Solved Infected by Gmail message - unknown source

[Kobiz]

Hi Everybody,

I'm new to the forum and need help.

on Friday, July 4, I received an email to my gmail account saying that I'm part of a new test group, asking for a feedback. I don't know why or how by it managed to change my opening page and my start page on my Windows 8.1 OS to BLACK ON WHITE. When I refused, it just did it anyway, and now not only is my opening page Black on White, every time I try to open my Chrome browser, I can't and have to restart my computer. When I do manage to open my browser I get the message that "This browser did not shut properly". Not only that but when I try to look for "System restore", the computer will not respond. It doesn't give me access to Windows Defender as well.
I have Malwarebytes Pro, CCleaner and AVG. I ran them all, but to no avail. I managed to find some Pups on the first run and removed them, but the problem continues.
I would very much appreciate your kind help

Much Obliged,

Kobi.

 

[Superdave1941]

Hello and welcome to TechSpot.com My name is Dave. I will be helping you out with your particular problem on your computer.
1. I will be working on your Malware issues. This may or may not solve other issues you have with your machine.
2. The fixes are specific to your problem and should only be used for this issue on this machine.
3. If you don't know or understand something, please don't hesitate to ask.
4. Please DO NOT run any other tools or scans while I am helping you.
5. It is important that you reply to this thread. Do not start a new topic.
6. Your security programs may give warnings for some of the tools I will ask you to use. Be assured, any links I give are safe.
7. Absence of symptoms does not mean that everything is clear.
If you can't access the internet with your infected computer you will have to download and transfer any programs to the computer you're using now and transfer them to the infected computer with a CD-RW or a USB storage device. I prefer a CD because a storage device can get infected. If you use a storage device hold the shift key down while inserting the USB storage device for about 10 secs. You will also have to transfer the logs you receive back to the good computer using the same method until we can get the computer back on-line.
*************************************************************************
Windows 8 comes with its own AV called Windows Defender. If you're going to use AVG you should make sure that Windows Defender is disabled.
Please download AdwCleaner by Xplode onto your Desktop.
Before starting AdwCleaner, close all open programs and internet browsers, then double-click on the AdwCleaner icon.

If Windows prompts you as to whether or not you wish to run AdwCleaner, please allow it to run.
When the AdwCleaner program will open, click on the Scan button as shown below.

AdwCleaner will now start to search for malicious files that may be installed on your computer.
To remove the files that were detected in the previous step, please click on the Clean button.

AdwCleaner will now prompt you to save any open files or data as the program will need to reboot the computer. Please do so and then click on the OK button. AdwCleaner will now delete all detected adware from your computer. When it is done it will display an alert that explains what PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs) and Adware are. Please read through this information and then press the OK button. You will now be presented with an alert that states AdwCleaner needs to reboot your computer.
Please click on the OK button to allow AdwCleaner reboot your computer.A log will be produced. Please copy and paste this log in your next reply.
*********************************************
Malwarebytes' Anti-Rootkit
Please download Malwarebytes' Anti-Rootkit and save it to your desktop.

• Be sure to print out and follow the instructions provided on that same page for performing a scan.
• Caution: This is a beta version so also read the disclaimer and back up all your data before using.
• When the scan completes, click on the Cleanup button to remove any threats found and reboot the computer if prompted to do so.
• Perform another scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit to verify that no threats remain. If they do, then click Cleanup once more and repeat the process.
• If there are problems with Internet access, Windows Update, Windows Firewall or other system issues, run the fixdamage tool located in the folder Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit was run from and reboot your computer.
• Two files (mbar-log-YYYY-MM-DD, system-log.txt) will be created and saved within that same folder.
• Copy and paste the contents of these two log files in your next reply.

*************************************************
Please download Junkware Removal Tool to your desktop.
•Warning! Once the scan is complete JRT will shut down your browser with NO warning.
•Shut down your protection software now to avoid potential conflicts.
•Temporarily disable your Antivirus and any Antispyware real time protection before performing a scan. Click this link to see a list of security programs that should be disabled and how to disable them.
•Run the tool by double-clicking it. If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7, right-click JRT and select Run as Administrator
•The tool will open and start scanning your system.
•Please be patient as this can take a while to complete depending on your system's specifications.
•On completion, a log (JRT.txt) is saved to your desktop and will automatically open.
•Copy and Paste the JRT.txt log into your next message.
**********************************************
Download Security Check by screen317 from one of the following links and save it to your desktop.
Link 1
Link 2
* Double-click Security Check.bat
* Follow the on-screen instructions inside of the black box.
* A Notepad document should open automatically called checkup.txt
* Post the contents of that document in your next reply.
Note: If a security program requests permission from dig.exe to access the Internet, allow it to do so.

 

[Kobiz]

Hi Dave, Thank you so much for taking he time to help me.

I followed your instructions to the letter. It all ran fine except the last stage. When I run the security checkup, the black window appears and instructs me to press any key to continue. But when I do, it states (on a Notepad file) "UNSUPPORTED OPERATING SYSTEM! ABORTED!", which doesn't make sense, since my OS is Windows 8.1. I downloaded the program from both links that you gave me, both of the yield the same results.

The log which you requested from JTR is:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Junkware Removal Tool (JRT) by Thisisu
Version: 6.1.4 (04.06.2014:1)
OS: Windows 8.1 x64
Ran by kobi on Mon 07/07/2014 at 5:30:59.03
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~




~~~ Services



~~~ Registry Values



~~~ Registry Keys



~~~ Files



~~~ Folders

Successfully deleted: [Folder] "C:\ProgramData\boost_interprocess"
Successfully deleted: [Folder] "C:\Program Files (x86)\myfree codec"



~~~ Event Viewer Logs were cleared





~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scan was completed on Mon 07/07/2014 at 5:38:53.84
End of JRT log
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The problems I encountered (and still do) are: My opening window (where the clock is, and the window in which I am required to punch in my password) are now BLACK with white writing on them. Another problem was that my Chrome browser was disabled. I used a TOR browser to follow your instructions.

I hope that this solved the problem, but if there is anything else that needs to be done, please don't hesitate to instruct me.

Much Obliged,

Kobi

 

[Kobiz]

Hi Dave,

An update. I restarted my computer. The Black screens are still there, and my chrome browser is disabled. I tried to uninstall it, but it wouldn't let me. It stated to close all browser windows that wee open, but non of the were.

I ran the security check, and this time it did run, and gave me this log:
Results of screen317's Security Check version 0.99.85
x64 (UAC is enabled)
Internet Explorer 11
``````````````Antivirus/Firewall Check:``````````````
Windows Firewall Enabled!
AVG AntiVirus Free Edition 2014
Windows Defender
Antivirus up to date!
`````````Anti-malware/Other Utilities Check:`````````
Java 7 Update 55
Java version out of Date!
Adobe Reader XI
Google Chrome 35.0.1916.114
Google Chrome 35.0.1916.153
````````Process Check: objlist.exe by Laurent````````
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware mbamservice.exe
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware mbam.exe
AVG avgwdsvc.exe
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware mbamscheduler.exe
`````````````````System Health check`````````````````
Total Fragmentation on Drive C: %
````````````````````End of Log``````````````````````

The virus is still there. I don't know hat it is, but itmanages to avoid all the programs I ran which you gave me, and the Malwarebytws Pro, Ccleaner and AVG that I used.

Thanks again for your help,

kobi

 

[Superdave1941]

the black window appears and instructs me to press any key to continue. But when I do, it states (on a Notepad file) "UNSUPPORTED OPERATING SYSTEM! ABORTED!", which doesn't make sense, since my OS is Windows 8.1

Security Check has kept up with the newer versions of Windows.
Did you read my warning about two AV's on your computer. They can cause conflicts.
Update Your Java (JRE)
Old versions of Java have vulnerabilities that malware can use to infect your system.
First Verify your Java Version
If there are any other version(s) installed then update now.
Get the new version (if needed)
If your version is out of date install the newest version of the Sun Java Runtime Environment.
Note: UNCHECK any pre-checked toolbar and/or software offered with the Java update. The pre-checked toolbars/software are not part of the Java update.
Be sure to close ALL open web browsers before starting the installation.
Remove any old versions
1. Download JavaRa and unzip the file to your Desktop.
2. Open JavaRA.exe and choose Remove Older Versions
3. Once complete exit JavaRA.
Additional Note: The Java Quick Starter (JQS.exe) adds a service to improve the initial startup time of Java applets and applications. To disable the JQS service if you don't want to use it, go to Start > Control Panel > Java > Advanced > Miscellaneous and uncheck the box for Java Quick Starter. Click OK and reboot your computer.
***********************************************
Were you able to run MBAM rootkit scan?

 

[Kobiz]

Hi Dave,

I did run MBAM Rootkit and it came out clean, that I have no problems.

I re-installed Java using th links you sent m, but to no avail. the screens are still black and I can't uninstall or open my Chrome browser.

Worse. I can't access my system restore points.

I am afraid I'd have to reformat the whole computer.

Please suggest the best way to proceed.

Cheers,

Kobi

 

[Superdave1941]

I'd like to scan your machine with ESET OnlineScan
•Hold down Control and click on the following link to open ESET OnlineScan in a new window.
ESET OnlineScan
•Click the

button.
•For alternate browsers only: (Microsoft Internet Explorer users can skip these steps)

• Click on
  
  to download the ESET Smart Installer. Save it to your desktop.
• Double click on the
  
  icon on your desktop.

•Check

•Click the

button.
•Accept any security warnings from your browser.

• Leave the check mark next to Remove found threats.

•Check

•Push the Start button.
•ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer. Please be patient as this can take some time.
•When the scan completes, push

•Push

, and save the file to your desktop using a unique name, such as ESETScan. Include the contents of this report in your next reply.
•Push the

button.
•Push

A log file will be saved here: C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET Online Scanner\log.txt

 

[Kobiz]

It hasn't found anything significant.

Here's the log of the scan:

C:\Users\kobi\mp3rocket.exe a variant of Win32/InstallCore.D potentially unwanted application deleted - quarantined

But it definitely NOT my mp3rocket, which is 100% safe.

The infection is getting worse. Now all the windows I open and my start menu are turned to Black. I didn't warrant this change, nor can I reverse it. Worse I can't access my system restore. It finds the pages in my search, but when I press the links they won't open.

What should I do?

Kobi

 

[Superdave1941]

Download Combofix from any of the links below, and save it to your DESKTOP.
If your version of Windows defaults to you download folder you will need to copy it to your desktop.
Link 1
Link 2
Link 3
To prevent your anti-virus application interfering with ComboFix we need to disable it. See here for a tutorial regarding how to do so if you are unsure.

• Close any open windows and double click ComboFix.exe to run it.
  You will see the following image:

Click I Agree to start the program.
ComboFix will then extract the necessary files and you will see this:

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. This will not occur in Windows Vista and 7
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.
If you did not have it installed, you will see the prompt below. Choose YES.

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 will produce a report for you. Please post the contents of the log (C:\ComboFix.txt).
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 cause it to stall.

 

[Kobiz]

I downloaded this from all three links. whenever I try to run it I get the message ComboFix is not meant to run in 'Compatibility Mode'. The program shall now exit.
I disabled my AVG and my Malwarebytes, but it still doesn't run.

Help

 

[Superdave1941]

Try running it in Safe Mode.

 

[Kobiz]

I ran it in safe mode. It didn't work and gave me a window that said that 'this program is no longer compatible with Windows 2000' (I'm using Windows 8.1).

I think that the virus is Chrome oriented. I can't open Chrome, but when I use IE and install Chrome it works. When I shut it down, it either reopens with the message that 'this program was not shut down properly' or it won't open at all.

The other thing is that the background turns to Black on and off.

What can be done?

 

[Superdave1941]

I'd like to scan your machine with ESET OnlineScan
•Hold down Control and click on the following link to open ESET OnlineScan in a new window.
ESET OnlineScan
•Click the

button.
•For alternate browsers only: (Microsoft Internet Explorer users can skip these steps)

• Click on
  
  to download the ESET Smart Installer. Save it to your desktop.
• Double click on the
  
  icon on your desktop.

•Check

•Click the

button.
•Accept any security warnings from your browser.

• Leave the check mark next to Remove found threats.

•Check

•Push the Start button.
•ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer. Please be patient as this can take some time.
•When the scan completes, push

•Push

, and save the file to your desktop using a unique name, such as ESETScan. Include the contents of this report in your next reply.
•Push the

button.
•Push

A log file will be saved here: C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET Online Scanner\log.txt

 

[Kobiz]

I finished running it, again. No infected or quarantined files. I already ran it yesterday and it only fond one file which wasn't it.

 

[Superdave1941]

Ok, how's the computer running now? Any other issues?

 

[Kobiz]

No. Unfortunately nothing would remove the virus. I reformatted my computer. It's a long procedure, but karma. Thank you so very much for your time, help, patience and kind assistance.

Much Obliged,

Kobi

 

[Superdave1941]

You're welcome.