9 replies to this topic

[Piatan]

Hi yeakyau:

Please print, or copy and paste this text into a Notepad file and place it on your desktop, to review as you work. Please read this text, before proceeding.

You have a LOP infection that often comes together with Messenger Plus. To remove it we will try the simple way first.

1. Go to Add/Remove programs. Double click on "Messenger Plus!" (or click on Remove)

2. The "Messenger Plus! - Setup" is now displayed. Click on the Uninstall button. Note: options displayed on the first screen are not related to the sponsor program.

3. The sponsor screen is now displayed (if you don't see it, search for it in your Task Bar). To prove that someone is currently reading the screen, you have to type the code that is displayed. Once you enter the code, press Uninstall.

4. If you entered the code properly, the program will ask you to confirm that you want to uninstall. You must answer "Yes" to this question, else, you won't have another chance of uninstalling.

5. To complete the uninstallation, follow the instructions that are displayed (the first one is to close all your Internet Explorer windows, that's very important). When everything is complete, restart your computer.

If the above is not successful:
Please use the following link, to download Messenger Plus again. The procedure will be explained. This is often necessary, when a problem has occured.
http://chooseknowled...senger-Plus.htm

Next:
Please set your system to show all files; please see here if you're unsure how to do this.

Close all Windows and browsers, leaving only HijackThis running.

Place a check against each of the following.

O2 - BHO: (no name) - {95708C0E-8061-964C-F092-208AD3647B16} - C:\DOCUME~1\User\APPLIC~1\SOFTWA~1\bytetime.exe (file missing)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MessengerPlus3] "C:\Program Files\MessengerPlus! 3\MsgPlus.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: [AAW] "C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware SE Personal\Ad-Aware.exe" "+b1"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MessengerPlus3] "C:\Program Files\MessengerPlus! 3\MsgPlus.exe" /WinStart
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [mathjugs] C:\DOCUME~1\User\APPLIC~1\SAVEDA~1\bookfast.exe

Then, click on FIX CHECKED

Reboot into Safe Mode: please see here if you are not sure how to do this.

Using Windows Explorer, locate the following files/folders shown DARK and delete them:
C:\DOCUME~1\User\APPLIC~1\SAVEDA~1\bookfast.exe
C:\DOCUME~1\User\APPLIC~1\SOFTWA~1\bytetime.exe

C:\Program Files\MessengerPlus! 3

Please Note: The following is a Program, so must also be uninstalled in Control Panel-->Add/Remove Programs.

C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware SE Personal (Could also be AAW.)


Exit Explorer, enable hidden files and reboot as normal.

Next:
Then please run the Panda scan here:
http://www.pandasoft.../activescan.htm
Choose to "Disinfect automatically," and follow the prompts. Delete any viruses found, and restart your computer. Please save the report, to be posted into this topic.

Next:
Please download, install, and update the free version of Ewido Anti-Malware:

• If you already have Ewido Anti-Malware, it is not necessary to download it, but please do update the program, before using.
• When installing, under "Additional Options" uncheck "Install background guard" and "Install scan via context menu".
• When you run Ewido for the first time, you will get a warning "Database could not be found!". Click OK.
• From the main Ewido screen, click on update in the left menu, then click the Start update button.
• After the update finishes, the status bar at the bottom will display "Update successful"
• Exit Ewido. DO NOT run a scan yet.

Next, please reboot your computer in Safe Mode by doing the following :[list]
[*]Restart your computer
[*]After hearing your computer beep once during startup, but before the Windows icon appears, tap the F8 key continually;
[*]Instead of Windows loading as normal, a menu with options should appear;
[*]Select the first option, to run Windows in Safe Mode, then press "Enter".

Then, return to Ewido.
[*]Click on Scanner
[*]Click on Complete System Scan and the scan will begin.
[*]If ewido finds anything, it will pop up a notification. You can select "clean" and check the boxes "Perform action with all infections" and "Create encrypted backup" before clicking on OK.

When the scan is finished, click the Save report button at the bottom of the screen.
Save the report to your desktop, to be posted here later.

Close Ewido and reboot into Normal Mode.

If you are having problems with the updater, you can use this link to manually update Ewido.
Ewido manual updates

The trial version of Ewido works like a full featured version for 14 days, after that the only features that will not work are, autoupdate and realtime protection. It will still be able to be updated with the link above and be used to scan and remove undesirables.

Next:

Click Start> Run> (type in) Cleanmgr. Push enter and select C: to clean.

Then, please run Hijack This again. Scan and copy the log and post it into this topic, along with the Ewido report and the Panda report.

Please advise if any problems remain.

Please use the button to reply.

[Piatan]

Hi yeakyau:

Your Hijack This log looks to be clean, as does Ewido.

The Panda ActiveScan did pick up a leftover from LOP that should be dealt with.

Be sure to first close all open Windows and browsers.
Next, make sure you have Set Windows to show Hidden Files & Folders, then reboot into safe mode and find then delete the following in bold:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\dogroadgreyobj

C:\Documents and Settings\User\Favorites\insurance

Then, please reboot into normal mode and enable hidden files.

Then, if there are no remaining problems, I suggest the following.

One of the best features of Windows XP is the System Restore option, however if Malware infects a computer with this operating system the Malware can be backed up in the System Restore folder. Therefore, clearing the restore points is necessary after a virus removal.

To reset your restore points, please note that you will need to log into your computer with an account which has full administrator access. You will know if the account has administrator access because you will be able to see the System Restore tab. If the tab is missing, you are logged in under a limited account.

(winXP)

1. 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.

2. Reboot.

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

Here are some tips, to reduce the potential for spyware infection in the future, I strongly recommend installing the following applications:

• Spywareblaster <= SpywareBlaster will prevent spyware from being installed.
• Spywareguard <= SpywareGuard offers realtime protection from spyware installation attempts.
  
  Download the new Ad-Aware SE version, and follow the instructions on how to do a full scan: http://forums.spywar...showtopic=11150
  -reboot after using Ad-Aware SE. Also while there get the VX2 plugin and follow the instructions to run it also.
  
• How to use Spybot to remove Spyware <= If you suspect that you have spyware installed on your computer, here are instructions on how to download, install and then use Spybot. Similar to Ad-Aware, I strongly recommend both to catch most spyware.

To protect yourself further:

• MVPS Hosts file <= The MVPS Hosts file replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well know ad sites etc. Basically, this prevents your coputer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1 which is your local computer
• Google Toolbar <= Get the free google toolbar to help stop pop up windows.

I also suggest that you delete any files from "temp", "tmp" folders. In Internet Explorer, click on "Tools" => "Internet Options" => "Delete Files" and select the box that says "Delete All Offline Content" and click on "OK" twice. Also, empty the recycle bin by right clicking on it and selecting "Empty Recycle Bin". These steps should be done on a regular basis.

And also see TonyKlein's good advice
http://castlecops.co...tlite7736-.html
So how did I get infected in the first place?

Safe surfing.

[Piatan]

Some do have problems with Spyware Guard. Try Uninstalling it in Control Panel-->Add/Remove Programs and see if the "hanging" problem is resolved.

Use this link, to apply for the Classroom.
http://forums.tomcoy...?showtopic=1421

Please read all the information contained on that page.

[MrCharlie]

Hello gentlemen, yeakyau is currently being reviewed for the classroom, so you don't have to apply again!

Thanks, MrC

[Piatan]

Thanks MrCharlie, for the update.

[Piatan]

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.

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