Files Missing But Can Be Seen During Scans....

Here’s what I have done thus far. When this machine was brought to me there was no security software installed other than what was provided by Windows. The OS is Windows XP Ultimate. Booting into the primary user account resulted in numerous popups and one windows which states that problems have been detected and suggests that I scan using the tools in that window.

The laptop was basically unresponsive at that point. I downloaded MBAM, Avast Free the Comodo Firewall. I then performed the following…

  1. Booted into Safe Mode.
  2. Installed MBAM and ran a full scan. Over 300 infections were detected.
  3. Removed infected items with MBAM and rebooted.
  4. Booted into Safe Mode with Networking.
  5. Updated MBAM and ran a second full scan. Over 60 infected items were detected.
  6. Removed infected items with MBAM and rebooted.
  7. Booted into Safe Mode with Networking.
  8. Ran a full scan for the third time. No infected items detected.
  9. Installed Avast Free, Comodo Firewall, scheduled a boot scan with Avast and rebooted.
  10. Currently completing the boot scan.

I would welcome any assistance.

post malwarebytes scan logs when done

Then follow this guide from our expert malware remover Essexboy
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0
( post the log here in this topic and not in the guide )

To avoid using multiple post with copy and paste you have to attach the log`s
Lower left corner: Additional Options > Attach ( OTS log ) save OTS log as ANSI

Essexboy will look at the logs when he arrive here later today…

Here are four…

One more.

They are pretty clean now but I know something is still lingering…

What are the current problems ?

Download OTS to your Desktop and double-click on it to run it

[*]Make sure you close all other programs and don’t use the PC while the scan runs.
[*]Select All Users
[*]Under additional scans select the following
Reg - Disabled MS Config Items
Reg - Drivers32
Reg - NetSvcs
Reg - SafeBoot Minimal
Reg - Shell Spawning
Evnt - EventViewer Logs (Last 10 Errors)
File - Lop Check

[*]Under the Custom Scan box paste this in

netsvcs
%SYSTEMDRIVE%*.exe
/md5start
explorer.exe
winlogon.exe
Userinit.exe
svchost.exe
/md5stop
%systemroot%*. /mp /s
hklm\software\clients\startmenuinternet|command /rs
hklm\software\clients\startmenuinternet|command /64 /rs
CREATERESTOREPOINT

[*]Now click the Run Scan button on the toolbar. Make sure not to use the PC while the program is running or it will freeze.
[*]When the scan is complete Notepad will open with the report file loaded in it.
[*]Please attach the log in your next post.

Here’s the OTS log…

Files are still missing. Boot scans from Avast detect Root Kits…

I missed the step regarding saving the OTS log in ANSI. It should be good now…

OK lets see what this does

Download RogueKiller to your desktop

[*]Quit all running programs
[*]For Vista/Seven, right click → run as administrator, for XP simply run RogueKiller.exe
[*]When prompted, type 2 and validate
[]The RKreport.txt shall be generated next to the executable.
[
]If the program is blocked, do not hesitate to try several times. If it really does not work (it could happen), rename it to winlogon.exe

Please post the contents of the RKreport.txt in your next Reply.

THEN

Re-Run RogueKiller and select option 6 post that report

NEXT

Start OTS. Copy/Paste the information in the quotebox below into the panel where it says “Paste fix here” and then click the Run Fix button.

[Unregister Dlls]
[Registry - Safe List]
< BHO's [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE] > -> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\
YN -> {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} [HKLM] -> Reg Error: Key error. [Reg Error: Key error.]
< Internet Explorer ToolBars [HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-370458490-3442393599-944298314-1005\] > -> HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-370458490-3442393599-944298314-1005\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar\
YN -> WebBrowser\\"{604BC32A-9680-40D1-9AC6-E06B23A1BA4C}" [HKLM] -> Reg Error: Key error. [Reg Error: Key error.]
< Run [HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-370458490-3442393599-944298314-1005\] > -> HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-370458490-3442393599-944298314-1005\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
YN -> "UjwpqfVIXBAeRvl" -> [C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\UjwpqfVIXBAeRvl.exe]
[Files/Folders - Created Within 30 Days]
NY ->  1AIQY6EMU2AIQY6E -> C:\WINDOWS\1AIQY6EMU2AIQY6E
NY ->  Z7GOW3BJRY6EMT19 -> C:\WINDOWS\Z7GOW3BJRY6EMT19
NY ->  VritualRoot -> C:\VritualRoot
NY ->  Windows XP Recovery -> C:\Documents and Settings\Danielle\Start Menu\Programs\Windows XP Recovery
[Files/Folders - Modified Within 30 Days]
NY ->  ~24698660r -> C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\~24698660r
NY ->  ~24698660 -> C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\~24698660
NY ->  Windows XP Recovery.lnk -> C:\Documents and Settings\Danielle\Desktop\Windows XP Recovery.lnk
NY ->  24698660 -> C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\24698660
[Files - No Company Name]
NY ->  ~24698660r -> C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\~24698660r
NY ->  ~24698660 -> C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\~24698660
NY ->  Windows XP Recovery.lnk -> C:\Documents and Settings\Danielle\Desktop\Windows XP Recovery.lnk
NY ->  24698660 -> C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\24698660
[EmptyFlash]
[CreateRestorePoint]
  

The fix should only take a very short time. When the fix is completed a message box will popup telling you that it is finished. Click the Ok button and Notepad will open with a log of actions taken during the fix. Post that information back here

I will review the information when it comes back in.

Ok, here are the goods. All files and programs have reappeared…

I’ve got to head to work now. I won’t be back for a little over 12 hours. Will check in after returning…

Looks OK what problems now ?

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/7729/mbamicontw5.gif
Please download Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware from Here.

Double Click mbam-setup.exe to install the application.

[*]Make sure a checkmark is placed next to Update Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware and Launch Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware, then click Finish.
[*]If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
[*]Once the program has loaded, select “Perform Quick Scan”, then click Scan.
[*]The scan may take some time to finish,so please be patient.
[*]When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
[*]Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
[]When disinfection is completed, a log will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to Restart.(See Extra Note)
[
]The log is automatically saved by MBAM and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.
[*]Copy&Paste the entire report in your next reply.

Extra Note:

If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove,you will be presented with 1 of 2 prompts,click OK to either and let MBAM proceed with the disinfection process. If asked to restart the computer, please do so immediately.

I will scan again this evening after making it back home, connect it to my network and do a few things to see if I notice any other issues. If all looks well, is there anything special required to remove the tools that were used in the removal process? Thanks!

Yes I will remove my tools and tidy up when you are happy ;D

Alright! I think that I am good now. ;D

I ran another scan with MBAM in the safe mode and nothing was detected. I also performed an additional boot scan with Avast and again, no detections. Please post the instruction for removing the tools when time permits.

I forgot to mention. The performance of this laptop was a little sluggish. I downloaded and installed CCleaner and Defraggler. I used CCleaner to do some housekeeping (junk files & registry) and currently I am running a defrag with Defraggler.

It’s a done deal. After cleaning the junk files, registry and addressing the almost 20% fragmentation of the hard drive the laptop now runs quite good. I thought that the defrag was never going to end! I’m ready for the next steps when you have the time.

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:

Start OTS. Copy/Paste the information in the quotebox below into the panel where it says “Paste fix here” and then click the Run Fix button.

[Custom Items]
:Files
ipconfig /flushdns /c
attrib -H c:\*.* /s /d /c
:end
[Empty Temp Folders]
[EmptyFlash]
[CreateRestorePoint]
[ClearAllRestorePoints]
  

Run OTS and hit the cleanup button. It will remove all the programmes we have used plus itself.

We will now confirm that your hidden files are set to that, as some of the tools I use will change that

[*]Click Start.
[*]Open My Computer.
[*]Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options.
[*]Select the View Tab.
[*]Under the Hidden files and folders heading select Do not show hidden files and folders.
[]Click Yes to confirm.
[
]Click OK.

http://users.telenet.be/bluepatchy/miekiemoes/images/javaicon.gif
Your Java is out of date. Older versions have vulnerabilities that malware can use to infect your system. Please follow these steps to remove older version of Java components and upgrade the application.

Upgrading Java:

[] Go to this site and click Do I have Java
[
] It will check your current version and then offer to update to the latest version

SPRING CLEAN

Download and run Puran Disc Defragmenter
For the first run I would recommend a boot defrag and disk check

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee362/Essexboy3/Puran.gif

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

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/7729/mbamicontw5.gif
Malwarebytes. Update and run weekly to keep your system clean

Download and install FileHippo update checker and run it monthly it will show you which programmes on your system need updating and give a download link

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

To keep your operating system up to date visit
[*]Microsoft Windows Update

To learn more about how to protect yourself while on the internet read our little guide How did I get infected in the first place ?
Keep safe :wave:

essexboy,

Thank you very much for your assistance. The owner of the laptop in question, a neighbor, has been bugging me to get it back. I guess that there are some work related documents on it that she needs. She actually wanted it back yesterday evening but I was able to use my powers of persuasion to get her to allow me to keep it one night more.

There was lots of out of date software on that machine when I got it. The Java will definitely be upgraded before it’s returned. I used the Puran Defrag for the trial period and liked it a lot. I just could just not justify the cost involved with legally acquiring licenses for the multiple PCs in my household based on our limited amount of Windows use. Therefore, I opted for Defraggler. Not as good as the Puran product IMO but still so much better than the native Windows defrag!

As for the FileHippo application. I like it and use it on my own hardware. I migrated to it from CNET’s Tech Tracker. Great work and great advice! Hopefully, I will not require your assistance again in the near future. I mean that as a compliment… ;D

Glad all is well, I actually use the free version of Puran - and as far as I can see it is a good as the pro version