So, a couple of weeks ago, I acquired an awful trojan. At first, it manifested itself by constantly sending up pop-ups when I or anyone else was browsing (regardless of which browser was being used). I tweaked some of the Internet options to clamp down on the pop-ups, and that seemed to help. However, then the computer gave me the BSOD a few times and other times shut down at random and went through a long repair-startup each time. I tried updating my graphics driver. Didn’t change anything. The Windows Malicious Software removal tool informed me it had found and partially removed this trojan: Trojan:DOS/Alureon.A, but informed me that it would not be able to completely remove it; I would need to install an anti-virus program (yes, I know. “You didn’t have an anti-virus program installed?” No, I didn’t have one installed. I wish I had discovered Avast about a month ago; it likely would have helped me avoid this mess). So, I downloaded Avast, and immediately upon startup, it kept giving me balloon after balloon of blocked malicious URLs. I would get 5-30 of these balloons per minute. The URL I remember most vividly is betbetbot.com.
Next, I tried a clean install of Win7 from a disk on re-boot. The problem persisted.
Then, I used the Bootrec utility to try to fix my Master Boot Record. No change.
Now, I am turning to you, and I do hope you can help. One minor change has occured in the last hour. Since I started downloading all those little programs in order to create the necessary logs, Malwarebytes now sends up a balloon every few seconds instead of Avast. This time, it is giving me the message over and over again that it has blocked and quarantined a threat: C:\Windows\svchost.exe Trojan.Agent.
I’m writing this on another PC while the afflicted PC gets scanned. I’ll post the logs soon.
Thank you for your help. I’m always impressed when I encounter forums such as this in which there are people who spend a great deal of their own time helping strangers.
[*]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.
Thank you, Essexboy. I think TDSSkiller may have killed this thing. I’m tentatively excited. No warning balloons at all. In Task Manager, the CPU performance matches the percentages in the Processes section, and there are no weird, unexplained spikes. The computer seems to be running normally.
With the logs, I may have made a mistake. I didn’t run the report until AFTER the reboot; I’ve pasted that in below. However, I did take a screenshot of the Scan Results before reboot. It isn’t in a file format that will attach to this forum, but I can attach it if needed.
Sure. Found it. By the way, will any of these anti-malware programs conflict with Avast? In other words, assuming things are actually fixed, should I uninstall or block any of these programs?
Thanks again for your help. I deleted that file, and the computer is still working fine. The only difference I notice now is that the CPU seems to be working a little more (5-15%) when basically nothing is happening than it was before I removed tha file (2-7%). Of course, this may also be due to a few other factors besides the deletion of the file.
Either way, the computer appears no longer to be suffering the ill effects of an infection.
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 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.
Clear Restore Points
Go Start > All Programmes > Accessories > System tools
Right click Disc Cleanup and select run as administrator
When it pops up at the first prompt select OK after it has done some calculations the tabs will appear
Select More Options tab
Press Sytem Restore and Shadow Copies Cleanup button
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
I followed your directions above and cleared everything out. I couldn’t kill the restore points because I couldn’t find “System Tools” anywhere in the Accessories folder, but I figure restore points are okay to hold onto, no (or will it also hold onto remnants of the Trojan?)?
The computer has been working fine. The CPU seems to be running at a slightly higher rate than pre-infection and feels a little more sluggish, but I’m guessing that is just Avast keeping me safe.
I really, really appreciate your help. This has reduced the stress I was feeling.
