Malwarebytes keeps on detecting a threat on

[magonsar]

Hello, i made a mistake and clicked on a link and certainly downloaded a virus, however i have not been able to find it by my own means. I downloaded Malwarebytes and now it has been detecting the same threat in repeated ocasions on C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\AppLaunch.exe.
 

could you please help me? i beg. 

[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
• The IP block actions by Malwarebytes are keeping the machine safe from potential threats.
• I do need the support zip reports to see more detail  ( the screen grabs just do not have full details + those screens give no clue as to what processes are running.

[magonsar]

Hi thank you for your attention. Here it is:mbst-grab-results.zip

[Maurice Naggar]

Hi. Thank you for the zip-report. Thanks for your patience. These here are only just first steps. 

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 

I will custom guide you. We will be doing several things, over a few different passes. Please have lots of patience.
This next part is just the next pass. It will not take a whole lot of time. It should be under 15 minutes or even less.
Just only do this, and report back with the log, and kindly, please, wait for next reply from me.

Let's do one special run  with Malwarebytes Adwcleaner. 

 

It will not take much time, Read over all lines before starting so that you have a good understanding of the whole method. Take your time and go careful. I ant to make sure you select all of what I list below - before- pressing the "scan" button.

 

First download & save it

guide & download link

 

Then go to where the EXE file is saved. Start Adwcleaner.  Do not rush. There are a few first choices to set as I have listed below.

 

Reply YES at the Windows prompt to allow the program to proceed and make changes. That is the usual Windows security prompt.

 

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 Prefetch files
Reset Proxy
Reset IE Policies
Reset Chrome policies
Reset Winsock
Reset HOSTS file

 

 

 

ONLY after you have set the selections above ....only after that .....

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. There is much more to do even after this.

[magonsar]

Hi thank you, so i followed the instructions, here is the log file:AdwCleaner[C04].txt

[Maurice Naggar]

Yes. Bravo. 

Next first step, is to "Turn OFF ( to DISABLE) the "fast startup" of Windows 11
See https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/windows-11/how-to-enable-or-disable-fast-startup-on-windows-11

When that is done, be sure to do ( from Start menu) one Power >> Shutdown >> Restart.
Having "fast startup" can complicate our efforts to fix problems.

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.

>

As a next step, I suggest the following:

This is for a scan with ESET Onlinescanner (free). ESET is a well-respected, well-known entity and tool.

This here you can start & once it is under way, you can leave the machine alone & let it run over-night. 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 occurred 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

[magonsar]

Thank you, i followed the instructions, and here is the log. PD: i know it is far from over. However, i note: After the scan, windows defender still shows notifications with threats.

ESET SCAN.txt

[Maurice Naggar]

Alright.

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  FULL scan  

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.

[magonsar]

Hi, followed the instruction, here is the log. msert.log

[Maurice Naggar]

That is a perfect report from MS Safety scanner. No virus, no trojan, no malware.
Do a new scan with Malwarebytes for Windows.

Do a Check for Update using the Malwarebytes Settings >> General tab.

See this Support Guide https://support.malwarebytes.com/hc/en-us/articles/360042187934-Check-for-updates-in-Malwarebytes-for-Windows

When it shows a new version available, Accept it and let it proceed forward. Be sure it succeeds.

If prompted to do a Restart, just please follow all directions.

Next, the Malwarebytes scan.

Next click the blue button marked Scan.

 

When the scan phase is done, be real sure you Review and have all detected lines items check-marked on each line on the left. That too is very critical.

>>>>>>👉You can actually click the topmost left check-box on the very top line to get ALL lines ticked  ( all selected).  <<<<💢

 

Please double verify you have that TOP check-box tick marked.  and that then, all lines have a tick-mark

Then click on Quarantine button.

 

Then, locate the Scan run report; export out a copy; & then attach in with your reply.
See https://support.malwarebytes.com/hc/en-us/articles/360038479194-View-Reports-and-History-in-Malwarebytes-for-Windows-v4 

Plus, let me know whether the "Block" box-notices from Malwarebytes have gone away.

Edited January 17, 2023 by Maurice Naggar

[magonsar]

Hi, i updated malwarebytes and did another scan. it came out clean. Here is the log: MWBSCAN.txt.

Moments after, both windows defender and mwb still show notifications. :(

[Maurice Naggar]

Alright. ( A ) Keep in mind always, that the Block notices from Malwarebytes are courtesy notices. ( B ) That Malwarebytes is keeping the machine safe from harm.

( C ) Can you possibly do a screen-grab of the "notice window" of MS Defender // The next time it shows, move your mouse over the window-box

and press and hold the ALT-key and then tap on PrintScrn key on keyboard

Then save the image // Open MSPAINT

paste image >> Save image

then see about attaching it.  I am wanting to know the detail of what MS Defender is flagging

the path and the file-name of the "flagged" suspect-offender

( D ) I will be relaying a custom-script to you for the upcoming-next steps

Edited January 17, 2023 by Maurice Naggar

[Maurice Naggar]

@magonsar

On these next & future tasks, please be aware that when you download tools & any download, that the default SAVE location is

D:\Users\USER\Downloads

Be sure that you SAVE downloads there ---for what I ask you to download.

Also, please take a real good look on the folder

D:\Users\USER\Downloads

check to see whether or not there is a file there named either FRST64 or FRSTENGLISH.exe

I need to know that.
I also need you to turn OFF ( disable) the Microsoft Defender / Windows Smartscreen
see https://www.elevenforum.com/t/enable-or-disable-microsoft-defender-smartscreen-check-apps-and-files-from-web-in-windows-11.5731/

Kindly let me know on all this. We have more to do. There is a multi-faceted trojan malware on this machine. It will be removed on a next round.
IF you do not find a FRST64 or FRSTENGLISH on the folder

D:\Users\USER\Downloads

then download AND SAVE as listed here.
you can simply download & save a new copy of the tool FRST64.exe from this link

Please advise on all above.

[magonsar]

hi, firstly, this is one of the notifications from windows defender. its from this afternoon, however malwarebytes has been poping up every 20 minutes lol 

[magonsar]

secondly, i turned off Microsoft Defender / Windows Smartscreen as per the instructions given:

[magonsar]

thirdly haha, i do see the FRSTEnglish.exe in my downloads folder:

[Maurice Naggar]

Now we need to do a significant special-custom cleanup run. This machine still has a persistent, coinminer trojan. As I mentioned, it has multi-facets to keep hiding and to stay persistent. 
 

Please run the following custom script. Read all of this before you start. Please Close all open work.

Once the script-run has been completed, please attach the file FIXLOG.TXT to your next reply

 

Farbar program :  is FRSTEnglish.exe

 

Please download the attached fixlist.txt file and save it to same folder as where FRSTENGLISH is

Fixlist.txt

 

NOTE. It's important that both files, FRSTENGLISH, and fixlist.txt are in the same location or the fix will not work.

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.

Use File Explorer to go to where FRSTENGLISH is

RIGHT-Click on   FRSTENGLISH and select

RUN as Administrator

and reply YES to allow it to go forward to start.

That is important so that this run has Elevated Administrator rights !!

NEXT 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 Downloads folder (Fixlog.txt) . 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 scans with MS Defender antivirus. Depending on the speed of your computer this fix may take 40 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. 

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
• 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. Attach FIXLOG.txt with net reply.

Edited January 18, 2023 by Maurice Naggar

[magonsar]

Hi, sorry, so i downloaded the file and made sure they are in the same folder, then i open the exe, i do right click and open as admin, then i hit the FIX button... it loads and then a window pops up "error allocating memory", so i hit ok and the exe closes. Should i leave it be although it showed me this error? should i do something else? thank you.

[magonsar]

I also downloaded the FRST64.exe from your previous reply, and ran it. Only difference was that this exe was in spanish, so again, i hit fix, it loads for 1-2 minutes, and then the same "error allocating memory" shows up :(

[Maurice Naggar]

Alright. I will arrange a new post with a different (new script). Just please, if there is a next time with a similar situation, STOP and ask me first.  Do not do steps on your own. Just please hold off til I do a new reply.

[Maurice Naggar]

This has a new Fixlist file. I would like to use this to do a new run with Farbar FRSTENGLISH after you save this new one.

Please run the following custom script. Read all of this before you start. Please Close all open work.

Once the script-run has been completed, please attach the file FIXLOG.TXT to your next reply

Farbar program :  is FRSTEnglish.exe

 

Please download the attached fixlist.txt file and save it to same folder as where FRSTENGLISH is

Fixlist.txt

 

NOTE. It's important that both files, FRSTENGLISH, and fixlist.txt are in the same location or the fix will not work.

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.

Use File Explorer to go to where FRSTENGLISH is

RIGHT-Click on   FRSTENGLISH and select

RUN as Administrator

and reply YES to allow it to go forward to start.

That is important so that this run has Elevated Administrator rights !!

NEXT 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 Downloads folder (Fixlog.txt) . 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.

The system will be rebooted after the fix has run. Attach FIXLOG.txt with net reply.

[magonsar]

Hi i followed the instruction, downloaded the new fixlist, and ran the exe, however, it still gives me the error: 

[Maurice Naggar]

There is an article at Bleepingcomputer named How to Start Windows  in Safe Mode with Networking https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/how-to-start-windows-10-in-safe-mode-with-networking/

That describes the steps to get Windows  into "Safe Mode with Networking".
Please study that. The goal is to get to that screen "Startup Settings" and
press the number 5 key on your keyboard to enter Safe Mode with Networking.

Look over that whole article. The descriptions and the images all help.
We want the system to be in "Safe Mode with Networking" to run the new script.

Once there, do all that I listed before for the Farbar custom script.

[magonsar]

Hi so i was able to start the pc in safe mode with networking. This time when i run the exe, it shows failed to update: 

[Maurice Naggar]

Close that program. The thing to do is stay in Safe Mode with Networking. Download a new FRST64 & be certain to save that.

Then do the same set of instructions, only this next time, use this new FRST64

download & save a new copy of the tool FRST64.exe from this link https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/farbar-recovery-scan-tool/dl/82/