Resistant Redirect?

Hello... I'm having a problem with my Google/Bing/whatever searches redirecting, about 50% of the time, to sites I don't want to visit. Not phishing, not porn, just lame sites like "friends ask friends" that aren't the link I clicked on, and don't have anything helpful. Sometimes the sites seem to want to load flash garbage or scripts, but nothing much seems to happen with those, other than the search and link having been redirected.

I've run multiple scans with multiple programs. A new install Microsoft Security Essentials cleaned it up once, but the problem was back in two boots or less, and now the same program can't touch the redirect problem (trojan? rootkit? we've reached the limits of my technical knowledge). Nor can AVG or Spybot. Haven't noticed any network slowdowns, spam, or other oddities.

Help would be appreciated!

DDS log is attached.

No GMER file yet: It has crashed my computer twice now, so it looks like I might need some help getting it to run properly. But it didn't find much (<10 entries before the scan stopped), and nothing was highlighted.

Thank you!

Hi

the DDS log didn't attach if you could please post it as well as the Attach.txt

Try running GMER in safe mode

or run it with just sections and the c:\ drive checked

Here's DDS and the other one... will try GMER in safe mode

Edited by MrDukeDogg, 08 January 2011 - 08:05 PM.

Here's the gmer log. It ran just fine in safe mode.

Thank you for your help!

GMER 1.0.15.15530 - http://www.gmer.net
Rootkit scan 2011-01-08 18:19:15
Windows 6.0.6002 Service Pack 2 Harddisk0\DR0 -> \Device\0000005f WDC_WD32 rev.11.0
Running: gmer.exe; Driver: C:\Users\dave\AppData\Local\Temp\kgtdapow.sys


---- User code sections - GMER 1.0.15 ----

.text C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE[1468] SHELL32.dll!SHGetFolderPathAndSubDirW + 81C5 76E8B37C 4 Bytes [50, 26, 2D, 00]

---- Devices - GMER 1.0.15 ----

AttachedDevice \Driver\kbdclass \Device\KeyboardClass0 Wdf01000.sys (WDF Dynamic/Microsoft Corporation)

---- Registry - GMER 1.0.15 ----

Reg HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Perflib@Last Counter 6836
Reg HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Perflib@Last Help 6837

---- EOF - GMER 1.0.15 ----

Edited by MrDukeDogg, 08 January 2011 - 10:44 PM.

Hi,

Please do the following

Refer to the ComboFix User's Guide

• Download ComboFix from one of these locations:
  
  Link 1
  Link 2
  
  * IMPORTANT !!! Place ComboFix.exe on your Desktop
  
• Disable your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware applications, usually via a right click on the System Tray icon. They may otherwise interfere with ComboFix.
  
  
  You can get help on disabling your protection programs here
  
• Double click on ComboFix.exe & follow the prompts.
  
• Your desktop may go blank. This is normal. It will return when ComboFix is done. ComboFix may reboot your machine. This is normal.
  
• When finished, it shall produce a log for you. Post that log in your next reply
  
  Note:
  Do not mouseclick combofix's window whilst it's running. That may cause it to stall.
  
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
• Ensure your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware applications are re-enabled.
  
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

combofix log  combofix log.txt   11.37KB   1 downloads

Edited by MrDukeDogg, 10 January 2011 - 10:32 PM.

Hi

Please do the following:

• Please open your MalwareBytes AntiMalware Program
• Click the Update Tab and search for updates
• If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
• Once the program has loaded, select "Perform Quick Scan", then click Scan.
• The scan may take some time to finish, so please be patient.
• When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
• Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected. <-- very important
• When disinfection is completed, a log will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to Restart. (See Extra Note)
• The log is automatically saved by MBAM and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.
• Copy&Paste the entire report in your next reply.

Extra Note:If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove, you will be presented with 1 of 2 prompts, click OK to either and let MBAM proceed with the disinfection process, if asked to restart the computer, please do so immediately.



NEXT


Go here to run an online scanner from ESET.

• Note: You will need to use Internet explorer for this scan
• Turn off the real time scanner of any existing antivirus program while performing the online scan
• Tick the box next to YES, I accept the Terms of Use.
• Click Start
• When asked, allow the activeX control to install
• Click Start
• Make sure that the option Remove found threats is unticked and the Scan Archives option is ticked.
• Click on Advanced Settings, ensure the options Scan for potentially unwanted applications, Scan for potentially unsafe applications, and Enable Anti-Stealth Technology are ticked.
• Click Scan
• Wait for the scan to finish
• When the scan completes, press the LIST OF THREATS FOUND button
• Press EXPORT TO TEXT FILE , name the file ESETSCAN and save it to your desktop
• Include the contents of this report in your next reply.
• Press the BACK button.
• Press Finish

Here are the logs. It looks like Eset picked up a culprit. Per your instructions, logged, but not removed.

Hi

That item is in the ComboFix quarantine, which we will clean up shortly,

please do the following:

Visit ADOBEand download the latest version of Acrobat Reader (version X)
Having the latest updates ensures there are no security vulnerabilities in your system.


NEXT


Your Java is out of date.
Java™ 6 Update 16 can be updated from the Java control panel Start > Control Panel (Classic View) > Java (looks like a coffee cup) > Update Tab > Update Now.
An update should begin; > follow the prompts.


Clear Java cache

Go into the Control Panel and double-click the Java Icon. (looks like a coffee cup) If you do not see the icon, look to your left and click 'Switch to Classic View'.

• On the General tab, under Temporary Internet Files, click the Settings button.
• Next, click on the Delete Files button
• There are two options in the window to clear the cache - Leave BOTH Checked
  
  • Applications and Applets
    Trace and Log Files
• Click OK on Delete Temporary Files Window
  Note: This deletes ALL the Downloaded Applications and Applets from the CACHE.
• Click OK to leave the Temporary Files Window
• Click OK to leave the Java Control Panel.

NEXT

Please post a fresh DDS Log and advise how the computer is running now and if there are any outstanding issues.

Here's the new DDS log. I've had a few reboots, and the redirection problem does not seem to be back.

Big, big thank you!

Looks good

we just need to clean up our tools now,

please do the following:

You can delete the DDS and GMER logs and programs from your desktop.


NEXT

Follow these steps to uninstall Combofix

• Make sure your security programs are totally disabled.
• Click START then RUN
• Now copy/paste Combofix /uninstall into the runbox and click OK. Note the space between the ..X and the /U, it needs to be there.

If there are any logs/tools remaining on your desktop > right click and delete them.


NEXT


Below I have included a number of recommendations for how to protect your computer against malware infections.

• It is good security practice to change your passwords to all your online accounts on a fairly regular basis, this is especially true after an infection. Refer to this Microsoft article
  Strong passwords: How to create and use them Then consider a password keeper, to keep all your passwords safe.
  
  
• Keep Windows updated by regularly checking their website at :
  http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
  This will ensure your computer has always the latest security updates available installed on your computer.
  
  
• Make Internet Explorer more secure
  
  • Click Start > Run
  • Type Inetcpl.cpl & click OK
  • Click on the Security tab
  • Click Reset all zones to default level
  • Make sure the Internet Zone is selected & Click Custom level
  • In the ActiveX section, set the first two options ("Download signed and unsigned ActiveX controls) to "Prompt", and ("Initialize and Script ActiveX controls not marked as safe") to "Disable".
  • Next Click OK, then Apply button and then OK to exit the Internet Properties page.
  
  
• Download TFC to your desktop
  
  • Close any open windows.
  • Double click the TFC icon to run the program
  • TFC will close all open programs itself in order to run,
  • Click the Start button to begin the process.
  • Allow TFC to run uninterrupted.
  • The program should not take long to finish it's job
  • Once its finished it should automatically reboot your machine,
  • if it doesn't, manually reboot to ensure a complete clean
  It's normal after running TFC cleaner that the PC will be slower to boot the first time.
  
  
• WOT, Web of Trust, warns you about risky websites that try to scam visitors, deliver malware or send spam. Protect your computer against online threats by using WOT as your front-line layer of protection when browsing or searching in unfamiliar territory. WOT's color-coded icons show you ratings for 21 million websites, helping you avoid the dangerous sites:
  • Green to go
  • Yellow for caution
  • Red to stop
  WOT has an addon available for both Firefox and IE
  
  
• Keep a backup of your important files - Now, more than ever, it's especially important to protect your digital files and memories. This article is full of good information on alternatives for home backup solutions.
  
  
• ERUNT (Emergency Recovery Utility NT) allows you to keep a complete backup of your registry and restore it when needed. The standard registry backup options that come with Windows back up most of the registry but not all of it. ERUNT however creates a complete backup set, including the Security hive and user related sections. ERUNT is easy to use and since it creates a full backup, there are no options or choices other than to select the location of the backup files. The backup set includes a small executable that will launch the registry restore if needed.
  
  
• In light of your recent issue, I'm sure you'd like to avoid any future infections. Please take a look at this well written article:
  PC Safety and Security--What Do I Need?.

**Be very wary with any security software that is advertised in popups or in other ways. They are not only usually of no use, but often have malware in them.


Should you wish to contribute to my ongoing fight against malware, donations are being accepted >>Here<<


Thank you for your patience, and performing all of the procedures requested.

Please respond one last time so we can consider the thread resolved and close it, thank-you.

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.