Closed Localhost Loopback mystery, should I be alarmed?

[Gadzoox 0]

Hi Emisoft, esp. Kevin Zoll,

 

I'm a PC user with a potential malware Q, which shares a

loopback address mentioned in one of your malware-fixes online, this past week.
http://support.emsisoft.com/topic/17265-high-ram-usage/
Could I briefly ask about best steps / tactics?

>> My story: Windows 7, Lenovo Thinkpad.

  I was recently running Lenovo update, which said "unable to connect to the proxy server".
Looking at my Internet settings (IE), >> LAN settings, under 'Automatic Configuration':
+ Automatically detect settings. (was Checked, as usual for Earthlink / Time-Warner).
+ 'Use automatic configuration' script, was checked, with this localhost loopback:
http://127.0.0.1:8445/okf.pac
>> I just saw, you advised a fix for removing this same address, on your post cited above.

So yesterday, I removed this loopback, unchecked 'Use automatic configuration', & closed Internet settings.
When I reopened IE settings, 'automatic config. script' was still unchecked,
but the loopback address was still there, greyed out.
I searched my registry for this address, found the loopback in three entries at these keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\services\NlaSvc\Parameters\Internet\ManualProxies
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\services\NlaSvc\Parameters\Internet\ManualProxies
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\NlaSvc\Parameters\Internet\ManualProxies
I backed up registry & deleted all 3.
However, that loopback remains in my IE settings, albeit greyed-out, as long as 'automatic config. script' is unchecked.

>> So far as I know, it loops back to a proxy port on my LAN server.
I almost never use IE, prefer Firefox, so no idea how long its been this way.
I infrequently use, & still have installed two VPN's: OkayFreedom & Cyberghost.

These VPN seem fairly mainstream, & I found no complaints they do this kinda thing.

So I feared malware.
As per yr recommends, I ran these anti-malwares, tho nothing came up,

        except some IE 'ProxyEnable' Registry items (I can likely change those):
1) CCleaner, (excluding windows logs).

2) M$ Malicious software removal, reports nothing.

3) Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, reports nothing... see log, (AMWB.txt).

4) OTL, see logs (2).

5) Emisoft EEK, smart-scan, see log (a2scan_150515-143323.txt)

6) FRST64, see logs (2).             I attach six (6) logs here.

    

Finally, I had purchased this laptop last fall from a (reputable) refurbisher,
who said he reconstituted Windows from the 'Lenovo Recovery' partition.
Well, maybe this is a standard in Lenovo's special sauce.
      Can I briefly ask 4 you suggestion ?         ~ Regards, Gadzoox

AMWB.txt

OTL.Txt

Extras.Txt

a2scan_150515-143323.txt

FRST.txt

Addition.txt

[Kevin Zoll 309]

I find it strange that Firefox is even working, because of the shear volume of extensions that are installed.

Do the following:

Download AdwCleaner and save it on your desktop.

• Close all open programs and Internet browsers (you may want to print our or write down these instructions first).
• Double click on adwcleaner.exe to run the tool.
• Click on the Scan button.
• After the scan has finished, click on the Clean button.
• Confirm each time with OK.
• You will be prompted to restart your computer. A text file will open in Notepad after the restart (this is the log of what was removed), which you can save on your desktop.
• Attach that log file to your reply by clicking the More Reply Options button to the lower-right of where you type in your reply.

  NOTE: If you lose that log file for any reason, you can find it at C:\AdwCleaner on your computer.

Download Junkware Removal Tool and save it on your desktop.

• Run the tool by double-clicking it. If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7, right-click it and select Run as administrator.
• The tool will open and start scanning your system.
• Please be patient as this can take a while to complete depending on your system's specifications.
• On completion, a log is saved to your desktop and will automatically open.
• Attach the JRT log file to a reply by clicking the More Reply Options button to the lower-right of where you type in your reply.

[Gadzoox 0]

Thx for responding Kevin !

I find it strange that Firefox is even working, because of the shear volume of extensions that are installed.

Haha, should see how many windows I had open.

I ran AdwCleaner, no blood ...see file.

I ran JRT, not except... repaired some reg values, &...

~~~ Folders
Successfully deleted: [Folder] C:\ProgramData\pcdr

    OK, I see others reporting pcdr as a problem, e.g.

     http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/3524/t/19362805    (reports getting from a mal webpage)

     http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/533167/pcdr-folder-with-virus-keeps-coming-back/

So far, my C:\ProgramData\pcdr not returned.

Otherwise no prob's, I never install toolbars etc., & at least try being careful, ha.

   So I dunno, thanx indeed, any next steps ?                          

            Cheers Gadz

 

PS: Hold the phone, just saw this in my prog-files:

C:\Program Files\PC-Doctor\ ... (pcdr.ini, etc.)

>> seems Lenovo used to include this, then switched. Blame it on them.

I can use Revo uninstaller, unless you have a better suggest ?  ~ Gadz

AdwCleanerS0.txt

JRT.txt

[Kevin Zoll 309]

I'm not seeing any loopback issue, and with the exception of the PCDoctor detections, everything looks OK.

[Gadzoox 0]

Cool! I'm removing 'PC-Doctor' & taking my chances from there.

   By the way, found by running linux Mint, could still use Thunderbird

    for email, bypassing windows. I might switch over.   Thanx for all!

[Kevin Zoll 309]

Unless you are having problems, it is time to do the final steps.

Now to remove most of the tools that we have used in fixing your machine:

Download Delfix from here and save it to your desktop.

• Ensure Remove disinfection tools is checked.
• Also place a checkmark next to:
  • Create registry backup
  • Purge system restore
• Click the Run button.

When the tool is finished, a log will open in notepad. I do not need the log. You can close Notepad.

Empty the Recycle Bin

Download to your Desktop:

- CCleaner Portable

• UnZip CCleaner Portable to a folder on your Desktop named CCleaner

Run CCleaner

• Open the CCleaner Folder on your Desktop and double click CCleaner.exe (32-bit) or CCleaner64.exe (64-bit)
• Click "Options" and choose "Advanced"
• Uncheck "Only delete files in Windows Temp folders older than 24 hours"
• Then go back to "Cleaner" and click the "RunCleaner" button.
• Exit CCleaner.

Turn off System restore to flush all your restore points then turn system restore back on. See How To Enable and Disable System Restore.

You can delete and uninstall any programs I had you download, that you do not wish to keep on the system.

Run Windows Update and update your Windows Operating System.

Install and run the Secunia Personal Software Inspector, this will inspect your system for software that is out-of-date and in need of updating. Update anything program/application detected as being out-dated.

Articles to read:

How to Protect Your Computer From Malware

How to keep you and your Windows PC happy

Web, email, chat, password and kids safety

10 Sources of Malware Infections

That should take care of everything.

Safe Surfing!

[Kevin Zoll 309]

Thread Closed

Reason: Resolved

The procedures contained in this thread are for this user and this user only. Attempting to use the instructions in this thread on your system could result in damaging the Operating System beyond repair. Do Not use any of the tools mentioned in this thread without the supervision of a Malware Removal Specialist.

All posters requesting Malware Removal assistance are required to follow all procedures in the thread titled START HERE, if you don't we are just going to send you back to this thread.