Suspected Malware Infection. [Virut ?]

Hello.

Here are my system details:

OS: Windows Vista Home Basic, Service Pack 1
AntiVirus: AVG 8.0.233
Firewall: Windows Defender (The default thing with Vista)

Problems:

1. Its been quite sometime since my system has not been updating itself.
2. I am unable to access microsoft / any antivirus websites.
3. Meanwhile, AVG keeps throwing Win32/Heur errors on various system files, which are all in the whitelist. (e.g. taskmgr.exe, audiodg.exe, dwm.exe etc.) [No Removal options work.]
4. Upon searching for the above symptoms, I found that this could be a malware.
5. I followed certain instructions on other websites, and ended up getting nowhere. [Tried downloading and running ComboFix, but the file wouldn't run. Error: This file has been compromised and is not not safe to run anymore. Please get an updated version from ___. Your system might be infected with Virut.]

Finally I landed here, and right after I took the preliminary DDS scan, I just received an error:

"An unauthorized change was made to Windows

You will no longer receive notifications, including those about your license or activation. Use the link below to find out how to fix your system."
The link leads to "http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=89429&OSV=6.0.6001.2.00010300.1.0.000.00.1033&RFM=2&LegitCheckError=C004D401". However, I am unable to access it. [Oops, this link seems to be broken. -Chrome]

Details revealed this:

Error: 0xC004D401
Description: The security processor reported a systemfile mismatch error.

However, this happened right _after_ I took the DDS scan. Didn't know if I should rescan. I have the logs saved, just wasn't sure if I should post them here.

Any advice appreciated. Shall follow the instructions to the T. Please.

Hello can you run these tools.. Virut ,though I don't see it mentioned there is very dangerous. Basically impossible to remove .. So let's see if it is showing up.
Some types of malware will disable MBAM (MalwareBytes) and other security tools. If MBAM will not install, try renaming it.

Before saving any of your security programs, rename them first. For example, before you save Malwarebytes', rename it to something like MBblah.exe and then click on Save and save it to your desktop. Same thing after you install it. Before running it, rename the main executable file first
***
Right-click on the mbam-setup.exe file and change the .exe extension to .bat, .com, .pif, or .scr and then double-click on it to run.

If after installation, MBAM will not run, open the Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware folder in Program Files, right-click on mbam.exe and change the .exe as noted above. Then double-click on it to run..


***
Another work around is by not using the mouse to install it, Just use the arrow keys, tab, and enter keys.
***
Open up command prompt, type in following commands:
XP >> click the Start menu at the lower-left of your computer's desktop and select "Run". Type cmd into the Run box and click "OK".
Vista >> click the Start menu at the lower-left of your computer's desktop and Type cmd in the search box.

regsvr32 mbamext.dll
regsvr32 ssubtmr6.dll
regsvr32 vbalsgrid6.ocx
regsvr32 zlib.dll

****

If you cannot use the Internet,you will need access to another computer that has a connection.
From there save mbam-setup.exe to a flash,usb,jump drive or CD. Now transfer it to the infected machine, then install and run the program.
If you cannot transfer to or install on the infected machine, try running the setup (installation) file directly from the flash drive or CD by double-clicking on mbam-setup.exe so it will install on the hard drive.
***
Manually Downloading Updates:
Manually download them from HERE and just double-click on mbam-rules.exe to install. Alternatively, you can update through MBAM's interface from a clean computer, copy the definitions (rules.ref) located in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Malwarebytes\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware from that system to a usb stick or CD and then copy it to the infected machine.




Next run MBAM (MalwareBytes):

NOTE: Before saving MBAM please rename it to zztoy.exe....now save it to your desktop.

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.


Next run ATF and SAS:

Note: On Vista, "Windows Temp" is disabled. To empty "Windows Temp" ATF-Cleaner must be "Run as an Administrator".

From your regular user account..
Download Attribune's ATF Cleaner and then SUPERAntiSpyware , Free Home Version. Save both to desktop ..
DO NOT run yet.
Open SUPER from icon and install and Update it
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 and exit the program. DO NOT run yet.

Now reboot into Safe Mode: How to enter safe mode(XP)
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 using the arrow keys.
Then press enter on your keyboard to boot into Safe Mode.

Double-click ATF-Cleaner.exe to run the program.
Under Main "Select Files to Delete" choose: Select All.
Click the Empty Selected button.

If you use Firefox or Opera browser click that browser at the top and choose: Select All
Click the Empty Selected button.
If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.
Click Exit on the Main menu to close the program.

NOW Scan with SUPER
Open from the desktop icon or the program Files list
On the left, make sure you check C:\Fixed Drive.
Perform a Complete scan. After scan,Verify they are all checked.
Click OK on the summary screen to quarantine all found items.
If asked if you want to reboot, click "Yes" and reboot normally.

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.

Thanks boopme. Will perform these steps and post after work, tonight itself.

Hi boopme. I have run through almost all the steps so far. Its just the SAS scan which has been going on for 10 hours now. Shall post the results as soon as the scan is complete.

Please do not close this thread meanwhile. I won't be un-responsive.

No problem,we'll keep the lights on.

Hey, I think, SAS has gone into an infinite loop or something. It just doesn't end!

Besides, I have a feeling that the same files are being scanned over and over. What do I do?

Hey! This really is amazing! It IS the same folders being scanned again and again!

END it...rerun MBAm.. then run Drweb.. Do we have Vista or XP here?

Before we start fixing anything you should print out these instructions or copy them to a NotePad file so they will be accessible. Some steps will require you to disconnect from the Internet or use Safe Mode and you will not have access to this page.

Please download Dr.Web CureIt and save it to your desktop. DO NOT perform a scan yet.
alternate download link
Note: The file will be randomly named (i.e. 5mkuvc4z.exe).

Reboot your computer in "Safe Mode" using the F8 method. To do this, restart your computer and after hearing your computer beep once during startup (but before the Windows icon appears) press the F8 key repeatedly. A menu will appear with several options. Use the arrow keys to navigate and select the option to run Windows in "Safe Mode".

Scan with Dr.Web CureIt as follows:

• Double-click on the randomly named file to open the program and click Start. (There is no need to update if you just downloaded the most current version
• Read the Virus check by DrWeb scanner prompt and click Ok where asked to Start scan now? Allow the setup.exe to load if asked by any of your security programs.
• The Express scan will automatically begin.
  (This is a short scan of files currently running in memory, boot sectors, and targeted folders).
• If prompted to dowload the Full version Free Trial, ignore and click the X to close the window.
• If an infected object is found, you will be prompted to move anything that cannot be cured. Click Yes to All. (This will move any detected files to the C:\Documents and Settings\userprofile\DoctorWeb\Quarantine folder if they can't be cured)

• After the Express Scan is finished, put a check next to Complete scan to scan all local disks and removable media.
• In the top menu, click Settings > Change settings, and uncheck "Heuristic analysis" under the "Scanning" tab, then click Apply, Ok.
• Back at the main window, click the green arrow "Start Scanning" button on the right under the Dr.Web logo.
• Please be patient as this scan could take a long time to complete.
• When the scan has finished, a message will be displayed at the bottom indicating if any viruses were found.
• Click Select All, then choose Cure > Move incurable.
• In the top menu, click file and choose save report list.
• Save the DrWeb.csv report to your desktop.
• Exit Dr.Web Cureit when done.
• Important! Reboot your computer because it could be possible that files in use will be moved/deleted during reboot.
• After reboot, post the contents of the log from Dr.Web in your next reply. (You can use Notepad to open the DrWeb.cvs report)

Guess there's something that you should know.



1. This keeps popping up at random moments.
2. Thats 1 day 3 hours ..
3. That many files !! I do not have that many!
4. The loop seems to be running on the desktop folders.

The folder pointed out, "one\ <whatever>" doesn't seem to exist. It is on the desktop, but is hidden for some reason. Please check out the command line.



Well, considering that its completely stuck scanning the Desktop folder over and over and over... what should I do?

Alright, I posted before I saw your reply. Will do the steps as you said. BTW, its Vista Home we are talking about. [I mentioned it right at the beginning.]

Hello I think it best that you run HJT/DDS. Instead of anything else now.
Please follow this guide. go and do steps 6 and 7 ,, Preparation Guide For Use Before Using Hijackthis. Then go here HijackThis Logs and Virus/Trojan/Spyware/Malware Removal ,click New Topic,give it a relevant Title and post that complete log.

Let me know if it went OK.