Thinkpad running slow

[jim1464]

Trying to help my granddaughter who received this PC from her dad. It was used as a business computer. I have not confirmed any virus, but task manager shows over 100 processes running.

CPU usage and available memory seem normal, but I can't identify why it does not respond more quickly. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jim1464

dds.txt

[D-FRED-BROWN]

Hello Jim1464 and welcome to Malwarebytes!

I am D-FRED-BROWN and I will be helping you.

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Please download to your Desktop:

• TDSSKiller.zip from here and extract it (right click on it => "Extract here").
  

>>> TDSSKiller: Double-click on TDSSKiller.exe to run the application.

• Click on the Start Scan button and wait for the scan and disinfection process to be over.
  
• If an infected file is detected, the default action will be Cure, click on Continue
  
• If a suspicious file is detected, the default action will be Skip, click on Continue
  
• If you are asked to reboot the computer to complete the process, click on the Reboot Now button. A report will be automatically saved at the root of the System drive ((usually C:\) in the form of "TDSSKiller.[Version]_[Date]_[Time]_log.txt" (for example, C:\TDSSKiller.2.2.0_20.12.2009_15.31.43_log.txt). Please copy and paste the contents of that file here.
  
• If no reboot is required, click on Report. A log file will appear. Please copy and paste the contents of that file in your next reply.
  

In your next reply, please include the following (you may need to use two posts to get it all in):

• TDSSKiller_log.txt
  

how the PC is running now?

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Please download ComboFix.exe. Please visit this webpage for download links, and instructions for running the tool:

http://www.bleepingc...to-use-combofix

* Ensure you have disabled all anti virus and anti malware programs so they do not interfere with the running of ComboFix.

Please go here to see a list of programs that should be disabled.

**Note: Do not mouseclick ComboFix's window while it's running. That may cause it to stall**

Please include the C:\ComboFix.txt in your next reply for further review.

Also, please let me know if any problems still remain.

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Please download Security Check by screen317 from here or here.

• Save it to your Desktop.
  
• Double click SecurityCheck.exe and follow the onscreen instructions inside of the black box.
  
• A Notepad document should open automatically called checkup.txt; please post the contents of that document.
  

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In your next reply, please include:

• TDSSKiller logfile
  
• C:\ComboFix.txt
  
• Security Check checkup.txt
  

How is your computer running now?

[jim1464]

Hi D-Fred,

Very nice to hear from you. Thanks so much for assisting with my issue! I am sending the three output files from your instructions. The Combo Fix ran for almost an hour! It's late, and I'm tired so I didn't look very closely at the files.........not sure I could spot a problem anyway.

The response from this Thinkpad may have improved somewhat, but it still seems sluggish.

Looking forward to hearing back from you.

Thanks again,

Jim1464checkup.txtcheckup.txtComboFix.txtTDSSKiller.2.7.36.0_21.05.2012_20.19.40_log.txt

[D-FRED-BROWN]

Very nice to hear from you. Thanks so much for assisting with my issue!

Likewise, and no problem .

Let's see if we can take care of some suspicious files:

Please do the following:

1. Close any open browsers.

2. Close/disable all anti virus and anti malware programs so they do not interfere with the running of ComboFix.

3. Open notepad and copy/paste the text in the quotebox below into it:

KILLALL::

Driver::

34227178

File::

C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\34227178.sys

Reboot::

Save this as CFScript.txt, in the same location as ComboFix.exe

Refering to the picture above, drag CFScript into ComboFix.exe

When finished, it shall produce a log for you at C:\ComboFix.txt which I shall require in your next reply.

Note: Do not mouseclick combofix's window whilst it's running. That may cause it to stall.

Please include the newly-created C:\ComboFix.txt in your next reply, and let me know how things are running now

[jim1464]

D-Fred,

Thanks again for your assistance. Response has improved, but I don't know if there is more to be done. I have attached the output file from Combo Fix as requested and await your reply. I'm willing to continue if you see any other issues that need addressed.

ComboFix.txt

[D-FRED-BROWN]

Looking good.

Let's run an online scan to verify that there's no traces left that we may have missed:

Please run a free online scan with the ESET Online Scanner

Note: You will need to use Internet Explorer for this scan.

1. Tick the box next to YES, I accept the Terms of Use.
   
2. Click Start
   
3. When asked, allow the ActiveX control to install
   
4. Click Start
   
5. Make sure that the options Remove found threats is Unchecked and the option Scan unwanted applications is checked
   
6. Click Scan
   Wait for the scan to finish
   
7. Use Notepad to open the logfile located at C:\Program Files\EsetOnlineScanner\log.txt
   
8. Copy and paste that log as a reply to this topic
   

Please post that log in your next reply, and let me know how things go .

[jim1464]

D-Fred,

Thanks again! The ESET log file is enclosed. Please advise of further instructions.

Regards,

Jim1464

log.txt

[D-FRED-BROWN]

Your logs appear to be clean!

Before we move on, let's update some of your programs.

Program updates are a crucial step in preventing malware, as outdated applications are often used by the cybercriminals to gain a foothold on your system.

First,

You're using an old version of Adobe Acrobat Reader, this can leave your PC open to vulnerabilities, you can update it here (uninstall version 7.0 first):

Adobe Reader X

Note: I suggest you uncheck an optional, third-party download (eg. McAfee Security Scan Plus).

After successfully installing Adobe Reader X, see this article on how to make this program more secure: Adobe Reader X secures itself by playing in the sandbox.

-----------

Your Flash Player is out of date!

To make sure you have the latest version of Adobe Flash Player installed:

1. To uninstall an older version, visit this link: uninstall_flash_player.exe

2. Quit ALL running applications, including all Internet Explorer or other browser windows, and messenger applications (like AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger).

3. Double-click on the file you've downloaded to uninstall Flash.

4. If uninstalled successfully, go to this site: Install Adobe Flash Player, and choose Agree and install now. This will install the newest version of Flash for your browser (note: Flash plugins for IE and Firefox must be installed separately).

Note: I recommend you uncheck an optional install (Free McAfee Security Scan or Free Google Toolbar).

-----------

Let me know how the program updates go, as failed updates may be a sign of additional malware.

[jim1464]

D-Fred,

Instructions completed. No difficulties or errors encountered. However, I was checking the event viewer. Under applications, when I attempt to change the sort or scroll quickly, I get an error indicating that the log file is corrupt. If I close and re-open the log file reappears, but the same actions result in another error indicating the log file is corrupt. Should I attempt to delete this log file and start a fresh one?

Once again, thanks for your assistance!

Jim1464

[D-FRED-BROWN]

Should I attempt to delete this log file and start a fresh one?

Sure. I think it's just a minor error- starting a new one should fix it.

Once again, thanks for your assistance!

No problem!

Unless there are any further issues, I will now provide you with some suggestions for security software.

First, let's remove ComboFix:

The following will implement some cleanup procedures as well as reset System Restore points:

Click Start > Run and copy/paste the following bolded text into the Run box and click OK:

ComboFix /Uninstall

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Please consider using these ideas to help secure your computer. While there is no way to guarantee safety when you use a computer, these steps will make it much less likely that you will need to endure another infection. While we really like to help people, we would rather help you protect yourself so that you won't need that help in the future.

Please either enable Automatic Updates under Start -> Control Panel -> Automatic Updates or get into the habit of checking Windows Update regularly. They usually have security updates every month. You can set Windows to notify you of Updates so that you can choose, but only do this if you believe you are able to understand which ones are needed. This is a crucial security measure.

It is really dangerous to go online without an antivirus. Without one, you are extremely likely to get infected and the consequences could be even worse next time. All of the following are excellent free antiviruses. Be sure to only install one.

avast!.

AntiVir

AVG

Please consider installing and running some of the following programs; they are either free or have free versions of commercial programs:

Spybot-Search & Destroy

A tutorial on using Spybot to remove spyware from your computer may be found here. Please also remember to enable Spybot's "Immunize" and "TeaTimer" features if you don't have the resident part of another anti-spyware program running.

SpywareBlaster

A tutorial on using SpywareBlaster to prevent malware from ever installing on your computer may be found here.

SpywareGuard

A tutorial on using SpywareGuard for real-time protection against spyware and hijackers may be found here.

Please, consider maintaining a firewall with HIPS (Host Intrusion Prevention Systems). Firewalls are extremely important and are the first part of your computer's defense. HIPS stops malware by monitoring its behavior and it's very important, too.

A firewall is a software program or piece of hardware that helps screen out hackers, viruses, and worms that try to reach your computer over the Internet.

If you are using the Windows Firewall please note that it doesn't monitor or block outbound traffic and is therefore less effective than other free alternatives.

These firewalls are good and do have free versions available

• Outpost Firewall Free
  
• Online Armor Firewall

A tutorial on understanding and using firewalls may be found here.

If you use Internet Explorer, it is a good idea to use IE-Spyad for ZonedOut which provides protections against malicious websites. (Requires 2 downloads)

Please keep these programs up-to-date and run them whenever you suspect a problem to prevent malware problems. A number of programs have resident protection and it is a good idea to run the resident protection of one of each type of program to maintain protection. However, it is important to run only one resident program of each type since they can conflict and become less effective. That means only one antivirus, firewall and scanning anti-spyware program at a time. Passive protectors, like SpywareBlaster and IE-Spyad can be run with any of them.

Note that there are a lot of rogue programs out there that want to scare you into giving them your money and some malware actually claims to be security programs. If you get a popup for a security program that you did not install yourself, do NOT click on it and ask for help immediately. It is very important to run an antivirus and firewall, but you can't always rely on reviews and ads for information. Ask in a security forum that you trust if you are not sure. If you are unsure and looking for anti-spyware programs, you can find out if it is a rogue here:

http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

A similar category of programs is now called "scareware." Scareware programs are active infections that will pop-up on your computer and tell you that you are infected. If you look closely, it will usually have a name that looks like it might be legitimate, but it is NOT one of the programs you installed. It tells you to click and install it right away. If you click on any part of it, including the 'X' to close it, you may actually help it infect your computer further. Keeping protection updated and running resident protection can help prevent these infections. If it happens anyway, get offline as quickly as you can. Pull the internet connection cable or shut down the computer if you have to. Contact someone to help by using another computer if possible. These programs are also sometimes called 'rogues', but they are different than the older version of rogues mentioned above.

Please consider using an alternate browser. Mozilla's Firefox browser is a very good alternative. In addition to being generally more secure than Internet Explorer, it has a very good built-in popup blocker and add-ons, like NoScripts, can make it even more secure. Opera is another good option.

If you are interested, Firefox may be downloaded from here

Opera is available here: http://www.opera.com/download/

For much more useful information, please also read Tony Klein's excellent article: How did I get infected in the first place

Hopefully these steps will help to keep you error free. If you run into more difficulty, we will certainly do what we can to help.

[D-FRED-BROWN]

Glad to hear things are well! If you have any other questions or concerns, don't hesitate to ask.

Otherwise, I will have this thread closed. You can still reach me by private message here on the site if you need anything.

Kind regards,

-DFB

[Maurice Naggar]

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 thread 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. Thanks!