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infected with spyaxe

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Post #1
My computer has been infected with spyaxe. I have read a lot of the threads on this site regarding its removal. I have included my hijack this log. My problem is there is still an icon that is active on the taskbar that states "your computer is infected!" I have microsoft anti-spyware installed and it keeps warning me about spyaxe is trying to install, however, it cannot successfully remove it. Also have tried spybot and adware SE without any luck.

Would appreciate any suggestions. I have the option of formatting and re-installing. But this thing has irritated me a bit and I want to see if I can clean it first.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 6:48:59 PM, on 12/13/2005
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\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 5\DirectCD\DirectCD.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb04.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\hplampc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\hphmon03.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\vptray.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasServ.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
C:\Program Files\Creative\SBLive\Diagnostics\diagent.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasDtServ.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTsvcCDA.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\DefWatch.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7Debug\mdm.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\Rtvscan.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\MsPMSPSv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPHipm09.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\Program Files\Outlook Express\msimn.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasServAlert.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Chuck Illies\Desktop\HijackThis.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [diagent] "C:\Program Files\Creative\SBLive\Diagnostics\diagent.exe" startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdReg] C:\WINDOWS\UpdReg.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AdaptecDirectCD] C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 5\DirectCD\DirectCD.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPDJ Taskbar Utility] C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb04.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [hplampc] C:\WINDOWS\system32\hplampc.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPHmon03] C:\WINDOWS\system32\hphmon03.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [vptray] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\vptray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [gcasServ] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasServ.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SpyAxe] C:\Program Files\SpyAxe\spyaxe.exe /h
O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: [MicrosoftAntiSpywareCleaner] C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcASCleaner.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
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
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=39204
O16 - DPF: {BB21F850-63F4-4EC9-BF9D-565BD30C9AE9} (ASquaredScanForm Element) - http://www.windowsecurity.com/trojanscan/axscan.cab
O20 - Winlogon Notify: NavLogon - C:\WINDOWS\system32\NavLogon.dll
O23 - Service: Creative Service for CDROM Access - Creative Technology Ltd - C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTsvcCDA.exe
O23 - Service: DefWatch - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\DefWatch.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec AntiVirus Client (Norton AntiVirus Server) - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\Rtvscan.exe
O23 - Service: Pml Driver - HP - C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPHipm09.exe
Post #2
Hello Chuck in Kansas, welcome to the forum


Please read these instructions carefully and print them out! Be sure to follow ALL instructions!

Please print out or copy these instructions\tutorials to Notepad as the internet will not be (while in Safe Mode) available to you at certain points of the removal process. Make sure to work through all the Steps in the exact order in which they are listed below. If there's anything that you don't understand, ask your question(s) before moving on with the fixes.

Download SmitRem.exe © noahdfear to your Desktop.
From HERE
Double-click the smitRem.exe and it will extract the files to a smitRem folder on your Desktop.



Please download the trial version of ewido security suite. Install ewido security suite and start the program from the icon on your desktop, then check for and download updates. Don't Run Yet.


Reboot to safe mode and open the smitfraud folder, then double click the RunThis.bat file to start the tool. Follow the prompts on screen. When the tool completes:


Run hijackthis. Hit None of the above, Click Do a System Scan Only. Put a Check in the box on the left side on these:

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdReg] C:\WINDOWS\UpdReg.EXE

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SpyAxe] C:\Program Files\SpyAxe\spyaxe.exe /h


Close ALL windows and browsers except HijackThis and click "Fix checked"




Delete these files if listed.
C:\WINDOWS\system32\mssearchnet.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvctrl.exe



Open Ewido Security Suite
  • Click on scanner
  • Make sure the following boxes are checked before scanning:
    • Binder
    • Crypter
    • Archives
  • Click on Start Scan
  • Let the program scan the machine
While the scan is in progress you will be prompted to clean files, click OK

Once the scan has completed, there will be a button located on the bottom of the screen named Save report
  • Click Save report
  • Save the report to your desktop

In the Control Panel click Display > Desktop > Customize desktop > Website > Uncheck "Security Info" if present.

Empty recycle bin.

Reboot and "copy/paste" a new HijackThis log and the Ewido log.
Also please describe how your computer behaves at the moment.
Post #3
One note to mention. I found another link on spyaxe where the individual renamed (in normal mode) the c:/windows/system32/ioctrl.dll file and rebooted and the problem went away. I did this and it did remove the active icon on the taskbar that states "your computer is infected". Also, was able to do some cleanup with spybot and adware se on spyaxe and both were able to do some cleaning. I have now run two additional scans that do not show any problems. I am curious, is ioctrl.dll used by the OS for anything valuable? I checked another system at home that is XP pro as well, and the dll does not exist on it. I am assuming this was the root of my problem. So far so good without any problems. Thought I would post this.
Post #5
I ran the cleaning steps listed above. Turns out, ewido did find some remains of spyaxe including the ioctrl.dll that I renamed and it was cleaned as well. PC seems to be acting normal again. I have included my logs for your review.

Thanks again for the help and I hope to keep this nasty trojan or whatever it is called off of my computer.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 9:36:50 PM, on 12/13/2005
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:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTsvcCDA.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\DefWatch.exe
C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 5\DirectCD\DirectCD.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb04.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\hplampc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\hphmon03.exe
C:\Program Files\Creative\SBLive\Diagnostics\diagent.exe
C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoguard.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\vptray.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7Debug\mdm.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\Rtvscan.exe
C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasDtServ.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\MsPMSPSv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPHipm09.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Chuck Illies\Desktop\HijackThis.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [diagent] "C:\Program Files\Creative\SBLive\Diagnostics\diagent.exe" startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AdaptecDirectCD] C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 5\DirectCD\DirectCD.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPDJ Taskbar Utility] C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb04.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [hplampc] C:\WINDOWS\system32\hplampc.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPHmon03] C:\WINDOWS\system32\hphmon03.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [vptray] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\vptray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [gcasServ] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasServ.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
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
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=39204
O16 - DPF: {BB21F850-63F4-4EC9-BF9D-565BD30C9AE9} (ASquaredScanForm Element) - http://www.windowsecurity.com/trojanscan/axscan.cab
O20 - Winlogon Notify: NavLogon - C:\WINDOWS\system32\NavLogon.dll
O23 - Service: Creative Service for CDROM Access - Creative Technology Ltd - C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTsvcCDA.exe
O23 - Service: DefWatch - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\DefWatch.exe
O23 - Service: ewido security suite control - ewido networks - C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
O23 - Service: ewido security suite guard - ewido networks - C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoguard.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec AntiVirus Client (Norton AntiVirus Server) - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\Rtvscan.exe
O23 - Service: Pml Driver - HP - C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPHipm09.exe

———————————————————
ewido security suite - Scan report
———————————————————

+ Created on: 9:30:50 PM, 12/13/2005
+ Report-Checksum: 3AC16A41

+ Scan result:

C:\Documents and Settings\Chuck Illies\Cookies\chuck illies@mediaplex[2].txt -> Spyware.Cookie.Mediaplex : Cleaned with backup
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\Quarantine\0CF56288-514E-426E-A5BC-594C5C\E7B21DD2-0E5F-47CD-9C10-32D58A -> Adware.Spyaxe : Cleaned with backup
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\Quarantine\241C7F30-0290-40FB-B2EE-E519AA\66605EEE-520E-4799-A4DB-221ECF -> Adware.Spyaxe : Cleaned with backup
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\Quarantine\2BECABAB-7EDC-40A0-88DC-D02197\E2C690E3-3E75-4BE6-AD74-FCDD2A -> Adware.Spyaxe : Cleaned with backup
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\Quarantine\3B4C069F-F304-4032-8B92-B07386\C9BBC7A8-4EA1-43CA-94D8-75BE8F -> Adware.Spyaxe : Cleaned with backup
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\Quarantine\4A773ABF-1C86-4A08-916A-97FBB0\83265DA5-8758-401F-A3D6-BF73BB -> Adware.Spyaxe : Cleaned with backup
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\Quarantine\7A80CBDF-05FE-4B78-8C84-97D565\01F4A990-2E51-4AF6-A4DD-10D4E0 -> Adware.Spyaxe : Cleaned with backup
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\Quarantine\93A89349-277C-4A2C-9F8B-AA96EC\CEDA1B0F-6BD5-4516-8351-E7D18A -> Adware.Spyaxe : Cleaned with backup
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\Quarantine\C4B7A56D-D5AF-4F1B-BA61-4A58B2\D2EA0FA6-9568-45B0-9A13-60670B -> Adware.Spyaxe : Cleaned with backup
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\Quarantine\CBE14EBF-657C-4C40-9904-4743E9\BAB5FD42-F7ED-44BD-BD24-B0C027 -> Adware.Spyaxe : Cleaned with backup
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\Quarantine\D4ED7309-F921-4E5D-AE7F-FDDB1B\05DA6CE8-9B10-42BD-BBA9-3B1CC5 -> Adware.Spyaxe : Cleaned with backup
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\Quarantine\F3075FBA-CC4C-49B7-8811-222838\28DD6385-6AA5-4136-85F7-F21584 -> Adware.Spyaxe : Cleaned with backup
C:\WINDOWS\system32\renamed-ioctrl.dll -> Adware.Spyaxe : Cleaned with backup


::Report End
Post #6
Good Job :thumbup:


Log looks good :D

Note: This will remove all previous Restore Points

Turn off System Restore:

On the Desktop, right-click My Computer.
Click Properties.
Click the System Restore tab.
Check Turn off System Restore.
Click Apply, and then click OK.

Restart your computer, turn it back on.

On the Desktop, right-click My Computer.
Click Properties.
Click the System Restore tab.
Remove the Check Turn off System Restore.
Click Apply, and then click OK.

Click Start> My Computer, select the Tools menu and then Folder Options, after the new window appears select the View tab…]
This time select the: Restore Defaults
Select: Apply, and click OK




If you dont have these three programs I would recommend that you get them. Spywareblaster, Spywareguard and IESPY AD. They will add 1000's of sites to your resticted zone and block some hijacks from happening. I also have a FREE FIREWALL and FREE ANTI VIRUS if you need one.

It is critical to have both a firewall and anti virus to protect your system.

Keep your system up to date and run Adaware & Spybot, once a week works, and hopefully you will be ok from here on. Both are available below.

Safe Surfing. :D

I would also suggest you read this:
So how did I get infected in the first place?
by Tony Klein
Post #7
Glad we could be of assistance. This topic is now closed. If you wish it reopened, please send us an email (Click for address) with a link to your thread.

Do not bother contacting us if you are not the topic starter. A valid, working link to the closed topic is required along with the user name used. If the user name does not match the one in the thread linked, the email will be deleted.
Make sure you use proper prevention to keep from having problems occur to your computer in the future.

Coyote's Installed programs for prevention:

http://forums.tomcoyote.org/index.php?showtopic=31418

The help you receive here is free. If you wish to show your appreciation, then you may donate to help keep us online.

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