[Armodeen]

Hello

I am having problems with the above programs in the taskmanager, browser hijack (updatesearches.com) popups about security etc and the little yellow icon in the taskbar. I'm sure you've seen it before, so you'll know it appears impossible to shut them down with the task manager.

AVG, Trendmicro Housecall, MS spyware, Spybot S&D & CWSredder used to no avail. TrojanHunter reported 'possible trojan' msole32.exe but petulently refused to clean it.

pleaseeeeeeeeee help, i'm about to tear my hair out and reformat.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 23:44:04, on 30/05/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\csrss.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\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\popuper.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\msole32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\shnlog.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\intmonp.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\ctfmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\intmon.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\EPSON\EBAPI\SAgent2.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\KodakCCS.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\James2\Desktop\hijackthis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = about:blank
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://www.updatesea...earch.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.updatesearches.com/bar.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.updatesea...earch.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://www.google.co.uk
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.google.co.uk
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.updatesea...earch.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = http://www.updatesea...earch.php?qq=%1
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.updatesea...earch.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://www.updatesea...earch.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://www.updatesea...earch.php?qq=%1
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = http://www.updatesearches.com/
O2 - BHO: VMHomepage Class - {FFFFFFFF-FFFF-FFFF-FFFF-FFFFFFFFFFFA} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\hpC6D5.tmp
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [THGuard] "C:\Program Files\TrojanHunter 4.0\THGuard.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\System32\ctfmon.exe
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai...all/xscan53.cab
O23 - Service: AVG7 Alert Manager Server (Avg7Alrt) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Update Service (Avg7UpdSvc) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
O23 - Service: EPSON Printer Status Agent2 (EPSONStatusAgent2) - SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION - C:\Program Files\Common Files\EPSON\EBAPI\SAgent2.exe
O23 - Service: Kodak Camera Connection Software (KodakCCS) - Eastman Kodak Company - C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\KodakCCS.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: TrueVector Internet Monitor (vsmon) - Zone Labs Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe

again, please help if possible

Thanks in advance.

[Advertisements]

Welcome to GTG.

Please print out or copy this page to Notepad. Make sure to work through the fixes in the exact order it is mentioned below. If there's anything that you don't understand, ask your question(s) before proceeding with the fixes. You should 'not' have any open browsers when you are following the procedures below.

Right click on this link -> http://www.bleepingc...g/smitfraud.reg and save that file. Double click on it and click on Yes when it asks you if you want to merge it into the registry. Once that's done, right click on your Desktop and go to Properties. Next go to Desktop tab->Customize Desktop button->Web tab. Uncheck everything listed there. Then delete all the entries listed except for 'My Current Home Page'. Click OK and OK.

Go to Start->-Control Panel->Add or Remove Programs and remove/uninstall the following programs, if found:

Security iGuard
Virtual Maid
Search Maid

Exit Add/Remove Programs.

Go to My Computer->Tools/View->Folder Options->View tab and make sure that 'Show hidden files and folders' (or 'Show all files') is enabled. Also make sure that 'Display the contents of system folders' is checked.

Download KillBox http://www.greyknigh...spy/KillBox.exe. Run KillBox and check the box that says 'End Explorer Shell While Killing File'. Next click on 'Delete on Reboot'. For each of the following files below, check the box that says 'Unregister .dll Before Deleting' if it's not grayed out. Copy the below files and go back to KillBox. Go to File->Paste from Clipboard and then hit the button with red circle with a white X. Confirm to delete and when asked if you want to reboot now, say no:

C:\wp.exe
C:\wp.bmp
C:\bsw.exe
C:\Windows\sites.ini
C:\Windows\popuper.exe
C:\Windows\system32\hhk.dll
C:\Windows\System32\wldr.dll
C:\Windows\System32\helper.exe
C:\Windows\System32\intmon.exe
C:\Windows\System32\shnlog.exe
C:\Windows\System32\intmonp.exe
C:\Windows\System32\msmsgs.exe
C:\Windows\system32\msole32.exe
C:\Windows\system32\ole32vbs.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\hpC6D5.tmp

Restart your computer and boot into Safe Mode by hitting the F8 key repeatedly until a menu shows up (and choose Safe Mode from the list). In some systems, this may be the F5 key, so try that if F8 doesn't work.

Delete these folders if they exist:

C:\Program Files\Search Maid\
C:\Program Files\Virtual Maid\
C:\Windows\System32\Log Files\
C:\Program Files\Security iGuard\

Run a scan in HijackThis. Check each of the following and hit 'Fix checked' (after checking them) if they still exist (make sure not to miss any):

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = about:blank
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://www.updatesea...earch.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.updatesearches.com/bar.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.updatesea...earch.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = about:blank
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.updatesea...earch.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = http://www.updatesea...earch.php?qq=%1
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.updatesea...earch.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://www.updatesea...earch.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://www.updatesea...earch.php?qq=%1
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = http://www.updatesearches.com/
O2 - BHO: VMHomepage Class - {FFFFFFFF-FFFF-FFFF-FFFF-FFFFFFFFFFFA} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\hpC6D5.tmp

Close HijackThis.

Restart your computer.

1. Download Hoster http://www.greyknigh.../spy/Hoster.exe and run it. Choose the 'Restore Original Hosts' button and press OK. Close the program.

2. Right click on this link -> http://mvps.org/winh.../DelDomains.inf and select Save As to download WinHelp2002's DelDomains.inf. Save the file to the Desktop. To run the inf file, right click on it and select Install. Note: This will remove all entries in the 'Trusted Zone' and 'Ranges' also.

3. The Temp folders should be cleaned out periodically as installation programs and hijack programs leave a lot of junk there. Download CleanUp! http://cleanup.stevengould.org/ (Alternate Link if main link don't work - http://www.greyknigh...spy/Cleanup.exe ) and install it. Run CleanUp! and click on CleanUp! button. When it asks you if you want to logoff, click on Yes.

4. Run an online scan at http://www.pandasoft...com/activescan/ and save the results from the scan!

Restart and post a new HijackThis log along with the results from ActiveScan.

[greyknight17]

Welcome to GTG.

Please print out or copy this page to Notepad. Make sure to work through the fixes in the exact order it is mentioned below. If there's anything that you don't understand, ask your question(s) before proceeding with the fixes. You should 'not' have any open browsers when you are following the procedures below.

Right click on this link -> http://www.bleepingc...g/smitfraud.reg and save that file. Double click on it and click on Yes when it asks you if you want to merge it into the registry. Once that's done, right click on your Desktop and go to Properties. Next go to Desktop tab->Customize Desktop button->Web tab. Uncheck everything listed there. Then delete all the entries listed except for 'My Current Home Page'. Click OK and OK.

Go to Start->-Control Panel->Add or Remove Programs and remove/uninstall the following programs, if found:

Security iGuard
Virtual Maid
Search Maid

Exit Add/Remove Programs.

Go to My Computer->Tools/View->Folder Options->View tab and make sure that 'Show hidden files and folders' (or 'Show all files') is enabled. Also make sure that 'Display the contents of system folders' is checked.

Download KillBox http://www.greyknigh...spy/KillBox.exe. Run KillBox and check the box that says 'End Explorer Shell While Killing File'. Next click on 'Delete on Reboot'. For each of the following files below, check the box that says 'Unregister .dll Before Deleting' if it's not grayed out. Copy the below files and go back to KillBox. Go to File->Paste from Clipboard and then hit the button with red circle with a white X. Confirm to delete and when asked if you want to reboot now, say no:

C:\wp.exe
C:\wp.bmp
C:\bsw.exe
C:\Windows\sites.ini
C:\Windows\popuper.exe
C:\Windows\system32\hhk.dll
C:\Windows\System32\wldr.dll
C:\Windows\System32\helper.exe
C:\Windows\System32\intmon.exe
C:\Windows\System32\shnlog.exe
C:\Windows\System32\intmonp.exe
C:\Windows\System32\msmsgs.exe
C:\Windows\system32\msole32.exe
C:\Windows\system32\ole32vbs.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\hpC6D5.tmp

Restart your computer and boot into Safe Mode by hitting the F8 key repeatedly until a menu shows up (and choose Safe Mode from the list). In some systems, this may be the F5 key, so try that if F8 doesn't work.

Delete these folders if they exist:

C:\Program Files\Search Maid\
C:\Program Files\Virtual Maid\
C:\Windows\System32\Log Files\
C:\Program Files\Security iGuard\

Run a scan in HijackThis. Check each of the following and hit 'Fix checked' (after checking them) if they still exist (make sure not to miss any):

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = about:blank
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://www.updatesea...earch.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.updatesearches.com/bar.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.updatesea...earch.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = about:blank
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.updatesea...earch.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = http://www.updatesea...earch.php?qq=%1
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.updatesea...earch.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://www.updatesea...earch.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://www.updatesea...earch.php?qq=%1
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = http://www.updatesearches.com/
O2 - BHO: VMHomepage Class - {FFFFFFFF-FFFF-FFFF-FFFF-FFFFFFFFFFFA} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\hpC6D5.tmp

Close HijackThis.

Restart your computer.

1. Download Hoster http://www.greyknigh.../spy/Hoster.exe and run it. Choose the 'Restore Original Hosts' button and press OK. Close the program.

2. Right click on this link -> http://mvps.org/winh.../DelDomains.inf and select Save As to download WinHelp2002's DelDomains.inf. Save the file to the Desktop. To run the inf file, right click on it and select Install. Note: This will remove all entries in the 'Trusted Zone' and 'Ranges' also.

3. The Temp folders should be cleaned out periodically as installation programs and hijack programs leave a lot of junk there. Download CleanUp! http://cleanup.stevengould.org/ (Alternate Link if main link don't work - http://www.greyknigh...spy/Cleanup.exe ) and install it. Run CleanUp! and click on CleanUp! button. When it asks you if you want to logoff, click on Yes.

4. Run an online scan at http://www.pandasoft...com/activescan/ and save the results from the scan!

Restart and post a new HijackThis log along with the results from ActiveScan.

[Armodeen]

I have done everything you requested above.

HJT log

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 17:58:23, on 31/05/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\csrss.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\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\EPSON\EBAPI\SAgent2.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\KodakCCS.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\AIM95\aim.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\James2\Desktop\hijackthis\HijackThis.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [THGuard] "C:\Program Files\TrojanHunter 4.0\THGuard.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\System32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AIM] C:\Program Files\AIM95\aim.exe -cnetwait.odl
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O9 - Extra button: AIM - {AC9E2541-2814-11d5-BC6D-00B0D0A1DE45} - C:\Program Files\AIM95\aim.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - (no file)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - (no file)
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai...all/xscan53.cab
O16 - DPF: {9A9307A0-7DA4-4DAF-B042-5009F29E09E1} (ActiveScan Installer Class) - http://www.pandasoft.../as5/asinst.cab
O23 - Service: AVG7 Alert Manager Server (Avg7Alrt) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Update Service (Avg7UpdSvc) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
O23 - Service: EPSON Printer Status Agent2 (EPSONStatusAgent2) - SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION - C:\Program Files\Common Files\EPSON\EBAPI\SAgent2.exe
O23 - Service: Kodak Camera Connection Software (KodakCCS) - Eastman Kodak Company - C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\KodakCCS.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: TrueVector Internet Monitor (vsmon) - Zone Labs Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe


Panda Activescan results:


Incident Status Location

Adware:Adware/SaveNow No disinfected C:\Program Files\vvsn
Adware:Adware/nCase No disinfected Windows Registry
Spyware:Spyware/AdClicker No disinfected C:\WINDOWS\help_?cc.dll
Adware:Adware/IGuard No disinfected Windows Registry
Virus:W32/Gaobot.AKR.worm Disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\MSlti64.exe
Virus:W32/Dedler.E.worm Disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\Setup.exe
Adware:Adware/Startpage.YH No disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\James\Desktop\Downloads\backup-20050529-204923-993.dll
Adware:Adware/Startpage.YH No disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\James\My Documents\My Received Files\hijackthis\backups\backup-20050529-210735-976.dll
Adware:Adware/Startpage.YH No disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\James\My Documents\My Received Files\hijackthis\backups\backup-20050529-211143-617.dll
Adware:Adware/Startpage.YH No disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\James\My Documents\My Received Files\hijackthis\backups\backup-20050529-211434-924.dll
Adware:Adware/Startpage.YH No disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\James\My Documents\My Received Files\hijackthis\backups\backup-20050529-214453-264.dll
Adware:Adware/Startpage.YH No disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\James2\Desktop\hijackthis\backups\backup-20050529-210735-976.dll
Adware:Adware/Startpage.YH No disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\James2\Desktop\hijackthis\backups\backup-20050529-211143-617.dll
Adware:Adware/Startpage.YH No disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\James2\Desktop\hijackthis\backups\backup-20050529-211434-924.dll
Adware:Adware/Startpage.YH No disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\James2\Desktop\hijackthis\backups\backup-20050529-214453-264.dll
Adware:Adware/Startpage.YH No disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\James2\Desktop\hijackthis\backups\backup-20050531-164005-174.dll
Spyware:Spyware/AdClicker No disinfected C:\WINDOWS\help_dcc.dll
Spyware:Spyware/AdClicker No disinfected C:\WINDOWS\help_ecc.dll
Adware:Adware/Virmaid No disinfected C:\WINDOWS\system32\perfcii.ini
Adware:Adware/Startpage.YH No disinfected D:\My Received Files\hijackthis\backups\backup-20050529-210735-976.dll
Adware:Adware/Startpage.YH No disinfected D:\My Received Files\hijackthis\backups\backup-20050529-211143-617.dll
Adware:Adware/Startpage.YH No disinfected D:\My Received Files\hijackthis\backups\backup-20050529-211434-924.dll
Adware:Adware/Startpage.YH No disinfected D:\My Received Files\hijackthis\backups\backup-20050529-214453-264.dll
Thanks for your help

[greyknight17]

Delete these:

C:\Program Files\vvsn
C:\WINDOWS\help_?cc.dll - the ? could be any character, so look for any files that begin with help_ and end with cc.dll
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\MSlti64.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\Setup.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\James\Desktop\Downloads\backup-20050529-204923-993.dll
C:\Documents and Settings\James\My Documents\My Received Files\hijackthis\backups\ - delete all the backups here.
C:\Documents and Settings\James2\Desktop\hijackthis\backups\ - delete all the backups here.
C:\WINDOWS\help_dcc.dll
C:\WINDOWS\help_ecc.dll
C:\WINDOWS\system32\perfcii.ini

For this one -> C:\WINDOWS\System32\services - can you find a file with no extensions? Or is it a folder? Right click and go to Properties, tell me when it was created/modified.

Uninstall these if listed in Add/Remove panel:

Security iGuard
nCase

Your log is clean.

Turn off system restore by right clicking on My Computer and go to Properties->System Restore and check the box for Turn off System Restore. Click Apply and then OK. Restart your computer and uncheck the same box to enable System Restore.

Make sure to get the latest updates for Windows and Internet Explorer at http://v5.windowsupd...t.aspx?ln=en-us.

To help prevent future spyware installations/infections, please read the Anti-Spyware Tutorial and use the tools provided.

Are there any problems now? If not, you should be set to go.

[Armodeen]

ok, i did everything you asked.

i couldn't find the files:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\MSlti64.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\Setup.exe

for this file C:\WINDOWS\System32\services (with no extension), it was created/modified on 31st August 2001

neither Security iGuard or nCase were listed.

It appears to be behaving normally now - certainly the annoying popup/browser hijack is gone.

thank you very much

[greyknight17]

Since this issue appears to be resolved ... this Topic has been closed. Glad we could help.

If you're the topic starter, and need this topic reopened, please contact a staff member with the address of the thread.

Everyone else please begin a New Topic.