my computer is infected, argh

[Rita]

A couple days ago my computer became really slow and would freeze within 15 minutes from startup. I tried to do system restore to an earlier point and that didn't work so I reinstalled windows. That stopped the freezing but there would be a message that pops up shortly after startup that says something about a system process being terminated and that windows would shutdown and restart after a minute's countdown. I manage to find out it had something to do with a Look2Me bug and removed it with the Look2Me-destroyer. I ran ad-aware and removed some other nasty stuff. However, there's something that keeps coming back. My computer is still very slow and there's something that keeps using the internet. Whenever I startup, I notice that there's something called project1 that would run and other processes that look odd to me. It makes surfing the internet very hard and so I installed ZoneAlarm and it seems to have the problem under control. However, I think the bug is still there because the comp doesn't run so smoothly and there's intermittant pop-ups. There are some .exe files in C: that would come back after getting deleted as well (bbm.exe, opt.exe, drsmartload1.exe, pro3install.exe). Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.

Here's a HJT log

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 7:49:16 PM, on 13/08/2006
Platform: Windows XP (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 (6.00.2600.0000)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\csrss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\Smtray.exe
C:\WINPENJR\Win32\pphidpad.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Hardware\Keyboard\type32.exe
C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Viewpoint Manager\ViewMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\jusched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Isass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\csrs.exe
C:\opt.exe
C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe
C:\Program Files\Sophos SWEEP for NT\ICMON.EXE
C:\Program Files\Sophos\Remote Update\imonitor.exe
C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\alg.exe
C:\Program Files\Sophos\Remote Update\cachemgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMAgent.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Sophos SWEEP for NT\SWNETSUP.EXE
C:\Program Files\Sophos SWEEP for NT\SWEEPSRV.SYS
C:\WINDOWS\wdfmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Hijackthis\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.yahoo.com.hk/
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=userinit.exe
O3 - Toolbar: FlashGet Bar - {E0E899AB-F487-11D5-8D29-0050BA6940E3} - C:\PROGRA~1\FLASHGET\fgiebar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Viewpoint Toolbar - {F8AD5AA5-D966-4667-9DAF-2561D68B2012} - C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Viewpoint Toolbar\ViewBar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn0\yt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IMJPMIG8.1] C:\WINDOWS\IME\imjp8_1\IMJPMIG.EXE /Spoil /RemAdvDef /Migration32
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PHIME2002ASync] C:\WINDOWS\System32\IME\TINTLGNT\TINTSETP.EXE /SYNC
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PHIME2002A] C:\WINDOWS\System32\IME\TINTLGNT\TINTSETP.EXE /IMEName
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Smapp] C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\Smtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PPHIDPAD] C:\WINPENJR\Win32\pphidpad.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IntelliType] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Hardware\Keyboard\type32.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ViewMgr] C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Viewpoint Manager\ViewMgr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroCheck] C:\WINDOWS\system32\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSPY2002] C:\WINDOWS\System32\IME\PINTLGNT\ImScInst.exe /SYNC
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Local Security Authority Service] C:\WINDOWS\System32\Isass.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Winamp Agent] C:\WINDOWS\System32\winamp.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Client Server Runtime Process] C:\WINDOWS\System32\csrs.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IMEKRMIG6.1] C:\WINDOWS\ime\imkr6_1\IMEKRMIG.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [newname] C:\\nwnmff_9.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DHCP Hotfix] C:\opt.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Zone Labs Client] "C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\System32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MsnMsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O4 - Global Startup: InterCheck Monitor.LNK = C:\Program Files\Sophos SWEEP for NT\ICMON.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Remote Update Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\Sophos\Remote Update\imonitor.exe
O4 - Global Startup: WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
O8 - Extra context menu item: &eBay Search - res://C:\Program Files\eBay\eBay Toolbar2\eBayTb.dll/RCSearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Viewpoint Search - res://C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Viewpoint Toolbar\ViewBar.dll/CXTSEARCH.HTML
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download All by FlashGet - C:\Program Files\FlashGet\jc_all.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download using FlashGet - C:\Program Files\FlashGet\jc_link.htm
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: FlashGet - {D6E814A0-E0C5-11d4-8D29-0050BA6940E3} - C:\PROGRA~1\FLASHGET\flashget.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: &FlashGet - {D6E814A0-E0C5-11d4-8D29-0050BA6940E3} - C:\PROGRA~1\FLASHGET\flashget.exe
O16 - DPF: {03F998B2-0E00-11D3-A498-00104B6EB52E} (MetaStreamCtl Class) - https://components.viewpoint.com/MTSIns ... mance.html
O16 - DPF: {1239CC52-59EF-4DFA-8C61-90FFA846DF7E} (Musicnotes Viewer) - http://www.musicnotes.com/download/mnviewer.cab
O16 - DPF: {4F1E5B1A-2A80-42CA-8532-2D05CB959537} (MSN Photo Upload Tool) - http://by107fd.bay107.hotmail.msn.com/r ... nPUpld.cab
O16 - DPF: {62789780-B744-11D0-986B-00609731A21D} (Autodesk MapGuide ActiveX Control) - http://gisweb7.city.vancouver.bc.ca/dow ... axctrl.cab
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupda ... 9597564500
O16 - DPF: {8E0D4DE5-3180-4024-A327-4DFAD1796A8D} (MessengerStatsClient Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary/Me ... b31267.cab
O16 - DPF: {9A9307A0-7DA4-4DAF-B042-5009F29E09E1} (ActiveScan Installer Class) - http://acs.pandasoftware.com/activescan ... asinst.cab
O16 - DPF: {A18962F6-E6ED-40B1-97C9-1FB36F38BFA8} (Aurigma Image Uploader 3.5 Control) - http://www.photolab.ca/en/Photo/ImageUploader3.cab
O16 - DPF: {A8F2B9BD-A6A0-486A-9744-18920D898429} (ScorchPlugin Class) - http://www.sibelius.com/download/softwa ... Plugin.cab
O16 - DPF: {B38870E4-7ECB-40DA-8C6A-595F0A5519FF} (MsnMessengerSetupDownloadControl Class) - http://messenger.msn.com/download/MsnMe ... loader.cab
O16 - DPF: {B8BE5E93-A60C-4D26-A2DC-220313175592} (ZoneIntro Class) - http://zone.msn.com/binFramework/v10/ZI ... b34246.cab
O16 - DPF: {DF780F87-FF2B-4DF8-92D0-73DB16A1543A} - http://download.games.yahoo.com/games/p ... der_v6.cab
O16 - DPF: {F6BF0D00-0B2A-4A75-BF7B-F385591623AF} (Solitaire Showdown Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary/So ... b31267.cab
O18 - Protocol: livecall - {828030A1-22C1-4009-854F-8E305202313F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MSNMES~2\MSGRAP~1.DLL
O18 - Protocol: msnim - {828030A1-22C1-4009-854F-8E305202313F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MSNMES~2\MSGRAP~1.DLL
O23 - Service: ATI Smart - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\ati2sgag.exe
O23 - Service: AutoComplete Service (Autocomplete) - Acesoft - C:\Program Files\Acesoft\Tracks Eraser Pro\autocomp.exe
O23 - Service: Sophos Cache Manager (CacheMgr) - SOPHOS Plc - C:\Program Files\Sophos\Remote Update\cachemgr.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service (iPodService) - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Network Monitor - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Network Monitor\netmon.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: SoundMAX Agent Service (SoundMAX Agent Service (default)) - Analog Devices, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMAgent.exe
O23 - Service: Sophos Anti-Virus Network (SweepNet) - Sophos Plc - C:\Program Files\Sophos SWEEP for NT\SWNETSUP.EXE
O23 - Service: Sophos Anti-Virus (SWEEPSRV.SYS) - Sophos Plc - C:\Program Files\Sophos SWEEP for NT\SWEEPSRV.SYS
O23 - Service: TrueVector Internet Monitor (vsmon) - Zone Labs, LLC - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
O23 - Service: Microsoft Windows Spool Service (Windows Spool Service) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\wdfmgr.exe

[agrarianmonk]

One or more of the identified infections is a backdoor trojan.

This type of infection allows hackers to remotely control your computer, steal critical system information and download and execute files without your knowledge.

I would counsel you to disconnect this PC from the Internet immediately. If you do any banking or other financial transactions on the PC or if it should contain any other sensitive information, please get to a known clean computer and change all passwords where applicable, and it would be wise to contact those same financial institutions to apprise them of your situation.

Though the Trojan has been identified and can be killed, because of it's backdoor functionality, your PC is very likely compromised and there is no way to be sure your computer can ever be trusted again. Many experts in the security community believe that once infected with this type of Trojan, the best course of action would be a reformat and reinstall of the OS. Please read these for more information:

How Do I Handle Possible Identify Theft, Internet Fraud and CC Fraud?

When Should I Format, How Should I Reinstall

However, if you do not have the resources to reinstall your computer and would like me to attempt to clean it, I will be happy to do so.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

Please let us know what you have decided to do in your next post.

[Rita]

Alright, I think I'll go for a total reformat then, thanks. I was wondering if my D drive would be affected as well? I use this drive to back up information, so there's no OS installed there.

[agrarianmonk]

well its possible if one of the infected files was accidentally copied over to that drive...the best way would be to scan all the files that have been backed up on the D: drive to ensure that nothing is infected on that drive.

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

Sometimes the best solution is to format and reinstall Windows. You will have the reassurance that the system is clean after you do.

If you decide to go this route, start the format, and make sure you are not connected to the Internet (unplug dial-up, DSL, cable, wireless ) when you install the Operating System. After the OS is on board, install an Antivirus program and a Firewall (if you have a CD for them), reboot, then connect to the Internet, and install Service Pack 2.

If you do not have a CD, and need to download an AntiVirus program and a Firewall from the Internet, let that be the first step so that the system is protected right after the Operating System is installed.

There are free AntiVirus programs you can download:

Grisoft’s AVG Anti-virus Free Edition: http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php

avast! 4 Home: http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html

AntiVir Personal Edition: http://www.free-av.com/


Some free Firewall choices are:

ZoneAlarm:
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/cata...lid=dbtopnav_za

Sunbelt Kerio:
http://www.sunbelt-software.com/Kerio.cfm

OutPost:
http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpostfree/download.php


Then, make sure that the AntiVirus program installed in your system is always kept up to date!

Last, install whatever other programs you wish after the computer has protection.

If data was backed up prior to the format, before placing that data back into a clean hard drive, have it scanned with AntiVirus programs. Use more than one program, since AntiVirus scanners use databases that are not identical, and one may find malware that another does not. If the data is reported as clean after running a few virus scans (IMO would use three or more), it should be safe to place it in the clean hard drive.

====
Some of the best suggestions and programs to remain malware free are contained in the following:
Tony Klein’s article 'How Did I Get Infected In The First Place'
http://castlecops.com/postlite7736-.html
Take a look at what the article has to offer and select the programs that suit your needs.

Also, the following is an excellent program that you may want to run on a regular basis:

AdAware SE:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download506.html

Every so often, also perform an online virus scan.
AntiVirus scanners use databases which are not identical, and one may find malware that another does not.

Some online scanners:
TrendMicro HouseCall:
http://uk.trendmicro-europe.com/consumer/h...call_launch.php

Panda ActiveScan:
http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan.htm

Kaspersky Online Scanner (using Internet Explorer):
http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner

BitDefender:
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/

If you have any questions or comments, do not hesitate to post back.

[agrarianmonk]

Whilst we appreciate that you may be busy, it has been 10 days or more since we heard from you.

Infections can change and fresh instructions will now need to be given. This topic is now closed, if you still require assistance then please start a new topic in the Malware Removal Forum

If you wish this topic reopened, please send us an email to 'admin at malwareremoval.com' with a link to your thread.

You can help support this site from this link :
Donations For Malware Removal

Do not bother contacting us if you are not the topic starter. A valid,
working link to the closed topic is required along with the user name used.
If the user name does not match the one in the thread linked, the email will be deleted.