BleepingComputer.com: antivirus software not functioning properly

There is this virus program on my computer disguised as an anti-virus software that I have been unable to removed from my computer. There were two virus programs on my computer , the PC optimizer and the SLOW-PCfighter. Both virus proclaim to be antivirus programs and they want mee to buy their software to fight the viruses, and so I know its a scam I went to the add and remove programs options in the control panel and I attempted to manual removed both virus programs and they were shown to be removed. I also went to safe mode with networking, downloaded malwarebytes and SuperAntivirus software. When I ran both of the legitimate anti-virus software programs , malwarebytes found nothing, despite updating the malwarebythes program and each time I run the virus scan with the SuperAntivirus program, it finds new virus infections each time, despite me removing the threats from previous superantivirus scans numerous times.

The symptoms of the virus include: having the background of my desktop changed, being unable to download videos from youtube using the youtube to mp3 converter program, my music files no longer in my itunes folder and scattered all over the C drive of my hard drive, and not being able to access to the contents of the recycle bin folder and of course being painfully slow. I looked at your trouble shooting page to eradicate the PC optimizer virus, I don't think that really helped me even the the add remove program shows that the pc optimizer virus has been remove because the symptoms are still their. What are your possible other suggestions?

Hello appears you do have a rogue anti-spyware program that displays fake alerts and false scan results in order to trick you into thinking that your computer is infected. When this rogue is installed it will be configured it start automatically when you login to Windows.

Please try it this way.


Please click Start > Run, type inetcpl.cpl in the runbox and press enter.
Click the Connections tab and click the LAN settings option.
Verify if "Use a proxy..." is checked, if so, UNcheck it and click OK/OK to exit.
Now check if the internet is working again.


Reboot into Safe Mode with Networking
How to enter safe mode(XP/Vista)
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 with Networking using the arrow keys.
Then press enter on your keyboard to boot into Safe Mode.


>>>>>
TDDS Killer Q7 (12/6/10)

Please download the TDSS Rootkit Removing Tool (TDSSKiller.exe) and save it to your Desktop. <-Important!!!
Be sure to download TDSSKiller.exe (v2.6.4.0) from Kaspersky's website and not TDSSKiller.zip which appears to be an older version 2.3.2.2 of the tool.

• Double-click on TDSSKiller.exe to run the tool for known TDSS variants.
  Vista/Windows 7 users right-click and select Run As Administrator.
  
• If TDSSKiller does not run, try renaming it.
  
• To do this, right-click on TDSSKiller.exe, select Rename and give it a random name with the .com file extension (i.e. 123abc.com). If you do not see the file extension, please refer to How to change the file extension.
  
• Click the Start Scan button.
  
• Do not use the computer during the scan
  
• If the scan completes with nothing found, click Close to exit.
  
• If malicious objects are found, they will show in the Scan results - Select action for found objects and offer three options.
  
• Ensure Cure (default) is selected, then click Continue > Reboot now to finish the cleaning process.
  
• A log file named TDSSKiller_version_date_time_log.txt (i.e. TDSSKiller.2.4.0.0_27.07.2010_09.o7.26_log.txt) will be created and saved to the root directory (usually Local Disk C:).
  
• Copy and paste the contents of that file in your next reply.

If TDSSKiller does not run, try renaming it. To do this, right-click on TDSSKiller.exe, select Rename and give it a random name with the .com file extension (i.e. 123abc.com). If you do not see the file extension, please refer to these[/color] instructions. In some cases it may be necessary to redownload TDSSKiller and randomly rename it before downloading and saving to the computer.



>>>> Download this file and doubleclick on it to run it. Allow the information to be merged with the registry.

Run RKill....

Download and Run RKill

Please download RKill by Grinler from one of the 4 links below and save it to your desktop.

Link 1
Link 2
Link 3
Link 4



• Before we begin, you should disable your anti-malware softwares you have installed so they do not interfere RKill running as some anti-malware softwares detect RKill as malicious. Please refer to this page if you are not sure how.
  
  
• Double-click on Rkill on your desktop to run it. (If you are using Windows Vista, please right-click on it and select Run As Administrator)
  
  
• A black screen will appear and then disappear. Please do not worry, that is normal. This means that the tool has been successfully executed.
  
  
• If nothing happens or if the tool does not run, please let me know in your next reply

Do not reboot your computer after running rkill as the malware programs will start again. Or if rebooting is required run it again.


If you continue having problems running rkill.com, you can download iExplore.exe or eXplorer.exe, which are renamed copies of rkill.com, and try them instead.



Next run Superantisypware (SAS):

Download and scan with SUPERAntiSpyware Free for Home Users

• Double-click SUPERAntiSpyware.exe and use the default settings for installation.
  
• An icon will be created on your desktop. Double-click that icon to launch the program.
  
• If asked to update the program definitions, click "Yes". If not, update the definitions before scanning by selecting "Check for Updates". (If you encounter any problems while downloading the updates, manually download them from here. Double-click on the hyperlink for Download Installer and save SASDEFINITIONS.EXE to your desktop. Then double-click on SASDEFINITIONS.EXE to install the definitions.)
  
• In the Main Menu, click the Preferences... button.
  
• Click the Scanning Control tab.
  
• 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.
  
• Back on the main screen, under "Scan for Harmful Software" click Scan your computer.
  
• On the left, make sure you check C:\Fixed Drive.
  
• On the right, under "Complete Scan", choose Perform Complete Scan.
  
• Click "Next" to start the scan. Please be patient while it scans your computer.
  
• After the scan is complete, a Scan Summary box will appear with potentially harmful items that were detected. Click "OK".
  
• Make sure everything has a checkmark next to it and click "Next".
  
• A notification will appear that "Quarantine and Removal is Complete". Click "OK" and then click the "Finish" button to return to the main menu.
  
• If asked if you want to reboot, click "Yes".
  
• 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.

If you have a problem downloading, installing or getting SAS to run, try downloading and using the SUPERAntiSpyware Portable Scanner instead. Save the randomly named file (i.e. SAS_1710895.COM) to a usb drive or CD and transfer to the infected computer. Then double-click on it to launch and scan. The file is randomly named to help keep malware from blocking the scanner.


Now reboot to Normal and 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.

[color=green]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 ask any needed questions,post 3 logs and Let us know how the PC is running now.

boopme, on 16 October 2011 - 03:47 PM, said:

I have downloaded all four anti-virus software and none of them have accomplished my goal. The antivirus software have either not detected any viruses on my computer or keep finding new viruses each time I run a scan . malwarebythes, Rkill and TDDS detected no viruses even though their are viruses obviously on my computer and superAntivirusspyware finds viruses, but they apparently failed to remove them all because each time I performed a scan , they find new viruses each time, even though they supposedly removed them all. I downloaded the four anti virus programs on my computer in safe mode with networking. I can access the internet, its just that the virus has scattered my itunes mp3's all over my desktop, but I can't download anything. When I try to use the youtube to mp3 converter , it won't let me download any youtube files even though I updated the software. The message I get when I attempt to download a youtube file is something along the lines of H_key registry etc.

Did you get a name for any of the found virus's??

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.
  
• Under scan settings, check and check Remove found threats
  
• Click Advanced settings and select the following:
  • Scan potentially unwanted applications
    
  • Scan for potentially unsafe applications
    
  • Enable Anti-Stealth technology
  
  
• 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: In some instances if no malware is found there will be no log produced.

You said a fake antivirus right...

This might help:

http://esupport.trendmicro.com/solution/en-us/1056510.aspx

Here's a direct link to the tool:

http://solutionfile.trendmicro.com/solutionfile/EN-1056510/EN/FakeAVRemover_1.0.0.1019.zip

TM_Paul, on 21 October 2011 - 01:50 PM, said:

Trendmicro is a worthless anti-virus software program too apparently(no offense). The scan took a total of 3 minutes and and found no threats even though there obviously are some because I would be able to used my youtube to mp3 converter , open my recycle bin folder, and my mp3 files would not have scattered from my itunes library. Sorry to continually harped these computer problems even though I repeated them numerous times , but I just want to be clear as possible. Any other solutions?

This post has been edited by Pentazoid: 23 October 2011 - 10:03 PM

no more suggestions?!?!?!

Can you list some virus repeated by SUPER,please.

Rkill and TDDS detected no viruses.. They don't ,,Rkill stops certain malware from running Temporarily to allow other tools to ri=un, Once you reboot,if you did not scan you g=have to run it again. TDSS only looks for the TDSS family of rootkits,to keep that abit simple.

What hapenned with ESET?

This post has been edited by boopme: 26 October 2011 - 09:18 PM

Quote

I don't know what ESET is. No one in this thread suggested ESET.

See post 4

boopme, on 26 October 2011 - 09:19 PM, said:

I saw ESET in post 4 , followed the instructions that would assist me in downloading ESET anti-virus software , and the virus is still up there , even though I used ESET to scan possible viruses on my computer twice and that hasn't helped. Anymore suggesting? All of these anti-virus software programs appears to be futile.

OK, was confused by this

Quote

well it appears the malware is being protected,probably hiding in a driver or service.



We need a deeper look. Please go here....
Preparation Guide ,do steps 6 - 9.

Create a DDS log and post it in the new topic explained in step 9,which is here Virus, Trojan, Spyware, and Malware Removal Logs and not in this topic,thanks.
If Gmer won't run,skip it and move on.
Include a link back to this topic.

Let me know if that went well.

Quote

Oh , don't worry about that . It was my fault that I did not initially spot your post about the ESET av program.

boopme, on 27 October 2011 - 09:36 PM, said:

Try to download the Defogger software, downloaded it, I then tried to disabled it and this message appears

Quote

I dont know how to access the defogger_disable.log.

I downloaded the Defogger software in safe mode with networking.

This post has been edited by Pentazoid: 27 October 2011 - 10:12 PM

It should drop one on the desktop. If not do a file search for defogger_disable.log