Am I infected? 2024-09-11

[rubyred9876]

Malwarebytes Scan Report 2024-09-11 181122.txt Addition.txt FRST.txt

[JSntgRvr]

Hi. Welcome.

Those logs show no sign of malware. Is there a problem in the behavior of the computer. That system seems to be newly installed.

[rubyred9876]

it's subtle, perhaps, but this computer was acquired in a condition of "gently used"; it's behavior seems ok, but shows evidence of having been reset, yet, still had some personal directories (amundsen2) on it, much like a computer I had previously where I was the first user and found this same directory after it had been compromised.  see attached screenshots.  your email went to junk mail.  i can only get at the outlook account for my profile using edge (not firefox).  the machine keeps trying to install office 16, rather than 365, etc.  windows security is the only thing running and has issues. acer files & apps are "aggressive" in updating.  seems odd.

[JSntgRvr]

Welcome 
 
I'll be helping you with your computer.
 
Please read this post completely before beginning. If there's anything that you do not understand, please don't hesitate to ask before proceeding.
 
Please take note of the guidelines for this fix:

• Please note that I am a volunteer. I do have a family, a career, and other endeavors that may prevent immediate responses that meet your schedule. Do note that the differences in time zones could present a problem as well. Your patience and understanding will be greatly appreciated.
• First of all, the procedures we are about to perform are specific to your problem and should only be used on this specific computer.
• Do not make any changes to your computer that include installing/uninstalling programs, deleting files, modifying the registry, nor running scanners or tools of any kind unless specifically requested by me.
• Please read ALL instructions carefully and perform the steps fully and in the order they are written.
• If things appear to be better, let me know. Just because the symptoms no longer exist as before, does not mean that you are clean.
• Continue to read and follow my instructions until I tell you that your machine is clean.
• If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to ask before performing the task that I ask of you, and please wait for my reply before you proceed.
• Scanning with programs and reading the logs do take a fair amount of time. Again, your patience will be necessary. 

Let's begin... 

Let run a script to review some of the settings:

The following Fix will empty these folders:

• 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
• Hosts file will be reset

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.

FRST64 was saved as C:\Users\rross\Downloads\FRSTEnglish.exe

• Download the enclosed file  Fixlist.txt
• Save it in the same location FRST64 is saved. (FRSTEnglish.exe)
• Start FRST (FRST64) with Administrator privileges
• This time around Press the Fix button and wait
• When finished, a log file (Fixlog.txt) will pop up and saved in the same location the tool was ran from.

Please attach this file in your next reply.

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

[rubyred9876]

I understand what your note is saying.  We have life.  And then there's living it.  Thank you for living your life and spending some measure of it to help me.  Screenshot confirmation and requested file attached.  Still following directions

Fixlog.txt

[rubyred9876]

And i may hit a snag.  doctor web has my email.  i cannot find what your guidance says.

[AdvancedSetup]

Check your Spam or Junk mail folder for a reply from Dr. Web

 

[AdvancedSetup]

Are you still with us @rubyred9876

Were you able to find thee email from Dr. Web?

 

[rubyred9876]

I am still with us.  I have not received Dr Web's email

[rubyred9876]

And thank you.  I believe I am discovering my way.

[AdvancedSetup]

Please run the following AV scan if you're unable to get the link from Dr. Web

 

 

 

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

 

[AdvancedSetup]

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Tips to help protect from infection

Thanks