Blank clients in Task Manager & igfxmtc, pwhkgdu, usmixtb folders.

[Broadster94]

I think I've got some kind of malware or virus here. I've ran several MalwareBytes scans, RogueKiller scans, MBAR & AdwCleaner scans as well. But I'm unable to still delete these folders in my AppData/Local folder, those folders being the suspicious igfxmtc, pwhkgdu, and usmixtb. I can't change permissions or do anything to them. Scans pick them up, but can't delete them even though it says they've been removed. I've mostly fixed everything else that happend (browser-hijacking, pop-ups), but in Task Manager there has been a problem that still persists, even in Safe Mode. There's these blank client tasks running and I can't end them or switch to them or do anything to them. I don't know where they're coming from or how to get rid of them. Sometimes, they can run my CPU usage up as well. They'll stop and then start again. Please help. I think I have all of the tools that are usually recommended, so just let me know what to do. Thanks so much.

[Broadster94]

Also, here's a FRST long that used 

Quote

Start::
CMD: bcdedit.exe /set {bootmgr} displaybootmenu yes
CMD: bcdedit.exe /set {default} recoveryenabled yes
CMD: fltmc instances
CMD: dir /a:-d /o:d C:\windows\system32\drivers
End::

in it. 

Fixlog.txt

[Broadster94]

I'd also like to say that I have a 8GB flash drive and the only spare computer I have is a Mac. I can use the infected computer though. But I can't get the Windows RE to recognize my flash drive so I can use FRST in it.

[Broadster94]

I'm sorry for replying to my thread so much, but I just need help as soon as possible please. I'm also using Windows 7 Ultimate.

[Aura]

Hi Broadster94

My name is Aura and I'll be assisting you with your malware issue. Since we'll be working together, you can call me Aura or Yoan, which is my real name, it's up to you! Now that we've broke the ice, I'll just ask you a few things during the time we'll be working together to clean your system and get it back to an operational state.

• As you'll notice, the logs we are asking for here are quite lenghty, so it's normal for me to not reply exactly after you post them. This is because I need some time to analyse them and then act accordingly. However, I'll always reply within 24 hours, 48 hours at most if something unexpected happens
• As long as I'm assisting you on Malwarebytes Forums, in this thread, I'll ask you to not seek assistance anywhere else for any issue related to the system we are working on. If you have an issue, question, etc. about your computer, please ask it in this thread and I'll assist you
• The same principle applies to any modifications you make to your system, I would like you to ask me before you do any manipulations that aren't in the instructions I posted. This is to ensure that we are operating in sync and I know exactly what's happening on your system
• If you aren't sure about an instruction I'm giving you, ask me about it. This is to ensure that the clean-up process goes without any issue. I'll answer you and even give you more precise instructions/explanations if you need. There's no shame in asking questions here, better be safe than sorry!
• If you don't reply to your thread within 3 days, I'll bump this thread to let you know that I'm waiting for you. If you don't reply after 5 days, it'll be closed. If you return after that period, you can send me a PM to get it unlocked and we'll continue where we left off;
• Since malware can work quickly, we want to get rid of them as fast as we can, before they make unknown changes to the system. This being said, I would appreciate if you could reply to this thread within 24 hours of me posting. This way, we'll have a good clean-up rhythm and the chances of complications will be reduced
• I'm against any form of pirated, illegal and counterfeit software and material. So if you have any installed on your system, I'll ask you to uninstall them right now. You don't have to tell me if you indeed had some or not, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. Plus, this would be against Malwarebytes Forums's rules
• In the end, you are the one asking for assistance here. So if you wish to go a different way during the clean-up, like format and reinstall Windows, you are free to do so. I would appreciate you to let me know about it first, and if you need, I can also assist you in the process
• I would appreciate if you were to stay with me until the end, which means, until I declare your system clean. Just because your system isn't behaving weirdly anymore, or is running better than before, it doesn't mean that the infection is completely gone
  This being said, I have a full time job so sometimes it'll take longer for me to reply to you. Don't worry, you'll be my first priority as soon as I get home and have time to look at your thread
  

This being said, it's time to clean-up some malware, so let's get started, shall we?

Follow the instructions in the thread below, and provide me both FRST logs (FRST.txt and Addition.txt). You can attach them in your next post, or copy/paste their content.

https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/9573-im-infected-what-do-i-do-now/

[Broadster94]

Thank you so much, Aura. Here's the files you requested.

Addition.txt

FRST.txt

[Aura]

For the next step, you'll need to download the FRST64.exe and fixlist.txt files from a clean computer and move them on your USB. Then. the USB can only be inserted in the infected computer once it is either shutdown or in the Windows RE, otherwise the infection will mess on the files on the USB and you'll have to restart.

Farbar Recovery Scan Tool (FRST) - Recovery Environment Scan
Follow the instructions below to download and execute a scan on your system with FRST from the Recovery Environment, and provide the logs in your next reply.

Item(s) required:

• USB Flash Drive (size depend on if you have to create a USB Recovery or Installation media)
• CD/DVD (optional: only needed if you need to create a Recovery or Installation media and your USB Flash Drive is too small)
• Another computer (optional: only needed if you cannot work from the infected computer directly)
  

Preparing the USB Flash Drive

• Download the right version of FRST for your system:
  
  • FRST 64-bit
    
• Move the executable (FRST.exe or FRST64.exe) on your USB Flash Drive
• Download the attached fixlist.txt, and move it on your USB Flash Drive as well
  

Boot in the Recovery Environment

• Plug your USB Flash Drive in the infected computer
• To enter the Recovery Environment with Windows Vista and Windows 7, follow the instructions below:
  
  • Restart the computer
  • Once you've seen your BIOS splashscreen (the computer manufacturer logo), tap the F8 key repeatedly until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears
  • Use the arrow keys to select Repair your computer, and press on Enter
  • Select your keyboard layout (US, French, etc.) and click on Next
  • Click on Command Prompt to open the command prompt
    Note:If you can't access the Recovery Environment using the F8 method above, you'll need to create a Windows installation or repair media. It can be made on the computer itself or another one running the same version of Windows as the one you plan to use it on. For more information, check out this tutorial on SevenForums.
    
• To enter the Recovery Environment with Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, follow the instructions in this tutorial on EightForums
  Note:If you can't access the Recovery Environment using the method above, you'll need to create a Windows installation or repair media. It can be made on the computer itself or another one running the same version of Windows as the one you plan to use it on. For more information, check out this tutorial.
• To enter the Recovery Environment with Windows 10, follow the instructions in this tutorial on TenForums
  Note:If you can't access the Recovery Environment using the method above, you'll need to create a Windows installation or repair media. It can be made on the computer itself or another one running the same version of Windows as the one you plan to use it on. For more information, check out this tutorial on TenForums.
  

Once in the command prompt

• In the command prompt, type notepad and press on Enter
• Notepad will open. Click on the File menu and select Open
• Click on Computer/This PC, find the letter for your USB Flash Drive, then close the window and Notepad
• In the command prompt, type e:\frst.exe (for the x64 version, type e:\frst64.exe and press on Enter
• Note: Replace the letter e with the drive letter of your USB Flash Drive
• FRST will open
• Click on Yes to accept the disclaimer
• Click on the Fix button and wait for the scan to complete
• A log called fixlog.txt will be saved on your USB Flash Drive. Attach it in your next reply
  

fixlist.txt

[Broadster94]

The only clean computer I have is a Mac, will that be okay? Also, I couldn't get the USB to show in the Windows RE before, even though I'm formatting it as FAT32.

[Aura]

A Mac will work. And did you try inserting the USB in another USB port?

[Broadster94]

Okay, I'll format and put those files on the USB. And I have tried a 3.0 port and what I believe is a 2.0 port on the back of the computer. But I may have been doing something wrong. I'll try again and report back.

[Broadster94]

I booted into the Windows RE and it doesn't show my flash drive in the list of devices. Only my C drive, my D drive which is my internal HDD, System Reserved, and Boot. It also shows my CD drive, but that's it.

[Aura]

Is your USB showing under Windows (normal boot)? If you test it, you'll have to copy FRST64.exe and the fixlist.txt on it from your Mac again afterwards.

[Broadster94]

Yes, it shows it just fine, as drive G actually. I copied the files again. I tried a different flash drive while I was in the  RE and it didn't show up either, I think it's exFAT though.

[Aura]

Try formatting it to FAT32 and see if that one works.

[Broadster94]

I formatted it as FAT32 on the infected computer, connected it to my Mac to put the files back on it, turned the infected computer off, plugged the drive into the back of the computer, started the computer, got into the RE, did the Notepad procedure and it still isn't showing up, only the drives I mentioned earlier. This other flash drive is a  4GB one I think. 

[Aura]

Do you have a laptop or a desktop? If you have a desktop, try inserting the USB in the USB ports straight from the motherboard, and not the case itself.

[Broadster94]

It's a desktop, and that's what I've been doing this whole time, plugging them into the back of the computer directly into the motherboard USB ports.

[Aura]

Are you familiar with the diskpart command? If so, can you use it in the Recovery Environment and see if you recognise your USB Flash Drive?

[Broadster94]

Yeah, I can try diskpart in the CMD, but I think I tried that before too, and it didn't show it, but I'll try again.

[Broadster94]

Yep, didn't show it. Only the aforementioned drives.

[Aura]

Can you give me a picture of the diskpart output?

[Broadster94]

Sure, here you go.

[Aura]

Well in that case, another possible solution would be to create a bootable Windows 10 installation media, using your USB Flash Drive, use it to boot in the Recovery Environment and access FRST64.exe and the fixlist.txt from there (you can put them on the same USB).

[Broadster94]

I was thinking of that too. Please tell me how to do it and I'll try it.

[Aura]

Here:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/software-download/windows10

You should be able to do it from the infected computer. Though you'll have to download FRST and the fixlist from the Mac.