Avast found a trojan in a downloaded rar now i can't delete the rar as an exe within it is running somewhere else HELP!

I downloaded an installer for a program i want to use (i know i know). as soon as it finished downloading my anti virus popped up saying virus detected with a box to perform an action, so i hit move to chest and a box popped up saying "cannot process "D:\DOWNNLOADS\reaper3.01.rar\reaper3.01install.exe\$PLUGINSDIR\3xl-pwn.exe\%PLUGINSDIR\3xl-pwn.exe""

so i go to try and delete the rar and a box pops up saying "this action cannot be completed because the file is open in another program".

I've run another virus scan on the rar and it popped up saying infection found, this time it let me move the infected file to the vault, but i still cannot delete the rar as it says the file is open in another program.

I believe this "3xl-pwn.exe" has hopped out and hidden itself somewhere on the computer. I'm running 2 virus checks right now and its found an infection in the rar still, same name and directory as before. but i've moved it to the vault, plus when i run a scan on the rar itself it comes up as clean.... bit confusing.

I've had a search through the computer (search function) and it can't find an exe called 3xl-pwn.exe, plus I've had a look at the processed running and there arn't any unusual ones. So is it dormant? i presume not as its 'running in another program" as mentioned.

i need some serious help on this, if my girl finds out i've gotten a virus on her laptop she'll FLIP!

windows vista -32 bit.

Edited by Psycho Nomad, 05 June 2009 - 10:57 PM.

Hello Psycho Nomad,
Let's confirm what's happenning on your system.
Please run MBAM (MalwareBytes Antimalware):

Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and save it to your desktop.
alternate download link 1
alternate 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.
• 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.