AW7 Posted August 1, 2022 ID:1527104 Share Posted August 1, 2022 Hi there, I'm having an issue with programs becoming unusable, with a windows error on starting them reading 'The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable.' This problem started over the last few days and follows a run using CCleaner. I have been in touch with them and they assure me that CCleaner wouldn't be able to have this affect on exe files. The files affected are MS Edge, Chrome, Firefox, Notepad++, Libreoffice, Inkscape, examdiff...and maybe more as I keep discovering new ones. I can reinstall the corrupted programs without any problem, but another clean with CCleaner and they are corrupted again. I notice that the affected exe files have the same modification time and date stamp. I have run Malwarebytes and also Farbar, both suggesting that my system is clean. I have attached the files as requested. I'd be very grateful if you can verify that my system has no malware hidden somewhere - maybe a system restore is required. cheers Andy Threatscan.txt Addition.txt FRST.txt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin AdvancedSetup Posted August 1, 2022 Root Admin ID:1527155 Share Posted August 1, 2022 Hello @AW7 and I'm not seeing that in the logs. I see you could use some browser clean-up and turn off push notifications. CHR Notifications: Default -> hxxps://calendar.google.com; hxxps://drive.google.com; hxxps://mail.google.com; hxxps://meet.google.com; hxxps://messages.google.com; hxxps://universityofbirmingham.service-now.com; hxxps://wehavewaysshop.com; hxxps://www.hsbc.co.uk; hxxps://www.rain-alarm.com; hxxps://www.tomtom.com; hxxps://www.youtube.com Are you sure you want this enabled or allowed? Push Notifications on your browser appear to be enabled. https://blog.malwarebytes.com/security-world/technology/2019/01/browser-push-notifications-feature-asking-abused/ Turn notifications on or off - Google Chrome Web Push notifications in Firefox I don't see CCleaner listed in the Add/Remove for programs, but I would recommend you stop using the program. Computer experts no longer recommend the use of the program. Please uninstall Bonjour on the system as well. That is an Apple network sharing protocol that really is not needed on Windows except in very rare cases where you're trying to hook an Apple TV to Windows. Please look here on how to clean up Google Chrome Let me know when that's done and how things are working Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AW7 Posted August 2, 2022 Author ID:1527228 Share Posted August 2, 2022 Many thanks for your reply and your advice. It's reassuring that I don't have any infection. I removed CCleaner as it was triggering the problem on cleaning my junk files. No CCleaner, no problem, certainly not at the moment, but it was important for me to know that my computer is infection free. I'll carry on with your suggested 'spring cleaning'. Thanks again Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin AdvancedSetup Posted August 2, 2022 Root Admin ID:1527269 Share Posted August 2, 2022 Let me have you run the following scanner to double-check Disable any other security software while you run this one. 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. It is normal for the Microsoft Safety Scanner to show detections during the scan process. It is scanning for basically all bread crumbs or traces of files and registry entries that "might" be or have been part of some infection or previous infection. That DOES NOT mean the computer is infected. Once the scan has been completed it uploads the log to their Cloud service which then uses Artificial Intelligence to determine if in fact any of the traces are an infection or not. Then it writes into the log on your computer what it found. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AW7 Posted August 3, 2022 Author ID:1527531 Share Posted August 3, 2022 Thanks for the suggestion. Here's the log as requested. On completing the scan, the scanner indicated that it had found and removed VirTool:Win32/DefenderTamperingRestore Hope this helps, A msert.log Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin AdvancedSetup Posted August 3, 2022 Root Admin ID:1527536 Share Posted August 3, 2022 That's good. It reset the Tamper setting is all. How is the computer running now? Are you still having errors? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AW7 Posted August 4, 2022 Author ID:1527579 Share Posted August 4, 2022 Seems fine so far, thanks. Interestingly, there has been another instance of CCleaner corrupting files that has been reported. Maybe there is an issue with the app after all. Thanks for the help! A Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin AdvancedSetup Posted August 4, 2022 Root Admin ID:1527617 Share Posted August 4, 2022 You're quite welcome for the help, @AW7 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) 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/ Make sure you're backing up your files https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/136226-backup-software/ Keep all software up to date - PatchMyPC - https://patchmypc.com/home-updater#download 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 Further tips to help protect your computer data and improve your privacy: https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/258363-tips-to-help-protect-from-infection/ Please consider installing the following Content Blockers for your Web browsers if you haven't done so already. This will help improve overall security Malwarebytes Browser Guard Google Chrome: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/malwarebytes-browser-guar/ihcjicgdanjaechkgeegckofjjedodee Microsoft Edge: https://support.malwarebytes.com/hc/en-us/articles/4413298736787-Install-Malwarebytes-Browser-Guard-on-Microsoft-Edge-browser Mozilla Firefox: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/malwarebytes/ uBlock Origin Google Chrome: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ublock-origin/cjpalhdlnbpafiamejdnhcphjbkeiagm Microsoft Edge: https://microsoftedge.microsoft.com/addons/detail/ublock-origin/odfafepnkmbhccpbejgmiehpchacaeak Mozilla Firefox: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ublock-origin 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 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AW7 Posted August 5, 2022 Author ID:1527767 Share Posted August 5, 2022 Many thanks for your continued support. It really is appreciated. Have a nice weekend, A Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin AdvancedSetup Posted August 5, 2022 Root Admin ID:1527772 Share Posted August 5, 2022 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. Please review the following to help you better protect your computer and privacy Tips to help protect from infection Thank you Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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