Welcome to MalwareRemoval.com,
What if we told you that you could get malware removal help from experts, and that it was 100% free? MalwareRemoval.com provides free support for people with infected computers. Our help, and the tools we use are always 100% free. No hidden catch. We simply enjoy helping others. You enjoy a clean, safe computer.

Malware Removal Instructions

Trojans and browser hijack problems

MalwareRemoval.com provides free support for people with infected computers. Using plain language that anyone can understand, our community of volunteer experts will walk you through each step.

Unread postby Navigator » June 15th, 2007, 8:35 pm

Good job! The HJT log is 'clean'...are there any problems with the system at this point?

If not we can finish up...
User avatar
Navigator
MRU Honors Grad Emeritus
 
Posts: 1237
Joined: December 21st, 2005, 8:35 pm
Location: Missouri
Advertisement
Register to Remove

Unread postby minority » June 15th, 2007, 11:30 pm

Hi Navigator,
It doesn't seems to have any problem so far. But, when I did a scan with Ad-Aware, I got some critical objects flagged. Here's the report:

Name:Tracking Cookie
Category:Data Miner
Object Type:IECache Entry
Size:116 Bytes
Location:C:\...\Cookies\compaq_owner@coxhsi.112.2o7[1].txt
Last Activity:6-15-2007 3:59:43 PM
Relevance:Low
TAC index:3
Comment:Hits:2
Description:This cookie is known to collect information that may be used either for targeted advertising, or tracking users across a particular website, such as page views or ad click-thrus.

Name:Tracking Cookie
Category:Data Miner
Object Type:IECache Entry
Size:241 Bytes
Location:C:\...\Compaq_Owner\Cookies\compaq_owner@2o7[1].txt
Last Activity:6-15-2007 3:59:43 PM
Relevance:Low
TAC index:3
Comment:Hits:4
Description:This cookie is known to collect information that may be used either for targeted advertising, or tracking users across a particular website, such as page views or ad click-thrus.

Name:Tracking Cookie
Category:Data Miner
Object Type:IECache Entry
Size:261 Bytes
Location:C:\...\Compaq_Owner\Cookies\compaq_owner@adinterax[2].txt
Last Activity:6-15-2007 2:59:11 PM
Relevance:Low
TAC index:3
Comment:Hits:8
Description:This cookie is known to collect information that may be used either for targeted advertising, or tracking users across a particular website, such as page views or ad click-thrus.

Name:Tracking Cookie
Category:Data Miner
Object Type:IECache Entry
Size:97 Bytes
Location:C:\...\Compaq_Owner\Cookies\compaq_owner@overture[1].txt
Last Activity:6-15-2007 4:19:14 PM
Relevance:Low
TAC index:3
Comment:Hits:1
Description:This cookie is known to collect information that may be used either for targeted advertising, or tracking users across a particular website, such as page views or ad click-thrus.

Name:Tracking Cookie
Category:Data Miner
Object Type:IECache Entry
Size:1820 Bytes
Location:C:\...\Cookies\compaq_owner@specificclick[2].txt
Last Activity:6-15-2007 4:50:02 PM
Relevance:Low
TAC index:3
Comment:Hits:289
Description:This cookie is known to collect information that may be used either for targeted advertising, or tracking users across a particular website, such as page views or ad click-thrus.

End of report.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also, how do I get my browser back into full screen. Since the attack, my usual toolbars and menu buttons such as fwd arrow, back arrow, refresh and home, etc, have disappeared. Also the Start button and those minimized windows browser buttons at the bottom of the screen also disappeared. Every time I open a browser I have to go to View and select "Full Screen" to each browser I opened to get those upper toolbars and menu buttons back. But, the bottom toolbars for Start buttons, etc , I couldn't get any back for the second or more browsers opened.
minority
Regular Member
 
Posts: 24
Joined: June 5th, 2007, 6:06 pm

Unread postby Navigator » June 16th, 2007, 12:56 pm

minority wrote:Hi Navigator,
It doesn't seems to have any problem so far. But, when I did a scan with Ad-Aware, I got some critical objects flagged. Here's the report:



Those are cookies, and of little worry...you can 'clean' them as you wish either with the temp file cleaner as we did earlier or manually:

Clear IE's Cookies and Cache

  • Close all instances of Outlook Express and Internet Explorer.
  • Go to Control Panel » Internet Options » General tab.
  • Click Delete Cookies.
  • Next to it, Click the Delete Files button.
  • When prompted, place a check in: Delete all offline content, click OK.

Personally, I use the ATF temp file cleaner as you did earlier.

minority wrote:Also, how do I get my browser back into full screen. Since the attack, my usual toolbars and menu buttons such as fwd arrow, back arrow, refresh and home, etc, have disappeared. Also the Start button and those minimized windows browser buttons at the bottom of the screen also disappeared. Every time I open a browser I have to go to View and select "Full Screen" to each browser I opened to get those upper toolbars and menu buttons back. But, the bottom toolbars for Start buttons, etc , I couldn't get any back for the second or more browsers opened.


If I remember correctly with IE6 (your browser according to HJT), IE should remember the last 'window' size...so try opening a window, resizing it to what you want and then close the window with the 'red X' in the upper right....then re-open a window and it should be the same size (at least I'm fairly certain this works with IE7). See if that works.

It also sounds like you need to adjust your toolbars and taskbars to 'unhide' them. Have you tried right-clicking over the top and bottom of the screen to access the options for toolbar and taskbar displays?

The following website has a great IE6 tutorial...if you use the arrow at the bottom it brings up a 'topic' list that you can select to address problems.

http://www.techspot.com/tweaks/ie6/index.shtml

Try these steps and let me know if they help.
User avatar
Navigator
MRU Honors Grad Emeritus
 
Posts: 1237
Joined: December 21st, 2005, 8:35 pm
Location: Missouri

Unread postby minority » June 16th, 2007, 11:30 pm

Navigator wrote:
minority wrote:Hi Navigator,
It doesn't seems to have any problem so far. But, when I did a scan with Ad-Aware, I got some critical objects flagged. Here's the report:



Those are cookies, and of little worry...you can 'clean' them as you wish either with the temp file cleaner as we did earlier or manually:

Clear IE's Cookies and Cache

  • Close all instances of Outlook Express and Internet Explorer.
  • Go to Control Panel » Internet Options » General tab.
  • Click Delete Cookies.
  • Next to it, Click the Delete Files button.
  • When prompted, place a check in: Delete all offline content, click OK.

Personally, I use the ATF temp file cleaner as you did earlier.

Thanks, Navigator. I feel better now to know they are not actually "critical" objects. I remember about a program called something like "winpatrol" or something like that that sniffs out cookies with a dog called "snoopy". Do you know about it? If so, do you recommend it?

Navigator wrote:
minority wrote:Also, how do I get my browser back into full screen. Since the attack, my usual toolbars and menu buttons such as fwd arrow, back arrow, refresh and home, etc, have disappeared. Also the Start button and those minimized windows browser buttons at the bottom of the screen also disappeared. Every time I open a browser I have to go to View and select "Full Screen" to each browser I opened to get those upper toolbars and menu buttons back. But, the bottom toolbars for Start buttons, etc , I couldn't get any back for the second or more browsers opened.


If I remember correctly with IE6 (your browser according to HJT), IE should remember the last 'window' size...so try opening a window, resizing it to what you want and then close the window with the 'red X' in the upper right....then re-open a window and it should be the same size (at least I'm fairly certain this works with IE7). See if that works.

It also sounds like you need to adjust your toolbars and taskbars to 'unhide' them. Have you tried right-clicking over the top and bottom of the screen to access the options for toolbar and taskbar displays?

The following website has a great IE6 tutorial...if you use the arrow at the bottom it brings up a 'topic' list that you can select to address problems.

http://www.techspot.com/tweaks/ie6/index.shtml

Try these steps and let me know if they help.

I tried those step by right clicking the top screen to access the options for toolbar and taskbar displays and made all necessary changes to get the toolbar and taskbar appear. Though the result wasn't completely the way it was before but it was better. But whenever I close the browser and re-open, or open a new one, I lost all the enhanced toolbar and taskbar at the top.

As for the taskbar or toolbar at the bottom of the screen it disappear when in full screen or when a new briwser is opened. . And nothing came up on right click on the bottom. And sometimes upon closing the browser, I received the following message:

    "iexplore.exe - Application error. The instruction at "0x62304390" referenced memory at "0x62304390". The memory could not be "read". Click on OK to terminate the program"

I think my IE browser was corrupted during the virus/spyware attack. I read the webpage from the link you gave me and it said that the browser may not be secured if it was exploited. I thought I would follow the follwing step to get it fixed:

http://www.techspot.com/tweaks/ie6/index.shtml
If you’re still encountering major problems with Internet Explorer it may be necessary to perform a repair installation. Click Start, Settings, Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs. Double click Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 and Internet Tools.

What do you say?
minority
Regular Member
 
Posts: 24
Joined: June 5th, 2007, 6:06 pm

Unread postby Navigator » June 17th, 2007, 11:21 am

minority wrote:Thanks, Navigator. I feel better now to know they are not actually "critical" objects. I remember about a program called something like "winpatrol" or something like that that sniffs out cookies with a dog called "snoopy". Do you know about it? If so, do you recommend it?


You are welcome. WinPatrol is very well thought of here at MRU....as a matter of fact, graduates of MRU are given a license for it by the developer (BillP) via collaboration with this site. I do not personally use it, so I cannot give you a 'personal' recommendation.

minority wrote:I tried those step by right clicking the top screen to access the options for toolbar and taskbar displays and made all necessary changes to get the toolbar and taskbar appear. Though the result wasn't completely the way it was before but it was better. But whenever I close the browser and re-open, or open a new one, I lost all the enhanced toolbar and taskbar at the top.

As for the taskbar or toolbar at the bottom of the screen it disappear when in full screen or when a new briwser is opened. . And nothing came up on right click on the bottom. And sometimes upon closing the browser, I received the following message:

    "iexplore.exe - Application error. The instruction at "0x62304390" referenced memory at "0x62304390". The memory could not be "read". Click on OK to terminate the program"


Regarding that particular error message, I have seen some references to there being a problem with the Yahoo! toolbar/add-ons that may cause it...but I'm not certain. You could always try uninstalling the Yahoo! components to see if the error message resolves, and then re-install if you want the Yahoo! stuff back.

minority wrote:
I think my IE browser was corrupted during the virus/spyware attack. I read the webpage from the link you gave me and it said that the browser may not be secured if it was exploited. I thought I would follow the follwing step to get it fixed:

http://www.techspot.com/tweaks/ie6/index.shtml
If you’re still encountering major problems with Internet Explorer it may be necessary to perform a repair installation. Click Start, Settings, Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs. Double click Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 and Internet Tools.

What do you say?


Well, the repair/install route may work...if you go that route, here is another reference from a very well-respected site for how to do it:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutoria ... ial71.html

Your other options would be to install/upgrade to the latest IE browser (IE7) which you can find here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/produc ... fault.mspx

or even consider switching browsers to a non-MS one, say like Firefox..it may be even more secure than IE7:

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

I have both IE7 and Firefox on my system...I used to use Firefox more often due to the tabbed browsing ability that was not present in IE6..but now with IE7, I use firefox less. It is a great browser though.

Let me go ahead at this point and give you the standard protection speech to go forward with....but please feel free to respond and let me know if you have any further questions. I'll be glad to help (if I can, that is... :D )

Now that you are clean, please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:
  • THIS IS IMPORTANT! - If you are using Windows XP then you should reset system restore to make sure there are no infected files found in a restore point and that you have a clean restore point should you need one!

    Now let's reset your restore points.

    Click Start Menu >> All Programs >> Accessories >> System Tools >> SystemRestore

    Press OK. Choose 'Create a Restore Point' then Next. Name it and press 'Create' then when the confirmation screen shows the restore point has been created click 'Close'.

    Next go to Start Menu >> Run, then type:

    cleanmgr


    click OK, when Disk Cleanup opens go to the 'More Options' tab and press 'Cleanup' on the system restore area which will remove all the restore points except the one we just created. To close Disk Cleanup and remove the Temporary Internet Files detected in the initial scan click OK then choose Yes on the confirmation window.

The following is a list of tools and utilities that I like to suggest to people. This list is full of great tools and utilities to help you understand how you got infected and how to keep from getting infected again.
  • Spybot Search & Destroy- Uber powerful tool which can search and annhilate nasties that make it onto your system. Now with an Immunize section that will help prevent future infections.
  • AdAware - Another very powerful tool which searches and kills nasties that infect your system. AdAware and Spybot Search & Destroy compliment each other very well.
  • SpywareBlaster - Great prevention tool to keep nasties from installing on your system.
  • SpywareGuard - Works as a Spyware "Shield" to protect your computer from getting malware in the first place.
  • IE-SpyAd for Zoned Out - puts over 5000 sites in your restricted zone so you'll be protected when you visit innocent-looking sites that aren't actually innocent at all.
  • ATF Cleaner by Atribune. This program is for XP and Windows 2000 only. ATF is a new, freeware, temporary file cleaner for Windows, IE, Firefox and Opera with a simple, easy-to-use interface. The main screen allows the user to either clean all temporary files, or select files for cleaning. The program also knows if Firefox and or Opera is being used, and gives the option of cleaning the temporary files associated with those applications.
To find out more information about how you got infected in the first place and some great guidelines to follow to prevent future infections you can read this article by Tony Klein. These are excellent reads too: I'm not pulling your leg and Malware: Preventing the Infection



Remember...be careful out there!
User avatar
Navigator
MRU Honors Grad Emeritus
 
Posts: 1237
Joined: December 21st, 2005, 8:35 pm
Location: Missouri

Unread postby minority » June 17th, 2007, 4:57 pm

Navigator wrote:Regarding that particular error message, I have seen some references to there being a problem with the Yahoo! toolbar/add-ons that may cause it...but I'm not certain. You could always try uninstalling the Yahoo! components to see if the error message IE7resolves, and then re-install if you want the Yahoo! stuff back.

I have removed the Yahoo toolbar and other add-ons per your instruction and the problem seems to be gone for now.

Navigator wrote:Well, the repair/install route may work...if you go that route, here is another reference from a very well-respected site for how to do it:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutoria ... ial71.html

Your other options would be to install/upgrade to the latest IE browser (IE7) which you can find here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/produc ... fault.mspx

or even consider switching browsers to a non-MS one, say like Firefox..it may be even more secure than IE7:

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

I have both IE7 and Firefox on my system...I used to use Firefox more often due to the tabbed browsing ability that was not present in IE6..but now with IE7, I use firefox less. It is a great browser though.

Let me go ahead at this point and give you the standard protection speech to go forward with....but please feel free to respond and let me know if you have any further questions. I'll be glad to help (if I can, that is... :D )

I chose the IE7 and Firefox downloads, that was what I did. I set the Firefox as the default browser. Hope that is better. Now, I have the usual taskbar/tool bars at the top and bottom. Now I can browse the internet back and forth with the fwd and backward arrows and type in internet addresss in the box without going to the process of clicking view >Full screnn, etc. Major browser problem finally solved. It's much faster too. Thanks alot!


Navigator wrote:Now that you are clean, please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:
  • THIS IS IMPORTANT! - If you are using Windows XP then you should reset system restore to make sure there are no infected files found in a restore point and that you have a clean restore point should you need one!

    Now let's reset your restore points.

    Click Start Menu >> All Programs >> Accessories >> System Tools >> SystemRestore

    Press OK. Choose 'Create a Restore Point' then Next. Name it and press 'Create' then when the confirmation screen shows the restore point has been created click 'Close'.

    Next go to Start Menu >> Run, then type:

    cleanmgr


    click OK, when Disk Cleanup opens go to the 'More Options' tab and press 'Cleanup' on the system restore area which will remove all the restore points except the one we just created. To close Disk Cleanup and remove the Temporary Internet Files detected in the initial scan click OK then choose Yes on the confirmation window.

The following is a list of tools and utilities that I like to suggest to people. This list is full of great tools and utilities to help you understand how you got infected and how to keep from getting infected again.
  • Spybot Search & Destroy- Uber powerful tool which can search and annhilate nasties that make it onto your system. Now with an Immunize section that will help prevent future infections.
  • AdAware - Another very powerful tool which searches and kills nasties that infect your system. AdAware and Spybot Search & Destroy compliment each other very well.
  • SpywareBlaster - Great prevention tool to keep nasties from installing on your system.
  • SpywareGuard - Works as a Spyware "Shield" to protect your computer from getting malware in the first place.
  • IE-SpyAd for Zoned Out - puts over 5000 sites in your restricted zone so you'll be protected when you visit innocent-looking sites that aren't actually innocent at all.
  • ATF Cleaner by Atribune. This program is for XP and Windows 2000 only. ATF is a new, freeware, temporary file cleaner for Windows, IE, Firefox and Opera with a simple, easy-to-use interface. The main screen allows the user to either clean all temporary files, or select files for cleaning. The program also knows if Firefox and or Opera is being used, and gives the option of cleaning the temporary files associated with those applications.
To find out more information about how you got infected in the first place and some great guidelines to follow to prevent future infections you can read this article by Tony Klein. These are excellent reads too: I'm not pulling your leg and Malware: Preventing the Infection

Remember...be careful out there!

I did the system restore and disk cleaning per instructions. I downloaded Spywareblaster and Spywareguard. But, I noted that the latest update for Spywareguard is 01/22/04.

I couldn't understand the long article for IESPYAD_ZO]IE-SpyAd for Zoned Out and didn't know which or where was the download, so I didn't download it.

I will read the articles on computer safety in the links you provided at a latter time, and I will ask my roommate to try to read them even though I know he would say that he can't understand anything about computer.

Now, I have some questions:

1. Do I go back and hide the hidden files and ext?
2. How do I removed some tools that we used to uninstall programs such as MCPR.exe for removing McAfee? Do I just right click on the icon on the desktop or do I also have to go the the folders to remove them.
3. For those useful downloads, after the installation, the set-up icons still sit there on the desk top. Can I right click to remove them to clean up the clutter?

I appreciate very much your spending time to help me and my roommate to get his computer clean up. Thanks again, Navigator.
minority
Regular Member
 
Posts: 24
Joined: June 5th, 2007, 6:06 pm

Unread postby minority » June 17th, 2007, 5:04 pm

Another question regarding Firefox. Every time I click a link in the webpage, it opens on the same browser. In IE usually it opens into another browser so that you can go back and forth by clicking on the buttons at the bottom. Is there a way to fix that?
minority
Regular Member
 
Posts: 24
Joined: June 5th, 2007, 6:06 pm

Unread postby Navigator » June 17th, 2007, 10:04 pm

minority wrote:
Navigator wrote:1. Do I go back and hide the hidden files and ext?
2. How do I removed some tools that we used to uninstall programs such as MCPR.exe for removing McAfee? Do I just right click on the icon on the desktop or do I also have to go the the folders to remove them.
3. For those useful downloads, after the installation, the set-up icons still sit there on the desk top. Can I right click to remove them to clean up the clutter?

I appreciate very much your spending time to help me and my roommate to get his computer clean up. Thanks again, Navigator.


No problem! Glad everything is running well!

Feel free to remove anything we downloaded to clean, if you think you are not going to use it again...use add/remove programs if applicable or delete the file/folders. After removing, yes you can right-click on the desktop icon to remove them too. For the useful program downloads you can also remove those desktop icons for the set-up prpgrams if you want less clutter.

Since this is your roommates computer and you say he is not very computer-savvy, it would be best to re-hide the system files...you can do this as follows:

Reset Hidden Files

  • Click Start.
  • Open My Computer.
  • SelectTools menu
  • Click Folder Options.
  • Select the View Tab.
  • Uncheck Show hidden files and foldersin the Hidden files and folders section.
  • Check Hide protected operating system files (recommended) option.
  • Check the Hide file extensions for known file types option.
  • Click Yes.
  • Click OK.


You did a great job....! Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with....good luck!
User avatar
Navigator
MRU Honors Grad Emeritus
 
Posts: 1237
Joined: December 21st, 2005, 8:35 pm
Location: Missouri

Unread postby minority » June 18th, 2007, 3:33 pm

Everything is running smoothly now. I am sure my roommate would be delighted when he returned. On behalf of him we thank you very much once again, Navigator!

:D
minority
Regular Member
 
Posts: 24
Joined: June 5th, 2007, 6:06 pm

Unread postby NonSuch » June 26th, 2007, 12:07 am

This topic is now closed. If you wish it 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

Please do not contact 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.
User avatar
NonSuch
Administrator
Administrator
 
Posts: 28747
Joined: February 23rd, 2005, 7:08 am
Location: California
Advertisement
Register to Remove

Previous

  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to Infected? Virus, malware, adware, ransomware, oh my!



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 279 guests

Contact us:

Advertisements do not imply our endorsement of that product or service. Register to remove all ads. The forum is run by volunteers who donate their time and expertise. We make every attempt to ensure that the help and advice posted is accurate and will not cause harm to your computer. However, we do not guarantee that they are accurate and they are to be used at your own risk. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Member site: UNITE Against Malware