Windows Recovery Malware/Trojan, partially removed, please help

[Hettie]

This malware took over my PC yesterday. The first phase consisted of false error messages and that bogus Windows Recovery interface. Before finding this forum, I ran Spybot, which found and deleted some parts. Then I followed some procedures I found that included running Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and I also ran ComboFix, which found more pieces and parts. Realized I was just shooting fish in a barrel, so I found the sticky and followed the instructions to get some help on here.

Still experiencing:

false script errors

google searches hijacked

random audio sound bytes (ads, Barack Obama, etc.)

slow, slow

my files are still hidden/missing (this is the most distressing of all)

So the logs follow (DDS then Malwarebytes) or are attached per instructions. The MBAM log is from the second run when I was following the sticky instructions. I do not see the first log in the list. Please let me know if I need to do anything differently. I will very much appreciate any help provided.

.

DDS (Ver_11-03-05.01) - NTFSx86

Run by Administrator at 22:20:02.09 on Tue 04/26/2011

Internet Explorer: 8.0.6001.19048

Microsoft

ark.txt.zip

Attach.zip

[screen317]

Hi and welcome to Malwarebytes.

Please update MBAM, run a Quick Scan, and post its log.

Next, please visit this webpage for instructions for running ComboFix:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/combofix/how-to-use-combofix

• When the tool is finished, it will produce a report for you.
  
• Please post the C:\ComboFix.txt along with a new DDS log so we may continue cleaning the system.

-screen317

[Hettie]

Thank you for your reponse. I updated MBAM and ran the quick scan, the log follows.

When I ran ComboFix, I first got the message in the attached screenshot about a rootkit. After ComboFix deleted that (it took awhile), it asked me to restart, which I did and ran it again. The log is also below.

When I tried to run DDS again, I got an error about "illegal operation attempted on a registry key that has been marked for deletion." I got this error on everything I tried to open. I was logged in as Administrator, so I logged in to another user account and was able to run DDS. That log is also below.

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.50.1.1100

www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: 6463

Windows 6.0.6002 Service Pack 2

Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.19048

4/28/2011 10:50:56 AM

mbam-log-2011-04-28 (10-50-56).txt

Scan type: Quick scan

Objects scanned: 166120

Time elapsed: 7 minute(s), 56 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0

Memory Modules Infected: 0

Registry Keys Infected: 0

Registry Values Infected: 0

Registry Data Items Infected: 0

Folders Infected: 0

Files Infected: 0

Memory Processes Infected:

(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:

(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:

(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Infected:

(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:

(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:

(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:

(No malicious items detected)

ComboFix 11-04-27.03 - Administrator 04/28/2011 11:27:17.1.2 - x86

Microsoft

[screen317]

Hi,

If you reboot your computer, the error should go away.

Next, please run a free online scan with the ESET Online Scanner

Note: You will need to use Internet Explorer for this scan.

1. Tick the box next to YES, I accept the Terms of Use.
   
2. Click Start
   
3. When asked, allow the ActiveX control to install
   
4. Click Start
   
5. Make sure that the options Remove found threats and the option Scan unwanted applications is checked
   
6. Click Scan
   Wait for the scan to finish
   
7. Use Notepad to open the logfile located at C:\Program Files\EsetOnlineScanner\log.txt
   
8. Copy and paste that log as a reply to this topic
   

Next, download my Security Check from here or here.

• Save it to your Desktop.
  
• Double click SecurityCheck.exe and follow the onscreen instructions inside of the black box.
  
• A Notepad document should open automatically called checkup.txt; please post the contents of that document.
  

Let me know how things are running now and what issues remain.

-screen317

[Hettie]

The ESET and Security Check logs are below.

As of now, we have the following improvements:

speed better

no more error messages

no more hijacked google searches

no more random sounds

My files and folders are still hidden. Is there a way to get them to show up again or is it safe to do that yet?

Thank you!

ESETSmartInstaller@High as CAB hook log:

OnlineScanner.ocx - registred OK

# version=7

# iexplore.exe=8.00.6001.18702 (longhorn_ie8_rtm(wmbla).090308-0339)

# OnlineScanner.ocx=1.0.0.6427

# api_version=3.0.2

# EOSSerial=39b7a44fcb1dd5459aacab35582451f3

# end=finished

# remove_checked=true

# archives_checked=false

# unwanted_checked=true

# unsafe_checked=false

# antistealth_checked=true

# utc_time=2011-04-30 03:39:06

# local_time=2011-04-29 11:39:06 (-0500, Eastern Daylight Time)

# country="United States"

# lang=9

# osver=6.0.6002 NT Service Pack 2

# compatibility_mode=1797 16775165 100 94 0 39728437 57668 0

# compatibility_mode=5892 16776574 100 100 0 140739143 0 0

# compatibility_mode=8192 67108863 100 0 0 0 0 0

# scanned=148598

# found=0

# cleaned=0

# scan_time=3257

Results of screen317's Security Check version 0.99.10

Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (UAC is enabled)

Internet Explorer 8

``````````````````````````````

Antivirus/Firewall Check:

Windows Firewall Disabled!

Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus

ESET Online Scanner v3

WMI entry may not exist for antivirus; attempting automatic update.

Avira successfully updated!

```````````````````````````````

Anti-malware/Other Utilities Check:

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

Java 6 Update 23

Java 6 Update 7

Out of date Java installed!

Adobe Flash Player

Adobe Reader 9.4.3

Out of date Adobe Reader installed!

Mozilla Firefox (x86 en-US..)

````````````````````````````````

Process Check:

objlist.exe by Laurent

Avira Antivir avgnt.exe

Avira Antivir avguard.exe

``````````End of Log````````````

[screen317]

Hi,

Please download Unhide.exe by Grinler and save it to your Desktop.

Run it, then restart your computer.

Navigate to Start --> Run, and type Combofix /uninstall in the box that appears. Click OK afterward. Notice the space between the X and the /uninstall

This uninstalls all of ComboFix's components.

Delete SecurityCheck.

After that, navigate to Start --> Control Panel --> Add or Remove Programs, and uninstall the following program (if present):

Java

[Hettie]

I have followed the latest instructions. Everything seems to be running normally and I haven't noticed any lingering issues.

Thank you again!

[screen317]

Great!

I highly recommend the PRO version of MBAM; with it, it's likely that this issue would have been prevented in the first place.

Now that your computer seems to be in proper working order, please take the following steps to help prevent reinfection:

1) Download and install Javacool's SpywareBlaster, which will prevent malware from being installed on your computer. A tutorial on it can be found here.

2) Go to Windows Update frequently to get all of the latest updates (security or otherwise) for Windows.

3) Make sure your programs are up to date! Older versions may contain security risks. To find out what programs need to be updated, please run Secunia's Software Inspector.

4) WOT, Web of Trust, warns you about risky websites that try to scam visitors, deliver malware or send spam. Protect your computer against online threats by using WOT as your front-line layer of protection 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:

• Green to go
  
• Yellow for caution
  
• Red to stop
  

WOT has an addon available for both Firefox and IE.

5) Be sure to update your Antivirus and Antispyware programs often!

Finally, please also take the time to read Tony Klein's excellent article on: So How Did I Get Infected in the First Place?

Safe surfing,

-screen317