Something is happening!

I am new to the forum. I believe I have a virus on my laptop. Every once in a while when I click on the start button it says I need to install an update. After a while it will disappear. Also, when I click on the address bar arrow in the documents folder its blank. I have run combo fix and have attached the report. Can someone help clean my cpu.

Edited by boopme, 31 December 2010 - 10:40 AM.

Hello and welcome to Bleeping Computer

We apologize for the delay in responding to your request for help. Here at Bleeping Computer we get overwhelmed at times, and we are trying our best to keep up. Please note that your topic was not intentionally overlooked. Our mission is to help everyone in need, but sometimes it takes just a little longer to get to every request for help. No one is ignored here.

If you have since resolved the original problem you were having, we would appreciate you letting us know. If not please perform the following steps below so we can have a look at the current condition of your machine.

If you have not done so, include a clear description of the problems you're having, along with any steps you may have performed so far.

Upon completing the steps below another staff member will review and take the steps necessary with you to get your machine back in working order clean and free of malware.

If you have already posted a DDS log, please do so again, as your situation may have changed.
Use the 'Add Reply' and add the new log to this thread.

Thanks and again sorry for the delay.

We need to see some information about what is happening in your machine. Please perform the following scan:

• Download DDS by sUBs from one of the following links. Save it to your desktop.
  • DDS.scr
  • DDS.pif
• Double click on the DDS icon, allow it to run.
• A small box will open, with an explaination about the tool. No input is needed, the scan is running.
• Notepad will open with the results.
• Follow the instructions that pop up for posting the results.
• Close the program window, and delete the program from your desktop.

Please note: You may have to disable any script protection running if the scan fails to run. After downloading the tool, disconnect from the internet and disable all antivirus protection. Run the scan, enable your A/V and reconnect to the internet.

Information on A/V control HERE

We also need a new log from the GMER anti-rootkit scanner. Please first disable any CD emulation programs using the steps found in this topic:

Why we request you disable CD Emulation when receiving Malware Removal Advice

Then create another GMER log and post it as an attachment to the reply where you post your new DDS log. Instructions on how to properly create a GMER log can be found here:

How to create a GMER log

Casey

Thanks for responding. Attached are the logs that you requested. I dont have a GMER log because the GMER did not find anything.

Hello and welcome to BleepingComputer!


P2P WARNING
-------------------
Going over your logs I noticed that you have uTorrent installed.

• Avoid gaming sites, pirated software, cracking tools, keygens, and peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing programs.
• They are a security risk which can make your computer susceptible to a smörgåsbord of malware infections, remote attacks, exposure of personal information, and identity theft. Many malicious worms and Trojans spread across P2P file sharing networks, gaming and underground sites.
• Users visiting such pages may see innocuous-looking banner ads containing code which can trigger pop-up ads and malicious Flash ads that install viruses, Trojans and spyware. Ads are a target for hackers because they offer a stealthy way to distribute malware to a wide range of Internet users.
• The best way to reduce the risk of infection is to avoid these types of web sites and not use any P2P applications.

It is pretty much certain that if you continue to use P2P programs, you will get infected again.
I would recommend that you uninstall uTorrent, however that choice is up to you. If you choose to remove these programs, you can do so via Start > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs.

If you wish to keep it, please do not use it until your computer is cleaned.


MALWAREBYTES ANTIMALWARE
-------------------------------------------
Please launch MBAM and 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 Full 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.

Finally, your Event Log shows there might be a slight problem with one of your harddisks. I recommend to run the Checkdisk utility (open Computer, right click the drive, select properties, and on the Tools tab, click Check volume for errors).

How are things running now?

Below you will find the log report of Malware Bytes. After I ran Malware Bytes I restarted my cpu because it found a virus. I clicked on the start menu and the update icon appeared next to the shutdown button. It appears and disappears often. Do you know why that is?


Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.50.1.1100
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: 5508

Windows 6.1.7600
Internet Explorer 8.0.7600.16385

1/12/2011 8:41:28 PM
mbam-log-2011-01-12 (20-41-28).txt

Scan type: Full scan (C:\|)
Objects scanned: 268272
Time elapsed: 41 minute(s), 5 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: 1

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:
c:\Users\Brew\downloads\windows 7 ultimate build 7600.16385 x86 & x64 with windows loader 1.9.5\windows loader 1.9.5\windows loader.exe (RiskWare.Tool.CK) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Is your version of windows legit? Looks like you downloaded it, including something to activate it. Beside legal issues, cracks/keygens and the like bring with it the latest malware. It is well possible that this update item is related to you using cracks to activate windows.

ESET ONLINE SCANNER
----------------------------
I'd like us to scan your machine with ESET OnlineScan

• Hold down Control and click on the following link to open ESET OnlineScan in a new window.
  ESET OnlineScan
• Click the button.
• For alternate browsers only: (Microsoft Internet Explorer users can skip these steps)
  • Click on to download the ESET Smart Installer. Save it to your desktop.
  • Double click on the icon on your desktop.
• Check
• Click the button.
• Accept any security warnings from your browser.
• Check
• Push the Start button.
• ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer. Please be patient as this can take some time.
• When the scan completes, push
• Push , and save the file to your desktop using a unique name, such as ESETScan. Include the contents of this report in your next reply.
  Note - when ESET doesn't find any threats, no report will be created.
• Push the button.
• Push

My version of Windows is legal. I did download a copy of ultimate 7 but havent installed it. I will delete it. Attached is the log file you requested.

Those were only some leftovers, nothing to worry about.
On Startup Windows checks for updates, it will notify you when an update is available, typically this is once a month or so. I see no malware in your logs that can cause what you describe.

ALL CLEAN
--------------
Your machine appears to be clean, please take the time to read below on how to secure the machine and take the necessary steps to keep it clean

Please do the following to remove the remaining programs from your PC:

• Delete the tools used during the disinfection:
• Click start > run and type combofix /uninstall, press enter. This will remove Combofix from your computer.
• Delete DDS, GMER (this is a random named file) and OTL.

Please read these advices, in order to prevent reinfecting your PC:

• Install and update the following programs regularly:
  • an outbound firewall. If you are connected to the internet through a router, you are already behind a hardware firewall and as such you do not need an extra software firewall.
    A comprehensive tutorial and a list of possible firewalls can be found here.
  • an AntiVirus Software
    It is imperative that you update your AntiVirus Software on regular basis.If you do not update your AntiVirus Software then it will not be able to catch the latest threats.
  • an Anti-Spyware program
    Malware Byte's Anti Malware is an excellent Anti-Spyware scanner. It's scan times are usually under ten minutes, and has excellent detection and removal rates.
    SUPERAntiSpyware is another good scanner with high detection and removal rates.
    Both programs are free for non commercial home use but provide a resident and do not nag if you purchase the paid versions.
  • Spyware Blaster
    A tutorial for Spywareblaster can be found here. If you wish, the commercial version provides automatic updating.
• Keep Windows (and your other Microsoft software) up to date!
  I cannot stress how important this is enough. Often holes are found in Internet Explorer or Windows itself that require patching. Sometimes these holes will allow an attacker unrestricted access to your computer.
  Therefore, please, visit the Microsoft Update Website and follow the on screen instructions to setup Microsoft Update. Also follow the instructions to update your system. Please REBOOT and repeat this process until there are no more updates to install!!
• Keep your other software up to date as well
  Software does not need to be made by Microsoft to be insecure. You can use the Secunia Online Software occasionally to help you check for out of date software on yourmachine.
• Stay up to date!
  The MOST IMPORTANT part of any security setup is keeping the software up to date. Malware writers release new variants every single day. If your software updates don't keep up, then the malware will always be one step ahead. Not a good thing.

Some more links you might find of interest:

• Miekies' prevention suggestions
• So How did I get infected?
• Microsoft - 'Security at home'
• Calendar of Updates: See which updates have been released.
• How to backup your Data with Cobian Backup:because you never know, when your harddisk might fail
• Commonly Used Freeware Replacements: a nice list of freeware programs in all categories, that are regarded as useful by the users of this forum.
• osalt: Find (free) open source alternatives to known commercial software.

Please reply to this topic if you have read the above information. If your computer is working fine, this topic will be closed afterwards.

Thanks for all of your help! My computer seems to be working fine now.

It appears that this issue is resolved, therefore I am closing the topic. If that is not the case and you need or wish to continue with this topic, please send me or any Moderator a Personal Message (PM) that you would like this topic re-opened.