[mpreiss]

Hi,
I can't get this "your-searcher.com " off my home page of my browser. Every time I change my home page it comes back. It also includes about 4 other sites in my favorites list. I have run Ad-ware and Spybot but no sucess.

Thanks for any help .

mpreiss


Here is my hijackthis log.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 8:57:11 PM, on 8/12/05
Platform: Windows 98 Gold (Win9x 4.10.1998)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KERNEL32.DLL
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSGSRV32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MPREXE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\mmtask.tsk
C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\TASKMON.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SYSTRAY.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\LOADQM.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\CVCHOST.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\HP DESKJET 810C SERIES\EREG\REMIND32.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\MICROSOFT SHARED\WORKS SHARED\WKCALREM.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSTASK.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\WINZIP\WZQKPICK.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\INTERNET EXPLORER\IEXPLORE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\DESKTOP\HIJACKTHIS.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\MICROSOFT OFFICE\OFFICE\WINWORD.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\MICROSOFT WORKS\MSWORKS.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SPOOL32.EXE

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://your-searcher.com/sp.htm
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://your-searcher.com/index.htm
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://your-searcher.com/index.htm
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://your-searcher.com/sp.htm
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://your-searcher.com/index.htm
F1 - win.ini: run=hpfsched
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSDXM.OCX
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ScanRegistry] C:\WINDOWS\scanregw.exe /autorun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TaskMonitor] C:\WINDOWS\taskmon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SystemTray] SysTray.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CriticalUpdate] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\wucrtupd.exe -startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LoadQM] loadqm.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [HC Reminder] hc.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [cvchost] c:\windows\cvchost.exe
O4 - Startup: Reminder-hpc41003.lnk = C:\Program Files\HP DeskJet 810C Series\ereg\Remind32.exe
O4 - Startup: Microsoft Works Calendar Reminders.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\wkcalrem.exe
O4 - Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
O4 - Startup: WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE

[Advertisements]

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

I see you are running Hijackthis from your desktop. Please create a directory on your c: drive called c:\hijackthis and move hijackthis into that directory. Run the program from that directory from now on. It is essential that you follow these steps or certain important features of the program will not function correctly.

Once you have Hijackthis running from a within a folder please reboot and post a new hijackthis log.

[Buckeye_Sam]

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

I see you are running Hijackthis from your desktop. Please create a directory on your c: drive called c:\hijackthis and move hijackthis into that directory. Run the program from that directory from now on. It is essential that you follow these steps or certain important features of the program will not function correctly.

Once you have Hijackthis running from a within a folder please reboot and post a new hijackthis log.

[mpreiss]

O K Sam,
I moved Hijack this to a folder, rebooted and ran new log with results below.
Thanks for your help.

Matt

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 4:18:19 PM, on 8/17/05
Platform: Windows 98 Gold (Win9x 4.10.1998)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KERNEL32.DLL
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSGSRV32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SPOOL32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MPREXE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KB891711\KB891711.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\mmtask.tsk
C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\TASKMON.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SYSTRAY.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\LOADQM.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\CVCHOST.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\HP DESKJET 810C SERIES\EREG\REMIND32.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\MICROSOFT SHARED\WORKS SHARED\WKCALREM.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\WINZIP\WZQKPICK.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSTASK.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\HIJACKTHIS\HIJACKTHIS.EXE

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://your-searcher.com/sp.htm
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://your-searcher.com/index.htm
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://your-searcher.com/index.htm
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://your-searcher.com/sp.htm
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://your-searcher.com/index.htm
F1 - win.ini: run=hpfsched
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSDXM.OCX
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ScanRegistry] C:\WINDOWS\scanregw.exe /autorun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TaskMonitor] C:\WINDOWS\taskmon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SystemTray] SysTray.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CriticalUpdate] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\wucrtupd.exe -startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LoadQM] loadqm.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [HC Reminder] hc.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [KB891711] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KB891711\KB891711.EXE
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [cvchost] c:\windows\cvchost.exe
O4 - Startup: Reminder-hpc41003.lnk = C:\Program Files\HP DeskJet 810C Series\ereg\Remind32.exe
O4 - Startup: Microsoft Works Calendar Reminders.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\wkcalrem.exe
O4 - Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
O4 - Startup: WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
O16 - DPF: {EF791A6B-FC12-4C68-99EF-FB9E207A39E6} (McFreeScan Class) - http://download.mcaf...555/mcfscan.cab

[Buckeye_Sam]

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

• Please download CWShredder but don't run it yet.
  
  
• Please download Adaware SE 1.06
  Install Adaware and check for updates, but don't run it yet.
  
  
• Please download CleanUp 4.0
  Install CleanUp, but don't run it yet.

==============


Now that you have the right tools we can start fixing your problem.

Please make sure that you can View Hidden Files


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:

• Run CWShredder, making sure to click on "Fix".
  
• Run Hijackthis again, click scan, and Put a checkmark next to each of these. Then close all other windows--you should only see HijackThis on your Desktop--and click the Fix Checked button.
  
  R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://your-searcher.com/sp.htm
  R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://your-searcher.com/index.htm
  R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://your-searcher.com/index.htm
  R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://your-searcher.com/sp.htm
  R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://your-searcher.com/index.htm
  O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [cvchost] c:\windows\cvchost.exe
  
  
  
• Delete this file
  
  c:\windows\cvchost.exe
  
  
  
  
• Now run CleanUp
  IMPORTANT!
  CleanUp deletes EVERYTHING out of your temp/temporary folders, it does not make backups.
  If you have any documents or programs that are saved in any Temporary Folders, please make a backup of these before running CleanUp
  
  
  
• Open Ad-aware and do a full scan. Remove everything that it finds.
  
  
• Reboot back into normal mode.
  
  
• Please run this online virus scan - Panda Virus Scan
  • Make sure it is set to clean automatically.
  • There may be files that this scan will not remove. Please save that information to include in your next post.
  
  
• Reboot your computer and post the following information in your next reply:
  • A new Hijackthis log
  • The log from Panda online virus scan

Let me know how things are running and what problems you are still having.

[mpreiss]

Hi Sam,

I did all that you said to do and my computer seems to be running much better. I have seen no sign of your-searcher, nor the other sites it always added to my favorites list. Also the computer shuts down like it is suppose to now instead of having a program running in the background. I think you got it but you are the expert. Below is my last hijackthis log and Panda scan report.


Matt

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 4:47:22 PM, on 8/18/05
Platform: Windows 98 Gold (Win9x 4.10.1998)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KERNEL32.DLL
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSGSRV32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MPREXE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KB891711\KB891711.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\mmtask.tsk
C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\TASKMON.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SYSTRAY.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\LOADQM.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\HP DESKJET 810C SERIES\EREG\REMIND32.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\MICROSOFT SHARED\WORKS SHARED\WKCALREM.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\WINZIP\WZQKPICK.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSTASK.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\HIJACKTHIS\HIJACKTHIS.EXE

F1 - win.ini: run=hpfsched
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSDXM.OCX
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ScanRegistry] C:\WINDOWS\scanregw.exe /autorun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TaskMonitor] C:\WINDOWS\taskmon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SystemTray] SysTray.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CriticalUpdate] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\wucrtupd.exe -startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LoadQM] loadqm.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [HC Reminder] hc.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [KB891711] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KB891711\KB891711.EXE
O4 - Startup: Reminder-hpc41003.lnk = C:\Program Files\HP DeskJet 810C Series\ereg\Remind32.exe
O4 - Startup: Microsoft Works Calendar Reminders.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\wkcalrem.exe
O4 - Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
O4 - Startup: WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
O16 - DPF: {EF791A6B-FC12-4C68-99EF-FB9E207A39E6} (McFreeScan Class) - http://download.mcaf...555/mcfscan.cab
O16 - DPF: {9A9307A0-7DA4-4DAF-B042-5009F29E09E1} (ActiveScan Installer Class) - http://www.pandasoft...free/asinst.cab





Incident Status Location



Possible Virus. No disinfected C:\RECYCLED\DC0.EXE

[Buckeye_Sam]

Let me know if you have any more problems, but your log looks clean to me!

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.

[mpreiss]

Sam,

Thanks again for all your help!! I'm going to try a firewall, along with the
rest of your suggestions.

Thanks again,

Matt

[mpreiss]

Hi Sam sorry to say I'm Back,

I wrote you this way because I did not know if you checked back on our other posts. I have another problem I was wondering if you could help me with. I changed browser settings as you suggested and installed outpost firewall. Now my browser keeps shutting down with an error saying Internet Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to shut close. I removed the firewall and changed browser back to medium security but still shuts down. Was wondering if you had any suggestions.
It seems to work ok on this site but when I go to another web site it shut downs.

Sorry to bother you again,

Matt(mpreiss)

[Buckeye_Sam]

My first suggestion is to make sure you have all of the updates for Windows. That may fix your IE problem.

If that doesn't work, follow these steps to repair IE.

Click Start, click Run, and then in the Open box, type the following command, and then click OK:

rundll32 setupwbv.dll,IE6Maintenance "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Setup\SETUP.EXE" /g "C:\WINDOWS\IE Uninstall Log.Txt"


Let me know how it works out.

[mpreiss]

I tried what you suggested but it did not change anything. The one thing that I have noticed is that it only does it on certain web pages. Example..It always shuts down on msn.com, yahoo.com but does fine on this site and weather.com. It also does fine on other sites I visit to buy woodworking suppies.

Hope that helps,

Matt

[Buckeye_Sam]

Let's review some settings.

Optimize Internet Explorer settings:

• Open up Internet Explorer
• Click ‘Tools’, ‘Internet Options’
• Under General, click:
  • ‘Delete Cookies’, ‘OK’
  • ‘Delete Files’, ‘Delete all offline contents’, ‘OK’
  • ‘Clear History’, ‘Yes’
  • ‘Settings’, Adjust the amount to 300 MB, ‘OK’
• Under Security, click ‘Internet’, ‘Default Level’, then ‘Apply’
• Click ‘Privacy’, ‘Default’, then Apply
• Under Content, click ‘AutoComplete’, ‘Clear Forms’, ‘Clear Passwords’ then ‘OK’
• Under Connections, do the following: (skip these if you are using DSL)
  • Select the connection in the Dial-up and Virtual Private Network settings
  • Click ‘Settings’, uncheck all of the checkboxes, ‘OK’
  • Click ‘LAN Settings’, uncheck all of the checkboxes, ‘OK’
• Under Advanced, click ‘Restore Default’, ‘Apply’, then ‘OK’

Reboot and give it a try. Let me know if successful.

[mpreiss]

Changed settings but didn't help.....still only shuts down on msn.com and yahoo.com for some reason. There may be more sites it will shut down on but I have not found them as yet....wierd huh

Thanks,

Matt

[Buckeye_Sam]

Yes, it is weird. Let's take a look at one more thing.

Run Hijackthis. Click on "Open the Misc Tools section". Next click on "Open hosts file manager". Now click on "Open in notepad". Copy and paste the text from notepad to here.

[mpreiss]

O K,

When I clicked on open host file manager I got a message that said can not fine host file do you want to create a new one. So I clicked yes and this is what I got.

# Copyright © 1993-1999 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
#
# For example:
#
# 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server
# 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host

127.0.0.1 localhost

[Buckeye_Sam]

Let's try running System File Checker.

1. Click the Start button, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and then point to Select System Tools.
2. Click System Information.
3. On the menu bar, click Tools.
4. Click System File Checker.
5. Choose Scan for altered files.


If it finds any corrupted files just follow the prompts.

Let me know how it goes.