[Not curable - Ramnit] Zbot.g issue on Windows XP

Pretty stubborn stuff.

Let's check something...

Please run a free online scan with the ESET Online Scanner

• Disable your antivirus program
• Tick the box next to YES, I accept the Terms of Use
• Click Start
• IMPORTANT! UN-check Remove found threats
• Accept any security warnings from your browser.
• Check Scan archives
• Click Start
• 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 List of found threats
• Click on Export to text file , and save the file to your desktop using a unique name, such as ESETScan. Include the contents of this report in your next reply.

Download following tool.
Disconnect from the internet (VERY IMPORTANT!)

Please click HERE to download Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool.

• Double click on the file you just downloaded and let it install.
• It will install to your desktop (be patient; it may take a while).
• Accept license agreement and click "Start" button.
• Click on Settings button
  • In Scan scope leave pre-checked items as they're and also checkmark My Computer
  • In Actions checkmark Select action: (disinfect; delete if disinfection fails) instead of preselected Prompt on detection
• Click on Automatic Scan tab and then click on Start scanning button.
• Before it is done it may prompt for action regardless of the setting so choose delete if prompted.
• When the scan is done NO log will be produced.
• Click on Report button then on Automatic Scan report tab.
• Right click anywhere within right pane, click Select All then right click again and click Copy.
• This will copy the items that it found to the clipboard you can then open notepad (go to start then run then type in notepad) and choose paste to paste the contents into Notepad.
• You can save this on the desktop.
• Post the contents of the document in your next reply.

Download it on another computer and transfer the file to "bad" computer using USB flash drive.

I'm afraid I have very bad news.

You're infected with Ramnit file infector virus.

Win32/Ramnit.A is a file infector with IRCBot functionality which infects .exe, and .HTML/HTM files, and opens a back door that compromises your computer. Using this backdoor, a remote attacker can access and instruct the infected computer to download and execute more malicious files. The infected .HTML or .HTM files may be detected as Virus:VBS/Ramnit.A. Win32/Ramnit.A!dll is a related file infector often seen with this infection. It too has IRCBot functionality which infects .exe, .dll and .HTML/HTM files and opens a back door that compromises your computer. This component is injected into the default web browser by Worm:Win32/Ramnit.A which is dropped by a Ramnit infected executable file.

-- Note: As with most malware infections, the threat name may be different depending on the anti-virus or anti-malware program which detected it. Each security vendor uses their own naming conventions to identify various types of malware.

• Understanding virus names
• Threat aliases for Win32/Ramnit.A

With this particular infection the safest solution and only sure way to remove it effectively is to reformat and reinstall the OS.

Why? The malware injects code in legitimate files similar to the Virut virus and in many cases the infected files (which could number in the thousands) cannot be disinfected properly by your anti-virus. When disinfection is attempted, the files often become corrupted and the system may become unstable or irreparable. The longer Ramnit.A remains on a computer, the more files it infects and corrupts so the degree of infection can vary.

Ramnit is commonly spread via a flash drive (usb, pen, thumb, jump) infection where it copies Worm:Win32/Ramnit.A with a random file name. The infection is often contracted by visiting remote, crack and keygen sites. These type of sites are infested with a smörgåsbord of malware and a major source of system infection.

In my opinion, Ramnit.A is not effectively disinfectable, so your best option is to perform a full reformat as there is no guarantee this infection can be completely removed. In most instances it may have caused so much damage to your system files that it cannot be completely cleaned or repaired. Further, your machine has likely been compromised by the backdoor Trojan and there is no way to be sure the computer can ever be trusted again. It is dangerous and incorrect to assume the computer is secure even if your anti-virus reports that the malware appears to have been removed.

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?
• Where to draw the line? When to recommend a format and reinstall?

Backdoors and What They Mean to You

This is what Jesper M. Johansson at Microsoft TechNet has to say: Help: I Got Hacked. Now What Do I Do?.

Important Note:: If your computer was used for online banking, has credit card information or other sensitive data on it, you should disconnect from the Internet until your system is cleaned. All passwords should be changed immediately to to include those used for banking, email, eBay, paypal and any online activities which require a username and password. You should consider them to be compromised. You should change each password using a clean computer and not the infected one. If not, an attacker may get the new passwords and transaction information. Banking and credit card institutions should be notified of the possible security breach. Failure to notify your financial institution and local law enforcement can result in refusal to reimburse funds lost due to fraud or similar criminal activity.