Constant Outbound Malware Whenever using Internet

[jameshan890]

Hello.

I was really hoping you guys can help me out.

I have purchased the premium malwarebytes, and bitdefender, but neither seems to remove this malware.

The malware blocking message comes up every time I use any of the apps: chrome, spotify, even outlook and word processors...

I am including screenshots, let me know if you need anything else to find the solution.

And kindly let me know how to remove this malware.

Thank you!

[AdvancedSetup]

Hello  and        @jameshan890

 

My screen name is AdvancedSetup and I will assist you with your system issues.
 

Let's keep these principles as we proceed. Make sure to read the entire post below first.

• Please follow all steps in the provided order and post back all requested logs
• Please attach all log files to your post, unless otherwise requested
• Temporarily disable your antivirus or other security software first. Make sure to turn it back on once the scans have been completed.
• Temporarily disable Microsoft SmartScreen to download the software below if needed. Make sure to turn it back on once the scans are completed.
• Searching, detecting, and removing malware isn't instantaneous and there is no guarantee to repair every system.
• Before we start, please make sure that you have an external backup, not connected to this system, of all private data.
• Do not run online games while the case is ongoing. Do not do any free-wheeling or risky web-surfing.
• Only run the tools I guide you to use. Please don't run any other scans, download, install or uninstall any programs while I'm working with you.
• Cracked, Hacked, or Pirated programs are not only illegal but also can make a computer a malware victim. Having such programs installed is the easiest way to get infected. It is the leading cause of ransomware encryption. It is at times also a big source of current Trojan infections. If there are any on the system you should uninstall them before we proceed.
• Please be patient and stick with me until I give you the "all clear". We don't want to waste your time, please don't waste ours.
• If your system is running Discord, please be sure to Exit it while this case is ongoing.

 

It's late for me so I'm heading out, but please run the following and I'll check back on you tomorrow.

 

 

 

Please follow the directions from the following topic to clean up Google Chrome

 

 

Then run the following as well.

 

 

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

[jameshan890]

Hello.

I have followed all the steps.

And here are the documents as per your instructions.

Thanks and let me know the next steps.

2022-09-19.txt FRST.txt Addition.txt AdwCleaner[C00].txt AdwCleaner[S00].txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Please go to Control Panel, Programs, Programs and Features and uninstall the following @jameshan890

Bonjour
Java 8 Update 291 (64-bit)
 

 

 

After cleaning the system we should install the correct drivers for these items

Name: PCI Encryption/Decryption Controller
Description: PCI Encryption/Decryption Controller
Class Guid:
Manufacturer:
Service:
Problem: : The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code 28)
Resolution: To install the drivers for this device, click "Update Driver", which starts the Hardware Update wizard.

Name: Intel(R) Wireless Bluetooth(R)
Description: Intel(R) Wireless Bluetooth(R)
Class Guid: {e0cbf06c-cd8b-4647-bb8a-263b43f0f974}
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Service: BTHUSB
Problem: : This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device. (Code 31)
Resolution: Update the driver

 

 

Please run the fix below. Once the fix has been completed, please attach the FIXLOG.TXT file to your next reply.

 

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
• Discord 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

 

[jameshan890]

Hello.

I tried updating both drivers, neither seems to be working.

This is the message I am getting:

It also disabled my bluetooth keyboard and mouse.

Let me know what I should do.

[AdvancedSetup]

You should run the fix I posted above, please.

We'll look at driver issues later on

I'm off work until Thursday but will try to check back on you before then @jameshan890

 

Thank you

[jameshan890]

Hello.

Please see attached log file.

Thank you and let me know the next steps.

Fixlog.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

The log looks good @jameshan890

Let me have you run the following and post back the log when ready

 

 

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.

 

 

[jameshan890]

Hello.

Here is the log file.

Thank you.

[AdvancedSetup]

Hello @jameshan890

I am not seeing any attached file. Can you please try again to upload it.

Thank you

 

[jameshan890]

Sorry about that.

 

msert.log

[AdvancedSetup]

That looks good, but it also points out that this type of downloading can easily lead to your data getting encrypted by ransomware at some point. @jameshan890

 

Full Scan Results:
------------------
Threat Detected: VirTool:Win32/DefenderTamperingRestore and Removed!
  Action: Remove, Result: 0x00000000
    regkeyvalue://hklm\software\microsoft\windows defender\\DisableAntiSpyware
        SigSeq: 0x0000055555C57273
Threat Detected: HackTool:Win32/Keygen and Removed!
  Action: Remove, Result: 0x00000000
    file://D:\Torrents\TechSmith Snagit 12.3.2 Build 2920 + Portable + Keygen + 100% Working\TechSmith Snagit 12.3.2 Build 2920 + Portable + Keygen.tgz->(GZip)->TechSmith Snagit 12.3.2 Build 2920 + Portable + Keygen/Keygen/Keygen1.exe
        SigSeq: 0x00002667D380A098
    containerfile://D:\Torrents\TechSmith Snagit 12.3.2 Build 2920 + Portable + Keygen + 100% Working\TechSmith Snagit 12.3.2 Build 2920 + Portable + Keygen.tgz
Threat Detected: HackTool:Win32/AutoKMS and Removed!
  Action: Remove, Result: 0x00000000
    file://C:\Program Files (x86)\Ratiborus KMS Tools\KMSTools.exe
        SigSeq: 0x0000236C9E68D965

 

 

 

The act of torrenting itself is not illegal. However, downloading and sharing unsanctioned copyrighted material is illegal, and there is always a chance of prosecution if caught by the authorities.
Torrenting non-copyrighted material is perfectly fine and is allowed. However, be aware that we have seen increased malware bundled with software downloads over P2P.

Recent Ransomware infections have been seen to encrypt user data so that no one can decrypt the data without the private key.
When sharing files, please keep in mind that you're increasing your system's attack surface area, which can increase the risk of infection.

Scan all files before running them. https://www.virustotal.com

If you don't need or use the P2P software, you should uninstall it.

Risks of File-Sharing Technology by the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ncas/tips/ST05-007

 

 

How is the computer running now?

Are there still any signs of an infection or other issues?

 

 

[jameshan890]

Thank you very much. I will take your advice on torrents.

The malwarebytes has not been flagging the outbound malware alert for awhile.

Should I re-install my bitdefender and run the check? 

I had it uninstall through the whole process.

 

Also, may be I had misunderstood your previous instructions, in updating drivers.

The drivers seem to have gone a haywire, and it stopped recognizing any of my bluetooth devices.

Thank you and let me know how to proceed.

 

 

[AdvancedSetup]

If you want help with installing driver, please do not reinstall Bitdefender just yet. It will get in the way and Windows Defender is almost on par with it already and if your Malwarebytes is the Premium version the two would be a very good match.

 

Please restart the computer one more time and then get me the following logs.

Farbar scanner SCAN
FRST.TXT
ADDITION.TXT

 

Then this one too @jameshan890

Let me know the following

Computer vendor (HP, Dell, etc.)

Desktop or Laptop

Exact Model Number

 

 

 

Please download HWiNFO the Professional System Information and Diagnostics program.
HWiNFO Portable for Windows

Unzip the program to its own folder such as: C:\HWiNFO
Go to the new folder and locate the file C:\HWiNFO\HWiNFO64.exe and double-click to run it.
Click the RUN button.
Ignore the update, click close.
Click on Save Report and choose HTML and click Next, then Finish
By default, it will create a new report named COMPUTER.HTM in the same folder as the program. C:\HWiNFO
Please zip that file and attach it to your next reply

Thank you

[jameshan890]

Hello.

Again, thank you very much for all your help.

I actually built my desktop buying different parts.

Let me know if you need the model number for individual parts.

Otherwise here are the logs as per your instructions.

 

Thank you

DESKTOP-I607NT2.zip FRST.txt Addition.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

No, just please confirm the Motherboard make and exact model

I'm away for most of the day but will try to follow up later tonight if possible, if not then on Monday

 

[jameshan890]

The model is: ASUS TUF Gaming B550M-PLUS (Wifi) - socket AM4

[AdvancedSetup]

Is this the correct link for your motherboard?

https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards-Components/Motherboards/TUF-Gaming/TUF-GAMING-B550M-PLUS-WI-FI/

 

[jameshan890]

Yes it is.

[AdvancedSetup]

Okay, first off, please download the Chipset driver and reinstall it. Then restart the computer

 

After the restart open Device Manager and look for a Yellow device entry

 

Name: PCI Encryption/Decryption Controller
Description: PCI Encryption/Decryption Controller
Class Guid:
Manufacturer:
Service:
Problem: : The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code 28)
Resolution: To install the drivers for this device, click "Update Driver", which starts the Hardware Update wizard.

 

If found then go to Properties of the device then select the Details tab and under Property select the "Hardware Ids" and copy and paste those back here, please.

 

[jameshan890]

I tried installing the chipset driver - and this is the message I am getting.

I am certain that I am on AMD system.

 

 

[AdvancedSetup]

Yes, you're running an AMD Ryzen 5 5600X so you're on an AMD platform.

Let me do some other research and see what I can find.

 

[AdvancedSetup]

Not your specific driver, but same issue. Please see if the links and information from here help.

Basically, try uninstalling the current Cheipset driver from Control Panel and restart. Then see if you can reinstall or not

Otherwise, look to AMD or ASUS support for assistance.

https://community.amd.com/t5/drivers-software/cannot-install-chipset-driver-2-04-04-111-on-x399-chipset/td-p/226875

 

https://community.amd.com/t5/processors/chipset-installer-not-working/td-p/304027

 

 

Edited September 26, 2022 by AdvancedSetup
Updated information

[AdvancedSetup]

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