BleepingComputer.com: Just arrived in my gMail Spam folder

"Please Enable Images to View this Important Newsletter!"



Yeah, that's gonna happen...real soon, irenepaj_at_aol.com...

What do I do? I received a few "Canadian Pharma" spam messages about 2 weeks ago from one of my "real" contacts with an aol address... It's obvious that he's been hacked/infected...whatever???.

I e-mailed him and advised him he was prolly being used a bot....I received no reply from him, but have started receiving about 2-3 "Pharma" spam messages a week from "his" address. Here's the original e-mail that I reported to my friend:



What do I do? I don't want to keep receiving these obviously loaded messages...do I just block all messages coming from AOL? (only this person & my sister use AOL among my contacts)

Thanks
"Thug"

This post has been edited by Union_Thug: 08 August 2011 - 08:50 AM

Change your email password. Does your router have a strong password?
To reset the router to its default configuration. This can be done by inserting something tiny like a paper clip end or pencil tip into a small hole labeled "reset" located on the back of the router. Press and hold down the small button inside until the lights on the front of the router blink off and then on again (usually about 10 seconds). If you don?t know the router's default password, you can look it up HERE.
Note: After resetting your router, it is important to set a non-default password, and if possible, username, on the router. This will assist in eliminating the possibility of the router being hijacked again.



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

Thanks for the Ultra-quick reply, "Lt" boop... I've followed your directions including resetting my G-Mail password, reset router username & password, although i think it is my friend who is infected/ botted, whatever...& not I. I did not click on any of the links in any of these e-mails, I immediately deleted them after moving them to my spam folder.

Results of your instrux:

Change your email password.

Done.

Does your router have a strong password?

Yes. Ran this password strength checker tool: "It would take a desktop PC About 408 thousand years to hack your password"

Note: After resetting your router, it is important to set a non-default password, and if possible, username, on the router. This will assist in eliminating the possibility of the router being hijacked again.

Done. See above.

Next run MBAM (MalwareBytes):

Done. Clean. Here's the log:

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.51.1.1800
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: 7409

Windows 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1
Internet Explorer 9.0.8112.16421

8/8/2011 10:21:51 AM
mbam-log-2011-08-08 (10-21-51).txt

Scan type: Quick scan
Objects scanned: 178162
Time elapsed: 1 minute(s), 49 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)

Awaiting further instrux.

Thanks
UT

Edit to add: Just realized my OP had DEMOTED you several pay grades from Lt to Sgt...sorry bout that LOL.

This post has been edited by Union_Thug: 08 August 2011 - 09:47 AM

LOL... have your friend do this also. So they stop being a Zombie..
EDIT: or just have them use the 3D printer i noted in the Chat Forum and make a new PC??!!
You're welcome..

This post has been edited by boopme: 08 August 2011 - 09:56 AM

boopme, on 08 August 2011 - 09:54 AM, said:

Now I'm really concerned about my friend...I tried to e-mail him with your instrux and got this message:

Quote

What does this mean...in English? LOL

The domain you are sending to is the source of the problem. The message even says: contacting the other email provider

They may have to delete and re-create the recipient mailbox. This not my strong point for fixes..