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Need help with hijackthis log -- badly

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Post #1
Hijackthis log below
AVG Anti-Spyware log below


OS: Windows XP Home Edition
Browser: Firefox
Ad and Spyware removal used regularly and fully updated: Spybot Search and Destroy, Adaware SE,
Firewall: Zone Alarm


I hope someone can help me figure out what Hijackthis has found that I need to get rid of. My PC runs more slowly than usual, odd things pop up in the Zone Alarm program log, and Search and Destroy keeps informing me that it can't remove a log file until I restart, then I restart, and it does the same thing. This is a great resource and I'm glad for any help you can provide.


HIJACKT THIS LOG:


Logfile of Hijackthis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 8:49:10 PM, on 12/5/2006
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.5730.0011)

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\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MsMpEng.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe
C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\guard.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\cli.exe
C:\WINDOWS\SOUNDMAN.EXE
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_08\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\avgas.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\cli.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\cli.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Nero\data\Xtras\mssysmgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\FlashMute\FlashMute.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\FINDFAST.EXE
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA.EXE
C:\Documents and Settings\Rochelle\Desktop\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_08\bin\ssv.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATICCC] "C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\cli.exe" runtime -Delay
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\WINDOWS\system32\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Cmaudio] RunDll32 cmicnfg.cpl,CMICtrlWnd
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMan] SOUNDMAN.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Defender] "C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe" -hide
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avast!] C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Zone Labs Client] "C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_08\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SpybotSnD] "C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SpybotSD.exe" /autocheck
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [!AVG Anti-Spyware] "C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\avgas.exe" /minimized
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [PhotoShow Deluxe Media Manager] C:\PROGRA~1\Nero\data\Xtras\mssysmgr.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [BitTorrent] "C:\Program Files\BitTorrent\bittorrent.exe" –force_start_minimized
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [FlashMute] C:\Program Files\FlashMute\FlashMute.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - Startup: Microsoft Find Fast.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\FINDFAST.EXE
O4 - Startup: Office Startup.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - %windir%\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - %windir%\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe (file missing)
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
O11 - Options group: [INTERNATIONAL] International*
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdat…b?1161896607409
O23 - Service: avast! iAVS4 Control Service (aswUpdSv) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - ATI Technologies Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: ATI Smart - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ati2sgag.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Antivirus - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Mail Scanner - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe" /service (file missing)
O23 - Service: avast! Web Scanner - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe" /service (file missing)
O23 - Service: AVG Anti-Spyware Guard - Anti-Malware Development a.s. - C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\guard.exe
O23 - Service: TrueVector Internet Monitor (vsmon) - Zone Labs, LLC - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe




AVG Anti-Spyware - Scan Report
———————————————————

+ Created at: 10:33:35 PM 12/5/2006

+ Scan result:



Nothing found.


::Report end






:unsure:
Post #2 last edited
Hi Shelly101

Welcome to TC. :) Sorry for the delay in response. The forum has been really busy.

I cannot see any sign of malware in the log. See if Slow Computer checklist helps.
Post #3
Thanks so much for reviewing the log files. I'll do as you suggested and see if the Slow Computer list helps. However I do have one question. I've seen explanations for the Hijackthis entry: O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe as just a part of Windows XP AND as Troj/Delive-A or a similar backdoor Trojan. Do I need to worry? Thanks again for your help!!!!
Post #4

Thanks so much for reviewing the log files. I'll do as you suggested and see if the Slow Computer list helps.

However I do have one question.

I've seen explanations for the Hijackthis entry:

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe

as just a part of Windows XP AND as Troj/Delive-A or a similar backdoor Trojan. Do I need to worry?

Thanks again for your help!!!!


No, you don't need to worry about that. You can see the explanation in this link.

http://www.castlecops.com/StartupList.html

CTFMon is involved with the language/alternative input services in Office XP. CTFMON.exe will continue to put itself back into MSConfig when you run the Office XP apps as long as the Text Services and Speech applets in the Control Panel are enabled. Not required if you don\'t need these features. For more info on ctfmon See_Here ;en-us;282599 . CTFMON can be disabled from Control Panel, Text & Speech Services. NOTE: The file will always be located in the System32 folder. If it is located elsewhere, it will likely be a worm or trojan!

Post #5
Hi, I’m so appreciative of your help I hate to ask another question, but I have one more. I’m sure I’m just being paranoid, but I got the idea that there was a Trojan from castlecops. There are several entries for cfmon.exe, some saying it’s just part of Windows as you pointed out, and others saying it was a Trojan. I’m not computer savvy enough to understand where the distinction is being made. Does it have to do with the location of the file? Is there some way for me to distinguish it from something harmful in the future? Here are the entries I copied from castlecops: Troj/Delive-A is a backdoor Trojan which allows a remote intruder to gain access and control over the computer via IRC channels. The Trojan will display a fake error message several times when run. The Trojan may attempt to steal passwords from a number of applications. The Trojan may attempt to terminate a number of anti-virus and security-related applications Troj/SDBot-06 is a backdoor Trojan which allows a remote user to access and control the computer via IRC channels. When run, the Trojan will display a false error message box in an attempt to trick the user that the file is damaged. Troj/SDBot-06 tries to connect to an IRC server and join a specific channel. The Trojan then runs in the background as a server process, listening on the IRC channel for specific commands and carrying out the appropriate actions. Troj/SDBot-06 may also attempt to download the files la.exe and list.doc from a remote website. Again, I hate to take up more of your time, but I’d really like to learn as much about security and maintenance as possible and I’m afraid there’s an extremely steep learning curve. Thanks so much!!! :unsure:
Post #6
Hi Shelly101

There are several entries for cfmon.exe, some saying it’s just part of Windows as you pointed out, and others saying it was a Trojan. I’m not computer savvy enough to understand where the distinction is being made. Does it have to do with the location of the file? Is there some way for me to distinguish it from something harmful in the future?

Yes, it does. That's why I included the quotation where it says:

NOTE: The file will always be located in the System32 folder. If it is located elsewhere, it will likely be a worm or trojan!


Since you seem to be concerned about security I would like to warn you about p2p file sharing programs such as Bittorent. The program itself is clean at the moment but I think the nature of P2P filesharing is so that even if one is using a "clean" program, many of the files downloaded from non-documented sources have the potential of being infected. So, regardless of whether one is using a "clean" program, one may still be prone to infection by malware.

Here are some security tips you might like to follow for safer surfing. You may already have some of these:

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.

Avoid illegal sites, because that's where most malware is present.

* Don't click on links inside popups.
* Don't click on links in spam messages claiming to offer anti-spyware software; because most of these so called removers ARE spyware.
* Download free software only from sites you know and trust. Because a lot of free software can bundle other software, including spyware.

Keep your antivirus-program up-to-date and do regular scans with it. Please make sure that you have only one active antivirus program on your system.
If you haven't got an antivirus, you can download and install one of the following ones wh;ich are free for personal use: Make sure that you have only ONE antivirus running on your computer as more than one would cause conflict and render the computer vulnerable.

AVG Free here
AntiVir here
Avast here

It is essential to keep the anti-virus program fully updated.
IMPORTANT: You Need to Update Windows and Internet Explorer to protect your computer from the malware that is around on the Internet. Please go to the windows update site <http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/> to get the critical updates.

If you are running Microsoft Office, or any portion thereof, go to the Microsoft's Office Update site <http://office.microsoft.com/officeupdate/maincatalog.aspx?lc=en-us> and make sure you have at least all the critical updates installed (Free) Microsoft Office Update.

Keep your pestware-scanners up-to-date and do regular scans with them.

To keep your computer free of Spyware, Adware, Hijackers etc., download and install the following free pestware-scanners (if you haven't installed them already):
AdAware here
Spybot here Remember to "immunize" after each update
Windows Defender here

Install realtime pestware-scanners and keep them up-to-date.

The following free realtime pestscanners prevent a number of malware-variants from entering your computer, in the first place:

SpywareBlaster here Remember to "enable all protection" after each update.
SpywareGuard here

If you haven't got one, already, install a firewall and keep it up-to-date. Please make sure that you have only one active firewall on your system.

A firewall will prevent unauthorized contact between your computer and internet.
If there is no firewall installed on your computer, you can download and install one of the following free firewalls:
ZoneAlarm here
Sygate here
Kerio Personal Firewall here
Outpost here
Important: (Windows XP only) If you install a firewall, be sure to turn off the WinXP-firewall!

Test your firewall here to make sure that it's working properly

Install these programs, to make surfing with Internet Explorer safer:

A popup-blocker, f.e. Google Toolbar here: A popup-blocker prevents popup-windows from opening, when you come along a websites that uses them, during internet-surfing.

IE-SPYAD here: This utility adds a long list of known bad sites to Internet Explorer's Restricted Sites zone. This prevents those sites from executing their malicious programs on your computer.

SiteHound by Firetrust
here:

Firetrust introduces the SiteHound Toolbar - the safe way to browse the Internet. With SiteHound, when you browse the Internet, you're shown a warning page every time you go to a site which is a known scam, potentially loads viruses or spyware on to your computer, has questionable content or anything you would not consider reasonable. You are shown a warning page with information about that site. From there you can choose to enter the site or go back. SiteHound is a free add-on to Internet Explorer.
SiteHound will alert you when you enter a site which is known to contain:
· Fraudulent claims or scams
· Offensive material
· Security vulnerabilities
· Spyware or Adware
· Spam related material
· or other content deemed to be unsafe
Specifically, SiteHound blocks these categories:

o Adult o Spyware o Spam Advertising o Phishing o Possible scam or fraud o Misleading or False Advertising
o Pharming o Rogue or Suspect Product o Adware o Malware or Virus

Install and use an alternative browser to surf on the internet.

Because Internet Explorer is the most-used browser on the planet, most of the hijackers, adware and spyware are made to abuse your computer thru Internet Explorer.
Here are some good alternative browsers:
Mozilla Suite here
Mozilla Firefox here
Opera here
Netscape here
Important: You can not uninstall Internet Explorer.
First of all, it's part of Windows and you'll need it to download and install Windows Updates.
Secondly, There are some sites that are only accessable with Internet Explorer, e.g. most of the Online Malware-scanners.

But above all, keep all your software UP-TO-DATE at all time!!

Also, I would recommend reading the excellent advice by Tony Klein: So how did I get infected in the first place

Happy and safe surfing. B)
Post #9
Since your problem appears to be resolved, this thread will now be closed. If you need this topic reopened, please PM me with the address of the thread, and we will reopen it for you. This applies only to the original topic starter. Everyone else please begin a New Topic.
Post #10
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

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