Malwarebytes blocked every single outbound connection for half an hour

[J92]

Hi! Yesterday, something really strange happened to me. I was streaming from my PC to my TV with Nvidia Gamestream, was playing Apex for a while when all of a sudden, the screen freezed and the connection was lost. So I rushed to my bedroom where my PC is and my monitor was off as if there was no signal between the monitor and the PC anymore and the fans were running full speed, it was really loud. No idea what was going on, so my reflex was to shut the PC down. I turn it on again and this is where Malwarebytes started acting really weird. Every single outbound connection was blocked (please see the attached screen). Needless to say, I couldn't connect to the Internet. I rebooted my PC again, and the same thing happens. I then rebooted my internet box and at some point it seems the problem was gone, not really sure if it was rebooting the internet box that solved the problem. So could anyone shed some light onto this as to what could have happened? I ran a scan with Malwarebytes but it didn't find anything, I just have this weird history as proof. Should I reinstall Windows just in case?

Thanks in advance.

[Maurice Naggar]

Hello.      

My name is Maurice.  I will guide you.   Getting initial set of reports from this Windows system is a must.  This is a first initial step.

I will guide you along on looking for potential malware. Lets keep these principles as we go along.

• Removing malware can be unpredictable
• ...things can go very wrong!
• Backup
• any files that cannot be replaced. You can copy them to a CD/DVD, external drive or a USB-storage drive or flash/thumb drive
• Please don't run any other scans, download, install or uninstall any programs while I'm working with you.
• Only run the tools I guide you to.
• Do not run online games while case is on-going. Do not do any free-wheeling web-surfing.
• The removal of malware isn't instantaneous, please be patient.
• Please stick with me until I give you the "all clear".

Your topic will be closed if you haven't replied within 4 days!
If I have not replied to your last post after 36 hours, please then send me a P M.

 

The first thing I need is to get a set of reports & logs from the Malwarebytes for Windows application.

 

That is the first step.  I will then review and use that to guide us along.

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    ]

I would like a report set for review.   This is a report only.

Please download MALWAREBYRES MBST Support Tool

Once you start it click Advanced >>> then   Gather Logs

 Have patience till the run has finished.

Upload an archive once it is done. Attach the mbst-grab-results.zip from the Desktop.

 

• Please attach  mbst-grab-results.zip    to your reply , like displayed here.

To send  ( upload)   attachments please click the "ADD Files"  link . Then browse to where your file is located and select it and click the Open button.

 

 

The set of data from the report will provide much needed information.

Please always attach reports as we go along.

Cheers.

[J92]

Hi Maurice, thanks for your reply. Please find the report attached.

mbst-grab-results.zip

[Maurice Naggar]

Hi J92.  Thank you.  The 3 most recent Block notices involved Steam.   and were Outbound blocks on specific IP addresses.  Could you kindly look into the Steam settings.  See if you could have it not auto-started.  And even exit Steam and any related games.  Then see if the Block events get much quieter. Here is s sample list of recent blocks

outbound   "ip" : "155.133.246.69",
               "port" : 27021,
               "processPath" : "C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Steam\\steam.exe",
               "url" : "cm2-mad1.cm.steampowered.com"

outbound  "ip" : "185.25.182.76",

               "port" : 27023,
               "processPath" : "C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Steam\\steam.exe",
               "url" : "cm1-par1.cm.steampowered.com"

outbound  "ip" : "155.133.246.51",
               "port" : 443,
               "processPath" : "C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Steam\\steam.exe",
               "url" : "cm3-mad1.cm.steampowered.com"

 

[J92]

Thank you Maurice for looking into this. I must add that this only happened last night for half an hour or so. I would boot up Windows and as soon the home screen appeared, a block event would pop up every second or so. It was not only Steam, but also Nvidia, Outlook, in short all the applications that have auto-start enabled. Malwarebytes was blocking anything outbound. These were most probably all false negative but I would like to understand what happened. Today, I turned my PC on and off a couple of times and it never happened again.

[Maurice Naggar]

Hello.  I do not see signs of malware after a deep review of Farbar FRST reports.  Thus do not belive there is a "infection".  But what follow is more like housekeeping.

Next, a custom script to do other checks & some  cleanups.

We will use FRSTENGLISH.exe  on the Downloads folder to run a custom script.    The system will be rebooted after the script has run.

This custom script is for  J92  only / for this machine only.

 

This custom script has some specific things, plus some general aspect to help the system overall.  Hoping it will not exceed 60 minutes in execute time.

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 run the Windows DISM tool to check the system.  It will rebuild the Winsock.  

It will attempt to remove Steam from being auto-started. It will clear the Edge browser cahe. It will attempt to update the definitions for Microsoft Defender.

 

•  
• 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   user Downloads  folder

Fixlist.txt                  <<< - - - - -

Then, Start the Windows Explorer and then, go  to the Downloads   folder.

RIGHT click on FRSTENGLISH.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. 
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.  Stick with me.

[Maurice Naggar]

Good morning. I hope you are doing well.  Have you had the opportunity to do my last suggestion from 22 January?

[AdvancedSetup]

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Tips to help protect from infection

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