Help with Cryptowall 3.0

[jimmygu3]

My home PC running Win XP was infected with Cryptowall 3.0. I had backed up all my important data and photos to an external drive, but unfortunately the drive was connected to the PC and also encrypted. I need to get the photos back. Is my only hope to pay the ransom? I also need assistance removing the malware from my PC and guarding against future threats. Thanks!

 

-Jimmy

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Hello,
    
 
They call me TwinHeadedEagle around here, and I'll be working with you.
 
     
    
Before we start please read and note the following:

• Limit your internet access to posting here, some infections just wait to steal typed-in passwords.
• Please be patient. I know it is frustrating when your PC isn't working properly, but malware removal takes time.
• Don't run any scripts or tools on your own, unsupervised usage may cause more harm than good.
• Do not paste the logs in your posts, attachments make my work easier. There is a More reply options button, that gives you Upload Files option below which you can use to attach your reports. Always attach reports from all tools.
• Always execute my instructions in given order. If for some reason you cannot completely follow one instruction, inform me about that.
• Stay with me to the end, the absence of symptoms doesn't mean that your machine is fully operational.
• Note that we may live in totally different time zones, what may cause some delays between answers.
• Do not ask for help for your business PC. Companies are making revenue via computers, so it is good thing to pay someone to repair it.
• If I don't hear from you within 3 days from this initial or any subsequent post, then this thread will be closed.

I can't foresee everything, so if anything unexpected happens, please stop and inform me!
There are no silly questions. Never be afraid to ask if in doubt!
 
 
 
  Rules and policies
 
We won't support any piracy.
That being told, if any evidence of illegal OS, software, cracks/keygens or any other will be revealed, any further assistance will be suspended. If you are aware that there is this kind of stuff on your machine, remove it before proceeding!
The same applies to any use of P2P software: uTorrent, BitTorrent, Vuze, Kazaa, Ares... We don't provide any help for P2P, except for their removal. All P2P software has to be uninstalled or at least fully disabled before proceeding!
 
Failure to follow these guidelines will result with closing your topic and withdrawning any assistance.
 
 
 
 

Please download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to your desktop.
 
Note: You need to run the version compatibale 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.
• Press Scan button.
• It will make a log (FRST.txt) in the same directory the tool is run. Please attach it to your reply.
• The first time the tool is run, it makes also another log (Addition.txt). Please attach it to your reply.

[jimmygu3]

Here are the logs. Thanks!

FRST.txt

Addition.txt

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Uninstall some programs
 
We need to uninstall some unwanted/unneeded programs.

• Press the + R on your keyboard at the same time. Type appwiz.cpl and click OK.
• Search there for each entry mentioned below, right-click the entry and click Uninstall one at a time

The list of programs to uninstall:

• Ask Toolbar Updater
• CouponBar

After completing uninstalls, please manually reboot your machine!
 
Note: If you get the message like: An error occurred while trying to uninstall, just press Yes.
 
 
 
 
Fix with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool
 

This fix was created for this user for use on that particular machine.
Running it on another one may cause damage and render the system unstable.

 
Download attached fixlist.txt file and save it to the Desktop:
 
Both files, FRST and fixlist.txt have to be in the same location or the fix will not work!

• Right-click on icon and select Run as Administrator to start the tool.
  (XP users click run after receipt of Windows Security Warning - Open File).
• Press the Fix button just once and wait.
• If for some reason the tool needs a restart, please make sure you let the system restart normally. After that let the tool complete its run.
• When finished FRST will generate a log on the Desktop, called Fixlog.txt.

Please post it to your reply.

fixlist.txt

[jimmygu3]

Hi TwinHeadedEagle,

 

Thanks again for the help! I tried my best to follow the instructions, but had to make a few tweaks. There were background Chrome instances that would pop up in task manager no matter how many times I forced them to close. I think that was really clogging things up. I could not get to the run prompt, and had to switch to safe mode without networking for removal of the programs. Ask Toolbar removed with no problems, but Couponbar would do nothing when I clicked "remove". I didn't see it in Program Files, and a full computer search found nothing. I think I deleted it manually a long time ago. I found the registry key in the uninstall list and removed it there. 

 

I couldn't run FRST in safe mode, so rebooted in standard mode. I did not know the Administrator password, so had to run as current user, which is an admin account. I unchecked the "protect my computer" box. Fixlog attached. Thanks!

 

 

Fixlog.txt

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Very good. How is your PC now?

[jimmygu3]

It is much better. I ran Malwarebytes and it found 21 threats, which it quarantined. Subsequent scans don't find anything, but I get a "Malicious Website Blocked" (outbound) alert about every 5 seconds. What should I do about this? Am I better off just wiping this PC and starting from scratch? Also, should I assume the hackers stole all my files in addition to encrypting them? Any advice about how to move forward would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Scan with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool
 
Please re-run Farbar Recovery Scan Tool to give me a fresh look at your system.

• Right-click on icon and select Run as Administrator to start the tool.
  (XP users click run after receipt of Windows Security Warning - Open File).
• Make sure that Addition option is checked.
• Press Scan button and wait.
• The tool will produce two logfiles on your desktop: FRST.txt and Addition.txt.

Please include their content into your next reply.

[jimmygu3]

Thanks, THE.

 

FRST logs attached.

 

FYI I also I ran ESET online scan and removed thousands of "threats". Most of them appeared to be the quarantined viruses and the "HELP_DECRYPT" PDFs, etc. I'm attaching that log as well, in case you're interested. Thanks!

 

-Jimmy

FRST.txt

Addition.txt

ESET log.txt

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Yes, these were Cryptowall files. Let's run one more fix.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fix with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool
 

This fix was created for this user for use on that particular machine.
Running it on another one may cause damage and render the system unstable.

 
Download attached fixlist.txt file and save it to the Desktop:
 
Both files, FRST and fixlist.txt have to be in the same location or the fix will not work!

• Right-click on icon and select Run as Administrator to start the tool.
  (XP users click run after receipt of Windows Security Warning - Open File).
• Press the Fix button just once and wait.
• If for some reason the tool needs a restart, please make sure you let the system restart normally. After that let the tool complete its run.
• When finished FRST will generate a log on the Desktop, called Fixlog.txt.

Please post it to your reply.

fixlist.txt

[jimmygu3]

Thanks again! Fixlog attached. I'm not seeing the outbound malicious website warnings now, but here's another problem that has surfaced: I ran GMER quick scan and it said Harddisk0\DR0 has unknown MBR code. I ran the full scan and it terminated in blue screen. When I rebooted, my BIOS says it can't locate hard disk 0. When I choose to continue, the computer boots normally. Then I ran GMER again and it led to a long series of Windows error messages including such terms as Delayed Write Failed, winlogon.exe, I/O Error Status, and device\harddiskvolume2. I had to power down the machine to restart. Still get the BIOS error. Any ideas? Thanks!

Fixlog.txt

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Download Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit to your desktop.

• Double-click the icon to start the tool.
• It will ask you where to extract it, then it will start.
• Warning! Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit needs to be run from an account with administrator rights.
• Click in the introduction screen "next" to continue.
• Click in the following screen "Update" to obtain the latest malware definitions.
• Once the update is complete select "Next" and click "Scan".
• When the scan is finished and no malware has been found select "Exit".
• If malware was detected, make sure to check all the items and click "Cleanup". Reboot your computer.
• Open the MBAR folder and paste the content of the following files in your next reply:
  • "mbar-log-{date} (xx-xx-xx).txt"
  • "system-log.txt"

[jimmygu3]

Hi TwinHeadedEagle,

 

That appears to have done the trick! MBAR found no threats, and MBAM Premium is no longer showing the malicious website warnings. I have real time protection enabled. Anything else I should be doing going forward?

 

Thanks so much! PayPal donation sent.

 

-Jimmy

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Glad I could help. We will delete all used tools and I'll give you some tips to harden your security and learn how to protect yourself
 
 

Recommended reading:

 
 
MUST READ - security tips:

• Computer Security - a short guide to staying safer online.

• Simple and easy ways to keep your computer safe and secure on the Internet

• How Malware Spreads - How did I get infected

MUST READ - general maintenance:

• What to do if your Computer is running slowly?

The Importance of Software Updating:

 

 
In order to stay protected it is very important that you regularly update all of your software. Cybercriminals depend on the apathy of users around software updates to keep their malicious endeavor running.
 
Operating systems, such as Windows, and applications, such as Adobe Reader or JAVA, are used by tens of millions of computers and devices around the world, making them a huge target for cybercriminals. Downloading updates and installing them can sometimes be tedious, but the advantages you get from the updates are certainly worth it.

• How to configure and use Automatic Updates in Windows
• How to update Java
• How to update Adobe Reader

Recommended additional software:

 
 
TFC - to clean unneeded temporary files.
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware - to scan your system from time to time in search for malware.
Malwarebytes' Anti-Exploit - to prevent plenty of mostly exploited vulnerabilities.
McShield - to prevent infections spread by removable media.
Unchecky - to prevent from installing additional foistware, implemented in legitimate installations.
Adblock - to surf the web without annoying ads! 
 
 

Post-cleanup procedures:

 

 
Download DelFix by Xplode and save it to your desktop.

• Run the tool by right click on the icon and Run as administrator option.
• Make sure that these ones are checked:
  • Remove disinfection tools
  • Purge system restore
  • Reset system settings
• Push Run.
• The program will run for a few seconds and display a notepad report. You do not need to attach it.

The tool will also record healthy state of registry and make a backup using ERUNT program in %windir%\ERUNT\DelFix
Tool deletes old system restore points and create a fresh system restore point after cleaning. 
 
 
 

My help is free for everybody.

If you're happy with the help provided and/or wish to buy me a beer for the assistance you received, then you can consider a donation: 

 

Thank you!

 
 
Stay safe,
TwinHeadedEagle  

[eyedocrob]

I am infected with Cryptowall 3.0  I ran the MBAM, the Farbar Scan tool (FRST) and the TDSSKiller Scan.  Attached are my logs.  What is my next step?FRST log.txtmaleware.txtTDSSKiller.3.0.0.44_03.02.2015_14.30.51_log.txtAddition log.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Glad we could help.

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