I think I have a Console Window Host virus and I am unsure how to fix it

[IP1ayGam3]

I have been trying to remove a conhost virus and ended up here, when i go into task manager on startup or even after terminating process it pops back up a few minutes later. Now in the off chance I am wrong and this is normal I am sorry. But any and all help is appreciated cause I am experiencing a drop in performance. Again any and all help is appreciated and sorry if I am wrong.

 

[Porthos]

@IP1ayGam3 

Although I will not be directly assisting you, a malware removal expert will be along to assist after you do the following.

Let's get the info to get the process started. Be aware it will take many steps and scans to fully remove malware.

Please respond to all future instructions from your helper in a timely manner.

Let's go ahead and run a couple of scans and get some updated logs from your system. Please read the entire post below before starting so that you're more familiar with the process

Then follow each step in the order provided. Unless otherwise asked, please attach all logs

 

Please make the following system changes: Please pay close attention the the instructions in all of the following links.

• If you have not done so already - Enable System Protection and create a NEW System Restore Point  <<<<< Important.
• Temporarily disable your antivirus real-time protection or other security software first only if it blocks or interferes with the scans or downloads.. Make sure to turn it back on once the scans are completed
• Temporarily disable Microsoft SmartScreen to download software below only if needed. Make sure to turn it back on once the downloads are completed
• Disable-Fast-Startup <<<<< Important.
• Show-Hidden-Folders-Files-Extensions

Please run the following scans: Please pay close attention the the instructions in all of the following links.

1. Click the following link and run a  Scan with AdwCleaner
2. Click the following link and run a  Scan with Malwarebytes If you have issues with the installation of Malwarebytes, use this link instead.  https://downloads.malwarebytes.com/file/mb5_offline
      RESTART the computer <<<<< Important.
3. Click the following link and run a  Scan with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool 

Example image of where to click to attach files when posting your reply

Then be patient for the next expert to take your case. <<<<< Important.

 

Thank you

[IP1ayGam3]

I cannot create a system restore point it is greyed out.

[IP1ayGam3]

Same thing with enabling system protection

[Porthos]

Go ahead and do the following part of the instructions. It makes no changes and just gathers logs.

Click the following link and run a  Scan with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool 

[IP1ayGam3]

Here are the files that came from Farbar

FRST.txt Addition.txt

[IP1ayGam3]

I got back from doing something and ran Adwcleaner and this popped up, am I okay to delete what it found?

[IP1ayGam3]

I got back from doing something and ran Adwcleaner and this popped up, am I okay to delete what it found?

[IP1ayGam3]

Malwarebytes Scan Report 2024-07-05 184625.txtAdwCleaner[S00].txt Here are the logs I believe I forgot

[AdvancedSetup]

Thank you for the logs @IP1ayGam3

 

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

 

 

 

[IP1ayGam3]

I know I cant have open application while running, but I am having a problem

[AdvancedSetup]

Just let it run. It can take a long time

 

[IP1ayGam3]

Understood

[IP1ayGam3]

I got it I believecureit.log

[AdvancedSetup]

Please RESTART the computer and run the following

 

Scan with SecurityCheck by glax24
https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/307301-scan-with-securitycheck-by-glax24/

Scan with FSS Farbar Service Scanner
https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/306736-scan-with-fss-farbar-service-scanner/

Scan with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool
https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/306601-scan-with-farbar-recovery-scan-tool/

 

 

 

 

 

[IP1ayGam3]

SecurityCheck.txtFSS.txtFRST.txtAddition.txt 
Here are all the logs from the scans

[IP1ayGam3]

Was looking through task manager, saw this mess. They were constantly disappearing and reappearing before they all disappeared. Just something I thought I'd include because why not, might help figure something out for all I know.

[AdvancedSetup]

The System Protection is disabled on your system. Please enable it and create a NEW System Restore point

ATTENTION: System Restore is disabled (Total:110.79 GB) (Free:30.47 GB) (28%)

How to Turn On or Off System Protection for Drives in Windows 10
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4533-turn-off-system-protection-drives-windows-10-a.html

How to Create a System Restore Point in Windows 10
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4571-create-system-restore-point-windows-10-a.html

 

 

I would also highly recommend you consider changing your browser and not using Opera. That browser does not care about your privacy. I'd suggest Firefox or Brave as better alternatives

Follow the steps below

[ 1 ]

Please go to Control Panel, Programs, Programs and Features, Uninstall a program

Then right-click and uninstall the following

• CCleaner (this program is rarely needed on Windows but often causes networking issues)  

 

 

[ 2 ]

Your DNS Servers: 192.168.254.254  

Please consider changing your default DNS server settings. Please choose one provider only

DNS is what lets users connect to websites using domain names instead of IP addresses

Pick just one of these 5 providers. And be aware that you need to modify 1 time for IPv4 & a 2nd pass for IPv6

• Quad 9 Public DNS  IPv4  9.9.9.9 and 149.112.112.112  IPv6  2620:fe::fe  and  2620:fe::9  (one of the best for most users)
• Google Public DNS: IPv4   8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4   IPv6   2001:4860:4860::8888 and 2001:4860:4860::8844
• Cloudflare: IPv4   1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1   IPv6   2606:4700:4700::1111 and 2606:4700:4700::1001
• OpenDNS: IPv4   208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220  IPv6  2620:119:35::35 and 2620:119:53::53
• DNSWATCH: IPv4   84.200.69.80 and 84.200.70.40   IPv6  2001:1608:10:25::1c04:b12f and 2001:1608:10:25::9249:d69b

The Ultimate Guide to Changing Your DNS Server
https://www.howtogeek.com/167533/the-ultimate-guide-to-changing-your-dns-server/

Here is a YouTube video on Changing DNS settings if needed

 

[ 3 ]

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\Micky\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

 

[IP1ayGam3]

Before I do step 3 I want to let you know that I cannot turn on system protection, it is greyed out and I cannot turn it on. I will not do step three until I know that it is okay to do it. 

[AdvancedSetup]

Okay, run the FIX and we'll see if it corrects that too

 

[IP1ayGam3]

Here is the log for the fixFixlog.txtThe conhost still runs on startup

[AdvancedSetup]

Thank you for the log. It ran well overall.

Please go ahead and run the following scan from Microsoft

 

 

Let's go ahead and run a couple of scans and get some updated logs from your system.

Please read the entire post below before starting so that you're more familiar with the process

[ 1 ]

Please make the following system changes.

• Temporarily disable your antivirus real-time protection or other security software first only if it blocks or interferes with the scans or downloads.. Make sure to turn it back on once the scans are completed.
• Temporarily disable Microsoft SmartScreen to download software below only if needed. Make sure to turn it back on once the scans are completed.
• Disable-Fast-Startup
• Show-Hidden-Folders-Files-Extensions

[ 2 ]

Microsoft Safety Scanner

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 to complete.

• 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 and saved in the log.
• The scan may 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 and did.

 

Thank you

 

[IP1ayGam3]

Ok, after a lengthy scan here is the logmsert.log

[AdvancedSetup]

Results Summary:
----------------
No infection found.

 

Let me have you run another scanner

 

Sophos Scan & Clean

Download Sophos Free Virus Removal Tool (x64)  and save it to your desktop or downloads folder.

• If your security alerts to this scan either accept the alert or turn off your security real-time protection temporarily to allow Sophos to run and complete.....
• Please close all other open applications and Do Not use your PC whilst the scan is in progress... This scan typically runs pretty quick on most systems.
• Locate the downloaded program then Double-click on the program and select Run and approve the User Account Control prompt to allow it to run with Admin rights.
• Click Next then clicking NEXT again will automatically accept the terms in this license agreement and start the scanning process
• Click Next and exit the program when done
• By default Sophos logs are found under this sub-folder: C:\ProgramData\Sophos\Sophos Virus Removal Tool\Logs 
• You may need to enable Show-Hidden-Folders-Files-Extensions to see the C:\ProgramData folder to access the log

Note: If threats are found in the computer memory, the scan stops. This is because further scanning could enable the threat to spread. You will be asked to click Start Cleanup to remove the threats before continuing the scan.

Please attach that log on your next reply

Thank you

 

[IP1ayGam3]

SophosScanAndClean_20240705_2301.log