What the Tech?! Free tech support Archive
This is a read-only archive. No new posts or registrations. Privacy Page
Spyware / Malware / Virus Removal

Browser & spyware issues

6 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 Advice, software, and links below may be out of date — treat specific steps and download links with caution.

Looking for the outcome? Ask AI

Post #1
I have run Spybot & Adaware and I am still having problems with my browser and pop ups with notes that say I have 4 active spyware running. I have also tried resetting my Internet Options to the correct home page and even though the proper page is listed in the settings, it keeps going to a weird page asking / telling me I have malicious content.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I run a business from home and cannot afford my computers to crash.

Thank you.



MY HJT LOG:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 11:44:08 AM, on 8/9/2006
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\wltrysvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\bcmwltry.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\CHARTE~1\backweb\3528733\Program\SERVIC~1.EXE
C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\Anti-Virus\fsgk32st.exe
C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\backweb\3528733\program\fsbwsys.exe
C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\Anti-Virus\FSGK32.EXE
C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\Common\FSMA32.EXE
C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\Anti-Virus\fssm32.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7Debug\mdm.exe
C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\Common\FSMB32.EXE
C:\Program Files\Dell\NICCONFIGSVC\NICCONFIGSVC.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\Common\FCH32.EXE
C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\Common\FAMEH32.EXE
C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\Anti-Virus\fsqh.exe
C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\Anti-Virus\fsrw.exe
C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\FSPC\fspc.exe
C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\FWES\Program\fsdfwd.exe
C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\Anti-Virus\fsav32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\IntCodec\isamonitor.exe
C:\Program Files\IntCodec\isamini.exe
C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\FSGUI\ispnews.exe
C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\Common\FSM32.EXE
C:\Program Files\AWS\WeatherBug\Weather.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\CHARTE~1\ANTI-S~1\fsaw.exe
C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\backweb\3528733\Program\fspex.exe
C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\FSGUI\fsguidll.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\sdhelp.exe
C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\swdoctor.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Dorinda\My Documents\Downloads\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.dell4me.com/mywaybiz
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.yahoo.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.dell4me.com/mywaybiz
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.dell4me.com/mywaybiz
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,ShellNext = http://www.dell4me.com/mywaybiz
R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe,ctwwypu.exe
O2 - BHO: Yahoo! Companion BHO - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn0\ycomp5_6_0_0.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {1da7dbe8-c51b-4ae4-bc6e-21863349b0b4} - C:\Program Files\IntCodec\isaddon.dll
O2 - BHO: PCTools Site Guard - {5C8B2A36-3DB1-42A4-A3CB-D426709BBFEB} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYWAR~1\tools\iesdsg.dll
O2 - BHO: PCTools Browser Monitor - {B56A7D7D-6927-48C8-A975-17DF180C71AC} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYWAR~1\tools\iesdpb.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn0\ycomp5_6_0_0.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Protection Bar - {a2595f37-48d0-46a1-9b51-478591a97764} - C:\Program Files\IntCodec\iesplugin.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSConfig] C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\MSConfig.exe /auto
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [News Service] "C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\FSGUI\ispnews.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [F-Secure TNB] "C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\TNB\TNBUtil.exe" /CHECKALL /WAITFORSW
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [F-Secure Startup Wizard] "C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\FSGUI\FSSW.EXE" /reboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [F-Secure Manager] "C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\Common\FSM32.EXE" /splash
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Weather] C:\Program Files\AWS\WeatherBug\Weather.exe 1
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - Global Startup: Charter High-Speed Security Suite.lnk = C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\backweb\3528733\Program\fspex.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Add animation to IncrediMail Style Box - C:\PROGRA~1\INCRED~1\bin\resources\WebMenuImg.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Block this popup - C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\Anti-Spyware\blockpopups.htm
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: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
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:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_04\bin\npjpi150_04.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_04\bin\npjpi150_04.dll
O9 - Extra button: Web Filter - {200DB664-75B5-47c0-8B45-A44ACCF73C00} - C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\FSPC\fspcmsie.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {200DB664-75B5-47c0-8B45-A44ACCF73F01} - C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\FSPC\fspcmsie.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Web Filter - {200DB664-75B5-47c0-8B45-A44ACCF73F01} - C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\FSPC\fspcmsie.dll
O9 - Extra button: Spyware Doctor - {2D663D1A-8670-49D9-A1A5-4C56B4E14E84} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYWAR~1\tools\iesdpb.dll
O9 - Extra button: Create Mobile Favorite - {2EAF5BB1-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MI3AA1~1\INetRepl.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MI3AA1~1\INetRepl.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Create Mobile Favorite… - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MI3AA1~1\INetRepl.dll
O9 - Extra button: IE Shield - {300DB664-75B5-47c0-8B45-A44ACCF73C00} - C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\Anti-Spyware\ieshield.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: IE Shield… - {300DB664-75B5-47c0-8B45-A44ACCF73C00} - C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\Anti-Spyware\ieshield.dll
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Shdocvw.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
O10 - Broken Internet access because of LSP provider 'winsflt.dll' missing
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=39204
O16 - DPF: {430DDE24-C051-11CF-95BE-0020AFF75E4F} (ichat xchat Control) - http://duke.thirdage.com/chat/data/html/us…sie/msichat.ocx
O16 - DPF: {4ED9DDF0-7479-4BBE-9335-5A1EDB1D8A21} - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/shared/m…01/mcinsctl.cab
O16 - DPF: {4F1E5B1A-2A80-42CA-8532-2D05CB959537} (MSN Photo Upload Tool) - http://by105fd.bay105.hotmail.msn.com/resources/MsnPUpld.cab
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/…b?1124315889265
O16 - DPF: {74C861A1-D548-4916-BC8A-FDE92EDFF62C} - http://mediaplayer.walmart.com/installer/install.cab
O16 - DPF: {85F8B7C6-7919-11D4-8182-009027E91519} (RMSWebEx Control) - http://www.sulphurcreek.com/RMSWebSimpleNT.cab
O16 - DPF: {AB86CE53-AC9F-449F-9399-D8ABCA09EC09} (Get_ActiveX Control) - https://h17000.www1.hp.com/ewfrf-JAVA/Secur…loadManager.ocx
O20 - Winlogon Notify: igfxcui - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\igfxdev.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: MCD - C:\WINDOWS\system32\sampsnap.dll (file missing)
O20 - Winlogon Notify: WgaLogon - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WgaLogon.dll
O21 - SSODL: bestreak - {874443fe-aa33-4ebf-a6ac-73208787e62d} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\viruxz.dll (file missing)
O23 - Service: Charter High-Speed Security Suite (BackWeb Plug-in - 3528733) - BackWeb Technologies Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\CHARTE~1\backweb\3528733\Program\SERVIC~1.EXE
O23 - Service: distributed.net client (dnetc) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\iosdt\iosdt.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: FSGKHS (F-Secure Gatekeeper Handler Starter) - F-Secure Corporation - C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\Anti-Virus\fsgk32st.exe
O23 - Service: FSBWSYS - F-Secure Corp. - C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\backweb\3528733\program\fsbwsys.exe
O23 - Service: F-Secure Anti-Virus Firewall Daemon (FSDFWD) - F-Secure Corporation - C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\FWES\Program\fsdfwd.exe
O23 - Service: F-Secure HTTP Server (fshttps) - F-Secure Corporation - C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\FSPC\fshttps\fshttps.exe
O23 - Service: FSMA - F-Secure Corporation - C:\Program Files\Charter High-Speed Security Suite\Common\FSMA32.EXE
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPodService - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Intel NCS NetService (NetSvc) - Intel® Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\PROSetWired\NCS\Sync\NetSvc.exe
O23 - Service: NICCONFIGSVC - Dell Inc. - C:\Program Files\Dell\NICCONFIGSVC\NICCONFIGSVC.exe
O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPZipm12.exe
O23 - Service: PC Tools Spyware Doctor (SDhelper) - PC Tools Research Pty Ltd - C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\sdhelp.exe
O23 - Service: Dell Wireless WLAN Tray Service (wltrysvc) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\wltrysvc.exe
Post #2
Your log shows that you have some startup entries disabled. It is important that these show up in your log so that I can check for anything malicious. Once you have completed the instructions below this section, I want you to enable everything in msconfig before you run HJT to create a new log:

Go to Start > Run, enter msconfig and click on OK.
Select the Startup Tab.
Click on Enable All then Apply and finally OK.
In the next window that appears, select the "Restart" option.
When your PC reboots and the Sytem Configuration Utility window opens, check the box next to "Don't show this message or launch the System Configuration Utility when Windows starts".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You will need to make a copy of these instructions because you have to disconnect from the internet to complete the fix. Either print them out or copy and paste them into Notepad.

Preparation

1) Download the trial version of Ewido anti-spyware from here and save it to your Desktop.
If you already have this program installed, skip to Updating Ewido: below.

* Please note that these instructions are for the new version - Ewido anti-spyware. If you have the old version - Ewido anti-malware and it is the:
  • paid-for version - you will need to go here and obtain an updated license code before you upgrade.
  • free version - you will need to uninstall it and reboot before installing the new version.
Double click the ewido-setup file to begin installation and follow the prompts.
When the program has been installed, and you click the Finish button, Ewido anti-spyware will open.
  • Updating Ewido:

    By default Ewido is configured to update automatically so, if you have an active internet connection, it should do so following installation. If you are unsure whether or not it has done so, do the following:
  • Click the Update icon at the top and under "Manual Update" - click the Start update button.
  • Either Ewido will update or inform you that no update was available.
  • If you cannot access the internet with the infected PC, or you are having problems updating, you can download the signatures file from here.
    Once you have installed Ewido, double click ewido-signatures-full-current.exe to update it.
    Disabling the Resident Shield:
  • By default the Resident Shield is active but as it may interfere with the process of cleaning your PC, it will need to be disabled.
    (When the PC has been cleaned you can activate the shield again, if you wish.)
  • Click the Shield icon at the top and under "Resident shield is…" - click active.
  • This should now change to inactive.

    Changing Recommended Actions
  • Click the Scanner icon at the top and then click the Settings Tab.
  • Under "How to act?" click Recommended actions and select "Quarantine" from the menu.
You can now close Ewido anti-spyware.

Ewido anti-spyware is designed to be used to both scan for and remove malicious files and also to run in real-time alongside, but not replace, your existing anti-virus program to give an added layer of protection.
Both the Resident Shield and Automatic Updates will only be available for the thirty day trial period, after that Ewido will revert to a stand-alone scanner which you can keep and manually update for free and use in a similar way to Ad-Aware SE Personal, Spybot S&D etc.
Should you wish to benefit from the real-time protection, you will need to upgrade the program. To do this, simply open it and click on the Buy now button.

2) Download SmitfraudFix.zip by S!Ri from here and save it to your Desktop.
If you already have a copy of this, delete it and download a fresh one - the fix is often updated daily.
You will then need to extract the files.
To do this: Right click on the zipped folder and from the menu that appears, click on Extract All…
In the 'Extraction Wizard' window that opens, click on Next> and in the next window that appears, click on Next> again.
In the final window, click on Finish

Close the folder, you will need it later.

3) You will need to know how to boot into Safe Mode.
Instructions can be found here.

4) You will need to set Windows to show All Hidden Files and Folders.
Instructions can be found here.
** These files are hidden to stop you accidentally removing something important.
It is advisable to hide them again after fixing your computer. **

5) Log off from the internet and disconnect your modem cable for the duration of the fix.

Removal

1) Boot into Safe Mode.

2) Open the SmitfraudFix folder and double-click smitfraudfix.cmd
Press "2" and then to start the cleaning process.
  • Wait for the tool to complete and disk cleanup to finish.
  • You will be prompted "Registry cleaning - Do you want to clean the registry ? Press "Y" and then .
  • The tool will also check if wininet.dll is infected. You may be prompted to "Replace infected file ?" - press "Y" and then .
Your PC now needs to be rebooted. If this does not happen automatically, you will need to do so manually. Either way, your PC will need to be booted back INTO SAFE MODE.

3) Navigate to the C:\Windows\Temp folder and delete all the files that you find there.
Do this for all Usernames.

4) Navigate to C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Local Settings\Temp and delete all the files that you find there.
Do this for all Usernames.

5) Go to Start > Control Panel > Internet Options and under Temporary Internet files, click on Delete Files…
Check the box to the left of 'Delete all offline content' and then click on OK.

6) Go to Start > Control Panel > Display.
Select the Desktop Tab, click on Customise Desktop… and then select the Web Tab.
Under Web pages: you may see a checked entry called Security info - or similar. Highlight this entry and then click the Delete button.
Finally click OK > Apply > OK.

7) Empty the Recycle Bin.

8) Ensure that ALL open Windows / Programs / Folders are closed and then run Ewido anti-spyware.
  • If it is not already selected, click the Scanner icon at the top and then select the Scan Tab.
  • Click "Complete System Scan"
  • While the scan is in progress the PC should be left otherwise idle - so if you fancy a cuppa, now's the time to put the kettle on!
  • When the scan has completed, any threats that Ewido has detected will be displayed.
  • Click the Apply all actions button at the bottom.
  • When Ewido has finished, it will display the message "All actions have been applied".

    Saving a report:
  • Click the Save Report button at the bottom left and the "Reports" window will open.
  • The content of the scan report will be displayed in the right hand pane and a copy will be automatically saved as Report-Scan-date-time.txt into the C:\Program Files\ewido anti-spyware 4.0\Reports folder.
  • You will need to post a copy of this report into your next reply, so if it is more convenient, you can save another copy of this report elsewhere:
    Click the Save report as button and select a destination by clicking the down arrow to the right of the Save in: text box and then click Save.
Close Ewido Anti-Spyware.

9) Reboot into Normal Mode.

10) Open the SmitfraudFix folder and double-click smitfraudfix.cmd
Press "3" and then to "Delete Trusted Zone".
When prompted "Restore Trusted Zone ?", press "Y" and then .

* Please Note: If you use SpywareBlaster and/or IE/Spyads, it will be necessary to re-install the protection both afford. For SpywareBlaster, run the program and re-protect all items. For IE/Spyads, run the batch file and reinstall the protection *

Will you then post the following:
  • A new HJT log,
  • The Ewido log,
  • The text file rapport.txt that will be found in the root of your drive, eg: Local Disk C: or partition where your operating system is installed.
    For most, this file can be found by double-clicking My Computer and then Local Disk (C:)
  • A description of how your PC is behaving.
This fix is based on a canned speech supplied by Kimberly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Run HJT:
  • Click Open the Misc Tools section.
  • Click Open Uninstall Manager…
  • Click Save list… and save it to your Desktop.
  • Copy and paste the file uninstall_list.txt into your next reply.

Ask AI

AI can make mistakes. Check the cited posts. Archived advice can be out-of-date

Don't include personal information. Questions and selected public posts go to OpenAI. About Ask AI