[MBows]

Originally Posted by Phantom010

If malware modified your HOSTS file, it's quite possible that it's still on your computer affecting it in other ways, even if you deleted the offending HOSTS file entry.

That is what I assumed.

Also, no surprise, the situation is still the same. My computer locked up after attempting to connect with someone. I guess i'll ask to be moved to malware. Thanks for the assistance so far.

[Phantom010]

You're welcome!

[dvk01]

Download to Desktop: DDS by sUBs from one of these locations:

http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/sUBs/dds.com
http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/sUBs/dds.scr
http://www.forospyware.com/sUBs/dds

double click DDS.scr to run

When complete, DDS.txt will open.

Click Yes for Optional Scan.
Save both reports to your desktop.
DDS.txt
Attach.txt

Attach the contents of both logs back here.

[MBows]

I notice there's an event error log in there. I'm sure there's some suspicious things in there, so just keep in mind I was trying pretty much everything. Like the stuff about ipv6 being disabled. That being said- i'm open to uninstall anything or re-enable anything.

Thank you very much for giving this a look.

[MBows]

Update: I set my Duplex to 100MB/FULL and now I get proper speeds. But.. the problems with high cpu demand on msn messenger, firefox, and the game still exist...

[dvk01]

Delete any existing version of ComboFix you have sitting on your desktop

Please read and follow all these instructions very carefully

Download ComboFix from Here to your Desktop.

**Note: It is important that it is saved directly to your desktop and run from the desktop and not any other folder on your computer**
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1. 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 and anti-malware real-time protection and any script blocking components of them or your firewall before performing a scan. They can interfere with ComboFix or remove some of its embedded files which may cause "unpredictable results" or stop combofix running at all
• Click on THIS LINK to see instructions on how to temporarily disable many security programs while running combofix. The list does not cover every program. If yours is not listed and you don't know how to disable it, please ask.
• Remember to re enable the protection again after combofix has finished

--------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Close any open browsers and any other programs you might have running

Double click on combofix.exe & follow the prompts.

If you are using windows XP It might display a pop up saying that "Recovery console is not installed, do you want to install?"
Please select yes & let it download the files it needs to do this
When finished, it will produce a report for you.
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 or freeze ****

Note: ComboFix may reset a number of Internet Explorer's settings, including making it the default browser.
Note: Combofix prevents autorun of ALL CDs, floppies and USB devices to assist with malware removal & increase security. If this is an issue or makes it difficult for you -- please tell us when you reply. Read HERE why we disable autoruns

Please do not install any new programs or update anything unless told to do so while we are fixing your problem.

[MBows]

Again.. Thank you for looking into this. Feel like maybe i'm getting closer to ending this 3 week crusade.

[dvk01]

That didn't show what I expected it to
I need to examine a few files to check them

Download the attached CFScript.txt and save it to your desktop ( click on the link underneath this post & if you are using internet explorer when the "File download" pop up comes press SAVE and choose desktop in the list of selections in that window & press save)
Disable any antivirus/antimalware/firewall realtime protection or script blocking in the same way you did previously before running combofix & remember to re-enable it when it has finished
Close any open browsers
Then drag the CFScript.txt into the ComboFix.exe as shown in the screenshot below.







This will start ComboFix again. It may ask to reboot. Post the contents of Combofix.txt in your next reply together with a new HijackThis log.


Note: these instructions and script were created specifically for this user. If you are not this user, do NOT follow these instructions or use this script as it could damage the workings of your system and will not fix your problem. If you have a similar problem start your own topic in the malware fixing forum

This will create a zip file inside C:\QooBox\quarantine named something like [38]-Submit_2008-01-17@17.50.zip

at the end it will pop up an alert & open your browser and ask you to send the zip file

please follow those instructions. We need to see the zip file before we can carry on with the fix

If there is no pop up alert or open browser then

please go to http://www.thespykiller.co.uk/index.php?board=1.0 and upload these files so I can examine them and if needed distribute them to antivirus companies.
Just press new topic, fill in the needed details and just give a link to your post here & then press the browse button and then navigate to & select the files on your computer, If there is more than 1 file then press the more attachments button for each extra file and browse and select etc and then when all the files are listed in the windows press send to upload the files ( do not post HJT logs there as they will not get dealt with)

Files to submit:
the zip file inside C:\QooBox\quarantine created by combofix named something like [38]-Submit_2008-01-17@17.50.zip

or to
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/subm...php?channel=38

[MBows]

Hi. I'm not sure you got the file. Is that the case?

Btw, I have every intention of donating to the rescue fund after all this is said and done.

I sent it to the second link too, just incase. Hope that doesn't complicate things.

[MBows]

Any ideas what to do next?

[dvk01]

nothing bad showing in teh files

download gmer rootkit detector from http://gmer.net

unzip it & double click the gmer.exe file

It will do a quick scan automatically, when that finishes if it says "rootkit activity detected" then Stop there & press copy & post back the log it makes.
Do NOT allow it to perform a full scan at this time

If there is No warning of rootkit activity then select the rootkit tab & press scan. When it finishes press copy & post back the log it makes

[MBows]

Here it is.

[dvk01]

are you still getting the high cpu etc in MSN & games or has it stopped now

[MBows]

Yes, just tested and unfortunately all the problems still persist.

[MBows]

Are there things that these log files, I.E. hijackthis can't pick up?

I seem to recall some trouble removing some malware in the past from my computer with avast.