Tex10

Hi Porthos; You are correct, that my computer is older running Windows 7 with 2.80 GHz Intel Processor and 4 Gigs of RAM. Thanks for advising me to just do the recommended "Threat Scans". I will take your advice going forward as I don't plan on purchasing a new computer at this time.

Hi Porthos; Sorry, if you check the images I have embedded into this reply you will see that these files are NOT on my computer. C:\Windows\system32\Drivers\farflt.sys C:\Windows\System32\drivers\mbam.sys C:\Windows\System32\drivers\MBAMChameleon.sys C:\Windows\System32\drivers\MBAMSwissArmy.sys C:\Windows\System32\drivers\mwac.sys

Hi Porthos; Okay, I have downloaded and installed Malwarebytes 3.3.1and followed your instructions for the exclusions in MS Essentials. These files are not found on my computer: C:\Windows\system32\Drivers\farflt.sys C:\Windows\System32\drivers\mbam.sys C:\Windows\System32\drivers\MBAMChameleon.sys C:\Windows\System32\drivers\MBAMSwissArmy.sys C:\Windows\System32\drivers\mwac.sys Now what is the next steps?

Hi All; I haven't heard from anyone since Oct. 21, 2017 which was about 16 days ago. Just curious if anyone has reviewed my attached files and if there was any advice that can address this issue?

Hi Porthos; I looked at the setting in Malwarebytes 3 and I found that the default setting for "Impact of Scans on System" was already selected for "Manual scans have high priority and will finish more quickly." I assume this is correct that it is the default?

Hi Porthos; Okay, I have followed your instructions and here are the files attached to this reply. Thanks for reviewing. mb-clean-results.txt mb-check-results.zip Scan Result.txt

Hi exile360 and KenW; I think I have given you the wrong impression. It isn't that I don't want to continue troubleshooting this issue or that I am unwilling to take your advice. The reason I am posting to this site is to get a resolution to this issue. I am very sorry if I have given anyone the wrong impression. Please answer these questions: 1. Do you want me to first upgrade the existing application from Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware version 2.2.1.1043 to the new Malwarebytes 3 version 3.2.2.2029? 2. Do I run a "Custom Scan" (Full Scan) with "Scan for rootkits" selected before I run the Farbar Recovery Scan Tool (FRST) and the MB-Check? Please advise. Thanks...

Hi Porthos; I have uninstalled Malwarebytes 3 and went back to the older Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware version 2.2.1.1043 so that I could run the "Custom Scan" (Full Scan) with "Scan for rootkits" and DESELECTING the C:\Windows\winsxs. Also I have stated that multiple computers are having the same long times to run the "Custom Scan" which would make me question what running Farbar Recovery Scan Tool (FRST) and the MB-Check on any one computer would actually tell us? Do you suggest I pick one computer and reinstall Malwarebytes 3, do a "Custom Scan" which will take 8 to 12 hours or more and then follow your instructions? Not sure this will be helpful....

Hi KenW; WOW, I would love to be able to do "Custom Scan" in 1 hr. 44 min. 25 sec. I am assuming you selected all folder and files on your C:\ Drive... Hi Porthos; Thanks for the explanation in your previous post about what is scanned and what is not. Not sure I totally understand, but thanks anyway.... Hi Firefox; Thanks for the link that explains the different types of scans, but that still doesn't answer the question about when to use what type of scan. Maybe it is just me, but a "Custom Scan" (Full Scan) should be the most thorough scan as it will scan all folders and files. If it takes 8 to 12 hours or more, then I just can't have my computer tied up that long. It just isn't practical....

Hi Porthos; Thanks for the reply. You say "A regular threat scan is all you need." so I have to ask what is the purpose of the "Custom Scan" (Full Scan)? It must be available for a reason. I thought maybe it is there to allow one to do a complete, thorough scan. Am I confused?

Hi KenW; Thanks for the reply. Yes, I agree that the folder C:\Windows\winsxs is really large. I just checked the size on this computer and it is 20.2 GB (21,726,182,717 bytes). No wonder it takes so many hours to scan.

Hi All; I have been running the Custom Scan on multiple computers and it is taking far too long to complete, 8 to 12 hours or more. I have found that if I DESELECT the folder called C:\Windows\winsxs then the scan time is greatly reduced to 2 to 3 hours. I really can't afford to have my computers tied up for 8 to 12 hours or more. Questions: 1. Is it dangerous to NOT scan the C:\Windows\winsxs folder? Do you know if this folder ever gets infected? 2. The older Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware version 2.2.1.1043 did allow you to select "Scan for rootkits" and to DESELECT the folder called C:\Windows\winsxs. The new version 3.2.2.2029 of Malwarebytes doesn't allow one to select "Scan for rootkits" and DESELECT the folder called C:\Windows\winsxs so this means that in order to scan for rootkits, one has to select all folders. This causes the LONG scan times of 8 to 12 hours or more. This is just NOT practical. Is it important to "Scan for rootkits" or is this only necessary to do when one knows the computer is infected?

Hi All; This month the Custom Scan (Full Scan) takes up to 8 hours or more to complete on many different computers. Previously these scans would only take up to 3 hours at the most. Has something changed? I don't understand why it takes so long this month? It seems to take the longest time while scanning the C:\windows\winsxs folder. Would it be recommended to NOT scan this folder or would that be too dangerous. Can infections get into this folder? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance... See details: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware www.malwarebytes.org Scan Date: 12/12/2016 Scan Time: 8:48 AM Logfile: Administrator: Yes Version: 2.2.1.1043 Malware Database: v2016.12.12.10 Rootkit Database: v2016.11.20.01 License: Free Malware Protection: Disabled Malicious Website Protection: Disabled Self-protection: Disabled OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1 CPU: x64 File System: NTFS User: Tex Hemke Scan Type: Custom Scan Result: Completed Objects Scanned: 511027 Time Elapsed: 7 hr, 25 min, 7 sec Memory: Enabled Startup: Enabled Filesystem: Enabled Archives: Enabled Rootkits: Enabled Heuristics: Enabled PUP: Enabled PUM: Enabled Processes: 0 (No malicious items detected) Modules: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Keys: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Values: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Data: 0 (No malicious items detected) Folders: 0 (No malicious items detected) Files: 0 (No malicious items detected) Physical Sectors: 0 (No malicious items detected) (end)