Firefox search engine redirects and hangs

[Azon]

When ever i use a search engine (google,yahoo,ask) all the links I click on redirect me to random spam sites.

Firefox also hangs for about 15 seconds when loading websites after about 5 minutes of use. After about 10 minutes of use it says "stopped" in the bottom left corner and wont load any websites. I have to restart firefox and it usually gives me a "firefox is currently open but not responding please close firefox" which I do through to task manager. Google chrome wont even load my homepage and opera has the same redirect issue but not the hanging issue. I ran multiple anti malware scans including spybot, malwarebytes and ad aware they came up with no infected objects.

I have java 6 update 18, adobe reader 9 and adobe flash player 10.

Here is a hijackthis log

hijackthis.txt

[Maniac]

Hello Azon! Welcome to MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware Forums!

My name is Borislav and I will be glad to help you solve your problems with malware. Before we begin, please note the following:

• The process of cleaning your system may take some time, so please be patient.
  
• Stay with the topic until I tell you that your system is clean. Missing symptoms does not mean that everything is okay.
  
• Instructions that I give are for your system only!
  
• If you don't know or can't understand something please ask.
  
• Do not install any software or hardware, while work on.
  

Step 1:

• Open HijackThis, click Config, click Misc Tools
  
• Click Open Uninstall Manager
  
• Click Save List (generates uninstall_list.txt)
  
• Click Save, copy and paste the results in your next post.
  

Step 2:

Please visit Combofix Guide & Instructions for instructions for installing the recovery console and downloading and running ComboFix.

The only thing different from the instructions there is that when downloading and saving the ComboFix.exe I would like you to rename it to Combo-Fix.exe please.

Post the log from ComboFix when you've accomplished that along with a new HijackThis log.

Important notes regarding ComboFix:

ComboFix may reset a number of Internet Explorer's settings, including making it the default browser. This can easily be changed once we're finished.

ComboFix also prevents autorun of ALL CDs, floppies and USB devices to assist with malware removal & increase security. If this is an issue or makes it difficult for you, please let me know. This can be undone manually when we're finished. Read HERE for an article written by dvk01 on why we disable autoruns.

Note: During this process, it would help a great deal and be very much appreciated if you would refrain from installing any new software or hardware on this machine, unless absolutely necessary, until the clean up process is finished as it makes our job more tedious, with additional new files that may have to be researched, which is very time consuming.

Also, please do not run any security programs or fixes on your own as doing so may compromise what we will be doing. It is important that you wait for instructions.

In your next reply, please include these log(s):

* HijackThis Uninstall List

* HijackThis log (new)

* ComboFix log

[Azon]

Hello

Here are the logs

hijackthis.txt

uninstall_list.txt

ComboFix.txt

[Maniac]

Step 1:

I see you are running Teatimer.

I suggest you to disable it because it can interfere with the changes you'll make on your system.

When everything is done and your log is clean again, you can enable it again.

If teatimer gives you a warning afterwards that some changes were made, allow this instead of blocking it.

How to disable TeaTimer <== click me for instructions.

After you disabled Teatimer, download ResetTeaTimer.exe to your desktop.

Then run ResetTeaTimer.exe.

This will only take a few seconds.

Step 2:

Please go into the Control Panel, Add/Remove and for now remove ALL versions of JAVA

Then run this tool to help cleanup any left over Java

Your Java is out of date. Older versions have vulnerabilities that malware can use to infect your system.

Please download JavaRa and unzip it to your desktop.

***Please close any instances of Internet Explorer (or other web browser) before continuing!***

• Double-click on JavaRa.exe to start the program.
  
• From the drop-down menu, choose English and click on Select.
  
• JavaRa will open; click on Remove Older Versions to remove the older versions of Java installed on your computer.
  
• Click Yes when prompted. When JavaRa is done, a notice will appear that a logfile has been produced. Click OK.
  
• A logfile will pop up. Please save it to a convenient location and post it back when you reply
  Then look for the following Java folders and if found delete them.
  C:\Program Files\Java
  C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java
  C:\Windows\Sun
  C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Java
  C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Sun\Java
  C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Java
  C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Sun\Java
  

Step 3:

• Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
  
• If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
  
• Once the program has loaded, select "Perform Quick Scan", then click Scan.
  
• The scan may take some time to finish,so please be patient.
  
• When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
  
• Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
  
• When disinfection is completed, a log will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to Restart.(See Extra Note)
  
• The log is automatically saved by MBAM and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.
  
• Copy&Paste the entire report in your next reply.
  

Extra Note:

If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove,you will be presented with 1 of 2 prompts,click OK to either and let MBAM proceed with the disinfection process,if asked to restart the computer,please do so immediatly.

In your next reply, please include these log(s):

* HijackThis log (New)

* JavaRa log

* MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware log

[Azon]

New logs.

JavaRa.txt

mbam_log_2010_03_03__01_39_06_.txt

[Azon]

Whoops here is the hijackthis log.

hijackthis.txt

[Maniac]

Good!

ESET Online Scanner

Note: You can use either Internet Explorer or Mozilla FireFox for this scan. You will however may need to disable your current installed Anti-Virus, how to do so can be read here.

• Please go here then click on:
  
• Select the option YES, I accept the Terms of Use then click on:
  
• When prompted allow the Add-On/Active X to install.
  
• Now click on Advanced Settings and select the following:
  

• • Remove found threats
    
  • Scan archives
    
  • Scan for potentially unwanted applications
    
  • Scan for potentially unsafe applications
    
  • Enable Anti-Stealth Technology
    

[*]Now click on:

[*]The virus signature database... will begin to download. Be patient this make take some time depending on the speed of your Internet Connection.

[*]When completed the Online Scan will begin automatically.

[*]Do not touch either the Mouse or keyboard during the scan otherwise it may stall.

[*]When completed select Uninstall application on close if you so wish, make sure you copy the logfile first!

[*]Now click on:

[*]Use notepad to open the logfile located at C:\Program Files\ESET\EsetOnlineScanner\log.txt.

[*]Copy and paste that log as a reply to this topic.

Note: Do not forget to re-enable your Anti-Virus application after running the above scan!

[Azon]

Here it is

log.txt

[Maniac]

Looks good!

Let me know how are things running now.

[Azon]

Seems to run a lot better now.

[Maniac]

Perfect! I think we're ready!

Some final steps:

Step 1:

Please manually delete JavaRa

Step 2:

Please locate to:

C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET Online Scanner

and run OnlineScannerUninstaller.exe . Follow the instructions to successfully remove it from your computer.

Step 3:

* Go to start > run and copy and paste next command in the field:

ComboFix /uninstall

Make sure there's a space between Combofix and /

Then hit enter.

This will uninstall Combofix, delete its related folders and files, reset your clock settings, hide file extensions, hide the system/hidden files and resets System Restore again.

Step 4:

Some preventions:

http://miekiemoes.blogspot.com/2008/02/how...nt-malware.html

Safe surfing! B)

[Azon]

Thanks for the help!

[Maniac]

You're most welcome! B)

[Maurice Naggar]

Since this issue is resolved I will close the thread to prevent others from posting here. If you need assistance please start your own topic and someone will be happy to assist you.