Removed a file as malware from microsoft

[MariaPopa]

Malwarebytes
www.malwarebytes.com

-Log Details-
Protection Event Date: 11/15/22
Protection Event Time: 6:06 PM
Log File: 7ddaf964-64ff-11ed-8418-089798ccdae9.json

-Software Information-
Version: 4.5.17.221
Components Version: 1.0.1806
Update Package Version: 1.0.62328
License: Premium

-System Information-
OS: Windows 11 (Build 22621.819)
CPU: x64
File System: NTFS
User: System

-Blocked Website Details-
Malicious Website: 1
, C:\Windows\SystemApps\MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_cw5n1h2txyewy\SearchHost.exe, Blocked, -1, -1, 0.0.0, , 

-Website Data-
Category: Malware
Domain: 
IP Address: 
Port: 443
Type: Outbound
File: C:\Windows\SystemApps\MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_cw5n1h2txyewy\SearchHost.exe

(end)

[Maurice Naggar]

Hello  

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

• Removing malware can be unpredictable
• 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.
• Cracked or or hacked or pirated programs are not only illegal, but also will make a computer a malware victim. Having such programs installed, is the easiest way to get infected. It is the leading cause of ransomware encryptions. It is at times also big source of current trojan infections. Please uninstall them now, if any are here, before we start the cleaning procedure.
• Please stick with me until I give you the "all clear".
• If your system is running Discord, please be sure to Exit out of it while this case is on-going.

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

Please download MALWAREBYTES 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

[MariaPopa]

mbst-grab-results.zip

[Maurice Naggar]

I would like you to do what follows. These are just the first few starter steps. We will do much more later.

Take these actions so that Windows 11 is set to show all hidden files and folders.
Open File Explorer from the taskbar.

Select View > Show > Hidden items.

Select View → Show → File name extensions

Let's do one scan with Malwarebytes Adwcleaner to check for adwares. Just before pressing that "scan" button, be sure that Chrome & Edge, or other web browser are Closed.

It will not take much time, But do read all of this write-up first so that you fully understand the concept of this special run.

First download & save it
guide & download link

Then be sure to close all web browsers after the download & before launching the tool.

Then go to where the EXE file is saved. Start Adwcleaner.
Reply YES at the Windows prompt to allow the program to proceed and make changes. That is the usual Windows security prompt.

Take your time and go careful. There are some preliminary selections to be set ....before pressing any 'scan' button.

When AdwCleaner starts, on the left side of the window, click on “Settings” and then enable these repair actions on that tab-window
by clicking their button to the far-right for ON status

Delete IFEO keys
Delete tracing keys
Delete Prefecth files
Reset Proxy
Reset IE Policies
Reset Chrome policies
Reset Winsock

Now On the left side of the AdwCleaner window, click on “Dashboard” and then click “Scan” to perform a computer scan.

This can take several minutes.
When the AdwCleaner scan is completed it will display all of the items it has found. Click on the “Quarantine” button To remove what it found.

AdwCleaner will now prompt you to save any open files or data as the program will need to close any open programs before it starts to clean. 
Click on the “Continue” button to finish the removal process.

Guide article

Attach the clean log from Adwcleaner when all completed.

[MariaPopa]

# -------------------------------
# Malwarebytes AdwCleaner 8.4.0.0
# -------------------------------
# Build:    08-30-2022
# Database: 2022-10-10.1 (Cloud)
# Support: https://www.malwarebytes.com/support
#
# -------------------------------
# Mode: Clean
# -------------------------------
# Start:    11-15-2022
# Duration: 00:00:00
# OS:       Windows 11 (Build 22621.819)
# Cleaned:  1
# Failed:   0

***** [ Services ] *****

No malicious services cleaned.

***** [ Folders ] *****

No malicious folders cleaned.

***** [ Files ] *****

No malicious files cleaned.

***** [ DLL ] *****

No malicious DLLs cleaned.

***** [ WMI ] *****

No malicious WMI cleaned.

***** [ Shortcuts ] *****

No malicious shortcuts cleaned.

***** [ Tasks ] *****

No malicious tasks cleaned.

***** [ Registry ] *****

No malicious registry entries cleaned.

***** [ Chromium (and derivatives) ] *****

Deleted       Karma | Online shopping, but better - emalgedpdlghbkikiaeocoblajamonoh

***** [ Chromium URLs ] *****

No malicious Chromium URLs cleaned.

***** [ Firefox (and derivatives) ] *****

No malicious Firefox entries cleaned.

***** [ Firefox URLs ] *****

No malicious Firefox URLs cleaned.

***** [ Hosts File Entries ] *****

No malicious hosts file entries cleaned.

***** [ Preinstalled Software ] *****

No Preinstalled Software cleaned.

*************************

[+] Delete IFEO
[+] Delete Prefetch
[+] Delete Tracing Keys
[+] Reset Chromium Policies
[+] Reset IE Policies
[+] Reset Proxy Settings
[+] Reset Winsock

*************************

AdwCleaner[S00].txt - [3627 octets] - [15/11/2022 22:24:42]

########## EOF - C:\AdwCleaner\Logs\AdwCleaner[C00].txt ##########
 

[Maurice Naggar]

Got it. I do need a big favor going forward. 

How to attach  logs & other reports on your "future" repies, Please DO NOT copy and paste the contents of the logs directly

 

Thank you This will help a lot.  I will have more next steps for this case.

[Maurice Naggar]

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.

>

This next custom-fix is mainly intended to run Windows' SFC & DISM to check the system for integrity. To clear temporary cache on Edge & Chrome. To attempt to check the system with Microsoft Defender antivirus. It will rebuild the Winsock & the Hosts file.

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

• Please save the (attached file named) FIXLIST.txt   to the   C:\Users\maria\Downloads   folder

Fixlist.txt <<< - - - - -

Please be sure to Close any open work files, documents,  any apps you started yourself  before starting this. THIS run will do a Windows RESTART. Once it starts it will auto-close any other running app.

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

Start the Windows Explorer and then, go  to the C:\Users\maria\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.

•    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 patience when this starts. You will see a green progress bar start. Lots of patience.  Please attach the Fixlog.txt with your next reply. 

NOTE: The Malwarebytes Premium web-protection is keeping this machine safe from potential harm. The block notices do STOP any potential harm.

[MariaPopa]

I didn't understand exactly. You want to save the .txt file downloaded, as .exe? Because I do not have FRSTENGLISH.exe.

[Maurice Naggar]

SAVE the FIXLIST.txt  just as it is ...save it to your folder  C:\Users\maria\Downloads  

That attachment is on my last posting.

Then do the procedure I listed there.

The exe that is to be used to run the script is already on your machine.  FRSTENGLISH is there

 the C:\Users\maria\Downloads     folder.

You may just simply need to sort the display ( in File Explorer ) to sort the display by filename.

For more help on sorting the display order of File Explorer, see this article

Edited November 16, 2022 by AdvancedSetup
Corrected font issue

[MariaPopa]

Well, I do not have the .exe file 

[AdvancedSetup]

The file was located here:  C:\Users\maria\Downloads\FRSTEnglish.exe

 

Since it's now missing, you can download a new copy from the following link @MariaPopa

 

 

Please download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to your Downloads folder.

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

Thank you

 

 

[MariaPopa]

Fixlog.txtFRST.txtAddition.txt

 

[Maurice Naggar]

Thank you. This next custom-fix is a quick mini-cleanup.

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

• Please save the (attached file named) FIXLIST.txt   to the   C:\Users\maria\Downloads   folder

Fixlist.txt<<< - - - - -

Please be sure to Close any open work files, documents,  any apps you started yourself  before starting this. THIS run will do a Windows RESTART. Once it starts it will auto-close any other running app.

We will use FRST64.exe  on the C:\Users\maria\Downloads  folder   to run a custom script .    The system will be rebooted after the script has run. 

Start the Windows Explorer and then, go  to the C:\Users\maria\Downloads     folder.

RIGHT click on FRST64.exe    and select RUN as Administrator and allow it to proceed.  Reply YES when prompted to allow to run.

•    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 patience when this starts. You will see a green progress bar start. Lots of patience.  Please attach the Fixlog.txt with your next reply. 

[MariaPopa]

Fixlog.txt

[Maurice Naggar]

Thanks. 

This here you can start & once it is under way, you can leave the machine alone & let it run. No need to keep watch once it starts the actual scan run. 

Next, This will be a check with ESET Onlinescanner for viruses, other malware, adwares, & potentially unwanted applications.

Go to https://download.eset.com/com/eset/tools/online_scanner/latest/esetonlinescanner.exe

 

It will start a download of "esetonlinescanner.exe"

• Save the file to your system, such as the Downloads folder, or else to the Desktop.
• Go to the saved file, and double click it to get it started.

 

• When presented with the initial ESET options, click on "Computer Scan".
• Next, when prompted by Windows, allow it to start by clicking Yes
• When prompted for scan type, Click on Full scan

Look at & tick ( select ) the radio selection "Enable ESET to detect and quarantine potentially unwanted applications" and click on Start scan button.

• Have patience. The entire process may take an hour or more. There is an initial update download.

There is a progress window display. You may step away from machine &. Let it be.  That is, once it is under way, you should leave it running.  It will run for several hours.

• At screen "Detections occured and resolved" click on blue button "View detected results"
• On next screen, at lower left, click on blue "Save scan log"
• View where file is to be saved. Provide a meaningful name for the "File name:"
• On last screen, set to Off (left) the option for Periodic scanning
• Click "save and continue"
• Please attach the report file so I can review

[MariaPopa]

esetlog.txt

[MariaPopa]

Just now, MariaPopa said:

esetlog.txt 298 B · 0 downloads

The language is romanian.

[Maurice Naggar]

The result from ESET scan is excellent. We can run one other scan just to re-check.
This with Kaspersky KVRT tool.

Download Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool (KVRT) from here: https://www.kaspersky.com/downloads/thank-you/free-virus-removal-tool and save to your Desktop.

Next, Select the Windows Key and R Key together, the "Run" box should open.



Drag and Drop KVRT.exe into the Run Box.



C:\Users\maria\DESKTOP\KVRT.exe will now show in the run box.



add 

-dontencrypt

 Note the space between KVRT.exe and -dontencrypt

C:\Users\maria\DESKTOP\KVRT.exe -dontencrypt 

should now show in the Run box.



That addendum to the run command is very important.


To start the scan select OK in the "Run" box.



The Windows Protected your PC window will open, select "More Info"



A new Window will open, select "Run anyway"



A EULA window will open, tick both confirmation boxes then select "Accept"



In the new window select "Change Parameters"

 

• In the new window ensure the following boxes are ticked:
  • System memory
  • Startup objects
  • Boot sectors
  • System drive

• Then select "OK" and „Start scan“.

The Kaspersky tool is very thorough so will take a considerable time to complete, please allow it to finish. Also while Kaspersky runs do not use your PC for anything else..

• completed: If entries are found, there will be options to choose. If "Cure" is offered, leave as it is. For any other options change to "Delete", then select "Continue".
• Usually, your system needs a reboot to finish the removal process.
• Logfiles can be found on your systemdrive (usually C: ), similar like this:

Reports are saved here C:\KVRT_data\Reports and look similar to this report_20221119_103821.klr

• Right click direct onto those reports, select > open with > Notepad.
• Save the files and attach them with your next reply

[MariaPopa]

I tried to do, but when I press run it does nothing.

[Maurice Naggar]

Locate where you saved KVRT.exe

Then double-click on it to launch it. Then do as much as you can of what I outlined. If it fails again, then Stop and give me some detail. Also let me know, How is the system at this point?

[MariaPopa]

kvrt.txt

[Maurice Naggar]

Hello.

1. How is the system at this point ?

2. 

Here is a good reference for how to turn off Smartscreen feature, so that we can do the work / the reports that we need.
It also has some excellent screen image samples of how to do this.
See the OPTION TWO at this link on Elevenforum
https://bit.ly/3Q9Bhq6

Turn OFF Smartscreen feature.    

I would recommend getting a readout report as to update status of some key apps.
Download SecurityCheck by glax24 from here

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

 

 

( when we are ready to close this case, you may go back & turn it back ON the Smartscreen protectionif you wish ).

[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.

Please review the following to help you better protect your computer and privacy Tips to help protect from infection

Thank you