SpywareStrike Has found a new home

[FreeBird42]

Hi Guys,
I've tried unsuccessfully to remove SpywareStrike from my PC using HJT, adaware, spybot S&D, and TrojanHunter.

I'm at a loss. Please Help.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Here's my HJT log.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 9:24:02 PM, on 1/20/2006
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

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\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\AVPERSONAL\AVGUARD.EXE
C:\Program Files\AVPersonal\AVWUPSRV.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wdfmgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\alg.exe
C:\Program Files\AVPersonal\AVGNT.EXE
C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Adaptec\EASYCD~1\CreateCD\CreateCD.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Reference\Bookshelf 98\qshelf98.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Jon.MYBABY\Desktop\HJT\HijackThis.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVGCtrl] "C:\Program Files\AVPersonal\AVGNT.EXE" /min
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [THGuard] "C:\Program Files\TrojanHunter 4.2\THGuard.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Zone Labs Client] C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CreateCD] C:\PROGRA~1\Adaptec\EASYCD~1\CreateCD\CreateCD.exe -r
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SpywareStrike] C:\Program Files\SpywareStrike\SpywareStrike.exe /h
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Qshelf.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Reference\Bookshelf 98\qshelf98.exe
O23 - Service: AntiVir Service (AntiVirService) - H+BEDV Datentechnik GmbH - C:\PROGRAM FILES\AVPERSONAL\AVGUARD.EXE
O23 - Service: AntiVir Update (AVWUpSrv) - H+BEDV Datentechnik GmbH, Germany - C:\Program Files\AVPersonal\AVWUPSRV.EXE
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: TrueVector Internet Monitor (vsmon) - Zone Labs, LLC - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe

[Budfred]

Did you run this log in Safe Mode, it is unusually brief... If it was, this fix will probably not be sufficient...

You may want to print out or make a copy of these instructions before starting, because you will not be able to connect to the internet during most of this fix.

Download smitRem.exe (http://noahdfear.geekstogo.com/click%20counter/click.php?id=1) and save the file to your desktop.
Double click on the file to extract it to it's own folder on the desktop.

Please download, install, and update the free version of Ewido Security Suite (http://www.ewido.net/en/download/):

When installing, under "Additional Options" uncheck "Install background guard" and "Install scan via context menu".
When you run Ewido for the first time, you will get a warning "Database could not be found!". Click OK. We will fix this in a moment.
From the main Ewido screen, click on update in the left menu, then click the Start update button.
After the update finishes, the status bar at the bottom will display "Update successful"
Exit Ewido. DO NOT run a scan yet.


If you do not already have Ad-Aware SE 1.06 installed, follow these download and setup instructions. Also check for updates:
Ad-Aware SE Setup (http://rstones12.geekstogo.com/adawareSE_setup.htm)
Again, do NOT run a scan yet.


Next, please reboot your computer in Safe Mode by doing the following:
Restart your computer
Just before Windows starts to load, press F8.
Instead of Windows loading as normal, a menu should appear
Select the first option, to run Windows in Safe Mode.


Open the smitRem folder, then double click the RunThis.bat file to start the tool. Follow the prompts on screen. Your desktop and icons will disappear and then reappear again --- this is normal.
Wait for the tool to complete and Disk Cleanup to finish --- this may take a while; please be patient.

Next, run Ad-aware and perform a full scan. Remove everything found.

Now open Ewido Security Suite
Click on Scanner
Click on Complete System Scan and the scan will begin.
Select "Perform action on all infections"
When the scan is finished, click the Save report button at the bottom of the screen.
Save the report to your desktop
Close Ewido


Next go to Start -> Control Panel, click Display -> Desktop -> Customize Desktop -> Web -> Uncheck "Security Info" if present.


Restart your computer in normal mode.

Run the Panda online virus scan at http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan.htm

- Once you are on the Panda site click the Scan your PC button
- A new window will open...click the Check Now button
- Enter your Country
- Enter your State/Province
- Enter your e-mail address and click send
- Select either Home User or Company
- Click the big Scan Now button
- If it wants to install an ActiveX component allow it
- It will start downloading the files it requires for the scan (Note: It may take a couple of minutes)
- When download is complete, click on Local Disks to start the scan
- When the scan completes, if anything malicious is detected, click the See Report button, then Save Report and save it to a convenient location.

Finally, restart your computer once more, and please post a new HijackThis log as well as the log from the Ewido scan and the log from the smitRem tool, which will be located at C:\smitfiles.txt.
Let us know if any problems persist.

[FreeBird42]

Thanks so much Budfred.

SmitRem did the trick.
It ran and removed so bunk. In the end it resulted in a "clean" status.

Ewido ran to no infections found.

Panda ran clean as well.

Thanks again!!

HJT Log (pc full up, not in safemode):

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 7:47:20 AM, on 1/21/2006
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

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\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRAM FILES\AVPERSONAL\AVGUARD.EXE
C:\Program Files\AVPersonal\AVWUPSRV.EXE
C:\Program Files\ewido anti-malware\ewidoctrl.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wdfmgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\alg.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\AVPersonal\AVGNT.EXE
C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Adaptec\EASYCD~1\CreateCD\CreateCD.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Reference\Bookshelf 98\qshelf98.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Jon.MYBABY\Desktop\HJT\HijackThis.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVGCtrl] "C:\Program Files\AVPersonal\AVGNT.EXE" /min
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [THGuard] "C:\Program Files\TrojanHunter 4.2\THGuard.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Zone Labs Client] C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CreateCD] C:\PROGRA~1\Adaptec\EASYCD~1\CreateCD\CreateCD.exe -r
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Qshelf.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Reference\Bookshelf 98\qshelf98.exe
O16 - DPF: {9A9307A0-7DA4-4DAF-B042-5009F29E09E1} (ActiveScan Installer Class) - http://acs.pandasoftware.com/activescan/as5free/asinst.cab
O23 - Service: AntiVir Service (AntiVirService) - H+BEDV Datentechnik GmbH - C:\PROGRAM FILES\AVPERSONAL\AVGUARD.EXE
O23 - Service: AntiVir Update (AVWUpSrv) - H+BEDV Datentechnik GmbH, Germany - C:\Program Files\AVPersonal\AVWUPSRV.EXE
O23 - Service: ewido security suite control - ewido networks - C:\Program Files\ewido anti-malware\ewidoctrl.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: TrueVector Internet Monitor (vsmon) - Zone Labs, LLC - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe

[Budfred]

The log looks clean... Please post the SmitRem and Ewido log just to be sure...

[FreeBird42]

For your viewing pleasure.

smitRem © log file
version 2.8
by noahdfear

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
The current date is: Fri 01/20/2006
The current time is: 23:04:30.79

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

checking for ShudderLTD key
ShudderLTD key not present!
checking for PSGuard.com key
PSGuard.com key not present!
checking for WinHound.com key
WinHound.com key not present!
spyaxe uninstaller NOT present
Winhound uninstaller NOT present
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Existing Pre-run Files
~~~ Program Files ~~~
Security Toolbar
~~~ Shortcuts ~~~
Online Security Guide.url
Online Security Guide.url
Security Troubleshooting.url
Security Troubleshooting.url
~~~ Favorites ~~~
Antivirus Test Online.url
~~~ system32 folder ~~~
wiatwain.dll
1024 dir
ld****.tmp
mssearchnet.exe
ncompat.tlb
mscornet.exe
hp***.tmp
~~~ Icons in System32 ~~~
ot.ico
~~~ Windows directory ~~~
~~~ Drive root ~~~
~~~ Miscellaneous Files/folders ~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Command Line Process Viewer/Killer/Suspender for Windows NT/2000/XP V2.03
Copyright(C) 2002-2003 Craig.Peacock@beyondlogic.org
Killing PID 688 'explorer.exe'

Starting registry repairs
Deleting files
Remaining Post-run Files
~~~ Program Files ~~~
~~~ Shortcuts ~~~
~~~ Favorites ~~~
~~~ system32 folder ~~~
~~~ Icons in System32 ~~~
~~~ Windows directory ~~~
~~~ Drive root ~~~
~~~ Miscellaneous Files/folders ~~~
~~~ Wininet.dll ~~~
CLEAN! :)

************************************************** *************

---------------------------------------------------------
ewido anti-malware - Scan report
---------------------------------------------------------

+ Created on: 11:59:55 PM, 1/20/2006
+ Report-Checksum: B1A2CE04

+ Scan result:

No infected objects found.


::Report End

[Budfred]

Okay, looks good...

Here is my prevention speech to help avoid future infection:

This is a good time to set up protection against further
attacks. Read the article linked below about "How did I
get infected". You need an antivirus that is updated, a
good firewall (a router firewall is not enough) and a
spyware blocker like SpywareBlaster and also IE-Spyads.
All of these have good free versions available... be very
cautious about any security software that advertises in
popups or other intrusive ways, they are not only usually
useless, but also often have malware in them....

http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php?showtopic=60955