Problem opening Malwarebytes and possible threat

[Sandie320]

Hi there... I'm concerned I may have been targeted by ransomware after clicking on a link to an on-line article.  I can't be sure because I didn't actually see that bogus Microsoft page that pops up, but perhaps it did and I just didn't see it because I had opened Messenger, so the webpage was hidden behind it.   Unfortunately I also had my laptop volume turned quite low, but as I hit the "X" to close down my browser I heard what I assume to be a pop-up video playing, but then heard the word "contact" mentioned.

I decided to run a MB scan, just in case, but the programme wouldn't open for me... possibly because of an attack?  Nor was I able to uninstall the programme through either its own uninstaller or the Windows uninstaller.  On checking the forum I saw that someone else has just had the same problem with MB not opening.  I checked through some other posts, and followed the instruction to download and run the Tweaking "Windows Repair" tool via the link given.  After doing that, and rebooting, I was still not able to open MB, but at least I was able to uninstall it via the Windows uninstaller.

I've since successfully downloaded MB (I have the premium version) and have run a couple of scans.  No threats were found, but would it find ransomware if it had already infected my computer?  As you can probably tell, I'm not all that computer savvy when it comes to technical stuff, nor have I ever used a forum before so this is all new to me.  I'd very much appreciate any help you can give me to check for any problems.  Thank you in advance.

[Sandie320]

Have just now followed the instructions that seem to be given for issues like this, to download and run FRST and mb-check.  File attached. 

mb-check-results.zip

[AdvancedSetup]

Hello @Sandie320 and

Let's make sure the computer is not infected and we'll go from there.

Please run the following steps and post back the logs as an attachment when ready.

STEP 01

• If you're already running Malwarebytes 3 then open Malwarebytes and check for updates. Then click on the Scan tab and select Threat Scan and click on Start Scan button.
• If you don't have Malwarebytes 3 installed yet please download it from here and install it.
• Once installed then open Malwarebytes and check for updates. Then click on the Scan tab and select Threat Scan and click on Start Scan button.
• Once the scan is completed click on the Export Summary button and save the file as a Text file to your desktop or other location you can find, and attach that log on your next reply.
• If Malwarebytes won't run then please skip to the next step and let me know on your next reply.

STEP 02

Please download AdwCleaner by Malwarebytes and save the file to your Desktop.

• Right-click on the program and select Run as Administrator to start the tool.
• Accept the Terms of use.
• Wait until the database is updated.
• Click Scan.
• When finished, please click Clean.
• Your PC should reboot now if any items were found.
• After reboot, a log file will be opened. Copy its content into your next reply.

 

RESTART THE COMPUTER before running Step 3

STEP 03
Please download the Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to your desktop.

Note: You need to run the version compatible with your system. You can check here if you're not sure if your computer is 32-bit or 64-bit

• Double-click to run it. When the tool opens, click Yes to disclaimer.
• Press the 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 also makes another log (Addition.txt). If you've, run the tool before you need to place a check mark here.
• Please attach the Additions.txt log to your reply as well.

 

Thanks

Ron

[Sandie320]

Hi Ron, thanks for the Welcome and for your assistance.

I've carried out all the steps you requested, and here are the logs/files.  I've also included the Adw Scan Summary that popped up before the clean and reboot, just in case you wanted that too.

Sandie

MbScanSummary.txt

AdwScanSummary.txt

AdwLogFile.txt

FRST.txt

Addition.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Hi Sandie,

Overall doesn't look too bad. Let me have you run the following fix that will remove a few minor issues.

Please download the attached fixlist.txt file and save it to the Desktop.
NOTE. It's important that both files, FRST or FRST64 and fixlist.txt are in the same location or the fix will not work.

NOTICE: This script was written specifically for this user, for use on this particular machine. Running this on another machine may cause damage to your operating system.

Run FRST or FRST64 and press the Fix button just once and wait.
If the tool needs a restart please make sure you let the system restart normally and let the tool complete its run after restart.
The tool will make a log on the Desktop (Fixlog.txt). Please attach or post it to your next reply.

Note: If the tool warned you about an outdated version please download and run the updated version.

fixlist.txt

Thanks

Ron

 

[Sandie320]

Hi again Ron

I hope the fix worked OK, because the process paused and showed as "not responding" a couple of times, but then started back up by itself and kept running.  The log was produced, and is attached, and the tool did restart the computer, so fingers crossed.

Sandie

Fixlog.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Looks good.

How is the computer running now?

Are there still any signs of an infection or other issue?

Ron

 

[Sandie320]

Seems fine, thanks Ron.  Malwarebytes appears to be working well, even warned me about a shopping website a while ago.  And the laptop seems to be running well too.  In fact, if anything it seems to be working better (faster) than it had been, so I'm guessing the fixlist you prepared has helped greatly!

Thank you so much for your help and guidance... it's very much appreciated.  And I can now do the backup that Norton has been nagging me about, which obviously I couldn't do until I knew the computer seemed to be clean

Best regards, and all good wishes for the Holiday Season.

Sandie

[AdvancedSetup]

Happy Holidays to you as well Sandie

Take care and stay safe out there

Ron

 

[AdvancedSetup]

Glad we could help.

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Thanks