Malware keeps coming back after reboot although Malwarebytes quarantines

[ram112]

Hi,

The Powershell screen comes up each and every time my laptop is rebooted and the malware gets quarantined by Malwarebytes as well. I have attached the required files. Please advise. Assistance would be appreciated.

Addition.txt FRST.txt Malwarebytes RTP detection..txt

[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 will guide you. These are 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

 

Let's do one scan with Malwarebytes Adwcleaner to check for adwares. 

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 Prefetch 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

We will do more later.

[ram112]

Hi Maurice,

Thanks for your response, but want to apologise first. Before you posted your response, I went through some of the solutions provided within this forum and ran a full scan using the ESET Online Scanner, which found several issues. I have attached the results. 

After your post, I have run the AdwCleaner as well. Attached those results as well.

 

AdwCleaner[C00].txt Eset Online Scan.txt

[Maurice Naggar]

Thank you for letting me know. There is more cleanup work to do.

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 tool:   FRST64.exe on Downloads folder

Please download the attached fixlist.txt file and save it to Downloads folder

Fixlist.txt

 

NOTE. It's important that both files, FRST64, and fixlist.txt are in the same location or the fix will not work.

NOTICE: This script is ONLY for Ram112. 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.

Right-click on  FRST64 and select

Run as Administrator

and reply YES to allow to proceed

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 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. It will cleanup the work areas for MS Windows Update ( this machine appears to have undesirable "restrictions" on MS Defender antivirus, as well as on MS Windows Update). It will clear all temporary cache for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browsers.

Depending on the speed of your computer this fix may take 40 minutes or more.

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

Edited January 22, 2023 by Maurice Naggar

[ram112]

Hi, just woke up after sleep. 

You asked me to run Farbar program tool:   FRST64.exe on Downloads folder. Where do I find it? I cannot see any attachment other than  fixlist.txt

Apologies for being dumb

 

 

 

[ram112]

Apologies. Found the FRST64.exe. Will run now

 

 

 

[ram112]

Hi, the fix is complete now. Attached the FIXLOG.txt file. Many thanks

Fixlog.txt

[Maurice Naggar]

Thank you. 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.

[ram112]

Hi, please find attached the log

msert.log

[Maurice Naggar]

Excellent result

Results Summary:
----------------
No infection found.
Successfully Submitted MAPS Report
Successfully Submitted Heartbeat Report
Microsoft Safety Scanner Finished On Mon Jan 23 19:29:38 2023

That is very good to see. 😀

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.

Let me know how that goes.    Next, the Malwarebytes sca

Next, click the small x on the Settings line to go to the main Malwarebytes Window.   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

😉

[ram112]

Looks like all looks good. Thanks for your help. You have been brilliant. Much appreciated.

Scan.txt

[Maurice Naggar]

You are very welcome. I am glad to have worked with you.

We can proceed with cleanup of tools we used.

To remove the FRST64 tool & its work files, do this. Go to your Downloads folder. Do a RIGHT-click on FRST64.exe & select RENAME & then change it to

 UNINSTALL.exe

.
Then run that ( double click on it) to begin the cleanup process.

Delete msert.exe
Delete Esetonlinescanner

Adwcleaner you may keep and use as needed.
Any other download file I had you download, you may delete.
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.

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

Thank you