Can't detect or delete hidden crypto miner virus

[fabdellas]

Hello, for the past few days, my PC has intermittently been running slow and making a lot of noise; when I open up Task Manager, for a split second it shows the CPU usage at 80-100%, then almost instantly it drops to around 5-20% range. I have been using Norton and it alerts me every 30~ minutes that multiple attacks had been prevented, under the name of "System Infected: Miner.Bitcoinminer Activity #" (the number changes every time), yet it cannot detect the relevant files, therefore is unable to quarantine or delete them. I think a virus (or multiple viruses) has embedded and hidden itself in one of the central files or processes. I have looked up countless solutions on this forum and others, but have been unsuccessful. Things I have tried so far:

1) Tried to detect the file on the details section of the Task Manager to find the file location and delete it (File or process is not there)

2) Downloaded Process Explorer to find the unwanted process (File or process is not there)

3) Ran a MalwareBytes scan with "scan rootkits" enabled (Nothing came up)

4) Used rkill.exe, and then ran a MalwareBytes scan (Nothing came up)

5) Blocked the inbound traffic from the ports I was getting attacked from, on Windows Defender Firewall (Did not stop the attacks)

I have seen people using FRST on this forum to solve similar problems, but I cannot view any of the fitlist.txt files, so I have not used that program.

I would be grateful if you could please help me fix this problem.

Thank you,

fabdellas

[kevinf80]

Hello fabdellas and welcome to Malwarebytes, Disable smart screen ONLY if it interferes with software we may have to use: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/what-is-smartscreen-and-how-can-it-help-protect-me-1c9a874a-6826-be5e-45b1-67fa445a74c8 Please remember to enable when we are finished.... Next, Disable any Anti-virus software you have installed ONLY if it stops software we may use from working: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/114351/how-to-temporarily-disable-your-anti-virus-firewall-and-anti-malware-programs/ Please remember to enable AV software when we are finished running scans.... Run the following scan, lets see if anything shows up: 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... If English is not your primary language Right click on FRST/FRST64 and rename FRSTEnglish/FRST64English   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. Thank you, Kevin

[fabdellas]

Thank you Kevin for replying so fast.

Here are the files you requested:

 

FRST.txt Addition.txt

[kevinf80]

Hiya fabdellas,

Thanks for those logs, continue:

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 FRSTEnglish, 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 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. 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 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. Next, Download AdwCleaner by Malwarebytes onto your Desktop. Or from this Mirror   Right-click on AdwCleaner.exe and select http://i.imgur.com/Spcusrh.pngRun as Administrator (for Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 users) Accept the EULA (I accept), then click on Scan Let the scan complete. Once it's done, make sure that every item listed in the different tabs is checked and click on the Quarantine button. This will kill all the active processes Once the cleaning process is complete, AdwCleaner will ask to restart your computer, do it After the restart, a log will open when logging in. Please copy/paste the content of that log in your next reply Next, Download "Microsoft's Safety Scanner" and save direct to the desktop Ensure to get the correct version for your system.... https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/intelligence/safety-scanner-download Right click on the Tool, select Run as Administrator the tool will expand to the options Window In the "Scan Type" window, select Quick Scan Perform a scan and Click Finish when the scan is done. Retrieve the MSRT log as follows, and post it in your next reply: 1) Select the Windows key and R key together to open the "Run" function 2) Type or Copy/Paste the following command to the "Run Line" and Press Enter: notepad c:\windows\debug\msert.log The log will include log details for each time MSRT has run, we only need the most recent log by date and time.... Let me see those logs in your reply. Thank you, Kevin.

fixlist.txt

[fabdellas]

Hey Kevin,

I have done the first part of the task, and here's the fixlog, however, when I ran an AdwCleaner scan, nothing came up and there were no active processes to kill. I had rebooted after the FRST fix. Is it normal for AdwCleaner to find nothing at this stage? I hesitated to run the Windows Safety Scanner before clearing this out.

Thanks,

fabdellas

Fixlog.txt

[kevinf80]

Hello fabdellas,

AdwCleaner is a precautionary scan we use to check your system, if nothing is found no need to stop, just carry on with the next instruction... I believe FRST fix will have removed the crux of your problem.

Continue with msert...

Thank you,

Kevin,

Edited September 27, 2021 by kevinf80

[fabdellas]

Good morning,

Attached is my MSRT scan result.

Thanks,

fabdellas

msert.log

[kevinf80]

Hello fabdellas,

Thanks for that log, how are things with your pc now, any remaining issues or concerns...

Thank you,

Kevin.

[fabdellas]

Hello,

So far so good. Noise and high CPU usage has stopped. Norton ceased to alert me of threats. Thank you for your help Kevin.

A few more questions though:

1) If this happens again, will the fixlist.txt that you had sent me be reusable?

2) Is it okay to move or delete the anti-malware programs that I had downloaded?

Thank you dearly,

fabdellas

[kevinf80]

Hiya fabdellas,

Good to hear your system is back to normal, regarding your questions:

The fixlist is not reusable, even if you pick up the same infection again it will be slightly different so will need a specific fix..

The software we used in the cleaning process will be removed when we finish up...

AdwCleaner does not install, to remove simply delete it from wherever you`ve downloaded to, eg Desktop or downloads folder... Also delete its folder from here: C:\AdwCleaner Next, Right click on FRST here: C:\Users\asus\Desktop\FRST.exe and rename uninstall.exe when complete right click on uninstall.exe and select "Run as Administrator" If you do not see the .exe appended that is because file extensions are hidden, in that case just rename FRST to uninstall That action will remove FRST and all created files and folders... Next, Remove all System Restore Points: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/33593-delete-system-restore-points-windows-10-a.html#option2 Create clean fresh Restore Point: http://www.thewindowsclub.com/create-system-restore-point Run Windows Disk Clean Up Utility - https://neosmart.net/wiki/disk-cleanup/ Consider the following: Disable Remote Desktop: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/92433-enable-disable-remote-desktop-connections-windows-10-pc.html Disable Windows Telemetry: https://helpdeskgeek.com/windows-10/how-to-disable-windows-10-telemetry/ Malwarebytes Browser Guard (Free) for Firefox: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-GB/firefox/addon/malwarebytes/ Malwarebytes Browser Guard (Free) for Chrome: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/malwarebytes-browser-guar/ihcjicgdanjaechkgeegckofjjedodee Will also work for Opera and Edge.. PatchMyPC, keep all your software upto date - https://patchmypc.com/home-updater#download From there you should be good to go... Next, 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.

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