Sorry, I forgot to mention, I did try and run Malwarebytes as well. It starts to run but then shuts down after a min. or two.
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Browse All TopicsI am working on a friend's computer infected with Total Security 2009. I have finally gotten it disabled so that it doesn't start on startup, but I can't seem to get any of the anti malware programs to function properly enough to remove it. I tried the solutions on this article...
http://www.experts-exchang
The first solution (Spyware Doctor) caught several infections, but in order to remove them I have to buy the software which makes me skeptical. I've also tried to run ComboFix but after running the progress bar, nothing happens.
Anyone have any ideas how to get this nasty malware off? I did try starting in safe mode but Total Security seems to have disabled Safe Mode.
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If u follow their instructions, pretty sure it will work
If you disable the process it will keep it low for a min or two, then u can run
http://remove-malware.net/
this, that will auto remove it.
Yes, the automatic remover is actually a program called Spyware Doctor. It scans for free but you have to buy it to use the remove tool. To me, that sent up red flags.
The instructions they provided in that link, were the ones I used to disable the Total Security Center long enough to get the computer to do anything. But as I said in my original post, once I run the removal tool (spyware doctor) it promtps me to buy it in order to remove the infection. So I'm wondering if there are any tools that remove it without purchasing them?
I just tried Malwarebytes again. I get the scan started and then it just shuts down on it's own.
http://www.xp-vista.com/do
try this one then, spyhunter, and its free
Apparently there is no much of free choice, i recommend you to use the manual:
Run your PC in Normal or Safe Mode&..
Go To C:/Windows select the system32 folder..
In there u will see TASKMGR.EXE&. right click this file and rename it IEXPLORE.EXE&
Then when you doucle click on IEXPLORE.EXE in system32 folder afterwards.. totalsecurity will let it run thinking its explorer&
The Task manager will then start.. you can then kill the task of TotalSecurity there& once you have successfully killed the program running..
Just install a decent AntiSpyware program, scan and rid it&. Simple As..
Or just delete the files the previous sites, or then, pay for the software..
See that's the problem though, that's what I'm trying to explain (perhaps I'm explaining myself poorly). I can disable it using those instructions, but it still won't allow me to run any antispyware or antimalware programs. They all start and they they just stop running for some reason.
I feel that that spyware doctor is spyware in and of itself as one, in my experience, solutions to these things aren't typically something you have to buy...typically if you are prompted to buy something, it's not truly a removal tool and 2, when I tried to uninstall the software, it wouldn't completely remove from the computer, so that tells me its probably spyware too. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but it just doesn't seem right to me.
Well, spyware doctor is world known, http://www.pctools.com/spy
Its not spyware, unless its a bizarre version of it, which i disbelief
I hadn't heard of it before, so the two things I mentioned made me leary. But here's what's odd...when I look at that link on PC Tools...it says there are 3 versions of Spyware doctor, 2 of which are free. All three versions supposedly allow you to scan and remove so I SHOULD be able to remove what the search finds but when I try to it says I have to register and that I have to have the paid version. I wonder if maybe whatever has infected her computer is also causing problems with Spyware Doctor?
Anyone have any other possible solutions?
Boot in to safe mode try renaming combofix.exe to combofix.cmd
or
boot pc offline rename system32\config to config.bak
create a new folder config & copy contens from windows\repair to newly created config restart
try to run combofix normaly & other antivirus tools if success after clean boot in offline again & rename existing config to any & rename config.bak to config & RESTART CLEAN AGAIN & TRY TO INSTALL ANTIVIRUS
Do these please.
1. Download the following file and save to your desktop.
http://live.sysint
Rename the file to "winlogon.exe" and then run it.(do not rename with a generic name)
Then look for any random numbers executables e.g.,3425631.exe, highlight any random.exe and rightclick and select "kill process".
Once the process is killed, you can then run MalwareBytes or Combofix.
IF you don't find any random process showing... run these tools and give us the logs please.(Rename RootRepeal to "svchost.exe" if it won;t run.
2. Download RootRepeal from the following location and save it to your desktop.
Zip Mirrors (Recommended)
Primary Mirror
http://rootrepeal.go
Se
http://ad13.geekstog
Rar Mirrors - Only if you know what a RAR is and can extract it.
Primary Mirror:
http://ad13.geeksto
Secondary
http://ad13.geeksto
Extract RootRepeal.exe from the archive.
Open RootRepeal on your desktop.
Click the "Report" tab.
Click the "Scan" button.
Check all seven boxes:
o Drivers
o Files
o Processes
o SSDT
o Stealth Objects
o Hidden Services
o Shadow SSDT
Push Yes
Check the box for your main system drive (Usually C:), and press Ok.
Allow RootRepeal to run a scan of your system. This may take some time.
Once the scan completes, push the "Save Report" button. Save the log to your desktop, using a distinctive name, such as RootRepeal.txt. Include this report in your next reply, please.
3. Please download this tool and run it.
http://ad13.geekstogo.c
It will create a file "Win32kDiag.txt" on the desktop. Please post the result here.
Have you also tried downloading Combofix and renaming the file before saving it to your desktop?
My first post {http:#25213639} is assuming that Combofix still won't run after being renamed before saving/before actually downloading the file.
<<<" but it still won't allow me to run any antispyware or antimalware programs. They all start and they they just stop running for some reason. ">>>
1. Unavailability to run any programs can be caused by rogue programs Security 2009 etc , if that's the case then renaming process explorer to winlogon.exe and killing the random process should let you run MalwareBytes and or Combofix.
2. A new infections (win2k.sys:1, win2k.sys:2) also block security programs from running (users also alerted of the presence or rogue programs in the system), if so then RootRepeal and Win32Kdiag.exe should confirm it and also help us removing the infection.
I know this has already been suggested, but I want to add an idea.
Try use http://www.malwarebytes.or
You said that it starts to run, but shuts down after a minute or too.. So try the following
1. Navigate to installation folder in C:\Program Files\...
2. Locate the mbam.exe file
3. Rename this file to any name of your chosing such as randname.exe
4. Run that file with the new name.
Most malware/virual infections that prevent an application from running specifically target the process name (in this case mbam.exe) so by giving it a different name it will get around that issue if that is what is being blocked.
Follow this removal guide:
http://www.geekpolice.net/
I am 100% positive that it will work.
rpggamergirl,
Thanks so much! I followed your instructions (you assumed correctly, I was unable to run malwarebytes or combofix after renaming).
Root repeal did the same thing malwarebytes does..it ran for a second then just stopped.
When I run the Win32Kdiag.exe it hangs up. I've posted a screen shot for you to see.
Also, I was able to get Super Anti Spyware to run. It did catch quite a few infections...since that ran, the Total Security 2009 appears to have cleared up (and with it the numbered.exe processes) but apparently the computer is still infected with something else as I still can not run anything else.
What next?
Upalakashitha, I can not boot in safe mode as I mentioned earlier.
Peak-support and Doctor Inferno, I've tried (unsucsessfully) to rename and run Malware bytes but it hasn't worked. I've attempted several different times to no avail.
Okay thanks for that. this is the new infection that patches files and create junctions.
You need to run Win32kDiag.exe again but you must use this command.
Click on Start-> Run, and copy-paste the following command (the bolded text) into the "Open" box, and click OK. When it's finished, there will be a log called Win32kDiag.txt on your desktop. Please open it with notepad and post the contents here.
"%userprofile%\deskto
After you've done that, run Rootrepeal and show us the log.
Also Download this batch file and save to your desktop.
http://download.bl
Double-c
Thanks for the logs.... the eventlog.dll is the one patched... so we need to replace that with a clean one using Avenger.
First we need to copy a clean one to the root drive... then move from the rootdrive to system32 to replace the patched one.
Create a batch file to copy the clean eventlog.dll to the C:\.
Copy and paste the bold text into Notepad.
Save this text as "Fix.bat", make sure the "Save as type:" is "All Files (*.*)" and save it to your desktop.
Double-click on the "Fix.bat"
@echo off
copy C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFile
Exit
Once there's a clean copy in the root drive we then use that copy to replace the patched one using Avenger.
1. Please download The Avenger by Swandog46 to your Desktop.
http://swandog46.g
* Right click on the Avenger.zip folder and select "Extract All..."
* Follow the prompts and extract the avenger folder to your desktop
2. Copy all the text contained in the code box below to your Clipboard by highlighting it and pressing (Ctrl+C):
Files to move:
c:\eventlog.dll | C:\WINDOWS\system32\eventl
Note
3. Now, open the avenger folder and start The Avenger program by clicking on its icon.
* Right click on the window under Input script here:, and select Paste.
* You can also click on this window and press (Ctrl+V) to paste the contents of the clipboard.
* Click on Execute
* Answer "Yes" twice when prompted.
4. The Avenger will automatically do the following:
* It will Restart your computer. ( In cases where the code to execute contains "Drivers to Delete", The Avenger will actually restart your system twice.)
* On reboot, it will briefly open a black command window on your desktop, this is normal.
* After the restart, it creates a log file that should open with the results of Avengers actions. This log file will be located at C:\avenger.txt
* The Avenger will also have backed up all the files, etc., that you asked it to delete, and will have zipped them and moved the zip archives to C:\avenger\backup.zip.
5. Please copy/paste the content of c:\avenger.txt into your reply.
Then run Win32Diag.exe again using the switch below:
"%userprofile%\deskt
Then run the renamed Combofix..... then RootRepeal to check that it's gone.
Please download ComboFix by sUBs:(Rename it before saving to your desktop)
http://download.bl
You must download it to and run it from your Desktop
Now STOP all your monitoring programs (Antivirus/Antispyware, Guards and Shields) as they could easily interfere with ComboFix.
Double click combofix.exe & follow the prompts.
When finished, it will produce a log. Please save that log and attach it in your next reply by pasting it in the "Code Snippet" or "Attach File" window.
Re-enable all the programs that were disabled during the running of ComboFix..
Note:
Do not mouse-click combofix's window while it is running. That may cause it to stall.
CF disconnects your machine from the internet. The connection is automatically restored before CF completes its run. If CF runs into difficulty and terminates prematurely, the connection can be manually restored by restarting your machine.
If needed, here's the Combofix tutorial which includes the installation of the Recovery Console:
http://www.bleepin
Btw, when you run RootRepeal and on the Drivers or hidden services tab if you still see this, rightclick and use the "Wipe File" button.
Name: win32k.sys:1
Image Path: C:\WINDOWS\win32k.sys:1
Nam
Image Path: C:\WINDOWS\win32k.sys:2
Also on these hidden/locked file and folder use "Wipe File" on this
C:\WINDOWS\system32\in
C
Here is the copy and pasted results from c:aventer.txt The log file did not open when Avenger was done - however I did find the text file on the c: drive.
Logfile of The Avenger Version 2.0, (c) by Swandog46
http://swandog46.geekstogo
Platform: Windows XP
*******************
Script file opened successfully.
Script file read successfully.
Backups directory opened successfully at C:\Avenger
*******************
Beginning to process script file:
Rootkit scan active.
No rootkits found!
Error: file "c:\eventlog.dll" not found!
File move operation "c:\eventlog.dll|C:\WINDOW
Status: 0xc0000034 (STATUS_OBJECT_NAME_NOT_FO
--> the object does not exist
Completed script processing.
*******************
Finished! Terminate.
Ran the Win32kDiag.exe fine.
Then, attempted to run combofix - appeared to start running, came up
with the blue box that says "scanning for infected files, it may take 10 minutes to
scan, more heavily infected machines will take longer."
I had to walk away - when I came back, appeared that it was done running, left
it alone for 10 minutes, nothing, could not find a log file for it. Internet
was not working at that point, so I re-booted.
tried to re-run from icon already on desktop (which renamed it self back to
combofix during first trial). Got to the same point - however, after running
for 5 minutes,it re-booted itself - came back to my desk top and nothing
happened, no log file found. Internet was working this time, however.
I did not run the Root Repeal since Combo fix was not able to finish.
What next? Should I run Root Repeal or do i need to do something else to get combo fix to run properly?
Yes I did. I almost forgot to mention though (or rather I did forget but just remembered..), when avenger ran, I got the following error message during step 4 after rebooting:
c:\cleanup.exe-W
Could that be why? Do I need to restart the process?
Let's start again please....
Step 1:
Open notepad and copy/paste the bolded text below into it.
Save this text as "Fix.bat" Make sure the "Save as type:" is "All Files (*.*)" and save it to your desktop.
Double-click on the "Fix.bat". You may see a window flashes it's normal.
@echo off
copy C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFile
copy C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFile
Exit
Step 2:
Start up Avenger.
Check the 'Input script manually' option.
Click the Magnifying Glass icon.
In the box that opens, copy, then paste the following bolded text(all text inside the lines below):
-------------------
Fil
C:\eventlog.dll | C:\WINDOWS\system32\eventl
C:\d
-----
Note: the above code was created specifically for this user. If you are not this user, do NOT follow these directions as they could damage
the workings of your system.
Now, open the avenger folder and start The Avenger program by clicking on its icon.
* Right click on the window under Input script here:, and select Paste.
* You can also click on this window and press (Ctrl+V) to paste the contents of the clipboard.
* Click on Execute
* Answer "Yes" twice when prompted.
Please copy/paste the content of c:\avenger.txt into your reply.
Step 3:
Click on Start->Run, and copy-paste the following command into the "Open:" box, and click OK.
"%userprofile%\desktop\
When it's finished, there will be a log called Win32kDiag.txt on your desktop. Please open it with notepad and post the contents here.
Step 4:
Run the renamed MBAM and renamed Combofix.exe and attachs the logfiles.
A couple of questions...
Step 1, When I save the file, I've changed it to all files as instructed, but I also noticed there is the box below that says encoding. It defaults to ANSI. I'm assuming I leave it as ANSI?
And on step two...
I've started Avenger as instructed but I don't see an option for "input script manually" I also don't see a magnifying glass icon. I have the following options: Load Script from File, Load Script from URL, and Paste a script directly from Clipboard.
Then I notice further down on step two it also says to start avenger but I've already started it previously. Should I close out of it once I follow the above instructions then restart following the instructions after?
Sorry this is proving so complicated!!
When creating the Fix.bat yes leave it at default ANSI.
And if you check, the eventlog.dll and dumprep.exe should be present on the C:\
Sorry about the Avenger was using the old canned....
when you doubleclicked Avenger it already opens in the "Input script here:" window so just paste it inside that window or click on the 3rd button that says"(when hover it with mouse) "Paste Script from Clipboard.
Click on "Execute" and reboot when prompted.
OK, I think I finally got it!!
Here are the log files. I forgot to upload the Avenger file before I left, so let me know if you still need that one. It appeared to run properly this time. (I think the problem last time was I failed to actually run the fix.bat file. I saved it, but didn't run it.)
Let me know if I need to do any further repairs or if you need the Avenger file before you can tell or if I'm all set.
Thanks for the logs...
I assume you let MBAM took care of those bad files where it says in the log "no action taken"?
We just need to remove some leftover files.
Run combofix again using this script.
1. Open Notepad.
2. Now copy/paste the text between the lines below into the Notepad window:
-------------------
File::
c
c:\
c:\windows\system32\driver
c:\
C:\tujfb
C:\
C:\hpbyv.
C:\pvew
C:\e
C:\blyuwr
Driv
WMIAPI
FileLook
c:\windo
DirLoo
c:\prog
------------
3. Save the above as CFScript.txt on your desktop.
4. Then drag the CFScript.txt into ComboFix.exe. This will start ComboFix again.
Can you please submit the below file for online virus check -->http://virusscan.jotti.o
C:\wind
You might also like to clean your temp folders.
CCleaner:
http://ww
Ok - I think we might have it.
When I ran the combofix again it said to submit malware files for further analysis. I wasn't connected to the internet at that time. It created a a file to be submitted later, but it is a .htm - which won't upload here. I looked at bleepingcomputer.com - but didn't see where I should or if I should upload it.
It did also create the regular Combofix.txt which I've attached.
I ran the virusscan.jotti - and found 0 malware.
I also cleaned the temp folders.
Anything else?
Things look good.
If you like you can also do an online scan to make sure nothing is missed, either Activescan or Kaspersky.
Panda's Activescan:
http://www.pand
Kaspersky
http://www.kaspersky
I did Kaspersky's scan - took over 4 hours - but no threats were found, so no log was created.
Panda's Activescan gave me some trouble - I received a few messages about scripts not running properly, I ended up canceling out.
Seems to me that we are clean. Any other thoughts or am I good to go?
Thanks for all of your help.
No problem....sounds good then.
Kaspersky is a very thorough scanner so if it didn't find any thing, then I'd say you're good to go.
To uninstall Combofix:
Go to Start > Run and 'copy and paste' next command in the field:
ComboFix /u
You can run CCleaner also if you like to clean out temp folders etc.
http://www.ccleaner.co
If you have time, please check out these links below:
1. TonyKlein's article "So how did I get infected in the first place?"
http://www.spywarei
2.
http://users.telen
3. Simple and easy ways to keep your computer safe and secure on the Internet:
http://www.bleepi
Business Accounts
Answer for Membership
by: tiagorferreiraPosted on 2009-08-28 at 11:19:14ID: 25210260
www.malwarebytes.org
go, its the best u can get.