Malware slowing computer down?

bluegiraffe · July 19, 2014

Continuation of the thread at https://forums.malwarebytes.org/index.php?/topic/152813-quick-question-about-the-slow-pc-start-here-thread/

The computer seems to not action any icon clicks for a much longer time than would be usual. I also keep getting a random popup in the browser (Firefox) asking me to scan the computer etc... and as far as I am aware it's nothing to do with anything I already have installed.

The computer is approx just over a year old and running Windows 8.1

As per the other thread I have been unable to run mbam.exe and have already posted the farbar logs.

thank you

AdvancedSetup · July 23, 2014

Please read the following and post back the logs when ready and we'll see about getting you cleaned up.

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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. [*]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 Threat Scan with MBAM. If you're unable to run or complete the scan as shown below please see the following: MBAM Clean Removal Process 2x
When reinstalling the program please try the latest version.

Right click and choose "Run as administrator" to open Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and from the Dashboard please Check for Updates by clicking the Update Now... link
Open up Malwarebytes > Settings > Detection and Protection > Enable Scan for rootkit and Under Non Malware Protection set both PUP and PUM to Treat detections as malware.
Click on the SCAN button and run a Threat Scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware by clicking the Scan Now>> button.
Once completed please click on the History > Application Logs and find your scan log and open it and then click on the "copy to clipboard" button and post back the results on your next reply.

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.

Thank you

bluegiraffe · July 24, 2014

Thanks for the reply which I have worked thru.

Here is the MBAM log. I have also attached the Roguekiller log.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

www.malwarebytes.org

Scan Date: 24/07/2014

Scan Time: 18:20:28

Logfile:

Administrator: Yes

Version: 2.00.2.1012

Malware Database: v2014.07.24.04

Rootkit Database: v2014.07.17.01

License: Premium

Malware Protection: Enabled

Malicious Website Protection: Enabled

Self-protection: Enabled

OS: Windows 8.1

CPU: x64

File System: NTFS

User: zazooblue

Scan Type: Threat Scan

Result: Completed

Objects Scanned: 304911

Time Elapsed: 27 min, 28 sec

Memory: Enabled

Startup: Enabled

Filesystem: Enabled

Archives: Enabled

Rootkits: Enabled

Heuristics: Enabled

PUP: Enabled

PUM: Enabled

Processes: 0

(No malicious items detected)

Modules: 0

(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys: 0

(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values: 0

(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data: 0

(No malicious items detected)

Folders: 0

(No malicious items detected)

Files: 0

(No malicious items detected)

Physical Sectors: 0

(No malicious items detected)

(end)

RKreport_SCN_07242014_193101.log

AdvancedSetup · July 24, 2014

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

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 open Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and from the Dashboard please Check for Updates by clicking the Update Now... link
Open up Malwarebytes > Settings > Detection and Protection > Enable Scan for rootkits, Under Non Malware Protection set both PUP and PUM to Treat detections as malware.
Click on the SCAN button and run a Threat Scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware by clicking the Scan Now>> button. Remove any threats found
Once completed please click on the History > Application Logs and find your scan log and open it and then click on the "copy to clipboard" button and post back the results on your next reply.

STEP 07

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 08
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.

bluegiraffe · July 25, 2014

Here are the logs you have requested -

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

www.malwarebytes.org

Scan Date: 25/07/2014

Scan Time: 18:50:45

Logfile:

Administrator: Yes

Version: 2.00.2.1012

Malware Database: v2014.07.25.05

Rootkit Database: v2014.07.17.01

License: Premium

Malware Protection: Enabled

Malicious Website Protection: Enabled

Self-protection: Enabled

OS: Windows 8.1

CPU: x64

File System: NTFS

User: zazooblue

Scan Type: Threat Scan

Result: Completed

Objects Scanned: 306468

Time Elapsed: 26 min, 49 sec

Memory: Enabled

Startup: Enabled

Filesystem: Enabled

Archives: Enabled

Rootkits: Enabled

Heuristics: Enabled

PUP: Enabled

PUM: Enabled

Processes: 0

(No malicious items detected)

Modules: 0

(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys: 0

(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values: 0

(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data: 0

(No malicious items detected)

Folders: 0

(No malicious items detected)

Files: 0

(No malicious items detected)

Physical Sectors: 0

(No malicious items detected)

(end)

I did not get an Addition.txt on running the Farbar tool as it has been run on this computer last week.

thank you for your help.

AdvancedSetup · July 26, 2014

I notice that you have Advanced System Care and possibly some other products from iObit

The company behind this product was found to be stealing our database.
Personally I would not trust installing any software from a company that resorts to stealing someone's technology to sell their product.
Please see the following links and make up your own mind if you want to keep this on your system. If needed I can help you remove it.

Please go into Control Panel, Add/Remove and uninstall ALL versions of Java and then run the following.

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.

Next:

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.

Restart your computer and run the following.

Please open Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and from the Dashboard please Check for Updates by clicking the Update Now... link
Open up Malwarebytes > Settings > Detection and Protection > Enable Scan for rootkits, Under Non Malware Protection set both PUP and PUM to Treat detections as malware.
Click on the SCAN button and run a Threat Scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware by clicking the Scan Now>> button. Remove any threats found
Once completed please click on the History > Application Logs and find your scan log and open it and then click on the "copy to clipboard" button and post back the results on your next reply.

bluegiraffe · July 26, 2014

I've already been thru the iobit thing on the linked thread.

I have run the scans from your last post and post the results as follows. Does this mean there is no malware on the computer now?

thank you

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

www.malwarebytes.org

Scan Date: 26/07/2014

Scan Time: 18:00:41

Logfile:

Administrator: Yes

Version: 2.00.2.1012

Malware Database: v2014.07.26.07

Rootkit Database: v2014.07.17.01

License: Premium

Malware Protection: Enabled

Malicious Website Protection: Enabled

Self-protection: Enabled

OS: Windows 8.1

CPU: x64

File System: NTFS

User: zazooblue

Scan Type: Threat Scan

Result: Completed

Objects Scanned: 304732

Time Elapsed: 28 min, 37 sec

Memory: Enabled

Startup: Enabled

Filesystem: Enabled

Archives: Enabled

Rootkits: Enabled

Heuristics: Enabled

PUP: Enabled

PUM: Enabled

Processes: 0

(No malicious items detected)

Modules: 0

(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys: 0

(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values: 0

(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data: 0

(No malicious items detected)

Folders: 0

(No malicious items detected)

Files: 0

(No malicious items detected)

Physical Sectors: 0

(No malicious items detected)

(end)

JavaRa.log

AdvancedSetup · July 28, 2014

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.

Download Delfix from here and save it to your desktop. (you may already have this)

Ensure Remove disinfection tools is checked.
Click the Run button.
Reboot

Any other programs or logs that are still remaining, you can manually delete. (right click.....Delete)
IE: RogueKiller.exe, RKreport.txt, RK_Quarantine folder, C:\FRST folder, FRST-OlderVersion folder, MBAR folder, etc....AdwCleaner > just run the program and click uninstall.

Note:
If you used FRST and can't delete the quarantine folder:
Download the fixlist.txt to the same folder as FRST.exe.
Run FRST.exe and click Fix only once and wait
That will delete the quarantine folder created by FRST.
The rest you can manually delete.

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

A lot of reading here but if you take the time to read a bit of it you'll see why/how infections and general damage are so easily inflicted on the computer. There is also advice on how to prevent it and keep the system working well. Don't forget about good, solid backups of your data to an external drive that is not connected except when backing up your data. If you leave a backup drive connected and you do get infected it can easily damage, encrypt, delete, or corrupt your backups as well and then you'd lose all data.
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 Premium then you may want to consider purchasing the product which can also help greatly reduce the risk of a future infection.

bluegiraffe · July 29, 2014

I have worked thru all the above and have started reading thru the links.

One thing that still persists is the very slow opening of programs. If I click on an icon the computer seems to think about it for quite a while. Sometimes I have to click on the icon several times to open the program or if I want to shut the computer down it takes a long time to bring up the option to do so.

Thank you

AdvancedSetup · July 30, 2014

This is an old article and not written or geared specifically for Windows 7 so don't just run something without reading, checking on it more.

Slowness is not always malware related, it could even be a failing hard drive potentially.

Computer and browser slowness are not always malware related

Poor performance and other problems can be the result of disk fragmentation, disk errors, corrupt system files, too many startup programs, unnecessary services running, not enough RAM, dirty hardware, etc. As your system gets older it becomes filled with more files/programs and has a natural tendency to slow down so cleaning and regular maintenance is essential.

Listed below are a few things you can do to improve speed and system performance. Many of the these suggestions will apply if you're using Windows Vista but may be done a bit differently. Near the bottom of this thread there is a section specifically devoted to Vista Users.

For browser problems, see:

"Understanding, Identifying and Upgrading the RAM in your PC".

For more suggestions and performance tips read:

"Restore Your Computer's Performance with Windows XP"
"XP Performance Tweaks"
"Performance Boost for XP"

For Vista Users:

Vista Features Explained: Performance
Vista Features Explained: SuperFetch
SuperFetch & ReadyBoost
Tips to boost Vista performance
Windows Vista Performance Tuning
Top 12 Tweaks To Improve Vista Looks and Performance

When you are all done be sure to Create a new Restore Point to enable your computer to "roll-back" to a clean working state keeping all the changes you just made. Then use Disk Cleanup to "remove all but the latest Restore Point".

Vista Users can refer to these links:
- Create a New Restore Point
- Disk Cleanup

bluegiraffe · July 30, 2014

OK Thanks. I'm actually running Windows 8.1 on a 1 year old computer. I'll check out the above.

AdvancedSetup · July 31, 2014

Yeah, I'd be very careful with anything but basic stuff as none of those articles are based on Windows 8.1 and if you're really being that slow you might want to try doing a factory restore or test the hard drive for a possible pending failure.

Please see the following link which has all sorts of links and topics for hard drive diagnostics
Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities

AdvancedSetup · August 22, 2014

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.

Malware slowing computer down?

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