[fourie]

Hello, I have followed the instructions in the 'Please start here' to deal with malaware section. I am using Windows 2000 and have installed Cleanup, Ad-aware SE, CWShredder, Spybot S&D and AVG. I have also downloaded Windows 2000 Service Pack 4. I did have Norton AV on my machine - it does not run but I cannot uninstall it because it is either not valid or the data is corrupted.

I am no computer boffin but have followed the instructions regarding the installation of the downloads listed above. They all found and fixed a number of things but the blue screen and fatal error message persist. System performance is poor and i get frequent warning messages about an infection. Pop-ups have largely stopped though. If you can offer further assistance it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance

Fourie

log as follows;Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 9:52:45 AM, on 7/20/2005
Platform: Windows 2000 SP4 (WinNT 5.00.2195)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v5.00 SP4 (5.00.2920.0000)

Running processes:
C:\WINNT\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\services.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Navnt\defwatch.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\regsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\MSTask.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\WBEM\WinMgmt.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINNT\System32\igfxtray.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\hkcmd.exe
C:\WINNT\SOUNDMAN.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\hookdump.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE
C:\Program Files\HijackThis.exe

O3 - Toolbar: @msdxmLC.dll,-1@1033,&Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINNT\System32\msdxm.ocx
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Synchronization Manager] mobsync.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINNT\System32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINNT\System32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMan] SOUNDMAN.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PinnacleDriverCheck] C:\WINNT\System32\PSDrvCheck.exe -CheckReg
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PSGuard] C:\Program Files\PSGuard\PSGuard.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_EMC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Intel system tool] C:\WINNT\system32\hookdump.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
O9 - Extra button: Related - {c95fe080-8f5d-11d2-a20b-00aa003c157a} - C:\WINNT\web\related.htm
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Show &Related Links - {c95fe080-8f5d-11d2-a20b-00aa003c157a} - C:\WINNT\web\related.htm
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{4CD3E01D-858D-45CD-BB31-B06AE3E63C7D}: NameServer = 192.168.2.3
O20 - Winlogon Notify: igfxcui - C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\igfxsrvc.dll
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: DefWatch - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\Navnt\defwatch.exe
O23 - Service: Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service (dmadmin) - VERITAS Software Corp. - C:\WINNT\System32\dmadmin.exe
O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus Client (Norton AntiVirus Server) - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\Navnt\rtvscan.exe

[Advertisements]

Hi and welcome to GeeksToGo! My name is Sam and I will be helping you.

First we need to download and prepare some tools that we will need to fix your problem.

• Please download SmitRem.zip
  • Save the file to your desktop.
  • Right click on the file and extract it to it's own folder on the desktop.
• Please download Ewido Security Suite
  • Install ewido security suite
  • When installing, under "Additional Options" uncheck..
    • Install background guard
    • Install scan via context menu
  • Launch ewido, there should be an icon on your desktop, double-click it.
  • You will need to update ewido to the latest definition files.
    • On the left hand side of the main screen click update.
    • Then click on Start Update.
  • The update will start and a progress bar will show the updates being installed.
    (the status bar at the bottom will display "Update successful")
  • Exit ewido. DO NOT scan yet.
  If you are having problems with the updater, you can use this link to manually update ewido.
  Ewido Manual Updates
  
  
• Please download Adaware SE 1.06
  Install Adaware and check for updates, but don't run it yet.
  
  
• Place a shortcut to Panda ActiveScan on your desktop.

Now that you have the right tools we can start fixing your problem.
Please print out these instructions as the rest of this fix must be done in Safe mode and you won't be able to access the Internet.

Please reboot your computer in SafeMode by doing the following:

• Restart your computer
• After hearing your computer beep once during startup, but before the Windows icon appears, press F8.
• Instead of Windows loading as normal, a menu should appear
• Select the first option, to run Windows in Safe Mode.

* if you have trouble getting into Safe mode go here for more info.




Once in Safe mode, follow these steps:

• Open the smitRem folder, then double click the RunThis.bat file to start the tool. Follow the prompts on screen.
  Wait for the tool to complete and disk cleanup to finish.
  
  The tool will create a log named smitfiles.txt in the root of your drive, eg; Local Disk C: or partition where your operating system is installed. Please post that log along with all others requested in your next reply.
  
  
• Open Ad-aware and do a full scan. Remove everything that it finds.
  
  
• Run Ewido:
  • Click on scanner
  • Click Complete System Scan and the scan will begin.
  • During the scan it will prompt you to clean files, click OK
  • When it asks if you want to clean the first file, put a check in the lower left corner of the box that says "Perform action on all infections" then choose clean and click OK.
  • When the scan is finished, click the Save report button at the bottom of the screen.
  • Save the report to your desktop.
  • Close Ewido.
• Next go to Control Panel click Display > Desktop > Customize Desktop > Website > Uncheck "Security Info" if present.
  
  
• Reboot back into normal mode and click the Panda ActiveScan shortcut, then do a full system scan. Make sure the autoclean box is checked!
  
  
• Save the scan log and post it along with a new HijackThis Log, the contents of the smitfiles.txt log and the Ewido Log by using Add Reply.

Let me know if any problems persist.

Edited by Buckeye_Sam, 23 July 2005 - 04:12 PM.

[Buckeye_Sam]

Hi and welcome to GeeksToGo! My name is Sam and I will be helping you.

First we need to download and prepare some tools that we will need to fix your problem.

• Please download SmitRem.zip
  • Save the file to your desktop.
  • Right click on the file and extract it to it's own folder on the desktop.
• Please download Ewido Security Suite
  • Install ewido security suite
  • When installing, under "Additional Options" uncheck..
    • Install background guard
    • Install scan via context menu
  • Launch ewido, there should be an icon on your desktop, double-click it.
  • You will need to update ewido to the latest definition files.
    • On the left hand side of the main screen click update.
    • Then click on Start Update.
  • The update will start and a progress bar will show the updates being installed.
    (the status bar at the bottom will display "Update successful")
  • Exit ewido. DO NOT scan yet.
  If you are having problems with the updater, you can use this link to manually update ewido.
  Ewido Manual Updates
  
  
• Please download Adaware SE 1.06
  Install Adaware and check for updates, but don't run it yet.
  
  
• Place a shortcut to Panda ActiveScan on your desktop.

Now that you have the right tools we can start fixing your problem.
Please print out these instructions as the rest of this fix must be done in Safe mode and you won't be able to access the Internet.

Please reboot your computer in SafeMode by doing the following:

• Restart your computer
• After hearing your computer beep once during startup, but before the Windows icon appears, press F8.
• Instead of Windows loading as normal, a menu should appear
• Select the first option, to run Windows in Safe Mode.

* if you have trouble getting into Safe mode go here for more info.




Once in Safe mode, follow these steps:

• Open the smitRem folder, then double click the RunThis.bat file to start the tool. Follow the prompts on screen.
  Wait for the tool to complete and disk cleanup to finish.
  
  The tool will create a log named smitfiles.txt in the root of your drive, eg; Local Disk C: or partition where your operating system is installed. Please post that log along with all others requested in your next reply.
  
  
• Open Ad-aware and do a full scan. Remove everything that it finds.
  
  
• Run Ewido:
  • Click on scanner
  • Click Complete System Scan and the scan will begin.
  • During the scan it will prompt you to clean files, click OK
  • When it asks if you want to clean the first file, put a check in the lower left corner of the box that says "Perform action on all infections" then choose clean and click OK.
  • When the scan is finished, click the Save report button at the bottom of the screen.
  • Save the report to your desktop.
  • Close Ewido.
• Next go to Control Panel click Display > Desktop > Customize Desktop > Website > Uncheck "Security Info" if present.
  
  
• Reboot back into normal mode and click the Panda ActiveScan shortcut, then do a full system scan. Make sure the autoclean box is checked!
  
  
• Save the scan log and post it along with a new HijackThis Log, the contents of the smitfiles.txt log and the Ewido Log by using Add Reply.

Let me know if any problems persist.

Edited by Buckeye_Sam, 23 July 2005 - 04:12 PM.

[fourie]

Hi Sam,

Thanks a million. The problem seems to be solved. smitRem finished the cleanup in about ten seconds but I presume that's because there's very little on my machine. Log below. Ewido turned up no infections at all so report was blank, but it did skip a number of objects. No viruses were found by Panda ActiveScan so there is no log. HijackThis Log at bottom. Everything appears to be working as per normal. Thank you very very very much for your help.


smitRem log file
version 2.2

by noahdfear

The current date is: Sun 07/24/2005
The current time is: 16:20:48.04

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pre-run Files Present


~~~ Program Files ~~~



~~~ Shortcuts ~~~



~~~ Favorites ~~~



~~~ system32 folder ~~~



~~~ Windows directory ~~~



~~~ Drive root ~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Post-run Files Present


~~~ Program Files ~~~



~~~ Shortcuts ~~~



~~~ Favorites ~~~



~~~ system32 folder ~~~



~~~ Windows directory ~~~



~~~ Drive root ~~~



~~~ Wininet.dll ~~~

CLEAN!



Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 5:08:43 PM, on 7/24/2005
Platform: Windows 2000 SP4 (WinNT 5.00.2195)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v5.00 SP4 (5.00.2920.0000)

Running processes:
C:\WINNT\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\services.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Navnt\defwatch.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\regsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\MSTask.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\WBEM\WinMgmt.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINNT\System32\igfxtray.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\hkcmd.exe
C:\WINNT\SOUNDMAN.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE
C:\HijackThis.exe

O3 - Toolbar: @msdxmLC.dll,-1@1033,&Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINNT\System32\msdxm.ocx
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Synchronization Manager] mobsync.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINNT\System32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINNT\System32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMan] SOUNDMAN.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PinnacleDriverCheck] C:\WINNT\System32\PSDrvCheck.exe -CheckReg
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_EMC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
O16 - DPF: {9A9307A0-7DA4-4DAF-B042-5009F29E09E1} (ActiveScan Installer Class) - http://www.pandasoft.../as5/asinst.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{4CD3E01D-858D-45CD-BB31-B06AE3E63C7D}: NameServer = 192.168.2.3
O20 - Winlogon Notify: igfxcui - C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\igfxsrvc.dll
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: DefWatch - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\Navnt\defwatch.exe
O23 - Service: Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service (dmadmin) - VERITAS Software Corp. - C:\WINNT\System32\dmadmin.exe
O23 - Service: ewido security suite control - ewido networks - C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus Client (Norton AntiVirus Server) - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\Navnt\rtvscan.exe

[Buckeye_Sam]

Good job! Your log is clean!

Now that you are clean, please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:

• Disable and Enable System Restore. - If you are using Windows ME or XP then you should disable and reenable system restore to make sure there are no infected files found in a restore point left over from what we have just cleaned.
  
  You can find instructions on how to enable and reenable system restore here:
  
  Managing Windows Millenium System Restore
  
  or
  
  Windows XP System Restore Guide
  
  Renable system restore with instructions from tutorial above
  
  
• 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.
• Use an AntiVirus Software - It is very important that your computer has an anti-virus software running on your machine. This alone can save you a lot of trouble with malware in the future.
  
  See this link for a listing of some online & their stand-alone antivirus programs:
  
  Virus, Spyware, and Malware Protection and Removal Resources
  
  
• Update your AntiVirus Software - It is imperitive that you update your Antivirus software at least once a week (Even more if you wish). If you do not update your antivirus software then it will not be able to catch any of the new variants that may come out.
  
  
• Use a Firewall - I can not stress how important it is that you use a Firewall on your computer. Without a firewall your computer is succeptible to being hacked and taken over. I am very serious about this and see it happen almost every day with my clients. Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly.
  
  For a tutorial on Firewalls and a listing of some available ones see the link below:
  
  Understanding and Using Firewalls
  
  
• Visit Microsoft's Windows Update Site Frequently - It is important that you visit http://www.windowsupdate.com regularly. This will ensure your computer has always the latest security updates available installed on your computer. If there are new updates to install, install them immediately, reboot your computer, and revisit the site until there are no more critical updates.
  
  
• Install Spybot - Search and Destroy - Install and download Spybot - Search and Destroy with its TeaTimer option. This will provide realtime spyware & hijacker protection on your computer alongside your virus protection. You should also scan your computer with program on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software.
  
  A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
  
  Using Spybot - Search & Destroy to remove Spyware , Malware, and Hijackers
  
  
• Install Ad-Aware - Install and download Ad-Aware. ou should also scan your computer with program on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software in conjunction with Spybot.
  
  A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
  
  Using Ad-aware to remove Spyware, Malware, & Hijackers from Your Computer
  
  
• Install SpywareBlaster - SpywareBlaster will added a large list of programs and sites into your Internet Explorer settings that will protect you from running and downloading known malicious programs.
  
  A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
  
  Using SpywareBlaster to protect your computer from Spyware and Malware
  
  
• Update all these programs regularly - Make sure you update all the programs I have listed regularly. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new malicious programs are released.

Follow this list and your potential for being infected again will reduce dramatically.

[fourie]

Hi Sam,

All was going well. I am running Windows 2000 so could not disable and re-enable but otherwise did as advised.

1) In a recent scan with Spybot Search & Destroy i found Smitfraud-C. Spybot can't fix it as it 'may be in use in memory'. Ewido, AVG and Ad-Aware SE Personal don't pick it up. How can I get rid of it? I have already repeated the steps given to me when you first assisted me but to no avail. There are no pop-ups and system performance does not appear to be compromised yet.
Below will be my HijackThisLog.

2) Also, I suspect I know how my machine is picking these things up. Is there something I can download (free) that will restrict the conent accessed from my PC?

3) Also, I had Norton Anti-Virus but have switched to AVG. I cannot uninstall NAV because it 'is not valid or the data has been corrupted'. Any ideas?

4) And, I use Outlook express. Most of my incoming mail has the paperclip symbol though there are very few attachments. Is this because of Smitfraud?

Thanks again for your help so far.

fourie


Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 4:14:23 PM, on 8/1/2005
Platform: Windows 2000 SP4 (WinNT 5.00.2195)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v5.00 SP4 (5.00.2920.0000)

Running processes:
C:\WINNT\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\services.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Navnt\defwatch.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\regsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\MSTask.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\WBEM\WinMgmt.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINNT\System32\igfxtray.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\hkcmd.exe
C:\WINNT\SOUNDMAN.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE
C:\Program Files\HijackThis.exe

O3 - Toolbar: @msdxmLC.dll,-1@1033,&Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINNT\System32\msdxm.ocx
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Synchronization Manager] mobsync.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINNT\System32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINNT\System32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMan] SOUNDMAN.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PinnacleDriverCheck] C:\WINNT\System32\PSDrvCheck.exe -CheckReg
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_EMC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
O16 - DPF: {7F8C8173-AD80-4807-AA75-5672F22B4582} (ICSScanner Class) - http://download.zone.../ICSScanner.cab
O16 - DPF: {9A9307A0-7DA4-4DAF-B042-5009F29E09E1} (ActiveScan Installer Class) - http://www.pandasoft.../as5/asinst.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{4CD3E01D-858D-45CD-BB31-B06AE3E63C7D}: NameServer = 192.168.2.3
O20 - Winlogon Notify: igfxcui - C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\igfxsrvc.dll
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: DefWatch - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\Navnt\defwatch.exe
O23 - Service: Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service (dmadmin) - VERITAS Software Corp. - C:\WINNT\System32\dmadmin.exe
O23 - Service: ewido security suite control - ewido networks - C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus Client (Norton AntiVirus Server) - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\Navnt\rtvscan.exe

[Buckeye_Sam]

1) In a recent scan with Spybot Search & Destroy i found Smitfraud-C. Spybot can't fix it as it 'may be in use in memory'. Ewido, AVG and Ad-Aware SE Personal don't pick it up. How can I get rid of it? I have already repeated the steps given to me when you first assisted me but to no avail. There are no pop-ups and system performance does not appear to be compromised yet.

I suspect that this a false postive. I'm guessing that these are registry entries. Actually domains put in place to protect you from accidentally visiting these sites and getting reinfected. But just to be sure, please post the log from Spybot and I'll take a look.

Also, I suspect I know how my machine is picking these things up. Is there something I can download (free) that will restrict the conent accessed from my PC?

By taking the steps that I posted you have greatly increased your security level. I definitely recommend a firewall. As far as a free solution, check out Zone Alarm.
http://www.majorgeek...ownload388.html

3) Also, I had Norton Anti-Virus but have switched to AVG. I cannot uninstall NAV because it 'is not valid or the data has been corrupted'. Any ideas?

Unfortunately, that's a common problem. We can do it manually, but it's very messy. First try to reinstall the program, which will hopefully restore the corrupted files that you need to uninstall it. If that doesn't work let me know and we'll take it out piece by piece.

4) And, I use Outlook express. Most of my incoming mail has the paperclip symbol though there are very few attachments. Is this because of Smitfraud?

No, that's coming from AVG. If you have AVG set up to scan all incoming email it will add a small attachment at the bottom of every message that it's been scanned and is clean. You should be able to adjust this setting. Open up AVG Control Center -> Email Scanner and there should be an option there that will stop this attachment from being added.


Your hijackthis log is still clean. Post the log from Spybot and let me know how it goes with Norton.



Sam