Virtumonde help, please?

[autolycus81]

Nope, it appears that I'm no longer getting those reg entries added. From here on I guess it's just my job to figure out why avast stopped working and the sound card stuff. Thanks again!

[Shaba]

As for avast!, have you tried uninstalling/reinstalling?

[autolycus81]

I haven't tried reinstalling yet, but will soon as that's the next step in the troubleshooting directions from Avast's site. I was just waiting until I got the all clear from you to continue my own work. As long as you think it's clear I can handle the rest and the thread can be closed.

Thanks again for your help though.

John

[Shaba]

OK

As for sound card issue, is it OK to re-direct you to some windows forum?

[autolycus81]

No need even for a redirect. I'll definitely handle it myself, but thanks for the offer. I've already got the latest driver, but as I recall even that was giving me the occaisional rare issue before this ordeal, so it may be time for an upgrade (the model's no longer supported by manufacturer). As far as I'm concerned all aspects of the issue as they pertain to this forum are resolved satisfactorily.

John

[Shaba]

OK

See below for my final instructions:

Now that you are clean, please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:

Looking over your log, it seems you don't have any evidence of a third party firewall.

As the term conveys, a firewall is an extra layer of security installed onto computers, which restricts access to systems from the outside world. Firewalls protect against hackers and malicious intruders. I want you to download a free firewall NOW from one of these excellent vendors:

1) Comodo (Uncheck during installation "Install COMODO Antivirus (Recommended)"!, "Install Comodo SafeSurf..", Make Comodo my default search provider" and "Make Comodo Search my homepage")
2) Online Armor
3) PC Tools
4) Sunbelt/Kerio
5) ZoneAlarm (uncheck ZoneAlarm Spy Blocker during installation if you choose this one)

If you are using the built-in Windows XP firewall, it is not recommended as it does not block outgoing connections. This means that any malware on your computer is free to "phone home" for more instructions. Simply put, Windows XP contains a mediocre firewall. This firewall is NO replacement for a dedicated software solution. Remember to use only one firewall at the same time.

Now lets uninstall ComboFix:

• Click START then RUN
• Now type Combofix /u in the runbox and click OK

Next we remove all used tools.

You can delete rsit and c:\rsit folder

Please download OTCleanIt and save it to desktop.

• Double-click OTCleanIt.exe.
• Click the CleanUp! button.
• Select Yes when the "Begin cleanup Process?" prompt appears.
• If you are prompted to Reboot during the cleanup, select Yes.
• The tool will delete itself once it finishes, if not delete it by yourself.

Note: If you receive a warning from your firewall or other security programs regarding OTCleanIt attempting to contact the internet, please allow it to do so.

• Disable and Enable System Restore. - If you are using Windows XP then you should disable and re-enable system restore to make sure there are no infected files found in a restore point.
  
  You can find instructions on how to enable and re-enable system restore here:
  
  Windows XP System Restore Guide

Re-enable 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.

• Update your AntiVirus Software and keep your other programs up-to-date Update your Antivirus programs and other security products regularly to avoid new threats that could infect your system.
  You can use one of these sites to check if any updates are needed for your pc.
  Secunia Software Inspector
  F-secure Health Check
  
• 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 Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware - Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is a new and powerful anti-malware tool. It is
  totally free but for real-time protection you will have to pay a small one-time fee. Tutorial on installing & using this product can be found below:
  
  Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Setup Guide
  
  Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Scanning Guide
  
  
• 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.

Here are some additional utilities that will enhance your safety

• MVPS Hosts file <= The MVPS Hosts file replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well know ad sites etc. Basically, this prevents your computer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1 which is your local computer. See also a hosts file tutorial here
• Winpatrol <= Download and install the free version of Winpatrol. a tutorial for this product is located here:
  Using Winpatrol to protect your computer from malicious software

Stand Up and Be Counted ---> Malware Complaints <--- where you can make difference!

The site offers people who have been (or are) victims of malware the opportunity to document their story and, in that way, launch a complaint against the malware and the makers of the malware.

Also, please read this great article by Tony Klein So How Did I Get Infected In First Place

Happy surfing and stay clean!

[autolycus81]

Shaba,

After our previous go 'round I thought all would be well. However, as I attempted to follow your final instructions I ran into difficulties at the first step, firewall installation. Obviously you aren't a support person for any of these products, but I thought I'd relay my experience so far in case you think it indicates any additional problems (or tips you off to the location of residual problems from the infection we think is finished). Here's what happened.

1) Downloaded and installed the PCTools firewall you pointed to above.
2) Rebooted per installation instructions, noticed that firewall did not start itself, so launched it manually, only to eventually get an error saying that the program could not run.
3) Since you'd given me 4 choices and I wasn't in the mood to futz about with one particular product when others seemed fine, I uninstalled and rebooted when the uninstall procedure asked for it.
4) Downloaded and attempted to install Sunbelt's Personal Firewall.
5) Upon running the installation (in an administrator level account, a few steps occur in the Windows Installer followed by the message "the system administrator has set policies to prevent this installation"
6) Attempted the install as Administrator only to get the same message.

I've checked the local policies for Windows Installer through gpedit.msc and looked in the registry for any policy related to this particular software package and can't find anything that would indicate a policy limiting this install.

Any ideas or suggestions?

John



PS: In case you want it, a fresh HJT log:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 8:04:21 AM, on 12/2/2008
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP3 (6.00.2900.5512)
Boot mode: Normal

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\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\Winamp\winampa.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
C:\Program Files\palmOne\Hotsync.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
C:\Program Files\2BrightSparks\SyncBack\SyncBack.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqimzone.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqSTE08.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\internet\apps\sunbelt\sunbelt-personal-firewall.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\MSIEXEC.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\mmc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\regedit.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {21f8e8cd-ba1d-47a2-85fa-acfadf5e0c2c} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In SSV Helper - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\4.1.805.4472\swg.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinampAgent] "C:\Program Files\Winamp\winampa.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\WINDOWS\system32\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avast!] C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KernelFaultCheck] %systemroot%\system32\dumprep 0 -k
O4 - Startup: SyncBack.lnk = C:\Program Files\2BrightSparks\SyncBack\SyncBack.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: HOTSYNCSHORTCUTNAME.lnk = C:\Program Files\palmOne\Hotsync.exe
O4 - Global Startup: HP Digital Imaging Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
O4 - Global Startup: HP Photosmart Premier Fast Start.lnk = C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqthb08.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Spybot - Search & Destroy Configuration - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {F6ACF75C-C32C-447B-9BEF-46B766368D29} (Creative Software AutoUpdate Support Package) - http://www.creative.com/softwareupda...5102/CTPID.cab
O23 - Service: avast! iAVS4 Control Service (aswUpdSv) - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Antivirus - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Mail Scanner - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Web Scanner - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe
O23 - Service: Canon Camera Access Library 8 (CCALib8) - Canon Inc. - C:\Program Files\Canon\CAL\CALMAIN.exe
O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPZipm12.exe
O23 - Service: Rio MSC Manager (RioMSC) - Digital Networks North America, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\RioMSC.exe
O23 - Service: ServiceLayer - Nokia. - C:\Program Files\PC Connectivity Solution\ServiceLayer.exe
O23 - Service: tbaspi - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Turtle Beach\AudioStation\tbaspi.exe
O23 - Service: X10 Device Network Service (x10nets) - X10 - C:\PROGRA~1\TURTLE~1\AUDIOS~1\x10nets.exe

--
End of file - 5758 bytes

[Shaba]

That sounds strange.

Does that happen also with Comodo?

[autolycus81]

Thanks again for all your help!

Comodo did install correctly. I'm not sure I like the "Proactive Defense" feature that's kind of an internal system firewall though, I'm getting a ton of popups to allow various programs to do things. Ah well, just gotta make most of 'em trusted programs i guess.

Followed the rest of your list though, and I guess all is well. Thanks again.

John

[Shaba]

If those popups irritate you, you can disable Defense+ inside Comodo