eat @explorer eat @firefox 'drivers' appeared

[Spamlet]

Hi: sorry to be back so soon after my last plea for help!

 

Don't know how I've managed to do this again, but, a few days ago I noticed Firefox grinding to a halt on Facebook, and keyboard becoming unresponsive, whilst hard drive sounded like it was trying to tow a truck.

 

Last night, it seemed to have speeded back up again.  So much so that I made a restore point.

 

Today, I noticed that the screen colours in explorer and firefox didn't look right (Wishy washy and hurting my eyes to focus on them).   Then, later, my desktop icons rearranged themselves.

 

This is pretty much the same sequence of events that happened before my last post for help.

 

Malware scans aren't picking up anything, but roguekiller is showing many new drivers attributed to 'EAT @', that weren't there when I scanned a few days ago.  I tried resetting a couple of these, but roguekiller seemed to make hard work of it, so I stopped and came here.

dds.txt

attach.txt

[Spamlet]

More info:

 

Rogue killer had wanted to delete a few 'pum's, that I'd thought were part of classic explorer.  I didn't let it delete them the first time through.  But tried it again a second time and let it delete them.  This also deleted all the extra 'eat @' entries under drivers.

 

Restarting, after this, and running RK again, it found a further two pum's, again related to classic explorer.  I let it delete these, even though, no more 'drivers' had appeared.

 

I had hoped that was the fix, as missing desktop icons had reappeared, but, unfortunately, on looking back here, I find everything still wishy washy, and your formatting panel, above is fading into near invisibility.  :-/

[Spamlet]

Posted yesterday, but no replies.  Perhaps I asked an apparently silly question, but I have chronic fatigue syndrome, and it is becoming difficult for me to use the notebook I depend on, because something has subtly interfered with the display settings and it is making my head swim to look at it.

 

I would be very grateful for some help.

 

Thanks.

[Spamlet]

The pums and drivers were back again today.  I've not tried to delete them this time.

[AdvancedSetup]

Sorry for the delay

 

Please read the following information below and post back the requested logs when ready.

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  [*]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. [*]You can check here if you're not sure if your computer is 32-bit or 64-bit [*]Please disable your antivirus while running any requested scanners so that they do not interfere with the scanners. [*]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 0
RKill is a program that was developed at BleepingComputer.com that attempts to terminate known malware processes
so that your normal security software can then run and clean your computer of infections.
When RKill runs it will kill malware processes and then removes incorrect executable associations and fixes policies
that stop us from using certain tools. When finished it will display a log file that shows the processes that were
terminated while the program was running.

As RKill only terminates a program's running process, and does not delete any files, after running it you should not reboot
your computer as any malware processes that are configured to start automatically will just be started again.
Instead, after running RKill you should immediately scan your computer using the requested scans I've included.

Please download Rkill by Grinler from one of the links below and save it to your desktop.
 

Link 1

Link 2

• On Windows XP double-click on the Rkill desktop icon to run the tool.
• On Windows Vista/Windows 7 or 8, right-click on the Rkill desktop icon and select Run As Administrator
• A black DOS box will briefly flash and then disappear. This is normal and indicates the tool ran successfully.
• If not, delete the file, then download and use the one provided in Link 2.
• If it does not work, repeat the process and attempt to use one of the remaining links until the tool runs.
• If the tool does not run from any of the links provided, please let me know.
• Do not reboot the computer, you will need to run the application again.
  

 
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 run a Quick Scan with Malwarebytes
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 back the report.
Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected if anything is found.
 
 
STEP 03
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.
  

 
Thanks
 

[Spamlet]

Thanks for getting back to me Ron!

 

I've not used the notebook for a few days, so apologies for not replying straight away.

 

RKill's cmd screen didn't just flick on: it stayed and found Windows Defender was set to manual: I didn't do this.  (I've not tried to reset it yet.  Shouldn't there be a warning when this is not running?).

 

I already had a copy of ERUNT, but when I tried to run it, it said it couldn't complete the backup because access was denied.  I downloaded another copy, and this one did run.

 

MWB found nothing.

 

RogueKiller, again found the 'ClassicExplorer' PUMs, with their driver hooks.  Classic Shell have told me that their software does not use the EAT tables.

 

Scan results attached.

 

mbam-log-2014-04-05 (00-13-02).txt

Rkill.txt

RKreport0_S_04052014_003517.txt

[Spamlet]

Apologies:  I got Defender, and the firewall mixed up.  I think I turned off defender as I have Spybot Teatimer and Avast, which, I think are doing similar things. (?)

[AdvancedSetup]

No problem.  Please run the following scans and post back the logs when ready and we'll get you cleaned up.

 

Please go ahead and run through the following steps and post back the logs when ready.

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

Please download AdwCleaner by Xplode and save 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.
  

STEP 06


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.
  

 

[Spamlet]

Thanks Ron.  Sorry I'm a bit slow. I seem to have RSI and can't move my typing arm for long.

 

Logs attached.

Nothing, apparently, found, except that they don't seem to like my Firefox preferences file.  Why would that be?

 

Cheers.

Addition.txt

AdwCleanerS1.txt

FRST.txt

JRT.txt

mbar-log-2014-04-08 (23-49-17).txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Please go into your Control Panel, Add/Remove and uninstall ALL versions of Java.
Then run the following after
 
Please download JavaRa-1.16 and save it to your computer.

• Double click to open the zip file and then select all and choose Copy.
• Create a new folder on your Desktop named RemoveJava and paste the files into this new folder.
• Quit all browsers and other running applications.
• Right-click on JavaRa.exe in RemoveJava folder and choose Run as administrator to start the program.
• From the drop-down menu, choose English and click on Select.
• JavaRa will open; click on Remove Older Versions to remove the older versions of Java installed on your computer.
• Click Yes when prompted. When JavaRa is done, a notice will appear that a logfile has been produced. Click OK.
• A logfile will pop up. Please save it to a convenient location and post it in your next reply.

 

 

Then run this tool and restart the computer when done.
 
Please Run TFC by OldTimer to clear temporary files:

• Download TFC from here and save it to your desktop.
• http://oldtimer.geekstogo.com/TFC.exe
• Close any open programs and Internet browsers.
• Double click TFC.exe to run it on XP (for Vista and Windows 7 right click and choose "Run as administrator") and once it opens click on the Start button on the lower left of the program to allow it to begin cleaning.
• Please be patient as clearing out temp files may take a while.
• Once it completes you may be prompted to restart your computer, please do so.
• Once it's finished you may delete TFC.exe from your desktop or save it for later use for the cleaning of temporary files.

 

 

Next, Please visit each of the following sites and lets reset all of your browsers back to defaults to prevent unexpected issues.
If you are not using one of the browsers but it is installed then you may want to consider uninstalling it as older versions of some software can pose an increase in the potential for an infection to get in.

Internet Explorer
How to reset Internet Explorer settings

Firefox
Click on Help / Troubleshooting Information then click on the Reset Firefox button.

Chrome
Chrome - Reset browser settings

Opera
How to Perform a (really) clean Reinstall of Opera

 

 

Then let me know how the computer is running and if you're still seeing this issue or not.

 

[Spamlet]

Hi Ron.

 

Not sure that I see why I need to remove Java, and I'm very reluctant to reset Firefox?  Please explain.

 

Java was only recently reinstalled manually in order to retain JRE6 alongside 7, so as to avoid error messages that I get, in Open Office, without 6 (Or has there been a recent fix in OO?).

 

FF28, is the last of its kind. I nearly lost the layout I have created to suit my screen, and other needs, just recently, when Mozilla introduced the completely different version 29, with no warning. This screwed up all my settings, and I had to do a system restore to get my FF back. It was a great relief to get it back, I can tell you, as it took 2 years to get it the way I wanted, and the new version was completely baffling. As Mozilla, do not issue security fixes separately from programme updates, I have had to turn off FF updates completely, so the last thing I want to do is reset the whole thing!

 

I try hard not to install Chrome: Avast just tried to sneak it in, on their update, yesterday, and I had to pull the plug to stop it: they gave no indication that they were going to install it!

 

I very rarely use IE, and it has always been unmodified.

I've never used Opera.

 

Rogue Killer is still showing the same 'PUM's, and their 'EAT @' 'drivers'.  Am I to assume these, were not, after all, causing the problem?

 

Cheers.

RKreport0_S_04092014_200606.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Because Java is probably the #1 route of infection and removing and cleaning up settings helps to ensure removal of a possible entry into your system.  Does Open Office support the newer versions of Java 8?   The redirect or popups are often basic trickery in the setting file for Firefox.  You can manually review your search settings and if anything odd is found then remove it manually if you want.

 

Let me have you run the following.

 

Please download the following scanner from Kaspersky and save it to your computer: TDSSkiller

Then watch the following video on how to use the tool and make sure to temporarily disable your security applications before running TDSSkiller.

If any infection is found please make sure to choose SKIP and post back the log in case of a False Positive detection.

Once the tool has completed scanning make sure to re-enable your other security applications.
 

[Spamlet]

Thanks:  I hadn't noticed there was now a Java RE 8 option.  I've now deleted the others and installed 8.  Not sure if I may still need a 32 bit version as well though...  [And I hadn't realised all the plug ins--Silverlight; Shockwave--apart from Adobe Acrobat, were JRE parts, so it's good to have them cleared away!]

 

TDSS Killer didn't find anything.

 

I'm not sure what you mean by: "You can manually review your search settings and if anything odd is found then remove it manually if you want."  Search settings in what?

 

Despite not having found any bugs to speak of, the pc seems to be behaving rather better, and the screen is sharp again at the moment.  Fingers crossed...

[AdvancedSetup]

Since this issue is resolved I will close the thread to prevent others from posting here. If you need assistance please start your own topic and someone will be happy to assist you.