Virus Runs As iexplore.exe ; Full Screen Popup Ads ; Unwanted Sounds In Video Streams

Applications Updated, Issues Resolved

It looks like the problem has been solved, there have been no issues with unwanted audio ads or full-screen pop-up ads in Internet Explorer windows since the master boot record was fixed.

Applications identified by Secunia in Simple Mode have all been updated to the most recent revision level. In the Advanced Mode, there are still issues with PHP (which is not usually running), Apache (not running), and an old installation of iTunes. iTunes is a finicky program: updates and changes in the past have resulted in corrupted and missing files, so I'll leave the old version installed but won't use it. The newly installed version of iTunes is missing my playlists and will require some file imports to be usable, but I can handle that.

The only remaining issue -- and I don't think it's related to the original problem -- is that Opera 10 won't allow me to log in to this forum. I'm assuming it's an application error, not a virus / trojan / malware issue. Fortunately, I've got IE7 available as a backup browser for just such an occasion.

Thank you for your calm, patient, capable help!!! :bow: This problem really had me at my wit's end.
 
You're welcome :)

Have you tried to reinstall Opera to see if it fixes the problem? Clearing its browser cache might also help.


Here are some final steps to follow.


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
  • 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:
 
Opera Browser Removed; System Restore Reset; ComboFix / OTC Ok; IE7 Hardened

Opera Browser: Version 10.54 was repaired twice. After the first repair, website forms worked for awhile, then quit. After the second repair, website forms did not work. Version 10.53 was installed, forms did not work with this version, either. Opera has been removed from the computer.

System Restore was disabled, the system restarted, and re-enabled.

ComboFix removed successfully.

OTC ran successfully.

Windows Update installed .net framework.

IE7 will be hardened later today.

Yes, I maintain a hosts file -- the malware erased it. I'll check the download!!

Firewall is running.

I generally avoid updates since they tend to introduce new bugs (er ... um ... "features") that require new work-arounds. However, I will check update sites on a regular basis. Secunia is still resident and checking files.

There are still some minor annoyances ... TV shows on hulu.com freeze every 90 seconds or so while the download catches up. This is probably a connection problem. There is also a rare situation in which an audio stream goes quiet for 30 seconds or so and them resumes. This is also probably a connection problem.

All in all, I think we are done. You have done a masterful job!!!! :present: Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

George San Marcos
 
You're welcome

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.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top