[Daniel Christmas Lee]

Ok I just disabled MSSE by killing it's processes. I also launched FF in safe mode and disabled all add-ons. The problem still exists. This is very weird. I feel hopeless.

What would do something like this?!

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Once you have restarted FF after the problem occurs, does it allow you to attach the file and upload it?

There's something in the OTL log you posted. Do you know what this .mp4 file is on your desktop?
C:\Users\DLee\Desktop\bf36fa3306ba8222aba1f9814c2592a3.mp4

Could this be a network issue?

If it were I would think that other people on the network would be having the same problem.

What would do something like this?!

That's what I have been looking for. I can find problems with people having trouble attaching files to g-mail using Foirefox, but I haven't found instances of them losing their internet connection.

... this is unfortunate. Maybe I need to format my HD and reinstall Windows? I hope that is not it...

Don't do anything that drastic yet. If I can't find the cause we can always send you to one of the other forums and see if a Tech person more familiar with FF can find the problem,

I'll be back to you, but please answer my question about being able to attach and send a file immediately after restarting FF.

[godawgs]

Once you have restarted FF after the problem occurs, does it allow you to attach the file and upload it?

There's something in the OTL log you posted. Do you know what this .mp4 file is on your desktop?
C:\Users\DLee\Desktop\bf36fa3306ba8222aba1f9814c2592a3.mp4

Could this be a network issue?

If it were I would think that other people on the network would be having the same problem.

What would do something like this?!

That's what I have been looking for. I can find problems with people having trouble attaching files to g-mail using Foirefox, but I haven't found instances of them losing their internet connection.

... this is unfortunate. Maybe I need to format my HD and reinstall Windows? I hope that is not it...

Don't do anything that drastic yet. If I can't find the cause we can always send you to one of the other forums and see if a Tech person more familiar with FF can find the problem,

I'll be back to you, but please answer my question about being able to attach and send a file immediately after restarting FF.

[Daniel Christmas Lee]

Hey Godawgs, thanks for the reply.

I must clarify that I think there is still some misinterpretation of my problem. I'll outline the problem as follows.

1. Start Firefox browser.
2. Sign into Gmail.
3. Compose and attach files.
4. Success.
5. Compose another email, attach files, success.
6. Compose another email, attach files; attachment failed.
7. Open new tab -> home page: Google.com - Fail, "Server Error" "Connection Lost."
8. Open Chrome. Works.
9. Open Safari. Works.
10. Restart Firefox.
11. Back to normal.
12. Resume work, but if above process starts... problem recurs.

Note: This happens if I download something as well, and uploading to any site. And also occurs 50% of the time when I am uploading via Chrome/Safari.

As for the file on my desktop, I know what it is, just some random client video. Thanks again!

Now what?

Edited by Daniel Christmas Lee, 29 June 2012 - 12:13 PM.

[godawgs]

Hi Daniel,

Thank you for the clarification.

Well I've searched till I'm blue in the face and this one has me stumped. Since it happens in all browsers I don't think it's a FF problem. Browsers like Chrome use some of the settings in IE. I know you don't use IE, but let's clear the temp files, history and cookies and unless you connect to the internet through a proxy at work, make sure those settings are OK. If they are OK, I will ask a member of the Tech staff to have a look and see if there is anything that they can think of that will solve this problem.

OK! The malware is gone! Your log(s) appear to be clean! Other than the issue with uploading/downloading files and attachments to e-mails, if you have no further issues with your computer, please proceed with the housekeeping procedures outlined below.
The first thing we need to do is to remove all the tools that we have used. This is so that should you ever be re-infected, you will download updated versions.


Please Uninstall the following programs from The Programs list in Control Panel:

1. Please click the Start Orb, click Control Panel. Under the Programs heading click Uninstall a program
2. In the list of programs installed, locate the following program(s):

ESET Online Scanner

3. (Vista/7 users: right click the program and click Uninstall
4. After the programs have been uninstalled, close the Installed Programs window and the Control Panel.
5. Reboot the computer.

Delete the folders associated with the uninstalled programs.(Only do this if you uninstalled the program)

1. Using Windows Explorer (to get there right-click your Start button and click "Explore"), please delete the following folders(s) (if present):

C:\Program Files\ESET

2. Close Windows Explorer.


Uninstall ComboFix

• Click Start > Run then type the following bolded text into the Open: box.
  
  • ComboFix /Uninstall
  Note: the space between "ComboFix" and "/Uninstall", it needs to be there.
  
  
  
• Click OK.

ComboFix will uninstall itself.



OTL Cleanup
1. Please copy all of the text in the code box below. To do this, highlight everything inside the code box , right click and click Copy.

• :COMMANDS
  
  [EMPTYTEMP]
  [CLEARALLRESTOREPOINTS]
  

• Please re-open on your desktop.
• Place the mouse pointer inside the textbox, right click and click Paste. This will put the above script inside the textbox.
• Click the button.
• Let the program run unhindered. When finished click the OK button and close the log that appears.
• NOTE: I do not need to review the log produced.
• OTL may ask to reboot the machine. Please do so if asked.

2. Please re-open on your desktop.

• Be sure all other programs are closed as this step will require a reboot.
• Click on
• You will be prompted to reboot your system. Please do so.

The above process will flush all old System Restore points and create a new clean one. It will also remove most/all of the tools used and logs created during the cleanup process. After it is finished, OTL will remove itself. This is so that if you are ever infected again you will download the most current copy of the tool.


Delete the following from the Desktop:
esetsmartinstaller_enu(2).exe
tdsskiller.exe
aswMBR.exe
MBR.dat
WVCheck.exe and the log file
The FireFox installation/setup file
The ComboFix setup file


Delete the following from the C:\ folder:

C:\TDSSKiller_Quarantine

Delete any other .bat, .log, .reg, .txt, and any other files created during this process, and left on the desktop and empty the Recycle Bin.



Let's check the settings in IE

• Click the Start Orb and click Control Panel
• On the Control Panel click Network and Internet
• Click Internet Options
• On the Internet Properties window click the General tab.
• Under the Browsing history click the Delete button. A Delete Browsing history window will open.
• Make sure only the following boxes are checked then click the Delete button.
  • Temporary Internet files
  • Cookies
  • History
• Click the Connections tab.
• Click the LAN settings button at the bottom right of the window.
• On the Local Area Network(LAN) Settings page:
  • If your company does not use a proxy to connect to the internet, make sure all boxes are Unchecked
  • If your company uses a proxy to connect to the internet, make sure the proxy settings are correct.
• Click the OK button to save any changes you made and close the Settings window
• Click Apply then OK to close the Internet Properties window
• Close the Control Panel and reboot Windows.

Let me know if the settings were already correct or if deleting the cookies, tmp files and history and changing the proxy settings, (if you changed them) made any difference.
If it didn't we will call in the Techs.

[Daniel Christmas Lee]

Hey Godawgs! Thank you so much for sticking with me till the end. I wish I could say this was just a big test/joke, but unfortunately my problem is very real. When I'm back in my office on Monday I will check IE settings, but off the top of my head I am not connect via proxy, and would appreciate it if you could get a tech person to help me.

Again, thank you thank you!

[godawgs]

Again, thank you thank you!

You are very welcome.
Just let me know when you have checked those settings and if any of them needed changing and we'll take it to the Techs from there.

[Daniel Christmas Lee]

Ok I cleaned up my desktop and checked IE settings. The only thing that was different was under LAN Settings, the "Automatically Detect" settings box was checked. But since you instructions said make sure NONE of the boxes were checked (all unchecked), I unchecked that box.

As for performance, I havent noticed anything. But I am sure the problem still exists... Firefox hung up three times already this morning...

What's the next step? Please let me know.

[Daniel Christmas Lee]

Mid day update.

So it was just this morning when I completed your latest instructions regarding "cleanup" and I also checked IE's LAN settings, un-checking the box for "automatically detecting" proxy settings.

I've set out four emails today with attachments, with one email containing like 5 different spread sheets.

Firefox would usually hang up after sending the first email, and some times after the first attachment.

Firefox is behaving for now... I'll update at EOD to see if FF is stable.

This is odd.

[Daniel Christmas Lee]

Ok. Update from the end of day. So... it seems like Firefox is fixed.

I've attached nearly 50 attachments via gmail via FF today. No problem whatsoever.

HOWEVER. I just uploaded an image via Chrome... and guess what... FF timed out!

This is ridiculous.

I updated Chrome. Maybe that will help.

But overall, my internets have been running smoother (without FF hang ups) but this recent Chrome issue is worrying me...

[godawgs]

Hi Daniel,

Ok. Update from the end of day. So... it seems like Firefox is fixed.

I've attached nearly 50 attachments via gmail via FF today. No problem whatsoever.

That's great. So we know FF is working. If the problem comes back now and the settings haven't gotten changed, you need to look at gmail.

HOWEVER. I just uploaded an image via Chrome... and guess what... FF timed out!

Try deleting the cookies, browsing history and temp files in Chrome and make sure that it isn't using a proxy setting.


Preventing Re-Infection


Below, I have included a number of recommendations for how to protect your computer against future malware infections.

:Keep Windows Updated:-Windows Updates are constantly being revised to combat the newest hacks and threats, Microsoft releases security updates that help your computer from becoming vulnerable. It is best if you have these set to download automatically.

Vista and Windows 7 Users:
1. Click Start> All Programs, from the list find Windows Update and click it.


:Turn On Automatic Updates:

Vista and Windows 7
1. Click Start> Control Panel. Click Security. Under Windows Update, Click Turn automatic on or off.
2. On the next page, under Important Updates, Click the Drop down arrow on the right side of the box and Click Install Updates Automatically(recommended).
If you click this setting, click to select the day and time for scheduled updates to occur. You can schedule Automatic Updates for any time of day. Remember, your computer must be on at the scheduled time for updates to be installed. After you set this option, Windows recognizes when you are online and uses your Internet connection to find updates on the Windows Update Web site or on the Microsoft Update Web site that apply to your computer. Updates are downloaded automatically in the background, and you are not notified or interrupted during this process. An icon appears in the notification area of your task bar when the updates are being downloaded. You can point to the icon to view the download status. To pause or to resume the download, right-click the icon, and then click Pause or Resume. When the download is completed, another message appears in the notification area so that you can review the updates that are scheduled for installation. If you choose not to install at that time, Windows starts the installation on your set schedule.

: Keep Java Updated :

• Click the Start button
• Click Control Panel
• Double Click Java - Looks like a coffee cup. You may have to switch to Classical View on the upper left of the Control Panel to see it.
• Click the Update tab
• Click Update Now
• Allow any updates to be downloaded and installed

: Keep Adobe Reader Updated :

• Open Adobe Reader
• Click Help on the menu at the top
• Click Check for Updates
• Allow any updates to be downloaded and installed

NOTE: Whether you use Adobe Reader, Acrobat or Foxit Reader to read pdf files you need to disable Javascript in the program. There is an exploit out there now that can use it to get on your PC. For Adobe Reader: Click Start, All Programs, Adobe Reader, Edit, Preferences, Click on Javascript in the left column and uncheck Enable Acrobat Javascript. Click OK Close program. It's the same for Foxit Reader except Preferences is under the Tools menu, and you uncheck Enable Javascript Actions.

:Web Browsers:

:Make your Internet Explorer more secure:
1. From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.
2. Click once on the Security tab
3. Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
4. Click once on the Custom Level button.
5. Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to "Prompt"
6. Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to "Disable"
7. Change the Initialise and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to "Disable"
8. Change the Installation of desktop items to "Prompt"
9. Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to "Prompt"
10. When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.
11. If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, click the Yes button.
12. Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the Internet Properties page.

:Alternate Browsers / Addons:

If you choose to use Firefox, I highly recommend these add-ons to keep your PC even more secure.

• NoScript - for blocking ads and other potential website attacks
• WebOfTrust - a safe surfing tool for your browser. Traffic-light rating symbols show which websites you can trust when you search, shop and surf on the Web.
• McAfee SiteAdvisor - this tells you whether the sites you are about to visit are safe or not. A must if you do a lot of Googling

:Install the MVPs Hosts File:

• MVPS Hosts file-replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well known ad sites and other bad sites. Basically, this prevents your computer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1 which is your local computer, meaning it will be difficult to infect yourself in the future.(Firefox is the only browser that benefits from this since the other browsers have built-in lists)

Preventative programs that will help to keep the nasties away! We will start with Anti Spyware programs. I would advise getting a couple of them at least, and running a full scan at least once a month. Run Quick Scans at least once a week. Download the Free versions. And update the definitions before running scans.
You may already have some of these installed

========Anti Spyware========

• Malwarebytes-Free Version- a powerful tool to search for and eliminate malware found on your computer.
• SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition-another scanning tool to find and eliminate malware.
• SpywareBlaster-to help prevent spyware from installing in the first place. A tutorial can be found here.
• SpywareGuard-to catch and block spyware before it can execute. A tutorial can be found here.
• WinPatrol - will alert you to hijackings, malware attacks and critical changes made to your computer without your permission. Help file and tutorial can be found here.

It's a good idea to clear out all your temp files every now and again. This will help your computer from bogging down and slowing. It also can assist in getting rid of files that may contain malicious code that could re-infect your computer.

========TEMP File Cleaners========

• TFC by OldTimer-A very powerful cleaning program for 32 and 64 bit OS. Note: You may have this already as part of the fixes you have run.
• CleanUP-Click the Download CleanUP! link. There is also a Learn how to use CleanUP! link on this page.

:BACKUPS:

• Keep a backup of your important files.-Now, more than ever, it's especially important to protect your digital files and memories. This article is full of good information on alternatives for home backup solutions.
• ERUNT-(Emergency Recovery Utility NT) allows you to keep a complete backup of your registry and restore it when needed. The standard registry backup options that come with Windows back up most of the registry but not all of it. ERUNT however creates a complete backup set, including the Security hive and user related sections. ERUNT is easy to use and since it creates a full backup, there are no options or choices other than to select the location of the backup files. The backup set includes a small executable that will launch the registry restore if needed.

:Keep Installed Programs Up to Date:

Secunia Software Inspector-It is also possible for other programs on your computer to have security vulnerability that can allow malware to infect you. Therefore, it is also a good idea to check for the latest versions of commonly installed applications that are regularly patched to fix vulnerabilities.

Finally, please read How did I Get Infected in the First Place(by Mr. Tony Klein and dvk01)


I'd be grateful if you could reply to this post so that I know you have read it and, if you've no other questions, the thread can then be closed.

I Will Keep This Open For About Four Days, If Anything Comes Up - Just Come Back And Let Me Know


godawgs

[Daniel Christmas Lee]

Hello Godawgs.

Thank you so much for taking your time to help me fix my computer. However, I am concerned about this Chrome issue... it's basically the same problem except my upload/download behavior in Chrome translates into an error in FF.

That is very weird.

I cleared all my cookies, temp, cache, everything in Chrome.

Hopefully this will help.

Thanks again for the tips to protect my computer, I'll be sure to keep things up to date and look out for myself.

Hopefully I'm not back any time soon!

Take Godawgs!

[godawgs]

Thank you so much for taking your time to help me fix my computer.

You are welcome.

I am concerned about this Chrome issue... it's basically the same problem except my upload/download behavior in Chrome translates into an error in FF.

I really don't know anything about Chrome. I don't understand how uploading/downloading something in Chrome get an error in Firefox.

I'm asking a Tech.

[Artellos]

Hello Daniel,

Godawgs has sent me a request to come in here and see if we can work out that last issue.

There's a few things that (I believe, and correct me if I am wrong) haven't been tried yet.
The first thing I would like you to try is to removing Chrome completely and re-installing.

Also please download SINO by Artellos.

• Save SINO to a place you can remember and run SINO.exe. (If you downloaded the ZIP version you will need to extract it first)
• Then please check the following checkboxes:
  

  System Info
  Services
  Startup Items
  Event Log
  Ipconfig
  Ping
  Hosts file
  Routing Table

• Once checked, hit the Run Scan! button and wait for the program to finish the scan.
  
• A notepad window will pop up. Please copy all of the content into your next reply.

Note: If you try to interact with the program once it’s started scanning it might appear to hang. The scan however will continue.

Please let me know how that went

Regards,
Olrik

[Daniel Christmas Lee]

Thanks again Godawgs for reaching out to Artellos.

I have downloaded SINO and will run at end of day.

Just an update. When I save an image via FF (Save as, which also counts as a download), the browser times out.

I will uninstall and reinstall chrome at end of day too.

Will report back shortly however! I might not be able to access a computer until NEXT Monday. I will be gone for the weekend. Please hang tight. Thank you!

[Artellos]

We'll be here.

Regards,
Olrik