[Cstaffa]

I uninstalled Skype and Skype click-to-call and rebooted. The missing systray icons reappeared. There was still a period after restart in which the computer was slow to respond.

I then downloaded and reinstalled Skype. It seemed to take an unusually long time, several minutes at least. I did not watch it the whole time. I left and came back after maybe twenty minutes; the screensaver was on. When I touched the trackball and the screensaver stopped, I briefly saw the installation program with the crawler moving across several times at high speed. Then it quit. There was no indication that the installation was successful other than the icon on the desktop.

Skype did not start on its own. I started it with the desktop icon and it started and connected. My account, password, and contacts all appeared without me having to reenter them.

I then rebooted and the systray icons appeared, albeit strangely: The four previously missing ones all appeared suddenly together with the Boinc icon, not one by one as is normal. Skype did start and connect automatically.

Since the icons did not behave completely normally on that restart, I restarted again. This time the four systray icons are again missing. Skype does start and connect on its own.

For the first deinstall, Add or Remove Programs took a strangely long time to populate the program list, well over a minute I think. That and the two WDBtnMgr processes in Task Manager made me wonder if the WD MyBook drive on H: might be giving some difficulty. It seems to hibernate if not in use for a time, and trying to access it again involves a delay while it spins up again. It sits on my table and I can feel the vibration as it spins up or the fan starts. If Add/Remove programs was looking to H: for something to do with the WD Drive Manager, that might cause the delay in populating the list of programs. I wondered whether disabling or uninstalling the WD Drive Manager would be a good thing to try. I don't see any other controls to get rid of the probably useless WDBtnMgr processes.

I noted in the Device Manager that two instances of WD SES Device had driver problems, with the yellow ! symbol showing. I uninstalled them per the troubleshooter and let the hardware wizard find and reinstall them. Upon restarting the systray icons all reappear. Firefox is still prevented from opening a window for a while after startup.

Edited by Cstaffa, 12 April 2012 - 10:38 AM.

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Hi Cstaffa!

Thanks for that information!

At this point in time, I think the issues you are experiencing with your computer are Windows related and not malware related. I'm going to ask that you post in our Windows forum, and see what the techs have to say about all of these issues that remain.

I'm going to ask that you include a link to this thread, so that they are able to see the work we've done so far.

Before you go we just need to clean-up our tools.

-----

Your logs appear to be clean, so if you have no further issues with your computer, then please proceed with the following housekeeping procedures outlined below.

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

Click Start > Run and copy/paste the following bolded text into the Run box and click OK: ComboFix /Uninstall



NEXT:



OTL Fix

We need to run an OTL Fix

• Please reopen on your desktop.
• Copy and Paste the following code into the textbox.
  

  :Commands
  [ClearAllRestorePoints]
  

• Push
• OTL may ask to reboot the machine. Please do so if asked.
• Click the OK button.
• A report will open. Copy and Paste that report in your next reply.

NEXT:



OTL Clean-Up

We Need to Clean Up our Mess
Our work on your machine has left considerable leftovers on your box. Let's clean those up real quick:

• Reopen on your desktop.
• Click on
• You will be prompted to reboot your system. Please do so.

If you still have any tools or logs leftover on your computer you can go ahead and delete those off of your computer now.


NEXT:



All Clean Speech

===> Make sure you've re-enabled any Security Programs that we may have disabled during the malware removal process. <===

Below I have included a number of recommendations for how to protect your computer against malware infections.


Updated Anti-Virus Program
It's essential that you have an updated anti-virus program running on your computer. You don't want to run more than one as it can cause program conflicts, as well as false positives

You can view an excellent list of Free Security Software programs that has been compiled by GeekstoGo.


Avoid P2P Programs

Remember that no matter how clean the program you're using for peer-to-peer filesharing may be, it offers no guarantees regarding the cleanliness of files you may choose to download. All files available via p2p filesharing carry a high risk, particularly those that offer you illegitimate methods of using legitimate software programs without paying for them. Some further readings on this subject, along the included links, are as follows: File-Sharing, otherwise known as Peer To Peer and Risks of File-Sharing Technology.

If you have any of these programs installed then I highly suggest you uninstall them.

NOTE: Take care when answering any questions posed by an uninstaller. Some questions may be worded to deceive you into keeping the program.


Internet Browsers

Many of the users that I assist here on the forums, ask me which programs they can use to prevent themselves from getting infected again in the future. The best answer I can give you is too practice safe browsing.

Please consider using an alternative browser such as Google Chrome or Opera. They are both much more secure than Internet Explorer, immune to almost all known browser hijackers, and also have great built-in pop-up blockers.

I also suggest you make your Internet Explore more secure.

Make Internet Explorer more secure

• Click Start > Run
• Type Inetcpl.cpl & click OK
• Click on the Security tab
• Click Reset all zones to default level
• Make sure the Internet Zone is selected & Click Custom level
• In the ActiveX section, set the first two options ("Download signed and unsigned ActiveX controls) to "Prompt", and ("Initialize and Script ActiveX controls not marked as safe") to "Disable".
• Next Click OK, then Apply button and then OK to exit the Internet Properties page.

Extra Goodies

• It is good security practice to change your passwords to all your online accounts on a fairly regular basis, this is especially true after an infection. Refer to this Microsoft article
  Strong passwords: How to create and use them then consider a password keeper, to keep all your passwords safe.
  
• Keep Windows updated by regularly checking their website at: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
  This will ensure your computer has always the latest security updates available installed on your computer.
  
• You should run an updated scan with MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware weekly. Instructions are included below:
  
  
  • Open Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
  • Select the Update tab
  • Click Check for Updates

• Be weary of e-mails from unknown senders. Keep the following in mind as well: If it's to good to be true, then it more than likely is.
  
  
• FileHippo Update Checker is an extremely helpful program that will tell you which of your programs need to be updated. Its important to keep programs up to date so that malware doesn't exploit any old security flaws.
  
• WOT, Web of Trust, warns you about risky websites that try to scam visitors, deliver malware or send spam. Protect your computer against online threats by using WOT as your front-line layer of protection 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 Chrome and Opera.
  
• Keep a backup of your important files - Now, more than ever, it's especially important to protect your digital files and memories. This article is full of good information on alternatives for home backup solutions.
  
• In light of your recent issue, I'm sure you'd like to avoid any future infections. Please take a look at these well written articles:
  Think Prevention.
  PC Safety and Security--What Do I Need?.

**Be very wary with any security software that is advertised in popups or in other ways. They are not only usually of no use, but often have malware in them.

Thank you for your patience, and performing all of the procedures requested.

Please respond one last time so we can consider the thread resolved and close it, thank-you.

Cheers,
SweetTech.

[SweetTech]

Hi Cstaffa!

Thanks for that information!

At this point in time, I think the issues you are experiencing with your computer are Windows related and not malware related. I'm going to ask that you post in our Windows forum, and see what the techs have to say about all of these issues that remain.

I'm going to ask that you include a link to this thread, so that they are able to see the work we've done so far.

Before you go we just need to clean-up our tools.

-----

Your logs appear to be clean, so if you have no further issues with your computer, then please proceed with the following housekeeping procedures outlined below.

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

Click Start > Run and copy/paste the following bolded text into the Run box and click OK: ComboFix /Uninstall



NEXT:



OTL Fix

We need to run an OTL Fix

• Please reopen on your desktop.
• Copy and Paste the following code into the textbox.
  

  :Commands
  [ClearAllRestorePoints]
  

• Push
• OTL may ask to reboot the machine. Please do so if asked.
• Click the OK button.
• A report will open. Copy and Paste that report in your next reply.

NEXT:



OTL Clean-Up

We Need to Clean Up our Mess
Our work on your machine has left considerable leftovers on your box. Let's clean those up real quick:

• Reopen on your desktop.
• Click on
• You will be prompted to reboot your system. Please do so.

If you still have any tools or logs leftover on your computer you can go ahead and delete those off of your computer now.


NEXT:



All Clean Speech

===> Make sure you've re-enabled any Security Programs that we may have disabled during the malware removal process. <===

Below I have included a number of recommendations for how to protect your computer against malware infections.


Updated Anti-Virus Program
It's essential that you have an updated anti-virus program running on your computer. You don't want to run more than one as it can cause program conflicts, as well as false positives

You can view an excellent list of Free Security Software programs that has been compiled by GeekstoGo.


Avoid P2P Programs

Remember that no matter how clean the program you're using for peer-to-peer filesharing may be, it offers no guarantees regarding the cleanliness of files you may choose to download. All files available via p2p filesharing carry a high risk, particularly those that offer you illegitimate methods of using legitimate software programs without paying for them. Some further readings on this subject, along the included links, are as follows: File-Sharing, otherwise known as Peer To Peer and Risks of File-Sharing Technology.

If you have any of these programs installed then I highly suggest you uninstall them.

NOTE: Take care when answering any questions posed by an uninstaller. Some questions may be worded to deceive you into keeping the program.


Internet Browsers

Many of the users that I assist here on the forums, ask me which programs they can use to prevent themselves from getting infected again in the future. The best answer I can give you is too practice safe browsing.

Please consider using an alternative browser such as Google Chrome or Opera. They are both much more secure than Internet Explorer, immune to almost all known browser hijackers, and also have great built-in pop-up blockers.

I also suggest you make your Internet Explore more secure.

Make Internet Explorer more secure

• Click Start > Run
• Type Inetcpl.cpl & click OK
• Click on the Security tab
• Click Reset all zones to default level
• Make sure the Internet Zone is selected & Click Custom level
• In the ActiveX section, set the first two options ("Download signed and unsigned ActiveX controls) to "Prompt", and ("Initialize and Script ActiveX controls not marked as safe") to "Disable".
• Next Click OK, then Apply button and then OK to exit the Internet Properties page.

Extra Goodies

• It is good security practice to change your passwords to all your online accounts on a fairly regular basis, this is especially true after an infection. Refer to this Microsoft article
  Strong passwords: How to create and use them then consider a password keeper, to keep all your passwords safe.
  
• Keep Windows updated by regularly checking their website at: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
  This will ensure your computer has always the latest security updates available installed on your computer.
  
• You should run an updated scan with MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware weekly. Instructions are included below:
  
  
  • Open Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
  • Select the Update tab
  • Click Check for Updates

• Be weary of e-mails from unknown senders. Keep the following in mind as well: If it's to good to be true, then it more than likely is.
  
  
• FileHippo Update Checker is an extremely helpful program that will tell you which of your programs need to be updated. Its important to keep programs up to date so that malware doesn't exploit any old security flaws.
  
• WOT, Web of Trust, warns you about risky websites that try to scam visitors, deliver malware or send spam. Protect your computer against online threats by using WOT as your front-line layer of protection 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 Chrome and Opera.
  
• Keep a backup of your important files - Now, more than ever, it's especially important to protect your digital files and memories. This article is full of good information on alternatives for home backup solutions.
  
• In light of your recent issue, I'm sure you'd like to avoid any future infections. Please take a look at these well written articles:
  Think Prevention.
  PC Safety and Security--What Do I Need?.

**Be very wary with any security software that is advertised in popups or in other ways. They are not only usually of no use, but often have malware in them.

Thank you for your patience, and performing all of the procedures requested.

Please respond one last time so we can consider the thread resolved and close it, thank-you.

Cheers,
SweetTech.

[Cstaffa]

Thank you very much for your assistance and your patience. You have been most pleasant to work with. I do hope however that I will not need your assistance again. Blessings be upon you.



1. ComboFix /Uninstall uninstalled smoothly

2. OTL ClearAllRestorePoints

log:

========== COMMANDS ==========
Restore points cleared and new OTL Restore Point set!

OTL by OldTimer - Version 3.2.39.2 log created on 04132012_012916

3. OTL CleanUp took a couple of minutes after login to get back to the desktop.


Cheers,

C

Edited by Cstaffa, 12 April 2012 - 11:49 PM.

[SweetTech]

You're more than welcome!

Take Care!

~ST.

[SweetTech]

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.