Greetings,

It appears that a nasty malware program is redirecting my Google search results (advertisement websites) and causing Internet Explorer 8 to crash frequently. I've battled with this thing for a few days now but I haven't found the culprit. I'm running Windows 7 and have Norton AntiVirus 2010 installed. Attached are my log files. Please advise.

Thanks in advance,
Dustin

Attached Files

	Malwarebytes Scan.txt (853 Bytes, 2 views)
	SUPERAntiSpyware Scan.log (1.1 KB, 2 views)
	hijackthis.log (9.6 KB, 4 views)

Please download ComboFix from Here or Here to your Desktop.

**Note: In the event you already have Combofix, this is a new version that I need you to download. It is important that it is saved directly to your desktop**

1. Please, never rename Combofix unless instructed.
2. Close any open browsers.
3. Close/disable all anti virus and anti malware programs so they do not interfere with the running of ComboFix.
   • Very Important! Temporarily disable your anti-virus, script blocking and any anti-malware real-time protection before performing a scan. They can interfere with ComboFix or remove some of its embedded files which may cause "unpredictable results".
   • Click on this link to see a list of programs that should be disabled. The list is not all inclusive. If yours is not listed and you don't know how to disable it, please ask.
   NOTE1. If Combofix asks you to install Recovery Console, please allow it.
   NOTE 2. If Combofix asks you to update the program, always do so.
   • Close any open browsers.
   • WARNING: Combofix will disconnect your machine from the Internet as soon as it starts
   • Please do not attempt to re-connect your machine back to the Internet until Combofix has completely finished.
   • If there is no internet connection after running Combofix, then restart your computer to restore back your connection.
4. Double click on combofix.exe & follow the prompts.
5. When finished, it will produce a report for you.
6. Please post the "C:\ComboFix.txt" along with a new HijackThis log for further review.

**Note: Do not mouseclick combofix's window while it's running. That may cause it to stall**

Make sure, you re-enable your security programs, when you're done with Combofix.

DO NOT make any other changes to your computer (like installing programs, using other cleaning tools, etc.), until it's officially declared clean!!!

Hey Broni,

Sorry for the late reponse, but mysteriously I'm not getting any google redirects today! I wonder if those Microsoft updates I applied last night had something to do with it... Anyways, should I still run ComboFix?

Thanks,
Dustin

Actually, I spoke too soon...that time the redirecting took longer than it usually does to kick in. Attached is the log from ComboFix.

Attached Files

ComboFix.txt (28.8 KB, 1 views)

You're running two AV programs, Avast and Norton.
One of them has to go. I suggest, Norton goes.
If so, use Norton Removal Tool: http://service1.symantec.com/Support...05033108162039

1. Please open Notepad

• Click Start , then Run
• Type notepad .exe in the Run Box.

2. Now copy/paste the entire content of the codebox below into the Notepad window:


3. Save the above as CFScript.txt

4. Then drag the CFScript.txt into ComboFix.exe as depicted in the animation below. This will start ComboFix again.




5. After reboot, (in case it asks to reboot), please post the following reports/logs into your next reply:

• Combofix.txt
• A new HijackThis log.

Hi Broni,

Attached are the new ComboFix and Hijackthis logs.

Thanks!
Dustin

Attached Files

	ComboFix_2.txt (32.9 KB, 1 views)
	hijackthis_2.log (8.4 KB, 1 views)

You didn't follow my instructions:

I uninstalled Avast from my system using the control panel, but there may be some remnants of it. I see there's still a folder under 'Program Files' that I can delete if needed. I removed Avast because I already paid for a Norton subscription.

Fair enough.
Yes, you can remove Avast folder.
How is redirection issue?

Peace at last!

Thanks a ton, Broni!

I assume, you're not redirected anymore?
If so, we need to perform couple more steps to finish cleaning process.

Uninstall Combofix:
Go Start > Run [Vista users, go Start>"Start search"]
Type in:
Combofix /Uninstall
Note the space between the "Combofix" and the "/Uninstall"
Click OK (Vista users - press Enter).
Restart computer.

====================================================================

1. Download Temp File Cleaner (TFC)
Double click on TFC.exe to run the program.
Click on Start button to begin cleaning process.
TFC will close all running programs, and it may ask you to restart computer.


2. Go to Kaspersky website and perform an online antivirus scan.

1. Disable your active antivirus program.
2. Read through the requirements and privacy statement and click on Accept button.
3. It will start downloading and installing the scanner and virus definitions. You will be prompted to install an application from Kaspersky. Click Run.
4. When the downloads have finished, click on Settings.
5. Make sure these boxes are checked (ticked). If they are not, please tick them and click on the Save button:

• Spyware, Adware, Dialers, and other potentially dangerous programs
• Archives
• Mail databases

6. Click on My Computer under Scan.
7. Once the scan is complete, it will display the results. Click on View Scan Report.
8. You will see a list of infected items there. Click on Save Report As....
9. Save this report to a convenient place. Change the Files of type to Text file (.txt) before clicking on the Save button. Then post it here.

Post fresh HijackThis log as well.

Broni,

Sorry for the delayed response...the redirecting issue still hasn't returned so I believe we're finished. Here are the Kaspersky and updated Hijackthis logs.

Thanks again,
Dustin

Attached Files

	KASPERSKY.txt (632 Bytes, 1 views)
	hijackthis_3.txt (8.8 KB, 1 views)

I'm glad to hear it


Your computer is clean

1. Turn off System Restore:

- Windows XP:
1. Click Start.
2. Right-click the My Computer icon, and then click Properties.
3. Click the System Restore tab.
4. Check "Turn off System Restore".
5. Click Apply.
6. When turning off System Restore, the existing restore points will be deleted. Click Yes to do this.
7. Click OK.
- Windows Vista and 7:
1. Click Start.
2. Right-click the Computer icon, and then click Properties.
3. Click on System Protection under the Tasks column on the left side
4. Click on Continue on the "User Account Control" window that pops up
5. Under the System Protection tab, find Available Disks
6. Uncheck the box for any drive you wish to disable system restore on (in most cases, drive "C:")
7. When turning off System Restore, the existing restore points will be deleted. Click "Turn System Restore Off" on the popup window to do this.
8. Click OK

2. Restart computer.

3. Turn System Restore on.

4. Make sure, Windows Updates are current.

5. If any Trojan was listed among your infection(s), make sure, you change all of your on-line important passwords (bank account(s), secured web sites, etc.) immediately!

6. Download, and install WOT (Web OF Trust): http://www.mywot.com/. It'll warn you (in most cases) about dangerous web sites.

7. Run defrag at your convenience.

8. Read How did I get infected?, With steps so it does not happen again!: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic2520.html

9. Please, let me know, how is your computer doing.