Malware Present with Fake Windows Security Center! Help!

Ok. Then 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



We need to re hide system files. To do so, please follow the steps below:
  1. Double-click My Computer.
  2. Click the Tools menu, and then click Folder Options.
  3. Click the View tab.
  4. Put a check by
    Hide file extensions for known file types.
  5. Under the
    Hidden files
    folder, select
    Show hidden files and folders.
  6. Check
    Hide protected operating system files.
  7. Click Apply, and then click OK.


Now lets uninstall ComboFix:
  • Click START then RUN
  • Now type Combofix /u in the runbox and click OK

Next we remove all used tools.

Please download OTMoveIt2 and save it to desktop.
  • Double-click OTMoveIt2.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.

  • Comodo BOCLEAN <= Stop identity thieves from getting personal information. Instantly detects well over 1,000,000 unique, variant and repack malware in total. And it's free.
  • Download Spybot
    Spybot is a scanner like adaware. It scans for spyware and other malicious programs. It is important to have both Adaware and Spybot on your computer because each program provides unique detection and pretection measures. Spybot has preventitive tools that stop programs from even installing on your computer.
    To see how to set this up as well as more spybot features, see here
    Spybot can be downloaded at this location
  • Download SpywareBlaster
    Spyware blaster is a program that stops known malicious activex controls from installing on your computer. It works by changing settings in your registry. It makes
    kill bits
    in the registry, so that certain activex controls can't install.
    If you don't know what activex controls are, see here
    You can download SpywareBlaster here here
    SpywareBlaster tutorial
  • Download iespyad
    It puts many bad webpages on your restricted zones list. This means that you can still view the
    bad
    webpages, but the webpages cannot do certain things (such as use javascripts and cookies).
    If you need help understanding how it works, there is a tutorial here
    Download it here
  • 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


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.
Run the spybot and adaware regularly. (Once or twice a week minimum.)
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:
 
A few more questions...

Again, first let me say a GIGANTIC Thankyou for all your help. What a great place this is to receive help from everyone. I feel a little guilty... having gotten myself in this mess and asking someone else to get me out!

Anyway, I will be sure to follow the suggested steps for downloading spyware programs, staying ahead of updates etc. I do have a couple questions:

Is McAfee even helpful? Should I remove it and use another program?

I also have Superantispyware installed. Shall I keep that or remove it, if I am going to use one of your suggested programs?

Can I run antivirus and antispyware at the same time?
I'm sure there are posts in this forum about how to handle all that, I just don't really know what I am looking for.
Again, thanks so very much for your help, your time and your patience.:angel:
 
Is McAfee even helpful? Should I remove it and use another program?
Hi

Unfortunately, I don't have any experience of McAfee so can't say how good it is. Anyway, if you want to try some other antivirus product see here to choose one. If you remove McAfee you'll need also a firewall. See here to choose one.

I also have Superantispyware installed. Shall I keep that or remove it, if I am going to use one of your suggested programs?
Superantispyware is good program too. It's up to you if you want to keep it or not :)

Can I run antivirus and antispyware at the same time?
Yes, since both are not antivirus programs you can use them simultaneously.
 
Since this issue appears to be resolved ... this Topic has been closed. Glad I could help. :)

Note:If it has been five 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 five 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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