[Buckeye_Sam]

Please download the Killbox by Option^Explicit.

Note: In the event you already have Killbox, this is a new version that I need you to download.

• Save it to your desktop.
• Please double-click Killbox.exe to run it.
• Select:
  • Delete on Reboot
  • then Click on the All Files button.
• Please copy the file paths below to the clipboard by highlighting ALL of them and pressing CTRL + C (or, after highlighting, right-click and choose copy):
  
  
  C:\WINDOWS\system32\browsela.dll
  C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\vx.tll
  C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Web Folders\ibm00005.exe
  C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Web Folders\__delete_on_reboot__ibm00006.dll
  C:\WINDOWS\system32\xqx.dll
  C:\WINDOWS\system32\__delete_on_reboot__msupdate32.dll
  
  
  
  
  
• Return to Killbox, go to the File menu, and choose Paste from Clipboard.
  
• Click the red-and-white Delete File button. Click Yes at the Delete on Reboot prompt. Click OK at any PendingFileRenameOperations prompt (and please let me know if you receive this message!).

If your computer does not restart automatically, please restart it manually.

If you receive a message such as: "Component 'MsComCtl.ocx' or one of its dependencies not correctly registered: a file is missing or invalid." when trying to run Killbox, click here to download and run missingfilesetup.exe. Then try Killbox again.


===========


Download the following reg file to your desktop by right clicking on the link, and selecting save as.

http://www.bleepingc...g/smitfraud.reg

Once it has downloaded, double-click on the smitfraud.reg file on your desktop and when it asks if you would like to merge the data, click on the Yes button.

Reboot your computer and you should now be able to change your desktop settings back to how you would like it. If your desktop still looks strange, go into your display properties and click on the Themes tab. Change the theme to Windows XP and you will now be using the default Windows XP settings. Then change them as you see fit.


Let me know how it goes.

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I did as you said, and took another Panda Scan. The report is as follows:


Incident Status Location

Adware:adware/alexa-toolbar Not disinfected Registry
Potentially unwanted tool:Application/Processor Not disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\Yusuf\Desktop\smitRem\Process.exe
Potentially unwanted tool:Application/Processor Not disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\Yusuf\Desktop\smitRem.exe[Process.exe]
Potentially unwanted tool:Application/Processor Not disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\Yusuf\Desktop\win32delfkil\Process.exe


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Also, I tried using the smitfraud file, but I still can't gain control of my desktop. Anything else I can do?

[YusufZ]

I did as you said, and took another Panda Scan. The report is as follows:


Incident Status Location

Adware:adware/alexa-toolbar Not disinfected Registry
Potentially unwanted tool:Application/Processor Not disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\Yusuf\Desktop\smitRem\Process.exe
Potentially unwanted tool:Application/Processor Not disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\Yusuf\Desktop\smitRem.exe[Process.exe]
Potentially unwanted tool:Application/Processor Not disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\Yusuf\Desktop\win32delfkil\Process.exe


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Also, I tried using the smitfraud file, but I still can't gain control of my desktop. Anything else I can do?

[Buckeye_Sam]

Panda shows those files are now gone. Good job!

When you go to display properties do you see the Windows XP theme?


Try this:

• Click Start -> Control Panel -> Display
• Go to the Desktop tab and click on the Customize Desktop button.
• Go to the Web tab
• In the web page box, click on the page that is checkmarked and then click the Delete button.
• Ok your way out of the dialog and check your desktop.

Let me know how it goes.

[YusufZ]

That seemed to have worked! I was wondering if you knew any free software that does registry cleaning?

[Buckeye_Sam]

There's a wide selection of free registry cleaners available.
http://www.google.co...G=Google Search

I like RegSeeker.
http://www.hoverdesk.net/freeware.htm


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.

[YusufZ]

Excellent, thank you so much for your help!

[Buckeye_Sam]

Since this issue appears to be resolved ... this Topic has been closed. Glad we could help.

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