Avast pop-up alert/ svchost.exe virus..?

Viruses and worms
1

Hello! I hope someone can get to me about this asap as I’ve tried everything I can. I’m not a very techy-person at all and terrible with computers so please be patient!
Over the last couple of days my Avast has been alerting me with this:
Avast Web Shield has blocked a harmful webpage or file.
Object: htt.opticguardzip.net, among other websites.
Infection: URL:Mal
Process: C:/Windows/System32/svchost.exe

I was up all night trying to fix it as well as reading various easy methods on how to do it without damaging my computer.
Firstly, I ran my Avast scans - quick scan, full system scan, smart scan, etc… it did at some point find and quarantined a virus, which I earlier removed.
I then tried other disinfection tools, following this guideline: http://necroneurology.hubpages.com/hub/How-to-EASILY-remove-the-svchostexe-Trojan

I installed and tried all of those methods/scans and some of them picked up on a few things and resolved/cleaned/deleted them. I thought it had worked as when I booted up my computer this morning, I only heard the audio of my Avast alert but not the pop-up, but then a few hours later the same pop-up came up. I tried rescanning once more with other suggested programmes, and on some occasion when booting up the pop-up did not come up straight away but did again throughout the hour…
Performance wise seems fine, though my computer seems to be smoother since cleaning it up last night.
I’ve also updated my Java and ensured everything else is up to date on my system.
But still the occasional pop-ups!

Please, please help me :frowning: I’m sorry if I couldn’t provide enough info but I’m beginning to become very panicky and paranoid as I don’t have the money to pay for repairs nor a new computer!

2

This is relatively easy to remove

Please download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to your Desktop.

Note: You need to run the version compatible with your system. If you are not sure which version applies to your system download both of them and try to run them. Only one of them will run on your system, that will be the right version.

[*]Right click to run as administrator (XP users click run after receipt of Windows Security Warning - Open File). When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
[*]Select additions at the bottom
[*]Press Scan button.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/73555776/frst.JPG

[*]It will produce a log called FRST.txt in the same directory the tool is run from.
[*]Please attach both logs generated.

3

Here you go ^^

4

Let me know if this stops the alerts

CAUTION : This fix is only valid for this specific machine, using it on another may break your computer

Open notepad and copy/paste the text in the quotebox below into it:

CreateRestorePoint: HKU\S-1-5-18\...\Run: [Super Optimizer] => C:\Program Files (x86)\Super Optimizer\SupOptLauncher.exe AppInit_DLLs-x32: c:\progra~3\{a3534~1\1170~1.1\mero.dll => "c:\progra~3\{a3534~1\1170~1.1\mero.dll" File not found ShellIconOverlayIdentifiers: [ SkyDrive1] -> {F241C880-6982-4CE5-8CF7-7085BA96DA5A} => No File ShellIconOverlayIdentifiers: [ SkyDrive2] -> {A0396A93-DC06-4AEF-BEE9-95FFCCAEF20E} => No File ShellIconOverlayIdentifiers: [ SkyDrive3] -> {BBACC218-34EA-4666-9D7A-C78F2274A524} => No File ShellIconOverlayIdentifiers-x32: [ SkyDrive1] -> {F241C880-6982-4CE5-8CF7-7085BA96DA5A} => No File ShellIconOverlayIdentifiers-x32: [ SkyDrive2] -> {A0396A93-DC06-4AEF-BEE9-95FFCCAEF20E} => No File ShellIconOverlayIdentifiers-x32: [ SkyDrive3] -> {BBACC218-34EA-4666-9D7A-C78F2274A524} => No File CHR HKU\S-1-5-21-2186375791-1442217548-703395402-1001\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google: Policy restriction <======= ATTENTION SearchScopes: HKU\.DEFAULT -> {c9ab6446-7efc-47fe-966c-dc54324eff9f} URL = http://www.dregol.com/results.php?f=4&q={searchTerms}&a=drg_ir_15_21&cd=2XzuyEtN2Y1L1QzuyB0CtDyDtDyBzz0AyC0F0CzyyEyCtDtCtN0D0Tzu0StCtBtAyEtN1L2XzutAtFtCtDtFtBtFtDtN1L1CzutCyEtBzytDyD1V1StN1L1G1B1V1N2Y1L1Qzu2StDyC0E0Bzz0Czy0FtG0FzztAyBtG0FyEtA0BtG0B0C0E0BtGtB0D0EtByB0E0E0DtB0Czy0E2QtN1M1F1B2Z1V1N2Y1L1Qzu2SyEyBtCyCtDtDyEzztG0EtCyD0DtGyE0F0DyCtGzytDyDyEtG0AtD0AyB0CyD0D0AyDzz0E0B2QtN0A0LzuyE&cr=866203177&ir= Toolbar: HKU\S-1-5-21-2186375791-1442217548-703395402-1001 -> No Name - {7FEBEFE3-6B19-4349-98D2-FFB09D4B49CA} - No File Reg: reg delete HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\IPSec\Policy\Local /f Reg: reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\IPSec\Policy\Local /f RemoveProxy: EmptyTemp: CMD: bitsadmin /reset /allusers

Save this as fixlist.txt, in the same location as FRST.exe

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/73555776/FRSTfix.JPG

Run FRST and press Fix
On completion a log will be generated please post that

THEN

Please download AdwCleaner by Xplode onto your desktop.

[*]Close all open programs and internet browsers.
[*]Double click on AdwCleaner.exe to run the tool.
[*]Click on Scan.
[*]After the scan is complete click on “Clean”
[*]Confirm each time with Ok.
[*]Your computer will be rebooted automatically. A text file will open after the restart.
[*]Please post the content of that logfile with your next answer.
[*]You can find the logfile at C:\AdwCleaner[S0].txt as well.

5

Sorry for the slow response, it asked for a reboot after the fix, is that normal? No pop-up just yet, but it sometimes doesn’t happen straight away when starting up…
Here’s the fix log, I’ll now do the next step and reply with that shortly!

6

And the second log.
No sign of any pop-ups just yet…

7

Yes a reboot was requested from FRST :slight_smile:

Once you are happy let me know and I will tidy up

8

Still seems to be no pop-ups occurring just yet and everything seems to be running smoothly for now!

9

Subject to no further problems :slight_smile:

I will remove my tools now and give some recommendations, but, I would like you to run for 24 hours or so and come back if you have any problems

Now the best part of the day ----- Your log now appears clean :thumbsup:

A good workman always cleans up after himself so…The following will implement some cleanup procedures as well as reset System Restore points:

Remove Combofix

Click Start then Run.
On Windows7 or Vista you may use Start Search field if Run is not available.
In the box copy/paste the following command:

ComboFix /Uninstall

Note that there is a space between " ComboFix " and " /Uninstall " .

Then click OK (or press Enter ).
Wait for the uninstall process to complete.

Remove tools

Download and run Delfix
Select the options as shown

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/73555776/delfix.JPG

: Keep Java Updated :

WARNING: Java is the #1 exploited program at this time. The Department of Homeland Security recommends that computer users disable Java
See this article

I would recommend that you completely uninstall Java unless you need it to run an important software.
In that instance I would recommend that you disable Java in your browsers until you need it for that software and then enable it. (See How to diasble Java in your web browser and How to unplug Java from the browser)

If you do need to keep Java then download JavaRa
Run the programme and select Remove Java Runtime. Uninstall all versions of Java present
Once done then run it again and select Update Java runtime > Download and install Latest version

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/73555776/javara.JPG

Now that you are clean, to help protect your computer in the future I recommend that you get the following free programmes:

Malwarebytes.

Update and run weekly to keep your system clean

Unchecky

Click on the link above to be taken to Unchecky.com
click the very large Download button.
click Save
Click Open folder
Right click on the Unchecky_setup and choose to Run as Administrator
Once open click the Install button.
Then click on Finish
Unchecky is now installed and will help you keep unwanted check boxes unchecked, this is a fire and forget programme :wink:

It is critical to have both a firewall and anti virus to protect your system and to keep them updated.

To learn more about how to protect yourself while on the internet read this little guide Best security practices Keep safe :wave: