Issues After Maleware Removal

[cyTWSG]

Hi All,

First of all thank you all for reading my thread and also let me apologize in advance for my use of terms which may or may not be wrong at times. I am a SUPER layman at using computers, I have absolutely no technical knowledge or terminology for computer stuffs.

I really need some help on the following issues, hopefully someone experienced can give me some lifesaving advises and solutions.

Earlier today, my PC got infected with multiple adware/trojan/virus (not sure which category they fall into) through downloading and attempting to install some shared programs online. It kept bringing me to a particular search website and I had no way to change to homepage of my browser. Later while I was trying to install some anti-virus programs, another file called "7.zip" popped up right after I download the anti-virus and I mistakenly accepted to install it into my PC. Several shortcuts for programs such as "speedy" and "adult dating" are installed onto my desktop without my consent and this was when I realized things were getting out of hand.

I have installed and ran the following anti-virus programs:

1. Zemana

2. Malewarebytes

3. RogueKiller

The malware redirection seems to be solved, though I had to reinstall my browser as I was not even able to locate it anywhere on my computer. Then now comes a few more concerning aftermath problems:

1. Several icons on my computers have disappeared. For instance, when I open a folder, pdf files which use to have the adobe icon, and excel files which had the excel icons are now a blank boxes.

2. Every now and then, at no specific time, I see a micro-second of a window (something that looks like a dos command) popping out and disappearing. It happens in a very split of a micro second that I cannot even see what is the content of the window. This lead me to suspect maybe my computer is still infected.

3. My file explorer is messed up. When I open my file explorer, the quick access bar keeps loading indefinitely, the only way I can see my files is to open a new tab on the file explorer and the first one continues to load forever...

 

Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

Edited April 27, 2018 by cyTWSG

[Malwarebytes]

***This is an automated reply***

Hi,

Thanks for posting in the Malware Removal for Windows Help forum. Being infected is not fun and can be very frustrating to resolve, but don't worry because we have a team of experts here help you!!

Note: Please be patient. When the site is busy it can take up to 48 hours before a malware removal helper can assist you. If no one has replied to your new topic after 48 hours please contact a Moderator or Administrator to let them know.

 

First, if you haven't done so, please run a Threat Scan with the latest version of Malwarebytes. This may resolve your malware infection issue without the need for additional support. Click "Reveal Hidden Contents" below for details:

Spoiler

Malwarebytes can detect and remove most malware with no further actions required for free.

If you do not have Malwarebytes, please download it here and install. Be sure to post back the log as shown below.

1. Open Malwarebytes for Windows
2. To the left, click Scan > Scan Types.
   
3. Select Threat Scan. Threat Scan is the most thorough and recommended scan method available.
   
4. Click Start Scan

Next, if you're still experiencing issues after running Malwarebytes, then technical logs will be required to assist you. Click "Reveal Hidden Contents" below and follow the instructions to run the Farbar Recovery Scan Tool:

Spoiler

Don't use any temporary file cleaners unless requested - this can cause data loss and make a recovery difficult.

Please download the Farbar Recovery Scan Tool here 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

1. Double-click to run it. When the tool opens click Yes to the disclaimer.
2. Press the Scan button.
   
3. It will make a log (FRST.txt) in the same directory the tool is run. Please copy and paste it to your reply.
4. The first time the tool is run, it also makes another log (Addition.txt). If you've run it before it may not and you may need to select it manually.

Finally, attach the Malwarebytes Threat Scan, FRST.txt and Additional.txt logs to your reply and Follow this topic to get notified when an expert has replied. Click "Reveal Hidden Contents" below for details.

Note: If you are unable to attach files, please copy and past the contents of the requested files in your Reply instead. 

Spoiler

To save attachments, please click the link as shown below. You can click and drag the files to this bar or you can click the choose files, then browse to where your files are located, select them and click the Open button.

 

After posting your new post, make sure you click the Follow button near the top right of this page, and select the option "An email when new content is posted Change how the notification is sent" so that you're alerted by email when someone has replied to your post.

Please Note the Following:

• One of our expert helpers will give you one-on-one assistance when one becomes available.
• Refrain from making any further changes to your computer (such as Install/Uninstall programs, using special fix tools, delete files, edit the registry, etc...) unless advised by a malware removal helper. Doing so can result in system changes which may hinder the attempts by a helper to clean your machine.
• Do not 'bump' or add a reply to your topic once it is started. Topics which appear to have replies are considered to have a helper assisting them and may be overlooked, resulting in a longer waiting period for help
• If you're using Peer 2 Peer software such as uTorrent or similar, please completely disable it from running while being assisted here.

Troubleshooting Tips

• FAQ - Malwarebytes won't run or failed to resolve my issues
• Groups authorized to help with Malware Removal for Windows logs

[kevinf80]

Hello cyTWSG and welcome to Malwarebytes, Continue with the following: If you do not have Malwarebytes installed do the following: Download Malwarebytes version 3 from the following link: https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/thankyou/ Double click on the installer and follow the prompts. If necessary select the Blue Help tab for video instructions.... When the install completes or Malwarebytes is already installed do the following: Open Malwarebytes, select > "settings" > "protection tab" Scroll down to "Scan Options" ensure Scan for Rootkits and Scan within Archives are both on.... Go back to "DashBoard" select the Blue "Scan Now" tab...... When the scan completes deal with any found entries... To get the log from Malwarebytes do the following:   Click on the Report tab > from main interface. Double click on the Scan log which shows the Date and time of the scan just performed. Click Export > From export you have two options: Copy to Clipboard - if seleted right click to your reply and select "Paste" log will be pasted to your reply Text file (*.txt) - if selected you will have to name the file and save to a place of choice, recommend "Desktop" then attach to reply   Please use "Copy to Clipboard, then Right click to your reply > select "Paste" that will copy the log to your reply… Next, Download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to your desktop. Alternative download option: http://www.techspot.com/downloads/6731-farbar-recovery-scan-tool.html 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. If your security alerts to FRST either, accept the alert or turn your security off to allow FRST to run. It is not malicious or infected in any way... Be aware FRST must be run from an account with Administrator status...   Double-click to run it. When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.(Windows 8/10 users will be prompted about Windows SmartScreen protection - click More information and Run.) Make sure Addition.txt is checkmarked under "Optional scans"   Press Scan button to run the tool.... It will make a log (FRST.txt) in the same directory the tool is run. Please copy and paste it to your reply. The tool will also make a log named (Addition.txt) Please attach that log to your reply. Let me see those logs in your reply... Thank you, Kevin....

[cyTWSG]

Hi Kevin,

Thanks for the reply, but as my PC is relatively new, I guess what I did was to reset back to factory setting, that cleared the problems as I needed to use the computer urgently. Nonetheless thanks for the help!

[kevinf80]

Hello cyTWSG,

Thanks for letting me know the outcome, sometimes a full reset is the best way forward....

Read the following links to fully understand PC Security and Best Practices, you may find them useful.... Answers to Common Security Questions and best Practices Do I need a Registry Cleaner? Take care and surf safe Kevin...

[kevinf80]

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 topic 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