MKDB

@Susannah Many thanks for your detailed feedback. Accoring to your descriptions, your system was or maybe is still infected with some malware (orphans) or contains damaged services / settings. However, a precise analysis is only possible with appropriate log files from MBST. Can you attach the logfile from Hitman Pro to see what kind of malware it has detected and removed? If Hitman Pro blocks MBST, I suggest to disable or uninstall Hitman so that it does not interfere with your processes here. Please download the Malwarebytes Support Tool (MBST). Run MBST and accept license agreement. In the left navigation pane of MBST, click Advanced. In the Advanced Options, click Gather Logs. A status diagram displays the tool is Getting logs from your machine. A zip file named mbst-grab-results.zip will be saved to your desktop, please upload that file on your next reply.

Hello @Susannah and My name is MKDB and I will assist you. Let's keep these principles as we proceed. Make sure to read the entire post below first. Please follow the steps in the given order and post back the log files. Please attach all log files into your post. Before we start, please make sure that you have an external backup, not connected to this system, of all private data. Only run the tools I guide you to. Please don't run any other scans, download, install or uninstall any programs while I'm working with you. As English is not my native language, please do not use slang or idioms. It may be hard for me to understand. If you do not respond within 4 days, your topic will be closed. Cracked or hacked or pirated programs are not only illegal, but also will make a computer a malware victim. Having such programs installed, is the easiest way to get infected. It is the leading cause of ransomware encryptions. It is at times also a big source of current trojan infections. If you are running any kin of illegal software on your system, please uninstall them now, before we start the cleaning procedure. Windows Defender detected a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) in the photoscape installer. That's nothing dangerous and not malware, but PUP related software can be nasty as well. I suggest to delete this installer and stay away from it. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and AdwCleaner can detect and remove a lot of pup related software. You can run scans with these two programs and attach the logfiles if needed. If you need further assistance in removing PUP, please run MBST in a third step and attach the requested logfile as well. Thank you! Please download the Malwarebytes Support Tool (MBST). Run MBST and accept license agreement. In the left navigation pane of MBST, click Advanced. In the Advanced Options, click Gather Logs. A status diagram displays the tool is Getting logs from your machine. A zip file named mbst-grab-results.zip will be saved to your desktop, please upload that file on your next reply.

@Linkster400 Thank you very much for your feedback as well as for the logfiles. Unfortunately, I can't follow your descriptions regarding windows defender and Microsoft Tasks. 1) We did not really touch Windows Defender with this fix. There was only a restriction listed in FRST: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender: Restriction <==== ATTENTION I've removed that restriction as those are usually added by malware. But this can not be the reason for windows defender not working correctly. Which problem do you exactly have with the defender? 2) We have deleted a lot of malicious tasks with FRST and some task leftovers (disabled tasks where the file was already missing). No active, legit task was touched by FRST. That's why I don't understand which Tasks you are talking about. 3) According to the newest FRST logfiles, Windows Defender services and all listed tasks look ok. We can do a more closer look with FSS. Moreover, I suggest to run KVRT for a second opinion. Thank you! 1️⃣ Please follow these instructions and attach the requested logfile FSS.txt: 2️⃣ Download Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool (KVRT) and save it to your Desktop. Select the Windows Key and R Key together, the Run box should open. Copy and paste the following string into the line: C:\Users\simon\OneDrive\Desktop\KVRT.exe -dontencrypt Select „Ok“ in the Run box. If the „Windows protected your PC“ window opens, select „More info“. A new windows will open, select „Run anyway“. An EULA window from KVRT will open, tick all confirmation boxes then select "Accept". A window from KVRT will open, select "Change Parameters". In the new window ensure the following boxes are ticked: System memory Startup objects Boot sectors System drive Then select "OK" and „Start scan“. completed: If entries are found, there will be options to choose. If "Cure" is offered, leave as it is. For any other options change to "Delete", then select "Continue". Usually, your system needs a reboot to finish the removal process. Logfiles can be found on your systemdrive (usually C: ), similar like this: C:\KVRT2020_Data\Reports\report_<data>_<time>.klr Right click direct onto those reports, select > open with > Notepad. Save the files and attach them with your next reply.

@Linkster400 Have the powershell pop ups stopped? Let's do another scan with FRST to check the results. Run FRST again. Do not change any settings. Press the Scan button. FRST will create two logs now (FRST.txt + Addition.txt) in the same directory the tool is run. Please attach these logfiles to your next reply.

Glad we could help. If you need this topic reopened, please send a Private Message to any one of the moderating team members. Please include a link to this topic with your request. This applies only to the originator of this thread. Other members who need assistance please start your own topic in a new thread. Please review the following for Tips to help protect from infection. Thank you. As this topic seems to be solved, I do not follow it any longer. Take care!

@joshstrife66 Well done! Please run MBAM and Farbar Recovery Scan Tool as well like suggested by Porthos!

@Linkster400 First, we will run a fix with FRST. This may take some time, please be very patient. Please download the attached fixlist.txt file and save it to the location where you ran FRST from ( C:\Users\simon\OneDrive\Desktop\ ). Note: It's important that both files, FRST and fixlist.txt are in the same location or the fix will not work. Close all open programs and save your work. Run FRST again. Press the FIX button only once and wait. Please be patient and do not interfere, even if FRST does not respond for some time. That's nothing to worry about. Please note: This Fix will remove all temporary files, empty recycle bin and will remove cookies and may result in some websites indicating they do not recognize your computer. It may be necessary to receive and apply a verification code. Please note: This step resets your Firewall settings and you may be asked later to grant permission for legitimate programs to pass through the Firewall. If you recognize the program, agree to the request. If the tool needs a restart, please make sure you let the system restart normally and let the tool complete its run after restart. FRST will create one log now (Fixlog.txt) in the same directory the tool is run. Please attach this logfile to your next reply. fixlist.txt

@Linkster400 Please give me some time to review your logfiles. Thank you!

@Abigor Those detected threats by KVRT were already moved by us into FRST Quarantine before, so all is clean. 🙂 You should update some programs (if your still need them) or uninstall them (if you don't need them anymore): WinRAR 6.11 (64-bit) v.6.11.0 Warning! Download Update Discord v.1.0.9033 Warning! Download Update Microsoft Teams v.1.5.00.30767 Warning! Download Update Java 8 Update 401 v.8.0.4010.10 Warning! Download Update Opera GX Stable 107.0.5045.89 v.107.0.5045.89 Warning! Download Update WebView2 Runtime de Microsoft Edge v.123.0.2420.97 Warning! Download Update Driver Easy 5.8.1 v.5.8.1 Warning! Suspected demo version of anti-spyware, driver updater or optimizer. If this program is not familiar to you it is recommended to uninstall it and execute PC scanning using Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. Possible you became a victim of fraud or social engineering. Computer experts no longer recommend this program. Thank you for your cooperation. You can use KpRm to remove FRST and other tools. Please download KpRm by kernel-panik and save it to your desktop. Right-click kprm_(version).exe and select Run as Administrator. Read and accept the disclaimer. When the tool opens, select Delete Tools under Actions. Under Delete Quarantines select Delete Now, then click Run. Once complete, click OK. A log may open in Notepad titled kprm-(date).txt. I do not need it. Just close Notepad if it shows up. A few final recommendations can be found here: Further reading if you like to keep up on the malware threat scene: Malwarebytes Blog https://blog.malwarebytes.com/ Hopefully, we've been able to assist you with correcting your system issues. Thank you for using Malwarebytes.

Hello @Linkster400 and My name is MKDB and I will assist you. Let's keep these principles as we proceed. Make sure to read the entire post below first. Please follow the steps in the given order and post back the log files. Please attach all log files into your post. Before we start, please make sure that you have an external backup, not connected to this system, of all private data. Only run the tools I guide you to. Please don't run any other scans, download, install or uninstall any programs while I'm working with you. As English is not my native language, please do not use slang or idioms. It may be hard for me to understand. If you do not respond within 4 days, your topic will be closed. Cracked or hacked or pirated programs are not only illegal, but also will make a computer a malware victim. Having such programs installed, is the easiest way to get infected. It is the leading cause of ransomware encryptions. It is at times also a big source of current trojan infections. If you are running any kin of illegal software on your system, please uninstall them now, before we start the cleaning procedure. Please attach the requested logfiles and we will be happy to help you. Thank you!

Hello @joshstrife66 and My name is MKDB and I will assist you. Let's keep these principles as we proceed. Make sure to read the entire post below first. Please follow the steps in the given order and post back the log files. Please attach all log files into your post. Before we start, please make sure that you have an external backup, not connected to this system, of all private data. Only run the tools I guide you to. Please don't run any other scans, download, install or uninstall any programs while I'm working with you. As English is not my native language, please do not use slang or idioms. It may be hard for me to understand. If you do not respond within 4 days, your topic will be closed. Cracked or hacked or pirated programs are not only illegal, but also will make a computer a malware victim. Having such programs installed, is the easiest way to get infected. It is the leading cause of ransomware encryptions. It is at times also a big source of current trojan infections. If you are running any kin of illegal software on your system, please uninstall them now, before we start the cleaning procedure. Please attach the requested logfiles and we will be happy to help you. Thank you!

@Abigor Thanks for your feedback. I would like you to run KVRT and SecurityCheck for a second opinion. 1️⃣ Download Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool (KVRT) and save it to your Desktop. Select the Windows Key and R Key together, the Run box should open. Copy and paste the following string into the line: C:\Users\IGNITER\Desktop\KVRT.exe -dontencrypt Select „Ok“ in the Run box. If the „Windows protected your PC“ window opens, select „More info“. A new windows will open, select „Run anyway“. An EULA window from KVRT will open, tick all confirmation boxes then select "Accept". A window from KVRT will open, select "Change Parameters". In the new window ensure the following boxes are ticked: System memory Startup objects Boot sectors System drive Then select "OK" and „Start scan“. completed: If entries are found, there will be options to choose. If "Cure" is offered, leave as it is. For any other options change to "Delete", then select "Continue". Usually, your system needs a reboot to finish the removal process. Logfiles can be found on your systemdrive (usually C: ), similar like this: C:\KVRT2020_Data\Reports\report_<data>_<time>.klr Right click direct onto those reports, select > open with > Notepad. Save the files and attach them with your next reply. 2️⃣ Please follow these instructions and attach the logfile FSS.txt:

Due to the lack of feedback, I do not follow this topic any longer. If you need this topic reopened, please send a Private Message to any one of the moderating team members. Please include a link to this topic with your request. This applies only to the originator of this thread. Other members who need assistance please start your own topic in a new thread. Please review the following for Tips to help protect from infection. Thank you.

@Abigor Thanks for your feedback and the logfile. The fix was successful. We did not touch discord with this fix. We resetted your Firewall settings and you may be asked to grant permission for legitimate programs to pass through the Firewall. If you recognize the program, agree to the request. Let's check the situation by running a new FRST scan. Run FRST again. Do not change any settings. Press the Scan button. FRST will create two logs now (FRST.txt + Addition.txt) in the same directory the tool is run. Please attach these logfiles to your next reply.

@Abigor First, we will use FRST to run a fix. This may take some time, please be very patient. Please download the attached fixlist.txt file and save it to the location where you ran FRST from ( C:\Users\IGNITER\Downloads\ ). Note: It's important that both files, FRST and fixlist.txt are in the same location or the fix will not work. Close all open programs and save your work. Run FRST again. Press the FIX button only once and wait. Please be patient and do not interfere, even if FRST does not respond for some time. That's nothing to worry about. Please note: This Fix will remove all temporary files, empty recycle bin and will remove cookies and may result in some websites indicating they do not recognize your computer. It may be necessary to receive and apply a verification code. Please note: This step resets your Firewall settings and you may be asked later to grant permission for legitimate programs to pass through the Firewall. If you recognize the program, agree to the request. If the tool needs a restart, please make sure you let the system restart normally and let the tool complete its run after restart. FRST will create one log now (Fixlog.txt) in the same directory the tool is run. Please attach this logfile to your next reply. fixlist.txt