[jh25]

Here's the log.  ComboFix.txt   13.42KB   90 downloads And as far as I can tell my computer seems to be running normally - thanks! Can I start logging into sites with sensitive information etc again or is there still a bit more to do?

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Can I start logging into sites with sensitive information etc again or is there still a bit more to do?

Hold off just a bit more...we are almost done.

Download Security Check by screen317 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.

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[jeffce]

Can I start logging into sites with sensitive information etc again or is there still a bit more to do?

Hold off just a bit more...we are almost done.

Download Security Check by screen317 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.

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[jh25]

No rush, I've still got my phone Ok here's the security check log then. Thanks for all the help so far by the way, you've been awesome  checkup.txt   1.14KB   59 downloads

[jeffce]

Hi,

I see that your Java software is out of date. Please go to Start >> Control Panel >> Programs and Features >> delete all versions of Java.

Now download and install the newest version from here >> http://java.com/en/download/index.jsp
-------------

Adobe Reader

You have an older version of Adobe Reader. You can download the current version HERE

You may want to consider Foxit Reader instead. It may be a bit lighter on resources.

Visit their support forum
Foxit Forum

In either case you should uninstall Adobe Reader 9 first. Be sure to move any PDF documents to another folder first though.
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==================================


Adobe Flash Player

Your version of Adobe Flash Player is out of date.
You can download the current version HERE.
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In your next reply let me know if you have any problems with the instructions above and how your system is running?

[jh25]

Ok I've downloaded and installed everything there and my computer seems to be running fine as far as I can tell

[jeffce]

Providing there are no other malware related problems...

IT APPEARS THAT YOUR LOGS ARE NOW CLEAN SO LETS DO A COUPLE OF THINGS TO WRAP THIS UP!!

This infection appears to have been cleaned, but I can not give you any absolute guarantees. As a precaution, I would go ahead and change all of your passwords as this is especially important after an infection.
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The following will implement some cleanup procedures as well as reset System Restore points:

Click Start > Run and copy/paste the following text into the Run box as shown and click OK.
Combofix /Uninstall
(Note: There is a space between the ..X and the /U that needs to be there.)


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Any of the logs that you created for use in the forums or remaining tools that have not yet been removed can be deleted so they aren't cluttering up your desktop.

Here are some tips to reduce the potential for spyware infection in the future:

1. Make your Internet Explorer more secure - This can be done by following these simple instructions:

• From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.
• Click once on the Security tab
• Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
• Click once on the Custom Level button.
• Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt
• Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable
• Change the Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to Disable
• Change the Installation of desktop items to Prompt
• Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
• Change the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt
• When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.
• If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the Yes button.
• Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the Internet Properties page.

2. Enable Protected Mode in Internet Explorer. This helps Windows Vista users stay more protected from attack by running Internet Explorer with restricted privileges as well as reducing the ability to write, alter or destroy data on your system or install malicious code. To make sure this is running follow these steps:

• Open Internet Explorer
• Click on Tools > Internet Options
• Press Security tab
• Select Internet zone then place check next to Enable Protected Mode if not already done
• Do the same for Local Intranet, Trusted Sites and Restricted Sites and then press Apply
• Restart Internet Explorer and in the bottom right corner of your screen you will see Protected Mode: On showing you it is enabled.

3. Use and update an anti-virus software - I can not overemphasize the need for you to use and update your anti-virus application on a regular basis. With the ever increasing number of new variants of malware arriving on the scene daily, you become very susceptible to an attack without updated protection.

4. Firewall
Using a third-party firewall will allow you to give/deny access for applications that want to go online. Without a firewall your computer is susceptible to being hacked and taken over. Simply using a firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly. **There are many firewalls that could be downloaded and used but I would personally only recommend using one of the following two below:
Online Armor Free
Agnitum Outpost Firewall Free

5. Make sure you keep your Windows OS current. Windows XP users can visit Windows update regularly to download and install any critical updates and service packs. Windows Vista/7 users can open the Start menu > All Programs > Windows Update > Check for Updates (in left hand task pane) to update these systems. Without these you are leaving the back door open.

6. 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. WOT has an add-on available for Firefox, Internet Explorer as well as Google Chrome.

7.Finally, I strongly recommend that you read TonyKlein's good advice So how did I get infected in the first place?

Please reply to this thread once more if you are satisfied so that we can mark the problem as resolved.

[jh25]

Hey,
So I ran the Combofix /Uninstall... It seemed to be running smoothly, the progress bars going across etc and it going about its business, but when it came to what I thought was the end it stopped and a message box came up saying that I would have to deactivate my avast real-time shields for it to run properly, so I rightclicked to deactivate them with the avast icon on the bottom right of the screen, and as soon as I did that some sort of error message came up and then everything disappeared and I could only see my desktop background picture - Argh! After waiting for a bit with nothing happening I held down the power button to reset the computer. I've read back on one of the earlier posts and now I see and remember that you're meant to disable that stuff before running combofix. Where to from here? Do I do it again with the shields disabled from the start or is there more to it than that? James

[jeffce]

Hi,

Ok...good question. Go ahead and reboot your system, deactivate your AV and FW software and follow the instructions for uninstalling ComboFix again. If you still have problems let me know.

[jh25]

Combofix is running and I've turned off the shields but it still thinks avast's running for some reason (message -"we note the following scanner's still running - combofix can continue to run but kindly note that this is at your own risk"). Am I worrying over nothing because it's just an 'uninstall' so it'd be safe to continue? Just don't wanna wreck my computer is all!

[jh25]

Ok I went ahead with it (I think it just thought the avast shields were on because avast was running in the background even though the shields were down) and it said Combofix uninstalled successfully! As far as I can tell everything's running smoothly now - thanks so much for all your time and your help!!

[jeffce]

Great! Glad that we could help!

[jeffce]

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.