[logan3209]

here is my log, if you can please guide me through the removal process of of surf sidekick.ssk.

Thank you.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.0
Scan saved at 5:18:20 PM, on 2/3/2005
Platform: Windows 2000 SP4 (WinNT 5.00.2195)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

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:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\WINNT\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\regsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\MSTask.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\stisvc.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\WBEM\WinMgmt.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\hpcoretech\hpcmpmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\MSN Apps\Updater\01.02.3000.1001\en-us\msnappau.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware SE Professional\Ad-Watch.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
C:\Program Files\mIRC\mirc.exe
C:\WINNT\explorer.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://g.msn.com/0SEENUS/SAOS01
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: MSNToolBandBHO - {BDBD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - C:\Program Files\MSN Apps\MSN Toolbar\01.02.3000.1001\en-us\msntb.dll
O3 - Toolbar: MSN - {BDAD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - C:\Program Files\MSN Apps\MSN Toolbar\01.02.3000.1001\en-us\msntb.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINNT\system32\msdxm.ocx
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Synchronization Manager] mobsync.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] "C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Component Manager] "C:\Program Files\HP\hpcoretech\hpcmpmgr.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WLAN_Cfg.exe] C:\Program Files\WUSB11 WLAN Monitor\WLAN_Cfg.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINNT\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [msnappau] "C:\Program Files\MSN Apps\Updater\01.02.3000.1001\en-us\msnappau.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AWMON] "C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware SE Professional\Ad-Watch.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroCheck] C:\WINNT\system32\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SurfSideKick 2] C:\Program Files\SurfSideKick 2\Ssk.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] ctfmon.exe
O4 - Global Startup: HP Digital Imaging Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
O4 - Global Startup: InterVideo WinCinema Manager.lnk = C:\Program Files\InterVideo\Common\Bin\WinCinemaMgr.exe
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel present
O8 - Extra context menu item: &MSN Search - res://C:\Program Files\MSN Toolbar Suite\TB\02.00.0000.1180\en-us\msntb.dll/search.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai...all/xscan53.cab
O18 - Protocol: cetihpz - {CF184AD3-CDCB-4168-A3F7-8E447D129300} - C:\Program Files\HP\hpcoretech\comp\hpuiprot.dll
O23 - Service: Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service - VERITAS Software Corp. - C:\WINNT\System32\dmadmin.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINNT\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINNT\system32\HPZipm12.exe
O23 - Service: SymWMI Service - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Security Center\SymWSC.exe

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Hello and welcome to the GeeksToGo Forums. We hope you enjoy your stay here!

You may want to print out these instructions or save them to your desktop as a text file with Notepad because we will be restarting into Safe Mode later on in the fix and you might not be able to access the Internet.

Place a checkmark next to these entries, close all browsers and windows, and have HijackThis fix them by clicking Fix Checked:

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SurfSideKick 2] C:\Program Files\SurfSideKick 2\Ssk.exe

Reconfigure Windows 2000 to show hidden files:
Double-click the My Computer icon on the Windows desktop.
Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options. Select the View Tab.

Under the Hidden files and folders heading select "Show hidden files and folders".
Uncheck the "Hide protected operating system files (recommended)" option.
Uncheck the "Hide file extensions for known file types" option.
Click Yes to confirm. Click OK.

Boot into Safe Mode:
Restart your computer and immediately begin tapping the F8 key on your keyboard.
If done right a Windows Advanced Options menu will appear. Select the Safe Mode option and press Enter.
To return to normal mode just restart your computer as you normally would.

Please remove these entries from Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel(if present):

SurfSideKick

Please delete these folders using Windows Explorer(if present):

C:\Program Files\SurfSideKick 2

Now you can restart the computer normally.
Please run HijackThis again and post a fresh log, just so I can make sure that all the malware was deleted according to plan.

[LineOFire]

Hello and welcome to the GeeksToGo Forums. We hope you enjoy your stay here!

You may want to print out these instructions or save them to your desktop as a text file with Notepad because we will be restarting into Safe Mode later on in the fix and you might not be able to access the Internet.

Place a checkmark next to these entries, close all browsers and windows, and have HijackThis fix them by clicking Fix Checked:

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SurfSideKick 2] C:\Program Files\SurfSideKick 2\Ssk.exe

Reconfigure Windows 2000 to show hidden files:
Double-click the My Computer icon on the Windows desktop.
Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options. Select the View Tab.

Under the Hidden files and folders heading select "Show hidden files and folders".
Uncheck the "Hide protected operating system files (recommended)" option.
Uncheck the "Hide file extensions for known file types" option.
Click Yes to confirm. Click OK.

Boot into Safe Mode:
Restart your computer and immediately begin tapping the F8 key on your keyboard.
If done right a Windows Advanced Options menu will appear. Select the Safe Mode option and press Enter.
To return to normal mode just restart your computer as you normally would.

Please remove these entries from Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel(if present):

SurfSideKick

Please delete these folders using Windows Explorer(if present):

C:\Program Files\SurfSideKick 2

Now you can restart the computer normally.
Please run HijackThis again and post a fresh log, just so I can make sure that all the malware was deleted according to plan.

[logan3209]

Ok,

I did what you asked, surf sidekick was not in my program files to delete or in the add / remove pragrams. Once I deleted the

04 - HKLM\..RUN: [SURFSIDEKICK 2] C:\PROGRAM FILES\SURFSIDEKICK 2\SsK.exe it auto-rejuvenated

Here is a fresh log:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.0
Scan saved at 10:42:04 AM, on 2/7/2005
Platform: Windows 2000 SP4 (WinNT 5.00.2195)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

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:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\WINNT\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\regsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\MSTask.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\stisvc.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\WBEM\WinMgmt.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\hpcoretech\hpcmpmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware SE Professional\Ad-Watch.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
C:\Program Files\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Synchronization Manager] mobsync.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] "C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Component Manager] "C:\Program Files\HP\hpcoretech\hpcmpmgr.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WLAN_Cfg.exe] C:\Program Files\WUSB11 WLAN Monitor\WLAN_Cfg.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINNT\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AWMON] "C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware SE Professional\Ad-Watch.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroCheck] C:\WINNT\system32\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [msnappau] "C:\Program Files\MSN Apps\Updater\01.02.3000.1001\en-us\msnappau.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SurfSideKick 2] C:\Program Files\SurfSideKick 2\Ssk.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] ctfmon.exe
O4 - Global Startup: HP Digital Imaging Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
O4 - Global Startup: InterVideo WinCinema Manager.lnk.disabled
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel present
O8 - Extra context menu item: &MSN Search - res://C:\Program Files\MSN Toolbar Suite\TB\02.00.0000.1180\en-us\msntb.dll/search.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai...all/xscan53.cab
O18 - Protocol: cetihpz - {CF184AD3-CDCB-4168-A3F7-8E447D129300} - C:\Program Files\HP\hpcoretech\comp\hpuiprot.dll
O23 - Service: Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service - VERITAS Software Corp. - C:\WINNT\System32\dmadmin.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINNT\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINNT\system32\HPZipm12.exe
O23 - Service: SymWMI Service - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Security Center\SymWSC.exe

Thank you

[LineOFire]

While Ad-Watch is an excellent tool for the prevention of spyware, it can sometimes prevent HijackThis from fixing certain things.
Please disable Ad-Watch for now until you are clean. Ad-Watch can be re-activated once your HijackThis log is clean.

Once Ad-Watch is disabled then fix these entries in HijackThis:

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AWMON] "C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware SE Professional\Ad-Watch.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SurfSideKick 2] C:\Program Files\SurfSideKick 2\Ssk.exe

Then restart, post a new log, and see if SurfSideKick has returned.

[logan3209]

Thank you very much for your help, as you can see I think that did it. Good info to now about ADWATCH....I hope other read this form and learn something new as well. Once again thank you and here is my new log.....

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.0
Scan saved at 12:38:23 PM, on 2/8/2005
Platform: Windows 2000 SP4 (WinNT 5.00.2195)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

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:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\WINNT\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\regsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\MSTask.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\stisvc.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\WBEM\WinMgmt.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\hpcoretech\hpcmpmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
C:\Program Files\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Synchronization Manager] mobsync.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] "C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Component Manager] "C:\Program Files\HP\hpcoretech\hpcmpmgr.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WLAN_Cfg.exe] C:\Program Files\WUSB11 WLAN Monitor\WLAN_Cfg.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINNT\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroCheck] C:\WINNT\system32\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [msnappau] "C:\Program Files\MSN Apps\Updater\01.02.3000.1001\en-us\msnappau.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] ctfmon.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: HP Digital Imaging Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
O4 - Global Startup: InterVideo WinCinema Manager.lnk.disabled
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel present
O8 - Extra context menu item: &MSN Search - res://C:\Program Files\MSN Toolbar Suite\TB\02.00.0000.1180\en-us\msntb.dll/search.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai...all/xscan53.cab
O18 - Protocol: cetihpz - {CF184AD3-CDCB-4168-A3F7-8E447D129300} - C:\Program Files\HP\hpcoretech\comp\hpuiprot.dll
O23 - Service: Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service - VERITAS Software Corp. - C:\WINNT\System32\dmadmin.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINNT\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINNT\system32\HPZipm12.exe
O23 - Service: SymWMI Service - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Security Center\SymWSC.exe

Logan3209

[LineOFire]

Your log looks clean now. Great job!

Are you having anymore problems?

[logan3209]

The only thing thing that I did notice is, if I reload adwatch, surfsidekick 2 will load as well....my solution is not to turn it on.

Other than that....alll seems to be working great.


Thanks again for your help.

Logan

[LineOFire]

Glad that we could help!

Here are some tips, in order to reduce the potential for future malware infections.

• Secure Internet Explorer - The most common reason that malware installs itself is that your Internet Explorer security settings are set too low.
  • Open Internet Explorer.
  • Click on the "Tools" menu and select "Internet Options...".
  • If not already selected, select the "Security" tab.
  • Click on "Internet" so that it becomes highlighted and then click "Custom Level...".
  • In the "Reset to:" drop-down menu select "Medium".
  • Click "Reset" and choose "Yes" at the prompt to reset the security settings.
  • Click "OK" to return to the Security menu.
  • Repeat the same steps for "Local intranet", "Trusted sites", "Restricted sites" with these security settings:
    • "Local intranet" - "Medium-low"
    • "Trusted sites" - "Low"
    • "Restricted sites" - "High"
  • Finally, click "Apply" and then "OK" to apply the settings that you set.
• Windows Update - It is absolutely imperative that you stay on top of all updates to your operating system and browser. Malware authors and hackers make use of the many loopholes found in Microsoft's code. Keeping your system up to date is one of the most important steps in preventing infection.
• Spybot - Search & Destroy - Spybot - Search & Destroy is an excellent general anti-malware tool. It has the ability to scan your system for all kinds of malware and even offers TeaTimer and SDHelper in order to provide real-time protection from malware.
• Ad-Aware SE - Ad-Aware SE, like Spybot - Search & Destroy, is another general anti-malware solution which offers scanning. Both programs will often catch something the other cannot. It is best to use both of these wonderful programs in tandem so that you maximize the detection capabilities.
• SpywareBlaster - SpywareBlaster offers real-time protection against malicious ActiveX controls. This will stop most of the drive-by malware installations that have been very common recently. The best part is, this program does not need to run in the background, so it uses no resources!
• IE-SpyAd - IE-SpyAd attempts to stop malware infections by placing a huge list of known malicious sites into Internet Explorer's Restricted Sites list. If you accidentally come upon a harmful site, the Restricted Sites zone will hinder its maliciousness.
• HOSTS - The HOSTS file is the Windows solution to malware prevention. By placing harmful sites in the HOSTS file, you are effectively denying your computer access to the site, and denying the site access to your computer.
• Update Programs Regularly - Just as with your operating system and browser, the five aforementioned utlitlies are in need of constant updating. Malware changes everyday and is critical to be prepared at all times.
• Get A New Browser - The recent outburst of malware that has taken the Internet and the world by storm. More and more people are realizing that Internet Explorer is a terribly insecure browser. Since then, several great browsers have been developed to dull the blow of malware. Besides offering improved security, alternate browers supply many new features. These are the browsers I currently recommend: Mozilla Firefox and Opera.

I encourage you to at least consider following some of these steps. It is important that everyone learn how to combat these evil creations.