Hi there,
This is exactly same as the hot topic running about hotoffers.info started by Chrstine. I was surfing the web looking for games info sites, and all of a sudden this site popped up for a place called "Hot Offers.info". A bunch of crap shortcuts got put on my desktop, and everytime I take them off, they just come back. My home page has been changed to http://www.hotoffers.info/ad0179/, and changes back to that even after I fix it. In my taskbar on the bottom right, there is a red x in a circle and a yellow caution symbol which LOOK like the Windows symbols, but aren't - they keep popping up these warnings about viruses and spyware, and if you click on the red x, either right or left click, the Hot Offers site pops up again, so I can't remove it. My Norton AntiVirus keeps informing me of constant attacks on my computer coming inbound. My Spybot keeps informing me of changes to the registry. Whatever website I happen to be looking at constantly just changes to another Hot Offer [bleep] page. I also keep getting a windows box telling me:

Error #317 – Microsoft Windows Security Warning X

X Your Windows is corrupted with spyware virus.
You must patch your PC urgently to protect your system.
Private info is accessed by ports:

-8080
-3128

You can patch your PC for free now and delete all spyware viruses.

Click OK to chose and download free spyware removal using AntiSPY


OK Cancel

I have run everything your forum suggsets before posting a Hijack log: Ad-Aware, , SpyBot, both on-line scans, Microsoft Spyware Beta1 etc etc . My system also has Mcafee Antivirus on it, and has since before this program showed up.
I have been fighting with this for the past one wekk but in vain.

here's my Hijack log:
Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 1:55:15 PM, on 4/23/2005
Platform: Windows XP (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2600.0000)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Network Associates\Common Framework\FrameworkService.exe
C:\Program Files\Network Associates\VirusScan\Mcshield.exe
C:\Program Files\Network Associates\VirusScan\VsTskMgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\pctspk.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasServ.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasDtServ.exe
C:\Program Files\MSN Apps\Updater\01.02.3000.1001\hi\msnappau.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\WinZip\winzip32.exe
C:\DOCUME~1\VIGNES~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.hotoffers.info/ad0271/
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O2 - BHO: MSNToolBandBHO - {BDBD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - C:\Program Files\MSN Apps\MSN Toolbar\01.02.4000.1001\hi\msntb.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Yahoo! Companion - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\PROGRA~1\YAHOO!\COMPAN~1\INSTALLS\cpn\ycomp5_5_7_0.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SystemTray] SysTray.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RevertSettings] 8o”
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [gcasServ] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasServ.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Microsoft Synchronization Manager] firewire.exe
O16 - DPF: Win32 Classes -
O16 - DPF: {1E2941E3-8E63-11D4-9D5A-00902742D6E0} (iNotes Class) - https://bgldm1-web.flowserve.com:50016/iNotes.cab
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/v5co...b?1110622788014
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{32BC7875-3A08-4039-8BA2-75F17ECC217B}: NameServer = 61.1.96.69 61.1.96.71
O17 - HKLM\System\CS1\Services\Tcpip\..\{32BC7875-3A08-4039-8BA2-75F17ECC217B}: NameServer = 61.1.96.69 61.1.96.71
O23 - Service: McAfee Framework Service (McAfeeFramework) - Network Associates, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Network Associates\Common Framework\FrameworkService.exe
O23 - Service: Network Associates McShield (McShield) - Network Associates, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Network Associates\VirusScan\Mcshield.exe
O23 - Service: Network Associates Task Manager (McTaskManager) - Network Associates, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Network Associates\VirusScan\VsTskMgr.exe
O23 - Service: PCTEL Speaker Phone (Pctspk) - PCtel, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\pctspk.exe

Download and run Silent Runners.vbs from HERE

It generates a log, please post the information back in this thread

Hi Thanks,

Here we go

"Silent Runners.vbs", revision 35, http://www.silentrunners.org/
Operating System: Windows XP
Output limited to non-default values, except where indicated by "{++}"


Startup items buried in registry:
---------------------------------

HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\ {++}
"Microsoft Synchronization Manager" = "firewire.exe" [file not found]

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\ {++}
"SystemTray" = "SysTray.Exe" [MS]
"RevertSettings" = "8o”" [file not found]
"gcasServ" = ""C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasServ.exe"" [MS]

Here is the full report after running silent runners

"Silent Runners.vbs", revision 35, http://www.silentrunners.org/
Operating System: Windows XP
Output limited to non-default values, except where indicated by "{++}"


Startup items buried in registry:
---------------------------------

HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\ {++}
"Microsoft Synchronization Manager" = "firewire.exe" [file not found]

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\ {++}
"SystemTray" = "SysTray.Exe" [MS]
"RevertSettings" = "8o”" [file not found]
"gcasServ" = ""C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasServ.exe"" [MS]

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\
{AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7}\(Default) = "Google Toolbar Helper" [from CLSID]
-> {CLSID}\InProcServer32\(Default) = "c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll" ["Google Inc."]
{BDBD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0}\(Default) = "MSNToolBandBHO" [from CLSID]
-> {CLSID}\InProcServer32\(Default) = "C:\Program Files\MSN Apps\MSN Toolbar\01.02.4000.1001\hi\msntb.dll" [MS]

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Approved\
"{42071714-76d4-11d1-8b24-00a0c9068ff3}" = "Display Panning CPL Extension"
-> {CLSID}\InProcServer32\(Default) = "deskpan.dll" [file not found]
"{88895560-9AA2-1069-930E-00AA0030EBC8}" = "HyperTerminal Icon Ext"
-> {CLSID}\InProcServer32\(Default) = "C:\WINDOWS\System32\hticons.dll" ["Hilgraeve, Inc."]
"{5b4dae26-b807-11d0-9815-00c04fd91972}" = "Menu Band"
-> {CLSID}\InProcServer32\(Default) = "C:\WINDOWS\system32\SHELL32.dll" [MS]
"{8278F931-2A3E-11d2-838F-00C04FD918D0}" = "Tracking Shell Menu"
-> {CLSID}\InProcServer32\(Default) = "C:\WINDOWS\system32\SHELL32.dll" [MS]
"{E13EF4E4-D2F2-11d0-9816-00C04FD91972}" = "Menu Site"
-> {CLSID}\InProcServer32\(Default) = "C:\WINDOWS\system32\SHELL32.dll" [MS]
"{ECD4FC4F-521C-11D0-B792-00A0C90312E1}" = "Menu Desk Bar"
-> {CLSID}\InProcServer32\(Default) = "C:\WINDOWS\system32\SHELL32.dll" [MS]
"{D82BE2B0-5764-11D0-A96E-00C04FD705A2}" = "IShellFolderBand"
-> {CLSID}\InProcServer32\(Default) = "C:\WINDOWS\system32\SHELL32.dll" [MS]
"{0E5CBF21-D15F-11d0-8301-00AA005B4383}" = "&Links"
-> {CLSID}\InProcServer32\(Default) = "C:\WINDOWS\system32\SHELL32.dll" [MS]
"{7487cd30-f71a-11d0-9ea7-00805f714772}" = "Thumbnail Image"
-> {CLSID}\InProcServer32\(Default) = "C:\WINDOWS\system32\SHELL32.dll" [MS]
"{F0CB00CD-5A07-4D91-97F5-A8C92CDA93E4}" = "Shell Extensions for RealOne Player"
-> {CLSID}\InProcServer32\(Default) = "C:\Program Files\Real\RealOne Player\rpshellext.dll" ["RealNetworks"]
"{5464D816-CF16-4784-B9F3-75C0DB52B499}" = "Yahoo! Mail"
-> {CLSID}\InProcServer32\(Default) = "C:\PROGRA~1\YAHOO!\COMMON\ymmapi.dll" ["Yahoo! Inc."]
"{E0D79304-84BE-11CE-9641-444553540000}" = "WinZip"
-> {CLSID}\InProcServer32\(Default) = "C:\PROGRA~1\WinZip\WZSHLSTB.DLL" ["WinZip Computing, Inc."]
"{E0D79305-84BE-11CE-9641-444553540000}" = "WinZip"
-> {CLSID}\InProcServer32\(Default) = "C:\PROGRA~1\WinZip\WZSHLSTB.DLL" ["WinZip Computing, Inc."]
"{E0D79306-84BE-11CE-9641-444553540000}" = "WinZip"
-> {CLSID}\InProcServer32\(Default) = "C:\PROGRA~1\WinZip\WZSHLSTB.DLL" ["WinZip Computing, Inc."]

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\SharedTaskScheduler\
INFECTION WARNING! "{D56A1203-1452-EBA1-7294-EE3377770000}" = "Interlinking Memory Support"
-> {CLSID}\InProcServer32\(Default) = "C:\WINDOWS\System32\param32.dll" [null data]

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ShellExecuteHooks\
INFECTION WARNING! "{9EF34FF2-3396-4527-9D27-04C8C1C67806}" = "Microsoft AntiSpyware Service Hook"
-> {CLSID}\InProcServer32\(Default) = "C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\shellextension.dll" [MS]


Enabled Screen Saver:
---------------------

HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop\
"SCRNSAVE.EXE" = "C:\WINDOWS\System32\logon.scr" [MS]


Enabled Scheduled Tasks:
------------------------

"Tune-up Application Start" -> launches: "walign" [file not found]


Winsock2 Service Provider DLLs:
-------------------------------

Namespace Service Providers

HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries\ {++}
000000000001\LibraryPath = "%SystemRoot%\System32\mswsock.dll" [MS]
000000000002\LibraryPath = "%SystemRoot%\System32\winrnr.dll" [MS]
000000000003\LibraryPath = "%SystemRoot%\System32\mswsock.dll" [MS]

Transport Service Providers

HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries\ {++}
00000000000#\PackedCatalogItem (contains) DLL [Company Name], (at) # range:
%SystemRoot%\system32\mswsock.dll [MS], 1 - 3
%SystemRoot%\system32\rsvpsp.dll [MS], 4 - 5


Toolbars, Explorer Bars, Extensions:
------------------------------------

Toolbars

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar\WebBrowser\
"{EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88}"
-> {CLSID}\(Default) = "&Yahoo! Companion"
-> {CLSID}\InProcServer32\(Default) = "C:\PROGRA~1\YAHOO!\COMPAN~1\INSTALLS\cpn\ycomp5_5_7_0.dll" ["Yahoo! Inc."]

"{2318C2B1-4965-11D4-9B18-009027A5CD4F}"
-> {CLSID}\(Default) = "&Google"
-> {CLSID}\InProcServer32\(Default) = "c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll" ["Google Inc."]

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar\
"{EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88}"
-> {CLSID}\(Default) = "&Yahoo! Companion"
-> {CLSID}\InProcServer32\(Default) = "C:\PROGRA~1\YAHOO!\COMPAN~1\INSTALLS\cpn\ycomp5_5_7_0.dll" ["Yahoo! Inc."]

"{2318C2B1-4965-11D4-9B18-009027A5CD4F}"
-> {CLSID}\(Default) = "&Google"
-> {CLSID}\InProcServer32\(Default) = "c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll" ["Google Inc."]

Explorer Bars

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Explorer Bars\
{4528BBE0-4E08-11D5-AD55-00010333D0AD}\
-> {CLSID}\(Default) = "&Yahoo! Messenger"
-> {CLSID}\InProcServer32\(Default) = "C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\yhexbmes0521.dll" ["Yahoo! Inc."]


Running Services (Display Name, Service Name, Path {Service DLL}):
------------------------------------------------------------------

McAfee Framework Service, McAfeeFramework, "C:\Program Files\Network Associates\Common Framework\FrameworkService.exe /ServiceStart" ["Network Associates, Inc."]
Network Associates McShield, McShield, ""C:\Program Files\Network Associates\VirusScan\Mcshield.exe"" ["Network Associates, Inc."]
Network Associates Task Manager, McTaskManager, ""C:\Program Files\Network Associates\VirusScan\VsTskMgr.exe"" ["Network Associates, Inc."]
PCTEL Speaker Phone, Pctspk, "C:\WINDOWS\system32\pctspk.exe" ["PCtel, Inc."]


----------
This report excludes default entries except where indicated.
To see *everywhere* the script checks and *everything* it finds,
launch it from a command prompt or a shortcut with the -all parameter.
----------

HijackThis is being run from a temporary folder; this means that any backups it creates as a result of fixes made with it will be lost. Please create a new folder for it and place the program into that new folder.

Click here to download Pocket Killbox by Option^Explicit. Extract it from the zip file then double-click on Killbox.exe to run it.

Select the Delete on reboot option.

In the 'Full Path of File to Delete' box, copy and paste the following, clicking the 'Delete File' button (red circle with a white X) after pasting:

C:\WINDOWS\System32\param32.dll

It will prompt you to reboot, press the NO button. Instead, copy and paste the following and click the 'Delete File' button again:

C:\WINDOWS\System32\systr.dll

When it prompts you to reboot this time, press the YES button.

After restarting, with only HijackThis running, scan and when complete, remove the following entry by checking the box to the left and clicking 'fixed checked':

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.hotoffers.info/ad0271/
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RevertSettings] 8o
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Microsoft Synchronization Manager] firewire.exe
O16 - DPF: Win32 Classes

Reboot again when done, rescan with HJT and post a new log here.

Hi Thanks for all your guidance. I could resolve the issue by doing the following

1. Moved Param32.dll to a different location (Windows started in SAFE mode)

2. Moved Guninst.exe and popup_bl.dll to a different folder along with the junk icons

3. Ran microsoft antispyware and rebooted the system.

regards,

Is that what you have done or going to do?

This is what I did and got all the issues resolved by doing so.

The Junk icons vanished from the desktop

No more Error #317.....

Home page has been restored to www.Google.com

The red cross icon from bottom right of the taks bar also vanished.

System appears to be functioning normally.

Thanks again for your help.

Regards

You're welcome - glad to help

To help keep you clean follow the recommendations in Tony's article here:

So how did I get infected in the first place?



As this problem has been resolved the topic will be closed. If you need this topic reopened, please email the moderating team - be sure to include the address of the thread and the name you posted under.