Hey all,

On Friday evening my machine was infected by a virus which tried to install a program called "SpyRemovalPro" - I think I correctly removed it after it emerged. But then another similar program called "StorageProtector" tried to install without my permission onto my machine - I did stop it downloading and removed it in the same way as I did with "SpyRemovalPro".

But now I'm receiving all sorts of messages like:

"Important - Potential Errors found in the system

During a scan of files at system startup, potential erros in the system registry were found. p-07-0100 irql: 1f SYSVER 0xff00024 NT_Kernel error 1256 KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED"

I also receive a pop-up balloon on the right hand side of my taskbar saying "A Critical Error can occur"

Two unseen icons from before are now reappearing everytime I delete them from my desktop (Shortcuts for "Help and Support Center" and "Windows Update")

Also, when I try to use my computer for a short while (e.g. 20 minutes), and run a few applications such as iTunes and Mozilla Firefox, it begins to crash and freeze and I have to try and restart or shut down.

The actions I've taken so far to sort out the problem have done very little good - I've run Norton AntiVirus 2002 twice (once in normal and once in safe mode) and Ad-Aware 2007 (once in normal and once in safe mode).

Your help would be sincerely appreciated.

Hi and welcome, Please follow these instructions.
First run this. Scroll down to the Removal Instruction section.
How to remove the Smitfraud / Generic Zlob

Next run these
Download Attribune's ATF Cleaner and then SUPERAntiSpyware , Free Home Version. Save both to desktop ..
DO NOT run yet.
Open SUPER from icon and install and Update it
Under Scanner Options make sure the following are checked (leave all others unchecked):
Close browsers before scanning.
Scan for tracking cookies.
Terminate memory threats before quarantining.
Click the "Close" button to leave the control center screen and exit the program.
DO NOT run yet.

Now reboot into Safe Mode:
Double-click ATF-Cleaner.exe to run the program.
Under Main "Select Files to Delete" choose: Select All.
Click the Empty Selected button.
If you use Firefox or Opera browser click that browser at the top and choose: Select All
Click the Empty Selected button.
If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.
Click Exit on the Main menu to close the program.

NOW Scan with SUPER
Open from the desktop icon or the program Files list
On the left, make sure you check C:\Fixed Drive.
Perform a Complete scan. After scan,Verify they are all checked.
Click OK on the summary screen to quarantine all found items.
If asked if you want to reboot, click "Yes" and reboot normally.

To retrieve the removal information after reboot, launch SUPERAntispyware again.
Click Preferences, then click the Statistics/Logs tab.
Under Scanner Logs, double-click SUPERAntiSpyware Scan Log.
If there are several logs, click the current dated log and press View log.
A text file will open in your default text editor.
Please copy and paste the Scan Log results in your next reply.
Click Close to exit the program.

Please ask any needed questions,post bak the log and Let us know how the PC is running.

This infection will create thousands of temporary files in various folders, most in the root of Drive C. Deleting the files will only lead to their replacement. The malware will attack legit programs and create new filenames with space(s) in the name before its extension. Removal will require the use of specialized fix tools and expert assistance to guide you.

Please read and follow all instructions in the pinned topic titled "Preparation Guide For Use Before Posting A Hijackthis Log". You may have performed some of these steps already. If you can't perform a step, then skip and continue with the next. In step #9 there are instructions for downloading HijackThis and creating a log. (This is a self-extracting version which will automatically install the current version of HJT in the proper location.) If using Windows Vista, be sure to Run As Administrator.

When you have done that, post your log in the HijackThis Logs and Malware Removal forum, NOT here, for assistance by the HJT Team Experts. A member of the Team will walk you through, step by step, on how to clean your computer. If you post your log back in this thread, the response from the HJT Team will be delayed because your post will have to be moved. This means it will fall in line behind any others posted that same day.

Start a new topic, give it a relevant title and post your log along with a brief description of your problem, a summary of any anti-malware tools you have used and a summary of any steps that you have performed on your own. Please include the top portion of the HijackThis log that lists version information. An expert will analyze your log and reply with instructions advising you what to fix. After doing this, we would appreciate if you post a link to your log back here so we know that your getting help from the HJT Team.

Please be patient. It may take a while to get a response because the HJT Team members are very busy working logs posted before yours. They are volunteers who will help you out as soon as possible. Once you have made your post and are waiting, please DO NOT "bump" your post or make another reply until it has been responded to by a member of the HJT Team. Generally the staff checks the forum for postings that have 0 replies as this makes it easier for them to identify those who have not been helped. If you post another response there will be 1 reply. A team member, looking for a new log to work may assume another HJT Team member is already assisting you and not open the thread to respond.

Thank you for your guidance so far

I've posted both logs created at:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic126746.html

Your Welcome and Thank you.
Now that your log is properly posted, you should NOT make further changes to your computer (install/uninstall programs, use special fix tools, delete files, edit the registry, etc) unless advised by a HJT Team member, nor should you continue to ask for help elsewhere. Doing so can result in system changes which may not show it the log you already posted. Further, any modifications you make on your own may cause confusion for the helper assisting you and could complicate the malware removal process which would extend the time it takes to clean your computer.

From this point on the HJT Team should be the only members that you take advice from, until they have verified your log as clean.

Please be patient. It may take a while to get a response because the HJT Team members are very busy working logs posted before yours. They are volunteers who will help you out as soon as possible. Once you have made your post and are waiting, please DO NOT make another reply until it has been responded to by a member of the HJT Team. Generally the staff checks the forum for postings that have 0 replies as this makes it easier for them to identify those who have not been helped. If you post another response there will be 1 reply. A team member, looking for a new log to work may assume another HJT Team member is already assisting you and not open the thread to respond.

If after 5 days you still have received no response, then post a link to your HJT log in the thread titled "Haven't Had A Reply In Five Days?".

To avoid confusion, I am closing this topic.