Your system is infected with a new
rootkit variant that has become quite pervasive. The rootkit itself is a protection module used to terminate a variety of security tools by changing the permissions on targeted programs so that they cannot run or complete scans.
Disinfection will require the use of more powerful tools than we recommend in this forum.
Rootkits,
backdoor Trojans,
Botnets, and
IRCBots are
very dangerous because they
compromise system integrity by making changes that allow it to by used by the attacker for malicious purposes. Rootkits are used by Trojans to conceal its presence (hide from view) in order to prevent detection of an attacker's software and make removal more difficult. Many rootkits can hook into the Windows 32-bit kernel, and patch several APIs to hide new registry keys and files they install. They can
disable your anti-virus and security tools to prevent detection and removal. Remote attackers use backdoors as a means of accessing and taking control of a computer that bypasses security mechanisms. This type of exploit allows them to steal sensitive information like passwords, personal and financial data which is send back to the hacker. To learn more about these types of infections, you can refer to:
If your computer was used for online banking, has credit card information or other sensitive data on it, you should stay disconnected from the Internet until your system is fully cleaned.
All passwords should be changed immediately to include those used for banking, email, eBay, paypal and online forums. You should
consider them to be compromised and change each password using a clean computer, not the infected one. If not, an attacker may get the new passwords and transaction information. If using a
router, you need to reset it with a strong logon/password so the malware cannot gain control before connect again. Banking and credit card institutions should be notified of the possible security breach.
Although the infection has been identified and may be removed, your PC has likely been compromised and there is no way to be sure the computer can ever be trusted again.
It is dangerous and incorrect to assume the computer is secure even if the malware appears to have been removed. In some instances an infection may have caused so much damage to your system that it cannot be completely cleaned or repaired so you can never be sure that you have completely removed a rootkit. The malware may leave so many remnants behind that security tools cannot find them. Tools that claim to be able to remove rootkits
cannot guarantee that all traces of it will be removed. Many experts in the security community believe that once infected with this type of malware, the best course of action is to wipe the drive clean,
reformat and reinstall the OS. Please read:
Should you decide not to follow that advice, we will do our best to help clean the computer of any infections but
we cannot guarantee it to be trustworthy or that the removal will be successful. If you wish to proceed, please do the following.
Please read the pinned topic titled "
Preparation Guide For Use Before Posting A Hijackthis Log". If you cannot complete a step, then skip it and continue with the next. In
Step 6 there are instructions for downloading and running
DDS which will create a
Pseudo HJT Report as part of its log.
Start a new topic and
post your DDS log along with the Win32kDiag.txt and Log.txt reports in the
HijackThis Logs and Malware Removal forum,
NOT here, for assistance by the HJT Team Experts. A member of the Team will walk you through, step by step, on how to clean your computer.
If DDS will not run, then just
post the results of the Win32kDiag.txt and Log.txt. Be sure to include a note that you tried to follow the Prep Guide but were
unable to get DDS to run.
Please be patient. It may take a while to get a response because the HJT Team members are very busy working logs posted before yours. They are volunteers who will help you out as soon as possible. Once you have made your post and are waiting, please DO NOT "bump" your post or make another reply until it has been responded to by a member of the HJT Team. Generally the staff checks the forum for postings that have 0 replies as this makes it easier for them to identify those who have not been helped. If you post another response there will be 1 reply. A team member, looking for a new log to work may assume another HJT Team member is already assisting you and not open the thread to respond.
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