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Help removing pupoptional


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  • Root Admin

Hello and :welcome:
If you've not already done so please start here and post back the 2 log files DDS.txt and Attach.txt

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
.




Before we proceed further, please read all of the following instructions carefully.
If there is anything that you do not understand kindly ask before proceeding.
If needed please print out these instructions.
  • Please do not post logs using CODE, QUOTE, or FONT tags. Just paste them as direct text.
  • If the log is too large then you can use attachments by clicking on the More Reply Options button.
  • Please enable your system to show hidden files: How to see hidden files in Windows
  • Make sure you're subscribed to this topic:
    • Click on the Follow This Topic Button (at the top right of this page), make sure that the Receive notification box is checked and that it is set to Instantly

    [*]Removing malware can be unpredictable...It is unlikely but things can go very wrong! Please make sure you Backup all files that cannot be replaced if something were to happen. You can copy them to a CD/DVD, external drive or a pen drive [*]Please don't run any other scans, download, install or uninstall any programs unless requested by me while I'm working with you. [*]The removal of malware is not instantaneous, please be patient. Often we are also on a different Time Zone. [*]Perform everything in the correct order. Sometimes one step requires the previous one. [*]If you have any problems while following my instructions, Stop there and tell me the exact nature of the issue. [*]When we are done, I'll give you instructions on how to cleanup all the tools and logs [*]Please stick with me until I give you the "all clear" and Please don't waste my time by leaving before that. [*]Your topic will be closed if you haven't replied within 3 days [*](If I have not responded within 24 hours, please send me a Private Message as a reminder)



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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  • Root Admin

Part of your issue is due to downloading and using programs like these.  Just about anything with the word FREE in the actual program title is often laced with add-on software for advertising and marketing that sooner or later can help lead you to get infected.  Always keep a skeptical eye for software like that and upload it to VirusTotal to have it scanned before installing and even then make sure you always do a custom install and do not install add-on junk.

 

Free CD to MP3 Converter
Free Video Joiner
Freecorder

 

I see a lot of install history for AVG antivirus.  It would probably be a good idea to do a clean removal of AVG and then reinstall it fresh.

You can go here for a manual removal tool to help with cleaning out old AVG software

List of Uninstaller Tools

 

Please run MBAM and check for updates and then do a Quick Scan and post back the new log.

 

Then let me know how the computer is running now and if there are still any signs of an infection.

 

Thanks

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Have removed and then reinstalled AVG. Updated MBAM and then did a quick scan - came up clean - log attached.

 

a) My regime until the current problems had been to update MBAM and run a full scan/clean on a once a week basis.  This moved to daily when I started getting problems.  Is this about sensible?

b) Would you advise deleting those Free*** bits of software - or is it pointless now?

 

Thanks for your help - what next

 

Nick6429

mbam-log-2013-08-14 (22-37-18).txt

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  • Root Admin

For the most part all of the "add-on" junk has been neutralized by our scanning and cleaning so probably not too much point unless they have the ability to download more junk on their own when you run them.

 

Next, download Security Check 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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  • Root Admin

No, that is basically just a temporary file in your browsing cache.

 

If you were using the paid version of MBAM it would certainly help prevent infections but there is no 100% foolproof way to prevent infections - some of these also have to do with what sites you visit and what you download.

 

You may want to look into using Firefox with NoScript and AdBlock Plus   -  User complain it's difficult to get used to and to train the program but once you take the time to do so you'll notice that it is now very difficult to infect the computer with just that change alone.

 

You should read up on the information presented here as well.

Best Practices for Safe Computing - Prevention of Malware Infection

 

 

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Sorry to have gone quiet - wedding (daughter not me) now done and dusted and I am knackered but back focusing on the machine.

Was thinking of moving to FireFox - so will do.  I think you are saying the scans have not picked up any long lasting  machine infection so keep monitoring and cleaning.  What is the difference with MBAM purchased ?

I guess next step is to clear out all the temporary scanning bits of software - any advice or is it just uninstall via Windows add and remove?

Cheers

Nick6429

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  • Root Admin

Malwarebytes PRO provide real time protection as well as automated updates and scanning.  Currently comes with a lifetime license for consumer home use.

 

http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_pro/

 

At this time there are no more signs of an infection on your system.
However if you are still seeing any signs of an infection please let me know.

Let's go ahead and remove the tools and logs we've used during this process.

Most of the tools used are potentially dangerous to use unsupervised or if ran at the wrong time.
They are often updated daily so if you went to use them again in the future they would be outdated anyways.

The following procedures will implement some cleanup procedures to remove these tools.
It will also reset your System Restore by flushing out previous restore points and create a new restore point.
It will also remove all the backups our tools may have created.

Uninstall ComboFix (if used):

  • Turn off all active protection software including your antivirus.
  • Push the "Windows key" + "R" (between the "Ctrl" button and "Alt" Button)
  • Please copy and past the following into the box ComboFix /Uninstall and click OK.
  • Note the space between the X and the /Uninstall, it needs to be there.

CF-Uninstall.png

Remove the rest of the tools used:



Please download OTCleanIt and save it to your Desktop. This tool will remove all the tools we used to clean your pc.

  • Double-click OTCleanIt.exe.
  • Click the CleanUp! button.
  • Select Yes when the "Begin cleanup Process?" prompt appears.
  • If you are prompted to Reboot during the cleanup, select Yes.
  • The tool will delete itself once it finishes, if not go ahead and delete it by yourself.
  • If asked to restart the computer, please do so

Note: If you receive a warning from your firewall or other security programs regarding OTCleanIt attempting to contact the internet, please allow it to do so.

AdwCleaner Removal:


  • Double click on AdwCleaner.exe to run the tool.
  • Click on Uninstall
  • Confirm with Yes

ESET antivirus Removal:


  • This tool can be uninstalled via the Control Panel, Programs, Uninstall

If there are any other left over Folders, Files, Logs then you can delete them on your own.

Please visit the following link to see how to delete old System Restore Points. Please delete all of them and create a new one at this time.
How to Delete System Protection Restore Points in Windows 7 and Windows 8

Remove all but the most recent Restore Point on Windows XP


As Java seems to get exploited on a regular basis I advise not using Java if possible but to at least disable java in your web browsers
How do I disable Java in my web browser? - Disable Java

Please read the following articles which will help you to better understand how the computer may have become infected as well as how to help prevent future infections. Nothing is 100% bulletproof but with a little bit of education you can certainly swing things in your favor.

If you're not currently using Malwarebytes PRO then you may want to consider purchasing the product which can also help greatly reduce the risk of a future infection.
 

 

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  • Root Admin

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!

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