[Solved] Can't connect to Symantec

I have a weird problem in that I can't connect to any site starting "www.symantec". I can open any other site including "security.symantec". This means that my Norton anti-virus live update can not complete. I think that this started when I tried to upgrade to NAV2004 & the install kept failing. Symantec's tech support have run out of ideas. I've run on-line virus scans, installed the AVG anti-virus trial, run Trojan Hunter, Ad-Aware, Spy-bot, Spider & XP-Anti-Spy but nothing helps. There are no excluded sites listed in IE6. The PC is an AMD 1.4GHz with 512Mb RAM, 64Mb video & about 50Gb spare hard drive space running Windows XP Pro & IE6 with all the patches found by Big-Fix. Any ideas?

 

Nigh
Welcome to TSG!
Just a shot here...
Go to start\search and type in the file and folders window
the word Hosts
then hit enter.

See if there is a file called hosts. Not hosts.sam or any others with an extension.
If you find one right click it and select open with Notepad.

Look for any line entry that......

On the other hand select all found in the file and copy it.
Post your results back here for review.

Dave

 

Hi Davey,

I found a file called 'hosts', the contents are as follows, does this give you any clues?

# Copyright (c) 1993-1999 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
#
# For example:
#
# 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server
# 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host

127.0.0.1 localhost
127.0.0.1 www.symantec.com
127.0.0.1 securityresponse.symantec.com
127.0.0.1 symantec.com
127.0.0.1 www.sophos.com
127.0.0.1 sophos.com
127.0.0.1 www.mcafee.com
127.0.0.1 mcafee.com
127.0.0.1 liveupdate.symantecliveupdate.com
127.0.0.1 www.viruslist.com
127.0.0.1 viruslist.com
127.0.0.1 viruslist.com
127.0.0.1 f-secure.com
127.0.0.1 www.f-secure.com
127.0.0.1 kaspersky.com
127.0.0.1 www.avp.com
127.0.0.1 www.kaspersky.com
127.0.0.1 avp.com
127.0.0.1 www.networkassociates.com
127.0.0.1 networkassociates.com
127.0.0.1 www.ca.com
127.0.0.1 ca.com
127.0.0.1 mast.mcafee.com
127.0.0.1 my-etrust.com
127.0.0.1 www.my-etrust.com
127.0.0.1 download.mcafee.com
127.0.0.1 dispatch.mcafee.com
127.0.0.1 secure.nai.com
127.0.0.1 nai.com
127.0.0.1 www.nai.com
127.0.0.1 update.symantec.com
127.0.0.1 updates.symantec.com
127.0.0.1 us.mcafee.com
127.0.0.1 liveupdate.symantec.com
127.0.0.1 customer.symantec.com
127.0.0.1 rads.mcafee.com
127.0.0.1 trendmicro.com
127.0.0.1 www.trendmicro.com

 

Nigh
You may have a virus on your machine but lets see if you do.
Open the hosts file again using notepad and highlight and delte the following.

127.0.0.1 localhost
127.0.0.1 www.symantec.com
127.0.0.1 securityresponse.symantec.com
127.0.0.1 symantec.com
127.0.0.1 www.sophos.com
127.0.0.1 sophos.com
127.0.0.1 www.mcafee.com
127.0.0.1 mcafee.com
127.0.0.1 liveupdate.symantecliveupdate.com
127.0.0.1 www.viruslist.com
127.0.0.1 viruslist.com
127.0.0.1 viruslist.com
127.0.0.1 f-secure.com
127.0.0.1 www.f-secure.com
127.0.0.1 kaspersky.com
127.0.0.1 www.avp.com
127.0.0.1 www.kaspersky.com
127.0.0.1 avp.com
127.0.0.1 www.networkassociates.com
127.0.0.1 networkassociates.com
127.0.0.1 www.ca.com
127.0.0.1 ca.com
127.0.0.1 mast.mcafee.com
127.0.0.1 my-etrust.com
127.0.0.1 www.my-etrust.com
127.0.0.1 download.mcafee.com
127.0.0.1 dispatch.mcafee.com
127.0.0.1 secure.nai.com
127.0.0.1 nai.com
127.0.0.1 www.nai.com
127.0.0.1 update.symantec.com
127.0.0.1 updates.symantec.com
127.0.0.1 us.mcafee.com
127.0.0.1 liveupdate.symantec.com
127.0.0.1 customer.symantec.com
127.0.0.1 rads.mcafee.com
127.0.0.1 trendmicro.com
127.0.0.1 www.trendmicro.com

Which is everything below # 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host

After you have done that click file and then save.
Restart your system and locate the hosts file again. Open it and see if the listing reappeared.

Awaiting your results.

Dave

 

Davey,

I deleted the list & as far as I can tell the whole lot reappeared after a restart.

Nigel

(I have to sleep now but I will check in again tomorrow night)

 

Nigh
I will transfer your thread to the security section where the gurus there are better versed in helping you remove this problem which I think is virus related.

Dave

 

Please do this. Click here to download Hijack This. Click on the Hijackthis.exe.

Click the "Scan" button when the scan is finished the scan button will become "Save Log" click that and save the log.

Go to where you saved the log and click on "Edit > Select All" then click on "Edit > Copy" then Paste the log back here in a reply.

DO NOT have Hijack This fix anything yet. Most of what it finds will be harmless or even required. Someone here will be glad to advise you on what to fix.

*Note: When you download Hijack This Do Not download it to a temp folder or to the desktop. Create a permanent folder somewhere like in My Documents and name it Hijack This and put it in that folder.

 

Hi, following is the contents of the HijackThis log file, I hope this helps.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.97.7
Scan saved at 01:11:25, on 17/04/2004
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\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXPPS.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\alg.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgupsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\drivers\CDAC11BA.EXE
C:\Program Files\Executive Software\Diskeeper\DkService.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Share-to-Web\hpgs2wnd.exe
C:\Program Files\ONSPEED\ONSPEED\3.52.1216.0\IACLiM.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\Program Files\Classic PhoneTools\CapFax.EXE
C:\Program Files\Adaptec\Easy CD Creator 5\DirectCD\DirectCD.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgcc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\MouseWare\system\em_exec.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\PANICW~1\POP-UP~2\PSFREE.EXE
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Share-to-Web\hpgs2wnf.exe
C:\Program Files\NielsenNetratings\bin\insight.exe
C:\Program Files\BigFix\BigFix.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Distillr\AcroTray.exe
C:\Program Files\Outlook Express\msimn.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop\Downloads\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = about:blank
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = http=127.0.0.1:8010
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = setup.msn.com;memberservices.msn.com
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {02336F51-24CA-4422-AB63-18841ADF35E6} - C:\Program Files\ONSPEED\ONSPEED\3.52.1216.0\eCATBHO.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: ONSPEED - {4BC3AC04-3E56-411D-B465-4FEA06654611} - C:\Program Files\ONSPEED\ONSPEED\3.52.1216.0\ThinClientToolbar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Share-to-Web Namespace Daemon] C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Share-to-Web\hpgs2wnd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE NvQTwk,NvCplDaemon initialize
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Logitech Utility] Logi_MwX.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IAClient] C:\Program Files\ONSPEED\ONSPEED\3.52.1216.0\IACLiM.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ElbyCheckElbyCDFL] "C:\Program Files\Elaborate Bytes\CloneCD\ElbyCheck.exe" /L ElbyCDFL
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CapFax] C:\Program Files\Classic PhoneTools\CapFax.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AdaptecDirectCD] "C:\Program Files\Adaptec\Easy CD Creator 5\DirectCD\DirectCD.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Video Process] netsvcs.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [THGuard] "C:\Program Files\TrojanHunter 3.8\THGuard.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BCWipeTM Startup] "C:\Program Files\Jetico\BCWipe\BCWipeTM.exe" startup
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [Video Process] netsvcs.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\System32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [TClockEx] C:\Program Files\TClockEx\TCLOCKEX.EXE
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [PopUpStopperFreeEdition] "C:\PROGRA~1\PANICW~1\POP-UP~2\PSFREE.EXE"
O4 - Global Startup: WiziWYG XP Startup.lnk = C:\Program Files\Praxisoft\WiziWYG XP\WiziWYGXP.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Reboot.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Nielsen NetRatings.lnk = C:\Program Files\NielsenNetratings\bin\insight.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: BigFix.lnk = C:\Program Files\BigFix\BigFix.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Acrobat Assistant.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Distillr\AcroTray.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Add animation to IncrediMail Style Box - C:\PROGRA~1\INCRED~1\bin\resources\WebMenuImg.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~1\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O16 - DPF: Win32 Classes -
O16 - DPF: {2BC66F54-93A8-11D3-BEB6-00105AA9B6AE} (Symantec AntiVirus scanner) - http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/SharedContent/vc/bin/AvSniff.cab
O16 - DPF: {56336BCB-3D8A-11D6-A00B-0050DA18DE71} (RdxIE Class) - http://207.188.7.150/075f9aba4594d4a3de17/netzip/RdxIE601.cab
O16 - DPF: {644E432F-49D3-41A1-8DD5-E099162EEEC5} (Symantec RuFSI Utility Class) - http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/SharedContent/common/bin/cabsa.cab
O16 - DPF: {9F1C11AA-197B-4942-BA54-47A8489BB47F} (Update Class) - http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/CAB/x86/unicode/iuctl.CAB?38082.6943634259
O16 - DPF: {CE28D5D2-60CF-4C7D-9FE8-0F47A3308078} (ActiveDataInfo Class) - https://www-secure.symantec.com/techsupp/activedata/SymAData.dll
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {E77C0D62-882A-456F-AD8F-7C6C9569B8C7} (ActiveDataObj Class) - https://www-secure.symantec.com/techsupp/activedata/ActiveData.cab
O16 - DPF: {F00F4763-7355-4725-82F7-0DA94A256D46} (IMDownloader Class) - http://www2.incredimail.com/contents/setup/downloader/imloader.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{5F28D1CC-BE93-4758-844B-42DE16069246}: NameServer = 217.14.177.3 217.14.177.2

 

Run Hijack This again and put a check by these. Close all windows except HijackThis and click "Fix checked"

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = about:blank

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = about:blank

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Video Process] netsvcs.exe

O16 - DPF: Win32 Classes -

O16 - DPF: {56336BCB-3D8A-11D6-A00B-0050DA18DE71} (RdxIE Class) - http://207.188.7.150/075f9aba4594d4...ip/RdxIE601.cab

Restart to safe mode.

How to start your computer in safe mode

First in safe mode click on My Computer. Go to Tools > Folder Options. Click on the View tab and make sure that "Show hidden files and folders" is checked. Also uncheck "Hide protected operating system files" and "Hide extensions for known file types" . Now click "Apply to all folders"
Click "Apply" then "OK"

Now find and delete:

The C:\WINDOWS\system32\netsvcs.exe file


Empty the recycle Bin.


Turn off System Restore:

On the Desktop, right-click My Computer.
Click Properties.
Click the System Restore tab.
Check Turn off System Restore.
Click Apply, and then click OK.
Restart your computer.

When you are sure you are clean turn it back on and create a restore point.


Go here and do an online virus scan:

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Be sure and put a check in the box by "Auto Clean" before you do the scan. If it finds anything that it cannot clean have it delete it or make a note of the file location so you can delete it yourself.


Also I highly recommend that you go to Windows update and install all "Critical Updates and Service Packs". This will patch the secutrity hole that this trojan exploits and numerous other security holes in IE and Windows.

 

after you do all that repeat the instructions to clean your hosts file. all should be removed with the exception of this entry:

127.0.0.1 localhost

 

Mark
Thanks for helping Nigh out with this problem.

Thanks Shadow!
In haste I had him remove the basic host!

Dave

 

Hi Guys,

Following Davey7549s lead, I cleaned out the 'hosts' file & made it read only so that it would not get overwritten again. this allowed me to connect to symantec & run live update. A full system scan then found a virus called W323.HLLW.Gaobot.gen, the description of this virus matched the problems I was having. Apparently this virus looks for games passwords & serials, this would also explain why I was getting a message about my PC trying to connect to trx.sytes.net.

I have run the repair tool, downloaded the windows updates, run HijackThis as described by firman1 & checked the registry.

I've unlocked the hosts file & it is no longer being altered, I can connect ok & the connection message no longer appears. As far as I can tell everything is now fixed.

Big thanks to all of you. You've managed to fix in a few hours something that the massed resources of Symantec tech help have been struggling with for a month. I know wher I'll be looking if I need help again.

Nigh

 

Glad we were able to help!

Good job everyone!

 

Just a small question here. Will deleting entries in the hosts file and then rendering the hosts file "read only" and then restarting the computer help?

 

I'm closing this thread. If you need it reopened please PM me or one of the other mods.

Anyone else with a similar problem please start a "New Thread".