[danielhuff75]

I recently started getting The Aurora popups. I havent had much luck removing this. Could you please read my HiJackThis and let me know what to do?

thanks

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 9:30:51 PM, on 9/7/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliType Pro\type32.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imontray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\jstdts.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 6\DragToDisc\DrgToDsc.exe
C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 6\AudioCentral\RxMon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\StartupMonitor.exe
C:\Program Files\winCMAPP\wincmapp.exe
C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 6\AudioCentral\Playlist.exe
C:\Program Files\Executive Software\DiskeeperServer\DKService.exe
C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\MsPMSPSv.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imonnt.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Free\avgemc.exe
C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Free\avgcc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\MOZILL~1\FIREFOX.EXE
C:\Documents and Settings\Daniel\Desktop\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
F2 - REG:system.ini: Shell=Explorer.exe C:\WINDOWS\Nail.exe
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=C:\WINDOWS\System32\Userinit.exe
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C8B2A36-3DB1-42A4-A3CB-D426709BBFEB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {7A1693A1-AFAF-4F1E-9B05-EEC38A85FBF3} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\eilmkh.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {327C2873-E90D-4c37-AA9D-10AC9BABA46C} - (no file)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [type32] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliType Pro\type32.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IMONTRAY] C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imontray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CloneDVDElbyDelay] "C:\Program Files\Elaborate Bytes\CloneDVD\ElbyCheck.exe" /L ElbyDelay
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIPTA] C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ashMaiSv] C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashmaisv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RoxioEngineUtility] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\System\EngUtil.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RoxioDragToDisc] "C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 6\DragToDisc\DrgToDsc.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RoxioAudioCentral] "C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 6\AudioCentral\RxMon.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Run StartupMonitor] StartupMonitor.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [vztfwbz] C:\WINDOWS\System32\jstdts.exe r
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Winstart] C:\windows\winstart32.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [wincmap] "C:\Program Files\winCMAPP\wincmapp.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\RunServices: [Winstart] C:\windows\winstart32.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\RunServices: [explorera] C:\windows\system\explorera.com
O4 - HKCU\..\RunOnce: [085zi52.exe] C:\WINDOWS\System32\085zi52.exe /k
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_01\bin\npjpi150_01.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_01\bin\npjpi150_01.dll
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\MSMSGS.EXE (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\MSMSGS.EXE (file missing)
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: ATI Smart - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ati2sgag.exe
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: Diskeeper - Executive Software International, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Executive Software\DiskeeperServer\DKService.exe
O23 - Service: ewido security suite control - ewido networks - C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
O23 - Service: Intel® Active Monitor (imonNT) - Intel Corp. - C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imonnt.exe
O23 - Service: System Startup Service (SvcProc) - Unknown owner - c:\windows\SvcProc.exe

[Advertisements]

Hi danielhuff75 and welcome to the Geeks to Go Forums.

My name is Trevuren and I will be helping you with your log.

1. If you haven't logged in go to Geeks to Go and do so. Then proceed to item a.

If you already have logged in, go directly to item a.

• Click on My Controls at the top right hand corner of the window.
  
• In the left hand column, click "View Topics"
  
• If you click on the title of your post, you will be taken there

2. Also, while at the My Controls page, check the box to the right of your post and then scroll down.
.Where it says "unsubscribe" click the pull-down menu and select "immediate email notification"

3. Please DELETE your current HJT program from its present location.

4. Download and run the following HijackThis autoinstall program from Here HJT needs to be in its own folder so that the program itself isn't deleted by accident. Having the backups could be VITAL to restoring your system if something went wrong in the FIX process!

• Run HijackThis
  
• Click SCAN and SAVE LOG. (a notepad window will open with the log in it when you click Save Log) (Ctrl-A to'select all', Ctrl-C to 'copy')
  
• POST the log into this thread using 'Add Reply' (Ctrl-V to 'paste')

DO NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES OR CLICK "FIX CHECKED" UNTIL WE CHECK THE LOG, AS MOST OF THE FILES ARE LEGIT AND VITAL TO THE FUNCTION OF YOUR COMPUTER


Regards,

Trevuren

[Trevuren]

Hi danielhuff75 and welcome to the Geeks to Go Forums.

My name is Trevuren and I will be helping you with your log.

1. If you haven't logged in go to Geeks to Go and do so. Then proceed to item a.

If you already have logged in, go directly to item a.

• Click on My Controls at the top right hand corner of the window.
  
• In the left hand column, click "View Topics"
  
• If you click on the title of your post, you will be taken there

2. Also, while at the My Controls page, check the box to the right of your post and then scroll down.
.Where it says "unsubscribe" click the pull-down menu and select "immediate email notification"

3. Please DELETE your current HJT program from its present location.

4. Download and run the following HijackThis autoinstall program from Here HJT needs to be in its own folder so that the program itself isn't deleted by accident. Having the backups could be VITAL to restoring your system if something went wrong in the FIX process!

• Run HijackThis
  
• Click SCAN and SAVE LOG. (a notepad window will open with the log in it when you click Save Log) (Ctrl-A to'select all', Ctrl-C to 'copy')
  
• POST the log into this thread using 'Add Reply' (Ctrl-V to 'paste')

DO NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES OR CLICK "FIX CHECKED" UNTIL WE CHECK THE LOG, AS MOST OF THE FILES ARE LEGIT AND VITAL TO THE FUNCTION OF YOUR COMPUTER


Regards,

Trevuren

[danielhuff75]

Trevuren,

sorry for the delay in posting. Hopefully you will get this post still. here is my HJT report.

thanks,
Daniel

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 7:19:14 PM, on 9/16/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\pcdnwuz.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliType Pro\type32.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imontray.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\StartupMonitor.exe
C:\Program Files\winCMAPP\wincmapp.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Executive Software\DiskeeperServer\DKService.exe
C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\MsPMSPSv.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imonnt.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\HJT\Hijackthis\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
F2 - REG:system.ini: Shell=Explorer.exe C:\WINDOWS\Nail.exe
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=C:\WINDOWS\System32\Userinit.exe
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C8B2A36-3DB1-42A4-A3CB-D426709BBFEB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {7A1693A1-AFAF-4F1E-9B05-EEC38A85FBF3} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\38m.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {327C2873-E90D-4c37-AA9D-10AC9BABA46C} - (no file)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [type32] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliType Pro\type32.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IMONTRAY] C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imontray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIPTA] C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ashMaiSv] C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashmaisv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Run StartupMonitor] StartupMonitor.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ogmhohu] C:\WINDOWS\System32\pcdnwuz.exe r
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Winstart] C:\windows\winstart32.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [wincmap] "C:\Program Files\winCMAPP\wincmapp.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\RunServices: [Winstart] C:\windows\winstart32.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\RunServices: [explorera] C:\windows\system\explorera.com
O4 - HKCU\..\RunOnce: [w7ng6.exe] C:\WINDOWS\System32\w7ng6.exe /k
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_01\bin\npjpi150_01.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_01\bin\npjpi150_01.dll
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\MSMSGS.EXE (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\MSMSGS.EXE (file missing)
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.update.microsoft.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://download.windowsupdate.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.windowsupdate.com
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: ATI Smart - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ati2sgag.exe
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: Diskeeper - Executive Software International, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Executive Software\DiskeeperServer\DKService.exe
O23 - Service: ewido security suite control - ewido networks - C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
O23 - Service: Intel® Active Monitor (imonNT) - Intel Corp. - C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imonnt.exe
O23 - Service: System Startup Service (SvcProc) - Unknown owner - c:\windows\SvcProc.exe

[Trevuren]

BEFORE BEGINNING, Please read completely through the instructions below and download the files from the links provided. You may want to save or print out these instructions for easier reference.

1. Download Ewido Security Suite.

2. Download Lavasoft's Ad-Aware and the VX2 Cleaner Plug-in.

• Install Ad-Aware using the default options.
• Then install vx2cleaner_inst.exe, using all the defaults there as well.

3. Run Ad-Aware

• Update to the latest definitions
• Then click on Add-ons in the lefthand column.
• Select VX2 Cleaner V2.0 and click Run Tool. Click "OK".
• If something is found, click "Clean" as in the directions given.
• Click "Close", and EXIT Ad-Aware.

4. Reboot your PC and run Ad-Aware again.

• This time, click on the Start button in Ad-Aware
• Select "Perform smart system scan" and click Next.
• Once the scan finishes, click "Next" again.
• Select all objects found ("right click anywhere in the list of found objects and click "Select All Objects").
• Click "Next" one more time, then "OK" to confirm the removal.
• You will be prompted to set Ad-Aware to run on reboot, click "OK".
• Exit Ad-Aware
• REBOOT your PC
• When Ad-Aware starts up, click on "Start", then "Next".
• Follow the steps above if anything is found, or click "Finish", then EXIT Ad-Aware.

5. For a final cleanup, please install and run Ewido.

• When installing, under "Additional Options" uncheck "Install background guard" and "Install scan via context menu".
• When you run ewido for the first time, you may get a warning "Database could not be found!". Click OK. We will fix this in a moment.
• From the main ewido screen, click on update in the left menu, then click the Start update button.
• After the update finishes (the status bar at the bottom will display "Update successful")
• Click on the Scanner button in the left menu, then click on Complete System Scan. This scan can take quite a while to run.
• If ewido finds anything, it will pop up a notification. We have been finding some cases of false positives with the new version of Ewido, so we need to step through the fixes one-by-one. If Ewido finds something that you KNOW is legitimate (for example, parts of AVG Antivirus, pcAnywhere and the game "Risk" have been flagged), select "none" as the action. DO NOT check "Perform action with all infections". If you are unsure of an entry, select "none" for the time being. I'll see that in the log you will post later and let you know if ewido needs to be run again.
• When the scan finishes, click on "Save Report". This will create a text file. Make sure you know where to find this file again.

6. Please finish up by rebooting your system once more, and posting a new HijackThis log and the log from the Ewido scan.

Regards,

Trevuren

[danielhuff75]

I did everything you asked. The only problem was I wasnt able to set ad-aware to scan on reboot. Other that, no problem. Here are the reports:

---------------------------------------------------------
ewido security suite - Scan report
---------------------------------------------------------

+ Created on: 9:07:31 PM, 9/16/2005
+ Report-Checksum: A2E9D21B

+ Scan result:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\pcdnwuz.exe -> Trojan.Agent.ay : Ignored
C:\WINDOWS\system32\38m.dll -> Trojan.Kolweb.d : Cleaned with backup
C:\WINDOWS\system32\eilmkh.dll -> Trojan.Kolweb.d : Cleaned with backup


::Report End


Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 9:09:40 PM, on 9/16/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliType Pro\type32.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imontray.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\StartupMonitor.exe
C:\Program Files\winCMAPP\wincmapp.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Executive Software\DiskeeperServer\DKService.exe
C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\MsPMSPSv.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imonnt.exe
C:\HJT\Hijackthis\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=C:\WINDOWS\System32\Userinit.exe
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C8B2A36-3DB1-42A4-A3CB-D426709BBFEB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {7A1693A1-AFAF-4F1E-9B05-EEC38A85FBF3} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\38m.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {327C2873-E90D-4c37-AA9D-10AC9BABA46C} - (no file)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [type32] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliType Pro\type32.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IMONTRAY] C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imontray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIPTA] C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ashMaiSv] C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashmaisv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Run StartupMonitor] StartupMonitor.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [wincmap] "C:\Program Files\winCMAPP\wincmapp.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\RunServices: [Winstart] C:\windows\winstart32.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\RunServices: [explorera] C:\windows\system\explorera.com
O4 - HKCU\..\RunOnce: [w7ng6.exe] C:\WINDOWS\System32\w7ng6.exe /k
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_01\bin\npjpi150_01.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_01\bin\npjpi150_01.dll
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\MSMSGS.EXE (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\MSMSGS.EXE (file missing)
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.update.microsoft.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://download.windowsupdate.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.windowsupdate.com
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: ATI Smart - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ati2sgag.exe
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: Diskeeper - Executive Software International, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Executive Software\DiskeeperServer\DKService.exe
O23 - Service: ewido security suite control - ewido networks - C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
O23 - Service: Intel® Active Monitor (imonNT) - Intel Corp. - C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imonnt.exe

[Trevuren]

I want you to download and run a free trial version of an anti-trojan program called: Trojan Hunter . Let it scan your whole system and remove anything it finds.

REBOOT your system.

[danielhuff75]

scanned with trojan hunter it found a few things. here is the report as well as the current HJT file.

Registry scan
Registry key exists: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\MyWay (matches Adware.MyBar.100) (Regedit Jump)
Inifile scan
No suspicious entries found
Port scan
No suspicious open ports found
Memory scan
No trojans found in memory
File scan
Found trojan file: C:\WINDOWS\ahadp.exe (Adware.BargainBuddy.104)
1 trojan files found

Removed registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\MyWay\myBar
Removed registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\MyWay\SearchAssistant
Removed registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\MyWay

Renamed file C:\WINDOWS\ahadp.exe to C:\WINDOWS\ahadp.exe.tcf
Trojan cleaning finished.




Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 10:02:32 PM, on 9/16/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\csrss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliType Pro\type32.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imontray.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\StartupMonitor.exe
C:\Program Files\winCMAPP\wincmapp.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Executive Software\DiskeeperServer\DKService.exe
C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\MsPMSPSv.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imonnt.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Daniel\Desktop\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=C:\WINDOWS\System32\Userinit.exe
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C8B2A36-3DB1-42A4-A3CB-D426709BBFEB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {7A1693A1-AFAF-4F1E-9B05-EEC38A85FBF3} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\38m.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {327C2873-E90D-4c37-AA9D-10AC9BABA46C} - (no file)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [type32] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliType Pro\type32.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IMONTRAY] C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imontray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIPTA] C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ashMaiSv] C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashmaisv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Run StartupMonitor] StartupMonitor.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [THGuard] "C:\Program Files\TrojanHunter 4.2\THGuard.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [wincmap] "C:\Program Files\winCMAPP\wincmapp.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\RunServices: [Winstart] C:\windows\winstart32.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\RunServices: [explorera] C:\windows\system\explorera.com
O4 - HKCU\..\RunOnce: [w7ng6.exe] C:\WINDOWS\System32\w7ng6.exe /k
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_01\bin\npjpi150_01.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_01\bin\npjpi150_01.dll
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\MSMSGS.EXE (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\MSMSGS.EXE (file missing)
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.update.microsoft.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://download.windowsupdate.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.windowsupdate.com
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: ATI Smart - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ati2sgag.exe
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: Diskeeper - Executive Software International, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Executive Software\DiskeeperServer\DKService.exe
O23 - Service: ewido security suite control - ewido networks - C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
O23 - Service: Intel® Active Monitor (imonNT) - Intel Corp. - C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imonnt.exe

[Trevuren]

Please repeat steps 3 and 4 of my initial post. HijackThis must be placed in a secure area.

Regards,

Trevuren

[danielhuff75]

Im not sure what you mean by a "secure place". I made a seperate folder on the c drive to install it. please advise. Here is the current report.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 10:51:49 PM, on 9/16/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\csrss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliType Pro\type32.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imontray.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\StartupMonitor.exe
C:\Program Files\winCMAPP\wincmapp.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Executive Software\DiskeeperServer\DKService.exe
C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\MsPMSPSv.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imonnt.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe
C:\HJT\Hijackthis\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=C:\WINDOWS\System32\Userinit.exe
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C8B2A36-3DB1-42A4-A3CB-D426709BBFEB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {7A1693A1-AFAF-4F1E-9B05-EEC38A85FBF3} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\38m.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {327C2873-E90D-4c37-AA9D-10AC9BABA46C} - (no file)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [type32] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliType Pro\type32.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IMONTRAY] C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imontray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIPTA] C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ashMaiSv] C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashmaisv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Run StartupMonitor] StartupMonitor.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [THGuard] "C:\Program Files\TrojanHunter 4.2\THGuard.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [wincmap] "C:\Program Files\winCMAPP\wincmapp.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\RunServices: [Winstart] C:\windows\winstart32.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\RunServices: [explorera] C:\windows\system\explorera.com
O4 - HKCU\..\RunOnce: [w7ng6.exe] C:\WINDOWS\System32\w7ng6.exe /k
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_01\bin\npjpi150_01.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_01\bin\npjpi150_01.dll
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\MSMSGS.EXE (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\MSMSGS.EXE (file missing)
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.update.microsoft.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://download.windowsupdate.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.windowsupdate.com
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: ATI Smart - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ati2sgag.exe
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: Diskeeper - Executive Software International, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Executive Software\DiskeeperServer\DKService.exe
O23 - Service: ewido security suite control - ewido networks - C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
O23 - Service: Intel® Active Monitor (imonNT) - Intel Corp. - C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imonnt.exe

[Trevuren]

You were fine up until your last post when all of a sudden you put HJT back onto the desktop which is really a No-No

Trevuren

[Trevuren]

Please print out or copy this page to Notepad. Make sure to work through the fixes in the exact order in which they are mentioned below. If there's anything that you don't understand, ask your question(s) before proceeding with the fixes.

• First we need to make all files and folders VISIBLE:
  
  • Go to start>control panel>folder options>view (tab)
  • Choose to "show hidden files and folders,"
  • Uncheck the "hide protected operating system files" and the "hide extensions for know file types" boxes.
  • Close the window with ok
• Please RUN HijackThis.
  . Click the SCAN button to produce a log.
  
  
• Place a check mark beside each one of the following items:
  
  O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C8B2A36-3DB1-42A4-A3CB-D426709BBFEB} - (no file)
  O2 - BHO: (no name) - {7A1693A1-AFAF-4F1E-9B05-EEC38A85FBF3} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\38m.dll
  O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {327C2873-E90D-4c37-AA9D-10AC9BABA46C} - (no file)
  O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [wincmap] "C:\Program Files\winCMAPP\wincmapp.exe"
  O4 - HKCU\..\RunServices: [Winstart] C:\windows\winstart32.exe
  O4 - HKCU\..\RunServices: [explorera] C:\windows\system\explorera.com
  O4 - HKCU\..\RunOnce: [w7ng6.exe] C:\WINDOWS\System32\w7ng6.exe /k
  
  
  
• Now with all the items selected, and all windows closed except for HJT, delete them by clicking the FIX checked button. Close the HijackThis window.
  
  
• Reboot Your System in Safe Mode
  
  How to use the F8 method to Start Your Computer in Safe Mode
  
  
  • Restart the computer.
  • As soon as BIOS is loaded begin tapping the F8 key until the Advanced Options menu appears.
  • Use the arrow keys to select the Safe mode menu item
  • Press Enter.
• Using Windows Explorer, locate the following files/folders, and DELETE them (if they are present):
  
  C:\Program Files\winCMAPP<===Folder
  C:\WINDOWS\system32\38m.dll
  C:\windows\winstart32.exe
  C:\windows\system\explorera.com
  C:\WINDOWS\System32\w7ng6.exe
  
  
• Exit Explorer, and REBOOT BACK INTO NORMAL MODE
  
  
• Finally, RUN Hijackthis again and produce a new HJT log. Post it in the forum so we can check how everything looks now.

Regards,

Trevuren

[danielhuff75]

ok, the only problem i had was the F8 restart didnt work. So i used the msconfig command to make it restart in safe mode. Everything you listed was found and deleted with the exception of winstart32.exe and explorera.com, they were not found. Here is the current HLT log:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 11:39:03 PM, on 9/16/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\csrss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliType Pro\type32.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imontray.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\StartupMonitor.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Executive Software\DiskeeperServer\DKService.exe
C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\MsPMSPSv.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imonnt.exe
C:\HJT\Hijackthis\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=C:\WINDOWS\System32\Userinit.exe
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [type32] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliType Pro\type32.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IMONTRAY] C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imontray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIPTA] C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ashMaiSv] C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashmaisv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Run StartupMonitor] StartupMonitor.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [THGuard] "C:\Program Files\TrojanHunter 4.2\THGuard.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_01\bin\npjpi150_01.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_01\bin\npjpi150_01.dll
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\MSMSGS.EXE (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\MSMSGS.EXE (file missing)
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.update.microsoft.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://download.windowsupdate.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.windowsupdate.com
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: ATI Smart - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ati2sgag.exe
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: Diskeeper - Executive Software International, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Executive Software\DiskeeperServer\DKService.exe
O23 - Service: ewido security suite control - ewido networks - C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
O23 - Service: Intel® Active Monitor (imonNT) - Intel Corp. - C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imonnt.exe

[Trevuren]

GOOD JOB!!!

Your log looks good. If you have no more malware-related problems that you are aware of, just give me the OK and we can start the final but essential cleanup procedures.

Trevuren

[danielhuff75]

Trevuren,

Everything appears to be ok!! Thank you so much for your help so far!

Daniel

Edited by danielhuff75, 17 September 2005 - 04:02 PM.

[Trevuren]

Congratulations, your log shows that your SYSTEM IS CLEAN

There are a few things you must do once you are completely clean:

1. Re-hide your System Files and Folders to prevent any future accidents.

Reconfigure Windows XP to hide hidden files:

• Click Start. Open My Computer.
• Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options. Select the View Tab.
  
• Under the Hidden files and folders heading deselect "Show hidden files and folders".
• Check the "Hide protected operating system files (recommended)" option.
• Click Yes to confirm. Click OK.

2. Reset and Re-enable your System Restore to remove bad files from the backup that Windows makes as no program is able to clean those files:

TO DISABLE SYSTEM RESTORE

• Right-click "My Computer", and then left click "Properties".
• Left click on "System Restore Tab"
• Check box beside "Turn Off System Restore"
• Left click on "Apply"

TO ENABLE SYSTEM RESTORE

• Remove check mark from "Turn Off System Restore"
• Click on "Apply"

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

Make sure you keep your Windows OS current by visiting Windows update
regularly to download and install any critical updates and service packs. With out these you are leaving the backdoor open.

I strongly recommend installing the following applications:

• Spywareblaster <= SpywareBlaster will prevent spyware from being installed.
• Spywareguard <= SpywareGuard offers realtime protection from spyware installation attempts.
• How to use Ad-Aware to remove Spyware <= If you suspect that you have spyware installed on your computer, here are instructions on how to download, install and then use Ad-Aware.
• How to use Spybot to remove Spyware <= If you suspect that you have spyware installed on your computer, here are instructions on how to download, install and then use Spybot. Similar to Ad-Aware, I strongly recommend both to catch most spyware.

To protect yourself further:

• Spyad <= IE/Spyad places over 4000 websites and domains in the IE Restricted list which will severely impair attempts to infect your system. It basically prevents any downloads (Cookies etc) from the sites listed, although you will still be able to connect to the sites.
• MVPS Hosts file <= The MVPS Hosts file replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well know ad sites etc. Basically, this prevents your coputer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1 which is your local computer
• Google Toolbar <= Get the free google toolbar to help stop pop up windows.

And also see TonyKlein's good advice
So how did I get infected in the first place? (My Favorite)

Regards,

Trevuren