The return of Whitesmoke virus

UnclePete · January 11, 2011

Previously, thanks to the heroic efforts of moderator LDTate, I was able to defeat the Whitesmoke virus on my machine. Tonight, about two weeks later, I came home and the computer was on and the disk drive grinding...my son had been playing a game, I think one he found on a game hub website. Sure enough, the Whitesmoke virus had returned!

I got the notice claiming the Whietesmoke program had been installed on my computer (and asking for my email address, which of course I did not give). I rebooted in safe mode, and ran Kaspersky rootkill off an emergency disk I'd prepared last time. Then I rebooted and used the control panel add/remove programs to remove Whitesmoke translator. Then I ran Malwarebytes (only had time for the quick scan), which found 677 infected files! Almost all of the files had whitesmoke in the name. I directed the program to quarantine and remove the files, and got a message said it was successful, although not for all files. I then rebooted.

One more thing. Before I removed all these infected files I noticed that, on my internet explorer, there was a Bing toolbar that was not there before...once I got rid of the infected files, the Bing toolbar left with it.

So now...all seems quiet..."too quiet" as they say in the movies. I seem to have regain control over my computer -- the hard drive has even gone quiet -- but I'm worried there are still nasty things waiting to attack. For the time being, I've been able to post this message, which is better than where we were at an hour and a half ago.

I'd be very grateful for any help. And I'm installing Operating System 2.0 on my son so that he will never again go to any but the specific websites I allow him on!

Thanks!

LDTate · January 11, 2011

I would suggest you purchase MalwareBytes Pro to help prevent those.

Post a DDS log scan and I'll have a look.

Please download DDS by sUBs from one of the following links and save it to your desktop.

- DDS.scr
- DDS.pif

[*]Disable any script blocking protection (How to Disable your Security Programs)

[*]Double click DDS icon to run the tool (may take up to 3 minutes to run)

[*]When done, DDS.txt will open.

[*]After a few moments, attach.txt will open in a second window.

[*]Save both reports to your desktop.

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

Post the contents of the DDS.txt report in your next reply
Attach the Attach.txt report to your post by scroling down to the Attachments area and then clicking Browse. Browse to where you saved the file, and click Open and then click UPLOAD.

UnclePete · January 12, 2011

LDTate -- [sigh of relief] Thanks SO much for replying. I feel hopeful already!

And...yes, by all means, as soon as my computer is clean, it's Malwarebytes Pro for me!

Things here are still calm, cool, and collected. The disk drive may be whirring a little more than usual, but not that incessant cranking that sounds to me like the epochal war between good and evil! So I was able to log onto the internet like a regular human being, things took a little longer maybe but nothing crazy.

I have followed your instructions. I have posted below the first DDS log scan. I will attach the one that said "attach."

I can't close without saying one more time -- THANK YOU!!

Here's the first log:

DDS (Ver_10-12-12.02) - NTFSx86

Run by Peter Kougasian at 20:36:01.96 on Tue 01/11/2011

Internet Explorer: 7.0.5730.11

Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.1.2600.2.1252.1.1033.18.503.115 [GMT -5:00]

AV: McAfee Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware *Disabled/Updated* {84B5EE75-6421-4CDE-A33A-DD43BA9FAD83}

FW: McAfee Firewall *Disabled*

============== Running Processes ===============

C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost -k DcomLaunch

svchost.exe

C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs

svchost.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe

svchost.exe

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe

C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe

C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehRecvr.exe

C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehSched.exe

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Mcafee\McSvcHost\McSvHost.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\mfevtps.exe

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL$VAIO_VEDB\Binn\sqlservr.exe

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\WMPlugIn\SonicStageMonitoring.exe

C:\Program Files\Sony\Sony TV Tuner Library\SMceMan.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k imgsvc

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\VAIO Entertainment Platform\VCSW\VCSW.exe

C:\WINDOWS\wanmpsvc.exe

C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\SoftwareUpdate\YahooAUService.exe

C:\Program Files\Common Files\McAfee\SystemCore\mcshield.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe

C:\Program Files\Common Files\McAfee\SystemCore\mfefire.exe

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\VAIO Entertainment Platform\VzCdb\VzCdbSvc.exe

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\VAIO Entertainment Platform\VzCdb\VzFw.exe

C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE

C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe

C:\WINDOWS\ehome\ehtray.exe

C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Update 2\VAIOUpdt.exe

C:\WINDOWS\SOUNDMAN.EXE

C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxtray.exe

C:\WINDOWS\AGRSMMSG.exe

C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\E_FATIALA.EXE

C:\Program Files\Winamp\winampa.exe

C:\Program Files\Google\Google Desktop Search\GoogleDesktop.exe

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe

C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe

C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe

C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\Agent\mcagent.exe

C:\Program Files\Content Manager\CmTray.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllhost.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe

C:\Program Files\Sony\Sony TV Tuner Library\RM_SV.exe

C:\Program Files\CompuServe 7.0\cstray.exe

C:\Program Files\FinePixViewer\QuickDCF2.exe

C:\lotus\wordpro\ltsstart.exe

C:\lotus\smartctr\smartctr.exe

C:\lotus\smartctr\suitest.exe

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\80\Tools\Binn\sqlmangr.exe

C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehmsas.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe

C:\Program Files\internet explorer\iexplore.exe

C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe

C:\Program Files\internet explorer\iexplore.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe

C:\Documents and Settings\Peter Kougasian\Desktop\dds.scr

============== Pseudo HJT Report ===============

uSearchMigratedDefaultURL = hxxp://www.google.com/search?q={searchTerms}&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&ie=utf8&oe=utf8

uStart Page = hxxp://www.yahoo.com/?ilc=1

uInternet Connection Wizard,ShellNext = hxxp://www.sony.com/vaiopeople

uInternet Settings,ProxyOverride = <local>

uInternet Settings,ProxyServer = http=127.0.0.1:43902

uSearchURL,(Default) = hxxp://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=mcafee&p=%s

BHO: rsion - No File

BHO: &Yahoo! Toolbar Helper: {02478d38-c3f9-4efb-9b51-7695eca05670} - c:\program files\yahoo!\companion\installs\cpn2\yt.dll

BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper: {06849e9f-c8d7-4d59-b87d-784b7d6be0b3} - c:\program files\adobe\acrobat 7.0\activex\AcroIEHelper.dll

BHO: McAfee Phishing Filter: {27b4851a-3207-45a2-b947-be8afe6163ab} - c:\progra~1\mcafee\msk\mskapbho.dll

BHO: RealPlayer Download and Record Plugin for Internet Explorer: {3049c3e9-b461-4bc5-8870-4c09146192ca} - c:\documents and settings\all users\application data\real\realplayer\browserrecordplugin\ie\rpbrowserrecordplugin.dll

BHO: scriptproxy: {7db2d5a0-7241-4e79-b68d-6309f01c5231} - c:\program files\common files\mcafee\systemcore\ScriptSn.20101111230145.dll

BHO: Google Toolbar Helper: {aa58ed58-01dd-4d91-8333-cf10577473f7} - c:\program files\google\google toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll

BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO: {af69de43-7d58-4638-b6fa-ce66b5ad205d} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbarnotifier\5.6.5825.1100\swg.dll

BHO: McAfee SiteAdvisor BHO: {b164e929-a1b6-4a06-b104-2cd0e90a88ff} - c:\progra~1\mcafee\sitead~1\mcieplg.dll

BHO: SingleInstance Class: {fdad4da1-61a2-4fd8-9c17-86f7ac245081} - c:\program files\yahoo!\companion\installs\cpn2\YTSingleInstance.dll

TB: Yahoo! Toolbar: {ef99bd32-c1fb-11d2-892f-0090271d4f88} - c:\program files\yahoo!\companion\installs\cpn2\yt.dll

TB: McAfee SiteAdvisor Toolbar: {0ebbbe48-bad4-4b4c-8e5a-516abecae064} - c:\progra~1\mcafee\sitead~1\mcieplg.dll

TB: Google Toolbar: {2318c2b1-4965-11d4-9b18-009027a5cd4f} - c:\program files\google\google toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll

TB: {D4027C7F-154A-4066-A1AD-4243D8127440} - No File

TB: {30CEEEA2-3742-40E4-85DD-812BF1CBB83D} - No File

uRun: [updateMgr] "c:\program files\adobe\acrobat 7.0\reader\AdobeUpdateManager.exe" AcRdB7_0_9 -reboot 1

uRun: [OM2_Monitor] "c:\program files\olympus\olympus master 2\MMonitor.exe" -NoStart

uRun: [Magellan CmTray] c:\program files\content manager\CmTray.exe

uRun: [ctfmon.exe] c:\windows\system32\ctfmon.exe

mRun: [ehTray] c:\windows\ehome\ehtray.exe

mRun: [High Definition Audio Property Page Shortcut] HDAudPropShortcut.exe

mRun: [CreateCD_Reminder] c:\windows\sonysys\vaio recovery\reminder.exe

mRun: [VAIO Update 2] "c:\program files\sony\vaio update 2\VAIOUpdt.exe" /Stationary

mRun: [soundMan] SOUNDMAN.EXE

mRun: [AlcWzrd] ALCWZRD.EXE

mRun: [igfxTray] c:\windows\system32\igfxtray.exe

mRun: [HotKeysCmds] c:\windows\system32\hkcmd.exe

mRun: [AGRSMMSG] AGRSMMSG.exe

mRun: [ATIPTA] c:\program files\ati technologies\ati control panel\atiptaxx.exe

mRun: [EPSON Stylus CX5800F Series] c:\windows\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\E_FATIALA.EXE /P27 "EPSON Stylus CX5800F Series" /O6 "USB001" /M "Stylus CX5800F"

mRun: [WinampAgent] c:\program files\winamp\winampa.exe

mRun: [Google Desktop Search] "c:\program files\google\google desktop search\GoogleDesktop.exe" /startup

mRun: [TkBellExe] "c:\program files\common files\real\update_ob\realsched.exe" -osboot

mRun: [iTunesHelper] "c:\program files\itunes\iTunesHelper.exe"

mRun: [QuickTime Task] "c:\program files\quicktime\qttask.exe" -atboottime

mRun: [mcui_exe] "c:\program files\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe" /runkey

StartupFolder: c:\docume~1\alluse~1\startm~1\programs\startup\adober~1.lnk - c:\program files\adobe\acrobat 7.0\reader\reader_sl.exe

StartupFolder: c:\docume~1\alluse~1\startm~1\programs\startup\compus~1.lnk - c:\program files\compuserve 7.0\cstray.exe

StartupFolder: c:\docume~1\alluse~1\startm~1\programs\startup\exifla~1.lnk - c:\program files\finepixviewer\QuickDCF2.exe

StartupFolder: c:\docume~1\alluse~1\startm~1\programs\startup\lotusq~1.lnk - c:\lotus\wordpro\ltsstart.exe

StartupFolder: c:\docume~1\alluse~1\startm~1\programs\startup\lotuss~1.lnk - c:\lotus\smartctr\smartctr.exe

StartupFolder: c:\docume~1\alluse~1\startm~1\programs\startup\lotuss~2.lnk - c:\lotus\smartctr\suitest.exe

StartupFolder: c:\docume~1\alluse~1\startm~1\programs\startup\servic~1.lnk - c:\program files\microsoft sql server\80\tools\binn\sqlmangr.exe

IE: {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE}

IE: {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - %windir%\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe

IE: {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - c:\program files\messenger\msmsgs.exe

IE: {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - {CAFEEFAC-0015-0000-0000-ABCDEFFEDCBC} - c:\program files\java\jre1.5.0\bin\npjpi150.dll

DPF: {1239CC52-59EF-4DFA-8C61-90FFA846DF7E} - hxxp://www.musicnotes.com/download/mnviewer.cab

DPF: {166B1BCA-3F9C-11CF-8075-444553540000} - hxxp://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/director/sw.cab

DPF: {233C1507-6A77-46A4-9443-F871F945D258} - hxxp://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/director/sw.cab

DPF: {30528230-99f7-4bb4-88d8-fa1d4f56a2ab} - c:\program files\yahoo!\common\Yinsthelper.dll

DPF: {6E704581-CCAE-46D2-9C64-20D724B3624E} - hxxp://radaol-prod-web-rr.streamops.aol.com/mediaplugin/3.0.84.2/win32/unagi3.0.84.2.cab

DPF: {7530BFB8-7293-4D34-9923-61A11451AFC5} - hxxp://download.eset.com/special/eos/OnlineScanner.cab

DPF: {8AD9C840-044E-11D1-B3E9-00805F499D93} - hxxp://java.sun.com/products/plugin/1.3.1/jinstall-131_02-win.cab

DPF: {8FFBE65D-2C9C-4669-84BD-5829DC0B603C} - hxxp://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/polarbear/ultrashim.cab

DPF: {CAFEEFAC-0013-0001-0002-ABCDEFFEDCBA} - hxxp://java.sun.com/products/plugin/1.3.1/jinstall-131_02-win.cab

DPF: {CAFEEFAC-0015-0000-0000-ABCDEFFEDCBA} - hxxp://java.sun.com/update/1.5.0/jinstall-1_5_0-windows-i586.cab

DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} - hxxp://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/get/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab

Handler: dssrequest - {5513F07E-936B-4E52-9B00-067394E91CC5} - c:\progra~1\mcafee\sitead~1\McIEPlg.dll

Handler: sacore - {5513F07E-936B-4E52-9B00-067394E91CC5} - c:\progra~1\mcafee\sitead~1\McIEPlg.dll

Notify: igfxcui - igfxsrvc.dll

SecurityProviders: rpasspc.dll, msapsspc.dll, schannel.dll, digest.dll, msnsspc.dll

============= SERVICES / DRIVERS ===============

R0 mfehidk;McAfee Inc. mfehidk;c:\windows\system32\drivers\mfehidk.sys [2010-9-23 386840]

R1 mfetdi2k;McAfee Inc. mfetdi2k;c:\windows\system32\drivers\mfetdi2k.sys [2010-9-23 84072]

R2 McAfee SiteAdvisor Service;McAfee SiteAdvisor Service;"c:\program files\common files\mcafee\mcsvchost\McSvHost.exe" /McCoreSvc [2010-9-23 271480]

R2 McMPFSvc;McAfee Personal Firewall Service;"c:\program files\common files\mcafee\mcsvchost\McSvHost.exe" /McCoreSvc [2010-9-23 271480]

R2 McNaiAnn;McAfee VirusScan Announcer;"c:\program files\common files\mcafee\mcsvchost\McSvHost.exe" /McCoreSvc [2010-9-23 271480]

R2 McProxy;McAfee Proxy Service;"c:\program files\common files\mcafee\mcsvchost\McSvHost.exe" /McCoreSvc [2010-9-23 271480]

R2 McShield;McShield;c:\program files\common files\mcafee\systemcore\mcshield.exe [2010-9-23 171168]

R2 mfefire;McAfee Firewall Core Service;c:\program files\common files\mcafee\systemcore\mfefire.exe [2010-9-23 188136]

R2 mfevtp;McAfee Validation Trust Protection Service;c:\windows\system32\mfevtps.exe [2010-9-23 141792]

R2 MSSQL$VAIO_VEDB;MSSQL$VAIO_VEDB;c:\program files\microsoft sql server\mssql$vaio_vedb\binn\sqlservr.exe -svaio_vedb --> c:\program files\microsoft sql server\mssql$vaio_vedb\binn\sqlservr.exe -sVAIO_VEDB [?]

R3 cfwids;McAfee Inc. cfwids;c:\windows\system32\drivers\cfwids.sys [2010-9-23 55840]

R3 mfeavfk;McAfee Inc. mfeavfk;c:\windows\system32\drivers\mfeavfk.sys [2010-9-23 152960]

R3 mfefirek;McAfee Inc. mfefirek;c:\windows\system32\drivers\mfefirek.sys [2010-9-23 313288]

R3 mfendiskmp;mfendiskmp;c:\windows\system32\drivers\mfendisk.sys [2010-9-23 88544]

S2 gupdate;Google Update Service (gupdate);c:\program files\google\update\GoogleUpdate.exe [2010-1-28 135664]

S3 bfastfao;bfastfao;\??\c:\docume~1\peterk~1\locals~1\temp\bfastfao.sys --> c:\docume~1\peterk~1\locals~1\temp\bfastfao.sys [?]

S3 GoogleDesktopManager-051210-111108;Google Desktop Manager 5.9.1005.12335;c:\program files\google\google desktop search\GoogleDesktop.exe [2006-11-23 30192]

S3 mfebopk;McAfee Inc. mfebopk;c:\windows\system32\drivers\mfebopk.sys [2010-9-23 52104]

S3 mfendisk;McAfee Core NDIS Intermediate Filter;c:\windows\system32\drivers\mfendisk.sys [2010-9-23 88544]

S3 mferkdet;McAfee Inc. mferkdet;c:\windows\system32\drivers\mferkdet.sys [2010-9-23 84264]

S3 papycpu;papycpu;c:\windows\system32\drivers\papycpu.sys [2009-10-5 1984]

S3 SQLAgent$VAIO_VEDB;SQLAgent$VAIO_VEDB;c:\program files\microsoft sql server\mssql$vaio_vedb\binn\sqlagent.exe -i vaio_vedb --> c:\program files\microsoft sql server\mssql$vaio_vedb\binn\sqlagent.EXE -i VAIO_VEDB [?]

=============== Created Last 30 ================

2011-01-11 04:40:30 -------- d-----w- C:\ComboFix

2010-12-19 23:27:34 -------- d-----w- c:\program files\ESET

2010-12-19 20:55:00 -------- d-sha-r- C:\cmdcons

2010-12-19 20:50:50 98816 ----a-w- c:\windows\sed.exe

2010-12-19 20:50:50 89088 ----a-w- c:\windows\MBR.exe

2010-12-19 20:50:50 256512 ----a-w- c:\windows\PEV.exe

2010-12-19 20:50:50 161792 ----a-w- c:\windows\SWREG.exe

2010-12-18 19:51:52 -------- d-----w- c:\docume~1\peterk~1\locals~1\applic~1\AskToolbar

2010-12-18 19:47:42 -------- d-----w- c:\program files\Content Manager

==================== Find3M ====================

2010-10-14 03:28:54 141792 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\mfevtps.exe

============= FINISH: 20:37:46.21 ===============

I would suggest you purchase MalwareBytes Pro to help prevent those.
Post a DDS log scan and I'll have a look.
Please download DDS by sUBs from one of the following links and save it to your desktop.
DDS.scr
DDS.pif
[*]Disable any script blocking protection (How to Disable your Security Programs)
[*]Double click DDS icon to run the tool (may take up to 3 minutes to run)
[*]When done, DDS.txt will open.
[*]After a few moments, attach.txt will open in a second window.
[*]Save both reports to your desktop.
---------------------------------------------------
Post the contents of the DDS.txt report in your next reply
Attach the Attach.txt report to your post by scroling down to the Attachments area and then clicking Browse. Browse to where you saved the file, and click Open and then click UPLOAD.

DDS_text_file_two_attach.txt

LDTate · January 12, 2011

uInternet Settings,ProxyServer = http=127.0.0.1:43902 <--That's part of the problem.

Open Notepad, click on Format and make sure Word Wrap is unchecked

Internet Explorer (Windows)

1. Click "Tools", then click "Internet Options". This will bring up the Internet Options window.

2. Click the "Connections" tab, then click the "LAN Settings" button.

3. Uncheck the box labeled "Use a proxy server for your LAN". Click "OK", and click "OK" in the previous window. This will remove the proxy server settings in Internet Explorer.

Firefox (Windows)

1. Click "Tools", then click "Options" to bring up the Options window.

2. Click the "Advanced" button, then click the "Network" tab.

3. Click the "Settings" button, located next to "Configure how Firefox connects to the Internet".

4. Click the radio button labeled "No proxy". Click "OK" twice. This will remove the proxy server settings in Firefox.

Next:

Disable Internet Explorer Proxy Settings and Reset TCP/IP and Winsock

Disable Internet Explorer Proxy Settings and Reset TCP/IP

It is very important that these steps be carried out exactly as shown otherwise the fix will not work.

If you have any questions please ask before moving on.

Please start Notepad and using your mouse make sure you select and copy all the information below in the Code box into your new document.
Then save the file as "fixme.bat" to your Desktop

In the drop down box for Save as type: make sure you select All Files (*.*) and keep the quotes on the name as well. Then close the new file.

@ECHO OFF
reg delete "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings" /v ProxyServer /f
reg delete "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings" /v ProxyOverride /f
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings" /v ProxyEnable  /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings" /v GlobalUserOffline /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt
netsh winsock reset catalog

On Windows XP you can double-click the file to run it.
On Vista/Win7 you need to Right click the file and choose Run as administrator to run it. With User Account Control on it should ask permission to run it. Click Yes
This will flash a black DOS box very quickly and go away, this is normal.
Restart your computer now.
Launch Internet Explorer and see if you can connect to the Internet.
Launch MBAM and check for Updates

UnclePete · January 12, 2011

Greetings from a very snowy New York!

I have followed your instructions. Surprise number one was, when I went to uncheck the "proxy server for your LAN" box...it was already un-checked. I toggled it back and forth just to make sure I wasn't seeing things...anyway, it's unchecked.

Everything happened just as you predicted with the fixme.bat file (DOS screen flashed). The surprise here was, when I was done, I found on my desktop a notebook file titled "resetlog." Don't know if that has anything to do with the fixme.bat file, or just coincidence...anyway, I HAVE NOT attached it but I still have it saved in case you want to see it.

Then...I updated Malwarebytes, and that went just fine. I ran a quick scan, and it found zero infected items. I HAVE NOT attached the log, but again I have saved it in case you want to see it.

Everything remains quiet...no scarey grinding of the hard drive, no sight of whitesmoke...although there was one anomaly this morning, which was that it took forever for internet explorer to find its way to connect to my homepage (which is Yahoo), but just now, when I rebooted, it went more quickly.

Can't close without thanking you again for all of your help...you can't imagine what a relief it is. I tell my wife and son about everything you've done to help us -- you're a genuine family hero!

uInternet Settings,ProxyServer = http=127.0.0.1:43902 <--That's part of the problem.
Open Notepad, click on Format and make sure Word Wrap is unchecked
Internet Explorer (Windows)
1. Click "Tools", then click "Internet Options". This will bring up the Internet Options window.
2. Click the "Connections" tab, then click the "LAN Settings" button.
3. Uncheck the box labeled "Use a proxy server for your LAN". Click "OK", and click "OK" in the previous window. This will remove the proxy server settings in Internet Explorer.
Firefox (Windows)
1. Click "Tools", then click "Options" to bring up the Options window.
2. Click the "Advanced" button, then click the "Network" tab.
3. Click the "Settings" button, located next to "Configure how Firefox connects to the Internet".
4. Click the radio button labeled "No proxy". Click "OK" twice. This will remove the proxy server settings in Firefox.
Next:
Disable Internet Explorer Proxy Settings and Reset TCP/IP and Winsock
Disable Internet Explorer Proxy Settings and Reset TCP/IP
It is very important that these steps be carried out exactly as shown otherwise the fix will not work.
If you have any questions please ask before moving on.
Please start Notepad and using your mouse make sure you select and copy all the information below in the Code box into your new document.
Then save the file as "fixme.bat" to your Desktop
In the drop down box for Save as type: make sure you select All Files (*.*) and keep the quotes on the name as well. Then close the new file.
@ECHO OFF
reg delete "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings" /v ProxyServer /f
reg delete "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings" /v ProxyOverride /f
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings" /v ProxyEnable  /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings" /v GlobalUserOffline /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt
netsh winsock reset catalog
On Windows XP you can double-click the file to run it.
On Vista/Win7 you need to Right click the file and choose Run as administrator to run it. With User Account Control on it should ask permission to run it. Click Yes
This will flash a black DOS box very quickly and go away, this is normal.
Restart your computer now.
Launch Internet Explorer and see if you can connect to the Internet.
Launch MBAM and check for Updates

LDTate · January 12, 2011

Post a new DDS scan log so i can have a look.

UnclePete · January 13, 2011

Thanks once more for the speedy response.

Things here remain calm, everything seems to be working fine but for the unusually long time it takes to get to my home page (Yahoo) when I boot internet explorer...nothing I can't live with!

As per your instructions, I turned off the virus scan and firewall protection, and ran DDS. Below is the first notepad scan log; I have attached the second one as a txt. file.

DDS (Ver_10-12-12.02) - NTFSx86

Run by Peter Kougasian at 19:43:44.65 on Wed 01/12/2011

Internet Explorer: 7.0.5730.11

Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.1.2600.2.1252.1.1033.18.503.50 [GMT -5:00]