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I may or may not be infected with something.. Oops. Please help?

SimplyFire

By SimplyFire
in Resolved Malware Removal Logs

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SimplyFire

SimplyFire

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So, full disclosure, yesterday I did install a cracked version of Photoshop CS6 to do something with it. In hindsight, it was stupid of me, and I will not do that again. I have uninstalled it since it was preventing my Adobe Acrobat DC from functioning with a launch message something along the lines of "Cannot find C:/.../Adobe Acrobat/eula.exe" suddenly when I was using it the same day. I've also had my Windows Explorer lag whenever I right-clicked the folder for the cracked version of Photoshop CS6 when trying to scan it with MalwareBytes before uninstalling it (that could've been something else, but I am mentioning here just in case). Something I do know of though for certain is that the signature of the program/installer had "©Tony the Computer Guy" on it. So... Yeah...

The computer mentioned in the previous paragraph is a Windows 10 computer. I have also run MalwareBytes on it after installing and uninstalling the program with it not detecting anything either time.

Currently, I am on a separate computer since I turned off my potentially infected computer last night to deal with it the next day. I have seen some other threads of people potentially having a similar issue or at least having the same cracked version of Photoshop CS6 within the scans in the thread, but I know one of them stopped replying. So, I didn't want to follow something unfinished and potentially a little different from me, especially when it's a process to make sure to do everything in order, properly, and completely. I will be as responsive as I can once I post this thread topic. So, please help me. 🙏

Also, with the processes, if you can be as detailed as possible about the steps I have to complete on my end, I will greatly appreciate it!

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1PW

1PW

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Hello @SimplyFire and :welcome::

While you are waiting for the next qualified/approved malware removal expert helper to weigh in on your topic, and even though you may have run the following Malwarebytes utility, or its subsets, please carefully follow these instructions:

  1. Download the Malwarebytes Support Tool.
  2. In your Downloads folder, open the mb-support-x.x.x.xxx.exe file.
  3. In the User Account Control (UAC) pop-up window, click Yes to continue the installation.
  4. Run the MBST Support Tool.
  5. In the left navigation pane of the Malwarebytes Support Tool, click Advanced.
  6. In the Advanced Options, click only Gather Logs. A status diagram displays the tool is Getting logs from your computer.  WARNING: Do Not click the Repair System under Advanced unless requested to by a Malwarebytes support agent or authorized helper.
  7. A zip file named mbst-grab-results.zip will be saved to the Public desktop, please attach that file in your next reply to this topic. Please do NOT copy and paste.

For the short time between when you post the diagnostic logs, and when your helper weighs in, please take no further self-directed remedial actions that will invalidate the diagnostic logs you will have posted.

Thank you.

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AdvancedSetup

AdvancedSetup

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Hello @SimplyFire

 

Please run the following fix

 

NOTE: Please read all of the information below before running this fix.

  • 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.

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

Farbar program:   FRSTEnglish.exe

Save the attached file:  FIXLIST.TXT to this folder C:\Users\Katli\Downloads\

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

Please make sure you disable any real-time antivirus or security software before running this script. Once completed, make sure you re-enable it.

 

 

Run the Farbar program with Admin rights and press the Fix button just once and wait.

The fix may possibly take up to 60 minutes to complete

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 named Fixlog.txt in the same folder you ran the Farbar program from. Please attach that log on your next reply.

 

  1. NOTE:  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 a disk check on the restart to ensure disk integrity.
  2. NOTE: 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 may be automatically closed.
                Also, make sure you know the passwords for all websites as cookies may possibly be removed in some cases, but not all cases.
  3. NOTE: As part of this fix, it will also reset the network to default settings including the firewall. If you have custom firewall rules you need to save please export or save them first before running this fix.

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
  • BITS transfer queue (qmgr*.dat files)
  • 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.

fixlist.txt

Thanks

 

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SimplyFire

SimplyFire

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@AdvancedSetup I also noticed on my desktop after I ran the Farbar program that I also had a Log-Clear-BrowserCache.txt file, but I wasn't sure whether or not to upload it with the previous Fixlog.txt file at the time. However, I saw on another thread that you requested that person to upload it. My apologies. Is that something I should upload too?

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AdvancedSetup

AdvancedSetup

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It's not really necessary to upload @SimplyFire

You can open it with Notepad and go to the bottom and it will show you the amount of files deleted if you like.

 

That log looks pretty good. Please go ahead and run the following to clean up Google Chrome now

 

 

Please follow the directions from the following topic for a more extensive article on cleaning Google Chrome

Resetting Google Chrome to clear unexpected issues
 

 

 

Then once that has been done, go ahead and run the following scanner from Microsoft

 

Microsoft Safety Scanner

Please make sure you Exit out of any other program you might have open so that the sole task is to run the following scan.   
That goes especially for web browsers, make sure all are fully exited out of and messenger programs are exited and closed as well
 

STEP 1

Please set File Explorer to SHOW ALL folders, all files, including hidden ones.  Use OPTION ONE or TWO of this article

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/7078-turn-off-show-all-folders-windows-10-navigation-pane.html

STEP 2

I suggest a new scan for viruses & other malware. This may take several hours, depending on the number of files on the system and the speed of the computer.

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 the Scan Options & select the FULL scan.

Then start the scan. Have lots of patience. It may take several hours.

  • 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 the screen display.  The only things that count are the End result at the end of the run.
  • The scan will take several hours.  Leave it alone. It will remove any other remaining threats as it goes along.  Take a very long break, do your normal personal errands .....just do not use the computer during this scan.

This is likely to run for many hours as previously mentioned  ( depending on the number of files on your machine & the speed of the hardware.)

The log is named MSERT.log  and the log will be at C:\Windows\debug\msert.log

Please attach that log with your next reply.

 

It is normal for the Microsoft Safety Scanner to show detections during the scan process.

It is scanning for basically all bread crumbs or traces of files and registry entries that "might" be or have been part of some infection or previous infection.

That DOES NOT mean the computer is infected. Once the scan has been completed it uploads the log to their Cloud service which then uses Artificial Intelligence to determine if in fact any of the traces are an infection or not.

Then it writes into the log on your computer what it found.

 

Thank you

 

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SimplyFire

SimplyFire

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@AdvancedSetup You were not kidding about it needing to take several hours! I was doing other stuff while waiting and then just had to leave it running when I went to bed. It took at least 10 hours from when I last looked at it before it finished. However, here is the requested MSERT.log file. I took a peek at it when locating it, and it looks like I'm all good with that scan?

msert.log

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AdvancedSetup

AdvancedSetup

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Sorry for the delay. I thought that I had replied but perhaps I closed the browser before hitting the Submit Reply button.

Great this log looks good.

Let's go ahead and check using another scanner.

 

 

Dr.Web CureIt!

Please download the Dr.Web CureIt! anti-virus utility
https://free.drweb.com/

 

You will need to send them an email to obtain a link to download the scanner, please do so

  • The downloaded file will normally have a unique name such as:  q7a9tr4p.exe
  • Close all open applications and locate the downloaded file and double-click to run it
  • The program will take a moment to launch and bring up the License and Update screen
  • Place a check mark to agree to the terms and then click on the Continue button
  • Click the underlined link Select objects for scanning
  • On the top left click the Scanning objects that should automatically check all objects
  • Click the small wrench and make sure there is a check on Automatically apply actions to threats
  • Then click the large button on bottom right Start scanning
  • Once the scan has completed there will be a link named Open report click that and a log named cureit.log should open in Notepad
  • The log is saved in the folder named Doctor Web in the top of your user profile folders
  • Please attach that log on your next reply

 

 

 

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SimplyFire

SimplyFire

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@AdvancedSetup I have been using it for normal things without making any significant changes while waiting for responses, and so far, it's been running smoothly and normally. There are no signs of a possible infection or any corrupted files from what I've noticed. For the problem I had with Adobe Acrobat DC, I uninstalled it and replaced it with Adobe Reader due to Adobe's product vision shift, and that works perfectly fine - if not better than before.

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AdvancedSetup

AdvancedSetup

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Excellent, glad to hear all is working well at this time. @SimplyFire

 

 

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

 

  1. Recommend using a Password Manager for all websites, etc. that require a password. Never use the same password on more than one site.
    https://www.howtogeek.com/240255/password-managers-compared-lastpass-vs-keepass-vs-dashlane-vs-1password/
  2. Make sure you're backing up your files https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/136226-backup-software/
  3. Keep all software up to date - PatchMyPC - https://patchmypc.com/home-updater#download
  4. Keep your Operating System up to date and current at all times - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-update-faq-8a903416-6f45-0718-f5c7-375e92dddeb2
  5. Further tips to help protect your computer data and improve your privacy: https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/258363-tips-to-help-protect-from-infection/ 
  6. Please consider installing the following Content Blockers for your Web browsers if you haven't done so already. This will help improve overall security

Malwarebytes Browser Guard

uBlock Origin

 

Further reading if you like to keep up on the malware threat scene: Malwarebytes Blog  https://blog.malwarebytes.com/

Hopefully, we've been able to assist you with correcting your system issues.

Thank you for using Malwarebytes

 

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AdvancedSetup

AdvancedSetup

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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

 

 

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