BleepingComputer.com: Something is trying to disable my computer...

I have Windows XP home edition and Norton Antivirus 2009. Ever since June 9th (a few days after I got Norton 2009), something has been trying to attack my computer. Most of the time, the method of attack has been to attempt to shut it down.

Recently, attacks have been unceasing. It happens every 10 minutes or so. I've scanned a couple of times in the past few days, but scans have only turned up tracking cookies. Below are copies of security log entries. (only dates and my name have been left out)

Severity: Medium
Activity: Unauthorized access blocked (send terminate message to window)
Status: Blocked
Reccomended action: No action required
Actor: c:\windows\explorer.exe
Actor PID: *
Target: C:\Program Files\Norton Antivirus\Norton Antivirus\Engine\16.5.0.134\ccSvcHst.exe
Target PID: **
Action: Send Terminate Message to Window
Reaction: Unauthorized access blocked
Recommended action: No Action Required

*1240, 1556, 812, 1264, 184, 816, 164, 180, 184
**1864, 1176, 1312, 1480, 2020, 640, 2212, 2724, 3448, 604, 3308, 3476, 3912, 3428, 2812, 3956, 2608, 2088, 200, 2372, 2308, 3428, 2568, 2904, 3040, 4084, 3608, 1120, 1004, 2132, 724, 2252, 3904, 3356

Happened 34 times (although certainly more by the time someone reads this) since June 9

Severity: Medium
Activity: Unauthorized access logged (Access Process Data)
Status: Logged
Actor: c:\windows\system32\mrt.exe
Actor PID: 2420
Target: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\PIF\{B8E1DD85-8582-4c61-B58F-2F227FCA908}\PIFSvc.exe
Target PID: 1948
Action: Access Process Data
Reaction: Unauthorized access logged
Recommended action: No Action Required

Happened once on June 9

Severity: High
Activity: Auto-Protect has detected Bloodhound.Exploit.196
Status: Blocked
Risk category: Heuristic Virus
Definitions Version: 2009.06.12.021
Component: Auto-Protect
File Name: c:\documents and settings\MY NAME REMOVED\local settings\temporary internet files\content.ie5\ljt680e1\357[1].pdf
Recommended action: Resolved - no action

Happened three times from June 12 to June 13

Severity: High
Activity: An intrusion attempt by 84.16.228.90 was blocked. Application path \ DEVICE \ HARDDISKVOLUME1 \ PROGRAM FILES \ ADOBE \ ACROBAT 7.0 \ ACRORD32.EXE
Status: Blocked
Risk name: HTTP Acrobat Suspicious Executable File Download
Attacking computer: 84.16.228.90, 80
Attacker URL: recklitu.com/img\ouet.php
Destination address: MY NAME REMOVED-CF5F22DA5 (76.91.104.108, 1259*)
Source address: 84.16.228.90
Traffic Description: TCP, www-http
Recommended action: No Action Required

*Another log entry said 1470

Happened twice on June 12






Some additional info: One June 12th, my computer kept freezing up, but it hasn't happened since. I do not go to any shady websites, certainly none recently.

I'm sorry if this is vague; I'm not too familiar with computers! I will appreciate any help. Thanks.

Hi and welcome to BC!
Please do this......

Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

alternate download link 1
alternate download link 2

NOTE: Before saving MBAM please rename it to thcbytes.exe then save it to your desktop.

MBAM 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.

If MBAM will not install, try renaming it this way.

• Right-click on the mbam-setup.exe file file and rename it to mysetup.exe.
  
• Double-click on mysetup.exe to start the installation.
  
• If that did not work, then try renaming and changing the file extension. <- click this link if you do not see the file extension
  
• Right-click on the mbam-setup.exe file, rename it to mysetup and change the .exe extension to .scr, .com, .pif, or .bat.
  
• Then double-click on mysetup.scr (or whatever extension you renamed it) to begin installation.

If after installation, MBAM will not run, open the Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware folder in Program Files.

• Right-click on mbam.exe, rename it to myscan.exe.
  
• Double-click on myscan.exe to launch the program.
  
• If that did not work, then try renaming and change the .exe extension in the same way as noted above.
  
• Double-click on myscan.scr (or whatever extension you renamed it) to launch the program.

If using Windows Vista, refer to How to Change a File Extension in Windows Vista.

**********

* Go to start > Run copy/paste the contents of the code box excluding "code" in the run box and click OK.

cmd /c (ipconfig /all&nslookup google.com&ping -n 2 google.com&route print) >log.txt&log.txt&del log.txt

A command window opens. Wait until a log.txt file opens.

* Please copy/paste the log file in your reply.

**********

With your next post please provide:

* MBAM log
* Internet connection logfile

Kind regards,
t

Hi, thanks for replying! Before I download MBAM, I just want to make sure of a few things:

*What are "changes to my registry?"
*Can I uninstall it later?

Thank you!

Hello again,
In order for the tool to run it will make changes in the database that stores settings in your OS ie "registry changes". These changes are not malicious. They are required for the tool to be effective. Many antivirus and antispyware software will globally block registry changes good or bad so this is why we ask you to temporarily disable your active protection. Our tools will be ineffective otherwise.

All the tools we utilize can be simply uninstalled via the add/remove function in your computer. MBAM is a freeware utility that you might want to make part of your regular safety routine though.

Most of the helpers here share their expertize out of the goodness of their hearts and because of an interest in computer security. Me included.

Proceed if you desire,
I will be here,
Kind regards,
t

thcbytes, on Jun 15 2009, 05:39 PM, said:

Is there any other option? If I have to turn off my antivirus, that would be really chancing it.

You could try to give it a run without disabling anything. If you get warnings from your antivirus software then allow the changes temporarily

I understand your apprehensions but we are the good guy's. We are here to help not hurt you.

Kind regards,
t

I run that program with my antivirus on and do not have any problems. My firewall has an operating system firewall that blocks access and changes to my system files unless I give permission for the program to access and make changes to those files so I just give Malwarebytes full permission. Malwarebytes cannot scan or clean up your system unless it has access to it, neither can any other program.

If you find that you need to turn off your antivirus in order for the program to operate correctly you can do that safely just by disconnecting from the internet before running the scan.

Thanks for helping me out! The program installed perfectly. Here are the scan results:

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.37
Database version: 2291
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3

6/16/2009 7:43:31 PM
mbam-log-2009-06-16 (19-43-31).txt

Scan type: Quick Scan
Objects scanned: 102905
Time elapsed: 17 minute(s), 49 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 1
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 2
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 0

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\{f919fbd3-a96b-4679-af26-f551439bb5fd} (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center\AntiVirusDisableNotify (Disabled.SecurityCenter) -> Bad: (1) Good: (0) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center\FirewallDisableNotify (Disabled.SecurityCenter) -> Bad: (1) Good: (0) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

And here's my internet connection logfile:



Windows IP Configuration



Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : burch-cf5f22da5

Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :

Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid

IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : socal.rr.com



Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 2:



Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : socal.rr.com

Description . . . . . . . . . . . : NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller #2

Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-11-09-B9-83-C6

Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes

Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 76.91.105.79

Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.240.0

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 76.91.96.1

DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 76.85.238.49

DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 66.75.160.63

66.75.160.64

Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, June 16, 2009 7:46:28 PM

Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, June 17, 2009 7:46:28 PM

Server: rdns-lb-01.orange.rr.com
Address: 66.75.160.63

Name: google.com
Addresses: 74.125.45.100, 74.125.67.100, 74.125.127.100



Pinging google.com [74.125.45.100] with 32 bytes of data:



Reply from 74.125.45.100: bytes=32 time=85ms TTL=49

Reply from 74.125.45.100: bytes=32 time=85ms TTL=49



Ping statistics for 74.125.45.100:

Packets: Sent = 2, Received = 2, Lost = 0 (0% loss),

Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:

Minimum = 85ms, Maximum = 85ms, Average = 85ms

===========================================================================
Interface List
0x1 ........................... MS TCP Loopback interface
0x2 ...00 11 09 b9 83 c6 ...... Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC #2 - Packet Scheduler Miniport
===========================================================================
===========================================================================
Active Routes:
Network Destination Netmask Gateway Interface Metric
0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 76.91.96.1 76.91.105.79 20
76.91.96.0 255.255.240.0 76.91.105.79 76.91.105.79 20
76.91.105.79 255.255.255.255 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 20
76.255.255.255 255.255.255.255 76.91.105.79 76.91.105.79 20
127.0.0.0 255.0.0.0 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 1
224.0.0.0 240.0.0.0 76.91.105.79 76.91.105.79 20
255.255.255.255 255.255.255.255 76.91.105.79 76.91.105.79 1
Default Gateway: 76.91.96.1
===========================================================================
Persistent Routes:
None

BTW, after I restarted after the scan, Windows alerted me that my Firewall had been turned off. Might that have been a virus?

Well done

Yes. The malware disabled your firewall and your antivirus software from updating.

Is this your server?

Server: rdns-lb-01.orange.rr.com

**********

Let's proceed,

Please do this......

* Clean your Cache and Cookies in IE:

• Close all instances of Outlook Express and Internet Explorer
  
• Go to Control Panel > Internet Options > General tab
  
• Click the "Delete Cookies" button
  
• Next to it, Click the "Delete Files" button
  
• When prompted, place a check in: "Delete all offline content", click OK

* Clean your Cache and Cookies in Firefox (In case you also have Firefox installed):

• Go to Tools > Options.
  
• Click Privacy in the menu on the left side of the Options window.
  
• Click the Clear button located to the right of each option (History, Cookies, Cache).
  
• Click OK to close the Options window
  Alternatively, you can clear all information stored while browsing by clicking Clear All.
  A confirmation dialog box will be shown before clearing the information.

* Clean other Temporary files + Recycle bin

• Go to start > run and type: cleanmgr and click ok.
  
• Let it scan your system for files to remove.
  
• Make sure Temporary Files, Temporary Internet Files, and Recycle Bin are the only things checked.
  
• Press OK to remove them.

**********

Before we start fixing anything you should print out these instructions or copy them to a NotePad file so they will be accessible. Some steps will require you to disconnect from the Internet or use Safe Mode and you will not have access to this page.

Please download DrWeb-CureIt and save it to your desktop. DO NOT perform a scan 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".

Scan with Dr.Web CureIt as follows:

• Double-click on launch.exe to open the program and click Start. (There is no need to update if you just downloaded the most current version
  
• Read the Virus check by DrWeb scanner prompt and click Ok where asked to Start scan now? Allow the setup.exe to load if asked by any of your security programs.
  
• The Express scan will automatically begin.
  (This is a short scan of files currently running in memory, boot sectors, and targeted folders).
  
• If prompted to dowload the Full version Free Trial, ignore and click the X to close the window.
  
• If an infected object is found, you will be prompted to move anything that cannot be cured. Click Yes to All.
  
• When complete, click Select All, then choose Cure > Move incurable.
  (This will move any detected files to the C:\Documents and Settings\userprofile\DoctorWeb\Quarantine folder if they can't be cured)

• Now put a check next to Complete scan to scan all local disks and removable media.
  
• In the top menu, click Settings > Change settings, and UNcheck "Heuristic analysis" under the "Scanning" tab, then click Ok.
  
• Back at the main window, click the green arrow "Start Scanning" button on the right under the Dr.Web logo.
  
• When the scan is complete, a message will be displayed at the bottom indicating if any viruses were found.
  
• Click "Yes to all" if asked to cure or move the file(s) and select "Move incurable".
  
• In the top menu, click file and choose save report list.
  
• Save the DrWeb.csv report to your desktop.
  
• Exit Dr.Web Cureit when done.
  
• Important! Reboot your computer because it could be possible that files in use will be moved/deleted during reboot.
  
• After reboot, post the contents of the log from Dr.Web in your next reply. (You can use Notepad to open the DrWeb.cvs report)

**********

Please run a BitDefender Online Scan

• Click I Agree to agree to the EULA.
  
• Allow the ActiveX control to install when prompted.
  
• Click Click here to scan to begin the scan.
  
• Please refrain from using the computer until the scan is finished. This might take a while to run, but it is important that nothing else is running while you scan.
  
• When the scan is finished, click on Click here to export the scan results.
  
• Save the report to your desktop so you can post it in your next reply.

**********

With your next post please provide:

* Answer question
* DrWeb log
* Bitdefender log

Kind regards,
t

thcbytes, on Jun 16 2009, 10:17 PM, said:

Thanks for replying! Unfortunately, I'm not sure how to determine what my server is. Before I follow your instructions, I'm a bit confused on two things:

When I click "delete all offline content", what will be deleted?
I don't have Firefox, so should I ignore step #2?

Thanks again for helping!

Checking that box won't delete anything you really need. It just deletes the files that were saved to your computer if you have ever marked any webpages to be viewed offline. At this point, even if you have done that, I would go ahead and have that content deleted as you can always go back to that webpage and set for offline viewing again.

I believe your server is your ISP, are you using RoadRunner to connect to the internet?
I do not know what the orange stands for (maybe Orange County?) but the rr is most likely for RoadRunner

Yes, if you do not have Firefox then there is no need to clear the cache or cookies for it.

Did you turn your firewall and antivirus programs back on? If not, you should. If they are on and just being reported by Windows Security Center as off, say so. Sometimes Windows Security Center does not report them accurately and Malwarebytes did change the setting for the Windows Security Center notifications. Also, are you able to update your antivirus program?

Agreed.
Thanks Stang
You may proceed when ready,
t

You are so very welcome Thcbytes

OK! The BitDefender scan didn't turn up anything. My ISP is Time Warner Cable.

Quote

Windows Security Center reported that the firewall had been turned off, so I turned it back on. And I think my Antivirus updates itself.

Here is the DrWeb CureIt scan result:

000000BB;C:\WINDOWS\temp;Trojan.Swizzor.based;Deleted.;
pifCrawl.exe;C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\PIF\{B8E1DD85-8582-4c61-B58F-2F227FCA9A08};Trojan.Swizzor.based;Deleted.;
pv.exe;C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\OrderReminder\OrderReminder\Uninstall-hpLJ_101x;Program.PrcView.3741;Moved.;
A0245384.exe;C:\System Volume Information\_restore{36964EE1-EB8F-4509-9797-1EE4E979EB5C}\RP458;Trojan.Swizzor.based;Deleted.;

Hello,

OK! The BitDefender scan didn't turn up anything. My ISP is Time Warner Cable.

Were just about there...
Do this....

Update and rerun MBAM

==========

Please download and scan with 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. Double-click on the hyperlink for Download Installer and save SASDEFINITIONS.EXE to your desktop. Then double-click on SASDEFINITIONS.EXE to install the definitions.)
  
• In the Main Menu, 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".

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.

==========

Please run the F-Secure Online Scanner
Note: This Scanner is for Internet Explorer Only!
Follow the Instruction here for installation.
Accept the License Agreement.
Once the ActiveX installs,Click Full System Scan
Once the download completes, the scan will begin automatically.
The scan will take some time to finish, so please be patient.
When the scan completes, click the Automatic cleaning (recommended) button.
Click the Show Report button and Copy&Paste the entire report in your next reply.

==========

With your next post please provide:

* Hows it running?
* MBAM log
* F-Secure log

Thanks,
t