Malware keeps reappearing

[GabrieleG]

After some hours, same 8 set of viruses keeps reappearing:

How should I proceed?

[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. This is the first beginning step so I can see what is what on this particular machine.

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..

[Maurice Naggar]

Kindly get for me the ZIP report cited above. What you showed on the screen grab are about "Block" notice messages from Malwarebytes.
It is NOT the situation that "viruses" are present. What it looks like here is likely the presence of pesky, unwanted "mining" add-ons.

For Your Information:

The Block notices from Malwarebytes web protection do mean that Malwarebytes is keeping your pc safe from potential harm.
A block notice is an advisory of the "block".
A "malicious website blocked" is entirely different from a "malware detected" event.

The website  Block message indicates that a potential risk was blocked by the malicious website protection.
The Malwarebytes web protection, by default, will always show each IP block occurrence.
The Malwarebytes Web-protection feature will advise customers when a known or suspected malicious IP is attempted to be reached (outgoing) or is trying access your PC.
 
 
Incoming block notice can be ignored, the Malwarebytes real-time protection is blocking the threat and there is nothing more that can be done.
On Outbound blocks, any attempted connection was stopped.
 
No action is required unless you’re also experiencing malware symptoms or there are multiple (different) IPs (ex;123.23.34 and 4.44.56).
 A browser is not required to be running, just an active Internet connection with processes running,
such as Instant messenger clients, DISCORD, or Instagram, SKYPE or Peer-to-peer software, to trigger these alerts.

These are also triggered by banner ads running on websites which is the most common form of alert.

[GabrieleG]

There you go and thanks.

 

mbst-grab-results.zip

[Maurice Naggar]

Thank you for the reports. 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

Next first step, is to "Turn OFF ( to DISABLE) the "fast starup" 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.

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.

[GabrieleG]

There:

 

AdwCleaner[C09].txt

[Maurice Naggar]

Thank you. I am in the process of working on a custom-script for this machine. Will post that when it is fully ready. As to what I posted before about "block notices" is not fitting for the case that we have here. ( The info I posted is correct). But, what your screen image was all about what is already in quarantine by Malwarebytes. Malwarebytes removed some trojans and riskware. Have patience. We will be running different things.

[GabrieleG]

Sure thing, the problem is that they reappear after a while

[Maurice Naggar]

Those are the least of the issues here!  I noticed a big huge amount of leftovers of BitDefender antivirus. What happened with BitDefender ? while it does not appear to be a current installed program.....there are a large number of "services" that show as problematic and locked. What was done with BitDefender on this box ?  if you know that is.  This is really not expected.

[GabrieleG]

I installed it today to fight the viruses, then I removed it. Now it's not on the pc

[Maurice Naggar]

Not so. There are several BitDefender drivers that are "locked".  Many.  It is complicating the cleanup. But it will be dealt with. Let me say at this point, switching from 1 antivirus product to another brand calls for special extra steps.

[GabrieleG]

Ok I'm following your lead and thank you so much for your time and help :)

[Maurice Naggar]

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

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 attempt to run some scans with Microsoft Defender antivirus. It will attempt to clear Cache files of web browsers. It will attempt to remove the remainders of Bitdefender, which include several of its services being "locked" & still around. It will attempt to clear temporary file areas. Depending on the speed of your computer this fix may take 50-55 minutes or more.

Please Close all open work before you actually do begin this run.

Farbar  FRSTENGLISH program location:   Downloads folder. The tool is already on system. That is what we will use.

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

Fixlist.txt <- < - - - -

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

Right-click with your mouse on  FRSTENGLISH and select "Run as Administraor" and reply Yes and allow it to proceed when prompted. That is important.

next, press the Fix button just once and wait.

You will see a green-color scroll display while FRST is running.
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 next reply.

NOTICE: For potential outside readers,  This script was written specifically for this user, for use on this particular machine. Running this on another machine may cause harm.

[GabrieleG]

There you go and thanks!!

 

Fixlog.txt

[Maurice Naggar]

Thank you. The custom-run is good. The Windows System File Checker has made some corrections.

Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
Protezione risorse di Windows: file danneggiati trovati e ripristinati.

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 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

We will do more, later. Kindly, always, have lots of patience.

[Maurice Naggar]

Additional note. Just so you know. After the special-Fix run, the state of Microsoft Defender antivirus is good.
BUT before I had you run that fix, this Microsoft Defender was seriously compromised !!
The whole C drive was entirely excluded form its protection.
and
these 7 processes were specifically excluded from protection in event of  any potential exploitation
"powershell.exe"
"Wscript.exe"
"cmd.exe"
"conhost.exe"
"jsc.exe"
"aspnet_compiler.exe"
"RegAsm.exe"

[GabrieleG]

Hey good news! No threads detected!! Scans results attached. Thank you so so much!!

 

Result.txt

[Maurice Naggar]

That is very good. This next tool ought to take something in the range of 15 - 25 minutes tops, depending on hardware speed.
get & run the Malwarebytes MBAR anti-rootkit tool to do 1 run with it.
Disregard the title subject of the topic.Run the MBAR tool as listed here 

https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/198907-requested-resource-is-in-use-error-unable-to-start-malwarebytes

• when done, I need the MBAR logs.
• Upon completion of the scan or after the reboot, two files named mbar-log.txt and system-log.txt will be created.
• Both files can be found in the extracted MBAR folder on your Desktop.
• Please attach both files in your next reply.

[GabrieleG]

Thank you so much, it said "no malware found" and it seems it produced no log :)

[GabrieleG]

Ah sorry my bad, I just noticed:

 

system-log.txt mbar-log-2023-07-05 (17-04-46).txt

[Maurice Naggar]

Thank you. The MBAR scan run is very good. 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. ESET Onlinescanner checks for viruses, other malware, adwares, & potentially unwanted applications.
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.

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

[GabrieleG]

There:

 

Report.txt

[Maurice Naggar]

It is a good thing that I had you run the scan with the ESET Onlinescanner. It found and removed 1 very dangerous executable.

Quote

File rilevati: 1
File puliti: 1

C:\Users\gabri\Desktop\Generale\Programmi\Installers\Microsoft Office 2016 Pro Plus v16.0.5215.1000 September 2021 (x64+x86) Incl. Activator {CracksHash}\Activator\Activator\MAS_1.4_AIO_CRC32_9A7B5B05 {CracksHash}.cmd    BAT/RiskWare.HackTool.WinActivator.J applicazione    pulito tramite eliminazione

If you did use that to install Office be sure that you uninstall Office 2016, and anything else that accompanied that source.

I would urge you highly to stay far away from hack / cracked software of any sort. Whether a so called free program or free game, or whatever.
Hidden risks in pirated software
https://news.microsoft.com/apac/2019/01/08/hidden-risks-in-pirated-software/

Why You Shouldn't Use Pirated Software
https://www.computer.org/publications/tech-news/trends/why-you-shouldnt-use-pirated-software

DON'T FALL FOR THE MONEY-SAVING LURE OF CRACKED SOFTWARE
https://scambusters.org/crackedsoftware.html

You were fortunate to not having a actual ransomware infection. Dodgy downloads from questionable sources are infamous for causing lots of damage & infection. My suspicion is that this file was one part that contributed to the set of issues from start of this case.

As I noted before, the infection had disabled any protection by Microsoft Defender antivirus !!

One other scan here.

TrendMicro HouseCall scan
from this Link

First, Download & Save to your Downloads folder the appropriate HouseCallLauncher
Once the download is complete, go to where the Housecalllauncher is saved & double-click it to start it.

The program will check with TrendMicro & do a update run.

Next it will show the Disclosure window.

Click Next to proceed.

The end user license agreement is presented.   Click the Accept radio button & click Next to proceed.

I suggest a CUSTOM scan on C drive.

IF you wish a Full scan or a Custom scan, first click on the Settings

then you can select which drives you want to include in the scan.

The default is a Quick scan.

Click Scan now when ready.

The scan progress will then be displayed.   Monitor the progress or just leave it alone until it finishes this phase.

When the scan phase has completed, if any items are tagged, you will see a list, showing  the file & its location, the classification of the threat, the type, risk, and Action option.

If you see an item that you know is safe, you can click the Action  , and select Ignore.

When all done & ready, click the Fix now button.

[AdvancedSetup]

Glad we could help.

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