something malicious disguises as "Microsoft Security Essententials"...

[schmoe]

w/r/t the Kas. scan, the following warning appeared and I thought I'd show it to you before I proceeded, in case it's a hack (please see attached).

[Blade81]

Hi,

Let Kaspersky online scanner run.

[schmoe]

Attached in one compressed folder are the DDS and CF logs.

Note that I ran Combo Fix straight from the icon, without using CFScript. I did, however, opt to have CF updated this time.

The Kas log saved as an html file, the text of which I've copied and posted below.

Thx,

Schmoe


=================================================
=================================================
KASPERSKY ONLINE SCANNER 7.0: scan report
Monday, November 1, 2010
Operating system: Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 (build 2600)
Kaspersky Online Scanner version: 7.0.26.13
Last database update: Sunday, October 31, 2010 11:31:53
Records in database: 4196268


Scan settings
scan using the following database extended
Scan archives yes
Scan e-mail databases yes

Scan area My Computer
C:\
D:\

Scan statistics
Objects scanned 125561
Threats found 2
Infected objects found 3
Suspicious objects found 0
Scan duration 08:19:23

File name Threat Threats count
C:\Qoobox\Quarantine\C\Documents and Settings\chaz\Application Data\hotfix.exe.vir Infected: Trojan.Win32.Inject.awja 1

C:\System Volume Information\_restore{FEDE1204-2452-4B0E-8AF9-197897175874}\RP846\A0659251.exe Infected: Trojan.Win32.Inject.awmk 1

C:\System Volume Information\_restore{FEDE1204-2452-4B0E-8AF9-197897175874}\RP850\A0676090.exe Infected: Trojan.Win32.Inject.awja 1

Selected area has been scanned.

[Blade81]

Hi,

Open notepad and copy/paste the text in the quotebox below into it:

Regnull::
[HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1292428093-823518204-725345543-1003\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Approved\{0A93E4C1-93EE-A806-A12E-F14800BB856F}*]
[HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1292428093-823518204-725345543-1003\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Approved\{69CFC574-8622-5921-A140-2AA362B501DC}*]
Driver::
37e15b73
File::
c:\windows\system32\drivers\37e15b73.sys
DDS::
TB: {CCC7A320-B3CA-4199-B1A6-9F516DD69829} - No File
TB: {D4027C7F-154A-4066-A1AD-4243D8127440} - No File

Save this as
CFScript

A word of warning: Neither I nor sUBs are responsible for any damage you may have caused your machine. This tool is not a toy and not for everyday use.



Close all browser windows and refering to the picture above, drag CFScript into ComboFix.exe
Then post the resultant log + fresh dds.txt log.

[schmoe]

please see attached.

Schmoe

[Blade81]

Good. How's the system running now?

[schmoe]

Good. How's the system running now?

It seems to be OK. I noticed that googleupdate.exe is still around. Is this OK? I'm sort of suspicious of it.

Also, I removed AVG altogether, per the requirements of Combo Fix. Is there anything I should replace it with?

Thanks,

Schmoe.

[Blade81]

I noticed that googleupdate.exe is still around. Is this OK?

Yes, that's ok.

Also, I removed AVG altogether, per the requirements of Combo Fix. Is there anything I should replace it with?

Below are some suggestions of which you may choose from or re-install AVG. Before that there're some steps to take first though.



THESE STEPS ARE VERY IMPORTANT

Let's reset system restore
Reset and Re-enable your System Restore to remove infected files that have been backed up by Windows. The files in System Restore are protected to prevent any programs changing those files. This is the only way to clean these files: You will lose all previous restore points which are likely to be infected. Please note you need Administrator Access to do clean the restore points.

1. Turn off System Restore.
On the Desktop, right-click My Computer.
Click Properties.
Click the System Restore tab.
Check Turn off System Restore.
Click Apply, and then click OK.

2. Reboot.

3. Turn ON System Restore.
On the Desktop, right-click My Computer.
Click Properties.
Click the System Restore tab.
UN-Check *Turn off System Restore*.
Click Apply, and then click OK.
NOTE: only do this ONCE,NOT on a regular basis



Now lets uninstall ComboFix:

• Click START then RUN
• Now copy-paste Combofix /uninstall in the runbox and click OK

Please download OTC and save it to desktop.

• Double-click OTC.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 OTC attempting to contact the internet, please allow it to do so.


UPDATING WINDOWS AND INTERNET EXPLORER

IMPORTANT: You Need to Update Windows and Internet Explorer to protect your computer from the malware that is around on the Internet. Please go to the windows update site to get the critical updates.

If you are running Microsoft Office, or any portion thereof, go to the Microsoft's Office Update site and make sure you have at least all the critical updates installed (Free) Microsoft Office Update.


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.



The following are recommended third party programs that are designed to keep your computer clean. A link as well as a brief description is included with each item.

• hosts file:
  
  • Every version of windows has a hosts file as part of them.
  • In a very basic sense, they are used to locate webpages.
  • We can customize a hosts file so that it blocks certain webpages.
  • However, it can slow down certain computers.
  • This is why using a hosts file is optional!!
  
  Download it here. Make sure you read the instructions on how to install the hosts file. There is a good tutorial here
  If you decide to download the hosts file, the slowdown problems can usually be avoided by following these steps:
  
  2. Click the start button (at the lower left hand corner of your screen)
  3. Click run
  4. In the dialog box, type services.msc
  5. hit enter, then locate dns client
  6. Highlight it, then double-click it.
  7. On the dropdown box, change the setting from automatic to manual.
  8. Click ok
• Download and run Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI) and fix its findings.
• Get Anti Virus Software and keep it updated - Most AVs will update automatically, but if not I would recommend making updating the AV the first job every time the PC is connected to the internet. An AV that is using defs that are seven days old is not going to be much protection. If you do not update your anti virus software then it will not be able to catch any of the new variants that may come out. Good free antivirus programs are:
  Antivir
  Avast!
  Good commercial ones are from:
  Kaspersky and
  ESET
• 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 susceptible to being hacked and taken over. Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly. For more info, check this webpage out.
  If you don't have a 3rd party firewall or a router behind NAT then I recommend getting one. I recommend either Online Armor Free or Comodo Firewall Pro (If you choose Comodo: Uncheck during installation Install Comodo HopSurf.., Make Comodo my default search provider and Make Comodo Search my homepage and install firewall ONLY!). Both providers have support forums that help with configuration related questions.

Just a final reminder for you. I am trying to stress these two points.
UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE!!! Make sure you do this about every 1-2 weeks.
Make sure all of your security programs are up to date.
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.


Once again, please post and tell me how things are going with your system... problems etc.

Have a great day,
Blade

[Blade81]

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

Note:If it has been three days or more since your last post, and the helper assisting you posted a response to that post to which you did not reply, your topic will not be reopened. At that point, if you still require help, please start a new topic and include a fresh DDS log and a link to your previous thread.

If it has been less than three days since your last response and you need the thread re-opened, please send me or other MOD a private message (pm). A valid, working link to the closed topic is required.