Hijacked System

[furnace]

I was searching thru Google for info on fixing my iPhone battery and got hit with a pop up that says Windows Diagnostic found problems and needs to fix them.

Also an unknown program wanted to download files to my system and everytime I X'd out of it it would come back.

Many, many files were changed to hidden status.

My favorites disappeared (which I got back) and it closed my web browser and email program.

I rebooted in safe mode with networking, updated and ran Mbam and it found 5 problems which it fixed.

Is there anything else I should do to make sure the laptop is clean?

My laptop has been running a litle slow since a problem I had which is explained in this thread: http://forums.malwarebytes.org/index.php?showtopic=75678&st=0&p=390329entry390329

thanks

[LDTate]

Please don't attach the scan results, use Copy/Paste

DO NOT use any TOOLS such as Combofix or HijackThis fixes without supervision.

Doing so could make your pc inoperatible and could require a full reinstall of your OS, losing all your programs and data.

Vista and Windows 7 users:

1. These tools MUST be run from the executable. (.exe) every time you run them

2. With Admin Rights (Right click, choose "Run as Administrator")

Stay with this topic until I give you the all clean post.

You might want to print these instructions out.

Note: Close all browsers before running ATF Cleaner: IE, FireFox, etc.

Please download ATF Cleaner by Atribune.

Download - ATF Cleaner

[furnace]

.

UNLESS SPECIFICALLY INSTRUCTED, DO NOT POST THIS LOG.

IF REQUESTED, ZIP IT UP & ATTACH IT

.

DDS (Ver_11-03-05.01)

.

Microsoft

[LDTate]

You have 3 anti-virus programs.

AV: Lavasoft Ad-Watch Live! Anti-Virus *Disabled/Updated* {9FF26384-70D4-CE6B-3ECB-E759A6A40116}

AV: ZoneAlarm Extreme Security Antivirus *Enabled/Updated* {E9467272-859A-F159-FA9E-55E7E32D7A25}

AV: AntiVir Desktop *Disabled/Updated* {090F9C29-64CE-6C6F-379C-5901B49A85B7}

Use Add/Remove Programs and uninstall 2 of them

Reboot and let me know how it's running now.

[furnace]

Thank you for everything.

I kept ZoneAlarm and removed the other two.

Everything seems to run a little faster now.

There is a shortcut for Windows Diagnostic on the desktop that doesn't go anywhere when you click on it.

Don't recall seeing it before and didn't know if I should delete it.

Do you have any idea what type of hijacker this was?

[furnace]

Forgot to add.

When this problem started, I lost all the icons that were in the Quick Launch Bar.

Do you know how to get the Show Desktop Icon back?

[LDTate]

Just delete that shortcut.

Look at this topic and you'll see the different fake anti-malware programs.

http://forums.malwarebytes.org/index.php?showforum=39

[LDTate]

I would also like for you to run a new MBAM quick scan in Normal Mode

See if any of these will work

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

2. Double-click Display, click the Desktop tab, and then click Customize Desktop.

3. Select Restore Defaults

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

2. Double-click Display, click the Desktop tab, and then click Customize Desktop.

then click the web tab, then under the web pages to display on your desktop

if it has "security" you uncheck this and delete

1. Right-click the desktop.

2. Point to Arrange Icons By.

3. Click Show Desktop Icons. ""

[LDTate]

Do you still need help with this?

[furnace]

Yes I do. I'll have scan results posted later today.

I can not find "Display" thru the ways you listed.

[LDTate]

Yes I do. I'll have scan results posted later today.

I can not find "Display" thru the ways you listed.

Even by Right Clicking on an open area of the desktop?

[furnace]

That is correct.

I had originally went to Taskbar and Start Menu Properties before posting this thread and the "show quick launch" box is checked.

[LDTate]

I missed that you're running Vista.

Go to Control Panel \ Personalize (or right-click on the desktop and select Personalize), and then choose the link for

[furnace]

Was able to find the "change desktop icons" link and tried to "restore defaults" but nothing happened with the quick launch button.

Here is the quick scan.

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.50.1.1100

www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: 6143

Windows 6.0.6001 Service Pack 1

Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.19019

3/23/2011 5:55:21 PM

mbam-log-2011-03-23 (17-55-21).txt

Scan type: Quick scan

Objects scanned: 168456

Time elapsed: 14 minute(s), 34 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)

[LDTate]

Vista and Windows 7 users:

1. These tools MUST be run from the executable. (.exe) every time you run them

2. With Admin Rights (Right click, choose "Run as Administrator")

Download ComboFix from one of these locations:

Link 1

Link 2 If using this link, Right Click and select Save As.

* IMPORTANT !!! Save ComboFix.exe to your Desktop

• Disable your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware applications, usually via a right click on the System Tray icon. They may otherwise interfere with our tools. Note: If you are having difficulty properly disabling your protective programs, or are unsure as to what programs need to be disabled, please refer to the information available through this link : Protective Programs
  
• Double click on ComboFix.exe & follow the prompts.
  Notes: Combofix will run without the Recovery Console installed. Skip the Recovery Console part if you're running Vista or Windows 7.
  Note: If you have XP SP3, use the XP SP2 package.
  If Vista or Windows 7, skip the Recovery Console part
  
• 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, 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 using Copy / Paste in your next reply.

Notes:

1.Do not mouse-click Combofix's window while it is running. That may cause it to stall.

2. ComboFix may reset a number of Internet Explorer's settings, including making I-E the default browser.

3. Combofix prevents autorun of ALL CD, floppy and USB devices to assist with malware removal & increase security. If this is an issue or makes it difficult for you -- please tell your helper.

4. CF disconnects your machine from the internet. The connection is automatically restored before CF completes its run. If CF runs into difficulty and terminates prematurely, the connection can be manually restored by restarting your machine.

Give it atleast 20-30 minutes to finish if needed.

Please do not attach the scan results from Combofx. Use copy/paste.

Also please describe how your computer behaves at the moment.

[furnace]

Leaving work for home and will run it after I get there.

Thanks for the continuing assistance.

[LDTate]

[furnace]

ComboFix 11-03-23.03 - Furnace Creek 03/23/2011 20:33:12.1.2 - x86

Microsoft

[furnace]

I tried surfing around and the computer seems normal.

Are there any other programs I should run?

[LDTate]

What about the Icons? Are they back?

[furnace]

The Quick Launch icon is the only one not there.

[furnace]

That was incorrect.

The Show Desktop icon is the only one not there.

[LDTate]

Please copy the contents of the following quote box into Notepad:

REGEDIT4

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System]

"WallpaperStyle"=-

"Wallpaper"=-

"NoDispBackgroundPage"=-

"NoDispAppearancePage"=-

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]

"Wallpaper"=-

"WallpaperStyle"=-

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]

"NoActiveDesktopChanges"=-

"NoActiveDesktop"=-

"NoSaveSettings"=-

"ClassicShell"=-

"NoThemesTab"=-

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop]

"NoChangingWallPaper"=-

Save it to your desktop as fixme.reg

Then, locate fixme.reg on your desktop and <double-click> it.

You will receive a prompt similar to: "Do you wish to merge the information into the registry?".

Answer 'Yes' and wait for a message to appear similar to "Merged Successfully"

Reboot.

Can you access/change the desktop now?

[furnace]

Thats amazing!

All of the Quick Launch icons from before the hijack have reappeared. B)

[LDTate]

Good job

The following will implement some cleanup procedures as well as reset System Restore points:

For XP:

• Click START run
  
• Now type ComboFix /Uninstall in the runbox and click OK. Note the space between the X and the /, it needs to be there.
  

For Vista / Windows 7

• Click START Search
  
• Now type ComboFix /Uninstall in the runbox and click OK. Note the space between the X and the /, it needs to be there.
  

If you used DeFogger

To re-enable your Emulation drivers, double click DeFogger to run the tool.

• The application window will appear
  
• Click the Re-enable button to re-enable your CD Emulation drivers
  
• Click Yes to continue
  
• A 'Finished!' message will appear
  
• Click OK
  
• DeFogger will now ask to reboot the machine - click OK
  

IMPORTANT! If you receive an error message while running DeFogger, please post the log defogger_enable which will appear on your desktop.

Your Emulation drivers are now re-enabled.

Here's my usual all clean post

To be on the safe side, I would also change all my passwords.

This infection appears to have been cleaned, but as the malware could be configured to run any program a remote attacker requires, it's impossible to be 100% sure that any machine is clean.

Log looks good

• Make your Internet Explorer more secure - This can be done by following these simple instructions:
  1. From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.
     
  2. Click once on the Security tab
     
  3. Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
     
  4. Click once on the Custom Level button.
     
  5. Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt
     
  6. Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable
     
  7. Change the Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to Disable
     
  8. Change the Installation of desktop items to Prompt
     
  9. Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
     
  10. Change the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt
      
  11. When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.
      
  12. If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the Yes button.
      
  13. Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the Internet Properties page.
      

  [*]Update your AntiVirus Software - It is imperative that you update your Antivirus software at least once a week

  (Even more if you wish). If you do not update your antivirus software then it will not be able to catch any of the new variants that may come out.

  [*]Use a Firewall - I can not stress how important it is that you use a Firewall on your computer.

  Without a firewall your computer is succeptible to being hacked and taken over.

  I am very serious about this and see it happen almost every day with my clients.

  Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly.

  [*] WOT , Web of Trust, As 'Googling' is such an integral part of internet life, this free browser add on warns you about risky websites that try to scam visitors, deliver malware or send spam. It is especially helpful when browsing or searching in unfamiliar territory. WOT's color-coded icons show you ratings for 21 million websites, helping you avoid the dangerous sites:

  Green to go

  Yellow for caution

  Red to stop

  WOT has an addon available for both Firefox and IE.

  [*] JAVA Click this link and click on the Free JAVA Download

  [*]Visit Microsoft's Windows Update Site Frequently - It is important that you visit http://www.windowsupdate.com regularly.

  This will ensure your computer has always the latest security updates available installed on your computer.

  If there are new updates to install, install them immediately, reboot your computer, and revisit the site

  until there are no more critical updates.

Only run one Anti-Virus and Firewall program.

I would suggest you read:

PC Safety and Security--What Do I Need?.

How to Prevent Malware:

The full version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware could have helped protect your computer against this threat.

We use different ways of protecting your computer(s):

• Dynamically Blocks Malware Sites & Servers
  
• Malware Execution Prevention
  

Save yourself the hassle and get protected.