Adware opening Internet Explorer and playing adverts

[jesu1411 0]

Dear Emsisoft Gurus,

My system has acquired an ad-ware problem where internet explorer pop ups habitually appear with adverts (NB. I ONLY use Google Chrome). It also, plays audio adverts occasionally and mutes the Wave volume in the Volume control panel.

I have recently recovered my Vaio to its factory settings using recovery disks. The computer works great (much faster) but the ad-ware problem remains. I have attached HiJackFree, Emsisoft Anti-Malware and ISeeYouXP log files as requested in your sticky.

I run Panta Cloud Antivirus (this was Avast prior to running recovery of computer).

Please please help if you can, this is getting very frustrating! Many thanks in advance.

[Kevin Zoll 309]

Download ComboFix from one of these locations:

Save as Combo-Fix.exe during the download. ComboFix must be renamed before you download to your Desktop

Link 1

Link 2

* IMPORTANT !!! Save Combo-Fix to your Desktop

• Disable your AntiVirus and AntiSpyware applications, usually via a right click on the System Tray icon. They may otherwise interfere with our tools
  See HERE for help
  
• Double click on ComboFix.exe & follow the prompts.
  
• As part of it's process, ComboFix will check to see if the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console is installed. With malware infections being as they are today, it's strongly recommended to have this pre-installed on your machine before doing any malware removal. It will allow you to boot up into a special recovery/repair mode that will allow us to more easily help you should your computer have a problem after an attempted removal of malware.
  
• Follow the prompts to allow ComboFix to download and install the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console, and when prompted, agree to the End-User License Agreement to install the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console.

**Please note: If the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console is already installed, ComboFix will continue it's malware removal procedures.

Once the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console is installed using ComboFix, you should see the following message:

Click on Yes, to continue scanning for malware.

When finished, ComboFix will produce a log.

Note:

1. Do not mouseclick combofix's window while it's running. That may cause it to stall!

2. Remember to re-enable your anti-virus and anti-spyware before reconnecting to the Internet.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Attach logs for:

• ComboFix (C:\combofix.txt)

Let me know of any problems you may have encountered with the above instructions and also let me know how things are running now!

[jesu1411 0]

Hi. Thanks for your response.

I ran the tool you attached and have posted the log file it produced. Although Internet Explorer pop ups no longer appear, I don't think the problem is fixed. Pop ups now periodically appear with:

"Internet Explorer is currently not your default browser. Would you like to make it your default browser?"

For the record Google chrome is my default browser. Additionally, the computer keeps changing the 'Wave' volume in volume control to zero. All of these problems remain following a restart.

I have also attached the log file from a quick scan by Emsisoft Anti-Malware performed after all the actions mentioned above.

I hope you can help!

[Kevin Zoll 309]

Download avz4.zip from here

• Unzip it to your desktop to a folder named avz4
  
• Double click on AVZ.exe to run it.
  
• Run an update by clicking the Auto Update button on the Right of the Log window:
  
• Click Start to begin the update
  

Note: If you receive an error message, chose a different source, then click Start again

• After the update, from the "File" menu, choose "Standard Scripts"
  
• Put a check next to item 2: Advanced System Investigation
  
• Click Execute selected scripts
  
• At the next prompt, click the OK button
  
• Let the scan run and click "OK" when the completion prompt pops up
  
• Now Close out of the Standard Scripts window, and exit AVZ
  
• Navigate to the avz4 folder and locate the folder LOG
  
• Inside the LOG folder you will find virusinfo_syscheck.htm, virusinfo_syscheck.htm and virusinfo_syscheck.zip
  
• Attach the Compressed file, virusinfo_syscheck.zip, to your next reply.
  

[jesu1411 0]

Thanks. I have attached the avz4 log.

[Kevin Zoll 309]

Close all windows then double click on AVZ.exe

• Click File > Custom scripts
  
• Copy & paste the contents of the following codebox in the box in the program
  

  begin
  SetAVZGuardStatus(True);
  SearchRootkit(true, true);
  DeleteFile('C:\WINDOWS\system32\MsSip1.dll');
  DeleteFile('C:\WINDOWS\system32\MsSip2.dll');
  DeleteFile('C:\WINDOWS\system32\MsSip3.dll');
  RegKeyParamDel('HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE','SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinTrust\SubjectPackages\MS Subjects 3','$DLL');
  RegKeyParamDel('HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE','SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinTrust\SubjectPackages\MS Subjects 2','$DLL');
  RegKeyParamDel('HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE','SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinTrust\SubjectPackages\MS Subjects 1','$DLL');
  ExecuteSysClean;
  RebootWindows(true);
  end.

  
  

• Note: When you run the script, your PC will be restarted
  
• Click Run
  
• Restart your PC if it doesn't do it automatically.
  

Attach a fresh AVZ log.

Let me know of any problems you may have encountered with the above instructions and also let me know how things are running now!

[jesu1411 0]

Hi again, I ran your script and attach the AVZ log file performed following the restart.

Unfortunately the wave volume muting and internet explorer default browser pop ups remain.

I appreciate all your hard work.

[Kevin Zoll 309]

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.
  
• When the window appears, underneath Output at the top change it to Minimal Output.
  
• Check the boxes beside LOP Check and Purity Check.
  
• Click the Run 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.
    Note: These logs can be located in the OTL. folder on you C:\ drive if they fail to open automatically.
    
  • Attach both logs with your next reply.

[jesu1411 0]

OTL logs attached.

[Kevin Zoll 309]

Run OTL.exe

• Copy/paste the following text written inside of the code box into the Custom Scans/Fixes box located at the bottom of OTL
  

  :OTL
  O3 - HKCU\..\Toolbar\ShellBrowser: (no name) - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - No CLSID value found.
  O3 - HKCU\..\Toolbar\WebBrowser: (no name) - {0B53EAC3-8D69-4B9E-9B19-A37C9A5676A7} - No CLSID value found.
  O3 - HKCU\..\Toolbar\WebBrowser: (no name) - {2318C2B1-4965-11D4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - No CLSID value found.
  O4 - HKLM..\Run: [userFaultCheck]  File not found
  
  :Files
  C:\WINDOWS\System32\*.tmp
  C:\WINDOWS\*.tmp
  
  :Commands
  [purity]
  [emptytemp]
  [resethosts]
  [start explorer]
  [Reboot]

  
  

• Then click the Run Fix button at the top
  
• Let the program run unhindered, reboot when it is done
  
• Attach the new log produced by OTL

Download MBRCheck.exe to your desktop.

• Be sure to disable your security programs
  
• Double click on the file to run it (Vista and Windows 7 users will have to confirm the UAC prompt)
  
• A window will open on your desktop
  
• if an unknown bootcode is found you will have further options available to you, at this time press N then press Enter twice.
  
• If nothing unusual is found just press Enter
• A .txt file named MBRCheck_mm.dd.yy_hh.mm.ss should appear on your desktop.
  
• Attach that file.

[jesu1411 0]

New log files attached.

Known-bad MBR code detected (Whistler / Black Internet).

[Kevin Zoll 309]

1. Run MBRCheck.exe
   
2. Wait until you see the following line: Enter 'Y' and hit ENTER for more options, or 'N' to exit:
   
3. Please push the 'Y' key and then press Enter
   
4. When program ask you Enter your choice: enter 2 and press the Enter key
   
5. Now the program will ask you "Enter the physical disk number to fix (0-99, -1 to cancel):"
   
6. Enter 0 and press the Enter key.
   
7. The program will show Available MBR codes:, followed by a list of operating systems.
   
   • Enter 1 for Windows XP
     
   • Enter 2 for Windows 2003
     
   • Enter 3 for Windows Vista
     
   • Enter 4 for Windows 2008
     
   • Enter 5 for Windows 7

and then press Enter.

[*]The program will prompt for confirmation. Type 'YES' and hit Enter.

[*]Left click on the title bar (where program name and path is written).

[*]From menu chose Edit -> Select All

[*]Hit the Enter key on your keyboard to copy selected text.

[*]Paste that text into Notepad, save it to your desktop as "MBRCheck results.txt"

[*]Important! Restart your PC for the fix to take effect.

[*]Post the contents of the MBRCheck results log in your next reply

[jesu1411 0]

The check log attached is from running MBRCheck.exe after the fix and restart.

[jesu1411 0]

Hi ShadowPuterDude,

Following the last fix, things seem to have returned to normal (touch wood). However, I know that this does not mean my computer is 100%; what is the best way to check the malware has been fully removed?

I've attached a quick scan from emsisoft anti-malware. Can cookies be dangerous and can I simply delete/quarantine them without worrying about any adverse effects?

Regards,

jesu1411

[Kevin Zoll 309]

Cookies pose no threat.

Your logs look fine.

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

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

• Make sure you have an Internet Connection.
  
• Download OTC to your desktop and run it
  
• A list of tool components used in the cleanup of malware will be downloaded.
  
• If your Firewall or Real Time protection attempts to block OTC to reach the Internet, please allow the application to do so.
  
• Click Yes to begin the cleanup process and remove these components, including this application.
  
• You will be asked to reboot the machine to finish the cleanup process. If you are asked to reboot the machine choose Yes.
  

Delete everything in C:\!KillBox (If I didn't have you use KillBox, then this won't be present)

Delete the following from your Desktop (If they exist)

Avenger.exe

Avenger.txt

Avenger.zip

CFscript.txt

dds.scr

dds.pif

DisableAutoRuns.reg

fixes.bat

FixMe.reg

FixReg.reg

ISeeYouXP.exe

ISeeYouXP.lnk

ISeeYouXP.txt

Win32kDiag.exe

Win32kDiag.txt

Anything else I had you use

Delete the following files: (If they exist)

C:\Avenger.txt

C:\ComboFix.txt

Delete the following folders: (If they exist)

C:\Avenger

C:\AvoidTDSS

C:\ComboFix

C:\SDFix

C:\Qoobox

Empty the Recycle Bin

Run 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.

Inside the ISeeYouXP folder, locate and double-click HideIT.bat (C:\ISeeYouXP\HideIT.bat). This will return viewing of Hidden and System Files and Folders to the default settings.

Delete C:\ISeeYouXP

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.

Run the Secunia Online 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