Redirect Virus and Possibly others

[system]

Hi,

A few days ago my laptop was infected with the SMART HDD Trojan and was able to successfully solve that problem with Trojan Killer. However, my computer is still acting very sloppy. I have a several issues that I’ve been trying to solve unsuccessfully:

1. When I click links (mostly in Google searches), I am redirected to spam websites. Sometimes my browser will be automatically be redirected back to the search page after a brief stop at the spam site, but this seems pretty random.

2. Avast is frequently showing popups about malicious URL’s being blocked

3. My graphics card drivers have begun to crash very often, mostly when I’m using Firefox. This problem may be completely unrelated, but I thought I might as well mention it.

4. My entire system just feels extremely unstable. I’ve had several complete freeze-ups that required hard-boots, two BSOD’s, and everything just seems to be running very unreliably

I was originally using Firefox, so I decided to switch to Chrome to see if the problem was Firefox-specific. The problems still occur when using Chrome however, but Chrome does seem to be more stable (less freezes and graphics card driver crashes)

I’ve done multiple scans with Avast, Malwarebytes, Trojan Killer, Spyware Doctor, and Adaware, but nothing is ever detected

I followed the tutorial at http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/Malware-Removal-Guides-Tutorials-f121.html, but encountered a roadblock when TDSSKiller would refuse to open. I read online that this was a result of the virus not allowing me to open the program. So, I eventually found a fix to that problem by downloading a different version of TDSSKiller, but again the scan came up empty.

Therefore, I ended up following the insructions at http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0 to get my logs to post in this thread asking for help. I encountered another problem however, as I was able to successfully run Malwarebytes and OTL (logs are attached, with the MBAM one copied below), but aswMBR refuses to run, just like TDSSKiller was originally doing.

This is an extremely frustrating problem, as this a new laptop that was running beautifully before this infection. Hopefully someone can offer me some guidance.

Thank you,
Steven

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (PRO) 1.61.0.1400
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: v2012.04.12.09

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 x64 NTFS
Internet Explorer 8.0.7601.17514
Steven :: STEVEN-PC [administrator]

Protection: Disabled

12/04/2012 7:04:14 PM
mbam-log-2012-04-12 (19-04-14).txt

Scan type: Quick scan
Scan options enabled: Memory | Startup | Registry | File System | Heuristics/Extra | Heuristics/Shuriken | PUP | PUM
Scan options disabled: P2P
Objects scanned: 219246
Time elapsed: 2 minute(s), 50 second(s)

Memory Processes Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Files Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

(end)

[essexboy_from_cornwa]

Hi I feel I know what this is, but first I will need confirmation

Are you able to burn a CD so that we can work outside of windows ?

First go start > run and type in the following command :

Diskmgmt.msc

This will open the disc manager, could you ensure all partitions are visible and then attach a screenshot of it

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

:OTL [2012/04/08 14:29:34 | 000,000,480 | ---- | M] () -- C:\ProgramData\UI356c8nTlnwdO [2012/04/08 14:27:29 | 000,000,160 | ---- | M] () -- C:\ProgramData\-UI356c8nTlnwdOr [2012/04/08 14:27:29 | 000,000,000 | ---- | M] () -- C:\ProgramData\-UI356c8nTlnwdO

:Files
ipconfig /flushdns /c

:Commands
[purity]
[resethosts]
[emptyjava]
[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.

[system]

Yes, I should be able to do that. I’ll just have to pick up a blank disc to burn to.

I’ll post the OTL quick scan log in the next post

[system]

The log was much too long to copy and paste (it would’ve taken multiple posts), so I attached it instead

[pondus.mailbox]

The log was much too long to copy and paste (it would've taken multiple posts), so I attached it instead

good....as that is what we like you to do with all logs ;)

[system]

Ok awesome. I kinda assumed that it would make the most sense to post them as attachments.

[system]

You assumed right. That is the way logs are supposed to be handdled in the forum. Essexboy will be checking your logs tomorrow. He is located in the UK and it is past 1 am there already.

[essexboy_from_cornwa]

OK lets get at it, there will be two discs to produce

Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc

Note: the below can only be done if your machine has a a type of CD/R or DVD/R optical drive installed. Also depending on the exact type of OEM your machine has you may be unable to actually create a SRD.

[*]Click on Start(Windows 7 Orb) >> Run…(or the Windows key and R together) to bring up the Run box, then copy/paste the following command into the box and click on OK:

recdisc.exe

[*]Allow the[B] UAC(User Account Control)[/B] prompt via selecting [B]Yes[/B]. [*]You should now see a menu like the below:-

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk173/Dakeyras_album2/WTSRD1.gif

[*]Put a blank rewritable CD/DVD in your optical(CD/DVD) drive and then click on Create disc.
[*]Note: If a AutoPlay window pops up, just close it.
[*]When the SRD has been created you will see the below:-

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk173/Dakeyras_album2/WTSRD2.gif

[*]Now click on Close >> OK.
[*]You now have a Windows 7 System Repair Disc.

THEN

I need you to download:
gparted-live-0.10.0-3.iso (115.1 MB)

Create a bootable CD, for Gparted from the ISO image.

You can use ImgBurn do this.

Now boot off of the newly created Gparted CD.

http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/5772/gpartedsplash.th.png

You should be here… Press ENTER

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/7286/gpartedkeymaps.th.png

By default, “do not touch keymap” is highlighted.
Leave this setting alone and just press ENTER.

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/9840/gpartedlanguage.th.png

Choose your language and press ENTER. English is default [33]

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/7958/gpartedgui.th.png

Once again, at this prompt, press ENTER
You will now be taken to the main GUI screen below

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/1122/gpartedo.th.png

According to your logs, the partition that you want to delete is 1MB

Click the trash can icon to delete and then click Apply.

You should now be here confirming your actions:

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/1533/gpartedsteps.th.png

Now you should be here:

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/8471/gpartedsuccessclose.th.png

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/7753/gpartedboot.th.png

Is “boot” next to your 200Mb system partition ?
If “boot” is not next to your system partition under “Flags”, right-mouse click the OS drive while in Gparted and select Manage Flags

In the menu that pops up, place a checkmark in boot like the picture below:

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/3483/gpartedmanageflagsboot.th.png

Now double-click the
http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/641/gpartedexit.png
button.

You should receive a small pop up like this:

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/8986/gpartedexitreboot.png

Choose reboot and then press OK.

If the system should not boot properly then using the windows recovery disc you created

When you reboot you will see this although yours will say windows 7. Click repair my computer

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee362/Essexboy3/RepairVista_7275.jpg

Select your operating system

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee362/Essexboy3/RepairVista_7277202.jpg

Select Command prompt

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee362/Essexboy3/RepairVista_7277.jpg

At the command prompt type the following

Bootrec.exe /FixMbr
Bootrec.exe /Fixboot

[*]Once finished type Exit

When you are back in normal windows the retry aswMBR and post the log

[system]

You sir are a saviour.

Everything appears to be working now.

Thank you

[essexboy_from_cornwa]

Your OTL log looked clean… Any outstanding problems ?

[system]

There don’t appear to be any problems.

Thanks again for your help

[essexboy_from_cornwa]

Subject to no further problems

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

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] [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.

SPRING CLEAN

To manually create a new Restore Point

[*]Go to Control Panel and select System
[*]Select System
[*]On the left select System Protection and accept the warning if you get one
[*]Select System Protection Tab
[*]Select Create at the bottom
[*]Type in a name i.e. Clean
[*]Select Create

Now we can purge the infected ones

[*]GoStart > All programs > Accessories > system tools
[*]Right click Disc cleanup and select run as administrator
[*]Select Your main drive and accept the warning if you get one
[*]For a few moments the system will make some calculations
[*]Select the More Options tab
[*]In the System Restore and Shadow Backups select Clean up
[*]Select Delete on the pop up
[]Select OK
[]Select Delete

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