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I'm infected with PUP.Optional.SearchProtect.A and unable to boot normally after running malwarebytes.

Duecez

By Duecez
in Resolved Malware Removal Logs

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Duecez

Duecez

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Hello. My computer had been experiencing some unusual slowness after I downloaded a codec program a while ago. I did a scan and it seemed I got rid of the infection. However, today my computer was acting odd again so I ran a flash scan. It found about 60 infected objects "PUP.Optional.SearchProtect.A". I hit remove and restarted my PC. When it restarted it went to a black screen but I was able to see my cursor.

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AdvancedSetup

AdvancedSetup

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Hello and :welcome:

Please run the following steps and post back all the logs as ATTACHMENTS by clicking on the More Reply Options button.
Please don't put logs in code or quote tags or copy/paste them into your reply unless you're unable to attach them.
Please enable your system to show hidden files: How to see hidden files in Windows

P2P/Piracy Warning:

  • If you're using Peer 2 Peer software such as uTorrent, BitTorrent or similar you must either fully uninstall them or completely disable them from running while being assisted here.
  • Failure to remove or disable such software will result in your topic being closed and no further assistance being provided.
  • If you have illegal/cracked software, cracks, keygens etc. on the system, please remove or uninstall them now and read the policy on Piracy.


STEP 01
Backup the Registry:
Modifying the Registry can create unforeseen problems, so it always wise to create a backup before doing so.

  • Please download ERUNT from one of the following links: Link1 | Link2 | Link3
  • ERUNT (Emergency Recovery Utility NT) is a free program that allows you to keep a complete backup of your registry and restore it when needed.
  • Double click on erunt-setup.exe to Install ERUNT by following the prompts.
  • NOTE: Do not choose to allow ERUNT to add an Entry to the Startup folder. Click NO.
  • Start ERUNT either by double clicking on the desktop icon or choosing to start the program at the end of the setup process.
  • Choose a location for the backup.
    • Note: the default location is C:\Windows\ERDNT which is acceptable.

    [*]Make sure that at least the first two check boxes are selected. [*]Click on OK [*]Then click on YES to create the folder. [*]Note: if it is necessary to restore the registry, open the backup folder and start ERDNT.exe


STEP 02
Please download RogueKiller and save it to your desktop.

You can check here if you're not sure if your computer is 32-bit or 64-bit

  • RogueKiller 32-bit | RogueKiller 64-bit
  • Quit all running programs.
  • For Windows XP, double-click to start.
  • For Vista,Windows 7/8, Right-click on the program and select Run as Administrator to start and when prompted allow it to run.
  • Read and accept the EULA (End User Licene Agreement)
  • Click Scan to scan the system.
  • When the scan completes Close the program > Don't Fix anything!
  • Don't run any other options, they're not all bad!!
  • Post back the report which should be located on your desktop.


STEP 03
Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit from here

  • Unzip the contents to a folder in a convenient location.
  • Open the folder where the contents were unzipped and run mbar.exe
  • Follow the instructions in the wizard to update and allow the program to scan your computer for threats.
  • Click on the Cleanup button to remove any threats and reboot if prompted to do so.
  • Wait while the system shuts down and the cleanup process is performed.
  • Perform another scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit to verify that no threats remain. If they do, then click Cleanup once more and repeat the process.
  • When done, please post the two logs produced they will be in the MBAR folder... mbar-log.txt and system-log.txt

STEP 04
Please download Junkware Removal Tool to your desktop.
  • Shutdown your antivirus to avoid any conflicts.
  • Right click over JRT.exe and select Run as administrator on Windows Vista or Windows 7, double-click on XP.
  • The tool will open and start scanning your system.
  • Please be patient as this can take a while to complete.
  • On completion, a log (JRT.txt) is saved to your desktop and will automatically open.
  • Post the contents of JRT.txt into your next reply message
  • When completed make sure to re-enable your antivirus


STEP 05
Please download AdwCleaner by Xplode to your desktop.

  • Close all open programs and internet browsers.
  • Double click on AdwCleaner.exe to run the tool.
  • If prompted by the User Account Control click Yes to allow it to run.
  • Under Actions click on the Delete button.
  • Click OK on all prompts.
  • You will be prompted to restart your computer. A text file will open after the restart.
  • Please post the entire contents of that logfile to your next reply.
  • You can find the logfile at C:\AdwCleaner[s1].txt where the number in brackets indicates how often it was run.


STEP 06
button_eos.gif

Please go here to run the online antivirus scannner from ESET.
  • Turn off the real time scanner of any existing antivirus program while performing the online scan
  • Tick the box next to YES, I accept the Terms of Use.
  • Click Start
  • When asked, allow the activex control to install
  • Click Start
  • Make sure that the option Remove found threats is unticked
  • Click on Advanced Settings and ensure these options are ticked:
    • Scan for potentially unwanted applications
    • Scan for potentially unsafe applications
    • Enable Anti-Stealth Technology

    [*]Click Scan [*]Wait for the scan to finish [*]If any threats were found, click the 'List of found threats' , then click Export to text file.... [*]Save it to your desktop, then please copy and paste that log as a reply to this topic.



STEP 07
Please download the Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to your desktop.

Note: You need to run the version compatibale with your system. You can check here if you're not sure if your computer is 32-bit or 64-bit

  • Double-click to run it. When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
  • Press the Scan button.
  • It will make a log (FRST.txt) in the same directory the tool is run. Please copy and paste it to your reply.
  • The first time the tool is run, it also makes another log (Addition.txt). Please attach it to your reply as well.


 

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Duecez

Duecez

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Just want to let you guys know I am having the same infection. In addition to slowness I am having MBAM block "rubyw.exe" which constantly tries to connect to an IP MBAM doesn't like. Should I go through the same steps as OP?

 

I haven't seen rubyw.exe on my PC nor is Malwarebytes trying to block any sites for me. I'd say that you should probably make your own thread since it sounds a bit different than what I'm experiencing. Good luck!

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AdvancedSetup

AdvancedSetup

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Please visit this webpage and read the ComboFix User's Guide:

  • Once you've read the article and are ready to use the program you can download it directly from the link below.
  • Important! - Please make sure you save combofix to your desktop and do not run it from your browser
  • Direct download link for: ComboFix.exe
  • Please make sure you disable your security applications before running ComboFix.
  • Once Combofix has completed it will produce and open a log file.  Please be patient as it can take some time to load.
  • Please attach that log file to your next reply.
  • If needed the file can be located here:  C:\combofix.txt
  • NOTE: If you receive the message "illegal operation has been attempted on a registry key that has been marked for deletion", just reboot the computer.


 

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Duecez

Duecez

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Alright, I ran it it and once it was done it restarted my PC. Surprisingly it booted in the normal mode but after it was done generating the log the message "illegal operation has been attempted on a registry key that has been marked for deletion" came up when I started a program. I restarted like you advised but then it went back to a black screen with a cursor instead of to the login screen. I'm back in safe mode with networking now.

ComboFix.txt

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AdvancedSetup

AdvancedSetup

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Well part of the issue is that it shows you did not disable your antivirus as requested.

Please disable your antivirus and set it to manual restart if possible so that it does not come back on until you tell it to.

Then turn your computer OFF.  Then unplug the power from it for 2 minutes.
Then plug the power back in and turn the computer back on and let me know if it will now start back in Normal Mode or not.
 

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Duecez

Duecez

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Well part of the issue is that it shows you did not disable your antivirus as requested.

Please disable your antivirus and set it to manual restart if possible so that it does not come back on until you tell it to.

Then turn your computer OFF.  Then unplug the power from it for 2 minutes.

Then plug the power back in and turn the computer back on and let me know if it will now start back in Normal Mode or not.

 

 

It said that Avast was enabled, however I uninstalled that a few months ago and switched to Microsoft Security Essentials. I completely uninstalled it at the time, and it isn't listed in the control panel program list. Looking in program files there is a folder for Avast, but it only contained log files, no programs. I deleted that folder and am trying again now.

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AdvancedSetup

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Okay - Please create a new System Restore Point

 

Then run the following antivirus scanner.  Make sure you disable your current antivirus while running this one.

 

 

dr_web_cureit_zpse80d87bf.jpg

  • Please download Dr.Web CureIt! antivirus and save it to your computer. The file size is in excess of 100MB
  • NOTE: Free usage of Dr.Web CureIt! for business purposes is illegal.
  • Internet Explorer may show a warning when downloading - the file is safe to download from the provided link.
  • Shutdown your antivirus to avoid any conflicts while scanning.
  • Once the scans have completed please re-enable your antivirus.
  • If using Malwarebytes Anti-Malware PRO you can right click over the tray icon and disable the Protection Modules
  • If needed you can also temporarily disable it from starting with Windows
  • Temporarily turn off any other security add-ons or applications you may also have.
  • Once you have downloaded Dr.Web CureIt! you should right click over it and choose Properties and verify it has a Digital Signature.
  • If it does not have a Digital Signature then do not run it.
  • Close all open programs including all Web browsers and then double-click on drweb-cureit.exe to start the installer.
  • You should have your User Account Control (UAC) enabled for improved security and which should then produce a dialog box asking for approval to run the installer.
  • Click on the Yes button to start the installer.
  • Click OK to scan your computer in the Enhanced Protection Mode
  • Click on the check box to agree to participate in their software improvement program.
  • Then if needed choose your Language by clicking on the small globe like icon in the upper right corner by the wrench.
  • Then click on the Continue button and then click on the Select objects for scanning link just below the "Start scanning" button.
  • Place a check mark on all the items except for Temporary files and System restore points - those items should not have a check mark on them.
  • Then click on the Start scanning button.
  • If a threat is found you can click on the Action column in the program.
  • Your options will be Cure or Ignore
  • If you see an item that you are absolutely sure is OK, then un-check the check box for that item, otherwise keep it on Cure.
  • Then click on the Neutralize button.
  • Once completed click on the green Open Report link. It will open the report in NOTEPAD
  • Save the report to your desktop. The report will be called Cureit.log
  • Close Dr.Web Cureit!
  • Reboot your computer to allow files that were in use to be moved/deleted during reboot.
  • After reboot, attach the log Cureit.log you saved previously in your next reply.
  • Re-Enable your antivirus and other security programs when all done.

 

 

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Duecez

Duecez

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Earlier today before I saw your post I was running in normal mode on the same boot from after combofix. I was on the Internet and closed a tab in Chrome and my PC froze. A few seconds after it froze it sounded as if all of the fans inside went on full blast. I put this PC together myself two years ago and have never experienced anything like it. I then manually powered it off and waited a few minutes.

After I rebooted it came up with a black screen and cursor again. I rebooted Gain and it prompted me to begin a startup repair. thos ran for roughly five hour, but the. The power went out for a moment... After this I rebooted once more and it is now running chkdsk. It finished scanning but is now in the process of "replacing invalid security id with default security for file". I knew that chckdsk takes a long time to scan so I left the room. I came back maybe 45 minutes later to see that it was replacing invalid security I'd with default security for file 820000 (It was somewhere in the 820000 range.) it has been a few hours now and it is in the 1,000,000 range. If it boots correctly what should I do? Just follow the post from sevenforums? If it doesn't what should I do?

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AdvancedSetup

AdvancedSetup

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Actually it sounds like the hard drive is simply bad and that is what's probably been causing you so many issues.  Hopefully you have your data backed up as you probably will have trouble getting much data off of the drive.

 

I would probably shut it down manually and then slave the drive to another working computer and see what you can salvage from it data wise.

 

Get a new hard drive and reinstall Windows

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