Very sluggish PC

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therreid

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My son's laptop seems terribly slow. We have McAfee on it but nothing for malware. I am concerned that being a typical teen, he is rather carelessand has either gotten some viruses or other malware on his PC that McAfee has missed.

I have run the Malwarebytes' program, ComboFix and HJT. The logs are attached. Could someone take a look and see if they spot any issues? He had also been running Limewire on it and I have taken that P2P program off. Any help would be appreciated.
 

Attachments

  • hijackthis1.txt
    8.2 KB · Views: 6
Not much really in there, all we really have to do is clean up a bit,

COMBOFIX-Script

  • Please open Notepad (Start -> Run -> type notepad in the Open field -> OK) and copy and paste the text present inside the code box below:

    Code: 
    Folder::
C:\Users\Colter\AppData\Roaming\LimeWire
C:\Program Files\LimeWire
  • Save this as CFScript.txt and change the "Save as type" to "All Files" and place it on your desktop.

    CFScript.gif

  • Very Important! Temporarily disable your anti-virus, script blocking and any anti-malware real-time protection before following the steps below. They can interfere with ComboFix or remove some of its embedded files which may cause "unpredictable results".
  • Referring to the screenshot above, drag CFScript.txt into ComboFix.exe.
  • ComboFix will now run a scan on your system. It may reboot your system when it finishes. This is normal.
  • When finished, it shall produce a log for you. Copy and paste the contents of the log in your next reply.
CAUTION: Do not mouse-click ComboFix's window while it is running. That may cause it to stall.


Please download ATF Cleaner by Atribune.

  • Double-click ATF-Cleaner.exe to run the program.
    Under Main choose: Select All
    Click the Empty Selected button.
If you use Firefox browser
  • Click Firefox 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.
If you use Opera browser
  • Click 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.
For Technical Support, double-click the e-mail address located at the bottom of each menu.

  • Open a 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.

Download and Install SuperAntiSpyware Free
  • Launch SuperAntiSpyware
  • Click Check for Updates and update to the latest definitions.
  • Click Scan your Computer
    • Check all boxes in the Scan Location box.
    • Check the Complete Scan radio button.
    • Click Scanning Preferences/Control Centre button.
      • Uncheck Ignore files larger than 4MB (recommended)
      • Check Scan Alternate Data Streams.
      • Click Close.
    • Click Next
  • SuperAntiSpyware will now scan your computer for infection. (This could take in excess of an hour depending on the number of files scanned)
  • When finished it will present you with a summary of its findings.
  • Click OK.
  • The Removal Screen will open.
    • Check the items in the list to mark them for Quarantine.
    • Click Next and SAS will Quarantine them.
Please send me the log.
  • Click the Preferences button.
    • Click the Statistics/Logs tab.
      • Logs are listed by date and time, click on the latest one to highlight it (at the top).
      • Click View log.
    • This will open a log page.
    • Attach it here please.
CAUTION: SuperAntiSpyware comes with a programme called Bootsafe, do not for any reason use this programme, if used on an infected computer it could render it UNBOOTABLE.

Update your Java Runtime Environment
  • First try going to Start -> Control Panel -> double click Java
  • Select the Update TAb at the top
  • Click the Check for Updates button at the bottom
  • If it finds the newer version (Java 6 Update 5) Follow the on screen instructions
  • After it installs the newest version Go back to Control Panel -> Add/remove programs
  • Uninstall any older versions of Java

If for some reason you couldn't update through the above instructions.
  • Click the following link
    Java Runtime Environment 6 Update 5
  • The 4th 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_05 folder
 
I ran the ComboFix with the script and then the Super Anti Spyware. The anti Spyware application turned up something like 272 tracking cookies. I also saw some "sex" cookies on the scan and so I will be having a chat with my son about whether he is getting this laptop back or not. He must have been surfing some porn sites since that stuff turned up. Would those cookies bog down the computer?

Thanks again for all your help and advice!!!
 
they would take up some space but not a lot, lets see what else may be in there

: Download and Run DSS

Download Deckard's System Scanner (DSS) to your Desktop. You must be logged onto an account with administrator privileges.
  • Close all applications and windows.
  • Double-click on dss.exe to run it, and follow the prompts.
  • When the scan is complete, two text files will open - main.txt <- this one will be maximized and extra.txt<- this one will be minimized.
  • Attach the main.txt and the extra.txt in your reply.
 
OK, DSS was run as administrator with Mcafee disabled. Logs are attached. Again, thanks a bunch for your help!

I also should mention, there was a program called "HP Total Care Advisor" that was slowing the boot process horribly. It seemed like a redundant piece of software as all it did was tell you about your battery, disk space, virus protection status, warranty....etc. So I removed the program. That did seem to help the boot process a bit.
 
Thanks Blind Dragon for helping me out with this. Some other information you made find useful.... This is a Compaq Presario C500 running Vista Home Basic on a Celeron M processor. I have not let my son have it back since I started this thread so there has been no P2P stuff going on. Last night I ran a full McAfee scan and it quarantined three incidents of Downloader-UA Trojan and 3 incidents of Downloader-UA.h Trojan.

Here is the HJT log from this morning.......
 
A note: If you formerly used Norton Antivirus, it is not completely uninstalled. Since you use McAfee AV, you need to use the Norton Removal Tool:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

And Disable this Service:
O23 - Service: Symantec Lic NetConnect service (CLTNetCnService) - Unknown owner - c:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSvcHst.exe (file missing)
LiveUpdate Notice Service Ex (LiveUpdate Notice Ex)> Related to Symantec_Lic_NetConnect service. Note: Located in \%Program Files%\Common Files\Symantec Shared\
 
No, I have never used Norton on this machine. It has always had McAfee on it. The McAfee expires later this year and at that time I am going to switch to Avast.
 
O23 - Service: Symantec Lic NetConnect service (CLTNetCnService) - Unknown owner - c:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSvcHst.exe (file missing)
LiveUpdate Notice Service Ex (LiveUpdate Notice Ex)> Related to Symantec_Lic_NetConnect service. Note: Located in \%Program Files%\Common Files\Symantec Shared\
Edit/Delete Message
Click to expand...
Do you have some other Symantec program this might be for?
 
No other Norton program or any reason that ought to be on here. I bought this allegedly as new from Staples, but I am thinking it may have been used......pretty interesting. Anyway, I ran the uninstaller from Symantec as suggested and I have attached the new log from HJT. It does indeed appear that the Symantec refences are now gone! And the computer does seem to be speeding up considerably. I am not sure if it was the Trojans, the Symantec stuff or both....

Thnaks so much for the suggestion!!!!!!
 
Scan only with Hijackthis - check this and fix checked

O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\PROGRA~1\Java\JRE16~4.0_0\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\PROGRA~1\Java\JRE16~4.0_0\bin\ssv.dll


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

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.

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

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 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
 
I have completed everything. Kaspersky found nothing at all, so the report was empty. The computer is running better now. I think we may have those trojans beat.
 
Good. Let's clean up and secure the system a bit.

Uninstall Combofix
* Click START then RUN
* Now type Combofix /u in the runbox
* Make sure there's a space between Combofix and /u
* Then hit Enter.

* The above procedure will:
* Delete the following:
* ComboFix and its associated files and folders.
* Reset the clock settings.
* Hide file extensions, if required.
* Hide System/Hidden files, if required.
* Set a new, clean Restore Point.

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

OTCleanit! by Oldtimer
  • Download OTCleanIt
  • Click the CleanUp! button.
    • It will go thorugh the list and remove all of the tools it finds and then delete itself (requiring a reboot).

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

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.
      • Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt
      • Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable
      • Change the Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to Disable
      • Change the Installation of desktop items to Prompt
      • Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
      • Change the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt
      • When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.
      • 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.This is done in Vista through control panel -> windows updates.

  7. 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

  8. 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
 
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