Click.GiftLoad - a week of hell

After running Spybot fix, I restarted the system and there is NO svchost.exe any longer in the registry.
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That's great news. :bigthumb:


In the meantime, should I run the browser with the TeaTimer and SDHelper features in Spybot as well as Microsoft Security Essentials both on or will this cause some conflict - I read somewhere you shouldn't run 2 security programs at once.
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You should be just fine running both Microsoft Security Essentials and Spybot on your computer. :) What you don't want to do is run two Anti-Viruses at the same time, that can cause conflicts and crashes. Since Spybot S&D is not an Anti-Virus program, you're fine there.


When we're done, please tell me how spybot was able to permanently delete it (I hope it's permanent) this time whereas not before I posted. It couldn't just have been that I didin't have the latest version, could it??
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I think that's exactly what it was. The version you had before (1.4) came out way back in 2005. More likely than not the 1.4 version may have not been able to fix what Spybot 1.6.2. was able to fix. Count this up as lesson learned to always keep your programs (especially security based programs) on your computer always up to date. :)
 
I wanted to tell you that my system is now operating beautifully without any of the problems which made my life hell. I can't say thank you enough.
I was wondering a couple of things I thought you might help me understand. Microsoft Security Essentials is anti virus but didn't seem to stop the click.giftload infection. Spybot detects spyware and adware, and detected Click.Giftload as a trojan or hijacker and with your help, managed to get rid of it. So do I have it right, that once you have a virus, trojan, or hijacker, MSE can't help? And if so , how often do you run an MSE scan and what's the point if its already there and you need another program like Spybot to get rid of it. And so, how often do you run Spybot. Or do you only run it when something is detected by MSE. Finally, isn't there one program that should do both? Very confusing.
But I can tell you this for sure, Microsoft's tech support, basically couldn't fix this problem, after 3 days of tryinig and connecting remotely to my computer, and finally told me to format and reinstall, which would have been a nightmare. I would have thought that given that their update site was being blocked, they would have done almost anything necessary to resolve this issue. You impressed me and though I hope not to have this problem again, I hope to find someone like you if it should ever reoccur.
All the very best to you and one final thanks.
Alene
 
Great to hear that your computer is running beautifully. :bigthumb:

I was wondering a couple of things I thought you might help me understand. Microsoft Security Essentials is anti virus but didn't seem to stop the click.giftload infection. Spybot detects spyware and adware, and detected Click.Giftload as a trojan or hijacker and with your help, managed to get rid of it. So do I have it right, that once you have a virus, trojan, or hijacker, MSE can't help? And if so , how often do you run an MSE scan and what's the point if its already there and you need another program like Spybot to get rid of it. And so, how often do you run Spybot. Or do you only run it when something is detected by MSE. Finally, isn't there one program that should do both?
Click to expand...

MSE s a good AntiVirus but it can't detect everything out there. You need a backup such as Spybot or MalwareBytes' to help find and remove the things that MSE misses. I would run MSE at least once a month (make sure you update it every day) and would run Spybot and MalwareBytes' at least every two weeks or so. Also make sure you keep both of those updated as well, so when you do scans with them, you'll have the latest definitions/databases. Unfortunately I don't know of any program that does both AntiVirus and Antimalware extremely well, its best to have programs to cover both areas. :)


Since there are no more problems, you're good to go. :)

Delete the following off of your computer:

DDS.scr
The two DDS Logs
GMER.zip
GMER.exe
The GMER Log
TDSSKiller.exe
The TDSSKiller Log
Mbrlog.bat
The mbrlog.bat log


To remove ComboFix, do the following:

Go to Start > Run - type in ComboFix /Uninstall & click OK

Empty your Recycle Bin.


Please take the time to read my All Clean Post.

Please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:

This is a good time to clear your existing system restore points and establish a new clean restore point

  • Go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore
  • Select Create a restore point, and Ok it.
  • Next, go to Start > Run and type in cleanmgr
  • Make sure the C:\ drive is selected and click OK. If your computer's Hard Drive is not located on C:, change it to the correct drive letter then click OK.
  • Select the More options tab
  • Choose the option to clean up system restore and OK it.
  • This will remove all restore points except the new one you just created.
.

Clearing your restore points is not something you should do on a regular basis. Normally, this process only needs to be done after clearing out an infestation of malware.


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 asks you if 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.
Set correct settings for files that should be hidden in Windows XP
  • Click Start > My Computer > Tools menu (at top of page) > Folder Options > View tab.
  • Under "Hidden files and folders" if necessary select Do not show hidden files and folders.
  • If unchecked please checkHide protected operating system files (Recommended)
  • If necessary check "Display content of system folders"
  • If necessary Uncheck Hide file extensions for known file types.
  • Click OK
  • Use An Antivirus Software and Keep It Updated - It is very important that your computer has an antivirus software running on your machine. This alone can save you a lot of trouble with malware in the future. It is imperative that you update your antivirus software at least once a day. If you do not update your antivirus software, then it will not be able to catch any of the new variants that may come out.
  • Visit Microsoft's Update Site Frequently It is important that you visit Microsoft Updates regularly. This will ensure your computer has 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 SpywareBlaster SpywareBlaster will add a large list of programs and sites into your Internet Explorer settings that will protect you from running and downloading known malicious programs. You can find SpywareBlaster here:
    SpywareBlaster
  • Use the hosts file: Every version of windows has a hosts file as part of them. In a very basic sense, they are used to locate web pages. We can customize a hosts file so that it blocks certain web pages. However, it can slow down certain computers. This is why using a hosts file is optional. Download mvps hosts file 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:
    • Click the start button on the task bar at the bottom of your screen
    • Click run
    • In the dialog box, type services.msc
    • hit enter, then locate dns client
    • Highlight it, then doubleclick it.
    • On the dropdown box, change the setting from automatic to manual.
    • Click ok..
  • Use an alternative instant messenger program.Trillian and Miranda IM These are Malware free Instant Messenger programs which allow you to connect to multiple IM services in one program! (AOL, Yahoo, ICQ, IRC, MSN)
  • Please read Tony Klein's excellent article: How I got Infected in the First Place
  • Please read Understanding Spyware, Browser Hijackers, and Dialers
  • Please read Simple and easy ways to keep your computer safe and secure on the Internet
  • If you are using Internet Explorer, please consider using an alternate browser: Mozilla's Firefox or
    Opera.
    If you decide to use either FireFox or Opera, it is very important that you keep them up to date and check frequently for updates of the browser of your choice.
  • 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.


Here's a good website to read about Malware prevention:

http://users.telenet.be/bluepatchy/miekiemoes/prevention.html

If your computer is running slow, click here for instructions on how to help speed up your computer.

Good luck!

Please reply one last time so that I know you have read my post and this thread can be closed.
 
You've given me a lot to read which I am doing, and a lot of peace of mind.
Thank you again for all your time and efforts. Have a great weekend.
 
You're welcome. I'm glad I was able to help you out. :)

Good luck and safe surfing!


Since this issue appears to be resolved ... this Topic has been closed. Glad we 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 your helper a private message (pm). A valid, working link to
the closed topic is required.
 
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