MSMGS.EXE worm /poor performance/

[Guest]

Hello I'm having problems with performance that I have traced to "MSMGS.EXE"
-- which is taking a hit at my pc about every minute to every other minute.
This is NOT the MSN messenger, but I had read somewhere that it possibly was
part of a pesky, moderately severe worm. I have "goggled" it, but all I can
get are various forums discussing it, some as far back as 2002, but no real
mention of how to get rid of it. I have tried virus scans with 3 types of
virus scanners, and still can't get rid of it, some scans didn't even
recognize it. I tried an independent "search", and it does not show up.
I have even tried msconfig and blocking it from there, but it still shows up.
And something else I have happened upon, don't know if it goes along with
the other problem or not, but trying to give as much info as I can to the
help post. I ran a Norton Windows scan, and there were 10 incidents with
various references, where problems were found ---- but they all referred to
this: "Details -- Missing Program Files that may alter or interfere with
performance of your computer: cannot access a necessary file "msvcr8.dll" ---
and the 10 incidences were referring to:
C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727" Norton was unable to repair
these on its scan, and I have noticed at times when I restart the pc, that I
am getting a message regarding possible programs having to do with the Drive
"refer to your owner's manual for details", but it does allow the pc to
restart. I have done chkdsk's but sometimes that statement still shows up. I
guess I'm through now -- LOL -- Just wanted to give as much background as
possible.
Thanks all
25or6to4

 

[Guest]

you have the W32.Alcarys.B@mm virus and Norton anti-virus should remove it
from your system. Below is how to do it yourself.

recommendations

Symantec Security Response encourages all users and administrators to adhere
to the following basic security "best practices":

* Turn off and remove unneeded services. By default, many operating
systems install auxiliary services that are not critical, such as an FTP
server, telnet, and a Web server. These services are avenues of attack. If
they are removed, blended threats have less avenues of attack and you have
fewer services to maintain through patch updates.
* If a blended threat exploits one or more network services, disable, or
block access to, those services until a patch is applied.
* Always keep your patch levels up-to-date, especially on computers that
host public services and are accessible through the firewall, such as HTTP,
FTP, mail, and DNS services (for example, all Windows-based computers should
have the current Service Pack installed.). Additionally, please apply any
security updates that are mentioned in this writeup, in trusted Security
Bulletins, or on vendor Web sites.
* Enforce a password policy. Complex passwords make it difficult to
crack password files on compromised computers. This helps to prevent or limit
damage when a computer is compromised.
* Configure your email server to block or remove email that contains
file attachments that are commonly used to spread viruses, such as .vbs,
..bat, .exe, .pif and .scr files.
* Isolate infected computers quickly to prevent further compromising
your organization. Perform a forensic analysis and restore the computers
using trusted media.
* Train employees not to open attachments unless they are expecting
them. Also, do not execute software that is downloaded from the Internet
unless it has been scanned for viruses. Simply visiting a compromised Web
site can cause infection if certain browser vulnerabilities are not patched.

removal instructions

Delete files that are detected as W32.Alcarys.B@mm. If the worm has run, you
must remove the values that it added to the registry and undo the changes
that the worm made to the various default values as detailed in the Technical
Description. Restore overwritten data files from a clean backup.

NOTE: If the worm has successfully overwritten system files such as
Regedit.exe, you first must reinstall Windows or restore the overwritten
files from a clean backup.

To remove this worm:

1. Obtain the most recent virus definitions. There are two ways to do this:
* Run LiveUpdate. LiveUpdate is the easiest way to obtain virus
definitions. These virus definitions have undergone full quality assurance
testing by Symantec Security Response and are posted to the LiveUpdate
servers one time each week (usually Wednesdays) unless there is a major virus
outbreak. To determine if definitions for this threat are available by
LiveUpdate, look at the Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate) line at the top of
this write-up.
* Download the definitions using the Intelligent Updater.
Intelligent Updater virus definitions have undergone full quality assurance
testing by Symantec Security Response. They are posted on U.S. business days
(Monday through Friday). They must be downloaded from the Symantec Security
Response Web site and installed manually. To determine if definitions for
this threat are available by the Intelligent Updater, look at the Virus
Definitions (Intelligent Updater) line at the top of this write-up.

Intelligent Updater virus definitions are available here. For
detailed instructions on how to download and install the Intelligent Updater
virus definitions from the Symantec Security Response Web site, click here.
2. Start Norton AntiVirus (NAV), and make sure that NAV is configured to
scan all files. For instructions on how to do this, read the document How to
configure Norton AntiVirus to scan all files.
3. Run a full system scan.
4. Delete all files that are detected as W32.Alcarys.B@mm. Restore
overwritten files from a backup copy.


To edit the registry:

CAUTION: We strongly recommend that you back up the registry before you make
any changes to it. Incorrect changes to the registry can result in permanent
data loss or corrupted files. Modify only the keys that are specified. Read
the document How to back up the Windows registry for instructions.

1. Click Start, and click Run. The Run dialog box appears.
2. Type regedit and then click OK. The Registry Editor opens.
3. Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
4. In the right pane, delete the following value:

Rundll64 c:\windows\rundll64.exe
5. Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
6. In the right pane, delete the following values:

Windows Update C:\WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\Windows
Update\file###.###.exe
Regedit C:\windows\regedit.exe

7. Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

8. In the right pane, delete the following values:

Windows c:\windows\windows.exe
MSMSGS c:\msmsgs.exe
9. Navigate to the following keys and restore their default values:

NOTE: The default value in these cases refers to what program you have
set up to open files of these types when you double-click these files. This
will vary according to which programs you have installed on your computer.
The worm changes these values so that the worm will run when you attempt to
run any of these file types. Unless you know what each value should be, it
may be easier to reinstall the software that you normally use to open each
type of file.

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\mp3file\shell\open\command
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\VBSFile\Shell\Open\Command
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\VBSFile\Shell\Open2\Command
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\mp3file\shell\play\command
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\JSFile\Shell\Open\Command
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\JSFile\Shell\Open2\Command
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\txtfile\shell\open\command
10. Click Registry, and click Exit.

 

[Guest]

Hello Vincent,
Thanks for replying to my post.

I use the Norton Antivirus (packaged from NSW 2006).

Daily, the FIRST thing I do is to go to Daily Posting of virus updates and
downloads ... http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/download/pages
This brings up the DAILY updates/patches for NAV.
I save them and install them from "UPDATE FOLDER" ... plus I check the Live
Update in the program.
I have the pc programed to run a virus scan every night.
Somehow, this bug is slipping away during the scans.
As mentioned in my post, I have tried 2 other virus scans.

In Your reply, it mentions "reinstall Windows" ...
Does this mean that I will loose EVERYTHING on my pc, and actually format
the hard drive ?? ...

I have "peeked" into the REGEDIT, but I am always a little skiddish about
going into the REGISTRY.

If I use the REGEDIT changes, will I still have to reinstall Windows??

Again, thanks for your reply and assistance.

25or6to4