Win32.TDSS.rtk, can't remove it!

[stillbjorn]

I'm in bad shape. I an only run spybot from the decoy .scr files in the program directory. IEXPLORE.exe pops up in my task manager without my doing, and attempts to connect to the web. I can't even run HijackThis 2!

I removed lots of cookies and malware with a combination of Ad-Aware, Norton AV, Spybot S&D and Hijack 1.99. I've also disabled a lot of startup entries using MSconfig and regedit. Here is a copy of my HijackThis 1.99 log (its the best I can do! the later version won't run!)

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 2:00:41 PM, on 3/24/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\csrss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\aawservice.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\NavNT\vptray.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\ZPCITZR.scr **THIS IS TEATIMER
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
C:\Program Files\NavNT\defwatch.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\Program Files\NavNT\rtvscan.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wdfmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\alg.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\MsgSys.EXE
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Iexplore.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\jesse\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\jesse\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\jesse\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Program Files\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe,C:\WINDOWS\system32\sdra64.exe,
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: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [vptray] C:\Program Files\NavNT\vptray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIModeChange] Ati2mdxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AtiPTA] C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Tea1] C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\ZPCITZR.scr
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: 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
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files\bonjour\mdnsnsp.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: NavLogon - C:\WINDOWS\system32\NavLogon.dll
O23 - Service: Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service (aawservice) - Lavasoft - C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\aawservice.exe
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: DefWatch - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\NavNT\defwatch.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe" -service -config "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\jqs.conf (file missing)
O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus Client (Norton AntiVirus Server) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\NavNT\rtvscan.exe

[Mr_JAk3]

Hello :)

One or more of the identified infections is a backdoor trojan.

This allows hackers to remotely control your computer, steal critical system information and Download and Execute files

I would counsel you to disconnect this PC from the Internet immediately. If you do any banking or other financial transactions on the PC or if it should contain any other sensitive information, please get to a known clean computer and change all passwords where applicable, and it would be wise to contact those same financial institutions to apprise them of your situation.

Though the Trojan has been identified and can be killed, because of it's backdoor functionality, your PC is very likely compromised and there is no way to be sure your computer can ever again be trusted. Many experts in the security community believe that once infected with this type of Trojan, the best course of action would be a reformat and reinstall of the OS. Please read these for more information:

How Do I Handle Possible Identify Theft, Internet Fraud and CC Fraud? (http://www.dslreports.com/faq/10451)

When Should I Format, How Should I Reinstall (http://www.dslreports.com/faq/10063)

We can attempt to clean this machine but i can't guarantee that it will be 100% secure afterwards.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

Please let us know what you have decided to do in your next post

[stillbjorn]

I was afraid of that.

I'll just reformat, thanks for your help.

[Mr_JAk3]

Hi again, I'll respect you decicion to do a clean install.

Please make sure that you know what to do before beginning the operation.

Here are a few links that propably help.

Reformatting Windows XP by wng_z3r0 (http://spyware-free.us/tutorials/reformat/mainnopics.html)
When should I re-format? How should I reinstall? (http://www.dslreports.com/faq/10063)
Windows XP Clean install (http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm)

Then there are a couple of things you should do immediately after installing Windows and before surfing the net... Install an antivirus and firewall (you should download and have those on a CD or USB drive, all ready to be installed).

These are good (free) firewalls:
- Kerio (http://www.sunbelt-software.com/Kerio.cfm)
- Sygate (http://http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=3356)
- Outpost (http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=1056)

These are good (free) antiviruses:
- Antivir (http://www.free-av.com)
- Avast (http://www.avast.com)
- AVG (http://free.grisoft.com)

Get all Windows updates installed!
Please ask me if you have any questions :)

Then here are a few things that you can do in order to make your fresh computer more secure:
Use ATF Cleaner (http://www.atribune.org/ccount/click.php?id=1)
Download and install ATF Cleaner. Clean your temporary files & folders with it regularly.

Use Ad-Aware (http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/?showtutorial=48)
Download and install Ad-Aware. Update it and scan your computer regularly with it.

Use Ewido (http://www.ewido.net/en/)
Update it and scan your computer regularly with it.

Use Spybot S&D (http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/?showtutorial=43)
Download and install Spybot S&D. Update it and scan your computer regularly with it.

Install SpywareBlaster (http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html)
SpywareBlaster will prevent spyware from being installed.

Install MVPS Hosts file (http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm)
This prevents your computer from connecting to harmful sites.

Use Firefox browser (http://www.mozilla.org)
Firefox is faster, safer and better browser than Internet Explorer.

Keep your systen up-to-date (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com)
Visit Windows Update regularly.

Keep your antivirus and firewall up-to-date
Scan your computer regularly with your antivirus.

Read this article by TonyKlein (http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=279)
So how did I get infected in the first place?