Shortcut virus - location: cmd (C:\Windows\System32) ????

Viruses and worms
1

hello,
although this is an old subject, i have encountered this problem eversince i connected an infected flashdrive to my laptop,. now i find all these shortcuts have appeared on all my folders/files. i would be greatful for any help on this.furthermore, everytime i start up my machine, this message on notepad keeps popping up:
[.ShellClassInfo]
LocalizedResourceName=@%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-21787
what does this message mean?
following the thread started by runa llena and with the assistance of twinheadedeagle on the same subject, i am attaching the results of the scan using the programs recommended by twinheadedeagle
thanks in advance for any help.

2

Await my instruction.

3

Hi kulilipan,<$1alt=“” title=“” onresizestart=“return false;” id=“smiley__$2” style=“padding: 0 3px 0 3px;” />

My name is Valinorum and I will be the acolyte today. Before we proceed, please, acknowledge yourself the following(s):

  • Please do not create any new threads on this while we are working on your system as it wastes another volunteer’s time. If you are being helped/have solved the issue/no longer wish to continue, notify me in your reply and I will quickly close this thread. Failing to comply will result in denial of future assistance.
    • Please do not install any new software while we are working on this system as it may hinder our process.
    • Malware removal is a complicated process so don’t stop following the steps even if the symptoms are not found. Keep up with me until I declare you clean.
    • Please do not try to fix anything without being ask.
    • Please do not attach your logs or put them inside code/quote tags. Do a Copy/Paste of the entire contents of the log file and submit it inside your post unless directed otherwise.
    • Please print or save the instructions I give you for quick reference. We may be using Safe mode which will cut you off from internet and you will not always be able to access this thread.
    • Back up your data. I will not knowingly suggest your any course that might damage your system but sometimes Malware infections are so severe that only option we have is to re-format and re-install the operating system.
    • If you are confused about any instruction stop and ask. Do not keep on going.
    • Do not repeat the steps if you face any problems.
    • I am not an omniscient. There are things even I cannot foresee. But what I know took years to learn and perfect the skill. This site is run by volunteers who help people in need in their own free time. I would ask you to respect their time and be patient as sometimes real life demands our time and replies to you can be delayed.
    • Private Message(PM) if and only if I have not responded to your thread within three days or your query is offtopic and personal. Do not PM me under any other circumstances. Your thread is the only medium of communication.
    • The fixes are for your system only. Please refrain from using these fixes on other system as it may do serious damage.
  • Step #1 Fix with FRST
    Make sure that you still have FRST.exe on your Desktop. If you do not have it, download the suitable version from here to your Desktop.
    [li]Open Notepad.exe. Do not use any other text editor software;
    - Copy and Paste the contents inside the code-box to your Notepad –
    [/li]
Start
Emptytemp:
(AutoIt Team) C:\Google\AutoIt3.exe
C:\Google
HKU\S-1-5-21-1308727051-2766612796-3719659247-1000\...\Run: [AntiWormUpdate] => C:\Google\AutoIt3.exe [750320 2012-01-30] (AutoIt Team)
HKU\S-1-5-21-1308727051-2766612796-3719659247-1000\...\Run: [AntiUsbWorm] => C:\Windows\system32\cmd.exe /c start C:\Google\AutoIt3.exe /AutoIt3ExecuteScript C:\Google\googleupdate.a3x  & exit
CHR HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google: Policy restriction <======= ATTENTION
2014-09-16 10:56 - 2014-09-16 10:56 - 00014762 _____ () C:\Users\Compaq\Downloads\[kickass.to]adobe.photoshop.cs6.full.version.english.crack.m.i.torrent
2014-09-04 07:40 - 2014-09-04 07:40 - 00367432 _____ () C:\Users\Compaq\Downloads\SoftonicDownloader_for_utorrent.exe
C:\Users\Compaq\AppData\Local\Temp\aae.exe
CMD: ipconfig /flushdns
End

  •   [li]Click on [b]File[/b] > [b]Save as...[/b]

[list]
[li]Inside the File Name box type fixlist.txt
- From the Save as type drop down list, choose All Files
[/li]
- Save the file to your Desktop;
- Re-run FRST.exe and click Fix;

		[li][b]Note[/b]: If FRST advises there is a new updated version to be downloaded, do so/allow this.
	[/li]
	- After the completion, a log will be produced;
	- Attach the log in your next reply.
[/list][/li]

  • Step #2 Scan with Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware

      [li]Download [b]Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware[/b] from the suitable link below --

[list]
[li]Download Link #1
- Download Link #2
- Download Link #3
[/li]
- Double-click mbam-setup.exe to install the application.
- Before clicking Finish perform the following actions –

		[li][b]Un-check[/b] the box beside [i]Enable free trial of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium[/i].
		- [b]Check[/b] the box beside [i]Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware[/i]
	[/li]
	- Once the program has loaded, The MBAM dashboard will appear with an alert to update - click the green button [b]Update Now[/b];
	- Click on [b]Setting[/b]--

		[li]Navigate to the tab [b]Detection and Protection[/b] and check [i]all[/i] the boxes under [b]Detection Options[/b]
	[/li]
	- From the [b]Dashboard[/b] click on [b]Scan Now[/b];
	- If threats are detected click on [b]Apply actions[/b]. If the program asks to reboot your PC, let it do so;
	- On completion of the scan click on [b]View Detailed Log[/b] after that click on [b]Export Button[/b], select [b]Text File[/b] and save the log to your [i]Desktop[/i];
	- Attach the log in your next reply.
[/list][/li]

  • Step #3 ESET Online Scanner
    Disable your security programs which includes but not limited to anti-virus, anti-malware, anti-spyware et cetera. Peruse this for additional information.

      [li]Download [b]esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe[/b] by clicking [url=http://download.eset.com/special/eos/esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe][b]here[/b][/url].
  - Right-click on the program and choose [i]Run as administrator[/i].
  - Accept their terms and condition and proceed.
  - Install [b]Add-On/Active X[/b] if prompted.
  - From the [b]Computer Scan Setting[/b] --

[list]
[li]Enable detection of potentially unwanted application
[/li]
- Click on Advanced Setting–

		[li]Uncheck the following box --
		- [list]
			[li][b]Remove Found Threats[/b]
		[/li]
	[/list]
		- Check the following boxes --
		- [list]
			[li][b]Scan archives[/b];
			- [b]Scan for potentially unsafe applications[/b]
			- [b]Enable Anti-Stealth Technology[/b]
		[/li]
	[/list][/li]
	- Click on [b]Start[/b] and wait for the [b]virus signature database[/b] to update.
	- The online scan will begin [i]automatically[/i] and can take several hours.

		[li][b]Note:[/b] Do not touch either the Mouse or keyboard during the scan. Otherwise it may stall.
	[/li]
	- After the Scan finishes --
	- 
		[li][b]If no threats were found:[/b]

[list]
[li]Put a checkmark in Uninstall application on close.
- Close the program and report that nothing was found
[/li]
- If threats were found:

			[li]Open the file located in [b]C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET Online Scanner\log.txt[/b] (32-bit) or [b]C:\Program Files (x86)\ESET\ESET Online Scanner\log.txt[/b] (64-bit).
			- Attach the log file in your next reply.
		[/li]
	[/list][/li]
[/list][b]Note:[/b] Enable your security programs afterwards.[/li]

  • Required Log(s):

      [li]FRST Fix Log
  - Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Log
  - ESET Scan Log

    [/li]
    Regards,
    Valinorum

4

thank you very much Valinorum. i will do as you have instructed and include the required logs on my next reply.again thanks for helping me out.

5

Acknowledged.

6

hello Valinorum
attached are the logs for the conducted scans.
thank you very much for your assistance.

7

Re-read my instruction and re-do Step 1. You are to click Fix not Scan.

8

hello Valinorum,
sorry about that. attached is the fixlog.

9

Hi,

Download and run Shortcut Cleaner and post the log.

  • Step #4 Fix with AdwCleaner

      [li]Download [b]AdwCleaner[/b] by [i][b]Xplode[/b][/i] to your [i]Desktop[/i] from the following link.

[list]
[li]Download Link #1
- Download Link #2
[/li]
- Right-click on AdwCleaner.exe and choose Run as administrator;
- Click on Scan and let the program run unhindered;
- When done, click on Clean and allow the system to reboot after it is done;
- A log will be opened automatically after the restart;
- Attach the log in your reply.
[/list][/li]

From this thread navigate to Specific Infection Log and complete the MCShield Scan process and attach the log.

  • Required Log(s):

      [li]Shortcut Cleaner Log
  - AdwCleaner Log
  - MCShield Log

    [/li]
    Regards,
    Valinorum

10

hello Valinorum,
this is the result of the scan of short cut cleaner:

Shortcut Cleaner 1.3.3 by Lawrence Abrams (Grinler)
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/
Copyright 2008-2014 BleepingComputer.com
More Information about Shortcut Cleaner can be found at this link:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/shortcut-cleaner/

Windows Version: Windows 7 Ultimate Service Pack 1
Program started at: 10/05/2014 07:02:41 PM.

Scanning for registry hijacks:

  • No issues found in the Registry.

Searching for Hijacked Shortcuts:

Searching C:\Users\Compaq\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\

Searching C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\

Searching C:\Users\Compaq\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\

Searching C:\Users\Public\Desktop\

Searching C:\Users\Compaq\Desktop

0 bad shortcuts found.

Program finished at: 10/05/2014 07:02:45 PM
Execution time: 0 hours(s), 0 minute(s), and 3 seconds(s)
Also, attached are the following logs.
thank you.

11

How is your system running?

12

hello Valinorum,
the system is running fine now.however when i start up my machine, the following message on notepad still pops up:
[.ShellClassInfo]
LocalizedResourceName=@%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-21787

also, these shortcuts that are still present.

13

Hi,

The worm that was created the shortcuts has been dealt with. You may delete the shortcuts. Just to be on safe side, give me another fresh FRST scan log.

14

hello Valinorum,
i deleted all the shortcuts and attached is the FRST scan log
thank you very much for your assistance.

15

Perusing your logs, I see no infection currently present in your system. Unless you are having any issue(s), the machine appears to be Malware-free as we speak.

[b]♣ Removal of Tools and Quarantined Files ♣ [/b]

Despite the tools we have used are clean, they are powerful removal tools and made in a way so that they carry out any commands given to them without (most cases) asking for a confirmation. In the hands of an inept person, they can make the machine un-bootable – a scenario we do not wish to see. Also, we need to remove the quarantined files/folders from your system as a dormant malware can be as bad as an active one if given the proper environment. I shall now give you the guidelines to remove the tools and the quarantined files from your system.

  • Cleanup with Delfix
    Please download DelFix by Xplode to your Desktop.
    Download Link

      [li]Double-click to run the program;
  - [list]
  	[li][b]Note[/b]: Windows Vista/7/8 users right-click and choose [i]Run as administrator[/i]
  [/li]
  - Make sure that all the boxes are checked;
  - Click [b]Run[/b];
  - A log will be opened after the operation is finished;
  - [i]Copy[/i] and [i]Paste[/i] it in your next reply

    [/list][/li]

[b]♣ Prevention and Future Guidelines ♣ [/b]

Prevention is better than cure – goes the old saying. As much as we love to see you visit our site, we do not want to see you having your PC infected by malwares again.

  • Keep Windows up-to-date.
    It is extremely important that you keep your operating system (Windows) updated when updates are made available. It is set to alert you, so be sure not to ignore these notices and to allow the updates to install. Many of these are critical security packages which could very possibly be the difference between your picking up a future infiltration and simply passing right by it unharmed.
    • Run antivirus software and keep it up-to-date, too.
      Antivirus software is your safety net if all other protections fail. The first line of defense is smart computing, of course, but everyone needs a backup. Once they’re installed, check periodically to ensure they have been successfully updating as well. An out-of-date antivirus is not a happy antivirus!
    • Keep your web browser plugins and other programs updated also.
      This tip is rarely shared by technicians and its importance is not widely recognized, but it’s absolutely critical. Programs such as Java, Adobe Flash Player and Adobe Reader, Internet Explorer, and myriad other such web-exposed items are deeply vulnerable to attack, which can quickly lead to a hopelessly infected system no matter what protection you currently have installed. The reason is that these programs are ubiquitous, but are also not perfect and are extremely complex… and as such, security vulnerabilities are discovered and exploited by hackers hoping to gain control over your machine. By performing every update for these programs as soon as it’s made available, you will greatly reduce your exposure to dangerous internet threats.

A great way to do this is to install the Filehippo Update Checker and run it regularly. Also, try not to ignore any notifications you receive regarding updates to programs already installed on your PC.

No scripts is an excellent security device too. I like it but it is not for everyone because it requires you to take action if you want to see some things (pop ups, banners etc.) on sites you visit.

Download NoSript by Giorgio Maone.

Note: Sometimes you will get a site telling you that you need to install Java when actually all you need to do is enable the site through the no script icon down on the right hand side of your computer.

- [b]Watch out for new threat named CryptoLocker[/b]

CryptoLocker is a new type ransomware family malware that encrypts your important files and asks for a ransom to decrypt them. At the moment of posting this reply there are no tools that can undo the havoc this malware causes. We can help you to remove the malware from your system but the files that was encrypted cannot be recovered without the decryption key. So, I ask for your forbearance and practice constant vigilance. Please read the following article to acknowledge yourself about the safety measures.
How to prevent your computer from becoming infected by CryptoLocker.

- [b]And last of all, surf smart.[/b]

It doesn’t matter how well the autopilot system works if the pilot keeps flying the plane into mountain ranges. Don’t forget that no matter how much you have protecting yourself, your security ultimately begins and ends with you. Don’t visit dangerous or questionable web sites, avoid suspicious links on Facebook and emails/email attachments you’re unsure about, and just generally keep your wits about you, and you’ll be much safer. Also, avoid illegal downloads, cracks, “warez”, and all other too-good-to-be-true internet offerings: they’re typically laden with malware. Be smart and you can avoid most threats lurking about the darker corners of the internet! And for even more tips, see our article, How Did I Get Infected in the First Place?

My help is free but if you feel like making my day you may donate any amount you wish by clicking the ‘donate’ button. I really appreciate your kindness.

https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_donate_SM.gif

Regards,
Valinorum

16

hello Valinorum,
thank you very much for your invaluable assistance and advice.
to you and to the other volunteers in this forum helping us out, i say AGBIAG! (which means LONG LIVE)

this is the log from DelFix:

DelFix v10.8 - Logfile created 07/10/2014 at 09:07:08

Updated 29/07/2014 by Xplode

Username : Compaq - KASDORKHIBZ

Operating System : Windows 7 Ultimate Service Pack 1 (32 bits)

~ Activating UAC … OK

~ Removing disinfection tools …

Deleted : C:\FRST
Deleted : C:\AdwCleaner
Deleted : C:\Users\Compaq\Downloads\FRST-OlderVersion
Deleted : C:\sc-cleaner.txt
Deleted : C:\Users\Compaq\Desktop\FRST (fresh scan).txt
Deleted : C:\Users\Compaq\Desktop\FRST - Shortcut.lnk
Deleted : C:\Users\Compaq\Downloads\Addition (1).txt
Deleted : C:\Users\Compaq\Downloads\Addition.txt
Deleted : C:\Users\Compaq\Downloads\AdwCleaner[S0].txt
Deleted : C:\Users\Compaq\Downloads\adwcleaner_3.311 (1).exe
Deleted : C:\Users\Compaq\Downloads\adwcleaner_3.311.exe
Deleted : C:\Users\Compaq\Downloads\esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe
Deleted : C:\Users\Compaq\Downloads\FRST (1).txt
Deleted : C:\Users\Compaq\Downloads\FRST.exe
Deleted : C:\Users\Compaq\Downloads\FRST.txt
Deleted : C:\Users\Compaq\Downloads\FRST2.txt
Deleted : C:\Users\Compaq\Downloads\sc-cleaner.exe
Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\AdwCleaner

~ Creating registry backup … OK

~ Cleaning system restore …

Deleted : RP #387 [Scheduled Checkpoint | 09/28/2014 16:00:05]
Deleted : RP #388 [Windows Update | 09/29/2014 01:01:21]
Deleted : RP #389 [Windows Update | 10/06/2014 01:01:04]

New restore point created !

~ Resetting system settings … OK

########## - EOF - ##########

again, thank you very much Valinorum

17

Surf safely. :slight_smile: