Windows Safety Master - RemVimes doesn't stop it

[Jimcat]

I have a computer that recently got infested with Windows Safety Master. I googled the issue and tried the instructions at BleepingComputer.org, which usually has good advice. The guide instructed me to download the RemVimes registry file and run it from safe mode. Unfortunately, after doing this, I reboot the computer and Windows Safety Master still comes up when I go back to a normal Windows login.

 

Any advice on dealing with this unusually persistent instance of malware will be appreciated.

[MrCharlie]

Welcome to the forum, please start HERE

Post back the 2 logs here.....DDS.txt and Attach.txt (DDS won't run on W8)

(please don't put logs in code or quotes and use the default font)

(Please don't forget to run the RogueKiller scan below)

General P2P/Piracy Warning:

1. If you're using Peer 2 Peer software such uTorrent, BitTorrent or similar you must either fully uninstall it or completely disable it 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.

2. If you have illegal/cracked software, cracks, keygens, custom (Adobe) host file, etc. on the system, please remove or uninstall them now and read the policy on Piracy.

Failure to remove such software will result in your topic being closed and no further assistance being provided.

<====><====><====><====><====><====><====><====>

Next................

Please download and run RogueKiller 32 bit to your desktop.

RogueKiller<---use this one for 64 bit systems

Which system am I using?

Quit all running programs.

For Windows XP, double-click to start.

For Vista or Windows 7-8, do a right-click on the program, select Run as Administrator to start, & when prompted Allow to run.

Click Scan to scan the system.

When the scan completes > Close out 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.

(please don't put logs in code or quotes and use the default font)

MrC

Note:

Please read all of my instructions completely including these.

Make sure system restore is turned on and running, please create a new restore point

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...unlikely but things can go very wrong! Backup any files that cannot be replaced. 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 while I'm working with you.

<+>The removal of malware isn't instantaneous, please be patient.

<+>When we are done, I'll give to 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 don't respond within 24 hours, please send me a PM)

[Jimcat]

Thank you, I will start working on this tomorrow morning.

[MrCharlie]

OK...MrC

[Jimcat]

I followed the link at the top of your post and I am unable to follow the directions literally. It seems to be a general script that assumes that one is able to download and run any program from Windows. But this is not the case for my infected computer. I think this will need some more analysis that is specific to my exact situation.

 

1. I already have a copy of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. But I am unable to run this, or any other program, from a normal Windows login because the Windows Safety Master program keeps me from running anything.

 

2. The same applies to the DDS program. I can download it from a non-infected machine, but the only way that I can run it would be in safe mode.

 

What are the next steps that I should take here? Should I run MBAM in safe mode? DDS in safe mode? Or is there something else that needs to be done?

[MrCharlie]

See if you can run RogueKiller in safe mode and also FRST:

Please download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool (FRST) and save it to a folder.
(use correct version for your system.....Which system am I using?)
FRST <----for 32 bit systems
FRST64 <----for 64 bit systems

• Double-click to run it. When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
• Press 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 makes also another log (Addition.txt). Please attach it to your reply.

If the logs are large, you can attach them:

To attach a log:

Bottom right corner of this page.


New window that comes up.


MrC

[Jimcat]

Attached are the FRST logs from the initial run, before running RogueKiller.

 

FRST.txt

Addition.txt

[Jimcat]

My apologies, I didn't follow the instructions thoroughly and I clicked "Fix" on RogueKiller instead of just closing and saving the report. Here is the report after running the fix. Please let me know if we have to do anything over again - I will be sure to follow the steps more carefully this time.

 

RKreport0_D_02022014_082228.txt

[MrCharlie]

That's OK.....

Download the attached fixlist.txt to the same folder as FRST.

Run FRST.exe and click Fix only once and wait

The tool will create a log (Fixlog.txt) in the folder, please post it to your reply.

Then......Let me know how it is.

MrC

[Jimcat]

Good news. The system seems to be back to normal. I rebooted and the Windows Safety Master did not come up. The fixlog.txt is attached. I am downloading the updated MBAM database now.

[MrCharlie]

Good, I don't see the fixlog though.

MrC

[Jimcat]

Sorry - trying the attach again.

Fixlog.txt

[MrCharlie]

OK, you're running a scan with MB??

MrC

[Jimcat]

I ran a MBAM scan and it found about 31 malicious items. I removed them, and rebooted, and most things seem to be working correctly. One strange behavior, though: Internet Explorer doesn't seem to be accepting any input in its address bar. I can get to any website with Google Chrome, but if I type something into the address bar of IE, it doesn't seem to respond at all.

[MrCharlie]

There was a lot of adware in your logs, lets take care of that first:

Please create a new system restore point before you continue.

Lets clean out any adware/spyware now: (this will require a reboot so save all your work)

Please download AdwCleaner from HERE or HERE to your desktop.

• Double click on AdwCleaner.exe to run the tool.

  Vista/Windows 7/8 users right-click and select Run As Administrator

• Click on the Scan button.
• AdwCleaner will begin...be patient as the scan may take some time to complete.
• When it's done you'll see: Pending: Please uncheck elements you don't want removed.
• Now click on the Report button...a logfile (AdwCleaner[R0].txt) will open in Notepad for review.
• Look over the log especially under Files/Folders for any program you want to save.
• If there's a program you may want to save, just uncheck it from AdwCleaner.
• If you're not sure, post the log for review. (all items found are adware/spyware/foistware)
• If you're ready to clean it all up.....click the Clean button.
• After rebooting, a logfile report (AdwCleaner[s0].txt) will open automatically.
• Copy and paste the contents of that logfile in your next reply.
• A copy of that logfile will also be saved in the C:\AdwCleaner folder.
• Items that are deleted are moved to the Quarantine Folder: C:\AdwCleaner\Quarantine
• To restore an item that has been deleted:
• Go to Tools > Quarantine Manager > check what you want restored > now click on Restore.

Then..................

Open up Malwarebytes > Settings Tab > Scanner Settings > Under action for PUP > Select: Show in Results List and Check for removal.

Please Update and run a Quick Scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, post the report.

Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.

Please let me know how computer is running now, MrC

[Jimcat]

Thanks... now I can finally be rid of that darned PC Backup window that kept popping up!

 

Attached are the logs:

AdwCleanerS0.txt

mbam-log-2014-02-02 (14-50-47).txt

[Jimcat]

The adware seems to have been successfully removed but Internet Explorer is still having difficulty connecting to sites.

[MrCharlie]

You're using an old version of IE:
Internet Explorer Version 9

At some point I would visit Windows Update and see what newer versions are available.

For now though....you can reset IE:

http://malwaretips.com/blogs/reset-internet-explorer-settings/

Let me know if that works out OK.

MrC

[Jimcat]

Thanks for the advice. I will be away from the computer for the rest of the evening but I will look at it again tomorrow.

[MrCharlie]

OK..Let me know.....MrC

[MrCharlie]

How are we doing??

Do you still need help or can I close this post??

MrC

[AdvancedSetup]

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