Malicious URL www.socialnewsworld.com...

I have been receiving an avast alert for a malicious URL being blocked. Is there anything I can do to get this to stop?

The URL is: hxxp://www.socialnewsworld.com/index.php?aff_id

Process: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE

Infection: URL:Mal

I have done a boot scan and a regular scan, but this keeps popping up.

Any help will be appreciated!

Break that link to hxtp or wXw so it is no longer live. Wait for a qualified remover to appear here and advise you,

polonus

Download OTL to your Desktop

[*]Double click on the icon to run it. Make sure all other windows are closed and to let it run uninterrupted.
[*]Select All Users
[*]Under the Custom Scan box paste this in
[b]netsvcs
%SYSTEMDRIVE%*.exe
/md5start
consrv.dll
explorer.exe
winlogon.exe
Userinit.exe
svchost.exe
/md5stop
C:\Windows\assembly\tmp\U*.* /s
%Temp%\smtmp\1*.*
%Temp%\smtmp\2*.*
%Temp%\smtmp\3*.*
%Temp%\smtmp\4*.*

C:\commands.txt echo list vol /raw /hide /c
/wait
C:\DiskReport.txt diskpart /s C:\commands.txt /raw /hide /c
/wait
type c:\diskreport.txt /c
/wait
erase c:\commands.txt /hide /c
/wait
erase c:\diskreport.txt /hide /c
CREATERESTOREPOINT[/b]
[*]Click the Quick Scan button. Do not change any settings unless otherwise told to do so. The scan wont take long.
[*]When the scan completes, it will open two notepad windows. OTL.Txt and Extras.Txt. These are saved in the same location as OTL.
[*]Post both logs

THEN

Download aswMBR.exe ( 1.8mb ) to your desktop.
Double click the aswMBR.exe to run it Click the “Scan” button to start scan

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee362/Essexboy3/aswMBR%20shots/aswMBRScan.gif

On completion of the scan click save log, save it to your desktop and post in your next reply

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee362/Essexboy3/aswMBR%20shots/aswMBRsavelog.gif

Here are the logs (attached)

When I tried to run the aswMBR I got an error message, see attached.

Please try aswMBR from safe mode, if that again fails

Download the latest version of TDSSKiller from here and save it to your Desktop.

[*]Doubleclick on TDSSKiller.exe to run the application, then click on Change parameters.

http://i466.photobucket.com/albums/rr21/JSntgRvr/tdss_1.jpg

[*]Check the boxes beside Verify Driver Digital Signature and Detect TDLFS file system, then click OK.

http://i466.photobucket.com/albums/rr21/JSntgRvr/tdss_2.jpg

[*]Click the Start Scan button.

http://i466.photobucket.com/albums/rr21/JSntgRvr/tdss_3.jpg

[*]If a suspicious object is detected, the default action will be Skip, click on Continue.

http://i466.photobucket.com/albums/rr21/JSntgRvr/tdss_4.jpg

[*]If malicious objects are found, they will show in the Scan results and offer three (3) options.
[*]Ensure Cure is selected, then click Continue => Reboot now to finish the cleaning process.

http://i466.photobucket.com/albums/rr21/JSntgRvr/tdss_5.jpg

[*]Note: If Cure is not available, please choose Skip instead, do not choose Delete unless instructed.

A report will be created in your root directory, (usually C:\ folder) in the form of “TDSSKiller.[Version][Date][Time]_log.txt”. Please copy and paste its contents on your next reply.

TDSSKiller Log (attached)

Well, since I ran the TDSSKiller, I haven’t seen the avast! alert. I suppose maybe that fixed it. Any idea what might have caused this? A site that was visited?

Anyhow, mucho thanks to essexboy!!!

Seems You had a wistler rootkit

http://labs.bitdefender.com/2011/11/whistler-bootkit-flies-under-the-radar/

I don’t know what a “wistler rootkit” is, but I’m glad not to be getting the avast! alert anymore!!!

If all is okay…Essexboy will Soon be back and remove his tools :wink:

Any further problems before I clean up ?

No, that fixed it.

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:

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

:Commands [resethosts] [emptytemp] [CLEARALLRESTOREPOINTS] [Reboot]

[*]Then click the Run Fix button at the top
[*]Let the program run unhindered, reboot the PC when it is done

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.

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:

:slight_smile: pls help. :slight_smile: just tried the TDSSKiller Method and here is my log… thanks…

Start up your own topic with the logs and wait for a qualified remover,

polonus