Fresh Hijack log -- Virtumonde problem

[Blade81]

Hi

When did that begin to happen? Here are some steps you should try (guess you can skip 1. suggestion there ).

[bobg0]

I first noticed the message when we started this cleanup process. I thought something may have happened when I installed the Recovery Console from the CD or when I backed some files to a flash drive.

There is an extra CD/DVD drive showing. I checked its properties and it's
RWBCFKV DYNSHEBK1 SCSI CdRom

I just remembered that my step-son installed something for a Trivial Pursuit game which has a USB connection to the computer, so I will try to get my hands on that and see if that's where the extra drive and/or error message is coming from.

I have been working my way through the list you linked to, but so far no luck -- emptying the Recent Files list, relettering the removable drives.

I have noticed a lot of thrashing of the hard drive even after I have left the computer idle for several hours. In Task manager the only process I notice taking up very much CPU is checkpoint.exe . Is this normal?

Thank you very much for all of your help. I will continue to look into the "No Drive" problem. Is there anything else I should do?

[Blade81]

There is an extra CD/DVD drive showing. I checked its properties and it's
RWBCFKV DYNSHEBK1 SCSI CdRom

Hi

That could be virtual drive. Do you have Daemon tools or some other virtual drive software installed there?

I have noticed a lot of thrashing of the hard drive even after I have left the computer idle for several hours. In Task manager the only process I notice taking up very much CPU is checkpoint.exe . Is this normal?

That file seems to belonging to Checkpoint VPN Client. Do you use it? If not, uninstalling might help. Also, defrag hard drive if not done lately.

[bobg0]

I had forgotten that Daemon tools was installed, so that explained the extra drive. But uninstalling that didn't remove the error message.

I've never had Checkpoint VPN Client installed (that I am aware of) and there is no C:\Program Files\Checkpoint folder.

I ran autoruns and saw that
C:\WINDOWS\system32\checkpoint.exe
was in the
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run|Checkpoint
section. I checked this file with McAfee and got the following in the log file:

1/18/2009 9:27:30 AM Engine version =5300.2777
1/18/2009 9:27:30 AM AntiVirus DAT version =5498.0000
1/18/2009 9:27:30 AM Number of detection signatures in EXTRA.DAT =None
1/18/2009 9:27:30 AM Names of detection signatures in EXTRA.DAT =None
1/18/2009 9:27:22 AM Scan Started SAM\Owner On-Demand Scan
1/18/2009 9:27:33 AM No Action Taken Owner C:\WINDOWS\system32\checkpoint.exe W32/AutoRun.worm.gen(Virus)
1/18/2009 9:27:36 AM Scan Summary SAM\Owner Scan Summary
1/18/2009 9:27:36 AM Scan Summary SAM\Owner Processes scanned : 0
1/18/2009 9:27:36 AM Scan Summary SAM\Owner Processes detected : 0
1/18/2009 9:27:36 AM Scan Summary SAM\Owner Processes cleaned : 0
1/18/2009 9:27:36 AM Scan Summary SAM\Owner Boot sectors scanned : 1
1/18/2009 9:27:36 AM Scan Summary SAM\Owner Boot sectors detected: 0
1/18/2009 9:27:36 AM Scan Summary SAM\Owner Boot sectors cleaned : 0
1/18/2009 9:27:36 AM Scan Summary SAM\Owner Files scanned : 1
1/18/2009 9:27:36 AM Scan Summary SAM\Owner Files with detections: 1
1/18/2009 9:27:36 AM Scan Summary SAM\Owner File detections : 1
1/18/2009 9:27:36 AM Scan Summary SAM\Owner Files cleaned : 0
1/18/2009 9:27:36 AM Scan Summary SAM\Owner Files deleted : 0
1/18/2009 9:27:36 AM Scan Summary SAM\Owner Files not scanned : 0
1/18/2009 9:27:36 AM Scan Summary SAM\Owner Run time : 0:00:14
1/18/2009 9:27:36 AM Scan Complete SAM\Owner On-Demand Scan

1/18/2009 9:28:05 AM Deleted Owner HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run|Checkpoint VPN Client W32/AutoRun.worm.gen(Virus)
1/18/2009 9:28:05 AM Deleted Owner C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CHECKPOINT.EXE W32/AutoRun.worm.gen(Virus)
1/18/2009 9:28:05 AM Deleted Owner C:\WINDOWS\system32\checkpoint.exe W32/AutoRun.worm.gen(Virus)


I hope I did not take too much liberty, but the thrashing stopped immediately and I have rebooted a couple times and don't get the error any more.

Latest HijackThis log:
Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 9:51:54 AM, on 1/18/2009
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\system32\brsvc01a.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\brss01a.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\ehome\ehtray.exe
C:\Program Files\Digital Media Reader\readericon45G.exe
C:\WINDOWS\zHotkey.exe
C:\Program Files\ScanSoft\PaperPort\pptd40nt.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
C:\WINDOWS\RTHDCPL.EXE
C:\Program Files\McAfee\Common Framework\UdaterUI.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee\Common Framework\McTray.exe
C:\Program Files\Comcast\Desktop Doctor\bin\sprtcmd.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\TYPING~1\KBOOST.EXE
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
C:\Program Files\TrueSwitchComcast\TrueWizard.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqimzone.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\arservice.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Brmfrmps.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehRecvr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehSched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\inetsrv\inetinfo.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee\Common Framework\FrameworkService.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqSTE08.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee\VirusScan Enterprise\mcshield.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee\VirusScan Enterprise\vstskmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton Utilities\NPROTECT.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\New Boundary\PrismXL\PRISMXL.SYS
C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\SPEEDD~1\nopdb.exe
C:\Program Files\Comcast\Desktop Doctor\bin\sprtsvc.exe
c:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Shared\sqlwriter.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllhost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehmsas.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\something.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.comcast.net/comcast.html
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
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.gateway.com/g/startpage.html?Ch=Retail&Br=GTW&Loc=ENG_US&Sys=DTP&M=GT5220
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = about:blank
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: RealPlayer Download and Record Plugin for Internet Explorer - {3049C3E9-B461-4BC5-8870-4C09146192CA} - C:\Program Files\Real\RealPlayer\rpbrowserrecordplugin.dll
O2 - BHO: Comcast Toolbar - {4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-93BE-BE2DF4D9AE29} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMCAS~2\COMCAS~1.DLL
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In SSV Helper - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: MyPoints Toolbar - {A057A204-BACC-4D26-CEC4-75A487FD6484} - C:\PROGRA~1\mypoints\mypoints.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Comcast Toolbar - {4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-93BE-BE2DF4D9AE29} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMCAS~2\COMCAS~1.DLL
O3 - Toolbar: MyPoints Toolbar - {A057A204-BACC-4D26-CEC4-75A487FD6484} - C:\PROGRA~1\mypoints\mypoints.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ehTray] C:\WINDOWS\ehome\ehtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AlwaysReady Power Message APP] ARPWRMSG.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [readericon] C:\Program Files\Digital Media Reader\readericon45G.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CHotkey] zHotkey.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Recguard] %WINDIR%\SMINST\RECGUARD.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SSBkgdUpdate] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Scansoft Shared\SSBkgdUpdate\SSBkgdupdate.exe" -Embedding -boot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PaperPort PTD] C:\Program Files\ScanSoft\PaperPort\pptd40nt.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IndexSearch] C:\Program Files\ScanSoft\PaperPort\IndexSearch.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SetDefPrt] C:\Program Files\Brother\Brmfl04a\BrStDvPt.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ControlCenter2.0] C:\Program Files\Brother\ControlCenter2\brctrcen.exe /autorun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RTHDCPL] RTHDCPL.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSKDetectorExe] C:\Program Files\McAfee\SpamKiller\MSKDetct.exe /uninstall
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [McAfeeUpdaterUI] "C:\Program Files\McAfee\Common Framework\UdaterUI.exe" /StartedFromRunKey
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPHUPD08] C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\{33D6CC28-9F75-4d1b-A11D-98895B3A3729}\hphupd08.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ShStatEXE] "C:\Program Files\McAfee\VirusScan Enterprise\SHSTAT.EXE" /STANDALONE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ddoctorv2] "C:\Program Files\Comcast\Desktop Doctor\bin\sprtcmd.exe" /P ddoctorv2
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: [OOBEDDDemise] cmd /x /c erase C:\WINDOWS\System32\oobe\msoobe.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [TypingSatellite] "C:\PROGRA~1\TYPING~1\KBOOST.EXE"
O4 - Startup: TrueAssistant.lnk = C:\Program Files\TrueSwitchComcast\TrueWizard.exe
O4 - Global Startup: HP Digital Imaging Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
O4 - Global Startup: HP Image Zone Fast Start.lnk = C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqthb08.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Shdocvw.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
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://www.aol.com
O16 - DPF: {05CA9FB0-3E3E-4B36-BF41-0E3A5CAA8CD8} (Office Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=67633
O16 - DPF: {0E5F0222-96B9-11D3-8997-00104BD12D94} (PCPitstop Utility) - http://support.gateway.com/support/profiler/PCPitStop.CAB
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=39204
O16 - DPF: {1E54D648-B804-468d-BC78-4AFFED8E262E} (System Requirements Lab) - http://www.srtest.com/srl_bin/sysreqlab_srl.cab
O16 - DPF: {4ED9DDF0-7479-4BBE-9335-5A1EDB1D8A21} - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/shared/mcinsctl/4,0,0,101/mcinsctl.cab
O16 - DPF: {4F1E5B1A-2A80-42CA-8532-2D05CB959537} (MSN Photo Upload Tool) - http://gfx2.hotmail.com/mail/w3/pr01/resources/MSNPUpld.cab
O16 - DPF: {5C6698D9-7BE4-4122-8EC5-291D84DBD4A0} (Facebook Photo Uploader 4 Control) - http://upload.facebook.com/controls/FacebookPhotoUploader3.cab
O16 - DPF: {82774781-8F4E-11D1-AB1C-0000F8773BF0} (DLC Class) - https://transfers.ds.microsoft.com/FTM/TransferSource/grTransferCtrl.cab
O16 - DPF: {A90A5822-F108-45AD-8482-9BC8B12DD539} (Crucial cpcScan) - http://www.crucial.com/controls/cpcScanner.cab
O16 - DPF: {B8BE5E93-A60C-4D26-A2DC-220313175592} (MSN Games - Installer) - http://cdn2.zone.msn.com/binFramework/v10/ZIntro.cab56649.cab
O16 - DPF: {F04A8AE2-A59D-11D2-8792-00C04F8EF29D} (Hotmail Attachments Control) - http://by127fd.bay127.hotmail.msn.com/activex/HMAtchmt.ocx
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Brother Popup Suspend service for Resource manager (brmfrmps) - Brother Industries, Ltd. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Brmfrmps.exe
O23 - Service: BrSplService (Brother XP spl Service) - brother Industries Ltd - C:\WINDOWS\system32\brsvc01a.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: Imapi Helper - Alex Feinman - C:\Program Files\Alex Feinman\ISO Recorder\ImapiHelper.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Framework Service (McAfeeFramework) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\Program Files\McAfee\Common Framework\FrameworkService.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee McShield (McShield) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\Program Files\McAfee\VirusScan Enterprise\mcshield.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Task Manager (McTaskManager) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\Program Files\McAfee\VirusScan Enterprise\vstskmgr.exe
O23 - Service: Norton Unerase Protection (NProtectService) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton Utilities\NPROTECT.EXE
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: OracleMTSRecoveryService - Oracle Corporation - C:\oraclexe\app\oracle\product\10.2.0\server\BIN\omtsreco.exe
O23 - Service: OracleServiceXE - Oracle Corporation - c:\oraclexe\app\oracle\product\10.2.0\server\bin\ORACLE.EXE
O23 - Service: OracleXEClrAgent - Unknown owner - C:\oraclexe\app\oracle\product\10.2.0\server\bin\OraClrAgnt.exe
O23 - Service: OracleXETNSListener - Unknown owner - C:\oraclexe\app\oracle\product\10.2.0\server\BIN\tnslsnr.exe
O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPZipm12.exe
O23 - Service: PrismXL - New Boundary Technologies, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\New Boundary\PrismXL\PRISMXL.SYS
O23 - Service: Speed Disk service - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\SPEEDD~1\nopdb.exe
O23 - Service: SupportSoft Sprocket Service (ddoctorv2) (sprtsvc_ddoctorv2) - SupportSoft, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Comcast\Desktop Doctor\bin\sprtsvc.exe

--
End of file - 11505 bytes

[Blade81]

Ok. Could you please try instructions given in last post here to possibly solve the error message issue?

[bobg0]

I'm sorry, I wasn't clear. Removing checkpoint.exe via McAfee got rid of the error message about No Drive.

I had tried the Safely Remove Hardware icon to stop everything listed there but that hadn't solved the problem.

The message hasn't come back in over a day now.

[Blade81]

Good. In that case I think we're ready


Well congrats, it appears your system is all clean Are you still noticing any problems? If not, it's time to secure your system to prevent against further intrusions.


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 type Combofix /u in the runbox and click OK

Next we remove all used tools.

• Double-click OTMoveIt3.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 OTMoveIt 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
  
  
• 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 SafeSurf..", Make Comodo my default search provider" and "Make Comodo Search my homepage" and install firewall ONLY!).

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

[bobg0]

Thank you very much for all your help.

It's been a week now and everything seems to be running smoothly. I've reset System Restore, removed the tools, checked that windows has the latest updates, checked Internet Explorer settings and am currently investigating the hosts file and third party firewall. I also run McAfee's update everytime I startup.

[Blade81]

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.