Hey guys, I hope I can get this cleared up fairly quickly. My brother (doesn't really care about our computer), has just installed a program called "Garena" which is supposedly for him to play Warcraft (the strategy game, not the MMORPG) like with other people (I think its similar to Xfire). I searched on SiteAdvisor and it classifies Garena as spyware.

So my question is, should I be concerned about this program? If it is malicious, how dangerous is it?

I did some reading, it is contradictory, some says its spyware, some says its safe. I'm getting quite confused.


Thanks in advance,

~Jordan (xBL!NDx)

Hi Jordan,

It never hurts to do a quick scan.

Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and save it to your desktop.
alternate download link 1
alternate download link 2

• Make sure you are connected to the Internet.
• Double-click on mbam-setup.exe to install the application.
• When the installation begins, follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.
• When installation has finished, make sure you leave both of these checked:
  • Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
  • Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
• Then click Finish.

MBAM will automatically start and you will be asked to update the program before performing a scan.

• If an update is found, the program will automatically update itself.
• Press the OK button to close that box and continue.
• If you encounter any problems while downloading the updates, manually download them from here and just double-click on mbam-rules.exe to install.

On the Scanner tab:

• Make sure the "Perform Quick Scan" option is selected.
• Then click on the Scan button.
• If asked to select the drives to scan, leave all the drives selected and click on the Start Scan button.
• The scan will begin and "Scan in progress" will show at the top. It may take some time to complete so please be patient.
• When the scan is finished, a message box will say "The scan completed successfully. Click 'Show Results' to display all objects found".
• Click OK to close the message box and continue with the removal process.

Back at the main Scanner screen:

• Click on the Show Results button to see a list of any malware that was found.
• Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
• When removal is completed, a log report will open in Notepad.
• The log is automatically saved and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.
• Copy and paste the contents of that report in your next reply and exit MBAM.

Note:
-- If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove, you may be asked to reboot your computer so it can proceed with the disinfection process. Regardless if prompted to restart the computer or not, please do so immediately. Failure to reboot normally (not into safe mode) will prevent MBAM from removing all the malware.

-- MBAM may make changes to your registry as part of its disinfection routine. If you're using other security programs that detect registry changes (like Spybot's Teatimer), they may interfere with the fix or alert you after scanning with MBAM. Please disable such programs until disinfection is complete or permit them to allow the changes.

I've already scanned with MBAM, Avira and am currently scanning with SB:S&D.scans have been clean so far.

What version of Windows?

XP Home Edition. SP3

You can try SDFix

Please print out and follow these instructions: "How to use SDFix". <- This program is for Windows 2000/XP ONLY.
When using this tool, you must use the Administrator's account or an account with "Administrative rights"

• Disconnect from the Internet and temporarily disable your anti-virus, script blocking and any real time protection programs before performing a scan.
• When done, the SDFix report log will open in notepad and automatically be saved in the SDFix folder as Report.txt.
• If SDFix is unable to run after rebooting from Safe Mode, run SDFix in either Mode, and type F, then press Enter for it to finish the final stage and produce the report.
• Please copy and paste the contents of Report.txt in your next reply.
• Be sure to renable you anti-virus and and other security programs before connecting to the Internet.

-- If the computer has been infected with the VirusAlert! malware warning from the clock and the Start Menu icons or drives are not visible, open the SDFix folder, right-click on either the XP_VirusAlert_Repair.inf or W2K VirusAlert_Repair.inf (depending on your version of Windows) and select Install from the Context menu. Then reboot to apply the changes.

You do know that we aren't sure if this is an infection.....should I still run SDfix if I am not 100% sure it is an infection?

I have run it on several of my computers without issue - a few test computers with no signs of infection.

If you feel good that there isn't any signs of infection from your scans, you are probably good.

I ran it, and wow, it found 2 trojans . Also, whenever the scan finished (after a restart), I got a teatimer message saying that a startup value had been added to NT and the value was "load" I allowed the change, I hope this isnt a bad thing. Log is below.



SDFix: Version 1.240
Run by Jordan on Fri 11/21/2008 at 03:28 PM

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
Running From: C:\sdfix

Checking Services :


Restoring Default Security Values
Restoring Default Hosts File

Rebooting


Checking Files :

Trojan Files Found:

C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\MSNNAMES.EXE - Deleted
C:\WINDOWS\ORUN32.EXE - Deleted





Removing Temp Files

ADS Check :



Final Check :

catchme 0.3.1361.2 W2K/XP/Vista - rootkit/stealth malware detector by Gmer, http://www.gmer.net
Rootkit scan 2008-11-21 15:58:23
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 NTFS

scanning hidden processes ...

scanning hidden services & system hive ...

scanning hidden registry entries ...

scanning hidden files ...

scan completed successfully
hidden processes: 0
hidden services: 0
hidden files: 0


Remaining Services :




Authorized Application Key Export:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\system\currentcontrolset\services\sharedaccess\parameters\firewallpolicy\standardprofile\authorizedapplications\list]
"%windir%\\system32\\sessmgr.exe"="%windir%\\system32\\sessmgr.exe:*:enabled:@xpsp2res.dll,-22019"
"C:\\Program Files\\Common Files\\AOL\\Loader\\aolload.exe"="C:\\Program Files\\Common Files\\AOL\\Loader\\aolload.exe:*:Enabled:AOL Loader"
"C:\\Program Files\\Wolfenstein - Enemy Territory\\ET.exe"="C:\\Program Files\\Wolfenstein - Enemy Territory\\ET.exe:*:Enabled:ET"
"C:\\Program Files\\Steam\\SteamApps\\eyeblood\\counter-strike\\hl.exe"="C:\\Program Files\\Steam\\SteamApps\\eyeblood\\counter-strike\\hl.exe:*:Enabled:Half-Life Launcher"
"C:\\Program Files\\Azureus\\Azureus.exe"="C:\\Program Files\\Azureus\\Azureus.exe:*:Enabled:Azureus"
"C:\\WINDOWS\\pchealth\\helpctr\\binaries\\HelpCtr.exe"="C:\\WINDOWS\\pchealth\\helpctr\\binaries\\HelpCtr.exe:*:Enabled:Remote Assistance - Windows Messenger and Voice"
"C:\\Program Files\\Xfire\\Xfire.exe"="C:\\Program Files\\Xfire\\Xfire.exe:*:Enabled:Xfire"
"C:\\Program Files\\Messenger\\msmsgs.exe"="C:\\Program Files\\Messenger\\msmsgs.exe:*:Enabled:Windows Messenger"
"%windir%\\Network Diagnostic\\xpnetdiag.exe"="%windir%\\Network Diagnostic\\xpnetdiag.exe:*:Enabled:@xpsp3res.dll,-20000"
"C:\\Program Files\\LimeWire\\LimeWire.exe"="C:\\Program Files\\LimeWire\\LimeWire.exe:*:Enabled:LimeWire"
"C:\\Program Files\\Steam\\SteamApps\\eyeblood\\counter-strike source\\hl2.exe"="C:\\Program Files\\Steam\\SteamApps\\eyeblood\\counter-strike source\\hl2.exe:*:Enabled:hl2"
"C:\\Program Files\\Mozilla Firefox\\firefox.exe"="C:\\Program Files\\Mozilla Firefox\\firefox.exe:*:Enabled:Firefox"
"C:\\Program Files\\Avira\\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\\avcenter.exe"="C:\\Program Files\\Avira\\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\\avcenter.exe:*:Enabled:Start AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic"
"C:\\Program Files\\Warcraft III\\War3.exe"="C:\\Program Files\\Warcraft III\\War3.exe:*:Enabled:Warcraft III"
"C:\\Program Files\\Warcraft III\\Warcraft III.exe"="C:\\Program Files\\Warcraft III\\Warcraft III.exe:*:Enabled:Warcraft III"
"C:\\Program Files\\Real\\RealPlayer\\realplay.exe"="C:\\Program Files\\Real\\RealPlayer\\realplay.exe:*:Enabled:RealPlayer"
"C:\\Program Files\\Steam\\steamapps\\eyeblood\\day of defeat source\\hl2.exe"="C:\\Program Files\\Steam\\steamapps\\eyeblood\\day of defeat source\\hl2.exe:*:Enabled:hl2"
"C:\\Program Files\\AIM6\\aim6.exe"="C:\\Program Files\\AIM6\\aim6.exe:*:Enabled:AIM"
"C:\\WINDOWS\\system32\\LEXPPS.EXE"="C:\\WINDOWS\\system32\\LEXPPS.EXE:*:Disabled:LEXPPS.EXE"
"C:\\Program Files\\utorrent\\utorrent.exe"="C:\\Program Files\\utorrent\\utorrent.exe:*:Disabled:æTorrent"
"C:\\Program Files\\Bonjour\\mDNSResponder.exe"="C:\\Program Files\\Bonjour\\mDNSResponder.exe:*:Disabled:Bonjour"
"C:\\Program Files\\iTunes\\iTunes.exe"="C:\\Program Files\\iTunes\\iTunes.exe:*:Enabled:iTunes"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\system\currentcontrolset\services\sharedaccess\parameters\firewallpolicy\domainprofile\authorizedapplications\list]
"%windir%\\system32\\sessmgr.exe"="%windir%\\system32\\sessmgr.exe:*:enabled:@xpsp2res.dll,-22019"
"C:\\Program Files\\America Online 9.0\\waol.exe"="C:\\Program Files\\America Online 9.0\\waol.exe:*:Enabled:America Online 9.0"
"C:\\Program Files\\Common Files\\AOL\\1124492134\\ee\\AOLServiceHost.exe"="C:\\Program Files\\Common Files\\AOL\\1124492134\\ee\\AOLServiceHost.exe:*:Enabled:AOL Services"
"C:\\Program Files\\Common Files\\AOL\\Loader\\aolload.exe"="C:\\Program Files\\Common Files\\AOL\\Loader\\aolload.exe:*:Enabled:AOL Loader"
"C:\\Program Files\\MSN Messenger\\msnmsgr.exe"="C:\\Program Files\\MSN Messenger\\msnmsgr.exe:*:Enabled:MSN Messenger 7.5"
"C:\\Program Files\\Common Files\\AOL\\ACS\\AOLAcsd.exe"="C:\\Program Files\\Common Files\\AOL\\ACS\\AOLAcsd.exe:*:Enabled:AOL"
"C:\\Program Files\\Common Files\\AOL\\ACS\\AOLDial.exe"="C:\\Program Files\\Common Files\\AOL\\ACS\\AOLDial.exe:*:Enabled:AOL"
"C:\\Program Files\\AIM\\aim.exe"="C:\\Program Files\\AIM\\aim.exe:*:Enabled:AOL Instant Messenger"
"%windir%\\Network Diagnostic\\xpnetdiag.exe"="%windir%\\Network Diagnostic\\xpnetdiag.exe:*:Enabled:@xpsp3res.dll,-20000"

Remaining Files :


File Backups: - C:\SDFix\backups\backups.zip

Files with Hidden Attributes :

Wed 1 Feb 2006 1,185 A..H. --- "C:\Documents and Settings\Shirley\IPH.BAK"
Thu 8 Mar 2007 258,560 A..H. --- "C:\Program Files\Adobe\upx.exe"
Wed 22 Oct 2008 949,072 A.SHR --- "C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\advcheck.dll"
Mon 15 Sep 2008 1,562,960 A.SHR --- "C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll"
Mon 7 Jul 2008 1,429,840 A.SHR --- "C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDUpdate.exe"
Mon 7 Jul 2008 4,891,472 A.SHR --- "C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SpybotSD.exe"
Tue 16 Sep 2008 1,833,296 A.SHR --- "C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe"
Wed 22 Oct 2008 962,896 A.SHR --- "C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\Tools.dll"
Mon 19 Sep 2005 4,348 ..SH. --- "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\DRM\DRMv1.bak"
Thu 16 Sep 2004 1,949,696 ...HR --- "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works Suite 2005\Setup\LAUNCHER.EXE"
Thu 16 Sep 2004 53,760 ...HR --- "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works Suite 2005\Setup\MNYINSTA.DLL"
Thu 16 Sep 2004 94,208 ...HR --- "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works Suite 2005\Setup\RMVSUITE.EXE"
Thu 16 Sep 2004 35,328 ...HR --- "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works Suite 2005\Setup\SETUPLNG.DLL"
Thu 16 Sep 2004 20,480 ...HR --- "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works Suite 2005\Setup\UNREGWTR.EXE"
Thu 14 Dec 2006 0 A.SH. --- "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\DRM\Cache\Indiv03.tmp"
Wed 29 Mar 2006 2,461,696 A..H. --- "C:\Documents and Settings\Jordan\Application Data\U3\temp\Launchpad Removal.exe"

Finished!


Here is the entry from the TeaTimer log:

Please update and rerun malwarebytes. Let's see if we uncovered anything..

Yes sir, log coming up shortly.

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.30
Database version: 1415
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3

11/21/2008 11:50:53 PM
mbam-log-2008-11-21 (23-50-53).txt

Scan type: Quick Scan
Objects scanned: 62720
Time elapsed: 17 minute(s), 8 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 0
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 0

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Sorry about the missed reply xblindx

Lets see if anything is left out there.

Please download ATF Cleaner by Atribune & save it to your desktop.
alternate download link DO NOT use yet.

Please download and install SUPERAntiSpyware Free

• Double-click SUPERAntiSypware.exe and use the default settings for installation.
• An icon will be created on your desktop. Double-click that icon to launch the program.
• If asked to update the program definitions, click "Yes". If not, update the
  definitions before scanning by selecting "Check for Updates". (If you encounter
  any problems while downloading the updates, manually download them from
  here and
  unzip into the program's folder.)
• Under the "Configuration and Preferences", click the Preferences... button.
• Click the "General and Startup" tab, and under
  Start-up Options, make sure "Start SUPERAntiSpyware when Windows starts" box is unchecked.
• Click the "Scanning Control" tab, and 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 a scan just yet.

Reboot your computer in "Safe Mode" using the F8 method. To do this, restart your computer and after hearing your computer beep once during startup (but before the Windows icon appears) press the F8 key repeatedly. A menu will appear with several options. Use the arrow keys to navigate and select the option to run Windows in "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 browser click Firefox 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.
• If you use Opera browser click Opera 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.

Note: On Vista, "Windows Temp" is disabled. To empty "Windows Temp"

ATF-Cleaner must be "Run as an Administrator".
Scan with SUPERAntiSpyware as follows:

• Launch the program and back on the main screen, under "Scan for Harmful Software" click Scan your computer.
• On the left, make sure you check C:\Fixed Drive.
• On the right, under "Complete Scan", choose Perform Complete Scan and click "Next".
• After the scan is complete, a Scan Summary box will appear with potentially harmful items that were detected. Click "OK".
• Make sure everything has a checkmark next to it and click "Next".
• A notification will appear that "Quarantine and Removal is Complete". Click "OK" and then click the "Finish" button to return to the main menu.
• 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.

I will use CCleaner for my temporary cleaning. I will run SAS whenever I am at school (tomorrow) as I already have it and run it occasionally with MBAM and SB S&D.

Ok... let us know...