SpyAxe Malware

[Henners66]

I have had the misfortune to run into the SpyAxe Malware and I would like to go the HijackThis Route as I am still having problems.

I have already used the SpyAxe Uninstallers, which has killed the message in the system tray and everything else appears normal. However, my OS does not feel quite right and particularly the Add/Remove Programs list will not populate under normal operation of my PC, (it will in Safe Mode, eventually).

Just to let you know I had recently rebuilt my OS due to Hard Drive crash and had up already moved to XP SP2, I believe, before becoming infected. Do I have to revert to SP1a for this process to work although the move to XP2 was on a clean OS???

Following is my HijackThis log...


Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 08:33:45, on 16/11/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Sygate\SPF\smc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\EPSON\EBAPI\SAgent2.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\spkrmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_03\bin\jusched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswctrl.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Conexant\AccessRunner ADSL\CnxDslTb.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\umonit.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\MouseWare\system\em_exec.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Real\RealPlayer\RealPlay.exe
C:\HJT\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.co.uk/
O2 - BHO: DriveLetterAccess - {5CA3D70E-1895-11CF-8E15-001234567890} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswshx.dll
O2 - BHO: HomepageBHO - {e9ccf15d-4c68-4b5a-9e9a-8e12e4bd39bd} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\hp3C83.tmp (file missing)
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {0B53EAC3-8D69-4b9e-9B19-A37C9A5676A7} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - (no file)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Logitech Utility] Logi_MwX.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_03\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [dla] C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswctrl.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CnxDslTaskBar] C:\Program Files\Conexant\AccessRunner ADSL\CnxDslTb.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SmcService] C:\PROGRA~1\Sygate\SPF\smc.exe -startgui
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UMonit] C:\WINDOWS\system32\umonit.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdateManager] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sonic\Update Manager\sgtray.exe" /r
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O4 - Global Startup: EPSON Status Monitor 3 Environment Check 2.lnk = C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\E_SRCV02.EXE
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_03\bin\npjpi142_03.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_03\bin\npjpi142_03.dll
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files\bonjour\mdnsnsp.dll
O16 - DPF: {04E214E5-63AF-4236-83C6-A7ADCBF9BD02} (HouseCall Control) - http://housecall60.trendmicro.com/housecall/xscan60.cab
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=39204
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/windowsu...?1126389314093
O16 - DPF: {FF3F0F03-0F01-131A-A3F9-08F02B23E0CC} - http://66.117.37.13/dba2218.exe
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{706934FB-5C16-4C0A-9084-224F6CB7EF92}: NameServer = 212.159.13.49 212.159.13.50
O23 - Service: AVG7 Alert Manager Server (Avg7Alrt) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Update Service (Avg7UpdSvc) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: EPSON Printer Status Agent2 (EPSONStatusAgent2) - SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION - C:\Program Files\Common Files\EPSON\EBAPI\SAgent2.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPodService - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Intel NCS NetService (NetSvc) - Intel(R) Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\NCS\Sync\NetSvc.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Driver Helper Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: Sygate Personal Firewall (SmcService) - Sygate Technologies, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Sygate\SPF\smc.exe
O23 - Service: spkrmon - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\spkrmon.exe

Any help will be gratefully received.

Thanks

Henners66

[tetonbob]

Unfortunately, those uninstallers are not completely effective, and are infected themselves....we do have ways of helping you get clean.

Download smitRem.exe and save the file to your desktop.
Double click on the file to extract it to it's own folder on the desktop.

Place a shortcut to Panda ActiveScan on your desktop.

Please download the trial version of Ewido Security Suite here:
http://www.ewido.net/en/download/

Please read Ewido Setup Instructions
Install it, and update the definitions to the newest files. Do NOT run a scan yet.

If you have not already installed Ad-Aware SE 1.06, follow these download and setup instructions, otherwise, check for updates:
Ad-Aware SE Setup
Don't run it yet!

Next, please reboot your computer in SafeMode by doing the following:

1. Restart your computer
2. After hearing your computer beep once during startup, but before the Windows icon appears, press F8.
3. Instead of Windows loading as normal, a menu should appear
4. Select the first option, to run Windows in Safe Mode.

Now scan with HJT and place a checkmark next to each of the following items and click FIX CHECKED:
================================================== =
O2 - BHO: HomepageBHO - {e9ccf15d-4c68-4b5a-9e9a-8e12e4bd39bd} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\hp3C83.tmp (file missing)
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {0B53EAC3-8D69-4b9e-9B19-A37C9A5676A7} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - (no file)
O16 - DPF: {FF3F0F03-0F01-131A-A3F9-08F02B23E0CC} - http://66.117.37.13/dba2218.exe
================================================== =

Close HiJackThis.

Open the smitRem folder, then double click the RunThis.bat file to start the tool. Follow the prompts on screen.
Wait for the tool to complete and disk cleanup to finish.

The tool will create a log named smitfiles.txt in the root of your drive, eg; Local Disk C: or partition where your operating system is installed. Please post that log along with all others requested in your next reply.


Open Ad-aware and do a full scan. Remove all it finds.


Run Ewido:

• Click on scanner
• Click on Complete System Scan and the scan will begin.
• NOTE: During some scans with ewido it is finding cases of false positives.
• You will need to step through the process of cleaning files one-by-one.
• If ewido detects a file you KNOW to be legitimate, select none as the action.
• DO NOT select "Perform action on all infections"
• If you are unsure of any entry found select none for now.
• When the scan is finished, click the Save report button at the bottom of the screen.
• Save the report to your desktop

Close Ewido

Next go to Control Panel click Display > Desktop > Customize Desktop > Web > Uncheck "Security Info" if present.

Reboot back into Windows and click the Panda ActiveScan shortcut.
- Once you are on the Panda site click the Scan your PC button
- A new window will open...click the Check Now button
- Enter your Country
- Enter your State/Province
- Enter your e-mail address and click send
- Select either Home User or Company
- Click the big Scan Now button
- If it wants to install an ActiveX component allow it
- It will start downloading the files it requires for the scan (Note: It may take a couple of minutes)
- When download is complete, click on Local Disks to start the scan
- When the scan completes, if anything malicious is detected, click the See Report button, then Save Report and save it to a convenient location.
Post the contents of the Panda scan report, along with a new HijackThis Log, the contents of smitfiles.txt and the Ewido Log .
Let us know if any problems persist.

[Henners66]

Thanks TetonBob

I have folllowed your instructions and as I said before most operation appears normal if a little lethargic. It still takes Control Panel an age to populate the Add/Remove Programs list.

Anyway here are the logs...

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 00:17:21, on 17/11/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Sygate\SPF\smc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_03\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\EPSON\EBAPI\SAgent2.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswctrl.exe
C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\MouseWare\system\em_exec.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\Program Files\Conexant\AccessRunner ADSL\CnxDslTb.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\spkrmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\umonit.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\HJT\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.co.uk/
O2 - BHO: DriveLetterAccess - {5CA3D70E-1895-11CF-8E15-001234567890} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswshx.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Logitech Utility] Logi_MwX.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_03\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [dla] C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswctrl.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CnxDslTaskBar] C:\Program Files\Conexant\AccessRunner ADSL\CnxDslTb.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SmcService] C:\PROGRA~1\Sygate\SPF\smc.exe -startgui
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UMonit] C:\WINDOWS\system32\umonit.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O4 - Global Startup: EPSON Status Monitor 3 Environment Check 2.lnk = C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\E_SRCV02.EXE
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_03\bin\npjpi142_03.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_03\bin\npjpi142_03.dll
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files\bonjour\mdnsnsp.dll
O16 - DPF: {04E214E5-63AF-4236-83C6-A7ADCBF9BD02} (HouseCall Control) - http://housecall60.trendmicro.com/housecall/xscan60.cab
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=39204
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/windowsu...?1126389314093
O16 - DPF: {9A9307A0-7DA4-4DAF-B042-5009F29E09E1} (ActiveScan Installer Class) - http://acs.pandasoftware.com/actives...ree/asinst.cab
O23 - Service: AVG7 Alert Manager Server (Avg7Alrt) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Update Service (Avg7UpdSvc) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: EPSON Printer Status Agent2 (EPSONStatusAgent2) - SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION - C:\Program Files\Common Files\EPSON\EBAPI\SAgent2.exe
O23 - Service: ewido security suite control - ewido networks - C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPodService - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Intel NCS NetService (NetSvc) - Intel(R) Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\NCS\Sync\NetSvc.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Driver Helper Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: Sygate Personal Firewall (SmcService) - Sygate Technologies, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Sygate\SPF\smc.exe
O23 - Service: spkrmon - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\spkrmon.exe

---------------------------------------------------------
ewido security suite - Scan report
---------------------------------------------------------

+ Created on: 23:12:33, 16/11/2005
+ Report-Checksum: 3601B2F0

+ Scan result:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{2B96D5CC-C5B5-49A5-A69D-CC0A30F9028C} -> Spyware.MiniBug : Cleaned with backup
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\MiniBugTransporter.MiniBugTransporterX\CLSID\\ -> Spyware.MiniBug : Cleaned with backup
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\MiniBugTransporter.MiniBugTransporterX.1\CLSID\\ -> Spyware.MiniBug : Cleaned with backup
C:\Downloads\illegal_adv_uninstaller1.exe -> Spyware.Hijacker.Generic : Cleaned with backup


::Report End


smitRem © log file
version 2.7

by noahdfear


Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
The current date is: 16/11/2005
The current time is: 21:45:09.59

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

checking for ShudderLTD key

ShudderLTD key not present!

checking for PSGuard.com key


PSGuard.com key not present!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Existing Pre-run Files


~~~ Program Files ~~~



~~~ Shortcuts ~~~

Online Security Center.url


~~~ Favorites ~~~

Antivirus Test Online.url
shopping


~~~ system32 folder ~~~

ld****.tmp
logfiles


~~~ Icons in System32 ~~~

ts.ico
ot.ico


~~~ Windows directory ~~~



~~~ Drive root ~~~


~~~ Miscellaneous Files/folders ~~~




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Remaining Post-run Files


~~~ Program Files ~~~



~~~ Shortcuts ~~~



~~~ Favorites ~~~



~~~ system32 folder ~~~



~~~ Icons in System32 ~~~



~~~ Windows directory ~~~



~~~ Drive root ~~~



~~~ Miscellaneous Files/folders ~~~




~~~ Wininet.dll ~~~

CLEAN! :)


Pandascan had nothing to report so I guess that's good.

Thanks again

Henners66

[tetonbob]

Hi Henners66 -

Since your logs appear clean, I'm thinking this is more a Windows, hardware or resources issue. Did you replace the HDD after your recent incident? If it's the same HDD, did you zero it? Manufacturer's low-level format? XP format? Or just re-install the OS?

Let's run one more scan, as some will find what another may not:


Perform an online scan with Internet Explorer with

Kaspersky Online Scanner

Next Click on Launch Kaspersky Online Scanner

You will be prompted to install an ActiveX component from Kaspersky, Click Yes.

• The program will launch and then begin downloading the latest definition files:
• Once the files have been downloaded click on NEXT
• Now click on Scan Settings
• In the scan settings make that the following are selected:
  • Scan using the following Anti-Virus database:
  • Standard
  • Scan Options:
  • Scan Archives
    Scan Mail Bases
• Click OK
• Now under select a target to scan:
  • Select My Computer
• This will program will start and scan your system.
• The scan will take a while so be patient and let it run.
• Once the scan is complete it will display if your system has been infected.
  • Now click on the Save as Text button:
• Save the file to your desktop.
• Copy and paste that information in your next post.

Take note the names and locations of any file it detects but fails to clean.

* Turn off the real time scanner of any existing antivirus program while performing the online scan

[Henners66]

Hi TetonBob

Thanks again.

Here's my Kaspersky log...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KASPERSKY ON-LINE SCANNER REPORT
Friday, November 18, 2005 23:20:48
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Service Pack 2 (Build 2600)
Kaspersky On-line Scanner version: 5.0.67.0
Kaspersky Anti-Virus database last update: 18/11/2005
Kaspersky Anti-Virus database records: 150848
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scan Settings:
Scan using the following antivirus database: standard
Scan Archives: true
Scan Mail Bases: true

Scan Target - My Computer:
A:\
C:\
D:\
E:\
F:\

Scan Statistics:
Total number of scanned objects: 73019
Number of viruses found: 2
Number of infected objects: 2
Number of suspicious objects: 0
Duration of the scan process: 4107 sec

Infected Object Name - Virus Name
C:\System Volume Information\_restore{CCC3054F-3E32-4367-91FE-F58D69536E19}\RP197\A0027985.tlb Infected: Trojan.Win32.StartPage.afu
C:\System Volume Information\_restore{CCC3054F-3E32-4367-91FE-F58D69536E19}\RP197\A0027986.exe Infected: Trojan-Downloader.Win32.Zlob.bc

Scan process completed.

I did not notice if there were any files that were detected but not cleaned. At what part of the scan would this information appear?

If this is a Windows, Hardware, Resources issue how would I go about identifying the problem?

My PC came with two Diamond Max 80Gb Hard Drives and was all pre-installed by Dell. When the original C Drive failed I simply swapped the two Drives over. I think I used the manufacturers formatting tool MaxBlast 4 but I cound not say weither zeroed the drive or at what level the format was made.

Any advice greatly received.

Thanks

Henners66

[greyknight17]

Turn off system restore by right clicking on My Computer and go to Properties->System Restore and check the box for Turn off System Restore. Click Apply and then OK. Restart your computer and uncheck the same box to enable System Restore.

Then do this:

Go to Start->Run and type in sfc /scannow and hit OK. Let it scan. If it finds any files missing/corrupted, it may ask for the Windows CD.

See if it fixes the Add/Remove problem. If not, follow the instructions here on how to repair Windows XP.

Tell us how it went.

[Henners66]

Hi All

I tried GreyKnight17's 1st suggestion with no luck, so eventually I ran the XP Repair. The good news is that the Add/Remove program populates immediately. However, I've had a real nightmare trying to install the XP Security Updates.

Initially, I tried to move to SP1a but kept getting an Access Denied error during the Installing Files part of the setup. Then after repairing XP again and trying to install all of the XP1 Updates I am stuck with four Critical Updates that I can not install. The four Updates are as follows:

KB835732
KB887980
KB907492
KB907417

I don't think it helps that my XP media is a little worn. Sometimes, during repair, certain files can not be found and other times Windows asks me to insert the XP1 CD during the process. However, the final repair that I ran seemed to go through without any problems.

I think I have to get Dell to replace my XP CD and I need to replace my old HD, which crashed. If I can not go any further I will install XP (from new media) onto the new HD and use the existing HD as a backup.

If Partitioning is important to how XP operates (as suggested by TetonBob) then where can I get the information before I install XP?

Many Thanks

Henners66

[tetonbob]

A worn media will cause all kinds of hassles during install, and perhaps later as well. See if you can get Dell to replace it, as you've already said.

If Partitioning is important to how XP operates (as suggested by TetonBob)

I'm not sure I suggested that here, but I can offer some ideas. Partitioning can be a matter of personal choice, and there will be many opinions on this. The important thing is for XP to have enough free space on it's root drive.

I like to set up my root drive (installation of OS, typically C) for XP with around 8 - 10 GB and leave the rest free to partition and format later. Plenty of room for it to work, and for root-only program installs. If the OS buys the farm, docs and other data are not lost. I then put all my programs in another drive ( D partition) on that same drive and change target of My Documents to D drive. I then put my backups, video and tunes on a second hdd.

An in-depth article can be seen here

A simpler look is here

Here's is some parting protection infomation:


Enable Windows Auto Update

• Go to Start>Run - type wuaucpl.cpl
• tick on the checkbox - "Keep my computer up to date"
• Under settings, choose "Automatically download the updates, and install them on the schedule that I specify".
• Click on "OK".

To help protect your computer in the future I recommend that you get the following free programs:

• SpywareBlaster to help prevent spyware from installing in the first place.
  
• SpywareGuard to catch and block spyware before it can execute.
  
• SPYBOT - SEARCH & DESTROY
  Download and install Spybot - Search & Destroy with its TeaTimer option. This will provide realtime spyware & hijacker protection on your computer alongside your virus protection. You should also scan your computer with the program on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software. A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here
  
• AD-AWARE
  Download and install Ad-Aware. You should use this program to scan your computer on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software in conjunction with Spybot. A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here
  
• IE-SPYAD
  IE/Spyad places more than 4000 dubious websites and domains in the IE Restricted list. This severely impair attempts to infect your system. It basically prevents any downloads (Cookies etc) from the sites listed, although you will still be able to connect to the sites. A tutorial on installing this product can be found here
  
• MVPS HOST FILE
  The MVPS Hosts file replaces your current HOSTS file with one that will restrict known ad sites form serving you unsolicited advertisements. Basically, this prevents your computer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1 which is the IP of your local computer. It can be downloaded here - MVPS Hosts file
  
• ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE
  It is very important that you have anti-virus software running on your machine. This alone can save you a lot of trouble with malware in the future.
  
  See this link for a listing of some online antivirus scanners:
  
  Anti-Spyware Tutorial
  
  Here are two very good free Antivirus products which are available:
  
• Avast!
• AVG
  
  It is imperative that you update your Antivirus software at least once a week (Even more if you wish). If you do not update your antivirus software then it will not be able to catch any of the new variants that may come out.
  
• Winpatrol - Download and install the free version of Winpatrol.
  A tutorial for this product is located here:
  Using Winpatrol to protect your computer from malicious software

If you do not have a firewall, here are 4 free ones available for personal use:

• ZoneAlarm
• Avast Antivirus/Firewall
• Tiny Personal Firewall
• OutPost Firewall

In light of your recent troubles, I'm sure you'll like to avoid any future infections. Please take a look at these well written articles

• HOW DID I GET INFECTED IN THE FIRST PLACE?
• THE ANTI-SPYWARE TUTORIAL
• MAKING INTERNET EXPLORER SAFER

[Henners66]

Sorry

For Partitioning read Formatting in my last post. And how do you zero the Drive?

[tetonbob]

To ensure that all confidential data has been removed from a computer system and cannot be restored using data restoration tools, as well as to ensure that the computer is in compliance with all software licensing issues, all information on the hard drive should not only be deleted but also overwritten (also known as zeroing out the drive).

When you run a manufacturer's diag/install utility as you have done, it typically does a low-level format, returning the disk surface to original condition. (fills sectors with 0s) There are generally options to choose from when you run these utilities. This is somewhat more thorough than using XP's built-in format function.

There are other freeware tools available such as Killdisk which are also effective in truly resetting all sectors on a hdd.

My questions were based in trying to ascertain what level of install you had done. You've answered these questions with your further information. I think the main issues are the media and the hdd.

Any further questions, feel free to ask, here or in our Hardware forum's Harddrives section.