can't access IRS.gov website

[Journey]

I had been able to access IRS.gov in the past on my Windows PC (equipped with Malwarebytes Premium), but after an attempted download of your blocker (which my computer says was corrupted) I no longer can.  I can access the site from my phone, so it's not my sign in credentials.  IRS.gov is on my "allowed" list.  I'm wondering if the corrupted file or some other part of Malwarebytes is causing this.  Can you help?

Access Denied

You don't have permission to access

http://sa.www4.irs.gov/eauth/DasFcc/das.fcc

 on this server.

Reference #18.303a2f17.1632149313.2522ad02

Edited September 20, 2021 by AdvancedSetup
corrected font issue

[Journey]

mbst-grab-results.zip

[Porthos]

I would go to https://www.irs.gov/ then navigate from there instead of using a saved link.

[AdvancedSetup]

Agreed.

Please consider removing your current shortcut or editing it to point to: 

https://www.irs.gov/

 

[Journey]

Thank you for the suggestion, but it didn't help.  I should have been more clear.  I am able to get to the IRS.gov website, and to the sign on page.  It's only when I put in my user name that I encounter the error.  Absolutely nothing was added or changed on my laptop since the last time I successfully logged into the IRS site, except the attempt to download Malwarebytes Browser Guard.  That attempt was apparently unsuccessful because I got a "file corrupted" message, both times I tried.  I'm just wondering if the failed attempt to download it is interfering with getting into the IRS site.  I've cleared my cache and history, typed in the url manually, and I still get the "Access Denied" message.  I wouldn't even consider Malwarebytes as the cause if it wasn't for that.  I get the same message via Chrome or Edge.  I am able to log in on my iPhone, so it isn't my log in.  Any ideas are welcome.

[AdvancedSetup]

Okay, let me have you do the following and we'll see if we can find something more @Journey

 

Please run the following steps and post back the logs as an attachment when ready.
Temporarily disable your antivirus or other security software first. Make sure to turn it back on once the scans are completed.
Temporarily disable Microsoft SmartScreen to download software below if needed. Make sure to turn it back on once the scans are completed.
If you still have trouble downloading the software please click on Reveal Hidden Contents below for examples of how to allow the download.
 

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

Spoiler

When downloading with some browsers you may see a different style of screens that may block FRST from downloading. The program is safe and used hundreds of times a week by many users.

Example of Microsoft Edge blocking the download

 

STEP 01

• If you already have Malwarebytes installed then open Malwarebytes and click on the Scan button. It will automatically check for updates and run a Threat Scan.
• If you don't have Malwarebytes installed yet please download it from here and install it.
• Once installed then open Malwarebytes and select Scan and let it run.
• Once the scan is completed make sure you have it quarantine any detections it finds.
• If no detections were found click on the Save results drop-down, then the Export to TXT  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 there were detections then once the quarantine has completed click on the View report button, Then click the Export drop-down, then the Export to TXT  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 the computer restarted to quarantine you can access the logs from the Detection History, then the History tab. Highlight the most recent scan and double-click to open it. Then click the Export drop-down, then the Export to TXT  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 in your next reply that the scanner would not run.

STEP 02

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

• Double-click to run the program
• Accept the End User License Agreement.
• Wait until the database is updated.
• Click Scan Now.
• When finished, if items are found please click Quarantine.
• Your PC should reboot now if any items were found.
• After reboot, a log file will be opened. Attach or 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 each time
• Please attach the Additions.txt log to your reply as well.
• On your next reply, you should be attaching frst.txt and additions.txt to your post, every time.

 

Thanks

[Journey]

Thank you.  Attached are the files you requested.  I just checked whether any of this fixed my problem, and it did!  I am able to sign into my IRS account.  Thanks so much!  If you can tell me what was preventing my access, I'd love to know.  The Adware cleaner quarantined (or maybe deleted?) a boatload of what I assume are registry files.  I'm hoping I didn't lose anything important. If there's something else I need to do, please let me know.  

FRST.txt Addition.txt Malwarebytes threat scan 9-20-21.txt AdwCleaner[C00].txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Thanks @Journey we're not done yet.

 

Please go to Control Panel, Programs, Programs and Features and uninstall the following

Bonjour
 

 

NOTE: Windows Firewall is disabled.

Please enable your Firewall

 

Let me have  you run the following fix

 

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

Please make sure you disable any real-time antivirus or security software before running this script. Once completed, make sure you re-enable it.

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 that cannot be undone.

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) or wherever you ran FRST from. 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.

NOTE-1:  This fix will run a scan to check that all Microsoft operating system files are valid and not corrupt and attempt to correct any invalid files. It will also run a disk check on the restart to ensure disk integrity. Depending on the speed of your computer this fix may take 30 minutes or more.

NOTE-2: As part of this fix all temporary files will be removed. If you have any open web pages that have not been bookmarked please make sure you bookmark them now as all open applications will be automatically closed. Also, make sure you know the passwords for all websites as cookies will also be removed. The use of an external password manager is highly recommended instead of using your browser to store passwords.

NOTE-3: As part of this fix it will also reset the network to default settings including the firewall. If you have custom firewall rules you need to save please export or save them first before running this fix.

The following directories are emptied:

• Windows Temp
• Users Temp folders
• Edge, IE, FF, Chrome, and Opera caches, HTML5 storages, Cookies and History
• Recently opened files cache
• Flash Player cache
• Java cache
• Steam HTML cache
• Explorer thumbnail and icon cache
• BITS transfer queue (qmgr*.dat files)
• Recycle Bin

Important: items are permanently deleted. They are not moved to quarantine. If you have any questions or concerns please ask before running this fix.

The system will be rebooted after the fix has run.

fixlist.txt

Thanks

 

[Journey]

@Root Admin
Thank you.  I ran the file, but I don't think it (FRST64) finished before it terminated.  There was no reboot, and passwords are still there. 

Fixlog.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Okay, save the attached FIXLIST.TXT file as before in the same folder as FRST and then run FRST and click the FIX button.

fixlist.txt

Post back the new FIXLOG.txt file when done.

Let me know how the computer is running after this @Journey

 

[Journey]

Thank you.  Just checking, I should run FRST or FRST64 (machine is a 64)?  

[AdvancedSetup]

FRST64.EXE the Farbar program

 

[Journey]

@Root Admin
Thank you!  The machine is running much faster, both when I'm working and when booting up.  Everything seems to be fine - thank you so much!!!.  You really saved my keister by fixing whatever it was that messed up my viewing tax info.  :-) FYI, my passwords never disappeared. Let me know if there's something else I need to do.  

Fixlog.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

You should be all set now, but let's go ahead and run one more antivirus scan and a security check just to make sure.

 

Let me have you run a different scanner to double-check. I don't expect it to find anything, but no harm in checking.

I would suggest a free scan with the ESET Online Scanner

Go to https://download.eset.com/com/eset/tools/online_scanner/latest/esetonlinescanner.exe

• It will start a download of "esetonlinescanner.exe"
• Save the file to your system, such as the Downloads folder, or else to the Desktop.
• Go to the saved file, and double click it to get it started. 
• When presented with the initial ESET options, click on "Computer Scan".
• Next, when prompted by Windows, allow it to start by clicking Yes 
• When prompted for scan type, Click on Full scan 
• Look at & tick  ( select )   the radio selection "Enable ESET to detect and quarantine potentially unwanted applications"   and click on the Start scan button.
• Have patience.  The entire process may take an hour or more. There is an initial update download.
• There is a progress window display.
• You should ignore all prompts to get the ESET antivirus software program.   ( e.g. their standard program).   You do not need to buy or get or install anything else.
• When the scan is completed, if something was found, it will show a screen with the number of detected items.  If so, click the button marked “View detected results”.
• Click The blue “Save scan log” to save the log.
• If something was removed and you know it is a false finding, you may click on the blue ”Restore cleaned files”  ( in blue, at the bottom).
• Press Continue when all done.  You should click to off the offer for “periodic scanning”.

 

Note: If you do need to do a File Restore from ESET please follow the directions below

[KB2915] Restore files quarantined by the ESET Online Scanner version 3

https://support.eset.com/en/kb2915-restore-files-quarantined-by-the-eset-online-scanner

 

 

 

Next,

 

SecurityCheck by glax24              

I would like you to run a tool named SecurityCheck to inquire about the current security update status of some applications.

• Download SecurityCheck by glax24: https://tools.safezone.cc/glax24/SecurityCheck/SecurityCheck.exe
• If Microsoft SmartScreen blocks the download, click through to save the file
• This tool is safe.   Smartscreen is overly sensitive.
• If SmartScreen blocks the file from running click on More info and Run anyway
• Right-click  with your mouse on the Securitycheck.exe  and select "Run as administrator"  and reply YES to allow to run & go forward
• Wait for the scan to finish. It will open a text file named SecurityCheck.txt Close the file.  Attach it with your next reply.
• You can find this file in a folder called SecurityCheck, C:\SecurityCheck\SecurityCheck.txt

 

 

Thank you

 

 

[Journey]

@Root Admin - again thank you.  Your level of support was entirely unexpected and really outstanding.

Attached are log files from ESET and Security Check. 

ESET found 6 Potentially Unwanted files.  I didn't restore any of them.  My hard drive is large, and it took 7 hrs to run. 
Security Check says I have a lot of apps/files that are no longer supported or are outdated.  (I already did the Chrome update, not sure why it didn't update automatically.)  I can go through and get delete or update per the suggestions in the log, unless you have alternative advice.  

ESET log 9-22-21.txt SecurityCheck.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Thank you for the logs @Journey

Please uninstall, update, or otherwise address the following issues as appropriate for your system.

 

--------------------------- [ OtherUtilities ] ----------------------------
Microsoft Silverlight v.5.1.50918.0 Warning! This software is no longer supported.

Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6.1 v.4.6.01055 Warning! Download Update

Microsoft Office Professional 2010 v.14.0.7015.1000 Warning! This software is no longer supported. Please use latest Microsift Office, Office Online or LibreOffice

 

------------------------------ [ ArchAndFM ] ------------------------------
PeaZip 6.2.0 v.6.2.0 Warning! Download Update

NOTE: 7-Zip is an excellent open source archiving tool as well
https://www.7-zip.org/

-------------------------- [ IMAndCollaborate ] ---------------------------
Skype™ 7.0 v.7.0.102 Warning! Download Update

-------------------------------- [ Media ] --------------------------------
DivX Setup v.3.0.0.125 Warning! Download Update

iTunes v.12.11.4.15 Warning! Download Update
^Please use Apple Software Update tool.^

VLC media player v.3.0.3 Warning! Download Update

QuickTime 7 v.7.79.80.95 Warning! This software is no longer supported. Please uninstall it and use another software.

--------------------------- [ AdobeProduction ] ---------------------------
Adobe Acrobat 4.0 Warning! This software is no longer supported. Please uninstall it and use Adobe Acrobat DC.

Adobe AIR v.32.0.0.89 Warning! Download Update

Adobe Shockwave Player 12.1 v.12.1.2.152 Warning! This software is no longer supported. Please uninstall it.
swMSM v.12.0.0.1 << Hidden Warning! This software is no longer supported. Please uninstall it.

Adobe Shockwave Player 11.5 v.11.5.7.609 Warning! This software is no longer supported. Please uninstall it.
Adobe Reader 9.5.5 MUI v.9.5.5 Warning! This software is no longer supported. Please uninstall it and use Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.

------------------------------- [ Browser ] -------------------------------
Google Chrome v.93.0.4577.82 Warning! Download Update

Mozilla Firefox 47.0.1 (x86 en-US) v.47.0.1 Warning! Download Update

Blackhawk Striker 2 v.2.2.0.95 Warning! This software is no longer supported.

----------------------------- [ EmailClient ] -----------------------------
Windows Live Essentials v.15.4.3502.0922 Warning! This software is no longer supported.
Windows Live Mesh ActiveX Control for Remote Connections v.15.4.5722.2 Warning! This software is no longer supported.
Windows Live Mail v.15.4.3502.0922 Warning! This software is no longer supported.
Windows Live Mesh v.15.4.3502.0922 Warning! This software is no longer supported.
Windows Live Sync v.14.0.8117.416 Warning! This software is no longer supported.

------------------ [ AntivirusFirewallProcessServices ] -------------------

---------------------------- [ UnwantedApps ] -----------------------------
Coupon Printer for Windows v.5.0.0.7 Warning! Suspected Adware! If this program is not familiar to you it is recommended to uninstall it and execute PC scanning using Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and Malwarebytes AdwCleaner. Before uninstallation and scanning it is necessary to consult in the forum where cure is provided for you!!!

WeatherBug® v.10.0.7.4 Warning! Suspected Adware! If this program is not familiar to you it is recommended to uninstall it and execute PC scanning using Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and Malwarebytes AdwCleaner. Before uninstallation and scanning it is necessary to consult in the forum where cure is provided for you!!!

 

 

 

[Journey]

@Advanced Setup
Will do.  Thank you  again for your really excellent support.  

[AdvancedSetup]

You're quite welcome.

Take care and stay safe out there. Thank you for using Malwarebytes

Cheers

 

[AdvancedSetup]

Glad we could help.

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