BleepingComputer.com: No Internet Access. Antivirus program gone wild!

Using Windows XP with Service Pack 2 and FireFox for browsing.

I am unable to access Internet however my Skype, Messenger and other online connections DO work.

Background: My AVG full version antivirus expired and I let it go months without protection (Yes I know... dumb move). Everything has been fine until yesterday. Yesterday some Antivirus that I never heard of (probably a rogue program) called Antivirus System Pro started complaining about a lot of viruses. That's when I installed the AVG Free Edition and started zapping all kinds of viruses (mostly Trojan Horse crap). The Antivirus Pro program still keeps popping up. Is it a legitimate program or some kind of Malware trying to make me spend money on their program to fix viruses they created? I never installed it.

By the way... my AVG installation is not allowing me to update to the latest file. It is complaining that Control File is missing on the Update Manager, yet when I reinstall AVG I get the same thing.

Now I have no browsing capabilities, but as I mentioned above I do have limited connectivity to the Internet, just no browsing.

I also noticed that my Windows Firewall was not running, so I turned that on today.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Lorenzo_CA

Attach.txt has been attached.

Hello and welcome to Bleeping Computer

We apologize for the delay in responding to your request for help. Here at Bleeping Computer we get overwhelmed at times, and we are trying our best to keep up. Please note that your topic was not intentionally overlooked. Our mission is to help everyone in need, but sometimes it takes just a little longer to get to every request for help. No one is ignored here.

If you have since resolved the original problem you were having, we would appreciate you letting us know. If not please perform the following steps below so we can have a look at the current condition of your machine.

If you have not done so, include a clear description of the problems you're having, along with any steps you may have performed so far.

Upon completing the steps below another staff member will review and take the steps necessary with you to get your machine back in working order clean and free of malware.

If you have already posted a DDS log, please do so again, as your situation may have changed.
Use the 'Add Reply' and add the new log to this thread.


Thanks and again sorry for the delay.

We need to see some information about what is happening in your machine. Please perform the following scan:

• Download DDS by sUBs from one of the following links. Save it to your desktop.
  • DDS.scr
    
  • DDS.pif
  
  
• Double click on the DDS icon, allow it to run.
  
• A small box will open, with an explaination about the tool. No input is needed, the scan is running.
  
• Notepad will open with the results.
  
• Follow the instructions that pop up for posting the results.
  
• Close the program window, and delete the program from your desktop.

Please note: You may have to disable any script protection running if the scan fails to run. After downloading the tool, disconnect from the internet and disable all antivirus protection. Run the scan, enable your A/V and reconnect to the internet.

Information on A/V control HERE

Fresh DDS log attached. Dated 6-23-2009.

Awaiting next instructions.

Thank you.

Lorenzo

You guys must be busy. But a little help, pleeeeeeeze.

Thanks.

Lorenzo

Hello lorenzo_CA,

Welcome to Bleeping Computer.

Sorry for delayed response. Forums have been really busy.

My name is fireman4it and I will be helping you with your Malware problem.
As I am still in training I will be helping you under supervision of our expert teachers, so there may be a delay between posts.

Please make no further changes or run any other tools unless instructed to. This may hinder the cleaning of your machine.

I will be analyzing your log. I will get back to you with instructions after it is approved.

This post has been edited by fireman4it: 27 June 2009 - 08:30 AM

Hello lorenzo_CA,

Please follow all instructions in order given. If you don't understand a instruction or can't complete an instruction, please Stop there and post your problem so we can find a solution.

1.One or more of the identified infections is a backdoor trojan.

This allows hackers to remotely control your computer, steal critical system information and download and execute files.

I would counsel you to disconnect this PC from the Internet immediately. If you do any banking or other financial transactions on the PC or if it should contain any other sensitive information, please get to a known clean computer and change all passwords where applicable, and it would be wise to contact those same financial institutions to apprise them of your situation.

Though the trojan has been identified and can be killed, because of it's backdoor functionality, your PC is very likely compromised and there is no way to be sure your computer can ever again be trusted. Many experts in the security community believe that once infected with this type of trojan, the best course of action would be a reformat and reinstall of the OS. Please read these for more information:

How Do I Handle Possible Identify Theft, Internet Fraud and CC Fraud?
When Should I Format, How Should I Reinstall

We can still clean this machine but I can't guarantee that it will be 100% secure afterwards. Let me know what you decide to do.

2.
Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (v1.32) and save it to your desktop.
alternate download link 1
alternate download link 2
If you have a previous version of MBAM, remove it via Add/Remove Programs and download a fresh copy.

• 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. Alternatively, you can update through MBAM's interface from a clean computer, copy the definitions (rules.ref) located in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Malwarebytes\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware from that system to a usb stick or CD and then copy it to the infected machine.

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 using other security programs that detect registry changes (ie Spybot's Teatimer), they may interfere or alert you after scanning with MBAM. Please temporarily disable such programs or permit them to allow the changes.

3.
Install Recovery Console and Run ComboFix

Download Combofix from any of the links below, and save it to your desktop.

Link 1
Link 2
Link 3

• Close/disable all anti-virus and anti-malware programs so they do not interfere with the running of ComboFix. Refer to this page if you are not sure how.
  
• Close any open windows, including this one.
  
• Double click on ComboFix.exe & follow the prompts.
  
• As part of it's process, ComboFix will check to see if the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console is installed. With malware infections being as they are today, it's strongly recommended to have this pre-installed on your machine before doing any malware removal. It will allow you to boot up into a special recovery/repair mode that will allow us to more easily help you should your computer have a problem after an attempted removal of malware.
  
• If you did not have it installed, you will see the prompt below. Choose YES.
  
• 
  
• Follow the prompts to allow ComboFix to download and install the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console, and when prompted, agree to the End-User License Agreement to install the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console.

**Please note: If the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console is already installed, ComboFix will continue it's malware removal procedures.

Note:The Windows Recovery Console will allow you to boot up into a special recovery (repair) mode. This allows us to more easily help you
should your computer have a problem after an attempted removal of malware. It is a simple procedure that will only take a few moments of your time.

• Once the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console is installed using ComboFix, you should see the following message:
  
  
  
• Click on Yes, to continue scanning for malware.
  
• When finished, it will produce a report for you. Please post the contents of the log (C:\ComboFix.txt).

Leave your computer alone while ComboFix is running.
ComboFix will restart your computer if malware is found; allow it to do so.

Note: Please Do NOT mouseclick combofix's window while its running because it may cause it to stall.

4.
Please download GMER from one of the following locations and save it to your desktop:

• Main Mirror
  This version will download a randomly named file (Recommended)
  
• Zipped Mirror
  This version will download a zip file you will need to extract first. If you use this mirror, please extract the zip file to your desktop.

• Disconnect from the Internet and close all running programs.
  
• Temporarily disable any real-time active protection so your security programs will not conflict with gmer's driver.
  
• Double-click on the randomly named GMER file (i.e. n7gmo46c.exe) and allow the gmer.sys driver to load if asked.
  
• Note: If you downloaded the zipped version, extract the file to its own folder such as C:\gmer and then double-click on gmer.exe.
  
  
  
  
• GMER will open to the Rootkit/Malware tab and perform an automatic quick scan when first run. (do not use the computer while the scan is in progress)
  
• If you receive a WARNING!!! about rootkit activity and are asked to fully scan your system...click NO.
  
• Now click the Scan button. If you see a rootkit warning window, click OK.
  
• When the scan is finished, click the Save... button to save the scan results to your Desktop. Save the file as gmer.log.
  
• Click the Copy button and paste the results into your next reply.
  
• Exit GMER and re-enable all active protection when done.

-- If you encounter any problems, try running GMER in Safe Mode.

Things to include in your next reply:
MBAM log
Combofix.txt
Gmer log
How is your machine running now?

OK, all utilities have been run and I have attached the log files to this reply.

The machine seems to be running fine now. I understand what you are saying about it might be a better idea to start from scratch, but this machine is mostly for my kids to access email and games and watch videos on you tube. I don't plan to do any sensitive work on it for now (such as online banking).

Question... is the any way to tell if it is still infected? Can I re-run some utilities to see if it still looks infected?

Thanks very much for your help. I look forward to hearing back from you on the analysis of these log files.

Lorenzo

You know I never saw it run any of the utilities against my second drive, which is used only for storing photos and videos.

Can I rerun all of these utilities against that drive? MBAM never asked me to run it against all drives now that I think about it. Let me know your thoughts on that extra disk. It is an internal storage drive (F:) on this workstation.

Thanks.

Lorenzo

Hello lorenzo_CA,

Great job running them tools and getting those logs back to me.

Quote

Yes there is. Are you still having "Antivirus System Pro " telling you about infections?Has overall performance gotten better?

Quote

Yes you can rerun MBAM any time just update it regularly and use it. However I suggest not running Combofix without supervision as it is a very powerful tool and miss use could result in a unfixable machine. Gmer is just a scanner and doesn't fix anything

Quote

Yes you can use MBAM by doing a full scan and make sure (F:) Drive is checked

1.
Your Java is out of date. Older versions have vulnerabilities that malicious sites can use to exploit and infect your system. Please follow these steps to remove older version Java components and update:

• Download the latest version of Java Runtime Environment (JRE) Version 6 and save it to your desktop.
  
• Look for "Java Runtime Environment (JRE)" JRE 6 Update 14.
  
• Click the Download button to the right.
  
• Select your Platform: "Windows".
  
• Select your Language: "Multi-language".
  
• Read the License Agreement, and then check the box that says: "Accept License Agreement".
  
• Click Continue and the page will refresh.
  
• Under Required Files, check the box for Windows Offline Installation, click the link below it and save the file to your desktop.
  
• Close any programs you may have running - especially your web browser.

Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel, double-click on Add/Remove Programs and remove all older versions of Java.

• Check (highlight) any item with Java Runtime Environment (JRE or J2SE) in the name.
  
• Click the Remove or Change/Remove button and follow the onscreen instructions for the Java uninstaller.
  
• Repeat as many times as necessary to remove each Java versions.
  
• Reboot your computer once all Java components are removed.
  
• Then from your desktop double-click on jre-6u14-windows-i586-p.exe to install the newest version.

-- If using Windows Vista and the installer refuses to launch due to insufficient user permissions, then Run As Administrator.
-- If you choose to update via the Java applet in Control Panel, uncheck the option to install the Toolbar unless you want it.
-- The uninstaller incorporated in this release removes previous Updates 10 and above, but does not remove older versions, so they still need to be removed manually.

Note: The Java Quick Starter (JQS.exe) adds a service to improve the initial startup time of Java applets and applications. To disable the JQS service if you don't want to use it, go to Start > Control Panel > Java > Advanced > Miscellaneous and uncheck the box for Java Quick Starter. Click Ok and reboot your computer.

2.


Please do an online scan with Kaspersky WebScanner

Click on Kaspersky Online Scanner

You will be prompted to install an ActiveX component from Kaspersky, Click Yes.

• The program will launch and then begin downloading the latest definition files:
  
• Once the files have been downloaded click on NEXT
  
  
• Now click on Scan Settings
  
• In the scan settings make that the following are selected:
  • Scan using the following Anti-Virus database:
  Extended (if available otherwise Standard)
  • Scan Options:
  Scan Archives
  Scan Mail Bases
  
  
• Click OK
  
• Now under select a target to scan:
  Select My Computer
  
  
• This will program will start and scan your system.
  
• The scan will take a while so be patient and let it run.
  
• Once the scan is complete it will display if your system has been infected.
  • Now click on the Save as Text button:
  
  
• Save the file to your desktop.
  
• Copy and paste that information in your next post.

3.
Please update MBAM and run another scan.

Things to include in your next reply:
Kaspersky log
MBAM log
A new DDS.txt
How is your machine running now? Any Signs or Symptoms of infection?

Hello.

Are you still there?

If you are please follow the instructions in my previous post.

If you still need help, follow the instructions I have given in my response. If you have since had your problem solved, we would appreciate you letting us know so we can close the topic.

Please reply back telling us so. If you don't reply within 5-7 days the topic will need to be closed.

Thanks for understanding

With Regards,
fireman4it

Hello Fireman4It,

Hope you had a nice 4th of July.

OK, I have updated my Java Runtime and I also ran the following utilities in the order listed:

Kaspersky Webscanner
MBAM
DDS

Kaspersky found a couple of viruses but I didn't see a way to remove them.

MBAM found a few viruses and I clicked to have them removed.

Then I ran DDS.

All logs are attached. Please advise next move.

Thanks,
Lorenzo_CA

Hello lorenzo_CA,

I see "no action taken" in your MBAM log. This is caused by not fixing or letting the computer restart to fix those files.

1.
Please update and run MBAM again this time hitting fix checked when the scan is complete.

2.
I'd like us to scan your machine with ESET OnlineScan

• Hold down Control and click on the following link to open ESET OnlineScan in a new window.
  ESET OnlineScan
  
• Click the button.
  
• For alternate browsers only: (Microsoft Internet Explorer users can skip these steps)
  • Click on to download the ESET Smart Installer. Save it to your desktop.
    
  • Double click on the icon on your desktop.
  
  
• Check
  
• Click the button.
  
• Accept any security warnings from your browser.
  
• Check
  
• Push the Start button.
  
• ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer. Please be patient as this can take some time.
  
• When the scan completes, push
  
• Push , and save the file to your desktop using a unique name, such as ESETScan. Include the contents of this report in your next reply.
  
• Push the button.
  
• Push

Note for Vista Users: Eset is compatible but Internet Explorer must be run as Administrator. To do this, right-click on the IE icon in the Start Menu or Quick Launch Bar on the Taskbar and select "Run as Administrator" from the context menu.)

You can refer to this short video by: neomage
**Note**
To optimize scanning time and produce a more sensible report for review:

• Close any open programs
  
  
• Turn off the real time scanner of any existing antivirus program while performing the online scan.

Things to include in your next reply:
MBAM log
Nod32 ESET log
DDS .txt
How is your computer running now? Any signs or symptoms of infection?

Will do.

BTW, I did have MBAM fix the errors but I think the log was created before the errors were fixed. Either way, I will re-run MBAM again as well as the other scanner.

Thanks for all your help.

Lorenzo_ca.

Hello lorenzo_CA,

I will wait patiently for your logs.

All files have been attached.

I ran MBAM and have attached the DDS.txt and Attach.txt log files.

I ran ESET and it found and corrected two infected files. ESET log attached.

Computer is running very well. No signs f infection.

What worries me however is that we keep finding and correcting infections. MBAM didn't find any this time, but ESET did. Are these viruses the same ones that are just being not being fully removed or does my system keep getting reinfected with new viruses?

Thank again.

Lorenzo_CA