Spyware/viruses sent through e-mail?

[Guest]

So here's the deal. The computer I am using is deeply infected with spyware.
I want to send my important files through e-mail to another computer, but is
there any possibilty I could send along the spyware/any viruses I have
obtained on this computer?

 

[Guest]

I doubt that spyware would be an issue-it's not transmitted via email (at
least not to my knowledge). Viruses can be transmitted via email, but
probably not in one you initiate.

You should really consider cleaning the PC up first, then sending out your
information.

 

[R. McCarty]

Depends on the type of files you wish to send. I would spend some
time cleaning the PC before transferring.

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "Tei" <[email protected]>

| So here's the deal. The computer I am using is deeply infected with spyware.
| I want to send my important files through e-mail to another computer, but is
| there any possibilty I could send along the spyware/any viruses I have
| obtained on this computer?

Viruses can be sent via email. However, many have their own email engines.
While adware, spyware and viruses are all classified as malware, none of them are the same.
It is "viruses" that replicate via email, not adware or spyware.



If you are using any version of Sun Java that is prior to JRE Version 5.0,
then you are strongly urged to remove any/all versions that are prior to JRE
Version 5.0. There are vulnerabilities in them and they are actively being exploited.
It is possible that is how you got infected with malware.

Therefore, it is highly suggested that if there are any prior versions of Sun Java
to Version 5 on the PC that they be removed and Sun Java JRE Version 5.0 Update 6
be installed ASAP.

http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp


For non-viral malware...

Please download, install and update the following software...

* Ad-aware SE v1.06
http://www.lavasoft.de/
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
http://www.lavasoft.de/ms/index.htm

* SpyBot Search and Destroy v1.4
http://security.kolla.de/
http://www.safer-networking.org/microsoft.en.html

* SuperAntiSpyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html

After the software is updated, I suggest scanning the system in Safe Mode.

I also suggest downloading, installing and updating BHODemon for any Browser Helper Objects
that may be on the PC.

* BHODemon

http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloadget.php?id=3550&file=11&evp=245a87539eea8ed6904332b4b8b8442d

For viral malware...

* Download MULTI_AV.EXE from the URL --
http://www.ik-cs.com/programs/virtools/Multi_AV.exe

To use this utility, perform the following...
Execute; Multi_AV.exe { Note: You must use the default folder C:\AV-CLS }
Choose; Unzip
Choose; Close

Execute; C:\AV-CLS\StartMenu.BAT
{ or Double-click on 'Start Menu' in C:\AV-CLS }

NOTE: You may have to disable your software FireWall or allow WGET.EXE to go through your
FireWall to allow it to download the needed AV vendor related files.

C:\AV-CLS\StartMenu.BAT -- { or Double-click on 'Start Menu' in C:\AV-CLS}
This will bring up the initial menu of choices and should be executed in Normal Mode.
This way all the components can be downloaded from each AV vendor's web site.
The choices are; Sophos, Trend, McAfee, Kaspersky, Exit this menu and Reboot the PC.

You can choose to go to each menu item and just download the needed files or you can
download the files and perform a scan in Normal Mode. Once you have downloaded the files
needed for each scanner you want to use, you should reboot the PC into Safe Mode [F8 key
during boot] and re-run the menu again and choose which scanner you want to run in Safe
Mode. It is suggested to run the scanners in both Safe Mode and Normal Mode.

When the menu is displayed hitting 'H' or 'h' will bring up a more comprehensive PDF help
file. http://www.ik-cs.com/multi-av.htm

Additional Instructions:
http://pcdid.com/Multi_AV.htm


* * * Please report back your results * * *

 

[Guest]

Just picture and text files.

Depends on the type of files you wish to send. I would spend some
time cleaning the PC before transferring.

 

[Guest]

By "cleaning the PC" what do you mean?

I doubt that spyware would be an issue-it's not transmitted via email (at
least not to my knowledge). Viruses can be transmitted via email, but
probably not in one you initiate.

You should really consider cleaning the PC up first, then sending out your
information.

 

[Guest]

I'm not sure if I have that or not, but I do know the names of my malware
from Spysweeper. They are: Security2khijacker and Trojan-Downloader-zlob if
that helps.

From: "Tei" <[email protected]>

| So here's the deal. The computer I am using is deeply infected with spyware.
| I want to send my important files through e-mail to another computer, but is
| there any possibilty I could send along the spyware/any viruses I have
| obtained on this computer?

Viruses can be sent via email. However, many have their own email engines.
While adware, spyware and viruses are all classified as malware, none of them are the same.
It is "viruses" that replicate via email, not adware or spyware.



If you are using any version of Sun Java that is prior to JRE Version 5.0,
then you are strongly urged to remove any/all versions that are prior to JRE
Version 5.0. There are vulnerabilities in them and they are actively being exploited.
It is possible that is how you got infected with malware.

Therefore, it is highly suggested that if there are any prior versions of Sun Java
to Version 5 on the PC that they be removed and Sun Java JRE Version 5.0 Update 6
be installed ASAP.

http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp


For non-viral malware...

Please download, install and update the following software...

* Ad-aware SE v1.06
http://www.lavasoft.de/
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
http://www.lavasoft.de/ms/index.htm

* SpyBot Search and Destroy v1.4
http://security.kolla.de/
http://www.safer-networking.org/microsoft.en.html

* SuperAntiSpyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html

After the software is updated, I suggest scanning the system in Safe Mode.

I also suggest downloading, installing and updating BHODemon for any Browser Helper Objects
that may be on the PC.

* BHODemon

http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloadget.php?id=3550&file=11&evp=245a87539eea8ed6904332b4b8b8442d

For viral malware...

* Download MULTI_AV.EXE from the URL --
http://www.ik-cs.com/programs/virtools/Multi_AV.exe

To use this utility, perform the following...
Execute; Multi_AV.exe { Note: You must use the default folder C:\AV-CLS }
Choose; Unzip
Choose; Close

Execute; C:\AV-CLS\StartMenu.BAT
{ or Double-click on 'Start Menu' in C:\AV-CLS }

NOTE: You may have to disable your software FireWall or allow WGET.EXE to go through your
FireWall to allow it to download the needed AV vendor related files.

C:\AV-CLS\StartMenu.BAT -- { or Double-click on 'Start Menu' in C:\AV-CLS}
This will bring up the initial menu of choices and should be executed in Normal Mode.
This way all the components can be downloaded from each AV vendor's web site.
The choices are; Sophos, Trend, McAfee, Kaspersky, Exit this menu and Reboot the PC.

You can choose to go to each menu item and just download the needed files or you can
download the files and perform a scan in Normal Mode. Once you have downloaded the files
needed for each scanner you want to use, you should reboot the PC into Safe Mode [F8 key
during boot] and re-run the menu again and choose which scanner you want to run in Safe
Mode. It is suggested to run the scanners in both Safe Mode and Normal Mode.

When the menu is displayed hitting 'H' or 'h' will bring up a more comprehensive PDF help
file. http://www.ik-cs.com/multi-av.htm

Additional Instructions:
http://pcdid.com/Multi_AV.htm


* * * Please report back your results * * *

 

[R. McCarty]

Then I would "Zip" them up and go ahead with a transfer. But I'd
still set aside some time to clean up the PC. Probably start with the
on-line Spyware scan from Trend-Micro. It does a comprehensive
check and will remove "Baddies" without a program purchase.
http://www.trendmicro.com/spyware-scan/

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "Tei" <[email protected]>

| I'm not sure if I have that or not, but I do know the names of my malware
| from Spysweeper. They are: Security2khijacker and Trojan-Downloader-zlob if
| that helps.
|

OK ther ZLob Trojan is associated with the SmitFraud Trojan and a familiy of malware...



Two part reply..

Perform Part 1 then perform Part 2.

If the first two parts don't work, perform the alternate utility.

It is suggested that you execute each tool in Normal Mode then in Safe Mode.

If you are using any version of Sun Java that is prior to JRE Version 5.0,
then you are strongly urged to remove any/all versions that are prior to JRE
Version 5.0. There are vulnerabilities in them and they are actively being exploited.

Therefore, it is highly suggested that if there are any prior versions of Sun Java
to Version 5 on the PC that they be removed and Sun Java JRE Version 5.0 Update 6
be installed ASAP.

http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp



Part 1
-----------

Use noahdfear's SmitFraud, SpyAxe, SpyFalcon, et. al., removal tool -- SmitRem.exe
http://noahdfear.geekstogo.com/click counter/click.php?id=1

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic43659.html


Part 2
-----------

Download SmitFraud.exe from the URL --
http://www.ik-cs.com/programs/virtools/SmitFraud.exe

Execute; SmitFraud.exe { Note: You must accept the default of C:\McAfee }
Choose; Unzip
Choose; Close

NOTE: You may have to disable your software FireWall or allow WGET.EXE to go through your
FireWall to enable WGET.EXE to download the needed McAfee related files.

Execute; c:\mcafee\clean.bat
{ or Double-click on 'Clean Link' in c:\mcafee }

A final report in HTML format called C:\mcafee\Normal_ScanReport.HTML or
C:\mcafee\Safe_ScanReport.HTML will be generated. At the end of the scan, it will be
displayed in your browser (Opera, FireFox or Internet Explorer). However, if you are using
WinXP, Win2K or Win2003 your system will be left in a state where you will have to manually
shutdown/reboot the PC. On Win9x/ME platforms the report will not be shown in your bowser
but your PC will automatically be shutdown. It is suggested that you move the report out of
c:\mcafee before performing another scan.

It would be best to scan in both Safe Mode and in Normal Mode and save a copy of the HTML
report for each session.


ALTERNATE:

Secured2K's SpyAxe, PSGuard, Smitfraud, Sinnaka and Alemod removal tool.

http://secured2k.home.comcast.net/tools/AntiPuper.exe

http://forums.mcafeehelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=65072


Please Copy and Paste the contents of the HTML Log files;
C:\mcafee\Normal_ScanReport.HTML & C:\mcafee\Safe_ScanReport.HTML in your reply.

* * * Please report back your results * * *

 

[Tom [Pepper] Willett]

You are infected by worms/trojans...

I'm not sure if I have that or not, but I do know the names of my malware
from Spysweeper. They are: Security2khijacker and Trojan-Downloader-zlob
if
that helps.

From: "Tei" <[email protected]>

| So here's the deal. The computer I am using is deeply infected with
spyware.
| I want to send my important files through e-mail to another computer,
but is
| there any possibilty I could send along the spyware/any viruses I have
| obtained on this computer?

Viruses can be sent via email. However, many have their own email
engines.
While adware, spyware and viruses are all classified as malware, none of
them are the same.
It is "viruses" that replicate via email, not adware or spyware.



If you are using any version of Sun Java that is prior to JRE Version
5.0,
then you are strongly urged to remove any/all versions that are prior to
JRE
Version 5.0. There are vulnerabilities in them and they are actively
being exploited.
It is possible that is how you got infected with malware.

Therefore, it is highly suggested that if there are any prior versions of
Sun Java
to Version 5 on the PC that they be removed and Sun Java JRE Version 5.0
Update 6
be installed ASAP.

http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp


For non-viral malware...

Please download, install and update the following software...

* Ad-aware SE v1.06
http://www.lavasoft.de/
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
http://www.lavasoft.de/ms/index.htm

* SpyBot Search and Destroy v1.4
http://security.kolla.de/
http://www.safer-networking.org/microsoft.en.html

* SuperAntiSpyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html

After the software is updated, I suggest scanning the system in Safe
Mode.

I also suggest downloading, installing and updating BHODemon for any
Browser Helper Objects
that may be on the PC.

* BHODemon

http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloadget.php?id=3550&file=11&evp=245a87539eea8ed6904332b4b8b8442d

For viral malware...

* Download MULTI_AV.EXE from the URL --
http://www.ik-cs.com/programs/virtools/Multi_AV.exe

To use this utility, perform the following...
Execute; Multi_AV.exe { Note: You must use the default folder C:\AV-CLS }
Choose; Unzip
Choose; Close

Execute; C:\AV-CLS\StartMenu.BAT
{ or Double-click on 'Start Menu' in C:\AV-CLS }

NOTE: You may have to disable your software FireWall or allow WGET.EXE to
go through your
FireWall to allow it to download the needed AV vendor related files.

C:\AV-CLS\StartMenu.BAT -- { or Double-click on 'Start Menu' in
C:\AV-CLS}
This will bring up the initial menu of choices and should be executed in
Normal Mode.
This way all the components can be downloaded from each AV vendor's web
site.
The choices are; Sophos, Trend, McAfee, Kaspersky, Exit this menu and
Reboot the PC.

You can choose to go to each menu item and just download the needed files
or you can
download the files and perform a scan in Normal Mode. Once you have
downloaded the files
needed for each scanner you want to use, you should reboot the PC into
Safe Mode [F8 key
during boot] and re-run the menu again and choose which scanner you want
to run in Safe
Mode. It is suggested to run the scanners in both Safe Mode and Normal
Mode.

When the menu is displayed hitting 'H' or 'h' will bring up a more
comprehensive PDF help
file. http://www.ik-cs.com/multi-av.htm

Additional Instructions:
http://pcdid.com/Multi_AV.htm


* * * Please report back your results * * *

 

[Guest]

Thank you for that.
Will any of these procedures delete my programs, pictures, etc?

I took my computer in to circuit city, but they said they needed to do a
full restore and reformat my computer. I thought that would be the only way
to fix things. But it could be a possibilty that they didn't do their job and
want more cash, huh?

I will try those steps.

 

[Guest]

Also, these buggers regenerate when I open my browser. So do you think those
procedures should take care of that?

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "Tei" <[email protected]>

| Thank you for that.
| Will any of these procedures delete my programs, pictures, etc?
|
| I took my computer in to circuit city, but they said they needed to do a
| full restore and reformat my computer. I thought that would be the only way
| to fix things. But it could be a possibilty that they didn't do their job and
| want more cash, huh?
|
| I will try those steps.


No. Personal dat will be unafected. That is unless you are infected with a virus that
deliberately targets data files and their are many that do from MS Office Documents (macro
Viruses) to MP3 files.

Circyuit City wants to bypass the problem altogether. They are have low waged
un-experienced personnel that don't know how to deal with malware. Therefore it is just
easier to re-format and re-install from scratch. That is an idea *ONLY* if your PC is is
backed up first and after the OS is re-installed you can restakll your personal data.

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "Tei" <[email protected]>

| Also, these buggers regenerate when I open my browser. So do you think those
| procedures should take care of that?
|


That's the objective ! It should remove the malware and correct the changes the malware
made.

 

[DanS]

Thank you for that.
Will any of these procedures delete my programs, pictures, etc?

I took my computer in to circuit city, but they said they needed to do
a full restore and reformat my computer.

FWIW, Circuit City and Best Buy type places are NOT the places to go to
get a PC cleaned up or fixed.

As David Lipman said, low-wage, low experience techs. And just techs. is
what they usually are.

Here in the newsgroups, you can get much better help from much more
experienced people, and the advantage of possibly thousands of people
looking at the issue, not just one or 2 techs and their boss. Granted,
you have to do it yourself, but many people here are great at giving
detailed help when people need it.

I am also willing to bet that ALMOST none of those places have anyone
that knows about the issue(s) with the one or two recent Windows security
updates. I can see it now, hundreds/thousands of restore's going on at
those places right now, when there's a simple reg fix or just
uninstalling the update.


Regards,

DanS

 

[Guest]

Thank you, DanS for clearing that up.

But the last paragraph you wrote confused me.

I am also willing to bet that ALMOST none of those places have anyone
that knows about the issue(s) with the <b>one or two recent Windows security
updates.</b> I can see it now, hundreds/thousands of restore's going on at
those places right now, when there's a simple reg fix or just
<b>uninstalling the update.</b>

The thing is, I downloaded a security update from Windows pior to my
computer recieving malware. But I figured Mircosoft is a safe website to
download from, so it couldn't have been conceived from the update.
Maybe that's not what you meant, but could that be a possibilty? And does
this give me new clues to fix this?

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "Tei" <[email protected]>


|
| The thing is, I downloaded a security update from Windows pior to my
| computer recieving malware. But I figured Mircosoft is a safe website to
| download from, so it couldn't have been conceived from the update.
| Maybe that's not what you meant, but could that be a possibilty? And does
| this give me new clues to fix this?
|


No. Coincidence. You could have had the malware prior to the update and it went
un-noticed.

Please use the utilities I suggested and post the log files I requested.

 

[Jim]

Just picture and text files.

A skillful hacker can write software that imbeds nasty things in pictures.
Jim

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "Jim" <[email protected]>

|

| A skillful hacker can write software that imbeds nasty things in pictures.
| Jim
|

That's not a hacker you are talking about, that's a malware writer.

There have been demonstration viruses which can code a virus in a JPEG but it requires a
"helper" program to be pre-installed on the destination platform to remove the virus and run
it. It is just easier to have the "helper" application be the actual infector. Albeit,
maybe said application could receive a "plug-in" to add additional functionality to the
infector. I know that there have been viruses using UseNet to obtain plug-ins to add
functionality.

W32/Perrun -- http://vil.nai.com/vil/content/v_99522.htm

"This appending virus is the first reported JPEG infector. It is multi-component in nature,
requiring an extractor file to extract (and execute) the virus body from infected JPEG
files.

Infected JPEGs are unable to replicate on non-infected machines - ie. machines without the
extractor component installed (hooked in the Registry)."

The other problem is that a specialy crafted JPEG, GIF or other image file may cause a
buffer overflow condition in the Microsoft GDI+ rendering engine and thus could be
exploited.
http://vil.nai.com/vil/content/v_128356.htm

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-028
Buffer Overrun in JPEG Processing Could Allow Code Execution (833987)
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS04-028.mspx

 

[DanS]

Thank you, DanS for clearing that up.

But the last paragraph you wrote confused me.

The thing is, I downloaded a security update from Windows pior to my
computer recieving malware. But I figured Mircosoft is a safe website
to download from, so it couldn't have been conceived from the update.
Maybe that's not what you meant, but could that be a possibilty? And
does this give me new clues to fix this?

Sorry to confuse you, I did not mean to imply that your PC was infected
by something from M$.

I was just giving an example of how low-level tech's would wrongly give
advice, because of many factors. Since the M$ update issue is only a few
days old, the majority of people wouldn't have been aware of it unless
you frequent these newsgroups.

Believe me, unless you are totally prepared for a system restore, that is
something most people would rather not do. It is a last resort when ALL
else fails, and truthfully, all else fails rarely. I had a friend that
worked at Gateway in tech support (one of the few good support people)
and he had explicit insructions that if they couldn't get someone back up
and running in 15 minutes, tell them a restore from the factory disks is
the only option.

A friend of the wife's has a husband that refuses to stop going to porn
websites. I have cleaned their PC twice for them and have since refused
to offer them any more help. Both times, the PC was probably what you
would have considered beyond help. Spyware scans showed 30 or 40
different spyware packages, everywhere. The PC literally took 40 minutes
to start up. Using the freely available s/w tools that everyone has
access to, on both occasion I was able to clean the PC and get everything
back in working order. And of course, this is the same PC he uses for
tracking his business as well. Some people never learn.

The best thing to do is educate yourself on how to protect against it in
the future.

Regards,

DanS