Grayware/Adware and more, Malwarebytes does not detect

[hamooster]

Addition.txt211030 1551 Malwarebytes Scan.txtFRST.txt

I recently downloaded some files I needed from various disreputable Chinese websites.

I have already removed most of the initial malware/bloatware that was visible via Malwarebytes or regular Windows user interface.

Evidently, some malware persists. For example, every ~2 hours Windows will prompt me to open a .7ztmp file which I have located in %usertemp% (see attached image). Task scheduler does not appear to have any events matching this time interval. Even if I delete the file, it will eventually be recreated in the same place with the same name, contents, and time metadata. When it reappears, it again prompts me to open the file.

I was curious so I set the file's default program to WinRAR, which reveals the contents of this file to be related to Google Chrome's Baidu Translate extension. However, I have already removed the extension and uninstalled Google Chrome.

[Maurice Naggar]

Hello   

You may delete all files & sub-folders in this TEMP folder.  First Exit out of Chrome and any oither web browser.

When in File Explorer  and at this TEMP folder, select all files / fp;ders and delete all.

Edited October 31, 2021 by Maurice Naggar

[Maurice Naggar]

Further step.  While in File Explorer, expand the left-side folder-tree view down to %userprofile%\appdata\local\temp

on the leftside, at that folder, do a RIGHT click with the mouse, and select 

Scan with Microsoft Defender

Let it scan there  & remove anything it detects.

[Maurice Naggar]

Hello @hamooster

Here below is a custom run intended to do some cleanups.  Please take time to read carefully & apply all directions below.

If you have a question, stop and ask me first.

[    1    ]

As a next basic step, Please  set File Explorer to SHOW ALL folders, all files, including Hidden ones.  Use OPTION ONE or TWO of this article

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/7078-turn-off-show-all-folders-windows-10-navigation-pane.html

[    2    ]

We will use FRST.exe  on the C:\Users\jefft\Desktop\FRST folder to run a custom script.    The system will be rebooted after the script has run.

This custom script is for  hamooster  only / for this machine only.

 

This custom script has some specific things, plus some general aspect to help the system overall.

NOTE-1:  This script will  run a scan using System File Checker to check that all Microsoft operating system files are valid and not corrupt and attempt to correct any invalid files.  It will rebuild the Winsock.  It will run the Windows DISM tool to check the system. 

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. 

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
• 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.

NOTE 3:  It will remove several RUN entries for Mays.exe & Wished.exe that are present many times over;  and wish have very odd & extremely  extended run specifications.

•  
• Please be sure to Close any open work files, documents,  any apps you started yourself  before starting this.

 

• If there are any CD / DVD / or USB-flash-thumb or USB-storage drives attached,  please disconnect any of those.
• Please save the (attached file named) FIXLIST.txt   to the   C:\Users\jefft\Desktop\FRST  folder

Fixlist.txt

 

Then, Start the Windows Explorer and then, go  to the C:\Users\jefft\Desktop\FRST   folder.

RIGHT click on  FRST64.exe    and select RUN as Administrator and allow it to proceed.  Reply YES when prompted to allow to run.
  to run the tool. If the tool warns you the version is outdated, please download and run the updated version.
IF Windows prompts you about running this, select YES to allow it to proceed.

• IF you get a block message from Windows about this tool......

               click line More info information on that screen
               and click button Run anyway on next screen.

• on the FRST window:

Click the Fix button just once, and wait.

 

PLEASE have lots and lots of patience when this starts. You will see a green progress bar start. Lots of patience. 
If you receive a message that a reboot is required, please make sure you allow it to restart normally.
The tool will complete its run after restart.
When finished, the tool will make a log ( Fixlog.txt) in the same location from where it was run.

Please attach the FIXLOG.txt with your next reply later, at your next opportunity   

[hamooster]

Fixlog.txt

I ran it today, here's the log.

[Maurice Naggar]

Thank you.  Just so you know, System File Checker ( SFC) Windows Resource Protection found corrupt (system) files and successfully repaired them..

Here are the next steps.  I suggest a new scan for viruses & other malware.

The Microsoft Safety Scanner is a free Microsoft stand-alone virus scanner that can be used to scan for & remove malware or potentially unwanted software from a system. 

The download links & the how-to-run-the tool are at this link at Microsoft 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/intelligence/safety-scanner-download

 

Look on Scan Options & select FULL scan.

Then start the scan. Have lots of patience. It may take several hours.

• Oce you see it has started, take a long long break;  walk away.  Do not pay credence if you see some intermediate early flash messages on screen display.  The only things that count are the End result at the end of the run.

 

Let me know the result of this.    This is likely to run for many hours   ( depending on number of files on your machine & the speed of hardware.)

The log is named MSERT.log  

the log will be at  

Windows\debug\msert.log

Please attach that log with your reply.

[hamooster]

msert.log

Here is the log.

[Maurice Naggar]

Hello.  Thank you. 

I would suggest that you do this next scan.

I would suggest a free scan with the ESET Online Scanner.  This will be another check for viruses, other malware, adwares, & potentially unwanted applications.

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 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 may step away from machine &. Let it be.

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 bottom).

Press Continue when all done. You should click to off the offer for “periodic scanning”.

Please make sure you attach the log report.

[hamooster]

211107 ESET scan.txt

Here's the log.

[Maurice Naggar]

Thank you.

Allow me to suggest one other scan.

This is a  different special tool to check your pc for viruses, trojans & other malware.

Download Sophos Free Virus Removal Tool   and save it to your desktop.

• If your security alerts to this scan either accept the alert or turn off your security to allow Sophos to run and complete.....
• Please Do Not use your PC whilst the scan is in progress.... This scan is very thorough so may take several hours...

 

Double click the icon and select Run

Click Next

Select I accept the terms in this license agreement, then click Next twice

Click Install

Click Finish to launch the program

• Once the virus database has been updated click Start Scanning

If any threats are found click Details, then View log file... (bottom left hand corner)

 

Attach the results in your reply

• Close the Notepad document, close the Threat Details screen, then click Start cleanup

Click Exit to close the program

 

If no threats were found please confirm that result....

• The Virus Removal Tool scans the following areas of your computer:
• Memory, including system memory on 32-bit (x86) versions of Windows
• The Windows registry
• All local hard drives, fixed and removable
• Mapped network drives are not scanned.

Note: If threats are found in the computer memory, the scan stops. This is because further scanning could enable the threat to spread. You will be asked to click Start Cleanup to remove the threats before continuing the scan.

 

Saved logs are found under this sub-folder: C:\ProgramData\Sophos\Sophos Virus Removal Tool\Logs 

Let me know what Sophos reports.   PLUS update me on whether or not the "Block" notices have re-appeared.

[Maurice Naggar]

Hello.  I hope you are doing well.  I have not heard from you in a good while.  Is there a status update ?  Are you needing other help ?  Please advise.

[Maurice Naggar]

Glad we could help.

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