WMCAgent and City Page Redirect

[Appreciation]

Hi All,

For starters, this is my first time posting on a forum like this, so bare with me.  Let me know what information you need and I should be able to get it for you.

So I attempted to update some software today with a newer version and even though I decided not to install it because it was loaded with bloatware, upon clicking "Close", it still installed it.

After fixing about half of the issues my PC has been experiencing, I'm at a loss on how to fix the rest.  That being said, I've read through some forum posts on here where people have the same problems, have gotten help, and I was hoping I can get help too.

I have a 16 GB flashdrive I can use and access to a clean PC.  Both the infected and the clean PC are running Windows 10.

 

My current issues:

So the WMCAgent process doesn't appear to be running, but there's a folder in my AppData folder called WMCAgent and I can't access it.  I keep running Malwarebytes, it detects I have Malware, but I can only quarantine/delete about half of the stuff.  This cycle continues after every reboot.

Also, every time I Google search for something in Microsoft Edge, it redirects me to Bing.  Before the bing.com URL appears, I see that it says something like city-page.com.

Lastly, I can't access System Restore or Reset PC.

 

I tried SFC /scannow and, while that fixed some corrupted files, my problems persist.

 

I suspect I have a rootkit or a SmartService infection.

Based off of other people's issues on this forum, I'm hoping a Farbar Recovery Scan Tool enthusiast can walk me through using it (assuming this will actually help).

 

Let me know if any other information is needed.  I'd really appreciate the help as this has put a damper on my weekend.

FRST.txt

Addition.txt

Edited May 13, 2018 by Appreciation
Added FRST.txt and Addition.txt files.

[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. 

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Please Note the Following:

• One of our expert helpers will give you one-on-one assistance when one becomes available.
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Troubleshooting Tips

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

[nasdaq]

Hello, Welcome to Malwarebytes.
I'm nasdaq and will be helping you.

If you can please print this topic it will make it easier for you to follow the instructions and complete all of the necessary steps in the order listed.
===

I have identified a bad SmartService infection.

You will need access to a spare PC and a USB flash drive that has not been in contact with the sick PC...

I need to know first if you can enable the Recovery Environment...

Open FRST on the compromised computer:

copy/paste the following inside the text area of FRST. Once done, click on the Fix button. A file called fixlog.txt should appear on your desktop. Attach it in your next reply.

Start::
CMD: bcdedit.exe /set {bootmgr} displaybootmenu yes
CMD: bcdedit.exe /set {default} recoveryenabled yes
End::

On completion, a message will come up saying that the fix has been completed and it'll open a log in Notepad
Copy and paste its content in your next reply.

Wait for further instructions.
<<<>>>

[Appreciation]

Fix result of Farbar Recovery Scan Tool (x64) Version: 12.05.2018
Ran by Andrew (13-05-2018 13:29:15) Run:1
Running from C:\Users\Andrew\Downloads
Loaded Profiles: Andrew (Available Profiles: Andrew & DefaultAppPool)
Boot Mode: Normal
==============================================

fixlist content:
*****************
CMD: bcdedit.exe /set {bootmgr} displaybootmenu yes
CMD: bcdedit.exe /set {default} recoveryenabled yes

*****************

========= bcdedit.exe /set {bootmgr} displaybootmenu yes =========

The operation completed successfully.

========= End of CMD: =========

========= bcdedit.exe /set {default} recoveryenabled yes =========

The operation completed successfully.

========= End of CMD: =========

==== End of Fixlog 13:29:15 ====

Fixlog.txt

[nasdaq]

Hi,

 

Lets proceed with the cleanup.

Preparing the USB Flash Drive

Boot up your spare PC:
Plug in the flash drive, navigate to that drive, right click on it direct and select format. Quick option is adequate.

Next,

On that same PC download the right version of Farbar program for your system to Desktop or the Flash drive.
64-bit or 32 bit version. Select the one you need.
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/farbar-recovery-scan-tool/

If the files were saved on the Desktopl Move the executable (FRST.exe or FRST64.exe) to your USB Flash Drive 
 

How to determine whether a computer is running a 32-bit version or 64-bit version of the Windows operating system.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/827218/how-to-determine-whether-a-computer-is-running-a-32-bit-version-or-64

Do not plug Flash Drive into sick PC until booted to Recovery Environment.

===

Boot the compromised PC to Recovery Environment, if you are unsure of that action have a read at the following link, maybe bookmark for future reference...

To enter the Recovery Environment with Windows 10, follow the instructions in this tutorial on TenForums https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-boot-advanced-startup-options-windows-10-a.html

From the Windows 10 Tutorial you should get access to the Advanced Startup Options at boot for Windows 10

Select in this order
"Troubleshoot" > "Advance Options" > "Command Prompt"

Once in the command prompt

Plug your USB Flash Drive in the infected computer

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 Scan button and wait for the scan to complete
A log called FRST.txt will be saved on your USB Flash Drive. Attach it in your next reply.

p.s.
If at any time you need additional information please ask before proceeding.

Post the Fixlog.txt and the FRST.txt logs for my review.

Wait for further instructions.

[Appreciation]

See attached for the FRST.txt file.  In your reply, you mentioned to also attached the Fixlog.txt file, but I didn't see any directions for that.  Was I just supposed to run this like before?:

Start::
CMD: bcdedit.exe /set {bootmgr} displaybootmenu yes
CMD: bcdedit.exe /set {default} recoveryenabled yes
End::

FRST.txt

[nasdaq]

Hi,

Looking better.

Boot in Normal Mode with an Administrator account.

Run Malwarebytes and delete any entries found.

Run the Farbar program and post a fresh FRST.txt log for my review.

Let me know of any issues with this computer.

 

 

 

[Appreciation]

Hi nasdaq,

 

Yes, it's looking and behaving better.  I've ran a scan with Malwarebytes and deleted the malware that it found.  I ran it twice actually.  The first time it found 28 cases of malware, but could only quarantine 19 of them.  That being said, the second scan couldn't find anything.  I guess that's good?  See attached for the latest FRST.txt file.

FRST.txt

Addition.txt

[nasdaq]

Hi,

Nice work.

The Malware is gone.

Lets clean these.

Please download the attached Fixlist.txt file to  the same folder where the Farbar tool is running from.
The location is listed in the 3rd line of the FRST.txt log you have submitted.

Run FRST and click Fix only once and wait.

The tool will create a log (Fixlog.txt) please post it to your reply.
===

 

 

fixlist.txt

[Appreciation]

Hello again,

This has been completed.  See attached for the fixlog.txt file.  Let me know if there's anything else I need to do.

I noticed in my AppData folder that two of the malware exe files still exist, can I just delete those?  The two are Breuer.exe and Bakshi.exe.  See screenshot below.  I'm 99% sure those are some of the malware files that got installed since I had to disable their processes for some of the adware audio files to stop playing when I was initially infected.  If there's a better way to remove them instead of just right-clicking and deleting, let me know.

 

Fixlog.txt

[Appreciation]

Not sure how to edit these posts, so posting a new one.  Just FYI, the two exe files I mentioned above are NOT found by Malwarebytes.  When scanning with Malwarebytes, it still registers 0 results.

[nasdaq]

Hi,

You should be able to delete them in Safe Mode.

Let me know how it goes.

 

[AdvancedSetup]

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