Windows Virus - Internet connectivity hijacked

[TBG]

Hello Malwarebytes Team,

My computer has been doing some weird things lately > Crashing, screen blacking out then coming back on, internet being connected yet when i enter a website in the browser it says it cannot upload the page because i am not connected to the internet, etc. 

This has been an ongoing problem now for over a month.

Tired of all of this, and aware that obviously something nefarious is going on, I decided to open my task manager to see what all programs were running. I came across a file and copied the name into my browser, the first site that came up was Malwarebytes, responding to a user with a similar incident. If you would be so kind as to tell me what you want me to provide you with and how to do it, I will gladly carry out the procedure. I will go ahead and send the little bit of information I have found so far. I'm am not particularly tech savvy, but do know my way around the computer fairly well.

Many of these things seem to have something to do with "svcs" group

Im sure you know what to look for much better than i do.

I sincerely appreciate your assistance

 

[TBG]

in the last screen shot, the two files at the top were enable, but i disabled them. I copied the top file's name, and it lead me to a fiscussion on your site

 

[Porthos]

@TBG

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   Windows 8 and newer only <<<<< 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
      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

[TBG]

ok thank you

 

[TBG]

how do i get the logs while im doing these steps?

[Porthos]

18 minutes ago, TBG said:

how do i get the logs while im doing these steps?

The instructions are in the links for each program in detail.

[TBG]

ok here are the logs. When i restarted my computer, the first one disappeared and I'm not sure if I had saved it first, but here are the rest

the first tool did find 3 things to quarantine in which case i quarantined them.

I have to say that after completing these steps, my computer is running way faster and better.

Malwarebytes Scan Report 2024-09-12 074713.txt FRST.txt Addition.txt

[TBG]

Thanks for your help Porthos!

[TBG]

Here are the adware cleaner logs

AdwCleaner[C00].txt AdwCleaner[S00].txt

[TBG]

After completing the whole process, the same three things were found when i ran the adware cleaner for a second time. Here is the log from that checkHere are the adware cleaner logs

AdwCleaner[C01].txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Sorry for the delay. Give me a little while to read, digest, and reply @TBG

 

[AdvancedSetup]

Please follow the directions below @TBG

 

[ 1 ]

Please make the following change in Malwarebytes if you're using the Premium or Trial version

• Please open Malwarebytes. Click on the small gear icon to open the Settings and go to the General tab.
• Then turn off "Always register Malwarebytes in the Windows Security Center"

 

[ 2 ]

Are you sure you want this enabled or allowed? Push Notifications on your browser appear to be enabled.

Edge Notifications: Default -> hxxps://www.facebook.com; hxxps://www.instagram.com

CHR Profile: C:\Users\tgerd\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default [2024-09-12]
CHR Notifications: Default -> hxxps://calendar.google.com; hxxps://mail.google.com; hxxps://www.facebook.com; hxxps://www.instagram.com

CHR Profile: C:\Users\tgerd\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Profile 1 [2024-09-12]
CHR Notifications: Profile 1 -> hxxps://mail.google.com; hxxps://www.facebook.com; hxxps://www.pathofexile.com; hxxps://www.yourtexasbenefits.fyi

CHR Profile: C:\Users\tgerd\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Profile 7 [2024-07-02]
CHR Notifications: Profile 7 -> hxxps://www.facebook.com

CHR Profile: C:\Users\tgerd\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Profile 8 [2024-09-06]
CHR Notifications: Profile 8 -> hxxps://mail.google.com; hxxps://www.youtube.com

 

https://blog.malwarebytes.com/security-world/technology/2019/01/browser-push-notifications-feature-asking-abused/

Turn notifications on or off - Google Chrome

Web Push notifications in Firefox

 

[ 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\tgerd\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

 

[ 4 ]

After the computer restarts from the FIX in step 3 above, please go clean up Google Chrome

 

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

Resetting Google Chrome to clear unexpected issues
 

 

[ 5 ]

After cleaning Google Chrome, please RESTART the computer and run all of the following scans and attach back all NEW fresh logs

 

 

Scan with Malwarebytes
https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/304827-scan-with-malwarebytes/

Scan with AdwCleaner
https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/304822-scan-with-adwcleaner/

 

 

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

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

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

 

 

Thank you

 

[TBG]

Ok i got it all done now. Things seem to be coming back good, but Im sure you will be able to verify all of that better than i can. 

Here are the logs you've requested:

After Google Sync Wipe Before Restart Malwarebytes Scan Report 2024-09-14 040238.txt After Restart Malwarebytes Scan Report 2024-09-14 040719.txt AdwCleaner[S02].txt FRST.txt Addition.txt FSS.txt SecurityCheck.txt

[TBG]

Thank you so much for your help. I am amazed that you guys did this for me for free and would love to make a donation if that is possible. Please let me know. Thanks again for all of your work and for educating me about these things. Take care, and please let me know if I need to do anything further to cleandevious programs or enhance my security. You're the best!

[AdvancedSetup]

Thank you for the kind offer, but no donation required. If you see others in need and you can help them with your skill set, please do.

The logs look good over all. Just a bit of updates and you should be done. @TBG

 

 

Please Uninstall, Update, or otherwise address the following as appropriate for your computer

1. Discord Canary v.1.0.325 Warning! Download Update
2. Discord v.1.0.9003 Warning! Download Update
3. Microsoft Visual Studio Code (User) v.1.91.1 Warning! Download Update
4. Node.js v.22.3.0 Warning! Download Update
5. Python 3.12.4 (64-bit) v.3.12.4150.0 Warning! Download Update
6. VLC media player v.3.0.16 Warning! Download Update
7. Zoom Workplace v.6.0.11 (39959) Warning! Download Update

Then RESTART the computer and check for Windows Updates and install any found

 

 

 

[AdvancedSetup]

Excellent, glad to hear all is well again. I'll go ahead and close your topic now and wish you well.

Please follow the directions below to remove the logs and tools we've used. If any are still left after that you can manually uninstall or delete them.

Take care and stay safe out there. Try to follow as much of the advise below as you can as well.

 

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 can close it.

 

We're glad that we were able to assist you.

 

The following information will help you to keep your computer and data safer as well as improve your overall privacy

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/780233/best-password-manager/
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     https://patchmypc.com/about-us
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

•   Google Chrome: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/malwarebytes-browser-guar/ihcjicgdanjaechkgeegckofjjedodee
•   Microsoft Edge: https://support.malwarebytes.com/hc/en-us/articles/4413298736787-Install-Malwarebytes-Browser-Guard-on-Microsoft-Edge-browser
•   Mozilla Firefox: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/malwarebytes/

uBlock Origin

• Google Chrome: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ublock-origin/cjpalhdlnbpafiamejdnhcphjbkeiagm 
• Microsoft Edge: https://microsoftedge.microsoft.com/addons/detail/ublock-origin/odfafepnkmbhccpbejgmiehpchacaeak 
• Mozilla Firefox: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ublock-origin

 

Cybersecurity basics & protection
Everything you need to know about cybercrime
https://www.malwarebytes.com/cybersecurity

 

Further reading if you'd 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. Please tell your friends and family if they too need assistance with malware removal