BleepingComputer.com: Was it a hack?

Whilst browsing earlier today an uninvited guest started doing a virus check for me.

"That's nice" i thought, but who the f*** are you and where did you come from!

I stopped the program and closed everything that didn't need to run. I whipped out the anti-virus programs I did install and scanned everything. Clean as a whistle, nothing at all.

I ran hijack this and there it was: 4 - HKCU\..\Run: [yowtuhoc] C:\Users\Robert\AppData\Local\Temp\ijmfplubg\jkepjnhlajb.exe

A search of the computer didn't reveal the program or what it had installed but a search of the registry did.

The registry also gave me the anti-virus program that had been installed too - sunbelt software, and all of it's files.

I then tried to check both jkepjnhlajb.exe and sunbelt software out on the net. I couldn't connect even though it said I was connected. I checked out the internet properties and discovered that the LAN settings had been changed from automatically detect (which was now unticked) to use a proxy server (now ticked).

A quick reset and web connection revealed lots about sunbelt but nothing about jkepjnhlajb.exe.

Was it a hack? Or just a virus that my anti-virus doesn't see?

Many thanks in anticipation.


Operating System is Windows Vista Home Premium (Yes, I know...)

Hello.

Quote

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hack_(technology)

Now SunBelt Software sells Antivirus tools etc,,
As you said you whipped out yours. What one was it and why was it needing whipping out??

It looks like a Rogue antivirus/spyware application attemted to install. we should run a scan..
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