infected laptop shuts off before I can run Spybot

Hello again,

Delete these files if found:
C:\Documents and Settings\JR\Application Data\Sun\Java\Deployment\cache\6.0\1\3df62381-76fa5895
C:\Documents and Settings\JR\Application Data\Sun\Java\Deployment\cache\6.0\23\5d65b6d7-2915a709

Check suspicious looking emails in these boxes and delete if found any:
C:\Documents and Settings\JR\Application Data\Thunderbird\Profiles\4fwcyvjw.default\Mail\mail.vigproducts-1.com\Sent
C:\Documents and Settings\JR\Application Data\Thunderbird\Profiles\4fwcyvjw.default\Mail\mail.vigproducts.com\Inbox
C:\Documents and Settings\JR\Application Data\Thunderbird\Profiles\4fwcyvjw.default\Mail\mail.vigproducts.com\Sent

Any issues left?
 
you said:
"
Delete these files if found:
C:\Documents and Settings\JR\Application Data\Sun\Java\Deployment\cache\6.0\1\3df62381-76fa5895
C:\Documents and Settings\JR\Application Data\Sun\Java\Deployment\cache\6.0\23\5d65b6d7-2915a709"

OK, deleted.

"
Check suspicious looking emails in these boxes and delete if found any:
C:\Documents and Settings\JR\Application Data\Thunderbird\Profiles\4fwcyvjw.default\Mail\mail.vigproducts-1.com\Sent
C:\Documents and Settings\JR\Application Data\Thunderbird\Profiles\4fwcyvjw.default\Mail\mail.vigproducts.com\Inbox
C:\Documents and Settings\JR\Application Data\Thunderbird\Profiles\4fwcyvjw.default\Mail\mail.vigproducts.com\Sent"

I assume these folders are the folders where Thunderbird puts my email. I have two email accounts so maybe that's why there are two Sent folders in your list. I will start reviewing and deleting now.

"Any issues left? "

The laptop was on for a couple days, never powered off, while trying to get all those scans done. Last night I powered it off. Today on power up, I get an official-looking popup pointing to the taskbar suggesting that my antivirus was turned off and asking me if I wanted to fix it, click here. I did not click it, the original infection popup looked just like that. In fact, I have no current antivirus tool on this pc, so maybe its really just a Windows detection thing and its OK.
 
In fact, I have no current antivirus tool on this pc, so maybe its really just a Windows detection thing and its OK.
Click to expand...
Yes, that would explain it. I've included some antivirus protection suggestions below among some other things.


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:
    1. [*]Click the start button (at the lower left hand corner of your screen) [*]Click run [*]In the dialog box, type services.msc [*]hit enter, then locate dns client [*]Highlight it, then double-click it. [*]On the dropdown box, change the setting from automatic to manual. [*]Click ok
  • Run Secunia vulnerability check here 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 :cool:
 
I printed out your post, I will do the steps you mentioned.

It booted with an error that it could not run PeachtreePrefetcher.exe .
First thing I did after boot was to go online to look for your latest post. Yesterday, Firefox installed an update. This morning, Firefox started up with an error screen, saying it was having troubles recovering my windows and tabs, it wanted to know if I wanted to continue with my previous session or start a new one, I started new.

Last night, I recall shutting down the PC normally, and then shutting off the AC power strip. The AC strip also powers the Ethernet hub. This morning the laptop battery was dead, no juice. That never happened before.
 
1. System Restore off/reboot/on done.
2. uninstall ComboFix done.
3. OTC Cleanup done.
4. updating Windows what a PITA. Won't run from Firefox, must use IE. I never use IE and would uninstall it if that were possible. So I have to get IE first. Downloaded IE8 update, then when I tried to start it Microsoft complained about something called the Drive Letter Access add-on, said it was not compatible. I have no idea what that does. Clicked on something that allowed IE to run. All of your Tools Options were already selected. Note no "sub-frames" in the list, just "frames".
5. updated Windows. Allowed all updates except Microsoft .NET Framework update. Microsoft .NET Framework is not installed on this computer.
6. Office update: Microsoft included an Office update in the previous "update Windows" step.

This afternoon I will move on to the "keep clean" steps in your list.
 
Allowed all updates except Microsoft .NET Framework update. Microsoft .NET Framework is not installed on this computer.
Click to expand...
There may be some programs that trigger .NET update offer. I'd install all important updates offered.
 
antivirus and firewall installed. The PC has been running well now for 3 days, except for the Peachtree accounting program is still zorched. I will reinstall it from CD.

I think you fixed it. Thank you.
 
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.
 
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