Need help

[ddoso]

Nothing pops up when scanning using Malwarebytes 

However when checking the Adwclearner I get something back that I can qurantine and it fully closes my chrome.

However when I re-open chrome it appears again when scanning. It doesn't even appear in the qurantine tab so I can't delete it. 

[Maurice Naggar]

Hello. Let me suggest that you close Chrome browser, along with all other web browsers. Then start Adwcleaner. do a new scan, Then insure all tagged lines are ticked. Then click Quarantine.

[Maurice Naggar]

After that, 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. 

[ddoso]

Nothing pops up if chrome isn't open

 

But it just re-appears when chrome is open and scanning again. Normal Malwarebytes never detects anything. mbst-grab-results.zip

[Maurice Naggar]

@ddoso Be very sure to Save any work-files you have open at this point. Close & Save any open edits, if any. Next, a custom script to do  checks & some  cleanups.

We will use FRSTENGLISH  on the Downloads folder C:\Users\arielle\Downloads\FRSTEnglish  to run a custom script.    The system will be rebooted after the script has run.

This custom script is for  Ddoso  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 rebuild the Winsock. 

NOTE-2: It will attempt to do 1 quick scan with Microsoft Defender antivirus. It will remove restrictions ( if any ) on Microsoft Defender. It will attempt to boost protections of MS Defender.

NOTE-3: 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  & BRAVE 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.

•  
• 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   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. 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.

NOTE: I did not see "banggood" listed as a search engine setting ob Chrome browser.

[ddoso]

Still shows up in the adwcleaner scan after running the FRSTENGLISH tool. Fixlog.txt

 

[Maurice Naggar]

Thank you. Would like 2 reports for review.

Download   Farbar's Service Scanner utility

and Save to your Desktop.

Right-Click on fss.exe and select Run As Administrator.

Answer Yes to ok when prompted.

If your firewall then puts out a prompt, again, allow it to run.

Once FSS is on-screen, be sure the following items are check-marked:

• Internet Services
  Windows Firewall
  System Restore
  Security Center/Action Center
  Windows Update
  Windows Defender
  Other services

  

Click on "Scan".

It will create a log (FSS.txt) in the same directory the tool is run.   Please attach that file. 

[    2    ]

I would recommend getting a readout report as to update the status of some key apps.

• Download SecurityCheck by glax24 from here  https://tools.safezone.cc/glax24/SecurityCheck/SecurityCheck.exe

 

• and save the tool on the desktop.
• If Windows's  SmartScreen block that with a message-window, then
• Click on the MORE INFO spot and over-ride that and allow it to proceed.

                               This tool is safe.   Smartscreen is overly sensitive.

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 in a text file named SecurityType.txt. Close the file.  Attach it with your next reply.
You can find this file in a folder called SecurityCheck, C:\SecurityCheck\SecurityCheck.txt

[ddoso]

SecurityCheck.txtFSS.txt

[Maurice Naggar]

We need to do one adjustment, plus some other tasks.

Start Malwarebytes. Click Settings ( gear ) icon. Next, lets make real sure that Malwarebytes does NOT register with Windows Security Center

Click the Security Tab. Scroll down to

"Windows Security Center"

Click the selection to the left  for the line "Always register Malwarebytes in the Windows Security Center".
{ We want that to be set as Off   .... be sure that line's  radio-button selection is all the way to the Left.  thanks. }

This will not affect any real-time protection of the Malwarebytes for Windows    😃.

Close Malwarebytes.

[  2  ]

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  CUSTOM scan  & then select the C drive to be scanned.

Then start the scan. Have lots of patience. Once you start the scan & you see it started, then leave it be.  

• 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 screen display.  The only things that count are the End result at the end of the run.
• Again, any on-screen display about repeat 'infection' is not to be relied on.  Ignore those.
• We only rely on the end result that is on the log-report-file.

 

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. We will do more later.

Dont fret over the result. It will show that it cleared the MS anti-spyware setting. That will set the anti-spyware protection of MS Defender back to normal.

[  3  ]

Second run of FSS, please.

Right-Click on fss.exe and select Run As Administrator.

Answer Yes to ok when prompted.

If your firewall then puts out a prompt, again, allow it to run.

Once FSS is on-screen, be sure the following items are check-marked:

• Internet Services
  Windows Firewall
  System Restore
  Security Center/Action Center
  Windows Update
  Windows Defender
  Other services  

Click on "Scan".

It will create a log (FSS.txt) in the same directory the tool is run.   Please attach that file. 

There is more to do.

 

[ddoso]

msert.logFSS.txt

[Maurice Naggar]

There are 2 outdated / insecure programs to be Uninstalled  the standard Windows way.
See "OPTION THREE" on this guide  https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4689-uninstall-apps-windows-10-a.html#option3

• You want to uninstall "Bonjour"
• You want to uninstall "Java 8 Update 311"
• Let's pause and make time and just get a set of fresh reports to see what is running, what is active. Your machine has the FRSTENGLISH report tool on the Downloads folder. We will use that. Go to Downloads folder. RIGHT-click on FRSTENGLISH and select 

Run as Administrator

and tap ENTER. And reply YES to allow to proceed.  

•  When the tool opens click Yes to the disclaimer.  And be very sure to TICK the box for Addition.txt
• Press the Scan button.

• It will make a log (FRST.txt & Addition.txt) in the same directory the tool is run
• Have patience since the run may take something like 10 or so minutes  (less depending on your hardware speed)
• Close Notepad IF those show up on Notepad.
• Just please Attach the 2 files FRST.txt +Addition.txt  with your next reply.

 

[ddoso]

Addition.txtFRST.txt

[Maurice Naggar]

Thank you. At this point, just want to do a visual check in Windows Security to see (visually) that Microsoft Defender is on , and to do a Custom scan.

From the Windows Start menu, select Settings, then select Update and Security.

Next, look at the left-side menu & select Windows Security

Next, In Windows Security section: Click on the grey button Open Windows Security

Now, click on the shield Virus and threat protection

Look to see that Microsoft Defender is shown & available for use.

On the next display, look at all the options.  Look down the list and see "Check for Updates" .

You should click on that to have the system check for updates for Windows Defender.  Watch & wait for that to complete.

Please also note that the Scan options (all) can be displayed by clicking on Scan options.   Click that & select CUSTOM scan & then pick the C drive  & have it go forward.

Once it has started the scan phase, you can go take a long break.   Let me know the results.

[ddoso]

No updates were needed and no threats were found when scanning the C drive 

I also decided to do a full scan of all my drives and nothing was found either

Could it be a false positive from adwcleaner?

 

[Maurice Naggar]

In this case, I tend to think it is a quirk of Adwcleaner.
Now, to another side matter, that of keeping fully up-to-date on the Windows operating system.
I would highly suggest to re-insure that this pc is all up-to-date with security updates & cumulative upates on Windows. select the Windows Start  button, and then go to Settings  > Update & Security  > Windows Update . and click Check for Updates.
Have much patience. When offered a new Windows build / feature update or cumulative update, accept it.

[ddoso]

[Maurice Naggar]

Thanks. Now lets look at the current Build & version of Windows. Press and hold Windows-key on keyboard and tap R key. Type in 

winver

and tap Enter-key.  Can you get a screen grab ( ALT+Print-screen keys) of that Winver window-display.

[ddoso]

[Maurice Naggar]

You need to get onto a newer release Buid.  at least build 21H1.   This currently installed build 20H2 reaches end of service on 10 May 2022.

re-insure that this pc is all up-to-date with Feature / build releases & cumulative upates on Windows. select the Windows Start  button, and then go to Settings  > Update & Security  > Windows Update . and click Check for Updates.
Have much patience.

Look at all of the displayed information, especially below the top dash-line  and look for what is there on offer to click to get.

When offered a new Windows build / feature update or cumulative update, accept it.

 

[Maurice Naggar]

Hello @ddoso  This is the all clear for this case. This next tool is to cleanup the tools we used during this case. What follows is just a tools cleanup. 

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 may open in Notepad titled kprm-(date).txt.  I do not need it. Just close Notepad if it shows up.

Delete the tool file named mb-support-1.8.7.918.exe on Downloads folder. 

Delete mbst-grab-results.zip on the Desktop.
Consider using PatchMyPC, keep all your software up-to-date - https://patchmypc.com/home-updater#download

Keep your system and programs up to date. Several programs release security updates on a regular basis to patch vulnerabilities. Keeping your software patched up prevents attackers from being able to exploit them to drop malware.

I am marking this case for closure.
I wish you all the best. Stay safe.
Sincerely.

Maurice

[Maurice Naggar]

Glad we could help.

If you need this topic reopened, please send a Private Message to any one of the moderating team members. Please include a link to this topic with your request.

This applies only to the originator of this thread. Other members who need assistance please start your own topic in a new thread.

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