save it on your Desktop.

REGEDIT4

[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{88C9975E-3995-4C53-BB17-B893F278049A}\InprocServer32]

[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Notify\sfax]


At this point be sure ALL programs and windows are closed!!!

THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!!!!


Run APM again.

In the upper window on C:\Windows\system32\winlogon.exe to highlight it.

In the lower window on C:\WINDOWS\sfax.dll to highlight it.

In the lower window, then on C:\WINDOWS\sfax.dll and choose Unload DLL.

Close APM.

Immeadiately delete:

c:\windows\sfax.dll <— this file

Then, locate fixme.reg on your desktop and it.

You will receive a prompt similar to: "Do you wish to merge the information into the registry?".

Answer 'Yes' and wait for a message to appear similar to "Merged Successfully".

Reboot.

Note the exact verbiage if any errors occur (as best you can).

"Copy/paste" a new log file into this thread. :)

Include any error messages received as well.
Post #34
I just thought of something. In my start menu under programs, a Winfixer 2005 folder appears, containing to IE links, Contact Customer Support, and Winfixer 2005 on the Web, also links to uninstall Winfixer 2005 and one to open winfixer 2005, but the last 2 dont have icons and when I click on them Windows cant find them. Do you think that because these are still in my start menu we can't remove it completely?
Post #35
The reason we can't remove it is because of the registry entries. It is possible that something else is monitoring sfax.dll, so even this fix may not work. All we can do at this point is try the suggested fix, and see what transpires. :)
Post #36
The file you submitted was analyzed, and the true nature of your infection has been revealed.

I was told the following fix will work.

Step 1:

Please download Process Explorer by Sysinternals from:

Process Explorer

Also download/unzip KillBox by Option^Explicit from:

Killbox.zip

Step 2:

Download this file and save it to your desktop:

FixVundo Registry File

Step 3:

Print out the following instructions as you will not have Internet Access for the rest of this fix.

Reboot in "safe" mode.

The rest of this fix must be done in safe mode.

Unzip Process Explorer and double click on procexp.exe

In the top section of the Process Exlporer screen double-click on winlogon.exe to bring up the winlogon.exe properties screen. Click on the Threads tab at the top.

Once you see this screen click on each instance of sfax.dll once and then click the kill button.

After you have killed all of the sfax.dll under winlogon click OK.

If you see any .ini or .bak files with either the same name or the file name in reverse (xafs.ini or xafs.bak), kill them as well.

Next double-click on explorer.exe, select the Threads tab, and again click once on each instance of sfax.dll then click the kill button.

If you see any .ini or .bak files with either the same name or the file name in reverse (xafs.ini or xafs.bak ), kill them as well.

Once you have done that click OK again.

Next run Hijack This! and place a check beside each of the following.

O2 - BHO: MSEvents Object - {88C9975E-3995-4C53-BB17-B893F278049A} - C:\WINDOWS\sfax.dll

O20 - Winlogon Notify: sfax - C:\WINDOWS\sfax.dll

Now click Fix checked and close HijackThis.

Now double-click on the vundo.reg file that you saved on your desktop earlier and allow it to merge with the registry.

Step 4:

On the desktop make a new text file.

In there place this entry:

C:\WINDOWS\sfax.dll

On succeeding lines place the "full path names" of the "reverse named .ini or .bak" files noted earler:

Examples:

C:\WINDOWS\xafs.ini
C:\WINDOWS\xafs.bak

(These are only examples - yours may be different if they exist)

Then copy the all file names in the text file to the clipboard by highlighting them and pressing C (hold the key down, then press C):

Close the text file.

Double click on Killbox.exe and then check the Delete on reboot button.

In Killbox, click File (in the upper left of Killbox), and choose "Paste from Clipboard".

Click the red dot with the white X in it, in the upper right of Killbox, then click "Yes", and "Yes" again.

After the reboot, "copy/paste" a new log file into this thread. :)
Post #37
YIPPPPEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!! :D

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 09:24:36, on 22/08/2005
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\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\EPSON\EBAPI\eEBSVC.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\basfipm.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\EPSON\EBAPI\SAgent2.exe
C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
c:\Program Files\Dell\OpenManage\Client\Iap.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\tcpsvcs.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\snmp.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Dell\QuickSet\quickset.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\DSentry.exe
C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 5\DirectCD\DirectCD.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\Program Files\SigmaTel\SigmaTel AC97 Audio Drivers\stacmon.exe
C:\Program Files\DC1300\DCMnt1_0\DC1300mi.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Apoint\Apoint.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Distillr\Acrotray.exe
C:\Program Files\Plaxo\2.1.0.80\InstallStub.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
C:\Program Files\Apoint\Apntex.exe
C:\Program Files\Digital Line Detect\DLG.exe
C:\Program Files\QLink 1.0\devmonit.exe
C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
C:\Program Files\Linksys\Wireless-G Notebook Adapter\OdHost.exe
C:\Program Files\Linksys\Wireless-G Notebook Adapter\WPC54Cfg.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Em\Desktop\ewido\hijackthis\HijackThis.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.dell.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.virgin.net
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.dell.com
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Microsoft Internet Explorer provided by Virgin.net
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEToolbarHelper Class - {AE7CD045-E861-484f-8273-0445EE161910} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Adobe PDF - {47833539-D0C5-4125-9FA8-0819E2EAAC93} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /installquiet
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [bascstray] BascsTray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Dell QuickSet] C:\Program Files\Dell\QuickSet\quickset.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DVDSentry] C:\WINDOWS\System32\DSentry.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AdaptecDirectCD] "C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 5\DirectCD\DirectCD.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SigmaTel StacMon] C:\Program Files\SigmaTel\SigmaTel AC97 Audio Drivers\stacmon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DC1300 Monitor] C:\Program Files\DC1300\DCMnt1_0\DC1300mi.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Apoint] C:\Program Files\Apoint\Apoint.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Acrobat Assistant 7.0] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Distillr\Acrotray.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [PlaxoUpdate] C:\Program Files\Plaxo\2.1.0.80\InstallStub.exe -a
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Acrobat Speed Launcher.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Digital Line Detect.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\QLink 1.0\devmonit.exe
O4 - Global Startup: WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Wireless-G Notebook Adapter Utility.lnk = C:\Program Files\Linksys\Wireless-G Notebook Adapter\Startup.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Translate English Word - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmwordtrans.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward Links - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmbacklinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Cached Snapshot of Page - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmcache.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert link target to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert link target to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selected links to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECaptureSelLinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selected links to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppendSelLinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selection to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selection to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Similar Pages - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate Page into English - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmtrans.html
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.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
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://www.virgin.net
O16 - DPF: {B38870E4-7ECB-40DA-8C6A-595F0A5519FF} (MsnMessengerSetupDownloadControl Class) - http://messenger.msn.com/download/msnmesse…pdownloader.cab
O23 - Service: Adobe LM Service - Adobe Systems - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe Systems Shared\Service\Adobelmsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Broadcom ASF IP monitoring service v6.0.3 (BAsfIpM) - Broadcom Corp. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\basfipm.exe
O23 - Service: EpsonBidirectionalService - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\EPSON\EBAPI\eEBSVC.exe
O23 - Service: EPSON Printer Status Agent2 (EPSONStatusAgent2) - SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION - C:\Program Files\Common Files\EPSON\EBAPI\SAgent2.exe
O23 - Service: ewido security suite control - ewido networks - C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
O23 - Service: Iap - Dell Computer Corporation - c:\Program Files\Dell\OpenManage\Client\Iap.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service (iPodService) - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Macromedia Licensing Service - Macromedia - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Macromedia Shared\Service\Macromedia Licensing.exe
O23 - Service: NICSer_WPC54G - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Linksys\Wireless-G Notebook Adapter\NICServ.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Driver Helper Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
Post #38
EXCELLENT!!!!! :thumbup:

I'd like to thank miekiemoes and Bobbi Flekman, who both "worked behind the scenes" on this one. :thumbup: :thumbup:

Thank you for "sticking it out", Ma'am. It was a long tough battle

BUT YOU WON!!!!

GOD bless you, Emma!!!!

M68 :)

Items you may wish to consider to harden your defenses against future infections:

Read "How did I get infected in the first place?"

Download/install IE-Spyad

IE-Spyad puts over 4000 known malicious web sites into IE's "restricted zone" to help prevent you from getting infected.

Check your browser settings at Qualsys.com

A series of "tests" (and suggested fixes) to help tweak IE's settings to help prevent infections when surfing the web.

Follow safe Internet practices:

1. Keep your virus definitions up to date, and scan your system regularly.

2. Don't open email, or download attachments from unrecognized email addresses.

3. Be careful when downloading email attachments, EVEN FROM PEOPLE YOU KNOW! Many virii, worms, and trojans infect a persons system then immeadiately spread themselves to the people in the infected persons addressbook via email attachments.

4. Be careful downloading files from the Internet. Scan all downloaded files with a reliable UP-TO-DATE antivirus program. Scan "zip" files BEFORE unzipping, and scan all unzipped files BEFORE USING THEM.

5. Keep your Windows and IE current with all the latest patches and updates.

Post #39
Dear Micah, miekiemoes and Bobbi Flekman, Thanks so much for your patience, perseverence and knowledge of course. I never expected it to take this long or for you guys to stick it out with me. Brilliant effort and I hope my donation covers some of your costs. This is by far the most helpful forum I've found and I've learned heaps. I will be telling everyone I know about tomcoyote.org, but hopefully their problems won't take as long as this one to fix! Thanks again, Emma.
Post #40
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