Computer infected with malware

[jeffce]

Hi,

Ok lets dig further... 

Please download TDSSKiller.zip

• Extract it to your desktop
• Double click TDSSKiller.exe
  
• when the window opens, click on Change Parameters
  
• under ”Additional options”, put a check mark in the box next to “Detect TDLFS File System”
  
• click OK
  
• Press Start Scan
  
  • Only if Malicious objects are found then ensure Cure is selected
    
  • Then click Continue > Reboot now
    
• Copy and paste the log in your next reply
• A copy of the log will be saved automatically to the root of the drive (typically C:\)
  

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Please read through these instructions to familarize yourself with what to expect when this tool runs

Download ComboFix from one of these locations:

Link 1
Link 2

* IMPORTANT !!! Save ComboFix.exe 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.  Note: If you are having difficulty properly disabling your protective programs, or are unsure as to what programs need to be disabled, please refer to the information available through this link : How to Disable your Security Programs
  
  
• 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, it shall produce a log for you.  Please include the C:\ComboFix.txt in your next reply.

Notes:

1.Do not mouse-click Combofix's window while it is running. That may cause it to stall.
2. ComboFix may reset a number of Internet Explorer's settings, including making I-E the default browser.
3. CF disconnects your machine from the internet.  The connection is automatically restored before CF completes its run.  If CF runs into difficulty and terminates prematurely, the connection can be manually restored by restarting your machine.
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In your next reply please attach the logs made by TKSSKiller and ComboFix.  :)

[swerang]

Thanks jeffce. I ran the two software as per the instructions and attached the logs for you to look at.

[jeffce]

Hi,

Looks like we found a nasty one...

Re-run TDSSKiller and this time remove the following entries and attach the new log.

\Device\Harddisk0\DR0 ( TDSS File System ) - skipped by user
\Device\Harddisk0\DR0 ( TDSS File System ) - User select action: Skip

[swerang]

I removed that entry jeffce. Here is the log generated.

[jeffce]

Good job!  That was a nasty one. 

[jeffce]

How is your system running? 

[swerang]

Thanks jeffce. It seems much better since I haven't seen any webpage redirection since morning. I am still facing flash video hanging once in a while and later crashing the system with blue screen. The system seems ok otherwise.

[jeffce]

Hi,

Let's check to be sure you have the most recent Flash updates...

Go to Start >> Control Panel >> double click Flash Player >> select Advanced tab >> press Check Now 
If there are updates needed be sure to download them.   

[swerang]

It was one version before the latest version, jeffce. I updated it. Thanks. Hope it works without problems in the future.

Now that I ran a series of antivirus software to remove the viruses, would you recommend running any of the software from time to time to ensure that the system is clean?

[jeffce]

When we finish up I will give you some good information but for now....how is your system running?

[swerang]

I haven't seen any webpage redirection in the last few days, jeffce. So the system is definitely better. The video freezing is still happening(but not as often as before).

[jeffce]

Hi,

I haven't seen any webpage redirection in the last few days

That is great!    As for the video freezing I believe that is going to be a software/hardware problem and to be honest that is not my best area. 
If it is really bothersome I would register for a free account at Geeks to Go >> http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/ and start a topic here >> http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/forum/5-windows-xp-2000-2003-nt/  The techs there will be able to better help you than I can here.   
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Providing there are no other malware related problems...

IT APPEARS THAT YOUR LOGS ARE NOW CLEAN   SO LETS DO A COUPLE OF THINGS TO WRAP THIS UP!!

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:

Click Start > Run  and 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:

• Double-click 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.

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

1. 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. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.  A tutorial on firewalls can be found here[/color].  **There are firewalls listed in this tutorial that could be downloaded and used but I would personally only recommend using one of the following two below:
Online Armor Free
Agnitum Outpost Firewall Free

5. 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.

6. 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.

7.Finally, I strongly recommend that you read TonyKlein's good advice So how did I get infected in the first place?
 
Please reply to this thread once more if you are satisfied so that we can mark the problem as resolved.

[swerang]

Hi Jeffce,
I followed the final steps and also read the tips for future infection prevention. Thanks a lot. The firewall tutorial link isn't working for me. Says the page has an error.

Should I remove the MalwareBytes anti-malware and other anti-virus software that I installed during the course of the clean up? Please let know.

Thanks,
Swetha

[jeffce]

Hi,

Sorry about the broken link.  I think it may have been recently removed or moved someplace else.  I will have to find another.

As for Malwarebytes and ESET you can and should keep those.  Run Malwarebytes once a week and ESET maybe once a month just to be on the safe side.