Constant urlmal-avast-process-cwindowssystem32svchostexe/ alert when browsing

[essexboy]

It looks as though it was trying to download something which would probably not be very nice.  Avast was blocking it but was unable to locate the file that was triggering

[REDACTED]

Thanks for all the help essexboy, are there any programs that you recommend to install after doing a fresh install of windows?

[essexboy]

Now that you are clean, to help protect your computer in the future I recommend that you get the following free programmes:

CryptoPrevent install this programme to lock down and prevent crypto ransome ware



Malwarebytes

Update and run weekly to keep your system clean

Unchecky

Click on the link above to be taken to Unchecky.com
click the very large Download button.
click Save
Click Open folder
Right click on the Unchecky_setup and choose to Run as Administrator
Once open click the Install button.
Then click on Finish
Unchecky is now installed and will help you keep unwanted check boxes unchecked, this is a fire and forget programme

It is critical to have both a firewall and anti virus to protect your system and to keep them updated.

To learn more about how to protect yourself while on the internet read this little guide Best security practices Keep safe :wave:

[REDACTED]

Alert is still happening.

Some things fyi

So I reinstalled windows, its a laptop and I have no windows CD and used the factory default install where it deletes everything off the laptop and uses the backup windows already on the laptop I guess.

Installed avast + chrome (option included)

Laptop did some system updates (Asus liveupdate)

restart

installed malwarebytes + ran a scan (no threats detected)

Laptop did some more system updates (Asus liveupdate)

restart

**This is when I saw cmd.exe pop up and tell me 1 file was copied which I thought was odd but I assume its something to do with the asus live update**

Laptop did some more system updates (Asus liveupdate)

restart

cryptoprevent

Thats when the 4 alerts from avast happenened

[REDACTED]

Oh and I forgot to mention it happened on Microsoft Edge too, just before i re-installed windows. So its not just confined to chrome.

[REDACTED]

Pretty sure it knows what im doing :S

[REDACTED]

So I tried re-installing again.

Downloaded a copy of windows 8.1 onto a usb.

Booted from the USB.

Deleted and formatted all the partitions on the drive.

Installed windows.

Installed Avast.

Installed Chrome.

BOOM

Alert happens.

This time its url:mal2

Guys I'm going crazy here.

Shall I just buy a new hard drive?

[Pondus]

Do you have a videoplayer addon in chrome?

[essexboy]

What addons did you install in Chrome and do you have Chrome set to synch ?

[REDACTED]

I'm not logged into chrome or have any addons downloaded, it's a fresh install with nothing added.

Its not just confined to chrome. On my first attempt of re-installing windows, it was happening in Microsoft Edge and also for the asus system updates, I hadn't even installed chrome then :S

[Lotan]

could it be a rootkit in the motherboard bios? ive read that they are rare but do exist.

[essexboy]

OK could you reset your router ?

Or failing that then use OpenDNS
https://www.opendns.com/setupguide/

[REDACTED]

Ok I managed to figure out the admin password.

change the primary and secondary DNS server.

Do I need to reinstall windows?

And is there still something malicious on my laptop?

[essexboy]

Are you still getting the alerts ?

[REDACTED]

Yep :/