Web Protection Will Not Turn On

[Squanch]

I am using the paid version of Malwarebytes Version 3.6.1. I cannot turn on the Web protection setting. The slider just does not move. All the other protections are turned on. I have tried disabling the self-protection module to no avail. I tried using the Malwarebytes Repair Tool but that did not work either. I have also tried reinstalling the program. I should note that there was a registry value that blocked Windows Defender (and I removed) so it is possible this is due to malware. Please help. (Copied from previous post in Support Forum).

I was advised to move here after suspicious files were found in my task manager startup section.

FRST_07-11-2018 21.02.13.txt

Addition_07-11-2018 21.02.13.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Hello @Squanch

The computer is infected with a rootkit that requires a special method to clean.

 

For the next part, you'll need to download the FRST (executable onto a clean computer and move them onto your USB Flash Drive. That USB can only be inserted in the infected computer if it is either shut down or in the Windows RE (Recovery Environment). Otherwise, the infection will mess with the files on the USB and you'll have to restart all over again.

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 depends on if you have to create a USB Recovery or Installation media)
• Another computer (clean of infection)
• CD/DVD (optional: only needed if you need to create a Recovery or Installation media and your USB Flash Drive is too small)

Preparing the USB Flash Drive

• Download the right version of FRST for your system from a clean computer:
  • FRST 32-bit
  • FRST 64-bit
    Note: Only the right version will run on your system, the other will throw an error message. So if you don't know what your system's version is, simply download both of them, and the one that works is the one you should be using.
• Move the executable (FRST.exe or FRST64.exe) onto your USB Flash Drive

Boot into the Recovery Environment

• To enter the Recovery Environment with Windows Vista and Windows 7, follow the instructions below:
  • Restart the computer
  • Once you've seen your BIOS splash screen (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 the 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 Windows RE, plug the USB Flash Drive into the computer

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 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

 

 

[Squanch]

Here is the FRST file.

Just out of curiosity, how do you know I have a rootkit?

FRST.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

File not signed is one of the issues along with other entries.

Okay, looks like the main infection was removed. Please boot back into Normal Mode now and run the following.

 

 

 

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 Now.
• When finished, please click Clean & Repair.
• 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

 

[Squanch]

Here are the requested files. The scan found a threat.

I did go through the registry and delete the startup items that I believed were malware. I also went through file explorer and deleted some malicious items.

malware log.txt

FRST.txt

Addition.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Thank you. Do you have the log from AdwCleaner please

 

[AdvancedSetup]

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

 

[Squanch]

Here is the adwcleaner log and the fixlog.

AdwCleaner[S00].txt

AdwCleaner[C00].txt

Fixlog.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Great, the logs look pretty good now.

How is the computer running now?

Are you seeing any other signs of an infection?

 

[Squanch]

The computer is running much better now. I am not seeing any other signs of infection. Thank you for the help.

[AdvancedSetup]

You're quite welcome.

Take care and don't forget about  Backup Software

Have a great weekend.

Ron

 

[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 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