Malware won't allow internet outside safe mode

Hi,

Was your antivirus protection on? I believe it prevented ComboFix from finishing properly.

Please go to c:\qoobox\quarantine folder and see if there is zip file that name begins as [4]-Submit. Please upload it here

Kindly include a link to this topic in the message.
 
File uploaded

Hi again,

I have uploaded the file as requested.

As for the anti-virus, AVG allows me to turn off resident shield which is what all instructions seem to say I need to do. It seems to me like portions of the anti-virus software are still running even with that off, and so if I need to do anything else with anti-virus disabled I'm just going to uninstall it.

Thanks again.
 
Thanks for the file submission :)

Please post a fresh dds log (taken in normal mode if possible) and let me know how's the system running now.
 
DDS logs

Hi again,

Here are zip files of the logs.

It is acting more normal now. I'm actually posting this in normal mode. :)

I've had a few strange things happen like sometimes on shut down I get a message that says the file "n" is running and it forces me to click "end now" to get the machine to shut down.

I've been using Firefox but my wife prefers IE. Should I not allow IE to run? (We're using IE7 as you can see).

Thanks again.
 
Should I not allow IE to run? (We're using IE7 as you can see).
Click to expand...
I recommend to upgrade to IE8 :)


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.
  • 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:
 
Progress

Hi again,

Things seem to be more stable now, but I'm having a few difficulties.

Firefox allowed me to install the newest version of flashplayer. I tried to install it with IE7 and it would not work. After that I tried to download IE8 and it will not work. The troubleshooting for both were not helpful, and I'm not sure why flash player will work with Firefox and not IE.

I did change my security settings as you suggested although most were already set that way and adobe troubleshooting did not point to any issues with those settings.

Other than that things are running pretty well.

Thanks again!
 
Other issue

Beside my inability to get IE8 and Flashplayer I've now found that task manager is still disabled in the profile that originally was where the malware entered.

Will I need to delete that profile? I have most of the photos stored there and I'm going to have to move them if I have to delete it (or can't use it regularly).
 
And one question

Sorry for so many posts, but things come to me slowly sometimes!
Do you recommend a firewall beyond Windows Firewall? I did not see it mentioned in your post or on the page you linked to.
 
Hi,

I tried to install it with IE7 and it would not work. After that I tried to download IE8 and it will not work. The troubleshooting for both were not helpful, and I'm not sure why flash player will work with Firefox and not IE.
Click to expand...
Are there any error messages that might help to pinpoint the problem?

Will I need to delete that profile? I have most of the photos stored there and I'm going to have to move them if I have to delete it (or can't use it regularly).
Click to expand...
It would probably be easiest to backup photos (and other important stuff that can't be accessed with other profile) and remove the other profile. You can store backups to external hard drive or some folder that can be accessed from other user account too (i.e. c:\Photos).

Do you recommend a firewall beyond Windows Firewall? I did not see it mentioned in your post or on the page you linked to.
Click to expand...
There're two good ones listed in the ending part of my previous post. Both Online Armor and Comodo Firewall are good options if you don't have hardware firewall or other software firewall than XP own one.
 
IE8 and Flash Player

Hi again,

I was able to figure out IE8. I disabled the other active scanner in Spybot (not teatimer but the one that checked IE content) and was able to download IE8 and it is working.

Flash Player has been a different story and it just keeps directing me here http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/191/tn_19166.html I've checked through all the troubleshooting and can't find anything. I had uninstalled already. The IE settings are right. Not sure what to make of it.

Thanks for the tip on the user profile. I was planning to back the photos up to an external hard drive or something. I noticed that I cannot see the documents for that profile even when logged in to a different administrator profile. I thought I could just grabbed the photo folders without actually logging in to that profile. Is that normal?

Thanks!
 
Flash Player

Hi again,

I was able to download flash player. I went in to the profile that I'm having problems with and found that MSN messenger was running. Once I disable that I was able to download.

Now it seems things are functioning well in all other profiles and I just have to deal with getting the stuff out of the infected one that I need.
 
Hi,

Good to hear Flash issue got resolved :)

You may try to take ownership of that other profile folder in order to be able to access it. Instructions here.
 
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.
 
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