need help, dllhost.exe *32 COM Surrogate

[sigpop]

Computer started running slow yesterday.  My free version of Avast found three problems and tried to fix.  I downloaded Malwarebytes and it also fixed some problems.  

 

Looking in my Task Manager, Processes tab I see a few entreis for dllhost.exe *32 COM Surrogate.  File Properties for them are C:\Windows\SysWOW64.  For kicks I manually killed them and performance improved, but a few mins later my system again degraded.

 

Attached are my Farbar FRST.txt and Addition.txt log files.

 

Thanks.

 

FRST.txt

Addition.txt

[MrCharlie]

Welcome to the forum. (Do what you can)

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.

2. If you have illegal/cracked software (MS Office, Adobe Products), 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.

1. Please run a Threat Scan with Malwarebytes

Start Malwarebytes 2.0..........

Click on Settings > Detection and Protection > Non-Malware Protection > PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) detections > Make sure it's set to Treat detections as malware

Same for PUM (Potentially Unwanted Modifications)

Quarantine all that's found

Post the log (save the log as a .txt file not .xml)

Then......

2. 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.

Wait for the Prescan to finish

Click Scan to scan the system.

When the scan completes > Don't Fix anything! > Click on the Report Button and post the Report back here.

Don't run any other options, they're not all bad!!!!!!!

RogueKiller logs will also be located here:

%programdata%/RogueKiller/Logs <-------W7

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\RogueKiller\Logs <-------XP

(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. 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".

------->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

[sigpop]

Thanks for the help, and awesome yellow labs, MrCharlie.  We had to put ours down last year at this time.  Best dog we ever had.

 

Attached are the Malwarebytes and RogueKiller logs.  Both seemed to come back empty.  In the RogueKiller log file I did delete some of my host entries since they pointed to some dev servers that I didn't necessarily want published in an public forum.  The entries are all legit, and I can send the intact log file via private msg if you so desire.

 

Looking in my Task Manager I don't have as many of the dllhost32.exe COM surrogate entries running this morning.  Looks like only four of them.

 

 

Malwarebytes log.txt

RKreport_SCN_11052014_100441.log

[MrCharlie]

Download the attached fixlist.txt to the same folder as FRST.exe/FRST64.exe.

Run FRST.exe/FRST64.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.

=================================

Make sure you have created that system restore point before you continue!

Please read the directions carefully so you don't end up deleting something that is good!!

If in doubt about an entry....please ask or choose Skip!!!!

Don't Delete anything unless instructed to!

If you get the warning about a file UnsignedFile.Multi.Generic or LockedFile.Multi.Generic please choose

Skip and click on Continue

If a suspicious object is detected, the default action will be Skip, click on Continue

Please note that TDSSKiller can be run in safe mode if needed.

Please download the latest version of TDSSKiller from HERE and save it to your Desktop.

• Doubleclick on TDSSKiller.exe to run the application, then click on Change parameters. (Leave the KSN box checked)

  

• Put a checkmark beside loaded modules.

  

• A reboot will be needed to apply the changes. Do it.
• TDSSKiller will launch automatically after the reboot. Also your computer may seem very slow and unusable. This is normal. Give it enough time to load your background programs.
• Then click on Change parameters in TDSSKiller.
• Check all boxes then click OK.

  

• Click the Start Scan button.

  

• The scan should take no longer than 2 minutes.
• If a suspicious object is detected, the default action will be Skip, click on Continue.

  

  Any entries like this: \Device\Harddisk0\DR0 ( TDSS File System ) - please choose Skip.

  If in doubt about an entry....please ask or choose Skip

• If malicious objects are found, they will show in the Scan results - Select action for found objects and offer three options.

  Ensure Cure (default) is selected, then click Continue > Reboot now to finish the cleaning process.

  

  Note: If Cure is not available, please choose Skip instead, do not choose Delete unless instructed.

• A report will be created in your root directory, (usually C:\ folder) in the form of "TDSSKiller.[Version]_[Date]_[Time]_log.txt". Please copy and paste the contents of that file here. There may be 3 logs > so post or attach all of them.
• Sometimes these logs can be very large, in that case please attach it or zip it up and attach it.

Here's a summary of what to do if you would like to print it out:

If in doubt about an entry....please ask or choose Skip

Don't Delete anything unless instructed to!

If a suspicious object is detected, the default action will be Skip, click on Continue

If you get the warning about a file UnsignedFile.Multi.Generic or LockedFile.Multi.Generic please choose

Skip and click on Continue

Any entries like this: \Device\Harddisk0\DR0 ( TDSS File System ) - please choose Skip.

If malicious objects are found, they will show in the Scan results and offer three (3) options.

Ensure Cure is selected, then click Continue => Reboot now to finish the cleaning process.

Note: If Cure is not available, please choose Skip instead, do not choose Delete unless instructed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You can attach the logs if they're too long:

Bottom right corner of this page.

New window that comes up.

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

Please download and run ComboFix.

The most important things to remember when running it is to disable all your malware programs and run Combofix from your desktop.

Please visit this webpage for download links, and instructions for running ComboFix

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/combofix/how-to-use-combofix

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/combofix/dl/12/ <---ComboFix direct download

Please make sure you click download buttons that look similar to this, not "sponsored ad links":

Ensure you have disabled all anti virus and anti malware programs so they do not interfere with the running of ComboFix.

Information on disabling your malware programs can be found Here.

Make sure you run ComboFix from your desktop.

Give it at least 30-45 minutes to finish if needed.

Please include the C:\ComboFix.txt in your next reply for further review.

---------->NOTE<----------

If you get the message Illegal operation attempted on registry key that has been marked for deletion after you run ComboFix....please reboot the computer, this should resolve the problem. You may have to do this several times if needed.

Last:

Clean out temp files:

Download TFC from here and save it to your desktop.

http://oldtimer.geekstogo.com/TFC.exe

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/tfc/dl/92/

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.

MrC

[sigpop]

Attached is the fixlog.txt for FRST.  Working through the other stuff now.

Fixlog.txt

[sigpop]

And I did the TDSKiller, ComboFix and TFC.

 

Looking in my Task Manager, Processes I see only one instance of dllhost.exe COM Surrogate, but it isn't dllhost.exe *32 originating from SysWOW64 like before.  System response seems fine now, too.

TDSSKiller.3.0.0.41_05.11.2014_21.58.02_log.txt

ComboFix.txt

[MrCharlie]

Looks Good...lets check for any adware/spyware now:

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 either 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.

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

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 or Seven, right-mouse click it 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.

Next.........

Please Update and run a Threat Scan (Malwarebytes)

Click on settings > Detection and Protection > Non-Malware Protection > PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) detections > Make sure it's set to Treat detections as malware

Same for PUM (Potentially Unwanted Modifications)

Quarantine All that's found

MrC

[sigpop]

Logs attached.  MalwareBytes came back with no threats.

JRT.txt

AdwCleanerR0.txt

[MrCharlie]

OK....if there's no other problems:

Lets check your computers security before you go and we have a little cleanup to do also:

Download Security Check by screen317 from HERE or HERE.

• Save it to your Desktop.
• Double click SecurityCheck.exe and follow the onscreen instructions inside of the black box.
• If you get Unsupported operating system. Aborting now, just reboot and try again.
• A Notepad document should open automatically called checkup.txt.
• Please Post the contents of that document.
• If you can't post it, attach it

MrC

[sigpop]

Checkup.txt log file is attached.

 

I don't use FireFox much.

 

Adobe's updater drives me crazy--it's borderline malware, itself, imo, so I only let it run every now and then.  Plus its orig install is a 54 MB file.  I have no clue why they need such a huge file to install a simple doc reader and outmoded flash player.  When I manually check Adobe Reader updates it says No updates available, installed Adobe Reader X (10.1.12).

 

And the lovely Java updater wants to install Search App by Ask by default.  I did that update and it says 

"You already have the latest Java Platform on this system."

 

My C: drive is an SSD so I won't defrag it.

checkup.txt

[MrCharlie]

Results of screen317's Security Check version 0.99.89

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 x64 (UAC is enabled)

Internet Explorer 11

``````````````Antivirus/Firewall Check:``````````````

Windows Firewall Enabled!

avast! Antivirus

Antivirus up to date!

`````````Anti-malware/Other Utilities Check:`````````

Java 7 Update 45

Java 8 Update 25

Java version out of Date!

Adobe Flash Player 15.0.0.152

Adobe Reader 10.1.12 Adobe Reader out of Date!

Mozilla Firefox 30.0 Firefox out of Date!

Google Chrome 38.0.2125.104

Google Chrome 38.0.2125.111

Google Chrome Plugins...

````````Process Check: objlist.exe by Laurent````````

AVAST Software Avast AvastSvc.exe

AVAST Software Avast avastui.exe

`````````````````System Health check`````````````````

Total Fragmentation on Drive C: 18% Defragment your hard drive soon! (Do NOT defrag if SSD!)

````````````````````End of Log``````````````````````

[MrCharlie]

Out dated programs on the system are vulnerable to malware.
Please update or uninstall them:

===================================

Java 7 Update 45 <-----uninstall this if possible (it may have already been uninstalled)
Java 8 Update 25 <----this is the correct version
Java version out of Date!

==================================


Adobe Reader 10.1.12 Adobe Reader out of Date! <---please check for an update if available or uninstall and download and install Foxit Reader which is less vulnerable to malware and much better than Adobe. Don't install any toolbars that may come with it (ASK Toolbar).

=================================

Mozilla Firefox 30.0 Firefox out of Date! <----please check for an update if available.

=================================

A little clean up to do....

Please Uninstall ComboFix: (------->if you used it<-------)

Press the Windows logo key + R to bring up the "run box"

Copy and paste next command in the field:

ComboFix /uninstall

Make sure there's a space between Combofix and /



Then hit enter. (it may look like CF is re-installing but it's not)
This will uninstall Combofix, delete its related folders and files, hide file extensions, hide the system/hidden files and clears System Restore cache and create new Restore point

(If that doesn't work.....you can simply rename ComboFix.exe to Uninstall.exe and double click it to complete the uninstall or download and run the uninstaller)

---------------------------------

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.

-------------------------------

Any questions...please post back.

If you think I've helped you, please leave a comment > click on my avatar picture > click Profile Feed.

Take a look at My Preventive Maintenance to avoid being infected again.

Good Luck and Thanks for using the forum, MrC

[sigpop]

Good suggestion for Foxit.

I'll get on the rest tonight.

Thanks for all your help, MrC.

[MrCharlie]

OK...Take Care MrC

[AdvancedSetup]

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!