Adware/Malware Problem!

[slickrick]

Yesterday I turned off my PC with no problems. However today when I turned it on command prompt opened briefly, closed, Google Chrome opened and a window called gangnamgame.net opened up. I proceeded to try and open MalwareBytes and CCleaner however neither program would open. I renamed both of their .exe's to something random like xxx.exe and then both programs opened without a problem. I ran both programs, got a few hits on MalwareBytes and proceeded to remove/clean whatever it showed. I also ran CCleaner and let it do its job. After doing so I restarted my PC as prompted by MalwareBytes but when I started up my PC again the same thing happened. Command prompt opened, closed quickly, Google Chrome opened and opened a website called gangnamgame.net.

 

After this I checked msconfig ---> startup and with a bit of searching found the following startup item:

 

- Name: Microsoft (with the little R in a circle thing)

Manufacturer: Microsoft Corporation

Command: cmd.exe /c start http://gangnamgame.org&& exit

Location: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

 

After concluding this was what was causing Google Chrome to open up with that website I disabled it and restarted my computer. When my computer started up command prompt didn't open and Google Chrome didn't open. I renamed both MalwareBytes and CCleaners .exe's back to their original names and tried to run them again. Sure enough they didn't open so from this I know that the problem isn't solved. I renamed their .exe's to xxx.exe again and I ran MalwareBytes, AVG Internet Security 2015, and CCleaner and none of them came up with any threats so this is where I'm stuck.

 

I didn't have to rename the .exe for AVG and it ran fine however to use MalwareBytes and CCleaner I had to rename their .exe's so from this I have reason to believe that whatever is on my computer (be it Adware or Malware) is not gone. This is where I need help my good friends at MalwareBytes.

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Hello,

 

 

 

They call me TwinHeadedEagle around here, and I'll be working with you.

 

 

 

Before we start please read and note the following:

• At the top of your post, please click on the "Watch thread" button and make sure to check Watch this thread...and receive email notifications. This will send an email to you as soon as I reply to your topic, allowing me to solve your problem faster.
• Please do not install any new software during the cleaning process other than the tools I provide for you. This can hinder the cleaning process. Please do not perform System Restore or any other restore.
• Instructions I give to you are very simple and made for complete beginner to follow. That's why you need to read through my instructions carefully and completely before executing them.
• Please do not run any tools other than the ones I ask you to, when I ask you to. Some of these tools can be very dangerous if used improperly. Also, if you use a tool that I have not requested you use, it can cause false positives, thereby delaying the complete cleaning of your machine.
• All tools we use here are completely clean and do not contain any malware. If your antivirus detects them as malicious, please disable your antivirus and then continue.
• If during the process you run across anything that is not in my instructions, please stop and ask. If any tool is running too much time (few hours), please stop and inform me.
• I visit forum several times at day, making sure to respond to everyone's topic as fast as possible. But bear in mind that I have private life like everyone and I cannot be here 24/7. So please be patient with me. Also, some infections require less, and some more time to be removed completely, so bear this in mind and be patient.
• Please stay with me until the end of all steps and procedures and I declare your system clean. Just because there is a lack of symptoms does not indicate a clean machine. If you solved your problem yourself, set aside two minutes to let me know.
• Please attach all report using button below. Doing this, you make it easier for me to analyze and fix your problem.
• Do not ask for help for your business PC. Companies are making revenue via computers, so it is good thing to pay for the repair.
• If I don't hear from you within 3 days from this initial or any subsequent post, then this thread will be closed.

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.

 

 

 

Scan with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool

 

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.

[slickrick]

Hello TwinHeadedEagle. I'd just like to let you know before I post the logs that when I attempted to run FRST64 it would not run (same thing that happened with MalwareBytes and CCleaner before renaming their .exe's) so I renamed the .exe for FRST64 to abc.exe. Anyhow, here's what you requested.

Addition.txt

FRST.txt

[TwinHeadedEagle]

This topic is started by slickrick and instructions you see here are only for his machine. Everyone else, please be kind and start your own topic. Thanks!

 

 

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 attach it to your reply.

fixlist.txt

[slickrick]

Also I wanted to let you know that after restarting the computer as told by the program, I keep getting that sound when you disconnect and re-connect something (not sure what the sound is called) to your PC.

Fixlog.txt

[TwinHeadedEagle]

How is your PC behaving now?

[slickrick]

Wowzers, renamed all the .exe's back to their original names and they open fine so I'm assuming that's a good sign. My PC doesn't have any other problems besides the one you just fixed for me my good sir and for that I thank you.

[slickrick]

Only problem I'm having now is that apparently there is an Unknown USB device but it doesn't show up in Device Manager and it's making that fairly annoying Windows 7 disconnect/reconnect sound.

[TwinHeadedEagle]

Okay, let's see what can we do about this:

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.

[slickrick]

Sir yes sir. Files have been attached to this message.

Addition.txt

FRST.txt

[TwinHeadedEagle]

I see nothing in the logs. Let's try check disk:

Check Disk

• Press the + R on your keyboard at the same time. Type cmd and click OK.
• Copy/Enter the command below and press Enter:

• chkdsk C: /r

• You should get a message to schedule Check Disk at next system restart. Please type Y and press Enter.
• All you should do now is to restart your PC and let the Check Disk process finish uninterrupted.

Check Disk report:

• Press the + R on your keyboard at the same time. Type eventvwr and click OK.
• In the left panel, expand Windows Logs and then click on Application.
• Now, on the right side, click on Filter Current Log.
• Under Event Sources, check only Wininit and click OK.
• Now you'll be presented with one or multiple Wininit logs.
• Click on an entry corresponding to the date and time of the disk check.
• On the top main menu, click Action > Copy > Copy Details as Text.
• Paste the contents into your next reply.

[slickrick]

Log Name:      Application

Source:        Microsoft-Windows-Wininit

Date:          9/15/2015 3:04:01 PM

Event ID:      1001

Task Category: None

Level:         Information

Keywords:      Classic

User:          N/A

Computer:      Ricky-PC

Description:

 

 

Checking file system on C:

The type of the file system is NTFS.

 

A disk check has been scheduled.

Windows will now check the disk.                         

 

CHKDSK is verifying files (stage 1 of 5)...

Cleaning up instance tags for file 0x12741.

  192768 file records processed.                                         

 

File verification completed.

  772 large file records processed.                                   

 

  0 bad file records processed.                                     

 

  2 EA records processed.                                           

 

  51 reparse records processed.                                      

 

CHKDSK is verifying indexes (stage 2 of 5)...

  251426 index entries processed.                                        

 

Index verification completed.

  0 unindexed files scanned.                                        

 

  0 unindexed files recovered.                                      

 

CHKDSK is verifying security descriptors (stage 3 of 5)...

  192768 file SDs/SIDs processed.                                        

 

Cleaning up 794 unused index entries from index $SII of file 0x9.

Cleaning up 794 unused index entries from index $SDH of file 0x9.

Cleaning up 794 unused security descriptors.

Security descriptor verification completed.

  29330 data files processed.                                           

 

CHKDSK is verifying Usn Journal...

  35169912 USN bytes processed.                                            

 

Usn Journal verification completed.

CHKDSK is verifying file data (stage 4 of 5)...

  192752 files processed.                                                

 

File data verification completed.

CHKDSK is verifying free space (stage 5 of 5)...

  26659879 free clusters processed.                                        

 

Free space verification is complete.

CHKDSK discovered free space marked as allocated in the

master file table (MFT) bitmap.

CHKDSK discovered free space marked as allocated in the volume bitmap.

Windows has made corrections to the file system.

 

 234326015 KB total disk space.

 127276080 KB in 152528 files.

    108260 KB in 29331 indexes.

         0 KB in bad sectors.

    302155 KB in use by the system.

     65536 KB occupied by the log file.

 106639520 KB available on disk.

 

      4096 bytes in each allocation unit.

  58581503 total allocation units on disk.

  26659880 allocation units available on disk.

 

Internal Info:

00 f1 02 00 6e c6 02 00 21 47 05 00 00 00 00 00  ....n...!G......

50 77 00 00 33 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  Pw..3...........

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  ................

 

Windows has finished checking your disk.

Please wait while your computer restarts.

 

Event Xml:

<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">

  <System>

    <Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-Wininit" Guid="{206f6dea-d3c5-4d10-bc72-989f03c8b84b}" EventSourceName="Wininit" />

    <EventID Qualifiers="16384">1001</EventID>

    <Version>0</Version>

    <Level>4</Level>

    <Task>0</Task>

    <Opcode>0</Opcode>

    <Keywords>0x80000000000000</Keywords>

    <TimeCreated SystemTime="2015-09-15T19:04:01.000000000Z" />

    <EventRecordID>34835</EventRecordID>

    <Correlation />

    <Execution ProcessID="0" ThreadID="0" />

    <Channel>Application</Channel>

    <Computer>Ricky-PC</Computer>

    <Security />

  </System>

  <EventData>

    <Data>

 

Checking file system on C:

The type of the file system is NTFS.

 

A disk check has been scheduled.

Windows will now check the disk.                         

 

CHKDSK is verifying files (stage 1 of 5)...

Cleaning up instance tags for file 0x12741.

  192768 file records processed.                                         

 

File verification completed.

  772 large file records processed.                                   

 

  0 bad file records processed.                                     

 

  2 EA records processed.                                           

 

  51 reparse records processed.                                      

 

CHKDSK is verifying indexes (stage 2 of 5)...

  251426 index entries processed.                                        

 

Index verification completed.

  0 unindexed files scanned.                                        

 

  0 unindexed files recovered.                                      

 

CHKDSK is verifying security descriptors (stage 3 of 5)...

  192768 file SDs/SIDs processed.                                        

 

Cleaning up 794 unused index entries from index $SII of file 0x9.

Cleaning up 794 unused index entries from index $SDH of file 0x9.

Cleaning up 794 unused security descriptors.

Security descriptor verification completed.

  29330 data files processed.                                           

 

CHKDSK is verifying Usn Journal...

  35169912 USN bytes processed.                                            

 

Usn Journal verification completed.

CHKDSK is verifying file data (stage 4 of 5)...

  192752 files processed.                                                

 

File data verification completed.

CHKDSK is verifying free space (stage 5 of 5)...

  26659879 free clusters processed.                                        

 

Free space verification is complete.

CHKDSK discovered free space marked as allocated in the

master file table (MFT) bitmap.

CHKDSK discovered free space marked as allocated in the volume bitmap.

Windows has made corrections to the file system.

 

 234326015 KB total disk space.

 127276080 KB in 152528 files.

    108260 KB in 29331 indexes.

         0 KB in bad sectors.

    302155 KB in use by the system.

     65536 KB occupied by the log file.

 106639520 KB available on disk.

 

      4096 bytes in each allocation unit.

  58581503 total allocation units on disk.

  26659880 allocation units available on disk.

 

Internal Info:

00 f1 02 00 6e c6 02 00 21 47 05 00 00 00 00 00  ....n...!G......

50 77 00 00 33 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  Pw..3...........

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  ................

 

Windows has finished checking your disk.

Please wait while your computer restarts.

</Data>

  </EventData>

</Event>

[slickrick]

Turned off my PC, turned off the PSU, removed the power cord for about 30 seconds and then I plugged it back in, turned on pc, etc... Anyhow the problem went away when I did that for whatever reason. I'm all good here, thanks a bunch of for the help TwinHeadedEagle. I'll be sure to leave you a donation in your paypal when I can .

[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 show your appreciation for the assistance you received, then you can consider a donation:

Thank you!

Stay safe,

TwinHeadedEagle

[slickrick]

You sir are a saint. Thanks for all the help, new tools, etc... I updated both Adobe Reader and Java, I had completely forgot to update them!!! After reading all those security tips and general maintenance I'm sure that I wont be getting any new viruses/malware/adware/etc... anytime soon. Thanks again TwoHeadedEagle!! 

[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!