Random explorer.exe crashes, Screen corruption and Inability to start task manager

[BigYellow]

Hi -

 

This PC has been randomly having explorer.exe crashing for a long time.  About a month ago something odd started to happen about once a week.    Text boxes are all black as are check boxes.  The text at the bottom windows explorer become unlegible.  When this occurs I cannot start the task manager.  I reboot and everything is back to normal.

 

I ran Malware Antibytes since it was installed and if found nothing.  

 

Aside from this there are on other symptoms.  I want to make sure there is no malware on this PC and appreciate your help.

 

The log files are attached.

 

Thanks!

 

 

Addition.txt

FRST.txt

[gringo_pr]

Hello

We are very sorry for the delay in responding to your request, If you are still in need of assistance please let me know and I will get started in helping you with your request.

Regards,

Gringo

Malwareremoval

Malwarebytes

[gringo_pr]

Hello

48 Hour bump

It has been more than 48 hours since my last post.

• do you still need help with this?
• do you need more time?
• are you having problems following my instructions?
• if after 48hrs you have not replied to this thread then it will have to be closed!

Gringo

[BigYellow]

yes please. Replies will be slow as I am on vacation through monday

[gringo_pr]

Hello BigYellow

These are the programs I would like you to run next, if you have any problems with one of these just skip it and move on to the next one.

-AdwCleaner-

Please download AdwCleaner by Xplode onto your desktop.

• Close all open programs and internet browsers.
• Double click on AdwCleaner.exe to run the tool.
• Click on Scan.
• After the scan is complete click on "Clean"
• Confirm each time with Ok.
• Your computer will be rebooted automatically. A text file will open after the restart.
• Please post the content of that logfile with your next answer.
• You can find the logfile at C:\AdwCleaner[s1].txt as well.

-Junkware-Removal-Tool-

Please download Junkware Removal Tool to your desktop.

• Shut down your protection software now to avoid potential conflicts.
• Run the tool by double-clicking it. If you are using Windows Vista, 7, or 8; instead of double-clicking, right-mouse click JRT.exe and select "Run as Administrator".
• The tool will open and start scanning your system.
• Please be patient as this can take a while to complete depending on your system's specifications.
• On completion, a log (JRT.txt) is saved to your desktop and will automatically open.
• Post the contents of JRT.txt into your next message.

When they are complete let me have the two reports and let me know how things are running.

Gringo

[gringo_pr]

Greetings

I have not heard from you in a couple of days so I am coming by to check on you to see if you are having problems or you just need some more time.

Also to remind you that it is very important that we finish the process completely so as to not get reinfected. I will let you know when we are complete and I will ask to remove our tools

Gringo

[BigYellow]

Hi Gringo,

 

Just got back into town.  Still having same symptoms prior to running tools.   Logs are attached.  

 

Not sure if symptoms perist now as it takes time for them to show up.   The symptom I experienced upon return was the same described earlier.   Screen a bit corrupted.   Text boxes are missing or black but I can type in them.  When that happens I cannot start task manager and also noticed that my Windows 8.1 Settings are all missing when I try to access them while this behavior manifests.  Still getting random explorer.exe crashes.  After reboot it returns to normal for a while.

 

Thank you,

Ed

AdwCleanerR0.txt

JRT.txt

[gringo_pr]

Hello BigYellow

I Would like you to do the following.

Please print out or make a copy in notepad of any instructions given, as sometimes it is necessary to go offline and you will lose access to them.

Run Combofix:

You may be asked to install or update the Recovery Console (Win XP Only) if this happens please allow it to do so (you will need to be connected to the internet for this)

Before you run Combofix I will need you to turn off any security software you have running, If you do not know how to do this you can find out >here< or >here<

Combofix may need to reboot your computer more than once to do its job this is normal.

You can download Combofix from one of these links. I want you to save it to the desktop and run it from there.

• Link 1

  Link 2

  Link 3

1. Close any open browsers or any other programs that are open.

2. Close/disable all anti virus and anti malware programs so they do not interfere with the running of ComboFix.

Double click on combofix.exe & follow the prompts.

When finished, it will produce a report for you.

Note 1: Do not mouseclick combofix's window while it's running. That may cause it to stall

Note 2: If you receive an error "Illegal operation attempted on a registry key that has been marked for deletion." Please restart the computer

"information and logs"

• In your next post I need the following
• Log from Combofix
• let me know of any problems you may have had
• How is the computer doing now?

Gringo

[BigYellow]

Gringo,

 

Combofix will not run.  It popped up a message that said something like 'Warning combofix is not meant to run in compatability mode.   Doing so may result in damage to your computer."   

 

I am running on Windows 8.1

 

Thanks,

Ed

[gringo_pr]

I would like to know how the computer is doing at this time and I would like you to rerun FRST for me and send me a new report

If you cannot find it here is the link again.

Please download the Farbar Recovery Scan Tool from here:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/farbar-recovery-scan-tool/ - Click on the BLUE download buttons only - ( The GREEN ones are ads)

save it to your desktop.

Note: You need to run the version compatible with your system. If you are not sure which version applies to your system download both of them and try to run them. Only one of them will run on your system, that will be the right version.

Double-click to run it.

When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.

I would like for you to use these settings

Under whitelist I would like everything to be checked

Under optional scan

Only have Addition.txt select (the other three blank)

Press the Scan button.

It will make a two logs (FRST.txt) and (Addition.txt) in the same directory the tool is run from.

Please attach both reports to your reply to me

[BigYellow]

The computer has not been used much since yesterday morning but so far there have been no problems to report.  When running FARBAR I noticed that I had left the Windows Defender software disabled but that has now been re-enabled.

 

The two requested files are attached.

 

Thanks

 

 

Addition.txt

FRST.txt

[gringo_pr]

Hello BigYellow

I need you to download this script I have made for you --> fixlist.txt

It needs to be saved Next to the "Farbar Recovery Scan Tool" (FRST) program (If asked to overwrite existing one please allow)

Run FRST again but this time press the Fix button just once and wait.

When finished, it will make a log (fixlog.txt) next to FRST. Please copy and paste the content of this file to your reply.

NOTICE: This script was written specifically for this user, for use on that particular machine. Running this on another machine may cause damage to your operating system

Gringo

[BigYellow]

I followed the instructions.  Here are the contents of the fixlog.txt file.

 

Fix result of Farbar Recovery Tool (FRST written by Farbar) (x64) Version: 31-08-2014 02
Ran by Edward at 2014-09-03 08:54:35 Run:1
Running from C:\Users\Edward\Desktop
Boot Mode: Normal
==============================================

Content of fixlist:
*****************
HKU\S-1-5-21-2664007841-2391102672-365073727-1004\...\Run: [searchProtection] => "C:\Users\jared_000\AppData\Roaming\Search Protection\SearchProtection.EXE" /autostart
HKU\S-1-5-21-2664007841-2391102672-365073727-1004\...\Run: [OutfoxTV] => C:\Program Files\OutfoxTV\OutfoxTV\DesktopContainer.exe
C:\Program Files\OutfoxTV
C:\Users\jared_000\AppData\Roaming\Search Protection
*****************

HKU\S-1-5-21-2664007841-2391102672-365073727-1004\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\\SearchProtection => value deleted successfully.
HKU\S-1-5-21-2664007841-2391102672-365073727-1004\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\\OutfoxTV => value deleted successfully.
"C:\Program Files\OutfoxTV" => File/Directory not found.
"C:\Users\jared_000\AppData\Roaming\Search Protection" => File/Directory not found.

==== End of Fixlog ====

 

Thanks,

Ed

[gringo_pr]

Hello

These logs are looking allot better. But we still have some work to do.

Please print out these instructions, or copy them to a Notepad file. It will make it easier for you to follow the instructions and complete all of the necessary steps..

Clean Out Temp Files

• This small application you may want to keep and use once a week to keep the computer clean.

  Download CCleaner from here CCleaner

  • Run the installer to install the application.
  • When it gives you the option to install Yahoo toolbar uncheck the box next to it.
  • Run CCleaner. default settings are fine
  • Click Run Cleaner.
  • Close CCleaner.

: Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware :

I see that you have MBAM installed - That is great!! and at this time I would like you to update it and run me a threat scan

1.On the Dashboard, click the 'Update Now >>' link

2.After the update completes, click the 'Scan Now >>' button.

Or, on the Dashboard, click the Scan Now >> button.

3.If an update is available, click the Update Now button.

4.A Threat Scan will begin.

5.When the scan is complete, if there have been detections, click "Quarantine all" to allow MBAM to clean what was detected.

6.In most cases, a restart will be required.

7.Wait for the prompt to restart the computer to appear, then click on Yes.

Get the report

1.After the restart once you are back at your desktop, open MBAM once more.

2.Click on the History tab at the top

3. Click on the Application Logs at the left

4.Double click on the scan log which shows the Date and time of the scan just performed.

5.Click 'Export'.

6.Click 'Text file (*.txt)'

7.In the Save File dialog box which appears, click on Desktop.

8.In the File name: box type a name for your scan log.

9.A message box named 'File Saved' should appear stating "Your file has been successfully exported".

10.Click Ok

11. Attach that saved log to your next reply.

Download HijackThis

• Go Here to download HijackThis program
• Save HijackThis to your desktop.
• Right Click on Hijackthis and select "Run as Admin" (XP users just need to double click to run)
• Click on "Do A system scan and save a logfile" (if you do not see "Do A system scan and save a logfile" then click on main menu)
• copy and paste hijackthis report into the topic

"information and logs"

• In your next post I need the following
  • Log From MBAM
  • report from Hijackthis
  • let me know of any problems you may have had
  • How is the computer doing now?

Gringo

[BigYellow]

I ran ccleaner for three of the main user accounts.  MBAM scan was clean.   Logs are attached.   The only symptom is the random explorer.exe crash.   I am wondering if that is a Windows issue as that has been happening a very long time.

 

Thanks,

Ed

hijackthis.log

MBAM 9-5-14.txt

[gringo_pr]

I do not see any malware that would cause these problems so it might be a software problem somewhere

Eset Online Scanner

**Note** You will need to use Internet explorer for this scan - Vista and win 7 right click on IE shortcut and run as admin

Go Eset web page to run an online scanner from ESET.

• Turn off the real time scanner of any existing antivirus program while performing the online scan
• click on the Run ESET Online Scanner button
• Tick the box next to YES, I accept the Terms of Use.
  • Click Start
• When asked, allow the add/on to be installed
  • Click Start
• Make sure that the option Remove found threats is unticked
• Click on Advanced Settings, ensure the options
  • Scan for potentially unwanted applications, Scan for potentially unsafe applications, and Enable Anti-Stealth Technology are ticked.

• Click Scan
• wait for the virus definitions to be downloaded
• Wait for the scan to finish

When the scan is complete

• If no threats were found
  • put a checkmark in "Uninstall application on close"
  • close program
  • report to me that nothing was found

• If threats were found
  • click on "list of threats found"
  • click on "export to text file" and save it as ESET SCAN and save to the desktop
  • Click on back
  • put a checkmark in "Uninstall application on close"
  • click on finish
  • close program
  • copy and paste the report here

Gringo

[BigYellow]

I messed up and didn't follow the instructions correctly.   I did not uncheck the option to "Remove Threats".   Here is the log from that run:

 

C:\AdwCleaner\Quarantine\C\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\DVDVideoSoft\TB\ConduitInstaller.exe.vir    Win32/Toolbar.Conduit potentially unwanted application    deleted - quarantined
C:\AdwCleaner\Quarantine\C\Users\jared_000\AppData\Roaming\Search Protection\Uninstall.exe.vir    a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Widgi.G potentially unwanted application    deleted - quarantined
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\DVDVideoSoft\AskTB\DVDVideoSoftToolbar.exe    a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Visicom.A potentially unwanted application    deleted - quarantined
C:\Program Files (x86)\InstallConverter bundle uninstaller\uninstaller.exe    a variant of Win32/ClientConnect.A potentially unwanted application    deleted - quarantined
C:\Users\jakec_000\AppData\Roaming\0S1F1O2Z0S2Y1H1T\Evasi0n Packages\uninstaller.exe    Win32/InstallCore.AZ potentially unwanted application    deleted - quarantined
C:\Users\jared_000\Downloads\ImageEditorSetup.exe    Win32/InstallCore.BN potentially unwanted application    deleted - quarantined
C:\Users\jared_000\Downloads\ZipOpenerSetup.exe    a variant of Win32/InstallCore.LQ potentially unwanted application    deleted - quarantined

 

After running the tool and re-reading your post. I realized my mistake and re-ran the tool again, this time following your instructions.  This is the second log.

 

C:\Users\Edward\AppData\Local\Temp\is-D87UC.tmp\OCSetupHlp.dll    a variant of Win32/OpenCandy.A potentially unsafe application
C:\Users\Edward\Downloads\ccsetup416.exe    Win32/Bundled.Toolbar.Google.D potentially unsafe application
C:\Users\Edward\Downloads\ccsetup417.exe    Win32/Bundled.Toolbar.Google.D potentially unsafe application
C:\Users\Edward\Downloads\FreeYouTubeToMP3Converter.exe    a variant of Win32/OpenCandy.A potentially unsafe application

 

Thanks,

Ed

[gringo_pr]

Hello Ed

There are some minor things in your online scan that should be removed.

delete files

• Copy all text in the code box (below)...to Notepad.

  @echo offdel /f /s /q "C:\Users\Edward\AppData\Local\Temp\is-D87UC.tmp\OCSetupHlp.dll"del /f /s /q "C:\Users\Edward\Downloads\ccsetup416.exe"del /f /s /q "C:\Users\Edward\Downloads\ccsetup417.exe"del /f /s /q "C:\Users\Edward\Downloads\FreeYouTubeToMP3Converter.exe"del %0

• Save the Notepad file on your desktop...as delfile.bat... save type as "All Files"

  It should look like this: <--XP<--vista

• Double click on delfile.bat to execute it.

  A black CMD window will flash, then disappear...this is normal.

• The files and folders, if found...will have been deleted and the "delfile.bat" file will also be deleted.

The rest of the Online scan is only reporting backups created during the course of this fix C:\Qoobox\Quarantine\, and/or items located in System Restore's cache C:\System Volume Information\, Whatever is in these folders can't harm you unless you choose to perform a manual restore. the following steps will remove these backups.

Very well done!! This is my general post for when your logs show no more signs of malware - Please let me know if you still are having problems with your computer and what these problems are.

:Why we need to remove some of our tools:

• Some of the tools we have used to clean your computer were made by fellow malware fighters and are very powerful and if used incorrectly or at the wronge time can make the computer an expensive paper weight.

  They are updated all the time and some of them more than once a day so by the time you are ready to use them again they will already be outdated.

  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 made.

:DeFogger:

Note** Defogger only needs to be run if it was run when we first started. If you have not already run it then skip this.

• To re-enable your Emulation drivers, double click DeFogger to run the tool.
  • The application window will appear
  • Click the Re-enable button to re-enable your CD Emulation drivers
  • Click Yes to continue
  • A 'Finished!' message will appear
  • Click OK
  • DeFogger will now ask to reboot the machine - click OK.
  Your Emulation drivers are now re-enabled.

:Uninstall ComboFix:

• turn off all active protection software
• 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.
• 

:Remove the rest of our tools:

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

• Double-click DelFix.exe.
• select all options avalible
• Click the Run button.
• The tool will delete itself once it finishes, if not delete it by yourself.
• If asked to restart the computer, please do so

:The programs you can keep:

Some of the programs that we have used would be a good idea to keep and used often in helping to keep the computer clean. I use these programs on my computer.

• Revo Uninstaller Free - this is the uninstaller that I had you download and works allot better than add/remove in windows and has saved me more than once from corrupted installs and uninstalls

  CCleaner - This is a good program to clean out temp files, I would use this once a week or before any malware scan to remove unwanted temp files - It has a built in registry cleaner but I would leave that alone and not use any registry cleaner

  Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware The Gold standerd today in antimalware scanners

:Security programs:

One of the questions I am asked all the time is "What programs do you use" I have at this time 4 computers in my home and I have this setup on all 4 of them.

• Microsoft Security Essentials - provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.
• WinPatrol As a robust security monitor, WinPatrol will alert you to hijackings, malware attacks and critical changes made to your computer without your permission. WinPatrol takes snapshot of your critical system resources and alerts you to any changes that may occur without your knowledge.
• Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is a new and powerful anti-malware tool. It is

  totally free but for real-time protection you will have to pay a small one-time fee. We used this to help clean your computer and recomend keeping it and using often. (I have upgraded to the paid version of MBAM and I am glad I did)

  Note** If you decide to install MSE you will need to uninstall your present Antivirus

:Security awareness:

It is good security practice to change your passwords to all your online accounts on a fairly regular basis, this is especially true after an infection. Refer to this Microsoft article

Strong passwords: How to create and use them Then consider a password keeper, to keep all your passwords safe. KeePass is a small utility that allows you to manage all your passwords.

As Java seems to get exploited on a daily basis I advise to disable java in your web browsers - How to disable java in your web browsers - Disable Java

The other question I am asked all the time is "How can I prevent this from happening again." and the short answer to that is to be aware of what is out there and how to start spotting dangers.

Here are some articles that are must reads and should be read by everybody in your household that uses the internet

• internetsafety

  Internet Safety for Kids

Here is some more reading for you from some of my colleges

• PC Safety and Security - What Do I Need? from my friends at Tech Support Forum

  COMPUTER SECURITY - a short guide to staying safer online from my friends at Malware Removal

quoted from Tech Support Forum

Conclusion

There is no such thing as 'perfect security'. This applies to many things, not just computer systems. Using the above guide you should be able to take all the reasonable steps you can to prevent infection. However, the most important part of all this is you, the user. Surf sensibly and think before you download a file or click on a link. Take a few moments to assess the possible risks and you should be able to enjoy all the internet has to offer.

I'd be grateful if you could reply to this post so that I know you have read it and, if you've no other questions, the thread can then be closed.

I Will Keep This Open For About Three Days, If Anything Comes Up - Just Come Back And Let Me Know, after that time you will have to send me a PM

My help is free, however, if you wish to make a small donation to show your appreciation or to help me continue the fight against Malware, then click here --><-- Don't worry every little bit helps.

Gringo

[gringo_pr]

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.