BleepingComputer.com: Few users perpetually infected: at a loss.

We use Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP) which works very well in our small business environment. However, I have 2 users that seem to perpetually get browser hijacked and infected by various anomolies. Combofix/MAB typically resolves them. I m pretty sure its basic browser hijacking as they usually report going to very legitimate sites (google, NY Times, Forbes, TVGuide) when they get tagged. I have reviewed all thier visit logs and have some site logging apps and they really are not going anywhere negative like porn sites or music sites, etc.

I really dont want to go totalitarian on this as we like to treat people like adults. These users have been educated and pretty embarrased it keeps happening to them and that they are liekly being monitored - so I am pretty sure they are not doing anything elicit. But they keep getting hijacked and infected. And since no other users in the system have this issue Im wondering what Im missing.

We do run concurrent spyware apps alongside SEP, because again SEP works very well and no other users affected.

Considering running something drastic like e-blaster to monitor keystrokes and visited sites but my logs are already pretty through and I can tell by date that they are not flushing history or cache.

And I did read: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic2520.html

And I can see why those measure are important but the fact that its only 2 users, while the other 50 machines are fine, keeps me from going to that level on all our machines. Maybe just on thiers.

Anyway, any thoughts appreciated.

It may not be them, it may be that the machines are already compromised, Flash player, Java and BHOs are a great way to get infected. Yahoo Toolbar in particular seems to be followed by infections, as do coupon printing sites. So it may be that the machines were boogerd up, and if it was a worm from somebody elses machine. They may also have flash drives that need to be cleaned.

Cleaning with Mbam is good but nor always a remedy for altered systems files with hooks in them.

Have you reimaged the machines?

This post has been edited by Mooseby: 12 November 2010 - 03:22 PM

Thanks for the reply. Reformateted once, dont want to do it again. Might just reformat and image it, but kind of curious about how its getting so reinfected.

It may be helpful to see what a scan log finds as to why...
Next run MBAM (MalwareBytes):

Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and save it to your desktop.

Download Link 1
Download Link 2

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.
  For instructions with screenshots, please refer to the How to use Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Guide.
  
• 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.

Troubleshoot Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware



Please perform a scan with Eset Online Antiivirus Scanner.
This scan requires Internet Explorer to work. Vista/Windows 7 users need to run Internet Explorer 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.

• Click the green button.
  
• Read the End User License Agreement and check the box:
  
• Check .
  
• Click the button.
  
• Accept any security warnings from your browser.
  
• Check
  
• Check Remove found threats and Scan potentially unwanted applications. (If given the option, choose "Quarantine" instead of delete.)
  
• Click the Start button.
  
• ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer.
  
• If offered the option to get information or buy software at any point, just close the window.
  
• The scan will take a while so be patient and do NOT use the computer while the scan is running. Keep all other programs and windows closed.
  
• When the scan completes, push
  
• Push , and save the file to your desktop as ESETScan.txt.
  
• Push the button, then Finish.
  
• Copy and paste the contents of ESETScan.txt in your next reply.

Note: A log.txt file will also be created and automatically saved in the C:\Program Files\EsetOnlineScanner\ folder.
If you did not save the ESETScan log, click > Run..., then type or copy and paste everything in the code box below into the Open dialogue box:

C:\Program Files\ESET\EsetOnlineScanner\log.txt

• Click Ok and the scan results will open in Notepad.
  
• Copy and paste the contents of log.txt in your next reply.

-- Some online scanners will detect existing anti-virus software and refuse to cooperate. You may have to disable the real-time protection components of your existing anti-virus and try running the scan again. If you do this, remember to turn them back on after you are finished.

NOTE: In some instances if no malware is found there will be no log produced.

Quote

Please read How Malware Spreads - How did I get infected which explains the most common ways malware is contracted and spread.

I did review that How Did I get Infected. General idea of causes but not helping me hone in on this continued reinfection. I will run the log reports next time it occurs and see if I can find some of the old logs reports.