No joy. With respect to malwarebytes, assasin reported c:/windows/system32/drivers/etc/hosts as "The above file is invalid," and would not proceed further. With respect to HostXpert, no action occurred within "Download" when MVPs Hosts was clicked.
HJT returns message in attached screenshot (this message has shown up every time we have executed HJT). If you think the warning message is accurate and its instructions correct, with a little coaching on which hosts files to manually remove, I think I could follow the instructions...but only with your advice. Thanks.
Here's the HJT log:
Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 11:11:24 AM, on 8/12/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18702)
Boot mode: Normal
Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MsMpEng.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\DVDLauncher.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Modem Event Monitor\IntelMEM.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswctrl.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop Album Starter Edition\3.2\Apps\apdproxy.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
C:\Program Files\Dell Support Center\bin\sprtcmd.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Nero\NEROPH~1\data\Xtras\mssysmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NMBgMonitor.exe
C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Distillr\AcroTray.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NMIndexStoreSvr.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqgalry.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\Program Files\Dell Support Center\bin\sprtsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Canon\CAL\CALMAIN.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\HPZipm12.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Tez\Desktop\HostsXpert\HostsXpert.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL =
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL =
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page =
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page =
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,ShellNext =
http://www.dell4me.com/mywaybizO1 - Hosts: 74.125.45.100 test1111.com
O1 - Hosts: 74.125.45.100 test1112.com
O1 - Hosts: 74.125.45.100 4-open-davinci.com
O1 - Hosts: 74.125.45.100 securitysoftwarepayments.com
O1 - Hosts: 74.125.45.100 privatesecuredpayments.com
O1 - Hosts: 74.125.45.100 secure.privatesecuredpayments.com
O1 - Hosts: 74.125.45.100 getantivirusplusnow.com
O1 - Hosts: 74.125.45.100 secure-plus-payments.com
O1 - Hosts: 74.125.45.100
http://www.getantivirusplusnow.comO1 - Hosts: 74.125.45.100
http://www.secure-plus-payments.comO1 - Hosts: 74.125.45.100
http://www.getavplusnow.comO1 - Hosts: 74.125.45.100
http://www.securesoftwarebill.comO1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.ae
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.as
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.at
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.az
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.ba
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.be
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.bg
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.bs
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.ca
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.cd
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.com.gh
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.com.hk
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.com.jm
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.com.mx
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.com.my
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.com.na
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.com.nf
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.com.ng
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.ch
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.com.np
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.com.pr
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.com.qa
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.com.sg
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.com.tj
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.com.tw
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.dj
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.de
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.dk
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.dm
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.ee
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.fi
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.fm
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.fr
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.ge
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.gg
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.gm
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.gr
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.ht
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.ie
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.im
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.in
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.it
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.ki
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.la
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.li
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.lv
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.ma
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.ms
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.mu
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.mw
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.nl
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.no
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.nr
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.nu
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.pl
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.pn
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.pt
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.ro
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.ru
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.rw
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.sc
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.se
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.sh
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.si
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.sm
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.sn
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.st
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.tl
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.tm
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.tt
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.us
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.vu
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.ws
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.co.ck
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.co.id
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.co.il
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.co.in
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.co.jp
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.co.kr
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.co.ls
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.co.ma
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.co.nz
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.co.tz
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.co.ug
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.co.uk
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.co.za
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.co.zm
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.com
O1 - Hosts: 206.53.61.77 google.com.af
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: MyIdentityDefender - {A26503FE-B3B8-4910-A9DC-9CBD25C6B8D6} - C:\Documents and Settings\Mimi\Local Settings\Application Data\CyberDefender\cdmyidd.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\3.1.807.1746\swg.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl - {E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google Toolbar - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: MyIdentityDefender - {A26503FE-B3B8-4910-A9DC-9CBD25C6B8D6} - C:\Documents and Settings\Mimi\Local Settings\Application Data\CyberDefender\cdmyidd.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DVDLauncher] "C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\DVDLauncher.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IntelMeM] C:\Program Files\Intel\Modem Event Monitor\IntelMEM.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [dla] C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswctrl.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdateManager] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sonic\Update Manager\sgtray.exe" /r
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Photo Downloader] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop Album Starter Edition\3.2\Apps\apdproxy.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [dscactivate] "C:\Program Files\Dell Support Center\gs_agent\custom\dsca.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] "C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DellSupportCenter] "C:\Program Files\Dell Support Center\bin\sprtcmd.exe" /P DellSupportCenter
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avast!] C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Defender] "C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe" -hide
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Nero PhotoShow Media Manager] C:\PROGRA~1\Nero\NEROPH~1\data\Xtras\mssysmgr.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [BgMonitor_{79662E04-7C6C-4d9f-84C7-88D8A56B10AA}] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NMBgMonitor.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [swg] C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [DellSupportCenter] "C:\Program Files\Dell Support Center\bin\sprtcmd.exe" /P DellSupportCenter
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-21-2520482917-3548735554-3948835242-1006\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background (User 'Mimi')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-21-2520482917-3548735554-3948835242-1006\..\Run: [DellSupport] "C:\Program Files\DellSupport\DSAgnt.exe" /startup (User 'Mimi')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-21-2520482917-3548735554-3948835242-1006\..\Run: [swg] C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe (User 'Mimi')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-21-2520482917-3548735554-3948835242-1006\..\Run: [BgMonitor_{79662E04-7C6C-4d9f-84C7-88D8A56B10AA}] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NMBgMonitor.exe" (User 'Mimi')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-21-2520482917-3548735554-3948835242-1006\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe (User 'Mimi')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-21-2520482917-3548735554-3948835242-1006\..\Run: [Fast Antivirus 2009] "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\7d7ba9d\EX7d7b.exe" /s /d (User 'Mimi')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [DWQueuedReporting] "C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\MICROS~1\DW\dwtrig20.exe" -t (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [DWQueuedReporting] "C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\MICROS~1\DW\dwtrig20.exe" -t (User 'Default user')
O4 - Global Startup: Acrobat Assistant.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Distillr\AcroTray.exe
O4 - Global Startup: HP Digital Imaging Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
O4 - Global Startup: HP Image Zone Fast Start.lnk = C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqthb08.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Spybot - Search & Destroy Configuration - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O15 - Trusted Zone:
http://*.mcafee.comO16 - DPF: {01111F00-3E00-11D2-8470-0060089874ED} -
http://supportsoft.adelphia.net/sdccomm ... ctlins.cabO16 - DPF: {1663ed61-23eb-11d2-b92f-008048fdd814} (MeadCo ScriptX 5.5 Basic) -
http://reports.longandfoster.com/ScriptX/ScriptX.cabO16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) -
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=39204O16 - DPF: {27F3D5C7-9440-410F-AEDA-E37456121070} (eXcelerate.Synchronize) -
http://x.longandfoster.com/Xcelerate/Ac ... lerate.CABO16 - DPF: {475E5A2B-6EAC-4EA3-880A-55207CB012B5} (CMA_X Class) -
http://wucma.wyldfyre.com/xbin/CMAX.dllO16 - DPF: {5ED80217-570B-4DA9-BF44-BE107C0EC166} (Windows Live Safety Center Base Module) -
http://cdn.scan.onecare.live.com/resour ... se1140.cabO16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) -
http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/v ... 4948905531O16 - DPF: {6A344D34-5231-452A-8A57-D064AC9B7862} (Symantec Download Manager) -
https://webdl.symantec.com/activex/symdlmgr.cabO16 - DPF: {6F15128C-E66A-490C-B848-5000B5ABEEAC} (HP Download Manager) -
https://h20436.www2.hp.com/ediags/dex/s ... DEXAXO.cabO16 - DPF: {A18962F6-E6ED-40B1-97C9-1FB36F38BFA8} (Aurigma Image Uploader 3.5 Control) -
https://www.auctionplayer.com/members/I ... oader3.cabO16 - DPF: {A9F8D9EC-3D0A-4A60-BD82-FBD64BAD370D} (DDRevision Class) -
http://h20264.www2.hp.com/ediags/dd/ins ... csxp2k.cabO23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: avast! iAVS4 Control Service (aswUpdSv) - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Antivirus - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Mail Scanner - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Web Scanner - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: Canon Camera Access Library 8 (CCALib8) - Canon Inc. - C:\Program Files\Canon\CAL\CALMAIN.exe
O23 - Service: DSBrokerService - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\DellSupport\brkrsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate1c986402a70f1e6) (gupdate1c986402a70f1e6) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
O23 - Service: NBService - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Nero\Nero 7\Nero BackItUp\NBService.exe
O23 - Service: Intel NCS NetService (NetSvc) - Intel(R) Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\NCS\Sync\NetSvc.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Driver Helper Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINDOWS\System32\HPZipm12.exe
O23 - Service: SupportSoft Sprocket Service (dellsupportcenter) (sprtsvc_dellsupportcenter) - SupportSoft, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Dell Support Center\bin\sprtsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Core LC - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
O24 - Desktop Component 0: (no name) -
http://www.naturalbodybuilding.com/pictures2/NO011.JPG--
End of file - 16412 bytes