Avast will not open - Software restriction policy

Viruses and worms
1

When I attempt to start Avast I receive a message that says that Windows cannot open the program because it has been prevented by a software restriction policy.

I ran Malwarebytes and it detected several malicious programs, which were cleaned. Based on the advice posted in this forum for similar problems, I have also run Junk Removal Tool, RKill, and Farber Recovery Scan Tool. I tried to uninstall Avast and was unable to do it using the Windows Add or Remove Program facility. But I was able to uninstall it by running AdwCleaner in Safe Mode. I reinstalled in Safe Mode, and am still getting the same error message.

I am running Windows XP Professional.
Any advice would be appreciated – thanks for your help!

2

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

I ran FRST and the logs are attached. Thanks for your help.

4

Avast should start normally after the reboot

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: HKLM Group Policy restriction on software: C:\Program Files\Trend Micro <====== ATTENTION HKLM Group Policy restriction on software: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Microsoft Antimalware <====== ATTENTION HKLM Group Policy restriction on software: C:\Program Files\McAfee <====== ATTENTION HKLM Group Policy restriction on software: C:\Program Files\Lavasoft <====== ATTENTION HKLM Group Policy restriction on software: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Malwarebytes <====== ATTENTION HKLM Group Policy restriction on software: C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast <====== ATTENTION HKLM Group Policy restriction on software: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\McAfee <====== ATTENTION HKLM Group Policy restriction on software: C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware <====== ATTENTION CHR HKU\S-1-5-21-262940788-120044279-2948316243-1008\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google: Policy restriction <======= ATTENTION HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\AboutURLs,Tabs: "www.google.com" <======= ATTENTION SearchScopes: HKU\.DEFAULT -> DefaultScope {0633EE93-D776-472f-A0FF-E1416B8B2E3A} URL = SearchScopes: HKU\S-1-5-19 -> DefaultScope {0633EE93-D776-472f-A0FF-E1416B8B2E3A} URL = SearchScopes: HKU\S-1-5-20 -> DefaultScope {0633EE93-D776-472f-A0FF-E1416B8B2E3A} URL = SearchScopes: HKU\S-1-5-21-262940788-120044279-2948316243-1008 -> {2FBB2B31-B3A7-40A7-AD82-11A9E99C7239} URL = BHO: MSS+ Identifier -> {0E8A89AD-95D7-40EB-8D9D-083EF7066A01} -> C:\Program Files\McAfee Security Scan\3.8.150\McAfeeMSS_IE.dll No File BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In SSV Helper -> {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} -> C:\Program Files\Java\jre7\bin\ssv.dll No File BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper -> {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} -> C:\Program Files\Java\jre7\bin\jp2ssv.dll No File Toolbar: HKLM - McAfee SiteAdvisor Toolbar - {0EBBBE48-BAD4-4B4C-8E5A-516ABECAE064} - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee\SITEAD~1\mcieplg.dll No File Toolbar: HKLM - Google Toolbar - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll No File Toolbar: HKU\S-1-5-21-262940788-120044279-2948316243-1008 -> No Name - {21FA44EF-376D-4D53-9B0F-8A89D3229068} - No File Handler: dssrequest - {5513F07E-936B-4E52-9B00-067394E91CC5} - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee\SITEAD~1\mcieplg.dll No File Handler: sacore - {5513F07E-936B-4E52-9B00-067394E91CC5} - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee\SITEAD~1\mcieplg.dll No File Handler: skype-ie-addon-data - {91774881-D725-4E58-B298-07617B9B86A8} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll No File 2015-01-08 12:18 - 2014-03-17 15:18 - 00000412 ____C () C:\WINDOWS\Tasks\At2.job 2015-01-08 12:18 - 2014-03-17 15:18 - 00000412 ____C () C:\WINDOWS\Tasks\At1.job Task: C:\WINDOWS\Tasks\At1.job => C:\DOCUME~1\Lori\APPLIC~1\DIGITA~1\UPDATE~1\UPDATE~1.EXE <==== ATTENTION Task: C:\WINDOWS\Tasks\At2.job => C:\DOCUME~1\Lori\APPLIC~1\MYSEAR~1\UPDATE~1\UPDATE~1.EXE <==== ATTENTION 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[S1].txt as well.

5

Here are the FRST fix log and the AdwCleaner log.

6

How is the computer behaving now ?

7

It’s running great!

8

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 tools

Download and run Delfix

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:

CryptoPrevent install this programme to lock down and prevent crypto ransome ware

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

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:

9

It’s been over 24 hours since my machine was cleaned up. With one exception, everything looks great and is running smoothly. The exception is that when I tried to download the programs you suggested, such as Delfix, Chrome failed to download them and I received a download error. This actually started happening when we were almost finished with the cleaning steps. For a day or so, I consistently got that error when I tried to download anything. At this point, it seems to be happening intermittently and I was able to download Unchecky successfully from Chrome just now.

When downloading from Chrome did not work, I tried Internet Explorer and was able to download successfully from there. I don’t consider this a major problem since the workaround is to download from IE and it only happens intermittently, but I’m concerned that it might be the result of a lingering infection. Your thoughts on the situation would be appreciated.

Thanks a million for your help with this problem. I truly appreciate it.

10

You may need to reset chrome https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/3296214?hl=en-GB

11

I tried resetting chrome, and no luck. I am using Windows firewall and enabled an exception for Chrome. Neither worked. Although, occasionally, the downloads do work, most of the time they do not. Are there any settings in Avast that could be related to this issue?
Thanks.

12

No it is probably a corruption within chrome

Maybe a re-install will help