View Full Version : Can't run Spybot, Can't run HJT, Internet Explorer redirects.
Hi!
I have a similar problem to others.
Problem started with website redirects, and will not let me run Spybot or HJT. In both cases the error message is "Windows cannot access the specified file. You may not have the appropriate permissions".
Running XP with Service Pack 3. I have been through the ERUNT procedure
I have not been able to create an HJT log, or disable Tea Timer.
Hoping you can help
Cheers, Ginge
Hello and :welcome: to Safer Networking
My name is peku006 and I will be helping you to remove any infection(s) that you may have.
I will be giving you a series of instructions that need to be followed in the order in which I give them to you.
Please observe these rules while we work:
If you don't know or understand something please don't hesitate to ask
Please DO NOT run any other tools or scans whilst I am helping you.
It is important that you reply to this thread. Do not start a new topic.
Your security programs may give warnings for some of the tools I will ask you to use. Be assured, any links I give are safe.
Absence of symptoms does not mean that everything is clear.
Download DDS and save it to your desktop from here (http://www.techsupportforum.com/sectools/sUBs/dds) or here (http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/sUBs/dds.scr) or here (http://www.forospyware.com/sUBs/dds).
Disable any script blocker, and then double click dds.scr to run the tool.
When done, DDS will open two (2) logs:
DDS.txt
Attach.txt
Save both reports to your desktop. Post them back to your topic.
Thanks peku006
Hi Peku006! Thank you for helping me.
I have downloaded DDS and saved to my desk top.
I ran DDS and it opend a black window with an introductory message, then it froze. I tried it again and it briefly ran for about 3 seconds. Then it closed. It did not produce any logs.
Ginge
Hi Ginge
let`s try this
exeHelper
Please download exeHelper (http://www.raktor.net/exeHelper/exeHelper.com) to your desktop.
Double-click on exeHelper.com to run the fix.
A black window should pop up, press any key to close once the fix is completed.
Post the contents of log.txt (Will be created in the directory where you ran exeHelper.com)
Note: If the window shows a message that says "Error deleting file", please re-run the program before posting a log - and post the two logs together (they will both be in the one file).
Thanks peku006
Hi Peku006,
I ran exehelper. It ran without any problems. Log below.....
exeHelper by Raktor - 09
Build 20090925
Run at 22:24:19 on 10/05/09
Now searching...
Checking for numerical processes...
Checking for bad processes...
Killed process a.exe
Checking for bad files...
Checking for bad registry entries...
Resetting filetype association for .exe
Resetting filetype association for .com
Resetting userinit and shell values...
Resetting policies...
--Finished--
Ginge
Hi Ginge
1 - Download and Run Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (http://www.besttechie.net/tools/mbam-setup.exe) and save it to your desktop.
alternate download link 1 (http://malwarebytes.gt500.org/mbam-setup.exe)
alternate download link 2 (http://www.majorgeeks.com/Malwarebytes_Anti-Malware_d5756.html)
Make sure you are connected to the Internet.
Double-click on mbam-setup.exe to install the application.
When the installation begins, follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.
When installation has finished, make sure you leave both of these checked:
Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
Then click Finish.
MBAM will automatically start and you will be asked to update the program before performing a scan. If an update is found, the program will automatically update itself. Press the OK button to close that box and continue. If you encounter any problems while downloading the updates, manually download them from here (http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam/database/mbam-rules.exe) and just double-click on mbam-rules.exe to install.
On the Scanner tab:
Make sure the "Perform Full Scan" option is selected.
Then click on the Scan button.
If asked to select the drives to scan, leave all the drives selected and click on the Start Scan button.
The scan will begin and "Scan in progress" will show at the top. It may take some time to complete so please be patient.
When the scan is finished, a message box will say "The scan completed successfully. Click 'Show Results' to display all objects found".
Click OK to close the message box and continue with the removal process.
Back at the main Scanner screen, click on the Show Results button to see a list of any malware that was found.
Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
When removal is completed, a log report will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to restart your computer. (see Note below)
The log is automatically saved and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.
Copy and paste the contents of that report in your next reply and exit MBAM.
Note: If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove, you will be presented with 1 of 2 prompts. Click OK to either and let MBAM proceed with the disinfection process. If asked to restart the computer, please do so immediately. Failure to reboot will prevent MBAM from removing all the malware.
2 - download and run RSIT
Download random's system information tool (RSIT) by random/random from here (http://images.malwareremoval.com/random/RSIT.exe) and save it to your desktop.
Double click on RSIT.exe to run RSIT.
Click Continue at the disclaimer screen.
Once it has finished, two logs will open. Please post the contents of both log.txt<- (will be maximized) and info.txt<- (will be minimized)
4 - Status Check
Please reply with
1.the logs from RSIT (log.txt ,info.txt)
2. the Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Log
Thanks peku006
Hey Peku006,
I have downloaded Malwarebytes' Anti Malware. I clicked on the icon and went through the default installation successfully. MBAM then updated to version 2914 and produced the Scanner tab. I left all drives selected and clicked Start Sacn.
Then the MBAM window closed. I did not see "scan in progress"
I checked in task manager and there were no applications running.
Should I continue to the next step and download and run RSIT?
Thanks
Ginge
Just some more information;
I went through the Malwarebytes process again today. The program installed okay again and updated again (this time to version 2916). When I clicked [B]Start Scan[B] again the window changed briefly to [B]Scan in progress[B] but then the window disappeared after a few seconds.
When I try and launch from the desktop icon I get "Windows cannot access....you may not have appropriate permissions"
As before, no logs were produced.
Ginge
Hi Ginge
Let´s try this....
If MBAM does not start, go to C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and find the file mbam.exe, right-click on the file and select Rename. Rename the file to Ginge .exe and double-click on it to see if it will run.
Thanks peku006
Hi Peku006,
I renamed MBAM.exe to Ginge.exe. Windows reported "Could not rename...file may be write protected or you may not have permissions"
I downloaded a fresh version of MBAM to C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\Ginge. I tried to run MBAM.exe but it would not run. I then renamed the fresh version to Ginge.exe and the scan ran.
It prompted a restart (to complete deletion of a.exe in my temp folders)
On start up I got a message to say "No firewall is turned on, your computer might be at risk" - how do I deal with this???
MBAM log attached.
I then continued with the Step 2 process above and downloaded and ran RSIT. It ran well.
Both RSIT logs attached.
Thanks for assistance so far.
Ginge
Hi Ginge
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.
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.
I would recommend to install install a free firewall for personal use from one of these excellent vendors. Choice is yours:
Online-Armor Free (http://www.tallemu.com/downloads.html)
Agnitum (http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpostfree/download.php)
Sunbelt/Kerio (Free version after 30 days) (http://www.sunbelt-software.com/Kerio-Download.cfm)
Comodo (http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/) (Uncheck during installation Install Comodo SafeSurf.., Make Comodo my default search provider and Make Comodo Search my homepage and install firewall ONLY!)
Download and run OTL
Download OTL (http://oldtimer.geekstogo.com/OTL.exe) by Old Timer and save it to your Desktop.
Double click on OTL.exe to run it.
Under Output, ensure that Minimal Output is selected.
Under Extra Registry section, select Use SafeList.
Click the Scan All Users checkbox.
Click on Run Scan at the top left hand corner.
When done, two Notepad files will open.
OTListIt.txt <-- Will be opened
Extra.txt <-- Will be minimized
Please post the contents of these 2 Notepad files in your next reply.
Thanks peku006
Thanks for the explanation about firewalls. I now have Online Armor installed.
Here are the logs for OTL, which ran perfectly.
Ginge
Hi Ginge
1 - Clean temp files
Download and Run ATF Cleaner
Download ATF (Atribune Temp File) Cleaner© by Atribune (http://www.atribune.org/ccount/click.php?id=1) to your desktop.Double-click ATF Cleaner.exe to open it.
Under Main choose:
Windows Temp
Current User Temp
All Users Temp
Temporary Internet Files
Prefetch
Java Cache
*The other boxes are optional*
Then click the Empty Selected button.
if you use Firefox:
Click Firefox at the top and choose: Select All
Click the Empty Selected button.
NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click NO at the prompt.
if you use Opera:
Click Opera at the top and choose: Select All
Click the Empty Selected button.
NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click NO at the prompt.
Click Exit on the Main menu to close the program
2 - Kaspersky Online Scan
Please go to Kaspersky website (http://www.kaspersky.com/kos/eng/partner/default/kavwebscan.html) and perform an online antivirus scan.
Read through the requirements and privacy statement and click on Accept button.
It will start downloading and installing the scanner and virus definitions. You will be prompted to install an application from Kaspersky. Click Run.
When the downloads have finished, click on Settings.
Make sure these boxes are checked (ticked). If they are not, please tick them and click on the Save button: Spyware, Adware, Dialers, and other potentially dangerous programs
Archives
Mail databases Click on My Computer under Scan.
Once the scan is complete, it will display the results. Click on View Scan Report.
You will see a list of infected items there. Click on Save Report As....
Save this report to a convenient place. Change the Files of type to Text file (.txt) before clicking on the Save button.
Please post this log in your next reply.
3 - Run Hijackthis
Click on the Do a system scan and save a logfile button. It will scan and the log should open in notepad
4 - Status Check
Please reply with
1. the Kaspersky online scanner report
2. a fresh HijackThis log
How's the computer running now? Any problems?
Thanks peku006
Gidday Peku006!
Today I ran ATF Cleaner without any problems.
I also ran Kaspersky Online Scan successfully. It took about 2 hours to download all updates and scans. The scanner report did not list any infected items. Kaspersky report is attached.
I then ran HJT. I initially tried to run the version of HJT that I downloaded as part of the process reccomended before posting to the forum. I got the usual Windows message saying that Windows could not run the file - no permissions etc
Then I downloaded a fresh version of HJT, but it would not install. It produced no result, did not launch a scan, but the computer didn't hang either.
I then ran the HJT executable from the website successfully. HJT log attached.
Computer is no longer re-directing the browser. It is running well. I am still working through Online Armors firewall prompts and working out what to block and what to allow but that's fine by me. I am now learning about the protection it can offer, and the processes that I do and don't need to run.
Otherwise all is fine. I am very grateful to you for your help.
When you are happy with the logs, can you tell me how to take the unworkable HJT and Spybot applications out of my system? I have tried the Windows uninstall process but it has not worked for HJT (haven't tried Spybot yet).
Thanks
Ginge
Hi Ginge
Looking good :)
How's the computer running now? Any problems?
Thanks peku006
Peku006,
Apart from HJT and Spybot not executing, the computer is running fine.
Ginge
Hi Ginge
Congratulations you are clean! :yahoo:
To remove all of the tools we used and the files and folders they created do the following:
Double-click OTL.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.
Now that you are clean, please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:
Disable and Enable System Restore-WINDOWS XP
This is a good time to clear your existing system restore points and establish a new clean restore point:
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.
Reboot.
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.
This will remove all restore points except the new one you just created.
Here are some free programs I recommend that could help you improve your computer's security.
Spybot Search and Destroy 1.6
Download it from here (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html). Just choose a mirror and off you go.
Find here the tutorial on how to use Spybot properly here (http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial43.html)
Install SpyWare Blaster 4.0
Download it from here (http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html)
Find here the tutorial on how to use Spyware Blaster here (http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial49.html)
Install WinPatrol
Download it from here (http://www.winpatrol.com/download.html)
Here you can find information about how WinPatrol works here (http://www.winpatrol.com/features.html)
Install FireTrust SiteHound
You can find information and download it from here (http://www.firetrust.com/en/products/sitehound)
Install MVPS Hosts File from here (http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm)
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.
Find Tutorial here : http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
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 (http://secunia.com/software_inspector/)
F-secure Health Check (http://www.f-secure.com/weblog/archives/00001356.html)
Visit Microsoft often to get the latest updates for your computer.
http://www.update.microsoft.com
Please check out Tony Klein's article "How did I get infected in the first place?" (http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=279)
Read some information here (http://users.telenet.be/bluepatchy/miekiemoes/prevention.html) how to prevent Malware.
Happy safe surfing! :bigthumb:
Hi Peku006,
I am still not able to run Spybot.
I ran OTL.exe which cleaned up some files off the desktop. It did not remove the old versions of HJT and Spybot that I was having problems with right at the start of the thread.
I used the uninstall feature of Spybot but it did not remove all components.
I tried to delete them manually out of Windows Explorer. I was able to delete HJT, but cannot delete Spybot. The message is Access Denied. The remaining three Spybot files are Advcheck.dll, SpybotSD.exe and TeaTimer.exe
I want to get rid of them because SpybotSD.exe is an old version and I think it is preventing me from executing the fresh versions of Spybot that I am downloading. I can download and install correctly, but cannot execute the program. I have tried three fresh versions of Spybot, all with the same result.
It is almost as if there is an old bad Spybot executable that is taking precedence over the fresh files I am downloading.
I would prefer to keep using Spybot if I can.
Any thoughts about what may be going on?
Ginge.
Hi Ginge.
maybe this will help to remove the old version of Spybot S & D
Click Link >>> HERE <<< Link (http://www.neoshine.co.uk/mina/Downloads/TTWipe.bat) and select "save as" and save it to your desktop
Double click TTWipe.bat
Reboot your machine for the changes to take effect.
Try now to install the newer version
post back if it helped.
Thanks peku006
Hi Peku006,
I downloaded and ran TTWipe.bat.
It could not find the problem SpyBotSD.exe file. It ran an expanded search but still could not find it. It is definitely still showing in Explorer when I look.
Here is the log.
VarSet OK
NT OK
NTPath not found
DirPath not found
Fatal PathError
Mon 10/12/2009
ALLUSERSPROFILE=C:\Documents and Settings\All Users
APPDATA=C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Application Data
Choice=c
CLASSPATH=.;C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\lib\ext\QTJava.zip
CLIENTNAME=Console
CommonProgramFiles=C:\Program Files\Common Files
COMPUTERNAME=HP37152296056
ComSpec=C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe
ErrRepLog=PathError
FP_NO_HOST_CHECK=NO
HOMEDRIVE=C:
HOMEPATH=\Documents and Settings\Administrator
Input=1
LOGONSERVER=\\HP37152296056
NUMBER_OF_PROCESSORS=2
OS=Windows_NT
Path=C:\Program Files\PC Connectivity Solution\;C:\WINDOWS\system32;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\System32\Wbem;C:\Program Files\Intel\DMIX;C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTSystem\
PATHEXT=.COM;.EXE;.BAT;.CMD;.VBS;.VBE;.JS;.JSE;.WSF;.WSH
PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE=x86
PROCESSOR_IDENTIFIER=x86 Family 15 Model 6 Stepping 5, GenuineIntel
PROCESSOR_LEVEL=15
PROCESSOR_REVISION=0605
ProgramFiles=C:\Program Files
PROMPT=$P$G
QTJAVA=C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\lib\ext\QTJava.zip
SDTemp=C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\SDTEMP.ini
SESSIONNAME=Console
SystemDrive=C:
SystemRoot=C:\WINDOWS
TEMP=C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp
TMP=C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp
TTWError="C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\TTWipe.Log"
TTWlog="C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\TTW.log"
USERDOMAIN=HP37152296056
USERNAME=Administrator
USERPROFILE=C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator
Version=NT
windir=C:\WINDOWS
I have been successful in installing Spybot by renaming it. It now runs ok.
The rogue exe file is still there though. It shows as a read only file, but I am not able to uncheck that box. When I try to Apply the change I get the Access denied message. I was able to delete the leftover teatimer.exe and advcheck.dll.
Otherwise all is okay. Thanks for all of your help.
Ginge
Since this issue appears to be resolved ... this Topic has been closed. Glad I could help.
Note:If it has been four 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 HijackThis log and a link to your previous thread.
If it has been less than four days since your last response and you need the thread re-opened, please send me or MOD a private message (pm). A valid, working link to the closed topic is required.