Need help with a diagnosis

[brantaylo]

So, I had some serious computer issues and none of my malware checkers picked up anything in particular. It was, at a moment, so bad that I couldn't even load up windows while connected to the internet. My anti-viruses took forever to load and everything froze up everytime I turned on the computer.

 

I use an Alienware Aurora with 1 TB of memory, 8 gigs of ram and I use a combination of Malwarebytes and Kaspersky Total Security. Malwarebytes, for the past few months, kept on having it's automatic security turned off. And Kaspersky would not load on one boot instance, it just kept loading.

 

When I went into safemode and disabled Itunes, as a means of speeding up my boot, my screen would be completely black after logging in and NOTHING showed up. I was having major freezing issues until I cleaned my DNS. I'm not quite sure what happened. I saw that my hosts had ALOT of websites in it, but it seems like Spybot inserted these.

 

Rkill picked up nothing either. Now that I flushed my DNS, it seems to run smoother, but I want to be absolutely sure after that terrible start.

hijackthis.log

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Hello,
    
 
They call me TwinHeadedEagle around here, and I'll try to help your with your issue.
 
     
    
Before we start please read and note the following:

• We're primarily oriented on malware removal here, so you must know that some issues just cannot be solved and you must be prepared for this. Some tools we use here will remove your browser search history, so backup your important links and all the files whose loss is unacceptable.
• 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. Keep in mind that private life gets in the way too. Note that we may live in totally different time zones, what may cause some delays between answers.
• 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.
• 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 not covered in my instructions 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.

[brantaylo]

Here are the attached files. I hope that this helps you discover whatever may be creeping in my system

FRST.txt

Addition.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 attach the content of the following files in your next reply:
  • "mbar-log-{date} (xx-xx-xx).txt"
  • "system-log.txt"

[brantaylo]

The scan found nothing.

[brantaylo]

Here is the system log

[brantaylo]

I also have an external drive, by the way. Should I plug that in to be scanned?

[brantaylo]

Sorry for quadruple posting, I thought I had the log attached

system-log.txt

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Can you uninstall Kaspersky?

[brantaylo]

My admin account only boots to a black screen. I have tried 3 times.

[brantaylo]

I got it yo boot, but I had to disconnect the Ethernet cord

[brantaylo]

Just uninstalled Kaspersky

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Okay, keep me updated.

[brantaylo]

I rebooted my pc and it didn't black screen that time. But now, I want to bring your attention to an error I neglected to mention.

I had this since the beginning, but the black screen freaked me out, so I forgot to mention it. It may not be related, though

"Main message window: NvBackend.exe- bad image

C:\users...\\Nvidia\NvBackend\applicationontology\ontology.Dell is either not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error."

[TwinHeadedEagle]

This is something related to your Nvidia drivers. You should reinstall them.

[brantaylo]

While I do that, should I keep Kaspersky uninstalled if so, do you have better antivirus suggestions to compliment my premium malware bytes?

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Kaspersky is fine, but it is known to produce performance issues. Also it is known to interfere with MalwareBytes so if you intend to keep Kaspersky, you should add MalwareBytes to exclusions and vice versa.

 

https://forums.malwarebytes.org/index.php?/topic/93615-malwarebytes-and-kaspersky-internet-2012/#entry469405

[brantaylo]

Thank you. So I just reinstalled my drivers and that error is gone, thank goodness. Now on the subject of my antivirus, I'm a bit hesitant at the moment. I want to make sure that I'm doing this right first.

 

Any other scans or tools I need to use?

[TwinHeadedEagle]

No need, your PC is clean.

[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:

 
 
CCleaner - 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  

[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!

[AdvancedSetup]

Topic reopened per request

[brantaylo]

Twinhedge, I am using a phone to avoid connecting my pc. I suspect a RAT so, I want you to proceed with the info I gave you

[brantaylo]

Someone tries to access my steam account from CN. I can't afford to plug my pc up again.

But there was a hidden E drive that I accessed when I logged in. I haven't found it since it closed. But it looked like, as far as I could see, a copy of my c drive.

The computer management tool can't find it, so I suspect a virtual drive, possibly a cloud drive

[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 attach the content of the following files in your next reply:
  • "mbar-log-{date} (xx-xx-xx).txt"
  • "system-log.txt"

 

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.