I see that you have used ComboFix at some point. Did you use SmitfraudFix too? Certain embedded files (VACfix.exe) that are part of legitimate programs or specialized fix tools such as SmitfraudFix may at times be detected by some anti-virus and anti-malware scanners as a "
Risk Tool", "
Hacking Tool", "
Potentially Unwanted Program", or even "
Malware"
(virus/trojan) when that is not the case. This occurs for a variety of reasons to include the tool's compiler, the files it uses, registry fixes and malware strings it contains.
Such programs have legitimate uses in contexts where a Malware Removal Expert asked you to use the tool or when an authorized user/administrator has knowingly installed it. When flagged by an anti-virus or security scanner, it's because the program includes features, behavior or files that appear suspicious or it can potentially be used for malicious purposes. These detections do not necessarily mean the file is malware or a bad program. It means it has the
potential for being misused by others or that it was simply detected as suspicious due to the security program's
Heuristic analysis engine which provides the ability to detect
possible new variants of malware. Anti-virus scanners
cannot distinguish between "good" and "malicious" use of such programs, therefore they may alert you or even automatically
remove them. In these cases the detection is a "
False Positive".
Please download
OTCleanIt.exe and save to your Desktop.
- Connect to the Internet and double-click on the file to launch the program.
- Click on the green CleanUp! button.
- If you get a warning from your firewall or other security programs regarding OTCleanIt attempting to contact the Internet, please allow the connection.
- When it has finished, OTCleanIt will ask you to reboot so it can remove itself.
--
Note: Doing this will remove any specialized tools (including this one) downloaded and used.Open Windows Explorer, navigate to the C:\WINDOWS\System32\ folder, right-click on and delete VACFix.exe. Then empty your Recyle Bin.
Please download
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (v1.36) and save it to your desktop.
alternate download link 1alternate download link 2MBAM may "make changes to your registry" as part of its disinfection routine. If using other security programs that detect registry changes (ie Spybot's Teatimer), they may interfere or alert you. Temporarily disable such programs or permit them to allow the changes.- 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 definition 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. Be sure to post the complete log to include the top portion which shows MBAM's database version and your operating system.
- Exit MBAM when done.
Note: If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove, you will be asked to reboot your computer so MBAM can proceed with the disinfection process. If asked to restart the computer, please do so immediately. Failure to reboot normally (not into safe mode) will prevent MBAM from removing all the malware.
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