Infection Help

I think that I may have been infected with some kind of malware. It started a few days ago when I was on Facebook and couldn't upload any pictures because I needed to download the latest Javascript. I did this and realize that this may be the cause of my problems. Other things that have occurred are both Firefox and Google Chrome crashing as well as redirected links on Google searches. The biggest problem is my computer will stay on for about 15-20 minutes before getting a black screen. It looks like it is hibernating, but clicking the mouse or pressing keys on the keyboard won't remove the black screen so I end up having to hold the power button down until it turns off. I will then start my computer again, but it will only be normal for 5 or fewer minutes before going to the black screen. Because of this, I originally thought that my computer was overheating so I cleaned the fan with a can of compressed air and bought a cooling fan to put under it. However, this has not remedied the problem. I have tried running Malwarebytes, but even a quick scan takes too long before the screen goes black.

I have a Toshiba laptop, but I don't have my computer with me right now so I can't tell you what model number it is. Some background history that might be relevant is I have had to remove Internet Security 2010 and another program just like it (I can't remember its name) within the last 4 months. I used Malwarebytes to remove these. I hope this is specific enough.

So the Malwarebytes scan starts and runs fine but your screen goes black before you get the results? Have you tried booting into safe mode and then running Malwarebytes?

Another thing that might increase the scan speed and get it done before the black screen is to run TFC by Old Timer which can be downloaded here. Before you run TFC, make sure all your stuff is saved because it might require a reboot.

I would also try running rkill first before doing the scans.

Edited by certifiedgeek, 24 April 2010 - 05:49 PM.

Yes. Malwarebytes starts and runs fine, but the screen does go black before getting results. I am not sure how to boot my computer in safe mode. Is this done through a system restore? I will try and run TFC and rkill.

I forgot to add that my computer runs Windows XP.

The easiest way to boot into safe mode is to restart your computer, and then while the computer booting, start tapping F8 until you see a black screen with whit text. You should see then see different boot options and I would chose the "Safe Mode Without Networking" option. Then log into windows like normal and then try running SUPERAntispyware and Malwarebytes.

Both of those actually have different things you can try, such as rkill, which should help get through a full scan. Also, if you decide to try SUPERAntispyware, make sure you install it normal mode first (if possible) in order to get the most updated definitions. Then boot into safe mode to do a complete scan with SAS.

For more info on how to boot into safe mode, try this link http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/how-to-start-windows-in-safe-mode/

If you can get through some of those scans, please post the logs for me to take a look at it.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Edited by certifiedgeek, 25 April 2010 - 01:54 PM.

I booted my computer up with safe mode and tried to perform full scans with the Malwarebytes and during the scan, a blue screen came up. It said PFN_List_Corrupt and to disable hardware/software that has been recently installed. It then said if it didn't work to disable bios memory options, particularly caching or shadowing. I also tried to run rkill in safe mode, but it didn't get anything. I haven't tried superantispyware yet.

Please download and scan with SUPERAntiSpyware Free

• Double-click SUPERAntiSypware.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 it will not start, go to Start > All Prgrams > SUPERAntiSpyware and click on Alternate Start.
• 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 "General and Startup" tab, and under Start-up Options, make sure "Start SUPERAntiSpyware when Windows starts" box is unchecked.
• Click the "Scanning Control" tab, and 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 a scan just yet.

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 SUPERAntiSpyware as follows:

• Launch the program and 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 and click "Next".
• 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" 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.

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.