google redirect, pop ups, svchost.exe problems

Hello, lately I've been having certain problems, and I suspect malware. I had these problems a week ago, but I used malwarebytes, and it removed Trojan.Dropper from my system. However, even after its removal, the following problems persisted. Current scans with malwarebytes reveal nothing, and I can't find any suspicious processes on my system.

1) My browser (Firefox 3.6.3) occasionally opens pop ups that will, if left alone, redirect to google.com/webhp
I've only allowed it to do this a few times (I usually close the tab as soon as it opens), but the one time when I didn't notice and typed something into that site, clicking a search result did redirect me to a page similar to those in the popups.

2) One of the svchost.exe processes on my computer often reaches very high levels of cpu consumption (95%+) and freezes everything else. I've been keeping it at bay by selectively killing threads with high cpu consumption with Process Explorer, but lately it sometimes freezes Process Explorer as well, forcing me to turn off the power. The services that this svchost.exe hosts are:

COM+ Event System [EventSystem], CryptSvc [CryptSvc], DHCP Client {Dhcp], Distributed Link Tracking Client [TrkWks], Help and Support [helpsvc], HID Input Service [HidServ], Network Connections [Netman], Network Location Awareness (NLA) [Nla], Secondary Logon [seclogon], Security Center [wscsvc], Server [lanmanserver], Shell Hardware Detection [ShellHWDetection], System Event Notification [SENS], System Restore Service [srservice], Task Scheduler [Schedule], Themes [Themes], Windows Audio [AudioSrv], Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) [SharedAccess], Windows Management Instrumentation [winmgmt], Windows Time [W32Time], Workstation [lanmanworkstation].

EDIT: Also causes the taskbar and start menu to become unresponsive, lagging everything else as well. "Solved" by killing explorer.exe, but when I tried to reopen it through task manager, task manager became unresponsive.

EDIT 2: Problem described in the previous edit occurred due to lack of memory (I only have 512mb, 446 in reality), and it became ok after I closed firefox. However, the svchost.exe in question is taking up 267mb of my memory, which is more than any of my svchost.exe used to.

EDIT 3: The same problem happened again shortly after, but closing firefox didn't help it. When I finally struggled through the lag and killed the svchost.exe, everything went back to normal. However, doing that often reverts my interface into an old style reminiscent of windows 98/95.

Edited by redseptember, 31 May 2010 - 12:01 AM.

bump.

bump. no reply after ~24 hrs =(

bump.

bump.

I've also have very similar problems, it also seems to turn the firewall off, but I also got no replies on this forum

Edited by gazmog, 02 June 2010 - 04:30 AM.

Killing the svchost.exe seems to temporarily solve the problem, although it makes your UI become strange.

Also, bump.

bump.

bump.

bump. no answers after nearly a week, should I post in a different forum?

Hello all those bumps show as 9 replies to this topic. It then looks like you have been helped. in the future would be better to PM a moderator.

Lets run a few scans and see what shows.

Next run MBAM (MalwareBytes):

Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (v1.46) 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.

• If Malwarebytes Anti-Malware results in any error messages, check the Help file's list of error codes within its program folder first. If you do not find any information, please refer to Common Issues, Questions, and their Solutions, Frequently Asked Questions. If the error you are receiving is not in the list, please report it here so the research team can investigate.

• Some types of malware will target Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and other security tools to keep them from running properly. If that's the case, please refer to the suggestions provided in For those having trouble running Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

Next run ATF and SAS: If you cannot access Safe Mode,run in normal ,but let me know.

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.


Please ask any needed questions,post logs and Let us know how the PC is running now.

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.46
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: 4184

Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 7.0.5730.13

6/9/2010 10:19:58 PM
mbam-log-2010-06-09 (22-19-58).txt

Scan type: Quick scan
Objects scanned: 147383
Time elapsed: 17 minute(s), 52 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 0
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 0

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
-------------------------------------
SUPERAntiSpyware Scan Log
http://www.superantispyware.com

Generated 06/10/2010 at 02:34 PM

Application Version : 4.38.1004

Core Rules Database Version : 5055
Trace Rules Database Version: 2867

Scan type : Complete Scan
Total Scan Time : 15:50:26

Memory items scanned : 222
Memory threats detected : 0
Registry items scanned : 7114
Registry threats detected : 0
File items scanned : 174390
File threats detected : 18

Adware.Flash Tracking Cookie
C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Application Data\MACROMEDIA\FLASH PLAYER\#SHAREDOBJECTS\WKEFESC6\BANNERFARM.ACE.ADVERTISING.COM
C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Application Data\MACROMEDIA\FLASH PLAYER\#SHAREDOBJECTS\WKEFESC6\MSNTEST.SERVING-SYS.COM
C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Application Data\MACROMEDIA\FLASH PLAYER\#SHAREDOBJECTS\WKEFESC6\INSIGHT.RANDOMHOUSE.COM
C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Application Data\MACROMEDIA\FLASH PLAYER\#SHAREDOBJECTS\WKEFESC6\CONVOAD.TECHNORATIMEDIA.COM
C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Application Data\MACROMEDIA\FLASH PLAYER\#SHAREDOBJECTS\WKEFESC6\MEDIA.RESULTHOST.ORG
C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Application Data\MACROMEDIA\FLASH PLAYER\#SHAREDOBJECTS\WKEFESC6\MEDIA.SCANSCOUT.COM
C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Application Data\MACROMEDIA\FLASH PLAYER\#SHAREDOBJECTS\WKEFESC6\MEDIA.TATTOMEDIA.COM
C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Application Data\MACROMEDIA\FLASH PLAYER\#SHAREDOBJECTS\WKEFESC6\MEDIA1.BREAK.COM
C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Application Data\MACROMEDIA\FLASH PLAYER\#SHAREDOBJECTS\WKEFESC6\MEDIAFORGEWS.COM
C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Application Data\MACROMEDIA\FLASH PLAYER\#SHAREDOBJECTS\WKEFESC6\OBJECTS.TREMORMEDIA.COM
C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Application Data\MACROMEDIA\FLASH PLAYER\#SHAREDOBJECTS\WKEFESC6\INTERCLICK.COM
C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Application Data\MACROMEDIA\FLASH PLAYER\#SHAREDOBJECTS\WKEFESC6\UDN.SPECIFICCLICK.NET
C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Application Data\MACROMEDIA\FLASH PLAYER\#SHAREDOBJECTS\WKEFESC6\WWW.CRACKLE.COM
C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Application Data\MACROMEDIA\FLASH PLAYER\#SHAREDOBJECTS\WKEFESC6\A.ADS2.MSADS.NET
C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Application Data\MACROMEDIA\FLASH PLAYER\#SHAREDOBJECTS\WKEFESC6\ADS2.MSADS.NET
C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Application Data\MACROMEDIA\FLASH PLAYER\#SHAREDOBJECTS\WKEFESC6\M1.2MDN.NET
C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Application Data\MACROMEDIA\FLASH PLAYER\#SHAREDOBJECTS\WKEFESC6\STATIC.2MDN.NET
C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Application Data\MACROMEDIA\FLASH PLAYER\#SHAREDOBJECTS\WKEFESC6\SECURE-US.IMRWORLDWIDE.COM
--------------------------

I haven't yet had any problems since the SAS scan finished. However, it hasn't been long since I rebooted after the scan, so we shall see. I may post an update later.

Also, although it hasn't yet claimed all of my cpu, the svchost.exe I noted earlier does often use more cpu than I remember it using before the infection.

EDIT: I still haven't had any popups, but I still seem to have the svchost.exe problem.

Edited by redseptember, 10 June 2010 - 03:23 PM.

You should ask about the CPU issue in the XP forum up top as it's not malware.. You are really borderline with RAM.

Alright, that seems like it for this forum then. Thanks!

Actually, when I logged on today, I found that I'm still having popups.