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  • Thread starter Thread starter dee
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dee

I cant seem to keep a home page every time i put one in
it goes back to blank when i restart i have done that
whole run :regsvr32 scrrun.dll‏ msxml.dll‏ mshtml.dll‏
shdocvw.dll‏ browseui.dll msjava.dll‏ urlmon.dll‏
actxprxy.dll
but that didnt fix it at all.
 
You have an infection of some kind. The about:blank hijacker is the likely
culprit. Do a Google search for "about:blank hijacker" and see what you
get.

I cant seem to keep a home page every time i put one in
it goes back to blank when i restart i have done that
whole run :regsvr32 scrrun.dll‏ msxml.dll‏ mshtml.dll‏
shdocvw.dll‏ browseui.dll msjava.dll‏ urlmon.dll‏
actxprxy.dll
but that didnt fix it at all.
 
There is no "automated" anti-spyware removal tool for this type infection.
There are 2 DLLs involved, the "BHO" DLL which you see in your log and the
main culprit which is totally hidden. Removing the "BHO" DLL has no effect
as it (main culprit) will simply generate a new BHO DLL.

Ok, here goes ... this is my "How To:" (Hint: print out the below)

[Tools and files needed]

Download: "RepairAppInit.reg" (XP\2K only!)
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/RepairAppInit.reg
Do not do anything with this file yet, it will be needed later.

Download: CWShredder
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/hijackthis.zip
Unzip, but do not run it yet, it will be needed later.

Download: Ad-Aware
http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/
Install, but do not run it yet, it will be needed later.

Download: Find-All.zip
http://www10.brinkster.com/expl0iter/freeatlast/pvtool.htm
Unzip, but do not run it yet, it will be needed later.

Download: WINFILE.zip
http://www10.brinkster.com/expl0iter/freeatlast/WINFILE.zip
Unzip, but do not run it yet, it will be needed later.

Download: Registrar Lite [freeware]
http://www.resplendence.com/download
Install, but do not run it yet, it will be needed later.

[Step1]

Double-click the included "Find-All.bat" file from Find-All.zip.
Generates: "output.txt"
Note: if infected you will see:

Locked file(s) found...
C:\WINDOWS\System32\<filename> +++ File read error
Where "<filename>" is the hidden invisable installer.
Note: "+++ File read error" is not an error, this just identifies the
culprit.

[Step2]

Run "Registrar Lite" and navigate to:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows]
Double click on "AppInit_DLLs" entry (right pane)
The size will likely be something other than "1" (if infected)
IMPORTANT: Make a note of the filename and location (folder)

[Step3]

Rename the highlighted "Windows" key (left pane)
To rename: Right-click and select: Rename
(type) NoWindows


Double-click "AppInit_DLLs" again (right pane)
Clear (delete) the "Value" containing the .dll and click Ok.


IMPORTANT: Rename the "NoWindows" key (left pane)
To rename: Right-click and select: Rename
(type) "Windows" (no quotes) and close RegLite.

[Step 4]

Using Windows Explorer go to your root drive: (typically) "C:\"
Click File (up top) select: New > Folder
(type) "Junk" (no quotes)

Open Winfile

Navigate to System32 folder. N.B. File may have HIDDEN attribute.
Click File (up top) select: Move

Copy and paste this into the 'From' box: C:\WINDOWS\System32\<filename>.dll
Copy and paste this into the 'To' box: C:\Junk\<filename>.dll

Note: where "<filename>" = culprit dll from "output.txt"

Click OK. Close Winfile
Open Windows Explorer and check in C:\Junk for the "<filename>.dll" file.

At this point see if you can rename the "<filename>.dll"
Do this several time, changing the name and extension each time.
Then see if you can "Move" to "A:\" (floppy)

[Step 5]

Locate: "RepairAppInit.reg" right-click and select: Merge
Ok the prompt

[Step 6]

Open Regedit (Start | Run (type) "regedit" (no quotes)
Use the Search function for the <filename>.dll
Click: Edit (up top) select: Find
(type) <filename>.dll, click: Find Next

Note: where "<filename>" = culprit dll from "output.txt"

Remove all instances found.Press "F3" to continue searching
until you see the "Completed" message.

Next repeat the above steps, subsitute the "secondary dll"
From: "text/html" as seen in the "output.txt"


[Step 7]

Run CWShredder and reboot.

[Step 8]
Run Ad-Aware

Reconfigure Ad-Aware for Full Scan:
Please update the reference file following the instructions here:
http://www.lavahelp.com/howto/updref/index.html

Launch the program, and click on the Gear at the top of the start screen.

Click the "Scanning" button.
Under Drives & Folders, select "Scan within Archives".
Click "Click here to select Drives + folders" and select your installed hard
drives.

Under Memory & Registry, select all options.
Click the "Advanced" button.
Under "Log-file detail", select all options.
Click the "Tweaks" button.

Under "Scanning Engine", select the following:
"Include additional Ad-aware settings in logfile" and
"Unload recognized processes during scanning."
Under "Cleaning Engine", select the following:
"Let Windows remove files in use after reboot."
Click on 'Proceed' to save these Preferences.
Please make sure that you activate IN-DEPTH scanning before you proceed.

After the above post a fresh log ...
--

Disclaimer: Renaming the "Windows" key modified some security settings.

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows]

Right-click the "Windows" key, select: Permissions

[Example]
Before renaming the "Windows" key:

"Path"
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows"
"Read":
*"Administrators
*Power Users
*Users"
"Write"
*"Administrators"

--
[Example]

After Renaming the key:

"Path"
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows"
"Read":
***"Everyone"***
"Write"
*"Administrators
--

You need to check that and if 'Everyone' was added (as seen above)
You need to reset your original settings as follows:
Note: do this after removing the infection.

Right-click "Windows", select: Permissions
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows]

Click Advanced [button]
If the "inherit permissions" box is checked = Uncheck it.
Then select "COPY" on the prompt.

Select "Everyone Group" (if listed) and remove. (only the group)
You can individually view/edit each group settings.
Be sure "Administrators" and "System" have full control on all.
Note: Creator owner full control on Sub keys only.
"Power users" and "users" = "read control".


--
Ross
I cant seem to keep a home page every time i put one in
it goes back to blank when i restart i have done that
whole run :regsvr32 scrrun.dll‏ msxml.dll‏ mshtml.dll‏
shdocvw.dll‏ browseui.dll msjava.dll‏ urlmon.dll‏
actxprxy.dll
but that didnt fix it at all.
 
dee said:
I cant seem to keep a home page every time i put one in
it goes back to blank when i restart i have done that
whole run :regsvr32 scrrun.dll‏ msxml.dll‏ mshtml.dll‏
shdocvw.dll‏ browseui.dll msjava.dll‏ urlmon.dll‏
actxprxy.dll
but that didnt fix it at all.

That can be a nasty piece of malware to get rid of. Here are a list of
programs to try. You will probably have to run HijackThis. Post the
log to one of the specialty forums for that stuff, _NOT_ here:

Run these programs to check for spyware/malware. After installing
update them, then boot into safe mode and run them. You should update
and run them weekly.

Cwshredder
http://aumha.org/freeware/freeware.php#cwshred

Ad-aware SE
http://www.lavasoftusa.com

Spybot Search and Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org

Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner
http://download.com.com/3000-2144-10247783.html

Pest Patrol Free Pest Scanner
http://www.pestscan.com/ScanOrTrial.asp

If you’re still having problems after running these then run HijackThis
and post the log to one of the specialty forums, _NOT_ this one.

HijackThis
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=3155

Forums to Interpret HijackThis Logs:

http://www.spywareinfo.com/forums/
http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.php?f=30
http://forums.tomcoyote.org/
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/

After your system is clean use these programs to help keep it clean:

Spywareblaster
www.javacoolsoftware.com/sbdownload.html

Spywareguard
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sgdownload.html

IE-SPYAD
http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~ehowes/resource.htm
 

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