Help with rootkit swcustcfg please

[click Tracy]

Negative, Avast no longer reports the presence. A registry search finds 6 identical folders (see attach) and 4 reg entries (attached next post)

[click Tracy]

More attached.

[jeffce]

Hi,

So the warning are no longer occurring?  The entries that you are showing me are not active so you should be fine, even though it was a False Positive.

[click Tracy]

The warnings no longer come up so thanks heaps for your time and expertise with this matter. I'm extremely grateful.
Thanks again jeffce
Cheers

[jeffce]

Hi,

Great to hear!!

I see that your Java software is out of date.  Please go to Start >> Control Panel >> Programs and Features >> uninstall all versions of Java.

Now download and install the newest version from here >> http://java.com/en/download/index.jsp
-------------

Clear Java Cache

See this page for instructions on how to clear java's cache.

Go into the Control Panel and double-click the Java Icon. (looks like a coffee cup)

• Under Temporary Internet Files, click the Delete Files button.
• There are three options in the window to clear the cache - Leave ALL 3 Checked
  Downloaded Applets
  Downloaded Applications
  Other Files

• Click OK on Delete Temporary Files Window

Note: This deletes ALL the Downloaded Applications and Applets from the CACHE.

• Click OK to leave the Java Control Panel.

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Malwarebytes

Please open Malwarebytes, update it and then run a Quick Scan.  Save the log that is created for your next reply.
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ESET Online Scanner

Go here to run an online scannner from ESET. Windows Vista/Windows 7 users will need to right click on their Internet Explorer shortcut, and select Run as Administrator

• Note: For browsers other than Internet Explorer, you will be prompted to download and install esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe. Click on the link and save the file to a convenient location. Double click on it to install and a new window will open. Follow the prompts.
• Turn off the real time scanner of any existing antivirus program while performing the online scan
• Tick the box next to YES, I accept the Terms of Use.
• Click Start
• When asked, allow the activex control to install
• Click Start
• Make sure that the option Remove found threats is unticked and the Scan Archives option is ticked.
• Click on Advanced Settings, ensure the options Scan for potentially unwanted applications, Scan for potentially unsafe applications, and Enable Anti-Stealth Technology are ticked.
• Click Scan
• Wait for the scan to finish
• When the scan is done, if it shows a screen that says "Threats found!", then click "List of found threats", and then click "Export to text file..."
• Save that text file on your desktop. Copy and paste the contents of that log as a reply to this topic.
• Close the ESET online scan, and let me know how things are now.

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[click Tracy]

All seems OK .
Files attached.

[jeffce]

Run OTL.exe

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

  
  :Services
  
  :Files
  C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Application Data\Auslogics\Rescue\Boost Speed\130120151031652.rsc   
  C:\E Drive Backup\OLD C DRV (E)\Download\tds3setup.exe
  
  :Commands
  [emptytemp]
  [start explorer]
  [Reboot]

  
  
• Then click the Run Fix button at the top
  
• Let the program run unhindered, reboot when it is done
• Then run a new scan and post a new OTL log ( don't check the boxes beside LOP Check or Purity this time )
  

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Attach the new OTL log and let me know what remaining malware related problems you are having.

[click Tracy]

Log file attached.
No apparent problems.

[jeffce]

Providing there are no other malware related problems...

  IT APPEARS THAT YOUR LOGS ARE NOW CLEAN SO LET'S DO SOME CLEANUP.   

This infection appears to have been cleaned, but I can not give you any absolute guarantees.  As a precaution, I would go ahead and change all of your passwords as this is especially important after an infection.
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The following will implement some cleanup procedures as well as reset System Restore points:

Press the Windows key + R and this will open the Run box. Copy/paste the following text into the Run box as shown and click OK.
  Combofix /Uninstall
  (Note: There is a space between the ..X and the /U that needs to be there.)


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Clean up with OTL:

• Right-click and Run as Administrator OTL.exe to start the program.
  
• Close all other programs apart from OTL as this step will require a reboot
• On the OTL main screen, press the CLEANUP button
  
• Say Yes to the prompt and then allow the program to reboot your computer.
  

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Any of the logs that you created for use in the forums or remaining tools that have not yet been removed can be deleted so they aren't cluttering up your desktop.
If you didn't already have it I would keep Malwarebytes AntiMalware though.

Here are some tips to reduce the potential for spyware infection in the future:

1. Internet Explorer.  Even if you don't use it as your main browser it should be kept up-to-date because that is the browser Windows uses for updates.
Make your Internet Explorer more secure - This can be done by following these simple instructions:

• From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.
  
• Click once on the Security tab
  
• Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
  
• Click once on the Custom Level button.
  
• Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt
  
• Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable
  
• Change the Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to Disable
  
• Change the Installation of desktop items to Prompt
  
• Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
  
• Change the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt
  
• When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.
  
• If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the Yes button.
  
• Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the Internet Properties page.

2. FireFox.  If you use Firefox, I recommend installing the following add-ons to help make your Firefox browser more secure:
NoScript
AdBlock Plus

3. Enable Protected Mode in Internet Explorer.  This helps Windows Vista users stay more protected from attack by running Internet Explorer with restricted privileges as well as reducing the ability to write, alter or destroy data on your system or install malicious code.  To make sure this is running follow these steps:

• Open Internet Explorer
  
• Click on Tools > Internet Options
  
• Press Security tab
  
• Select Internet zone then place check next to Enable Protected Mode if not already done
  
• Do the same for Local Intranet, Trusted Sites and Restricted Sites and then press Apply
  
• Restart Internet Explorer and in the bottom right corner of your screen you will see Protected Mode: On showing you it is enabled.

4. Use and update an anti-virus software - I can not overemphasize the need for you to use and update your anti-virus application on a regular basis.  With the ever increasing number of new variants of malware arriving on the scene daily, you become very susceptible to an attack without updated protection.

5. Firewall
Using a third-party firewall will allow you to give/deny access for applications that want to go online. Without a firewall your computer is susceptible to being hacked and taken over. Simply using a firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly.  I would personally only recommend using one of the following two below:
Online Armor Free
Agnitum Outpost Firewall Free

6. Make sure you keep your Windows OS current.  Windows XP users can visit Windows update   regularly to download and install any critical updates and service packs. Windows Vista/7 users can open the Start menu > All Programs > Windows Update > Check for Updates (in left hand task pane) to update these systems.  Without these you are leaving the back door open.

7. WOT (Web of Trust) As "Googling" is such an integral part of internet life, this free browser add on warns you about risky websites that try to scam visitors, deliver malware or send spam. It is especially helpful when browsing or searching in unfamiliar territory. WOT's color-coded icons show you ratings for 21 million websites, helping you avoid the dangerous sites.  WOT has an add-on available for Firefox, Internet Explorer as well as Google Chrome.

8.Finally, I strongly recommend that you read How to Prevent Malware found here and also PC Safety and Security - What Do I Need?.
 
Please reply to this thread once more if you are satisfied so that we can mark the problem as resolved.

[click Tracy]

Clean-up successful and thanks again Jeff
Cheers

[jeffce]

You are more than welcome!  Glad that I could help! 

Since this issue appears to be resolved ... I will discontinue monitoring. Glad we could be of assistance.
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[caribconsult]

Same issue here. Question: is this 'swcustcfg' message a false positive and don't worry, or could this be a real root kit? No other scanner (Kaspersky, MBAR, MBAM, etc) has reported this rootkit.

[Pondus]

Same issue here. Question: is this 'swcustcfg' message a false positive and don't worry, or could this be a real root kit? No other scanner (Kaspersky, MBAR, MBAM, etc) has reported this rootkit.

1. You are posting in a 1 year old topic
2. If you have MBAM 1.75 as you say in your other post....then you dont have latest
3. For help, follow instructions  http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0

[caribconsult]

First of all, thank you kindly for helping. I'm at my wit's end with this...I've been using the same suite of protection programs for over two years and this just started. I have the newest Avast free, I just downloaded the new MBAM, checked the rootkit box, ran a scan and it found this:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
www.malwarebytes.org

Scan Date: 4/18/2014
Scan Time: 5:04:22 PM
Logfile:
Administrator: Yes

Version: 2.00.1.1004
Malware Database: v2014.04.18.07
Rootkit Database: v2014.03.27.01
License: Trial
Malware Protection: Enabled
Malicious Website Protection: Enabled
Chameleon: Disabled

OS: Windows XP Service Pack 3
CPU: x86
File System: NTFS
User: Jeffrey

Scan Type: Threat Scan
Result: Completed
Objects Scanned: 229192
Time Elapsed: 5 min, 30 sec

Memory: Enabled
Startup: Enabled
Filesystem: Enabled
Archives: Enabled
Rootkits: Enabled
Shuriken: Enabled
PUP: Warn
PUM: Enabled

Processes: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Modules: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys: 1
PUP.Optional.DefaultTab.A, HKU\S-1-5-18-{ED1FC765-E35E-4C3D-BF15-2C2B11260CE4}-0\SOFTWARE\APPDATALOW\SOFTWARE\DefaultTab, Quarantined, [05fb34ccd22ed030d0e22c55679b5da3],

No other malicious items found

(end)

I quarantined the PUP. Is this what was causing the swcustcfg rookit message in Avast ? I notice Avast doesn't pop up a warning window every now and then like it used to, but it stopped after I updated it.  Nevertheless, an Avast scan still finds this.  Is this a false positive or do I have a real rootkit here, can you tell?  If you need more info, you email me direct at jeff@tcconsult.net

Thank you.

[Pondus]

As said in the guide...start your own topic and attach the logs, not copy and paste