The nvctrl.exe monster that won't die - Please Help!

[sUBs]

The file that was taken out by McAfee should be in McAfee's quarantine folder. It would be better if the lab took it apart to identify if it has any other accomplices within your machine.

Please show me a screen shot of your Desktop.

[slayerinthedark]

Originally Posted by sUBs

The file that was taken out by McAfee should be in McAfee's quarantine folder. It would be better if the lab took it apart to identify if it has any other accomplices within your machine.

Please show me a screen shot of your Desktop.

I'm attaching a word file with 4 different screenshots and descriptions. Let me know if that isn't acceptable. Thank you.

[sUBs]

Briefly describe what your previous Desktop used to look like.

[slayerinthedark]

Originally Posted by sUBs

Briefly describe what your previous Desktop used to look like.

I used to have pictures displayed as my wallpaper (they would rotate via a program called Webshots)

They now only appear very briefly when I first log on or as I log off. They seem to still be there, but hidden behind that white program.

[sUBs]

Go back to where you keep rechecking "C:\DOCUME~1\DANIEL~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\0779ceaba.html"
Select it & hit the Delete button.

If you have Webshots installed, launch it.
Select the photo you'd like to use and click Set Wallpaper on the right.

To enable wallpaper cycling:

1. Open the Webshots software by double clicking the Webshots Desktop icon on your desktop.
2. Click the Options button.
3. Under the Wallpaper tab use the drop down menu next to Automatically Cycle Wallpaper Every for selection of a time.

Webshots must be in your tray for your wallpaper to automatically cycle. To enable your tray, open your Webshots software by double clicking the icon on your desktop.

1. Click the Options button.
2. On the General tab, check the box next to "Show tray icon".
3. Click OK to save your changes.

[slayerinthedark]

Thank you SO much. Deleting that file got rid of the white box and then unchecking the "Lock desktop items" box seemed to do the trick.

The one last thing I'll ask is if you are at all familiar with ACDSee, the graphic viewing program. Something we did over the last 24 hours has created a bug in the program that causes it to crash whenever it tries to display thumbnails. I realize it's unlikely that you would have any info to help on that front, but I figured it was worth a try.

[slayerinthedark]

It looks as though a Windows Update cured my ACDSee issue, so this leaves me with one final question.

Cleanup is being a real pest and refusing to leave. I have run the uninstall program a number of times now and rebooted as well, but with no luck. At first, it looks as though the uninstall has been successfull. It says that the process is complete and the Cleanup program folder disappears. But eventually, the folder and program always return all on their own. Do I have to do anything special to remove this program?

Thank you again for all of your help. You have been a lifesaver.

[sUBs]

Lol, there's no reason why you should wanna uninstall CleanUp. This is a utility that you should run on a periodic basis. Haven't heard of anyoone experiencing troubles uninstalling it. It only takes up 1+ MB of storage space on your hard disk. If you're still experiencing trouble with it, please drop a line to the author of the software, Steven Gould.

Your system is clean. Kindly follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:

1. CLEAR & RESET SYSTEM RESTORE'S CACHE - (System Volume Information folder)
   Go to Start >> Run - type control sysdm.cpl,,4 & press Enter
   • Tick on the checkbox - Turn off System Restore on all drives
   • Click Apply
   Turn it back 'On' by unticking the same checkbox & click OK
   
   
   
2. DISABLE THE VIEWING OF SYSTEM FILES
   From Windows Explorer, go to Tools>Folder Options> View tab.
   • Untick - Show hidden files and folder
   • Tick - Hide file extensions for known types
   • Tick - Hide protected operating system files
   Click Yes to confirm & then click OK
   
   
   
3. SECURING INTERNET EXPLORER
   From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Internet Options.
   • Select the Security tab
     • Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
     • Select Custom Level .
       • Change 'Download signed ActiveX controls' to Prompt
       • Change 'Download unsigned ActiveX controls' to Disable
       • Change 'Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe' to Disable
       • Change 'Installation of desktop items' to Prompt
       • Change 'Launching programs and files in an IFRAME' to Prompt
       • Change 'Navigate sub-frames across different domains' to Prompt
       • When all these changes have been made, click on the OK button.
     • If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the Yes button.
   • Select OK to exit the Internet Properties page.
   
   
   
4. 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 & their stand-alone antivirus programs:
   
   Virus, Spyware, and Malware Protection and Removal Resources
   
   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.
   
   
   
5. FIREWALL
   Without a firewall your computer is succeptible to being hacked and taken over. Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly. A tutorial on Firewalls and a listing of some available ones can be found here.
   
   
   
6. Microsoft Windows Update
   Visit windowsupdate.com regularly. This will ensure your computer always has the latest security updates. If there are new updates to install, install them immediately, reboot your computer, and revisit the site until there are no more critical updates.
   
   
   
7. 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
   
   
   
8. 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
   
   
   
9. SPYWAREBLASTER
   SpywareBlaster prevents the installation of malicious ActiveX, adware, browser hijackers, dialers, and other potentially unwanted software. Blocks spyware/tracking cookies & restricts the actions of potentially unwanted sites.
   
   Unlike other programs, SpywareBlaster does not have to remain running in the background. A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here
   
   
   
10. 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
    
    
    
11. 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 coputer 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

Update all these programs regularly. Make sure you update all the programs I have listed regularly. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new malicious programs are released.

Follow this list and your potential for being infected again will reduce dramatically. Here are some additional utilities that will further enhance your safety.

• Trillian or Miranda-IM - These are Malware free Instant Messenger programs which allow you to connect to multiple IM services in one program! (AOL, Yahoo, ICQ, IRC, MSN)
  
  
• Firefox - Use this alternate browser. Whilst Internet Explorer is not a bad browser, almost every exploit crafted is targeted to take advantage of an IE weakness.
  
  
• Sun's Java - It's much more secure than Microsoft's Java Virtual Machine.
  
  
• Google Toolbar - Get the free google toolbar to help stop pop up windows.
  
  
• CleanUP! - Cleans temporary files from IE and Windows, empties the recycle bin and more. Great tool to help speed up your computer and knock out those nasties that like to reside in the temp folders.
  
  
• ERUNT - A useful freeware utility for users of Windows 2000/XP. It's made up of two parts - ERUNT & NTREGOPT.
  
  ERUNT will create daily complete backups of your computer's Registry. Whilst System Restore does the same thing, a corrupt registry file may prevent Windows from booting & this effectively renders disables System Restore. With ERUNT, you're able to restore the damaged Registry.
  
  NTREGOPT works by recreating each registry hive "from scratch", thus removing any slack space that may be left from previously modified or deleted keys. In other words, it compacts the Registry to a small size which allows Windows to load & perform faster.
  
  
• 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

To find out more information about how you got infected in the first place and some great guidelines to follow to prevent future infections you can read this article by Tony Klein

After doing all these, your system will be optimised against future threats.

It's okay to delete the Hijack This folder in a couple weeks if everything is working okay.
Have a safe & happy computing day.

Please respond to this thread one more time so we can mark this thread as resolved.

[slayerinthedark]

Great! All good to go then. Thank you so much again for all of your help. I know exactly where to send friends if they ever experience a problem. Consider this baby resolved. Best of luck in the future...