[fredmh]

Hello DonChoudhry, and welcome to TSF


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Please read this post completely before begining the fix. If there's anything that you do not understand, kindly ask your questions before proceeding.
Please ensure that there aren't any opened browsers when you are carrying out the procedures below. Save the following instructions in Notepad as this
webpage would not be available when you're carrying out the fix.


IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU DON'T MISS A STEP & PERFORM EVERYTHING IN THE RIGHT ORDER.

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The fixes we will use are specific to your problems and should only be used for this issue on this machine.

Please only use this topic to reply to. Do not start another thread.
If any other issues arise let me know.

The process is not instant. Please continue to review my answers until I tell you your machine is clear.
Absence of symptoms does not mean that everything is clear. So lets do this to the end!

Please make every effort to reply to my posts in a timely manner. Malware breeds malware and the longer an infection remains on a system, the more
likely additional infections will result.

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HIJACK THIS IN TEMP FOLDER

You are running Hijack This from a temporary directory. It needs to be in a permanent folder. Please go into Windows Explorer,
click on C: then click on File > New > Folder and call it HJT , or another name of your choice. The program creates backup
files that we may need to use later. If the program is in a Temporary folder, files may be deleted by you or automatically if your
system is set to empty temp files.

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DOWNLOADS


CLEANUP! version 4.52 – TEMP FILE CLEANING


Please download Cleanup! and install it. You will use this later.

Alternative link Cleanup Alt


*NOTE* Cleanup deletes EVERYTHING out of temporary folders and does not make backups.



AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5



Please download AVG Anti Spyware

Use the link at the bottom of the page under "AVG Anti-Spyware Free for Windows"

1. Install AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5.
2. Double-click the icon on Desktop to launch AVG A-S 7.5
3. On the top of the main screen click Shield
4. Click the word active to change it to inactive
5. On the top of the main screen click Update.
6. Then click on Start Update. The update will start and a progress bar will show the updates being installed.
7. I also recommend changing the "Update interval" to something more reasonable like 12 hours.

SMITFRAUD FIX

Please download SmitfraudFix (by S!Ri)
Extract the content (a folder named SmitfraudFix) to your Desktop.

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SAFE MODE RE-BOOT

Please reboot your computer in Safe Mode 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) Use the up arrow key to highlight Safe Mode and press Enter.
5) Login with your usual account. Make sure to close any open browsers.

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FIXES AND DELETIONS


Uninstall the following via the Add/Remove Panel (Start->(Settings)->Control Panel->Add/Remove Programs) if they exist:

MyWebSearch

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Open HijackThis and click on 'Do a System Scan Only'. Check the following entries (If they still exist, make sure you do not miss any)

O2 - BHO: MyWebSearch Search Assistant BHO - {00A6FAF1-072E-44cf-8957-5838F569A31D} - C:\Program Files\MyWebSearch\SrchAstt\1.bin\MWSSRCAS.DLL
O2 - BHO: mwsBar BHO - {07B18EA1-A523-4961-B6BB-170DE4475CCA} - C:\Program Files\MyWebSearch\bar\1.bin\MWSBAR.DLL
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [My Web Search Bar] rundll32 C:\PROGRA~1\MYWEBS~1\bar\1.bin\MWSBAR.DLL,S
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MyWebSearch Email Plugin] C:\PROGRA~1\MYWEBS~1\bar\1.bin\mwsoemon.exe


Please remember to close all other windows, including browsers then click Fix checked.

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UNHIDE HIDDEN FILES

Go to My Computer->Tools->Folder Options->View tab:
* Under the Hidden files and folders heading, select Show hidden files and folders.
* Uncheck the Hide protected operating system files (recommended) option.
* Also make sure there is no checkmark beside Hide file extensions for known file types
* Click Yes to confirm and then click OK.

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Delete the following Files indicated in RED and Folders indicated in BLUE if they still exist.

C:\Program Files\MyWebSearch

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SmitFraud - OPTION 2

Double-click on SmitfraudFix.exe to start the tool.
Select option #2 - Clean by typing 2 and press Enter.
Wait for the tool to complete and disk cleanup to finish.
You will be prompted : "Registry cleaning - Do you want to clean the registry?" answer Yes by typing Y and hit Enter.
The tool will also check if wininet.dll is infected. If a clean version is found, you will be prompted to replace wininet.dll. Answer Yes to the question "Replace infected file?" by typing Y and hit Enter.

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

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RUNNING SCANNERS


Cleanup

Open Cleanup! by double-clicking the icon on your desktop (or from the Start > All Programs menu).
Set the program up as follows:

Click "Options..."
Move the arrow down to "Custom CleanUp!"
Put a check next to the following (Make sure nothing else is checked!):

• Empty Recycle Bins
• Delete Cookies
• Delete Prefetch files (if present)
• Cleanup! All Users
• Click on the Temporary Files tab and uncheck the box for Scan drives for files matching if it’s checked.

Click OK
Press the CleanUp! button to start the program and DO NOT reboot when prompted.


AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5

• Run AVG A-s with it's updated definitions: (...it's important that all windows must be closed)
  This scan can take quite a while to run, so be prepared.
• Click Scanner
• Click on the Scan tab
• Click Complete System Scan to begin scanning.
  
  
  
  
  
• When the scan is complete click Recommended Action and change it to Quarantine (1),
• If not click Recommended Action and choose Quarantine from the popup menu. (2)
• At the bottom of the window click on the Apply all Actions button. (3)

When done, click the Save Scan Report button. (4) then click Save Report As and save it to your desktop.

IMPORTANT : Don't click on the "Save Scan Report" button before you did hit the "Apply all Actions" button.



Note: DO NOT USE the computer while AVG A/S is scanning. If Explorer or the Control Panel are opened some malware types will
reinfect your system or will not be cleaned properly.

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SECURE DESKTOP


Next go to Control Panel click Display>Desktop>Customize Desktop>Web> Now, Uncheck Everything and delete if present:

• "Security Info"
• "Warning Message"
• "Security Desktop"
• "Warning Homepage"
• "Desktop Uninstall"

Also make sure the 'Lock desktop items' box is unticked. Click OK, and then Click Apply, then OK.


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SYSTEM RE-BOOT

Reboot into Normal Mode.

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SmitFraud - OPTION 3

Double-click on SmitfraudFix.exe to start the tool.
Select option #3 - Delete Trusted zone by typing 3 and press Enter
Answer Yes to the question "Restore Trusted Zone ?" by typing Y and hit Enter.



Note, if you use SpywareBlaster and/or IE-SPYAD, it will be necessary to re-install the protection both afford.
For SpywareBlaster, run the program and re-protect all items. For IE-SPYAD, run the batch file and reinstall the protection.

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ON-LINE SCANS

Perform an online scan with Internet Explorer with Panda ActiveScan

1. Click on
   located at the bottom of the page.
2. A "pop up" window will appear. * Please ensure that your pop up blocker doesn't block it *
3. Enter your e-mail address, country, and state & click "Free Online Scan" * The download of the 8 MB Panda's ActiveX control will take place *

Begin the scan by selecting

• If it finds any malware, it will offer you a report.
• Please ignore any entry it finds and the offer to buy the program to remove the entry, as we will address this later.
• Click on
  then click

* You needn't remain online while it's doing the scan but you have to re-connect after it has finished to see the report.
* Turn off the real time scanner of any existing antivirus program while performing the online scan

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FOLLOW-UP

Please return and post these items in the order listed:

c:\rapport.txt from SmitFraud
AVG A/S
Panda scan
A new HJT log run in Normal Mode

Please note: In order to properly see what is on your system, all HJT logs must be run in the normal mode

Please let me know how your system is behaving.

 

[fredmh]

Your logs are looking pretty good. Just a few more items to clean up and we'll be done.


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P2P - I see you have P2P software installed on your machine. We are not here to pass judgment on file-sharing as a concept.
However, we will warn you that engaging in this activity and having this kind of software installed on your machine will always make you more
susceptible to re-infections. It may be contributing to your current situation. This page will give you further information.

These programs are:

Emule


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REGISTRY FIX

Download the attached don.zip file at the bottom of this post to your desktop. Double click on the zip folder,
then double click on the .reg file within.
Click yes to allow it to merge into your registry.

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Delete the following Files indicated in RED and Folders indicated in BLUE if they still exist.


D:\me\maxsetup.981.exe
D:\me\SmileyCentralPFSetup2.2.60.4.ex
D:\Program Files\eMule\Incoming\eMule-0.47a-VeryCD0125.exe
D:\Program Files\Ivtffice\ace.dll



If these files resist deletion, boot into Safe Mode and then delete

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Your logs are now clean. Please complete the next "housekeeping" steps and read through the information below.


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Windows XP - Reset Hidden Files

• Click Start.
• Open My Computer.
• Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options.
• Select the View tab.
• Deselect the Show hidden files and folders option.
• Select the Hide file extensions for known types option.
• Select the Hide protected operating system files option.
• Click Yes to confirm.
• Click OK.

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Clean-out and Reset System Restore

This will clean out any junk or malicious files left behind in System Restore

• To turn off System Restore click Start > Right Click My Computer > Properties.
• Click the System Restore tab and Check
• "Turn off System Restore" or "Turn off System Restore on all drives" Click Apply.
• When turning off System Restore, the existing restore points will be deleted. Click Yes to do this then Click OK.
  
  
• Turn on System Restore by Clicking Start. Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
• Click the System Restore tab. Uncheck "Turn off System Restore" or "Turn off System Restore on all drives."
• Click Apply, and then OK.

This will create a new Restore Point.

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RE-ENABLE ANTI-SPYWARE APPLICATIONS

If you were instructed to dis-able Anti-spyware applications during this fix, you may re-enable them

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JAVA OUT OF DATE

We need to update your Java as it is out of date. The older version is a security risk, as malware writers
exploit the weaknesses in it's code. The current version is JRE 6


Updating Java

:

• Download the latest version of Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 6 - http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp
• Scroll down to where it says "The J2SE Runtime Environment (JRE) allows end-users to run Java applications".
• Click the "Download" button to the right.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Check the box that says: "Accept License Agreement".
• The page will refresh.
• Click on the link to download Windows Offline Installation with or without Multi-language and save to your desktop.
• Close any programs you may have running - especially your web browser
• Go to Start > Control Panel double-click on Add/Remove programs and remove all older versions of Java.
• Check any item with Java Runtime Environment (JRE or J2SE) in the name.
• Click the Remove or Change/Remove button
• Repeat as many times as necessary to remove each Java versions.
• Reboot your computer once all Java components are removed.
• Then from your desktop double-click on jre-6-windowsi586-p.exe to install the newest version.

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Please read through the following information to help protect your computer in the future.


KEEP YOUR OPERATING SYSTEM UPDATED

Please ensure that you have already patched your system against the recent WMF exploit. Go to this page to get the KB912919 patch

MICROSOFT UPDATES

It is very important that you get all of the critical updates for your Operating System and Internet Explorer. Keeping your OS and browser
up to date will help make you less susceptible to attacks by Trojans and viruses. Please go to Microsoft
and download all the critical updates to help prevent possible re-infection.


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".


ENABLE WINDOWS AUTO UPDATE

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.

TOOLS TO HELP KEEP YOUR SYSTEM CLEAN

Now that you are clean, 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.

• Install & update SpywareBlaster with the latest definitions.
• After you have updated, click the button - enable protection for all unprotected items

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.

• Download IE-SpyAD - Extract the contents to a new folder
• From within the folder, double-click install.bat
• Select Option #2 - Install the new IE-SPYAD list.
• Then return to the main menu.
• Select option #4 - Add the old porn sites domain

A tutorial for IE-SPYAD 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.

• Download Host.zip to your desktop.
• From your Desktop right-click (hosts.zip) and select:
  Extract All from the menu.
  
• Click Next, click Next, select the option:
  "Show Extracted files"
• Click Finish

This will open the newly created hosts folder on your Desktop.

Double-click on the included mvps.bat file, this will rename the existing HOSTS file to HOSTS.MVP, then it will copy the included updated
HOSTS file to the correct location on your machine.


MCAFEE SITE ADVISOR SITE ADVISOR is a free IE plug-in (also suport for Firefox browser)
which is used in conjunction with the Google search engine. It advises which web sites are considered safe and which sites could pose a problem.
It also shows what problems were encountered with each site, such as malicious downloads, spam, and related links.


ANTI-VIRUS AND FIREWALL PROGRAMS


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 some very good free Antivirus products which are available:

• Avast!
  
• AVG
  

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

Understanding and Using Firewalls

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

INFORMATIONAL READING


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:

• PC SAFETY AND SECURITY
• HOW DID I GET INFECTED IN THE FIRST PLACE?
• THE ANTI-SPYWARE TUTORIAL
• MAKING INTERNET EXPLORER SAFER
• INVASION OF THE COMPUTER SNATCHERS
• The Cookie Concept

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