TechSpot - PC Technology News and Analysis

I hope that it is okay I am posting this, Google showed me a person with a similar problem getting help so I am assuming this is the right place... I'm almost at a loss here (but not quite yet). I honestly don't know where this spyware came from for once, but this is one vicious bug that seems indestructible.

I had SpySweeper (been great up till now) and recently downloaded AdAware and Spybot S&D. All three of them detect Virtumonde and pathetically attempt to restore it, but it just keeps coming back after a restart. SpyBot even did a run before Windows started (it seemed) and looked like it got rid of it... I still got about 5 errors that a .dll was not found. Later Windows Explorer encountered and error and needed to restart (I have Vista), after that the bastard was back (I can tell because it brings my internet to a crawl).

I even found some program specifically for removing Virtumonde, and it couldn't even find it... which was really wierd...

I saw some posts about AVG Free and Hijack this, so I downloaded them from a different computer and put them on my computer using a USB Drive. You can view the log file here:

zaletanski dot com / hj.txt

(can't post links wtf?)

AVG is downloading extremely slowly for some reason so I will try to get a log from that (or whatever) later tonight or tommarow, but I have to go for now. Any help to get rid of this will be extremely appreciated!

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

• Please download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware to your desktop.
  
• Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
• At the end, be sure a checkmark is placed next to
  • Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
  • and Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
• then click Finish.
• If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
• Once the program has loaded, select Perform full scan, then click Scan.
• When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
• Be sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
• When completed, a log will open in Notepad. please attach this log with your reply
  • If you accidently close it, the log file is saved here and will be named like this:
  • C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Application Data\Malwarebytes\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\Logs\mbam-log-date (time).txt

First off I'm sorry this took so long to reply, it was hardly the tonight or tomnarow deadline I set for myself. I got AVG running, and Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware like you suggested, and they are both following the "hay I see it, but when I delete it the damn thing just keeps coming back!" trend.

I attached the Malwarebytes logfile as you asked. I don't know how much help it will be, this is the most viscous thing I have ever seen. It seems like there are 2 trojans and the virtumonde thing that are on the computer. I think I need to uninstall AVG because it keeps seeing the other anti-spyware things as threats....

On startup I get 3 'cannot find X.dll' error messages now, which is an improvement, but whatever is trying to execute them in the first place is still screwing me over.

As I said before, it is preety messed up, any help is going to be greatly appreciated.

Attached Files

mbam-log-5-18-2008 (15-33-43).txt (1.6 KB, 1 views)

No worries, we can clean it up

Highjackthis Instructions

• Make sure you have the LATEST version of HJT (currently v2.0.0.2) it can be downloaded from HERE
• Run the HijackThis Installer and it will automatically place HJT in C:\Program Files\TrendMicro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe. Please don't change the directory.
• After installing, the program launches automatically, select Scan now and save a log
• After the scan is complete please attach your log onto the forums using the paper clip icon above your reply.

Okay here's the updated log file.

Attached Files

hijackthis.log (9.2 KB, 2 views)

From the looks of your log you uninstalled AVG but didn't delete the associated folders so I am including this in my instructions, if you did not delete AVG then disregard that part.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Update your Java Runtime Environment

• Click the following link
  Java Runtime Environment 6 Update 6
• The 5th option down is the one you want (click Download)
• Check the box to agree to terms of service
• Check the box for your operating system and click 'Download selected'at the bottom
• After the install Go to Start-> Control Panel-> add/remove programs (Programs and features), and uninstall any old versions
• Navigate to C:\programfiles\Java -> delete any subfolders except the jre1.6.0_06 folder

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You may want to copy and paste this into notepad and save to your desktop to have while in safe mode
Please re-open HiJackThis and scan. Check the boxes next to all the entries listed below.

O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgssie.dll (file missing)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {DD1425D8-DC79-42CB-9D13-98434010C3A1} - C:\Windows\system32\ssqpNDtR.dll (file missing)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [14ab4cb8] "rundll32.exe" "C:\Windows\system32\umyaljwa.dll",b

Now close all windows other than HiJackThis, then click Fix Checked. Close HiJackThis. Reboot into safe mode.

Restart your computer and as soon as it starts booting up again continuously tap F8. A menu should come up where you will be given the option to enter Safe Mode.

Please go to Start > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs and remove the following (if present):

AVG

Please note any other programs that you don't recognize in that list in your next response.

Using Windows Explorer (to get there right-click your Start button and go to "Explore"), please delete these folders (if present):

C:\Program Files\AVG

Using Windows Explorer (to get there right-click your Start button and go to "Explore"), please delete these files (if present):

C:\Windows\system32\ssqpNDtR.dll
C:\Windows\system32\umyaljwa.dll

After that, Reboot, and post a new HijackThis log here in a reply

I did uninstall AVG, and there was no folder or anything left over to delete. Thanks for the instructions! It looks like its getting better if not solved because there's no more error(s) on startup!

New log file attached.

Attached Files

hijackthis.log (8.9 KB, 1 views)

yep looks much better but lets get a 2nd opinion from an online scan just to be safe

Run Kaspersky Online AV Scanner

Order to use it you have to use Internet Explorer.
Go to Kaspersky and click the Accept button at the end of the page.

Note for Internet Explorer 7 users: If at any time you have trouble with the accept button of the licence, click on the Zoom tool located at the right bottom of the IE window and set the zoom to 75 %. Once the license accepted, reset to 100%.

• Read the Requirements and limitations before you click Accept.
• Allow the ActiveX download if necessary.
• Once the database has downloaded, click Next.
• Click Scan Settings and change the "Scan using the following antivirus database" from standard to extended and then click OK.
• Click on "My Computer"
• When the scan has completed, click Save Report As...
• Enter a name for the file in the Filename: text box and then click the down arrow to the right of Save as type: and select text file (*.txt)
• Click Save - by default the file will be saved to your Desktop, but you can change this if you wish.

Attach the report into your next reply

Attached Kaspersky logfile.

Attached Files

kasperskylog.txt (66.3 KB, 1 views)

The only thing on there is an infection in your internet cache. We need to clean up temp files any way so we can do this then clean up.

Download and Run ATF Cleaner
Download ATF Cleaner by Atribune to your desktop.

Double-click ATF Cleaner.exe to open it.

Under Main choose:
Windows Temp
Current User Temp
All Users Temp
Cookies
Temporary Internet Files
Prefetch
Java Cache
*The other boxes are optional*
Then click the Empty Selected button.

Firefox or Opera:
Click Firefox or Opera at the top and choose: Select All
Click the Empty Selected button.
NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click NO at the prompt.

Click Exit on the Main menu to close the program.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Manually clear cache

• Open an Explorer folder window (for example, double-click My Computer).
• From the Explorer menu select Tools | Folder Options | View. Make sure that you have checked the box next to "Show hidden files and folders" and uncheck "Hide protected operating system files".
• Start Internet Explorer and click Tools | Internet Options | General tab | Settings | View Files.
• IE should have opened up a folder window, typically viewing a folder with the name of C:\Windows\Temporary Internet Files. Put your cursor in the Address area of the folder window and add the name \content.ie5 to the name, so in our example the Address bar would now read c:\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\content.ie5.
• You should see a series of folders with random eight-character names like ADOZMZS1. Delete each of these randomly named folders. You may get an error that some files are in use, this is normal if you are currently at a web site since those files are in the cache. Hold down the Shift key when deleting the files so they do not go to the Recycle Bin.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now that you are clean, please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:

1. Set correct settings for files
   • Click Start > My Computer > Tools menu (at top of page) > Folder Options > View tab.
   • Under "Hidden files and folders" if necessary select Do not show hidden files and folders.
   • If unchecked please check Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)
   • If necessary check "Display content of system folders"
   • If necessary Uncheck Hide file extensions for known file types.
   • Click OK
   
   clear system restore points
   • This is a good time to clear your existing system restore points and establish a new clean restore point:
     • Go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore
     • Select Create a restore point, and Ok it.
     • Next, go to Start > Run and type in cleanmgr
     • Select the More options tab
     • Choose the option to clean up system restore and OK it.
     This will remove all restore points except the new one you just created.
   
   
2. Make your Internet Explorer more secure - This can be done by following these simple instructions:
   1. From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.
   2. Click once on the Security tab
   3. Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
   4. Click once on the Custom Level button.
      1. Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt
         
      2. Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable
         
      3. Change the Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to Disable
         
      4. Change the Installation of desktop items to Prompt
         
      5. Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
         
      6. Change the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt
         
      7. When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.
         
      8. If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the Yes button.
   5. Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the Internet Properties page.
3. Use an AntiVirus Software - It is very important that your computer has an anti-virus software running on your machine. This alone can save you a lot of trouble with malware in the future.
   
   See this link for a listing of some online & their stand-alone antivirus programs:
   
   Virus, Spyware, and Malware Protection and Removal Resources
   
   
4. Update your AntiVirus Software - It is imperitive that you update your Antivirus software at least once a week (Even more if you wish). If you do not update your antivirus software then it will not be able to catch any of the new variants that may come out.
   
   
5. Use a Firewall - I can not stress how important it is that you use a Firewall on your computer. Without a firewall your computer is succeptible to being hacked and taken over. I am very serious about this and see it happen almost every day with my clients. Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly.
   
   For a tutorial on Firewalls and a listing of some available ones see the link below:
   
   Understanding and Using Firewalls
   
   
6. Visit Microsoft's Windows Update Site Frequently - It is important that you visit http://www.windowsupdate.com regularly. This will ensure your computer has always the latest security updates available installed on your computer. If there are new updates to install, install them immediately, reboot your computer, and revisit the site until there are no more critical updates.
   
   
7. Install Spybot - Search and Destroy - Install and download Spybot - Search and Destroy with its TeaTimer option. This will provide realtime spyware & hijacker protection on your computer alongside your virus protection. You should also scan your computer with program on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software.
   
   A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
   
   Using Spybot - Search & Destroy to remove Spyware , Malware, and Hijackers
   
   
8. Install Ad-Aware - Install and download Ad-Aware. ou should also scan your computer with program on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software in conjunction with Spybot.
   
   A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
   
   Using Ad-aware to remove Spyware, Malware, & Hijackers from Your Computer
   
   
9. Install SpywareBlaster - SpywareBlaster will added a large list of programs and sites into your Internet Explorer settings that will protect you from running and downloading known malicious programs.
   
   A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
   
   Using SpywareBlaster to protect your computer from Spyware and Malware
   
   
10. Update all these programs regularly - Make sure you update all the programs I have listed 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.

here are some additional utilities that will enhance your safety

• IE/Spyad <= IE/Spyad places over 4000 websites and domains in the IE Restricted list which will severely impair attempts to infect your system. It basically prevents any downloads (Cookies etc) from the sites listed, although you will still be able to connect to the sites.
• MVPS Hosts file <= The MVPS Hosts file replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well know ad sites etc. Basically, this prevents your coputer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1 which is your local computer
• Google Toolbar <= Get the free google toolbar to help stop pop up windows.
• Winpatrol <= Download and install the free version of Winpatrol. a tutorial for this product is located here:
  Using Winpatrol to protect your computer from malicious software