[godawgs]

Sounds good so far. Keep me posted please.

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uggh still updating .. down to 50 something updates.

[wmpendle]

uggh still updating .. down to 50 something updates.

[wmpendle]

Last night I got down to only 10 more updates, but then again service pack 2 hasn't been added to the list yet. If I install more than 5-6 at a time Windows Update freezes so it is a long process.

[godawgs]

[wmpendle]

still no service pack 2 - should I look for the stand alone version or just wait for windows update to add it as an update?

[godawgs]

Hi,

Check the list of installed updates and see if all of the updates installed correctly.

Check for hidden updates. Microsoft will not offer SP2 until all critical or important security updates have been installed.

Open Windows Update. In the column on the left click Restore Hidden Updates. Review the list of updates for any that are Critical or Important. If there are some there, click each update to select it and click unhide.

Then install the hidden updates.

It could also be an audio or video driver that needs to be updated.

There was also a problem with Windows offering the SP2 update if an older version of the Symantec software driver for Symantec(Norton) Endpoint Protection and for Symantec[Norton) Network Access Control clients is present.
the file name and version number is Wgx.sys version 11.0.1000.1091 or earlier

Do a search for that file and if present right click it and click Properties and check the file version number. If it's 11.0.1000.1091 or earlier try installing all Symantic products and then see if Microsoft offers the SP2.

If these things don't work we may need to install SP2 from the stand alone installer.

Let me know what happened

[wmpendle]

OK, service pack 2 finally made it to the windows update list and I was able to install it. My next goal is to update IE in case I need it (I mostly use Google Chrome). Let me know what else I may need to check or do. Everything seems fine (fingers crossed).

[godawgs]

Hello,

OK, service pack 2 finally made it to the windows update list and I was able to install it.

Did you have to do anything special to get Update to offer SP2?

My next goal is to update IE in case I need it (I mostly use Google Chrome).

IE is an integral part of Windows so you should update it even if you don't use it. I don't use IE either but IE9 is more secure than any of the previous IE's and it's one of the most secure browsers out there. Microsoft has made great strides in the security or their browser.

Let me know what else I may need to check or do.

We're gonna run a security check for programs that need updating. Then it will just be cleaning up the tools we've used and I will post some suggestions for keeping you computer more secure in the future.

Everything seems fine (fingers crossed).

Yep, and toes too!


Step-1.

Run Security Check

Download Security Check from here or here.

• Save it to your Desktop.
• Double click SecurityCheck.exe and follow the onscreen instructions inside of the black box.
• A Notepad document should open automatically called checkup.txt; please post the contents of that document.

Step-2.

Things For Your Next Post:
1. The Checkup.txt log
2. Let me know how the IE update went.

[wmpendle]

Here is the log:

Results of screen317's Security Check version 0.99.50
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 x86 (UAC is enabled)
Internet Explorer 9
``````````````Antivirus/Firewall Check:``````````````
Windows Firewall Disabled!
Norton Internet Security
WMI entry may not exist for antivirus; attempting automatic update.
`````````Anti-malware/Other Utilities Check:`````````
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware version 1.62.0.1300
CCleaner
Java 7 Update 7
Adobe Reader X (10.1.4)
Google Chrome 21.0.1180.83
Google Chrome 21.0.1180.89
````````Process Check: objlist.exe by Laurent````````
Norton ccSvcHst.exe
`````````````````System Health check`````````````````
Total Fragmentation on Drive C: 5 % Defragment your hard drive soon! (Do NOT defrag if SSD!)
````````````````````End of Log``````````````````````

[wmpendle]

I was able to get IE 9 installed just fine.

I did not need to do anything special to get service pack 2, when I went to look for any hidden updates it had popped up. Once I installed service pack 2 there were another 60 or so updates that popped up the next time. I am really sick of windows update so I am hoping I am finally done now.

[godawgs]

No programs need updating. We are ready to clean up. It will take me a little time to go thru the pages and see everything we downloaded and used. I will be back with those instructions. They will clean up the tools we used and the logs they generated.

I did not need to do anything special to get service pack 2, when I went to look for any hidden updates it had popped up.

I asked for my own information only.

Once I installed service pack 2 there were another 60 or so updates that popped up the next time. I am really sick of windows update so I am hoping I am finally done now.

That's a real downside to reinstalling Windows. And it sounds like you're done until windows comes out with more updates. You did a great job with helping me on your computer and I don't want you to take this the wrong way, but should you ever get infected again please do not run tools like TDSSKiller or ComboFix or any other tool that does more than give a diagnostic log unless you know what they can do to your system.
Some tools are easier to recover files from quarantine. Unfortunately I haven't seen very many instances of that with TDSSKiller.

Also, I know that lots of folks use HitmanPro and swear by it. But we come across logs frequently where HitmanPro has borked a system or changed a boot file because it was not run properly. Just be aware of that.
I'll be back.

[godawgs]

Hi,

OK! Well done. Here is the best part of the process! The mullygrubs are gone! That's a technical term for your log(s) appear to be clean! If you have no further issues with your computer, please proceed with the housekeeping procedures outlined below.
The first thing we need to do is to remove all the tools that we have used. This is so that should you ever be re-infected, you will download updated versions.


Step-1.

Program Uninstall

1. Please click Start > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs
2. In the list of programs installed, locate the following program(s):

ESET online scanner

3. Click on each program to highlight it and click Uninstall
4. After the program(s) have been uninstalled, close the Installed Programs window and the Control Panel.
5. Reboot the computer.

Delete the folders associated with the uninstalled programs.(Only do this if you uninstalled the program)

1. Using Windows Explorer (to get there right-click your Start button and click "Explore"), please delete the following folders(s) in red (if present):

c:\Program Files\ESET

2. Close Windows Explorer.


Step-2.

OTL Cleanup
1. Please copy all of the text in the code box below. To do this, highlight everything inside the code box , right click and click Copy.

• :COMMANDS
  [EMPTYTEMP]
  

• Please re-open on your desktop.
• Place the mouse pointer inside the textbox, right click and click Paste. This will put the above script inside the textbox.
• Click the button.
• Let the program run unhindered. When finished click the OK button and close the log that appears.
• NOTE: I do not need to review the log produced.
• OTL may ask to reboot the machine. Please do so if asked.

2. Please re-open on your desktop.

• Be sure all other programs are closed as this step will require a reboot.
• Click on
• You will be prompted to reboot your system. Please do so.

The above process will remove some of the tools used and logs created during the cleanup process. After it is finished, OTL will remove itself. This is so that if you are ever infected again you will download the most current copy of the tool.


Delete the following from the Desktop:

FSS.exe
FSS.txt
jre-7u6-windows-i586.exe
testhd.bat
checkhd.txt
The Vista SP1 stand alone installer
The System Readiness Tool
SecurityCheck.exe
checkup.txt

These files were downloaded before the system restore and should'n't be on the desktop, but if they are delete them.

MBR.dat
MiniToolBox.exe
Result.txt
TDSSQlook.exe
TDSSQ.txt
SystemLook.exe
systemLook.txt
tdss.bat
driver_cardreader_ti_25844A.exe

If you still have any tools, logs or files that were created during the cleaning process left on your computer you can go ahead and delete those off of your computer now, and empty the Recycle Bin.


Step-3.

Make a Fresh Restore Point, Clear the Old Restore Points, and Re-enable System Restore

The files in System Restore are protected to prevent any programs from changing those files. This is the only way to clean these files: (You will lose all previous restore points which are likely to be infected, but that's good news).

Note: Do not clear infected/old System Restore points before creating a new System Restore point first!

For Vista and Windows 7:

• Click the Start Orb. Click Control Panel. Click System and Maintenance
• Click System
• In the left column under Tasks, click Advance System Settings and accept the warning if you get one
• Click the System Protection Tab
• In the Available Disks box put a check mark in the box next to OS (?:) (System). Your drive letter will be shown in place of the ?
  
  Note: It may take some time for the system to populate the Available Disks box, so be patient.
  
• Click the Create button at the bottom
• Type in a name for the restore point, i.e: Clean
• Click Create
• A small System Protection window will come up telling you a Restore Point is being created.
• Another System Protection window will come up telling you the Restore Point has been created, click OK
• Click OK again.
• Close the Control Panel

Now we can purge the old Restore Points

• Click Start(Windows 7 Orb), click Run (or press the Windows key and R together) to bring up the Run box.
• Copy and Paste the following in the Run box:
  

  cleanmgr

• Click OK
  A Disk Cleanup Options popup will open
• Click My files only
  A Drive Selection popup will open
• Select the system drive, C:\ and click OK.
• For a few moments the system will make some calculations
• Ensure the boxes for Recycle Bin, Temporary Files and Temporary Internet Files are checked, you can choose to check other boxes if you wish but they are not required and click OK.
• On the next window, click the More Options tab
• In the System Restore and Shadow Backups window click Clean up
• Click Delete on the pop up
• Click OK
• Click Delete
• Click OK to close any windows that may be open.
  Restart the computer

Step-4.

Reset Hidden Files and Folders

For Vista and Windows 7
1. Click Start,click Control Panel.
2. Click Folder Options.... NOTE: If you are in the Category view, click Appearance, then Folder Options
3. On the Folder Options window click the View tab.
4. In the Advanced settings: box, Under Hidden files and folders, click the Do not show hidden files and folders button.
5. Click the Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) box.
6. Click Apply and then OK


Step-5.

De-fragment the Hard Drive

Go to the Microsoft page here and follow the directions to de-fragment your hard drive.



Preventing Re-Infection


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

:Keep Windows Updated:-Windows Updates are constantly being revised to combat the newest hacks and threats, Microsoft releases security updates that help your computer from becoming vulnerable. It is best if you have these set to download automatically.

Vista and Windows 7 Users:
1. Click Start> All Programs, from the list find Windows Update and click it.

:Turn On Automatic Updates:

Vista and Windows 7
1. Click Start> Control Panel. Click Security. Under Windows Update, Click Turn automatic on or off.
2. On the next page, under Important Updates, Click the Drop down arrow on the right side of the box and Click Install Updates Automatically(recommended).
If you click this setting, click to select the day and time for scheduled updates to occur. You can schedule Automatic Updates for any time of day. Remember, your computer must be on at the scheduled time for updates to be installed. After you set this option, Windows recognizes when you are online and uses your Internet connection to find updates on the Windows Update Web site or on the Microsoft Update Web site that apply to your computer. Updates are downloaded automatically in the background, and you are not notified or interrupted during this process. An icon appears in the notification area of your task bar when the updates are being downloaded. You can point to the icon to view the download status. To pause or to resume the download, right-click the icon, and then click Pause or Resume. When the download is completed, another message appears in the notification area so that you can review the updates that are scheduled for installation. If you choose not to install at that time, Windows starts the installation on your set schedule.

: Keep Java Updated :

• Click the Start button
• Click Control Panel
• Double Click Java - Looks like a coffee cup. You may have to switch to Classical View on the upper left of the Control Panel to see it.
• Click the Update tab
• Click Update Now
• Allow any updates to be downloaded and installed

: Keep Adobe Reader Updated :

• Open Adobe Reader
• Click Help on the menu at the top
• Click Check for Updates
• Allow any updates to be downloaded and installed

NOTE: Whether you use Adobe Reader, Acrobat or Foxit Reader to read pdf files you need to disable Javascript in the program. There is an exploit out there now that can use it to get on your PC. For Adobe Reader: Click Start, All Programs, Adobe Reader, Edit, Preferences, Click on Javascript in the left column and uncheck Enable Acrobat Javascript. Click OK Close program. It's the same for Foxit Reader except Preferences is under the Tools menu, and you uncheck Enable Javascript Actions.

:Web Browsers:

:Make your Internet Explorer more secure:
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. When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.
11. If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, click the Yes button.
12. Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the Internet Properties page.

:Alternate Browsers:

If you use Firefox, I highly recommend these add-ons to keep your PC even more secure.

• NoScript - for blocking ads and other potential website attacks
• WebOfTrust - a safe surfing tool for your browser. Traffic-light rating symbols show which websites you can trust when you search, shop and surf on the Web.
• McAfee SiteAdvisor - this tells you whether the sites you are about to visit are safe or not. A must if you do a lot of Googling

:Install the MVPs Hosts File:

• MVPS Hosts file-Only needed for Firefox. Replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well known ad sites and other bad sites. Basically, this prevents your computer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1 which is your local computer, meaning it will be difficult to infect yourself in the future.

Preventative programs that will help to keep the nasties away! We will start with Anti Spyware programs. I would advise getting a couple of them at least, and running a full scan at least once a month. Run Quick Scans at least once a week. Download the Free versions. And update the definitions before running scans.

========Anti Spyware========

• Malwarebytes-Free Version- a powerful tool to search for and eliminate malware found on your computer.
• SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition-another scanning tool to find and eliminate malware.
• SpywareBlaster-to help prevent spyware from installing in the first place. A tutorial can be found here.
• SpywareGuard-to catch and block spyware before it can execute. A tutorial can be found here.
• WinPatrol - will alert you to hijackings, malware attacks and critical changes made to your computer without your permission. Help file and tutorial can be found here.

It's a good idea to clear out all your temp files every now and again. This will help your computer from bogging down and slowing. It also can assist in getting rid of files that may contain malicious code that could re-infect your computer.

========TEMP File Cleaners========

• TFC by OldTimer-A very powerful cleaning program for 32 and 64 bit OS. Note: You may have this already as part of the fixes you have run.
• CleanUP-Click the Download CleanUP! link. There is also a Learn how to use CleanUP! link on this page.

:BACKUPS:

• 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.
• ERUNT-(Emergency Recovery Utility NT) allows you to keep a complete backup of your registry and restore it when needed. The standard registry backup options that come with Windows back up most of the registry but not all of it. ERUNT however creates a complete backup set, including the Security hive and user related sections. ERUNT is easy to use and since it creates a full backup, there are no options or choices other than to select the location of the backup files. The backup set includes a small executable that will launch the registry restore if needed.

:Keep Installed Programs Up to Date:

It is also possible for other programs on your computer to have security vulnerability that can allow malware to infect you. Therefore, it is also a good idea to check for the latest versions of commonly installed applications that are regularly patched to fix vulnerabilities.
A couple of programs that will do this are listed below. Only download and install one of the programs and run it monthly:
Secunia Software Inspector
Filehippo Update Checker

Finally, please read How did I Get Infected in the First Place(by Mr. Tony Klein and dvk01)

I'd be grateful if you could reply to this post so that I know you have read it and, if you've no other questions, the thread can then be closed.

I Will Keep This Open For 24 hours or so. If Anything Comes Up - Just Come Back And Let Me Know

Stay Safe
godawgs

[wmpendle]

ok, that is a lot of steps but I think I've got it. The really good thing about one of the things I tried in the beginning, I don't remember now which one, it led me to this site. It said something like don't post this log unless the person helping you at geeks to go asks for it. That led me to the site. You have been really great and should I have troubles again I will come here first instead trashing my system trying to fix it Thanks again!

Edited by wmpendle, 16 September 2012 - 10:02 PM.

[godawgs]

You're welcome. If you ever need us again just give us a shout. Like I said, I will leave the topic open for 24 hours or so in case something comes up.

[godawgs]

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.