Hi J. - about:blank (which has many variants) is one of the nastiest
of the CoolWebSearch parasites to remove. Lets try the simplest approach
first, then if that doesn't do it, we can go on from there. You may
ultimately need to signin at one of the available HiJackThis forums for
assistance, but give this a go first:
Start here. Please post back with your results or if you need additional
assistance.
First, some precautionary stuff:
#########IMPORTANT#########
Before you try to remove spyware using any of the programs below, download
both a copy of LSPFIX here:
http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm
AND a copy of Winsockfix for W95, W98, and ME
http://www.tacktech.com/pub/winsockfix/WinsockFix.zip
Directions here:
http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=257
or here for Win2k/XP
http://files.webattack.com/localdl834/WinsockxpFix.exe
Info here:
http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html
Directions here:
http://www.iup.edu/house/resnet/winfix.shtm
The process of removing certain malware may kill your internet connection.
If this should occur, these programs, LSPFIX and WINSOCKFIX, will enable you
to regain your connection.
NOTE: It is reported that in XP SP2, the Run command netsh winsock reset
will fix this problem without the need for these programs. (You can also
try this if you're on XP SP1. There has also been one, as yet unconfirmed,
report that this also works there.) Also, one MS technician suggested the
following sequence:
netsh int reset all
ipconfig /flushdns
See also:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/winsock.htm for additional XPSP2
info/approaches using the netsh command.
#########IMPORTANT#########
#########IMPORTANT#########
Show hidden files and run all of the following removal tools from Safe mode
or a "Clean Boot" when possible. Reboot and test if the malware is fixed
after using each tool.
HOW TO Enable Hidden Files
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2002092715262339
Clean Boot - General Win2k/XP procedure, but see below for links for other
OS's (This for Win2k w/msconfig - you can obtain msconfig for Win2k here:
http://www.3feetunder.com/files/win2K_msconfig_setup.exe ):
1. StartRun enter msconfig.
2. On the General tab, click Selective Startup, and then clear the 'Process
System.ini File', 'Process Win.ini File', and 'Load Startup Items' check
boxes. Leave the 'boot.ini' boxes however they are currently set.
3. In the Services tab, check the "Hide All Microsoft Services" checkbox,
and then click the "Disable All" button. If you use a third party firewall
then re-check (enable) it. For example, if you use Zone Alarm, re-check the
True Vector Internet Monitor service (and you may also want to re-check
(enable) the zlclient on the Startup tab.) Equivalent services exist for
other third party firewalls. An alternative to this for XP users is to
enable at this time the XP native firewall (Internet Connection Firewall -
ICF). Be sure to turn it back off when you re-enable your non-MS services
and Startup tab programs and restore your normal msconfig configuration
after cleaning your machine.
4. Click OK and then reboot.
For additional information about how to clean boot your operating system,
click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft
Knowledge Base:
310353 How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353
281770 How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/281770/EN-US/
267288 How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows Millennium Edition
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/267288/EN-US/
192926 How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 98
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/192926/EN-US/
243039 How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 95
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/243039/EN-US/
#########IMPORTANT#########
Sometimes the tools below will find files which they are unable to delete
because they are in use. A program called Copylock, here,
http://noeld.com/programs.asp?cat=misc#CopyLock can aid in the process of
"replacing, moving, renaming or deleting one or many files which are
currently in use (e.g. system files like comctl32.dll, or virus/trojan
files.)" Another is Killbox, here:
http://www.downloads.subratam.org/KillBox.zip
A third which is a bit different but often useful is Delete Invalid File,
here:
http://www.purgeie.com/delinv.htm which handles invalid/UNC
file/folder name deleting, rather than the in use problem
Download and run Stinger.exe, here:
http://download.nai.com/products/mcafee-avert/stinger.exe or from the link
on this page:
http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/ ME/XP users be sure to read:
http://vil.nai.com/vil/SystemHelpDocs/DisableSysRestore.htm
Download sysclean.com , from Trend Micro, here:
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/dcs.asp along with the latest pattern
file, here:
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/pattern.asp Be sure to read
the "How-to" info here:
http://www.trendmicro.com/ftp/products/tsc/readme.txt (You might also want
to get Art's updater, SYS-UP.Zip, here for future updating of these:
http://home.epix.net/~artnpeg/). (If you download and use the updater from
the beginning, it will automatically handle downloading the other files.)
Place them in a dedicated folder after appropriate unzipping. Show hidden
and system files (HowTo here:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2002092715262339)
Disable Restore if you're on XP or ME (directions here:
http://vil.nai.com/vil/SystemHelpDocs/DisableSysRestore.htm), then boot to
Safe mode (HowTo here:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001052409420406)
Read tscreadme.txt carefully, then do a complete scan of your system
in Safe mode and clean or delete anything it finds. Reboot to normal mode
and re-run the scan again.
This scan may take a long time, as Sysclean is VERY extensive and thorough.
For example, one user reported that Sysclean found 69 hits that an
immediately prior Norton AV v. 11.0.2.4 run had missed.
Download and run the free or trial version of A2 Personal, here:
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/ Run from a Clean Boot or Safe Mode with Show
Hidden Files enabled as above.
Now try the "let's hope we're lucky" approach:
Courtesy of Ron Kinner, MVP:
"There is a German program called Spoonweg.exe which might
help.
http://lunatic-skydance.de/mr/soft/SpoonWeg.exe
It will start to download. Save it somewhere you can find
it again then Open it and say YES then Click on Trojaner-
Suchen. If it finds the version of about:blank that it is
meant to kill it will go and do it then reboot the PC.
Otherwise it will say Trojaner Spooner wird nicht gefunden.
Another German program is SpHjFix.exe.
http://www.trojaner-info.de/cgi-bin/download.cgi?file=sphjfix
This one speaks English so just Press on Start Disinfection
If it doesn't find its target it will say Not Infected
across the top of the little window. Otherwise follow the
instructions.
Both of these probably run better in Safe Mode (F8 -
without Networking)
Finally if both of the above fail then try one of the
methods in:
http://www.pchell.com/support/aboutblank.shtml "
I can also recommend the procedures at
www.pchell.com .
If none of this helps, then post back and we'll take things to the next
level. (Even if it does fix it, please post back - there are some followup
steps that you need to take. )
