BleepingComputer.com: please help - lots of windows opening out of control!

I almost always use Firefox.. But I had to use IE for something for the past few weeks in addition to firefox. I believe that my acer laptop running Vista has a (or multiple) viruses.
I just upgraded to verizon fios so it has all of its virus et el software running. Also ad-aware, and firewall.

After I open firefox, as it is opening the initial window, over 100 windows opened before I could stop it! This happened twice and I havn't used it since. I am on my kids pc & really need help as all my financial stuff (read bills) are on it.

Thanks for any help anyone can give me.

Hello and welcome to Bleeping Computer

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Lets take a look with Malwarebytes

Please download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware from here:
Malwarebytes
Please rename the file BEFORE downloading to zztoy.exe instead of mbam-setup.exe

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.

Double Click zztoy.exe to install the application.
* Make sure a checkmark is placed next to Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, then click Finish.
* If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
* Once the program has loaded, select "Perform Full Scan", then click Scan.
* The scan may take some time to finish,so please be patient.
* When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
* Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
* When disinfection is completed, a log will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to Restart.(See Extra Note)
* The log is automatically saved by MBAM and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.
* Copy&Paste the entire MBAM report (even if it does not find anything) in your next reply

Extra Note:
If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove,you will be presented with 1 of 2 prompts,click OK to either and let MBAM proceed with the disinfection process, if asked to restart the computer, please do so immediately.


If Malwarebytes won't install or run

Some types of malware will disable MBAM and other security tools. If MBAM will not install, try renaming it. Right-click on the mbam-setup.exe file and change the .exe extension to .bat, .com, .pif, or .scr and then double-click on it to run.

If after installation, MBAM will not run, open the Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware folder in Program Files, right-click on mbam.exe and change the .exe as noted above. Then double-click on it to run.

Hi, sorry for the time to get back to this....

I did everything you asked & didn't find anything. I disabled the firewall, and all others. I am attaching the log below. Interesting other issues, firefox bookmarks disappeared and there wasn't any history or what was there was not right... wrong web sites, attached to the wrong bookmark.

I am now running from the notebook.. & now it seems as if everything is fine.... ???

Here is the log:

Well, I ran MBAM and there was a log saved... I can't find it now.. I'm going to look again or I'll run it again... it took over an hour.

k I can't find it.. so I'll run it again and then post it.

ok here is the log.. I reran MBAM. Nothing found....

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.41
Database version: 3130
Windows 6.0.6000

11/10/2009 5:59:23 PM
mbam-log-2009-11-10 (17-59-23).txt

Scan type: Full Scan (C:\|D:\|F:\|)
Objects scanned: 288411
Time elapsed: 1 hour(s), 8 minute(s), 30 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)



Thanks for your help.

So everything is fine now?

It is acting strange. Very slow, numerous apps are crashing - firefox locks sometimes - just now.. I think something is hiding?? Im running (just to check email & this site) on this laptop without reinstating my virus protection and firewall.... am very anxious.. Is there something else I should do/run? Or should I just reactivate the security?

I also have just installed (about a wk ago) a bothersome app "weatherbug" At first it seemed like a good idea, but so much other junk I don't need.. going to get rid of it.

You may have to reinstall firefox to fix that problem. But I recommend to use Internet Explorer as it is safer and faster.

And lets get a second opinion:

Please run ATF and SAS:

Note.. SAS doesn't open the registry hives for other user accounts on the system, so scans should be done from each user account.

Note 2: On Vista, "Windows Temp" is disabled. To empty "Windows Temp" ATF-Cleaner must be "Run as an Administrator".

From your regular user account..
Download Attribune's ATF Cleaner and then SUPERAntiSpyware, Free Home Edition

Save both to desktop ..
DO NOT run yet.
Open SUPER from icon and install and Update it
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 yet.

Now reboot into Safe Mode: How to enter safe mode(XP)
Using the F8 Method
Restart your computer.
When the machine first starts again it will generally list some equipment that is installed in your machine, amount of memory, hard drives installed etc. At this point you should gently tap the F8 key repeatedly until you are presented with a Windows XP Advanced Options menu.
Select the option for Safe Mode using the arrow keys.
Then press enter on your keyboard to boot into 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 or Opera browser click that browser 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.

NOW Scan with SUPER
Open from the desktop icon or the program Files list
On the left, make sure you check C:\Fixed Drive.
Perform a Complete scan. After scan,Verify they are all checked.
Click OK on the summary screen to quarantine all found items.
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.

ok, thanks for the update. I will get it done either later tonight, but most likely tomorrow morning.

Did you ever complete the scan?

thanks so much for helping me. I had to go out of town & didn't get the chance to run it before I went. I will be back tomorrow & have time in the early afternoon to run the scan and hopefully finish this.

Ok, I will be waiting for your log.

Hi, I am sorry I didn't reply and finish out this thread. When I went out of town, it was because a family member was very ill. Unfortunately, it turned into a funeral. As I was very frustrated with the PC, and as a "gift" to me, a friend of a friend that had some "techie" friends went ahead and fixed my pc. At the time, I didn't care. I appologize for not at least ending this thread. Thank you for your help. I love this site!

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. On the other hand, I am glad that you got your computer fixed.

Happy Computing!

Closed Topic being helped elsewhere.