Hello everyone,

Maybe one of you have had this same problem.
Windows Defender & a-squared free scans have found mshta.exe/m?hta.exe---C:\Windows\system32\mshta.exe, stating that it ia purityscan.am which is adware. I have deleted it many times by both software (also in safe mode) & they keep finding this file.
Here is the a-squared scan results:

a-squared Free - Version 2.0

Scan settings:

Objects: Memory, Traces, Cookies, C:\, D:\
Scan archives: On
Heuristics: On
ADS Scan: On

Scan start: 9/12/2006 6:21:32 PM

C:\WINDOWS\system32\mѕhta.exe detected: Adware.PurityScan.am

Scanned

Files: 95188
Traces: 71385
Cookies: 1
Processes: 32

Found

Files: 1
Traces: 0
Cookies: 0
Processes: 0
Registry keys: 0

Scan end: 9/12/2006 7:01:13 PM
Scan time: 12:39:41 AM

C:\WINDOWS\system32\m?hta.exe Deleted Adware.PurityScan.am

Deleted

Files: 1
Traces: 0
Cookies: 0

Not deleted---
Neither Windows Defender or a-squared free can delete this file for some reason. I've tried several things i found by Google, none of them worked either.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

diyahnih

Hello diyahnih

PurityScan files are named by inserting unicode cyrillic characters that resemble latin characters. These characters cannot be read by non-unicode applications. The ? indicates a single unicode cyrillic character that cannot read but is indicative of this infection. PurityScan uses an .exe name with one of the spoofable characters usually from a file in the System32 folder at random. Infections can sometimes be difficult to remove without expert help.

Please read and follow all instructions in the pinned topic titled "Preparation Guide For Use Before Posting A Hijackthis Log". When you have done that, post a log in the HijackThis Logs and Analysis 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.

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.

It may take a while to get a response because the HJT Team members are very busy working logs posted before yours. Please be patient. 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 no replies as this makes it easier for them to identify those who have not been helped. If you post another response, 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 here.

After posting a log 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. Doing so can result in system changes which may not show it the log you already posted and any modifications you make may complicate the malware removal process.

Thanks Quietman7 for the info, i will follow your advice. i just hope i can get rid of this adware.


diyahnih

Your welcome and don't worry as you will be in good hands.