Deep infection - self help not working

[Jimcat]

So, the kids' game box has some nasty infections on it. (This seems to happen to me about once per year.) At the very least it looks like Binkiland, Guffins toolbar, and Strong Signal are on there. I tried conventional methods to get rid of them: remove the programs via Control Panel, run AdwCleaner and MBAM, but that doesn't seem to fix the problem.

 

After a Google search on how to remove Strong Signal, I found a link to a program called SpyHunter, which did a long scan of my drive and found a good number of infections - but it wouldn't let me remove them unless I registered, and these infections seem to be preventing me from calling up any Web browsers. I can click on Google Chrome (my preferred browser), but the drive just churns forever and the browser window never comes up.

 

So, clearly I need a thorough cleaning. Where do we start?

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

[kevinf80]

Hello and welome,

 

P2P/Piracy Warning:

 

If you're using Peer 2 Peer software such as uTorrent, BitTorrent or similar you must either fully uninstall them or completely disable them from running while being assisted here.Failure to remove or disable such software will result in your topic being closed and no further assistance being provided.If you have illegal/cracked software, cracks, keygens etc. on the system, please remove or uninstall them now and read the policy on Piracy.

 

Download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to your desktop.

 

Note: You need to run the version compatible with your system (32 bit or 64 bit). 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 copy and paste it to your reply.
The first time the tool is run, it makes also another log (Addition.txt). Please attach it to your reply.

 

Thanks,

 

Kevin...

[Jimcat]

Here are the files from the FRST scan.

FRST.txt

Addition.txt

[kevinf80]

Download attached fixlist.txt file (end of reply) and save it to the Desktop, or the folder you saved FRST into.

NOTE. It's important that both FRST and fixlist.txt are in the same location or the fix will not work.

 

Run FRST and press the Fix button just once and wait.

The tool will make a log on the Desktop (Fixlog.txt) or the folder it was ran from. Please post it to your reply.

 

Next,

 

Open Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, from the Dashboard please Check for Updates by clicking the Update Now... link

When the update completes select > 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.

 

When the scan is complete, if there have been detections, click Apply Actions to allow MBAM to clean what was detected.

 

 

In most cases, a restart will be required.

 

 

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

 

 

When the scan is completed from the main GUI click on History > Application Logs. Find your Scan log, the date when run will identify it. Checkmark "select" box > then hit the "view" button. The history log window will open. At the bottom of that window are two options, "Copy to clipboard" and "Export"

Select > "Copy to clipboard" that copies the full log to the windows clipboard, so at your reply you right click into the text field and select "Paste" the log is pasted (copied) to  your reply.

 

Next,

 

Open Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, from the Dashboard please Check for Updates by clicking the Update Now... link

When the update completes select > 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.

 

When the scan is complete, if there have been detections, click Apply Actions to allow MBAM to clean what was detected.

 

 

In most cases, a restart will be required.

 

 

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

 

 

When the scan is completed from the main GUI click on History > Application Logs. Find your Scan log, the date when run will identify it. Checkmark "select" box > then hit the "view" button. The history log window will open. At the bottom of that window are two options, "Copy to clipboard" and "Export"

Select > "Copy to clipboard" that copies the full log to the windows clipboard, so at your reply you right click into the text field and select "Paste" the log is pasted (copied) to  your reply.

 

Next,

 

Please download Junkware Removal Tool to your desktop.

• 
  

Shut down your protection software now to avoid potential conflicts. (re-enable when done)
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.

 

Next,

 

Scan with ESET Online Scanner

 

This step can only be done using Internet Explorer, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.

Temporary disable your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware protection - instructions here.

Please visit ESET Online Scanner website.

 

Click there Run ESET Online Scanner.

 

If using Internet Explorer:

 

• 
  

Accept the Terms of Use and click Start.
Allow the running of add-on.

If using Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome:

• 
  

Download esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe that you'll be given link to.
Double click esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe.
Allow the Terms of Use and click Start.

To perform the scan:

• 
  

Make sure that Remove found threats is unchecked.
Scan archives is checked.
In Advanced Settings: Scan for potentially unwanted applications, Scan for potentially unsafe applications and Enable Anti-Stealth technology are checked.
Under “Enable Stealth Technology select “Change” select any extra drives in that window.
Click Start
The program will begin to download it's virus database. The speed may vary depending on your Internet connection.
When completed, the program will begin to scan. This may take several hours. Please, be patient.
Do not do anything on your machine as it may interrupt the scan.
When the scan is done, click Finish.
A logfile will be created at C:\Program Files (x86)\ESET\ESET Online Scanner. Open it using Notepad.

Please include this logfile in your next reply.

 

Don't forget to re-enable protection software!

 

Let me see those logs, also give an update on any remaining issues or concerns...

 

Thank you,

 

Kevin...

 

 

 

Fixlist.txt

[Jimcat]

Thank you, starting now...

[Jimcat]

First step complete. Here is the Fixlog.txt file.

Fixlog.txt

[kevinf80]

Thanks....

[Jimcat]

MBAM_Scan.txt

After the FRST fix, MBAM found no threats - first time that has happened in a long time! Attached is the scan log. I'm still going ahead with the following steps, just to be safe.

[Jimcat]

JRT log is attached.

JRT.txt

[kevinf80]

Thanks for the update and logs, post ESET log whenever ready...

 

Thanks,

 

Kevin...

[Jimcat]

ESET is running now and has found a few more infections. Will post the log when done.

[kevinf80]

Thank you for update....

[Jimcat]

It's a big hard drive... ESET is still going, about 48% done after 1 hour and 50 minutes.

[kevinf80]

Yes ESET scan is very thorough so may take several hours...

[Jimcat]

Finished at last. Here is the log file from ESET.

log.txt

[kevinf80]

What is the current status, any remaining issues or concerns?

[Jimcat]

It looks as though I am probably in the clear now. The web browser comes up quickly once again, and the kids' favorite sites don't have the ad links on them. I've re-activated Windows Defender and virus protection.

 

Appreciate the help; I will be sending some thanks your way.

[kevinf80]

Excellent, good to hear. Couple of updates required and then a clean up:

 

Adobe Reader is outdated...

Visit http://get.adobe.com/uk/reader/otherversions/ and download the latest version of Acrobat Reader

 

Step 1 - Select your Operating System.

Step 2 - Select your Langauge.

Step 3 - Select latest version.

 

Untick the option for any security scanner or toolbar if offered.

 

Download and install.

 

Having the latest updates ensures there are no security vulnerabilities in your system.

 

Next,

 

Your Java is out of date. Older versions have vulnerabilities that malware can use to infect your system.

Please follow these steps to remove older version of Java components and upgrade the application.

 

Upgrading Java:

 

Go to http://java.com/en/ and click on "Do I have Java"

It will check your current version and then offer to update to the latest version

Watch for and make sure you untick the box next to whatever free program they prompt you to install during the installation, unless you want it.

 

***Note: Check in Programs and Features (or Add/Remove Programs if you are an XP user) to make certain there are no old versions of Java still installed, if so - remove them. <<-- Very Important

 

Next,

 

Download "Delfix by Xplode" and save it to your desktop.

 

Or use the following if first link is down:

 

"Delfix link mirror"

 

Double Click to start the program. If you are using Vista or higher, please right-click and choose run as administrator

 

Make Sure the following items are checked:

 

 

• 
  

    Remove disinfection tools
    Purge System Restore
    Reset system settings

 

Now click on "Run" and wait patiently until the tool has completed.

 

The tool will create a log when it has completed. We don't need you to post this.

 

Any remnant files/logs from tools we have used can be deleted…

 

Next,

 

Read the following link to fully understand PC security and best practices, you may find it useful....

 

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/407147/answers-to-common-security-questions-best-practices/#entry2316629

 

Let me know if we are ok to close out....

 

Thanks,

 

Kevin..

[Jimcat]

Will follow those instructions in the morning.

[kevinf80]

Thanks for the update.....

[Jimcat]

Delfix has been run and Java has been updated. I think we are good to close this out now. Thanks again for your assistance.

[kevinf80]

Thanks for the update, it was a pleasure to work with you...

 

Take care and surf safe,

 

Kevin...

[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!