Solved Vista infected with browser hijacker gewebsearch

[kenobi575]

I am working on a Compaq Presario C700 laptop running Windows Vista; I've just cleared more obvious signs of a Websearch infection but my computer won't allow any antispyware software to update - except Spywareblaster by Javacool.

Spybot - won't instal
Superantispyware - installed but can't update
Malwarebytes - intalled but can't update

Hijackthis! installed but can't read hosts file and can't save a log. I checked the hosts file and it seems fine.

The error message is always the same - make sure your firewall is not blocking things - it isn't.

internet web searches are diverted by gewebsearch.com

System Data
Windows Vista Home Premium 32 bit

Thank you,

Albert

 

[Broni]

Hijackthis! installed but can't read hosts file and can't save a log

Since you have Vista, you have to right click on HJT and click "Run As Administrator".

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!!!

 

[kenobi575]

HijackThis! and Combofix logs

Thank you for replying and your help with this matter; attached are HijackThis! and Combofix logs.

The first attempt to run combofix - the computer went to sleep and required a reboot (all settings were at "never" so it wasn't a regular nap) - upon that, I discovered _ex-08.exe running and combofix would not start - I stopped the process and combofix came up and completed its run.

 

[Broni]

I don't see any antivirus program running on this computer.
Please, download and install one of these:

- Avira free antivirus: http://www.free-av.com/en/download/1/avira_antivir_personal__free_antivirus.html
- Avast! free antivirus: http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

- free Comodo Internet Security (firewall + AV): http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/
NOTE. During installation, Comodo will also allow you to install AV only, or firewall only, if you prefer to combine one Comodo product with some other product.

If you decide to install Avast, or Avira, make sure, Windows firewall is turned on, or use Comodo firewall..
If you decide to install Comodo Internet Security, or just Comodo firewall, make sure, Windows firewall is turned off.

IMPORTANT! Make sure, you use only ONE antivirus, and ONE firewall.

After installation, update the program and run full scan.

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

Download the MBR Rootkit Detector: http://www2.gmer.net/mbr/mbr.exe to your desktop.

* Doubleclick mbr.exe and follow prompts (Vista users: right click on mbr.exe and click "Run As Administrator").
* A black DOS window will quickly appear then disappear.
* When mbr.exe is finished it will create a log on your desktop.
* Copy and paste contents of that log (mbr.log) file to your next reply.

 

[kenobi575]

MBR rootkit log

Sorry it took so long - the antivirus took longest (Avira) - the Mbr exe took no time at all and the log doesn't contain much (attached).

 

[Broni]

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.

 

[kenobi575]

Kaspersky won't run but all else appears fine

I followed all directions except the Kaspersky scan - it kept saying that the java application failed to run and make sure there is an uninterupted internet connection; my wireless connection is solid / no drops (I have DSL with my own router).

any ideas on that?

Otherwise - things seem well - my internet searches were not diverted anywhere.

Attached is the newest HijackThis! log

 

[Broni]

Good

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
• When asked, allow the ActiveX control to install
• Click Start
• Make sure that the options Remove found threats and the option Scan unwanted applications is checked
• Click Scan (This scan can take several hours, so please be patient)
• Once the scan is completed, you may close the window
• Use Notepad to open the logfile located at C:\Program Files\EsetOnlineScanner\log.txt
• Copy and paste that log as a reply to this topic

 

[kenobi575]

Eset Scan - my doubts

I ran the scan - it found two items which it quarantined and I deleted. The log file wasn't exactly where you said it would be; there was an ESET folder prior to the scanner folder. I looked in the file and there isn't much in there.

The file is attached.

I know I didn't miss any steps but I can't be certain. I did disable the antivirus downloaded earlier and Windows Defender wasn't running.

 

[Broni]

How is the computer doing at this moment?

Verify your Java version here: http://www.java.com/en/download/installed.jsp
Update, if necessary.
Uninstall all previous Java versions, through Add\Remove (Programs & Features in Vista).

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

Disable Windows Defender, as it'll interfere with cleaning process:
- Open Windows Defender by clicking the Start, clicking All Programs, and then clicking Windows Defender.
- Click Tools
then...

++ Windows XP:
- Click General Settings
- Scroll down to Real Time Protection Options
- Uncheck Turn on Real Time Protection
- After you uncheck this, click on the Save button
- Close Windows Defender

++ Windows Vista:
- Click Options
- Under Administrator options, clear the Use Windows Defender check box, and then click Save.

Enable Windows Defender, when all cleaning is done.

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

Print this post out, since you won't have an access to it, at some point.

1. Open HijackThis.

2. Close all windows, except for HijackThis.

3. Put checkmarks next to the following HijackThis entries:

O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C255C8A-E604-49b4-9D64-90988571CECB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: NCO 2.0 IE BHO - {602ADB0E-4AFF-4217-8AA1-95DAC4DFA408} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {7FEBEFE3-6B19-4349-98D2-FFB09D4B49CA} - (no file)
O4 - Global Startup: Vongo Tray.lnk = ?


4. You should also checkmark following entries (these are unnecessary startups; no actual programs will be removed):

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\Windows\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\Windows\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MsnMsgr] "C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SUPERAntiSpyware] C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe [unless you have paid version]
O4 - HKCU\..\RunOnce: [Shockwave Updater] C:\WINDOWS\System32\Adobe\SHOCKW~1\SWHELP~1.EXE -Update -1100429 -Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Windows NT 6.0; GTB6.3; SLCC1; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; Media Center PC 5.0; .NET CLR 1.1.4322; InfoPath.2; .NET CLR 3.5.30729; .NET CLR 3.0.30618; OfficeLiveConnector.1.3; OfficeLivePatch.0.0; MSN 9.0;MSN 9.1;MSN 9.6;MSN 10.0; M
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.dll [unless you have paid version]

5. Click on Fix checked button.

6. Restart computer.

7. Post new HijackThis log.

 

[kenobi575]

Followed instructions - done

Here is the new HijackThis! log

Windows Defender was already deactivated due to "group policy" - I have no idea why... It looks like you were having me remove Superantispyware - that program was recommended to me the last time I posted something on this forum.

From what I can tell - the computer is working fine - I haven't seen any indication of infection.

 

[Broni]

It looks like you were having me remove Superantispyware

Not at all. It was included in section "4":

4. You should also checkmark following entries (these are unnecessary startups; no actual programs will be removed):

Then I added a note to both Super entries:

[unless you have paid version]

Free version doesn't work in real time, but as on-demand scanner, so there is no reason for it to run as a startup.
If you have paid version, which scans in real time, then you leave both entries UN-checked.

I'm glad your computer is doing fine
Happy surfing

I'll mark this thread as resolved.