Unable to go to malware bytes website

[Divyesh]

A few days ago I noticed that my windows defender was showing that threats were found in my laptop. It managed to remove a few trojan files. But it kept repeating everyday. So I downloaded malware bytes yesterday and it removed 5 threats. I scanned again to be sure and it the report said that there were no more threats. Today during the automated scan, it told me that there were 8 new threats. I deleted them. Still I cannot visit the malware byte website or any other website related to antivirus.

[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.

  If possibly you have a browser issue, can you try using a different web browser?
  But in any event, always SAVE the downloads I guide you to. Then after download is complete, you go to the file using File Explorer.
  and only then, launch it from there.

  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. For example AdwCleaner[C00],txt

  There is much more to do even after this.

[Divyesh]

Hi, in another conversation in this forum I read that someone was facing this same problem and he was  recommended to download adware cleaner also. So I had already downloaded adware cleaner and ran the scan twice. No threats were found but only pre installed softwares. This time I followed all you steps and did a third scan. The result was the same...only one pre-installed software came up. I have attached all the three scan reports.

AdwCleaner[C00].txt AdwCleaner[C01].txt AdwCleaner[C03].txt

[Divyesh]

Now after the third scan I noticed that the anti-virus websites are opening up in my browser.

[Maurice Naggar]

• For now, let us get a readout-report for my 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.
• Attach the mbst-grab-results.zip from the Desktop to your reply..

[Divyesh]

Done

mbst-grab-results.zip

[Maurice Naggar]

We did not get the entire set of reports with that run. And I cannot determine if / whether there is a working install of Malwarebytes. SO we want to do a cleanup run and a new install for Malwarebytes.

I would ask you to use the Malwarebytes Support tool which you already have
to have the tool uninstall & re-install the Malwarebytes for Windows.
Use this support article as a guide  https://support.malwarebytes.com/hc/en-us/articles/360039023473-Uninstall-and-reinstall-Malwarebytes-using-the-Malwarebytes-Support-Tool

Skip line 1 for download.  Locate where you saved it & use it.
Have infinite patience after the Reboot ( restart ) and just wait till the prompt window comes on
Reply YES when prompted to re-install Malwarebytes

[Divyesh]

Ok so I have reinstalled malwarebytes using the support tool

now what to do?

[Maurice Naggar]

We have a bunch of things we need to do and cover. Patience. It will take a few rounds to get to all of it. Try to use just the Edge browser for the time being. I noticed that BRAVE had been getting a few OUTBOUND block notices for trying to reach teachmemicro[.]com

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.

>

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

• In order to begin to help you properly, I will need another diagnostic report in order to review & diagnose.

Specifically the FRST Farbar diagnostic report.  It is safe to get & use. Be very sure you SAVE it first.

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

• Go to Downloads folder. RIGHT-click on FRST64 and select 

Run as Administrator

and tap ENTER. And reply YES to allow to proceed.  

•  When the tool opens click Yes to the disclaimer.  And be very sure to TICK the box for Addition.txt
• Press the Scan button.

• It will make a log (FRST.txt & Addition.txt) in the same directory the tool is run
• Have patience since the run may take something like 10 or so minutes  (less depending on your hardware speed)
• Close Notepad IF those show up on Notepad.

Attach FRST.txt + Addition.txt with your reply.  You may if you wish, ZIP the 2 into a zip file & then attach.
{ just please do not copy, paste their contents in main body of reply box here.)

Have much patience. There are many other things to do. Follow my leads. Sincerely. 😃

 

[Divyesh]

FRST.txtAddition.txtdone...i have attached both the files

 

[Maurice Naggar]

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 FRST64.exe

Please download the attached fixlist.txt file and save it to C:\Users\user\Downloads

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 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 the Downloads folder

RIGHT-Click on   FRST64 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 40-50 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 + Brave 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 next reply.

[Divyesh]

done...the fixlog is attached. 

Fixlog.txt

[Maurice Naggar]

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 CUSTOM scan  and select C drive to be scanned
• 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

[Maurice Naggar]

NOTE: The custom fix-script is very beneficial for a number of reasons. The big one is by removing 2 "exception paths" that were set to be "excluded" from protection of the Microsoft Defender antivirus.
"C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile"
"C:\Program Files"  ( that one being highly ill-advised and quite dangerous IF there were a malware stored under that folder !
These "exclusions" settings were removed. So now Microsoft Defender will protect the whole system. No exclusions.

Also, the Windows System File Checker made a correction. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
Also, 1.7 GB of disc space was reclaimed to free space after cleanup of temporary files

NOTE: after the completeion of the ESET scan run, we want to be sure this file is no longer present C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\updater.exe

The other thing we will want to do is a new Scan run with Malwarebytes.

[Divyesh]

eset fixlog.txt done

[Divyesh]

I just got a notification from windows defender. It says that a threat was found.

[Maurice Naggar]

Hi. If Chrome browser is open at this point, Exit and Close it. Switch to using the EDGE browser. 

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.

[Divyesh]

done...msert.log now what to do?

[Maurice Naggar]

Thank you. That good result is encouraging. This here is a limited-type script. 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 FRST64.exe

Please download the attached fixlist.txt file and save it to C:\Users\user\Downloads

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 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 the Downloads folder

RIGHT-Click on   FRST64 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 script is intended to see whether the undesired Chrome update files are still present, and if still found, to remove them.

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

[Divyesh]

done

Fixlog.txt

[Maurice Naggar]

The custom-script run is very good. The Google\Chrome\updater.exe is not present. At this time, just want to do a Custom scan on the C drive with Microsoft Defender antivirus.

• From the Windows Start menu, select Settings, then select Update and Security.
• Next, look at the left-side menu & select Windows Security
• Next, In Windows Security section: Click on the grey button Open Windows Security
• Now, click on the shield Virus and threat protection
• Look to see that Microsoft Defender is shown & available for use.
• On the next display, look at all the options.  Look down the list and see "Check for Updates" .
• You should click on that to have the system check for updates for Windows Defender.  Watch & wait for that to complete.
• Please also note that the Scan options (all) can be displayed by clicking on Scan options.
• I would like you to select CUSTOM scan from scan options
• Then select the C drive
• Then have it scan the whole C drive.

 

Edited February 14, 2023 by Maurice Naggar

[Divyesh]

done 

 

[Maurice Naggar]

That is very good to see. 😀 I do believe this system has installed the Malwarebytes program.

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. That is, if some items are found and flagged by Malwarebytes.

>>>>>>      👉      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

😉

[Divyesh]

done...everything went smoothly

malwarebytes report.txt

[Maurice Naggar]

That's great ! 

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.
• You may attach that file to your next reply. (not compulsory)
  

Sincerely.