Ransomware that Won't go Away

[brenmaha]

Still there.

 

ComboFix 13-08-07.01 - Brian 08/07/2013  15:32:00.6.2 - x86

Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Premium   6.0.6002.2.1252.1.1033.18.2038.877 [GMT -4:00]

Running from: c:\users\Brian\Desktop\ComboFix.exe

AV: AVG Anti-Virus Free *Disabled/Updated* {5A2746B1-DEE9-F85A-FBCD-ADB11639C5F0}

SP: AVG Anti-Virus Free *Disabled/Updated* {E146A755-F8D3-F7D4-C17D-96C36DBE8F4D}

SP: Windows Defender *Disabled/Outdated* {D68DDC3A-831F-4fae-9E44-DA132C1ACF46}

 * Created a new restore point

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(((((((((((((((((((((((((   Files Created from 2013-07-07 to 2013-08-07  )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

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2013-08-07 19:39 . 2013-08-07 19:39 -------- d-----w- c:\users\Guest\AppData\Local\temp

2013-08-07 19:39 . 2013-08-07 19:39 -------- d-----w- c:\users\Default\AppData\Local\temp

2013-08-07 18:51 . 2013-08-07 18:51 12872 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\bootdelete.exe

2013-08-07 18:44 . 2013-08-07 18:52 -------- d-----w- c:\programdata\HitmanPro

2013-08-07 16:57 . 2013-08-07 16:57 -------- d-----w- c:\program files\FileOpenerPro

2013-08-07 14:42 . 2013-08-07 19:39 -------- d-----w- c:\users\Brian\AppData\Local\temp

2013-08-06 17:23 . 2013-08-06 17:23 -------- d-----w- C:\_OTL

2013-08-06 15:04 . 2013-08-06 15:04 -------- d-----w- c:\program files\ESET

2013-08-06 14:33 . 2013-08-06 17:38 228 ----a-w- c:\windows\DeleteOnReboot.bat

2013-08-05 23:52 . 2013-08-05 23:52 -------- d-----w- C:\FRST

2013-08-05 20:16 . 2013-08-05 20:16 31560 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\drivers\mbamchameleon.sys

2013-08-04 23:56 . 2013-08-04 23:56 -------- d-----w- c:\users\Guest\AppData\Roaming\Malwarebytes

2013-08-04 22:14 . 2013-08-04 22:14 -------- d-----w- c:\users\Brian\AppData\Roaming\Malwarebytes

2013-08-04 22:13 . 2013-08-04 22:13 -------- d-----w- c:\programdata\Malwarebytes

2013-08-04 22:13 . 2013-04-04 18:50 22856 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\drivers\mbam.sys

2013-08-04 22:13 . 2013-08-04 22:13 -------- d-----w- c:\program files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

2013-08-03 19:13 . 2013-08-06 16:52 -------- d-----w- c:\users\Guest\AppData\Local\7-Zip

2013-07-22 17:07 . 2013-08-05 15:30 -------- d-----w- c:\users\Guest\AppData\Roaming\.minecraft

2013-07-10 19:29 . 2013-06-04 01:50 2049024 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\win32k.sys

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((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((   Find3M Report   ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

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2013-08-02 01:23 . 2012-08-29 15:08 37664 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\drivers\avgtpx86.sys

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.

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((   Reg Loading Points   ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

.

.

*Note* empty entries & legit default entries are not shown 

REGEDIT4

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[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

"ehTray.exe"="c:\windows\ehome\ehTray.exe" [2008-01-21 125952]

"Sidebar"="c:\program files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe" [2009-04-11 1233920]

"MtdAcqu"="c:\program files\Creative\MediaSource5\MtdAcqu.exe" [2006-03-08 278528]

"swg"="c:\program files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe" [2008-08-24 39408]

"WMPNSCFG"="c:\program files\Windows Media Player\WMPNSCFG.exe" [2008-01-21 202240]

"SoftAuto.exe"="c:\program files\Creative\Software Update 3\SoftAuto.exe" [2008-08-13 405504]

.

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

"IgfxTray"="c:\windows\system32\igfxtray.exe" [2007-04-04 138008]

"HotKeysCmds"="c:\windows\system32\hkcmd.exe" [2007-04-04 154392]

"Persistence"="c:\windows\system32\igfxpers.exe" [2007-04-04 133912]

"IAAnotif"="c:\program files\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\Iaanotif.exe" [2007-10-03 178712]

"SynTPEnh"="c:\program files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe" [2006-11-17 815104]

"Camera Assistant Software"="c:\program files\Camera Assistant Software for Gateway\traybar.exe" [2007-09-13 638976]

"WinampAgent"="c:\program files\Winamp\winampa.exe" [2008-08-03 36352]

"QuickTime Task"="c:\program files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" [2009-01-05 413696]

"iTunesHelper"="c:\program files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe" [2009-01-06 290088]

"SigmatelSysTrayApp"="sttray.exe" [2007-07-27 405504]

"Adobe Reader Speed Launcher"="c:\program files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe" [2010-06-20 35760]

"Adobe ARM"="c:\program files\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe" [2010-06-09 976832]

"AVG9_TRAY"="c:\progra~1\AVG\AVG9\avgtray.exe" [2012-01-26 2077536]

"TkBellExe"="c:\program files\Real\RealPlayer\Update\realsched.exe" [2011-02-21 273544]

"SunJavaUpdateSched"="c:\program files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe" [2010-10-29 249064]

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c:\users\Guest\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\

OneNote 2007 Screen Clipper and Launcher.lnk - c:\program files\Microsoft Office\Office12\ONENOTEM.EXE /tsr [2009-2-26 97680]

.

c:\programdata\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\

HP Digital Imaging Monitor.lnk - c:\program files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe [2007-10-14 214360]

.

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\policies\system]

"EnableUIADesktopToggle"= 0 (0x0)

.

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\windows nt\currentversion\drivers32]

"mixer"=wdmaud.drv

.

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\system\currentcontrolset\control\session manager]

BootExecute REG_MULTI_SZ   autocheck autochk *\0bootdelete

.

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal\hitmanpro37]

@=""

.

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal\hitmanpro37.sys]

@=""

.

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal\HitmanPro37Crusader]

@=""

.

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal\HitmanPro37CrusaderBoot]

@=""

.

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal\WudfSvc]

@="Service"

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--- Other Services/Drivers In Memory ---

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*NewlyCreated* - HITMANPRO37

*NewlyCreated* - TRUESIGHT

*Deregistered* - TrueSight

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[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\windows nt\currentversion\svchost]

HPZ12 REG_MULTI_SZ   Pml Driver HPZ12 Net Driver HPZ12

HPService REG_MULTI_SZ   HPSLPSVC

LocalServiceAndNoImpersonation REG_MULTI_SZ   FontCache

hpdevmgmt REG_MULTI_SZ   hpqcxs08 hpqddsvc

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Contents of the 'Scheduled Tasks' folder

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2013-08-07 c:\windows\Tasks\Google Software Updater.job

- c:\program files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe [2008-08-24 19:28]

.

2013-08-07 c:\windows\Tasks\GoogleUpdateTaskMachineCore.job

- c:\program files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe [2009-12-27 20:57]

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2013-08-07 c:\windows\Tasks\GoogleUpdateTaskMachineUA.job

- c:\program files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe [2009-12-27 20:57]

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------- Supplementary Scan -------

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uInternet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local

IE: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - c:\progra~1\MICROS~3\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000

FF - ProfilePath - c:\users\Brian\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\3p1zvgeq.default\

FF - prefs.js: browser.startup.homepage - google.com

FF - Ext: Default: {972ce4c6-7e08-4474-a285-3208198ce6fd} - c:\program files\Mozilla Firefox\extensions\{972ce4c6-7e08-4474-a285-3208198ce6fd}

FF - Ext: Java Console: {CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0007-ABCDEFFEDCBA} - c:\program files\Mozilla Firefox\extensions\{CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0007-ABCDEFFEDCBA}

FF - Ext: Java Console: {CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0011-ABCDEFFEDCBA} - c:\program files\Mozilla Firefox\extensions\{CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0011-ABCDEFFEDCBA}

FF - Ext: Java Console: {CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0013-ABCDEFFEDCBA} - c:\program files\Mozilla Firefox\extensions\{CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0013-ABCDEFFEDCBA}

FF - Ext: Java Console: {CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0015-ABCDEFFEDCBA} - c:\program files\Mozilla Firefox\extensions\{CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0015-ABCDEFFEDCBA}

FF - Ext: Java Console: {CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0017-ABCDEFFEDCBA} - c:\program files\Mozilla Firefox\extensions\{CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0017-ABCDEFFEDCBA}

FF - Ext: Java Console: {CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0020-ABCDEFFEDCBA} - c:\program files\Mozilla Firefox\extensions\{CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0020-ABCDEFFEDCBA}

FF - Ext: Java Console: {CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0024-ABCDEFFEDCBA} - c:\program files\Mozilla Firefox\extensions\{CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0024-ABCDEFFEDCBA}

FF - Ext: LavaFox V1: info@djzig.com - %profile%\extensions\info@djzig.com

FF - Ext: LogMeIn, Inc. Remote Access Plugin: LogMeInClient@logmein.com - %profile%\extensions\LogMeInClient@logmein.com

FF - Ext: Search Toolbar: searchtoolbar@zugo.com - %profile%\extensions\searchtoolbar@zugo.com

FF - Ext: Zotero: zotero@chnm.gmu.edu - %profile%\extensions\zotero@chnm.gmu.edu

FF - Ext: Microsoft .NET Framework Assistant: {20a82645-c095-46ed-80e3-08825760534b} - %profile%\extensions\{20a82645-c095-46ed-80e3-08825760534b}

FF - Ext: AmbientFox: {c8f71e5b-88f8-42a7-98bb-e4c506161de9} - %profile%\extensions\{c8f71e5b-88f8-42a7-98bb-e4c506161de9}

FF - Ext: Microsoft .NET Framework Assistant: {20a82645-c095-46ed-80e3-08825760534b} - c:\windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v3.5\Windows Presentation Foundation\DotNetAssistantExtension

FF - Ext: AVG Safe Search: {3f963a5b-e555-4543-90e2-c3908898db71} - c:\program files\AVG\AVG9\Firefox

FF - Ext: RealPlayer Browser Record Plugin: {ABDE892B-13A8-4d1b-88E6-365A6E755758} - c:\programdata\Real\RealPlayer\BrowserRecordPlugin\Firefox\Ext

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**************************************************************************

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catchme 0.3.1398 W2K/XP/Vista - rootkit/stealth malware detector by Gmer, http://www.gmer.net

Rootkit scan 2013-08-07 15:39

Windows 6.0.6002 Service Pack 2 NTFS

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scanning hidden processes ...  

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scanning hidden autostart entries ... 

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scanning hidden files ...  

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scan completed successfully

hidden files: 0

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**************************************************************************

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--------------------- LOCKED REGISTRY KEYS ---------------------

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[HKEY_USERS\.Default\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Approved Extensions]

@Denied: (2) (LocalSystem)

"{9D425283-D487-4337-BAB6-AB8354A81457}"=hex:51,66,7a,6c,4c,1d,38,12,ed,51,51,

   99,b5,9a,59,06,c5,a0,e8,c3,51,f6,50,43

"{95B7759C-8C7F-4BF1-B163-73684A933233}"=hex:51,66,7a,6c,4c,1d,38,12,f2,76,a4,

   91,4d,c2,9f,0e,ce,75,30,28,4f,cd,76,27

"{0347C33E-8762-4905-BF09-768834316C61}"=hex:51,66,7a,6c,4c,1d,38,12,50,c0,54,

   07,50,c9,6b,0c,c0,1f,35,c8,31,6f,28,75

"{18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3}"=hex:51,66,7a,6c,4c,1d,38,12,72,0b,cc,

   1c,9f,a6,ed,07,da,80,b9,17,89,70,f9,d7

"{3049C3E9-B461-4BC5-8870-4C09146192CA}"=hex:51,66,7a,6c,4c,1d,38,12,87,c0,5a,

   34,53,fa,ab,0e,f7,66,0f,49,11,3f,d6,de

"{3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0}"=hex:51,66,7a,6c,4c,1d,38,12,7c,f0,b1,

   38,5c,21,3d,0e,d9,78,0d,25,e1,c9,8c,d4

"{AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D}"=hex:51,66,7a,6c,4c,1d,38,12,2d,dd,7a,

   ab,6a,33,56,03,c9,ec,8d,26,b0,f3,64,49

"{CA6319C0-31B7-401E-A518-A07C3DB8F777}"=hex:51,66,7a,6c,4c,1d,38,12,ae,1a,70,

   ce,85,7f,70,05,da,0e,e3,3c,38,e6,b3,63

"{DBC80044-A445-435B-BC74-9C25C1C588A9}"=hex:51,66,7a,6c,4c,1d,38,12,2a,03,db,

   df,77,ea,35,06,c3,62,df,65,c4,9b,cc,bd

"{FFFFFFFF-CF4E-4F2B-BDC2-0E72E116A856}"=hex:51,66,7a,6c,4c,1d,38,12,91,fc,ec,

   fb,7c,81,45,0a,c2,d4,4d,32,e4,48,ec,42

"{555D4D79-4BD2-4094-A395-CFC534424A05}"=hex:51,66,7a,6c,4c,1d,38,12,17,4e,4e,

   51,e0,05,fa,05,dc,83,8c,85,31,1c,0e,11

"{FF059E31-CC5A-4E2E-BF3B-96E929D65503}"=hex:51,66,7a,6c,4c,1d,38,12,5f,9d,16,

   fb,68,82,40,0b,c0,2d,d5,a9,2c,88,11,17

"{BDEADE7F-C265-11D0-BCED-00A0C90AB50F}"=hex:51,66,7a,6c,4c,1d,38,12,11,dd,f9,

   b9,57,8c,be,54,c3,fb,43,e0,cc,54,f1,1b

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[HKEY_USERS\.Default\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ApprovedExtensionsMigration]

@Denied: (2) (LocalSystem)

"Timestamp"=hex:b0,e0,74,b6,4e,26,cd,01

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[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Class\{4D36E96D-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\0000\AllUserSettings]

@Denied: (A) (Users)

@Denied: (A) (Everyone)

@Allowed: (B 1 2 3 4 5) (S-1-5-20)

"BlindDial"=dword:00000000

"MSCurrentCountry"=dword:000000b5

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Completion time: 2013-08-07  15:42:11

ComboFix-quarantined-files.txt  2013-08-07 19:42

ComboFix2.txt  2013-08-07 14:53

ComboFix3.txt  2013-08-06 20:54

ComboFix4.txt  2013-08-06 19:26

ComboFix5.txt  2013-08-07 19:30

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Pre-Run: 28,827,095,040 bytes free

Post-Run: 28,695,801,856 bytes free

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- - End Of File - - 503D6A8BE1841EA2F1A6FBA22C2FA018

5C616939100B85E558DA92B899A0FC36

[D-FRED-BROWN]

What happens if you try to delete it manually? Does it still reappear?

[D-FRED-BROWN]

Also, please do this:

 

Please download SystemLook from one of the links below and save it to your Desktop.
Download Mirror #1
Download Mirror #2

• Double-click SystemLook.exe to run it.
• Copy the content of the following codebox into the main textfield:
  

  :filefindwmdefender.exe

• Click the Look button to start the scan.
• When finished, a notepad window will open with the results of the scan. Please post this log in your next reply.
  

Note: The log can also be found at on your Desktop entitled SystemLook.txt
 

[brenmaha]

I haven't tried to delete it.

 

do you want me to delete first or do your last request first?

[D-FRED-BROWN]

Try deleting it, then move on to SystemLook

[brenmaha]

It did delete (and I emptied the recycle bin).

 

SystemLook 30.07.11 by jpshortstuff

Log created at 16:00 on 07/08/2013 by Brian

Administrator - Elevation successful

 

========== filefind ==========

 

Searching for "wmdefender.exe"

No files found.

 

-= EOF =-

[D-FRED-BROWN]

Go ahead and reboot- after rebooting, has it reappeared?

[brenmaha]

I rebooted and it did not return. 

 

If I make a paypal donation does that $ go to you or malwarebytes?  Just curious, but I have been uber grateful for your prompt and thorough help!

 

Brenda

[D-FRED-BROWN]

 

If I make a paypal donation does that $ go to you or malwarebytes?  Just curious, but I have been uber grateful for your prompt and thorough help!

It goes to my personal account. (I'm not employed by Malwarebytes.)

 

----------------

 

Things look good. Judging by your last few logs, I'd say your system is clean.

Before we move on, please take the time to install the following updates. Program updates are a critical part of your computer's safety net, as outdated applications leave you vulnerable to malware.

 

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Java is out of date and older versions contain vulnerabilities. Please update to the newest version.

Download the newest version from here http://java.com/en/download/index.jsp.

It's important to remove older versions of Java since it does not do so automatically and old versions still leave you vulnerable.

Go to Start > Control Panel and open Add or Remove Programs.

Search in the list for all previous installed versions of Java. (J2SE Runtime Environment).  

They will have this icon next to them: 

Select each in turn and click Remove.

Once old versions are gone, please install the newest version.

 

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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).

 

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Your version of Adobe Reader is out of date. Older versions have vulnerabilities that malicious sites can use to exploit and infect your system. Please follow these steps to remove older version Adobe components and update:

• Download the latest version of Adobe Reader and save it to your desktop.
• Uncheck the "Free McAfee Security plan Plus" option or any other Toolbar you are offered
• Click the download button at the bottom.
• If you use Internet Explorer and do not wish to install the ActiveX element, simply click on the click here to download link on the next page.
• Remove all older version of Adobe Reader: Go to Add/remove and uninstall all versions of Adobe Reader, Acrobat Reader and Adobe Acrobat.

  If you are unsure of how to use Add or Remove Programs, the please see this tutorial:How To Remove An Installed Program From Your Computer

• Then from your desktop double-click on Adobe Reader to install the newest version.

  If using Windows Vista and the installer refuses to launch due to insufficient user permissions, then Run As Administrator.

• When the "Adobe Setup - Welcome" window opens, click the Install > button.
• If offered to install a Toolbar, just uncheck the box before continuing unless you want it.

---------

 

Firefox is out of date.  Using an outdated version of a web browser leaves you extremely vulnerable to malware!

Please visit Mozilla site  and update it to the latest version.

 

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Your Thunderbird is out of date. Be sure to download and install the latest version from Mozilla's site here: http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/

 

---------

 

Please let me know how the updates went, as failed updates may be due to malware.

[brenmaha]

dfred,

Everything updated without incident. 

thank you for your help, please look for a "tip" in your paypal ater tonight for all of your "tips" and help! you were very thorough, responsive, and patient!

Best,

Brenda

[D-FRED-BROWN]

Thank you, I appreciate it.

 

----------

 

Glad to hear the updates went successfully!

Unless there are any other issues, I will now provide you with some steps to better protect your computer.

First, we need to 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

-------------------

Let's remove OTL and the other tools we used as well:

• Reopen on your desktop.
• Click on
• You will be prompted to reboot your system. Please do so.

-------------------

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
Microsoft Security Essentials

-------------------

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.

-------------------

Please keep your security 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.

-------------------

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.spywarewa...nti-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.

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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/

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For 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.

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I would grateful if you could reply to this post so that I know you have read it and, if you have no other questions, the thread can then be closed.

I will leave the thread open for a few more days. If you need anything, just come back here and let me know. After that time you will have to send me a PM.
 

Regards,

-dfb

[brenmaha]

Thanks!  I will make sure we get all of that done!

I very much appreciate all of the help/guidance!
Brenda

[brenmaha]

Hi dfred,

we took care of all of the above.  I sent a paypal tip, please advise if you received it!
Thanks again and I hope I never need your service, but it's good to know you and malwarebytes are just an internet click away!
Brenda

[AdvancedSetup]

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!