8 replies to this topic

[MonstirDerrick]

I had originally posted this post on another section of the forum, which I recieved a reply to that told me to try and run Malwarebytes as well as HiJackThis. Upon opening both of these programs they both shut down several seconds after attempting to run a scan. My original post was

"Hello,

Recently my computer was infected with the green Av 2009 virus/trojan/etc. When I was first infected I tried to run Malwarebytes and it would open up and I would attemp to begin scanning my computer. However after 3-4 seconds the program would completely close down and if I attempted to restart it I would get the message " Windows cannot access the specified path, file or device. You may not have the appropiate permissions to access the item." After uninstalling and reinstalling I would still get that message. So I decieded to go onto the internet to try and find a solution. After looking at several different pages telling to delete certain files like GAV.exe, and Greenav2009.exe and several others from the registry I thought I would be able to run Malwarebytes. Since my computer is no longer seemingly being infected by the Green Av virus(no longer recieving fake virus scan alerts or pop ups) I thought that Malwarebytes would be able to run. So I attempted to run it again and the exact same thing happens that I mentioned above. Any sort of help would be greatly appreciated.

-Thank you "


So basically Malwarebytes and HiJackThis both give me the message "Windows cannot access the specified path, file or device. You may not have the appropiate permissions to access the item". I am utterly lost and unsure what to do, any help at all is greatly appreciated.


Also as the "What to do if I am Infected" page suggested I downloaded Avira AntiVir Personal and it is able to run and do scans.

[extremeboy]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

My name is Extremeboy, and I will help you with your log.

Please continue with running a scan with RootRepeal, followed by DDS, a scanner tool. If those don't work as well, let me know.

You seem to have one of the newer rootkits active on your machine. We'll confirm that from running the scans below.
--
Download and run RootRepeal CR

Please download RootRepeal from the following location and save it to your desktop.

• Direct Download (Recommended)
  • Primary Mirror
    
  • Secondary Mirror
    
  • Secondary Mirror
    
  • Secondary Mirror
• Zip Mirrors (Recommended if you have a slower connection or if the Direct Download mirror is down)
  
  • Primary Mirror
    
    
  • Secondary Mirror
    
    
  • Secondary Mirror

• Unzip the RootRepeal.zip file it to it's own folder. (If you did not use the "Direct Download" mirror to download RootRepeal).
  
• Close/Disable all other programs especially your security programs (anti-spyware, anti-virus, and firewall) Refer to this page, if you are unsure how.
  
• Physically disconnect your machine from the internet as your system will be unprotected.
  
• Double-click on RootRepeal.exe to run it. If you are using Vista, please right-click and run as Administrator...
  
• Click the tab at the bottom.
  
• Now press the button.
  
• A box will pop up, check the boxes beside All Seven options/scan area
  
  
• Now click OK.
  
• Another box will open, check the boxes beside all the drives, eg : C:\, then click OK.
  
• The scan will take a little while to run, so let it go unhindered.
  
• Once it is done, click the Save Report button.
  
• Save it as RepealScan and save it to your desktop
  
• Reconnect to the internet.
  
• Post the contents of that log in your reply please.

Download and run DDS

We need to see some information about what is happening in your machine. Please perform the following scan:

• Download DDS by sUBs from one of the following links. Save it to your desktop.
  • DDS.scr
    
  • DDS.pif
• Double click on the DDS icon, allow it to run.
  
• A small box will open, with an explanation about the tool. No input is needed, the scan is running.
  
• Notepad will open with the results soon.
  
• Follow the instructions that pop up for posting the results and then click Ok.
  
• The black and message box window shall then disappear.
  
• Please save both log files on your desktop and post the DDS.txt and zip up and attach Attach.txt as instructed.
  

Please note: You may have to disable any script protection running if the scan fails to run. After downloading the tool, disconnect from the internet and disable all antivirus protection. Run the scan, enable your A/V and reconnect to the internet. Information on A/V control HERE

Also, please provide a description of any remaining problems or symptoms you may still have please.

With Regards,
Extremeboy

[MonstirDerrick]

extremeboy, on Sep 1 2009, 08:49 AM, said:

Hello and welcome to the forum!

My name is Extremeboy, and I will help you with your log.

Please continue with running a scan with RootRepeal, followed by DDS, a scanner tool. If those don't work as well, let me know.

You seem to have one of the newer rootkits active on your machine. We'll confirm that from running the scans below.
--
Download and run RootRepeal CR

Please download RootRepeal from the following location and save it to your desktop.

• Direct Download (Recommended)
  • Primary Mirror
    
  • Secondary Mirror
    
  • Secondary Mirror
    
  • Secondary Mirror
• Zip Mirrors (Recommended if you have a slower connection or if the Direct Download mirror is down)
  
  • Primary Mirror
    
    
  • Secondary Mirror
    
    
  • Secondary Mirror

• Unzip the RootRepeal.zip file it to it's own folder. (If you did not use the "Direct Download" mirror to download RootRepeal).
  
• Close/Disable all other programs especially your security programs (anti-spyware, anti-virus, and firewall) Refer to this page, if you are unsure how.
  
• Physically disconnect your machine from the internet as your system will be unprotected.
  
• Double-click on RootRepeal.exe to run it. If you are using Vista, please right-click and run as Administrator...
  
• Click the tab at the bottom.
  
• Now press the button.
  
• A box will pop up, check the boxes beside All Seven options/scan area
  
  
• Now click OK.
  
• Another box will open, check the boxes beside all the drives, eg : C:\, then click OK.
  
• The scan will take a little while to run, so let it go unhindered.
  
• Once it is done, click the Save Report button.
  
• Save it as RepealScan and save it to your desktop
  
• Reconnect to the internet.
  
• Post the contents of that log in your reply please.

Download and run DDS

We need to see some information about what is happening in your machine. Please perform the following scan:

• Download DDS by sUBs from one of the following links. Save it to your desktop.
  • DDS.scr
    
  • DDS.pif
• Double click on the DDS icon, allow it to run.
  
• A small box will open, with an explanation about the tool. No input is needed, the scan is running.
  
• Notepad will open with the results soon.
  
• Follow the instructions that pop up for posting the results and then click Ok.
  
• The black and message box window shall then disappear.
  
• Please save both log files on your desktop and post the DDS.txt and zip up and attach Attach.txt as instructed.
  

Please note: You may have to disable any script protection running if the scan fails to run. After downloading the tool, disconnect from the internet and disable all antivirus protection. Run the scan, enable your A/V and reconnect to the internet. Information on A/V control HERE

Also, please provide a description of any remaining problems or symptoms you may still have please.

With Regards,
Extremeboy

After reading your message I downloaded both of programs and attempted to run them after having shut off the anti virus things I thought I had running, which was only Avira Antivir personal, and after I attempted to run them they shut down after several seconds. When I try and run RootRepeal I get that message that I mentioned in my first post "Windows cannot access the specified file, path, device...etc" and when I try and open DDS a black screen comes up for a second but then just shuts backs down. Not really sure what to do now. Other symptoms that my comp is having is that on Internet Explorer it will sometimes automatically redirect me to random pages. Also several programs that are not virus/trojan/whatever will not work, the task manager just has them not responding. Firefox also was not allowing me to search on it, saying something along the lines that the pages was unsafe for viewing, then it would redirect me to a Green AV 2009 Page.

-Thanks

[extremeboy]

Hello.

Regarding that error for permission problem do the following....

Please download Inherit by sUBs and save it onto your desktop

• Drag and drop the RootRepeal.exe onto Inherit
  
• This shall restore permissions to the application
  
• You will then receive an Ok message from Inherit.
  
• Press Ok.

Now, try running RootRepeal again and see if it works.

Run, Win32KDiag as well...

Download and Run Win32KDiag

Please download Win32Diag from one of the links below and save it to your desktop.

Link 1
Link 2
Link 3

• Double-click on Win32Diag.exe to run it. If you are using Windows Vista, please right-click and select Run As Administrator
  
• A black command prompt window shall appear.
  
• It will now begin to scan. This may take a while, please be paitent until the scan is complete.
  
• Once it's done, in the black screen it will say "Finished! Press any key to exit.... Press any key to exit.
  
• A log file called Win32KDiag.txt will be created on your desktop.
  
• Please copy and paste the contents of that log file here in your next reply please.

With Regards,
Extremeboy

[MonstirDerrick]

I did what you said using that Inherit program and after dropping the rootrepeel.exe onto it said OK and I was able to run the program again. However the same thing happened once I started the scan with the program, it started to scan for maybe a minute or two but then it shut down and the exe was a broken link again. After that I downloaded Win32Diag and ran it like you said. I let it scan for a while but then it seemed to stop and do nothing, and it had made a notepad file on my desktop, without ever telling me it was finished. Here is that log.

Log file is located at: C:\Documents and Settings\KYLE\Desktop\Win32kDiag.txt

WARNING: Could not get backup privileges!

Searching 'C:\WINDOWS'...



Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\$hf_mig$\KB904706\KB904706

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\$hf_mig$\KB912812\KB912812

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\$hf_mig$\KB912945\KB912945

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\$hf_mig$\KB916281\KB916281

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\$hf_mig$\KB918899\KB918899

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\$hf_mig$\KB920213\KB920213

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\$hf_mig$\KB922760\KB922760

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\$hf_mig$\KB924496\KB924496

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\$hf_mig$\KB931784\KB931784

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\$hf_mig$\KB932168\KB932168

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\$hf_mig$\KB939653\KB939653

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\$hf_mig$\KB941568\KB941568

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\$hf_mig$\KB943460\KB943460

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\assembly\temp\temp

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\assembly\tmp\tmp

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\Config\Config

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\Connection Wizard\Connection Wizard

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\CSC\d1\d1

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\CSC\d2\d2

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\CSC\d3\d3

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\CSC\d4\d4

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\CSC\d5\d5

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\CSC\d6\d6

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\CSC\d7\d7

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\CSC\d8\d8

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\ime\imejp\applets\applets

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\ime\imejp98\imejp98

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\ime\imjp8_1\applets\applets

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\ime\imkr6_1\applets\applets

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\ime\imkr6_1\dicts\dicts

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\ime\shared\res\res

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\java\classes\classes

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\java\trustlib\trustlib

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.0.3705\Temporary ASP.NET Files\Bind Logs\Bind Logs

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.1.4322\Temporary ASP.NET Files\Bind Logs\Bind Logs

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\msapps\msinfo\msinfo

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\pchealth\helpctr\batch\batch

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\pchealth\helpctr\Config\CheckPoint\CheckPoint

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\pchealth\helpctr\Config\News\News

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\pchealth\helpctr\HelpFiles\HelpFiles

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\pchealth\helpctr\InstalledSKUs\InstalledSKUs

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\pchealth\helpctr\System\DFS\DFS

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\pchealth\helpctr\Temp\Temp

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\Registration\CRMLog\CRMLog

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\AuthCabs\AuthCabs

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download\355f788b6de8a3ec79e9aa172e6317f1\backup\backup

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\SelfUpdate\Registered\Registered

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\solcache\solcache

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\Sun\Java\Deployment\Deployment

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\1025\1025

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\1028\1028

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\1031\1031

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\1037\1037

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\1041\1041

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\1042\1042

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\1054\1054

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\2052\2052

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\3076\3076

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\3com_dmi\3com_dmi

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\appmgmt\MACHINE\MACHINE

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\appmgmt\S-1-5-21-2653373980-243759535-807481938-1005\S-1-5-21-2653373980-243759535-807481938-1005

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Application Data\Google\Plugin\Plugin

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Application Data\Identities\{4E3254D7-522A-412A-9296-3F4767B3A2CB}\{4E3254D7-522A-412A-9296-3F4767B3A2CB}

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Application Data\Macromedia\Flash Player\#SharedObjects\TSTRY59S\TSTRY59S

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Application Data\Macromedia\Shockwave Player\DswMedia\DswMedia

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Application Data\Macromedia\Shockwave Player\Prefs\VYLF9B8W\VYLF9B8W

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Application Data\Microsoft\Credentials\S-1-5-21-2653373980-243759535-807481938-500\S-1-5-21-2653373980-243759535-807481938-500

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Application Data\Microsoft\Credentials\S-1-5-21-343818398-1004336348-839522115-500\S-1-5-21-343818398-1004336348-839522115-500

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Application Data\Microsoft\Media Player\Media Player

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Application Data\Microsoft\MMC\MMC

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Application Data\Microsoft\SystemCertificates\My\Certificates\Certificates

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Application Data\Microsoft\SystemCertificates\My\CRLs\CRLs

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Application Data\Microsoft\SystemCertificates\My\CTLs\CTLs

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates\Templates

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Application Data\Real\Msg\Msg

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Application Data\Sun\Java\Deployment\javaws\cache\cache

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\Application Data\BVRP Software\NetWaiting\NetWaiting

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Google Desktop\7a4eb1c54578\7a4eb1c54578

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\CD Burning\CD Burning

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Credentials\S-1-5-21-2653373980-243759535-807481938-500\S-1-5-21-2653373980-243759535-807481938-500

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Credentials\S-1-5-21-343818398-1004336348-839522115-500\S-1-5-21-343818398-1004336348-839522115-500

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Money\15.0\Webcache\Webcache

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\Application Data\Musicmatch\Jukebox\Cache\Cache

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Local Settings\Temp\Temp

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\NetHood\NetHood

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\PrintHood\PrintHood

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\dhcp\dhcp

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Found mount point : C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\disdn\disdn

Mount point destination : \Device\__max++>\^

Cannot access: C:\WINDOWS\system32\eventlog.dll

[1] 2004-08-10 03:00:00 55808 C:\WINDOWS\$NtServicePackUninstall$\eventlog.dll (Microsoft Corporation)







Thanks

[extremeboy]

Hello.

Let's run Combofix. If there's any problems with it, please let me know before hand and stop.

Download and Run ComboFix

Note to readers of this post other than the starter of this thread:
ComboFix is a VERY POWERFUL tool which should NOT BE USED without guidance of an expert.

Download Combofix from any of the links below, and save it to your desktop.
Link 1
Link 2

Please refer to this page for full instructions on how to run ComboFix.

• Close/disable all anti-virus and anti-malware programs so they do not interfere with the running of ComboFix. Refer to this page if you are not sure how.
  
• Double click ComboFix.exe to start the program. Agree to the prompts.
  
• When ComboFix is finished, a log report (C:\ComboFix.txt) will open. Post back with it.

Leave your computer alone while ComboFix is running.

ComboFix will restart your computer if malware is found; allow it to do so.

Note: Please Do NOT mouseclick combofix's window while its running because it may call it to stall.

~Extremeboy

[MonstirDerrick]

Thanks for your attempted help but I think it will just be easier to restore my computer to its factory settings. Sorry for any of your time that has been wasted.

[extremeboy]

Hello.

That might be a better idea. You had a rootkit/backdoor infection on board here.

Regarding rootkits...

Rootkits and backdoor Trojans are very dangerous because they use advanced techniques (backdoors) as a means of accessing a computer system that bypasses security mechanisms and steal sensitive information which they send back to the hacker. Many rootkits can hook into the Windows 32-bit kernel, and patch several APIs to hide new registry keys and files they install. Remote attackers use backdoor Trojans and rootkits as part of an exploit to gain unauthorized access to a computer and take control of it without your knowledge.

All passwords should be changed immediately to include those used for banking, email, eBay, paypal and online forums. You should consider them to be compromised. You should change each password by using a different computer and not the infected one. If not, an attacker may get the new passwords and transaction information. If using a router, you need to reset it with a strong logon/password so the malware cannot gain control before connect again. Banking and credit card institutions should be notified of the possible security breach. Because your computer was compromised please read How Do I Handle Possible Identify Theft, Internet Fraud and CC Fraud?

Although the rootkit has been identified and may be removed, your PC has likely been compromised and there is no way to be sure the computer can ever be trusted again. It is dangerous and incorrect to assume that because this malware has been removed the computer is now secure. In some instances an infection may have caused so much damage to your system that it cannot be completely cleaned or repaired. The malware may leave so many remnants behind that security tools cannot find them. Many experts in the security community believe that once infected with this type of malware, the best course of action is to wipe the drive clean, reformat and reinstall the OS. Please read:

• When should I re-format? How should I reinstall?
  
• Help: I Got Hacked. Now What Do I Do?
  
• Where to draw the line? When to recommend a format and reinstall?

---

Below is some prevention tips. Then, the topic will be closed.

Preventing Infections in the Future

Please also have a look at the following links, giving some advice and Tips to protect yourself against malware and reduce the potential for re-infection:

• So How did I get infected?
  
• Miekies' prevention suggestions
  
• Hardening Windows Security - Part 1 & Part 2.

• Avoid gaming sites, underground web pages, pirated software sites, and peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing programs. They are a security risk which can make your computer susceptible to a smörgåsbord of malware infections, remote attacks, exposure of personal information, and identity theft. Many malicious worms and Trojans spread across P2P file sharing networks, gaming and underground sites. Users visiting such pages may see innocuous-looking banner ads containing code which can trigger pop-up ads and Flash ads that install viruses, Trojans and spyware. Ads are a target for hackers because they offer a stealthy way to distribute malware to a wide range of Internet users.

Disable Autorun on Flash-Drive/Removable Drives

When is AUTORUN.INF really an AUTORUN.INF?

Quote

USB worms work by creating a file called AUTORUN.INF on the root of USB drives. These INF files then use Autorun or Autoplay (not the same thing!) to execute themselves either when the stick is inserted, or more commonly, when the user double-clicks on the USB drive icon from My Computer (Windows Explorer)...

Keeping Autorun enabled on USB and other removable drives has become a significant security risk due to the increasing number of malware variants that can infect them and transfer the infection to your computer. Read USB-Based Malware Attacks and Please disable Autorun asap!.

If using Windows Vista, please refer to:
"Disable AutoPlay in Windows Vista"
"Preventing AutoPlay with Local Group Policy Editor or AutoPlay options panel"

Note: When Autorun is disabled, double-clicking a drive which has autorun.inf in its root directory may still activate Autorun so be careful.

Vist the WindowsUpdate Site Regularly

I recommend you regularly visit the Windows Update Site!

• Lots of Hacking/Trojans use the methods found (plugged by the updates) that have not been stopped by people not updating.
  
• Update ALL Critical updates and any other Windows updates for services/programs that you use.
  
• If you wish to turn on automatic updates then you will find here is a nice little article about turning on automatic updates.
  
• Note that it will download them for you, but you still have to actually click install.

Update Non-Microsoft Programs

It is also a good idea to check for the latest versions of commonly installed applications that are regularly patched to fix vulnerabilities. You can check these by visiting Secunia Software Inspector and Calendar of Updates.

Update all programs regularly - Make sure you update all the programs you have installed regularly. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new malicious programs are released.

Follow this list and your potential for being infected again will reduce dramatically.

With Regards,
Extremeboy

[extremeboy]

Hello.

Since the problem appears to be resolved, this topic is now Closed.
If you need this topic reopened, please Send Me a Private Message. In your message please include the address of this thread in your request.

This applies only to the original topic starter

Everyone else please start a new topic in the Hijackthis-Malware Removal Forum

Thanks.

With Regards,
Extremeboy