"Malicious URL Blocked" pop-up every time Google search performed in Firefox

Viruses and worms
1

Please help me this issue. I think this problem has already been addressed with other users (I read through the post: “Malware URL Detected warning enery time for Firefox Google search” and it seemed almost identical). Every time I perform a Google search in a Firefox browser, the Avast Network Shield detects and blocks a malicious URL. In my case, it is identified as “[##].ppcnewsfeed.com/feed?” but I’m not sure whether that is important.

I downloaded and ran AdwCleaner, MBAM, OTL, and aswMBR. Logs are attached. I had limited success with AdwCleaner. After running it and rebooting, I could do a Google search Firefox without getting a notice from Avast that a URL was blocked, but that only lasted a short time.

The problem hasn’t ever occurred with IE9 or Chrome.

Thanks in advance for your help!

2

Hi there are you having problems with windows updates and windows firewall

Warning This fix is only relevant for this system and no other, using on another computer may cause problems

Be advised that when the fix commences it will shut down all running processes and you may lose the desktop and icons, they will return on reboot

Run OTL

[*]Under the Custom Scans/Fixes box at the bottom, paste in the following

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/73555776/OTL_Fix.GIF


:OTL
FF - prefs.js..extensions.enabledAddons: {B5AFCC84-CDEC-11E1-8270-B8AC6F996F26}:2.0.14
FF - prefs.js..extensions.enabledItems: {CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0023-ABCDEFFEDCBA}:6.0.23
FF - prefs.js..extensions.enabledItems: {CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0020-ABCDEFFEDCBA}:6.0.20
FF - prefs.js..extensions.enabledItems: {CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0021-ABCDEFFEDCBA}:6.0.21
FF - prefs.js..extensions.enabledItems: {CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0022-ABCDEFFEDCBA}:6.0.22
FF - HKEY_CURRENT_USER\software\mozilla\Firefox\Extensions\\{B5AFCC84-CDEC-11E1-8270-B8AC6F996F26}: C:\Users\Brandon Vrosh\AppData\Local\{B5AFCC84-CDEC-11E1-8270-B8AC6F996F26}\ [2012/07/14 11:47:16 | 000,000,000 | ---D | M]
[2012/10/26 14:39:21 | 000,000,000 | ---D | M] (No name found) -- C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\extensions\{CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0020-ABCDEFFEDCBA}-trash
[2012/10/26 14:39:21 | 000,000,000 | ---D | M] (No name found) -- C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\extensions\{CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0021-ABCDEFFEDCBA}-trash
[2012/10/26 14:39:21 | 000,000,000 | ---D | M] (No name found) -- C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\extensions\{CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0022-ABCDEFFEDCBA}-trash
[2012/07/14 11:47:16 | 000,000,000 | ---D | M] (Mozilla Safe Browsing) -- C:\USERS\BRANDON VROSH\APPDATA\LOCAL\{B5AFCC84-CDEC-11E1-8270-B8AC6F996F26}
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {0B1B0D47-95F7-4bad-9309-A945B655AE61} - No CLSID value found.
O3 - HKLM\..\Toolbar: (no name) - {BCBF738C-4891-4B9A-959A-C6BF7F608C3A} - No CLSID value found.
O3 - HKU\S-1-5-21-454617882-216467964-3049503491-1006\..\Toolbar\WebBrowser: (no name) - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - No CLSID value found.
O4 - HKLM..\Run: [] File not found
O6 - HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights present

:Commands
[resethosts]
[emptytemp]
[CREATERESTOREPOINT]
[Reboot]

[*]Then click the Run Fix button at the top
[*]Let the program run unhindered, reboot the PC when it is done
[*]Open OTL again and click the Quick Scan button. Post the log it produces in your next reply.

THEN

Download and Install Combofix

Download ComboFix from one of the following locations:
Link 1
Link 2

VERY IMPORTANT !!! Save ComboFix.exe to your Desktop

  • IMPORTANT - Disable your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware applications, usually via a right click on the System Tray icon. They may otherwise interfere with our tools. If you have difficulty properly disabling your protective programs, refer to this link here

[*]Double click on ComboFix.exe & follow the prompts.
[*]Accept the disclaimer and allow to update if it asks

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v706/ried7/NSIS_disclaimer_ENG.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v706/ried7/NSIS_extraction.png

[*]When finished, it shall produce a log for you.
[*]Please include the C:\ComboFix.txt in your next reply.

Notes:

  1. Do not mouse-click Combofix’s window while it is running. That may cause it to stall.
  2. Do not “re-run” Combofix. If you have a problem, reply back for further instructions.
  3. If after the reboot you get errors about programmes being marked for deletion then reboot, that will cure it.

Please make sure you include the combo fix log in your next reply as well as describe how your computer is running now

3

Thanks so much for the help! No, not having problems with Update or Firewall.
Successfully ran the OTL fix. Logs from before and after the reboot are attached.
ComboFix was not successful. Looks like it hung as it tried to reboot Windows. I left it for almost an hour on that screen before terminating it.
Just a note - I am running Vista SP2 32-bit. Not sure if that matters or not.
Firefox Google searches no longer seem to be producing a blocked URL pop-up from Avast. Computer seems very sluggish, though. Problems with Windows Explorer now - had to reboot before I could attach files to this message.
Next steps?

4

OK could you re-run Combofix please this time it should generate a log.

5

Okay, I re-ran ComboFix and it completed. Log is attached.

6

How is the computer now … Any further problems ?

7

No, I think everything is back to normal. No warnings from Avast, no problems with performance or with Windows Explorer. Thanks so much for the help!

8

OK lets get you tidied up

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
[*]Hold down the Windows key + R on your keyboard. This will display the Run dialogue box
[*]In the Run box, type in ComboFix /Uninstall
(Notice the space between the “x” and “/”)
then click OK

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee362/Essexboy3/Misc%20screen%20shots/CF_Uninstall-1.jpg

[]Follow the prompts on the screen
[]A message should appear confirming that ComboFix was uninstalled

Run OTL 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

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

If you use on-line banking then as an added layer of protection install Trusteer Rapport

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: