Help for a computer dummy please.

[TheIceMan]

Hi,

New guy here wiht a problem. My computer seems to be infected with some sort of malware or something. I keep getting redirected to different web pages (some sort of ad page that looks like a t.v. new channel...11 I believe). I'm not very swift at computer related things..so please know that you are dealing with an idiot here..LOL. I've ran Malware and it didn't find anything but I still have the same problems. So hopefully I've done all of this correctly and can get to info posted on here for some help. Thanks in advance... Tim

I apologize in advance if I've messed this up..

The Malware log....

"Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.46

www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: 4198

Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3

Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702

6/19/2010 2:51:38 PM

mbam-log-2010-06-19 (14-51-38).txt

Scan type: Full scan (C:\|D:\|)

Objects scanned: 190894

Time elapsed: 1 hour(s), 10 minute(s), 53 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0

Memory Modules Infected: 0

Registry Keys Infected: 0

Registry Values Infected: 0

Registry Data Items Infected: 0

Folders Infected: 0

Files Infected: 0

Memory Processes Infected:

(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:

(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:

(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Infected:

(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:

(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:

(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:

Then the other stuff thats asked for on here...I hope!

DDS.zip

Attach.zip

ark.zip

[Elise]

Hello ,

And My name is Elise and I'll be glad to help you with your computer problems.

I will be working on your malware issues, this may or may not solve other issues you may have with your machine.

Please note that whatever repairs we make, are for fixing your computer problems only and by no means should be used on another computer.

• The cleaning process is not instant. Logs can take some time to research, so please be patient with me. I know that you need your computer working as quickly as possible, and I will work hard to help see that happen.
  
• Please reply using the Add/Reply button in the lower right hand corner of your screen. Do not start a new topic.
  
• The logs that you post should be pasted directly into the reply. Only attach them if requested or if they do not fit into the post.
  
• Unfortunately, if I do not hear back from you within 5 days, I will be forced to close your topic. If you still need help after I have closed your topic, send me or a moderator a personal message with the address of the thread or feel free to create a new one.
  

You may want to keep the link to this topic in your favorites. Alternatively, you can click the button at the top bar of this topic and Track this Topic, where you can choose email notifications.

-----------------------------------------------------------

If you have since resolved the original problem you were having, we would appreciate you letting us know. If not please perform the following steps below so we can have a look at the current condition of your machine.

COMBOFIX

---------------

Please download ComboFix from one of these locations:

Bleepingcomputer
ForoSpyware

• Disable your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware applications, usually via a right click on the System Tray icon. They may otherwise interfere with our tools. (Click on this link to see a list of programs that should be disabled. The list is not all inclusive.)
  
• Double click on Combofix.exe and follow the prompts.
  
• As part of it's process, ComboFix will check to see if the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console is installed. With malware infections being as they are today, it's strongly recommended to have this pre-installed on your machine before doing any malware removal. It will allow you to boot up into a special recovery/repair mode that will allow us to more easily help you should your computer have a problem after an attempted removal of malware.
  
• Follow the prompts to allow ComboFix to download and install the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console, and when prompted, agree to the End-User License Agreement to install the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console.
  

**Please note: If the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console is already installed, or if you are running Vista, ComboFix will continue it's malware removal procedures.

Once the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console is installed using ComboFix, you should see the following message:

Click on Yes, to continue scanning for malware.

When finished, it shall produce a log for you. Please include the C:\ComboFix.txt in your next reply.

[TheIceMan]

Thank you for your help. Here is the Combofix log.

ComboFix.txt

[Elise]

Hello there, you had a nasty rootkit on your computer. Fortunately its gone now, but please consider the following information first:

BACKDOOR WARNING

------------------------------

One or more of the identified infections is known to use a backdoor.

This allows hackers to remotely control your computer, steal critical system information and download and execute files.

If you do any banking or other financial transactions on the PC or if it should contain any other sensitive information, please get to a known clean computer and change all passwords where applicable, and it would be wise to contact those same financial institutions to apprise them of your situation.

Though the infection has been identified and cleaned, because of it's backdoor functionality, your PC is very likely compromised and there is no way to be sure your computer can ever again be trusted. Many experts in the security community believe that once infected with this type of trojan, the best course of action would be a reformat and reinstall of the OS. Please read these for more information:

How Do I Handle Possible Identify Theft, Internet Fraud and CC Fraud?

When Should I Format, How Should I Reinstall

We can still clean this machine but I can't guarantee that it will be 100% secure afterwards. Let me know what you decide to do. If you decide to go through with the cleanup, please proceed with the following steps.

Please let me know how things are running now. Also, please launch MBAM, update it and run a full scan. Post me the resulting log.

[TheIceMan]

Ok. I read the links you provided. I'm not really sure if I should install a new OS or not. I don't do any online banking or any online bill paying. I do some online purchasing, but haven't had any problems lately (although I haven't really bought much of anything lately). For the most part I only use a computer to get on the internet. I don't use this computer for anything work related and it doesn't have any personal info on it. I really don't do much of anything on this thing except browse the internet. So I'll leave my decision more in your hands if you think it's really necessary for me to do the rest of the things.....

I've looked at soem of my "regular websites" and haven't gotten any of the re-directing pages yet. So I think I may be ok now.

Here's the latest Malware log for you to browse. Thanks again!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.46

www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: 4198

Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3

Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702

6/20/2010 2:05:05 PM

mbam-log-2010-06-20 (14-05-05).txt

Scan type: Full scan (C:\|D:\|)

Objects scanned: 178985

Time elapsed: 46 minute(s), 3 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0

Memory Modules Infected: 0

Registry Keys Infected: 0

Registry Values Infected: 0

Registry Data Items Infected: 0

Folders Infected: 0

Files Infected: 0

Memory Processes Infected:

(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:

(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:

(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Infected:

(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:

(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:

(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:

(No malicious items detected)

[Elise]

Hello, if you use the computer as explained, you can go for the cleanup, unless of course you want to reformat it

Things are looking nice, so lets do one last check.

ESET ONLINE SCANNER

----------------------------

I'd like us to scan your machine with ESET OnlineScan

1. Hold down Control and click on the following link to open ESET OnlineScan in a new window.
   ESET OnlineScan
   
2. Click the button.
   
3. For alternate browsers only: (Microsoft Internet Explorer users can skip these steps)
   1. 
      
   2. Click on to download the ESET Smart Installer. Save it to your desktop.
      
   3. Double click on the icon on your desktop.
      
      
   4. Check
      
   5. Click the button.
      
   6. Accept any security warnings from your browser.
      
   7. Check
      
   8. Push the Start button.
      
   9. ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer. Please be patient as this can take some time.
      
   10. When the scan completes, push
       
   11. Push , and save the file to your desktop using a unique name, such as ESETScan. Include the contents of this report in your next reply.
       Note - when ESET doesn't find any threats, no report will be created.
       
   12. Push the button.
       
   13. Push
       
       

[TheIceMan]

Hello again,

Here is the results of that scan. Thanks!

ESETScan.txt

[Elise]

That looked great, only some leftovers

If you have no problems left, you are good to go!

ALL CLEAN

--------------

Your machine appears to be clean, please take the time to read below on how to secure the machine and take the necessary steps to keep it clean

Please do the following to remove the remaining programs from your PC:

• Delete the tools used during the disinfection:
  • Click start > run and type combofix /uninstall (note the space between combofix and /uninstall), press enter. This will remove Combofix from your computer.
    
  • Delete DDS and GMER (this is a random named file).
    

Please read these advices, in order to prevent reinfecting your PC:

1. Install and update the following programs regularly:
   • an outbound firewall
     A comprehensive tutorial and a list of possible firewalls can be found here.
     
   • an AntiVirus Software
     It is imperative that you update your AntiVirus Software on regular basis.If you do not update your AntiVirus Software then it will not be able to catch the latest threats.
     
   • an Anti-Spyware program
     Malware Byte's Anti Malware is an excellent Anti-Spyware scanner. It's scan times are usually under ten minutes, and has excellent detection and removal rates.
     SUPERAntiSpyware is another good scanner with high detection and removal rates.
     Both programs are free for non commercial home use but provide a resident and do not nag if you purchase the paid versions.
     
   • Spyware Blaster
     A tutorial for Spywareblaster can be found here. If you wish, the commercial version provides automatic updating.
     
   • MVPs hosts file
     A tutorial for MVPs hosts file can be found here. If you would like automatic updates you might want to take a look at HostMan host file manager. For more information on thehosts file, and what it can do for you,please consult the Tutorial on the Hosts file
     

[*]Keep Windows (and your other Microsoft software) up to date!

I cannot stress how important this is enough. Often holes are found in Internet Explorer or Windows itself that require patching. Sometimes these holes will allow an attacker unrestricted access to your computer.

Therefore, please, visit the Microsoft Update Website and follow the on screen instructions to setup Microsoft Update. Also follow the instructions to update your system. Please REBOOT and repeat this process until there are no more updates to install!!

[*]Keep your other software up to date as well

Software does not need to be made by Microsoft to be insecure. You can use the Secunia Online Software occasionally to help you check for out of date software on yourmachine.

[*]Stay up to date!

The MOST IMPORTANT part of any security setup is keeping the software up to date. Malware writers release new variants every single day. If your software updates don't keep up, then the malware will always be one step ahead. Not a good thing.

Some more links you might find of interest:

• Miekies' prevention suggestions
  
• So How did I get infected?
  
• Microsoft - 'Security at home'
  
• Calendar of Updates: See which updates have been released.
  
• How to backup your Data with Cobian Backup:because you never know, when your harddisk might fail :wink:
  
• Commonly Used Freeware Replacements: a nice list of freeware programs in all categories, that are regarded as useful by the users of this forum.
  
• osalt: Find (free) open source alternatives to known commercial software.
  

Please reply to this topic if you have read the above information. If your computer is working fine, this topic will be closed afterwards.

[TheIceMan]

So far so good. Everything appears to be working correctly now.

I do have 1 more question to ask regarding anti-virus protection. I have McAfee, Malwarebytes, and Spy Sweeper currently running on my computer. Is it really necessary for me to have both Malwarebytes and Spy Sweeper running at the same time or is it overkill? It also appears that I do not have any type of firewall on my anitvirus system now. I will look into trying to figure that out on McAfee.

Thanks again for all of your help! I was completely lost as to how to go about fixing it but you made it simple as could be. I don't feel like as much of a computer idiot as I did before....

[TheIceMan]

I thought of something else to ask...sorry. Regarding the "Defogger" app.......Do I need to "re-enable" my CD Emulation drivers now?

[Elise]

You are most welcome

I would recommend MBAM over Spysweeper for antispyware protection (note, I am not working for them, its just my personal preference ).

An extra (= besides windows firewall) firewall is only necessary if you are not connected to the internet through a router. If you are using a router, you are already behind a hardware firewall.

Let me know if there are any more questions. If not I will request this topic to be closed.

[TheIceMan]

Okie dokie. I will just get rid of SpySweeper then. I'm not sure what ya mean when referring to the firewall stuff. My internet connection is through a cable tv modem thingamabob. So I went ahead and turned on the firewall stuff on my McAfee Anit-Virus...just to be safe (I think ).

Thanks again for all of your help Elise. YOU ROCK!

[Elise]

Thank you for the compliment

I will request this topic to be closed.