PUP and Malware RTP Detection reports

[JerryO]

I am getting continuous reports of two Blocked websites dispatch.in.thelife.com and 52.53.192.135.  A box pops up reporting different IP addresses and port 7700 Outbound C:\Windows\SysWOW64\svchost.exe. I added this file to the allow list but that did not help. I am also seeing domain listed dispatch.integrate.drivethe life.com as a PUP. The ports listed change.

I just added Malwarebytes to this computer and this started happening almost immediately. I am not having any other problems that I have noticed. I am not gong to the website listed.

I ran a quick scan but there was no detections. I ran FRST and mb-check the files are attached.

 

How do I correct these problems?

Addition.txt FRST.txt mb-check-results.zip

[AdvancedSetup]

Hello @JerryO

Please give me a moment to review your logs and get back to you

 

[AdvancedSetup]

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

[JerryO]

Thanks, There were several files found with ADW. I quarantined them. There are also four PUP files showing in the MWB history which were not there before.

I am attaching three txt report files.

Addition.txt FRST.txt Jan18Scan440pm.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Thank you @JerryO

Please post the AdwCleaner log. Your FRST.txt log is almost blank, something wrong with it.

 

Microsoft Safety Scanner

Please make sure you Exit out of any other program you might have open so that the sole task is to run the following scan.   
That goes especially for web browsers, make sure all are fully exited out of and messenger programs are exited and closed as well
 

STEP 1

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

STEP 2

I suggest a new scan for viruses & other malware. This may take several hours, depending on the number of files on the system and the speed of the computer.

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 the Scan Options & select the FULL scan.

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

• Once 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 the screen display.  The only things that count are the End result at the end of the run.
• The scan will take several hours.  Leave it alone. It will remove any other remaining threats as it goes along.  Take a very long break, do your normal personal errands .....just do not use the computer during this scan.

This is likely to run for many hours as previously mentioned  ( depending on the number of files on your machine & the speed of the hardware.)

The log is named MSERT.log  and the log will be at C:\Windows\debug\msert.log

Please attach that log with your next reply.

Thank you

 

[JerryO]

I am attaching the log files again. I do not see an option that says Full scan. There is one to make a quick scan and a custom scan. Will selecting all the options on the custom result in the full scan you want? 

Addition.txt FRST.txt AdwCleaner[C00].txt AdwCleaner[S00].txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Yes, it should  allow a Full scan via Custom.

Thank you for the updated logs

 

[AdvancedSetup]

Once the Microsoft Scanner has completed. Please run the following fix and post back the FIXLOG.txt file.

 

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

 

[JerryO]

I think I ran a full scan earlier but I will do that again. Since completing your previous steps The last item on the history list is at 4:45 and shows now a blocked PUP website and the other as malware blocked website. Could it be that it just took a bit for things we did to work though?

The error box that was coming up every minute has stopped. Could this be because ADW found several files that I quarantined or something else?

Should I still run a full/custom scan and the fixit.  BTW thanks for writing this. its in C right?

[AdvancedSetup]

AdwCleaner did remove a bit of unwanted junk. Not sure what your last Safety Scan results were and when they were ran, but since you're here new now I assume there was still some issues.

Let the Microsoft Safety scanner run. Then save the log and attach it once it's completed.

Then run the Farbar scan it will do some generic checking and cleaning.

We'll check on the blocks again after that and see. There is no need to run a Full scan with Malwarebytes at this time.

Thanks again @JerryO

 

[AdvancedSetup]

How to protect your RDP access from ransomware attacks
https://blog.malwarebytes.com/security-world/business-security-world/2018/08/protect-rdp-access-ransomware-attacks/

I would recommend that you disable RDP on your computer.

 

 

[JerryO]

I ran the MS safety scanner which I have never used before. I am embarrassed to say I did not know anything about this program. I assumed that between Defender and MWB the system had all that was needed. How often should this program be run?

 

It took a couple hours to finish. Only one thing was reported as removed: VirTool:Win32/DefenderTamperingRestore

 

I then ran the Farbar program again. I am not exactly sure what you mean by check on the blocks again since I told you they quit earlier and have not returned. 

 

As to your recommendation on RDP I did not think remote desktop access was setup for my computers outside my home network but just to be sure it was not turned on I checked remote settings in the search box and the only option there is to turn it on so that means it is off currently, correct?
 

I am attaching the 2 log txt files again. I looked at these files and I see some entries that seem to indicate Defender is not completing scans as it should. And one line indicates it is not turned on at all??

Is this right and what should I do to correct this if needed?

 

Is there anything else I need to do or logs you need to see?

Addition.txt FRST.txt

Edited January 19, 2022 by AdvancedSetup
Corrected font issue

[AdvancedSetup]

Please run the FIX I posted above:  https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/282886-pup-and-malware-rtp-detection-reports/?do=findComment&comment=1498063

Then post back the FIXLOG.txt file.

 

The Microsoft Safety Scanner finding the TamperingRestore is normal. It basically saw a setting that was not set to default and it reset it. All good, no issue. One typically wouldn't need to run this unless requested or you possibly were experiencing an issue and wanted a second opinion scan.

Please run the fix above and we'll see if we're still having issues after that fix.

Thank you @JerryO

[JerryO]

Thanks, just to confirm since you said to ask if I had any questions or concerns, even though the problem seems to have stopped you feel its a good idea to run the fix?

[AdvancedSetup]

Yes, the fix is a more generic cleanup to remove unwanted items as well as verify many things on the system are valid and correct.

@JerryO

 

[JerryO]

OK done. Attached is the fixlog file. The system rebooted and seems fine so far. Please let me know what the log file shows you and if there is anything else I need to do.

Fixlog.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Thank you @JerryO

The Secure Boot status shows that your computer is not currently set to use it.

Secure Boot Status: False

How to enable or disable Secure Boot
https://maxedtech.com/how-to-enable-or-disable-secure-boot/

 

 

The system file checker found and corrected issues, which is a good thing.

Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.

 

The WMI repository is consistent whis is also good.

 

 

 

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

 

 

Edited January 19, 2022 by AdvancedSetup
Corrected font issue

[JerryO]

OK Done. Attached is the SecurityCheck txt file. There was no problems or errors running this program. There was no option to run as admin.

I see several programs no longer supported but that's not usually a big deal.  What type things are you looking for in this report?

I notice it says Defender is disabled. I noticed earlier that when I went to turn it back on my only choice was periodic scanning. I thought that MWB and Defender could both run at the same time. Is this not correct?

Should the computer be set so that it can use security boot status?

SecurityCheck.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Yes Windows Defender and Malwarebytes can run together without an issues for most users.

Inside Malwarebytes please set it to the following

 

If needed you can also setup exclusions between the two programs just to make sure

https://support.malwarebytes.com/hc/en-us/articles/360038522974-Malwarebytes-for-Windows-antivirus-exclusions-list

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

------------------------------- [ HotFix ] --------------------------------

HotFix KB5009543 Warning! Download Update

--------------------------- [ OtherUtilities ] ----------------------------

Foxit Reader v.10.1.1.37576 Warning! Download Update

Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007 v.12.0.6425.1000 Warning! This software is no longer supported. Please use latest Microsift Office, Office Online or LibreOffice

TeamViewer 12 v.12.0.90922 Warning! Download Update

Microsoft Silverlight v.4.0.60831.0 Warning! This software is no longer supported.

 

------------------------------ [ ArchAndFM ] ------------------------------

7-Zip 21.02 alpha (x64) v.21.02 alpha Warning! Download Update
Uninstall old version and install new one.

WinRAR 6.00 (64-bit) v.6.00.0 Warning! Download Update

-------------------------------- [ Media ] --------------------------------

VLC media player v.3.0.12 Warning! Download Update

 

---------------------------- [ UnwantedApps ] -----------------------------

Ashampoo WinOptimizer 18 v.18.00.19 Warning! Suspected demo version of anti-spyware, driver updater or optimizer. If this program is not familiar to you it is recommended to uninstall it and execute PC scanning using Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. Possible you became a victim of fraud or social engineering. Computer experts no longer recommend this program.

Ashampoo WinOptimizer 17 v.17.00.33 Warning! Suspected demo version of anti-spyware, driver updater or optimizer. If this program is not familiar to you it is recommended to uninstall it and execute PC scanning using Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. Possible you became a victim of fraud or social engineering. Computer experts no longer recommend this program.

 

 

 

 

[AdvancedSetup]

Once all of that has been completed please click on Start / Search and type in "Check for updates" and let Windows update itself.

 

Let me know if it finds any updates or not.

Your current version shows as: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro Version 20H2 19042.1348

 

[JerryO]

When I made the change to MWB to turn off the Windows Security Center it told me I have no virus protection even though security providers defender is turned on. Is there an easy way to tell if Defender is turned on such as it's icon showing in the taskbar?

I will check but I think that the programs that you listed can not be updated. Most came with the system when I bought it. For the most part I have not used them for quite some time if at all.

Thanks for the info on exclusions.

"Always register MWB" is turned off under Windows Security Center as you indicated.

Why are scan for" rootkit"s and "use expert scan algorithms " not selected in the MWB Security settings?

Seems like you have covered everything that might have caused the original problem. Do you have any idea what it was that did cause those constant errors?

Is there any last thing I might need to do?

[AdvancedSetup]

Having old programs can in some cases pose a potential exploit risk.

Please download and run the following tool and it can try to automate updating most of those items.

Patch My PC Home Updater
https://patchmypc.com/home-updater

 

Please visit the following link and click on the Update now button to update Windows

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

 

After that runs and updates then run the Farbar program again and get me new logs and we'll review what is left over and what is working or not.

The rootkit scan is not needed in most cases. That is a very rare attack and running it all the time simply makes the scan take longer and stress your hard drive more than it needs to.

The "use expert scan algorithms" is a special setting that is there mainly for special testing and is not needed for normal use. With it enabled it will greatly increase the risk of potential False Positives.

I'll check back on you again tomorrow.

Cheers @JerryO

 

 

 

[JerryO]

Unless there is something else with MWB I think we are good.

Thank you for all your help and education.

[AdvancedSetup]

Let's go ahead and do some clean-up work and remove the tools and logs we've run.

Please download KpRm by kernel-panik and save it to your desktop.

• right-click kprm_(version).exe and select Run as Administrator.
• Read and accept the disclaimer.
• When the tool opens, ensure all boxes under Actions are checked.
• Under Delete Quarantines select Delete Now, then click Run.
• Once complete, click OK.
• A log will open in Notepad titled kprm-(date).txt.
• Please attach that file to your next reply. (not compulsory)

 

1. Recommend using a Password Manager for all websites, etc. that require a password. Never use the same password on more than one site.
   https://www.howtogeek.com/240255/password-managers-compared-lastpass-vs-keepass-vs-dashlane-vs-1password/
2. Keep all software up to date - PatchMyPC - https://patchmypc.com/home-updater#download
3. Keep your Operating System up to date and current at all times - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-update-faq-8a903416-6f45-0718-f5c7-375e92dddeb2
4. Install a content blocker for your browser. Malwarebytes Browser Guard (Free)
   Firefox: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-GB/firefox/addon/malwarebytes/  
   Chrome: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/malwarebytes-browser-guar/ihcjicgdanjaechkgeegckofjjedodee 
5. Further tips to help protect your computer data and improve your privacy: https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/258363-tips-to-help-protect-from-infection/ 

 

Further reading if you like to keep up on the malware threat scene: Malwarebytes Blog  https://blog.malwarebytes.com/

Hopefully, we've been able to assist you with correcting your system issues.

Thank you for using Malwarebytes

 

[AdvancedSetup]

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Tips to help protect from infection

Thanks