Infected in the worst way

Hello all. New here. Big problem. my laptop has been taken over by malware. mostly the kind that pose as virus protection. PC antispyware 2010, Computer defender, Braviax, and some other ones that I cannot remember the name of right now. this all started a few days ago when a rootkit tool tried changing a registry that i subsequently denied, but they took over anyway.

I thought I had gotten rid of them, as they were no longer bothering me earlier today, then suddenly the screen was completely overwhelmed by a message saying that my computer was infected. I cannot access the internet, taskmanager, registry editor, or basically anything else for that matter. It will not allow any antimalware programs to run, or antivirus. The computer is almost completely locked up. I have read some threads about what to do, but im not that literate when it comes to some of the things that were discussed.

Where can I start when I cannot do anything?

Edited by Santel, 23 August 2009 - 10:03 PM.

Hello and welcome, This is very infected and we can try to run VIPRE to get a foothold. If this is successful run MBAM next.
Since you cannot access the net ,you will need access to a clean PC and a USB Drive,CD or someother portable device.

Run .. VIPRE Rescue Program


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 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.

i ran VIPRE while in safe mode, which it succesfully ran and found 107 infections. I then accidentally exited safe mode. now my computer wont let me access safe mode, and i cannot run vipre or mbam from normal mode.

Try reinstalling MBAm and run it in Normal mode.



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.

I got back into safe mode and am running vipre again, is it possible to run mbam from safe mode and have it do its job?

Yes it will run. Not as strong but it will remove things. Once we get Normal mode back we need to reinstall MBAM and run it again.
Post any logs you get.

i will try to run it from safe mode, then if that works i will try it in normal. after i last ran vipre it said it found the 106 threats and quarantined them, i just ran it again and it found the same 106 threats. im not sure if VIPRE's job is just to find the threats and not to delete them, or if they can come back. after trying to run mbam in safe mode the program was succesfully installed, but close 2 seconds into the scan. where now?

EDIT: sorry for the poor grammer, but i am writing this as i am trying it.

Edited by Santel, 24 August 2009 - 09:07 PM.

Can we run the SUPER too? It may see its own quarantine.. That's why I am trying to run a second and third tool.

Edited by boopme, 24 August 2009 - 09:14 PM.

i can try to run it, but it will have to be from safe mode with command prompt. i cannot run anything from either normal mode or just safe mode.

Super is stronger in Safe Mode.
Scanning with MBAM in safe or normal mode will work but removal functions are not as powerful in safe mode. MBAM is designed to be at full power when malware is running so safe mode is not necessary when using it. In fact, it loses some effectiveness for detection & removal when used in safe mode because the program includes a special driver which does not work in safe mode. Further, scanning in safe mode prevents some types of malware from running so it may be missed during the detection process. For optimal removal, normal mode is recommended so it does not limit the abilities of MBAM. Doing a safe mode scan should only be done when a regular mode scan fails.

If you cannot use or complete a scan in normal mode, then try performing a Quick Scan in "Safe Mode". After reboot, click the Logs tab and copy/paste the contents of the new report in your next reply.

i edited the name so i could use it in the prompt, but it will not access the program. it brings up the install shield wizard but never goes anywhere after that.

Edited by Santel, 24 August 2009 - 10:06 PM.

Can you just boot to safe mode with Netwoking and download and run the install off the desktop?

i am in safe mode with networking, but i cannot run super, or MBAM. i am running vipre again to see if i can get the log. any other suggestions. super does the same thing. the installation starts and the disappears. MBAM doesnt start unless reinstalled, and even then it closes after 2 seconds of scanning.

Ok this needs to be handled with HJT so you don't damage anything.
run HJT/DDS.
Please follow this guide. 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.

I am not even able to run the dds program. the security box pops up but closes soon thereafter even if i click run. i need to get to sleep before class tomorrow, so i will have to get back to your next suggestion tomorrow morning. thank you for your persistent help thus far though.

Edited by Santel, 24 August 2009 - 11:11 PM.