Hi Hush, and Welcome to TSF -
As that process is not showing in your log, nor any malware for that matter, I'd like you to run some tools. As you've noted, that process can be linked to malware.
Before attacking an adware/spyware problem with hijackthis make sure you have already run the following tools. Download and update the databases on each program before running.
Please download Ewido Security Suite at http://www.ewido.net/en/download/.
1. Install Ewido Security Suite.
2. When installing, under 'Additional Options' uncheck:
* Install background guard
* Install scan via context menu
3. Launch Ewido, there should be an icon on your desktop, double click it.
4. The program will now open to the main screen.
5. When you run Ewido for the first time, you will get a warning 'Database could not be found!'. Click OK. We will fix this in a moment.
6. You will need to update Ewido to the latest definition files.
* On the left hand side of the main screen click update.
* Then click on Start Update.
7. The update will start and a progress bar will show the updates being installed. The status bar at the bottom will display 'Update successful'.
8. Exit Ewido. DO NOT scan yet.
The Temp folders should be cleaned out periodically as installation programs and hijack programs leave a lot of junk there. Download CleanUp! (Alternate Link if main link doesn't work) and install it. Do not run it yet.
*NOTE* Cleanup deletes EVERYTHING out of temp/temporary folders and does not make backups. If you have any documents or programs that are saved in any Temporary Folders, please make a backup of these before running CleanUp!
Restart your computer and boot into Safe Mode by hitting the F8 key repeatedly until a menu shows up (and choose Safe Mode from the list). In some systems, this may be the F5 key, so try that if F8 doesn't work.
Please configure CleanUp with the following settings:
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:
Press the CleanUp! button to start the program. Reboot/logoff when prompted.
Now open Ewido and do a scan on your system.
* 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.
o You will need to step through the process of cleaning files one-by-one.
o If Ewido detects a file you KNOW to be legitimate, select none as the action.
o Do NOT select 'Perform action on all infections'
o If you are unsure of any entry found, select none for now as the action.
* Once the scan has completed, there will be a button located on the bottom of the screen named Save report
* Click Save report.
* Save the report .txt file to your desktop or a location where you can find it easily.
Note: There is no need to purchase Ewido. It will remain as the freeware version after the trial period, which means the guard process will no longer work, but the scanner will be just as effective.
Reboot into normal mode now.
Download Trend Micro™ Anti-Spyware (by clicking the "Scan and Clean your PC" button).
In place of the TrendMicro icon will be a text file called "Antispyware.log", please double-click that log and copy the entire contents and paste them here along with a fresh HijackThis log
Perform an online scan with Internet Explorer with Panda ActiveScan - requires Internet Explorer
Now run a new scan with HJT and post that log here, also.
So I need logs from:
Ewido
TrendMicro AntiSpyware
Panda ActiveScan
HJT
As that process is not showing in your log, nor any malware for that matter, I'd like you to run some tools. As you've noted, that process can be linked to malware.
Before attacking an adware/spyware problem with hijackthis make sure you have already run the following tools. Download and update the databases on each program before running.
- Ad-Aware® SE Personal Edition
*Note* For Ad-AwareSE also install the VX2 Addon Cleaner To run this tool once Adaware is updated click on Add-ons in the lefthand column. Select VX2 Cleaner V2.0 and click Run Tool. Click "OK" , then, if something is found, click "Clean" as in the directions given. Click "Close", and exit Ad-Aware.
- Spybot Search & Destroy
- CWShredder
Please download Ewido Security Suite at http://www.ewido.net/en/download/.
1. Install Ewido Security Suite.
2. When installing, under 'Additional Options' uncheck:
* Install background guard
* Install scan via context menu
3. Launch Ewido, there should be an icon on your desktop, double click it.
4. The program will now open to the main screen.
5. When you run Ewido for the first time, you will get a warning 'Database could not be found!'. Click OK. We will fix this in a moment.
6. You will need to update Ewido to the latest definition files.
* On the left hand side of the main screen click update.
* Then click on Start Update.
7. The update will start and a progress bar will show the updates being installed. The status bar at the bottom will display 'Update successful'.
8. Exit Ewido. DO NOT scan yet.
The Temp folders should be cleaned out periodically as installation programs and hijack programs leave a lot of junk there. Download CleanUp! (Alternate Link if main link doesn't work) and install it. Do not run it yet.
*NOTE* Cleanup deletes EVERYTHING out of temp/temporary folders and does not make backups. If you have any documents or programs that are saved in any Temporary Folders, please make a backup of these before running CleanUp!
Restart your computer and boot into Safe Mode by hitting the F8 key repeatedly until a menu shows up (and choose Safe Mode from the list). In some systems, this may be the F5 key, so try that if F8 doesn't work.
Please configure CleanUp with the following settings:
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:
- Empty Recycle Bins
- Delete Cookies
- Delete Prefetch files
[X]Scan local drives for temporary files (Please uncheck this option) - Cleanup! All Users
Press the CleanUp! button to start the program. Reboot/logoff when prompted.
Now open Ewido and do a scan on your system.
* 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.
o You will need to step through the process of cleaning files one-by-one.
o If Ewido detects a file you KNOW to be legitimate, select none as the action.
o Do NOT select 'Perform action on all infections'
o If you are unsure of any entry found, select none for now as the action.
* Once the scan has completed, there will be a button located on the bottom of the screen named Save report
* Click Save report.
* Save the report .txt file to your desktop or a location where you can find it easily.
Note: There is no need to purchase Ewido. It will remain as the freeware version after the trial period, which means the guard process will no longer work, but the scanner will be just as effective.
Reboot into normal mode now.
Download Trend Micro™ Anti-Spyware (by clicking the "Scan and Clean your PC" button).
- Double-click the tmas-web-scan.exe icon
- It will say "Loading TrendMicro definitions".
- Click "Start Scan"
- Make sure all items found have a check next to them, then click "Clean Threats Now".
- Click Exit.
In place of the TrendMicro icon will be a text file called "Antispyware.log", please double-click that log and copy the entire contents and paste them here along with a fresh HijackThis log
Perform an online scan with Internet Explorer with Panda ActiveScan - requires Internet Explorer
- Click on the Scan your PC button & a 'pop up' window shall appear. * ensure that your pop up blocker doesn't block it
- Click On 'Scan Now'
- Enter your e-mail address & click 'Scan Now' ...begins downloading Panda's ActiveX controls.- 8MB
- Begin the scan by selecting My Computer
* 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. - If it finds any malware, it will offer you a report. Click on see report
- Then click Save report
- Post the contents of the report in your next reply
Now run a new scan with HJT and post that log here, also.
So I need logs from:
Ewido
TrendMicro AntiSpyware
Panda ActiveScan
HJT
