For the past two days I tried to get rid of several pesky viruses/trojans
that apparently messed up my machine and kept returning on reboot.

I'm running XP and turned off System Restore, then rebooted in Safe Mode,
then ran my AV program, and deleted the "Trojano" worm and a few other
viruses, like the "DyfucDldr" variety.

I think I'm now virus, trojan, worm, and adware-free, but the damage seems
to have been done:

First, I can't open programs from my desktop, like IE or Ad-Aware, or Real
Audio. The system just hangs and the hourglass icon stares at me.
CTL-ALT-DEL doesn't work...it either freezes the computer or I get an error
message saying there is something wrong with the program and asking me to
send a report to Microsoft.

Second, there is no audio on the computer anymore. The files for all of the
Windows sounds are missing -- there is no C:/WINDOWS/MEDIA folder anymore.
Instead, in Control Panel, the icons for each sound show a path that begins
with "%System Root%" and I get a message that the file can't be located.
The same is true of all the other program sounds, for Real Audio, my
anti-virus alerts, etc. (I checked and nothing is muted.)

Finally, I noticed the Startup list after running "msconfig" shows a couple
strange ".exe" files, for example, "Nye42.exe". This box is checked like
all the others, and it says the location is in the C:/Windows folder, but I
did a search for it and there is no such file found on my computer. I
unchecked this from the Startup list, but the two problems noted above still
exist.

I'm afraid whatever got me really got me good and I have no idea how to
recover from this.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I've done a web search (on my other
computer) and reviewed the bulletin board threads. I think I've done
everything I've read to get rid of the nasties, I just don't know how to
restore the system to an operational mode.

I am thinking of restoring the "System Restore" function and going back a
month or so before I got whacked to do a System Restore at that point.
Hopefully that will restore the sounds and functionality. It may also
restore the viruses, but I may be able to delete them this time before they
do permanent damage.

I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts on what I can do or whether my plan even
makes sense.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Trojan/virus effects by Jacky

Jacky
Fri Jun 25 23:17:56 CDT 2004

It sounds like your explore.exe is already crashed by the
virus/trojan. I will suggested to do a restore by Windows
XP CD.

Since I guess some of the files there is hidden or it may
resistance on the IE cookies/plug-in. Another method is
try to remove it by hand on those C:\WINNT/Downloaded
program files\*.*, you may also check if there have any
program running by checking Task Manager. You have to
delete the programs you feel it should not exist on
msconfig, autoexec, WINNT.INI and all windows startup
files.

Actually restore is the last sort to sloving problems. If
it still cannot fix your problem, you may need to
reinstallit.
>-----Original Message-----
>For the past two days I tried to get rid of several
pesky viruses/trojans
>that apparently messed up my machine and kept returning
on reboot.
>
>I'm running XP and turned off System Restore, then
rebooted in Safe Mode,
>then ran my AV program, and deleted the "Trojano" worm
and a few other
>viruses, like the "DyfucDldr" variety.
>
>I think I'm now virus, trojan, worm, and adware-free,
but the damage seems
>to have been done:
>
>First, I can't open programs from my desktop, like IE or
Ad-Aware, or Real
>Audio. The system just hangs and the hourglass icon
stares at me.
>CTL-ALT-DEL doesn't work...it either freezes the
computer or I get an error
>message saying there is something wrong with the program
and asking me to
>send a report to Microsoft.
>
>Second, there is no audio on the computer anymore. The
files for all of the
>Windows sounds are missing -- there is no
C:/WINDOWS/MEDIA folder anymore.
>Instead, in Control Panel, the icons for each sound show
a path that begins
>with "%System Root%" and I get a message that the file
can't be located.
>The same is true of all the other program sounds, for
Real Audio, my
>anti-virus alerts, etc. (I checked and nothing is
muted.)
>
>Finally, I noticed the Startup list after
running "msconfig" shows a couple
>strange ".exe" files, for example, "Nye42.exe". This
box is checked like
>all the others, and it says the location is in the
C:/Windows folder, but I
>did a search for it and there is no such file found on
my computer. I
>unchecked this from the Startup list, but the two
problems noted above still
>exist.
>
>I'm afraid whatever got me really got me good and I have
no idea how to
>recover from this.
>
>Any suggestions would be appreciated. I've done a web
search (on my other
>computer) and reviewed the bulletin board threads. I
think I've done
>everything I've read to get rid of the nasties, I just
don't know how to
>restore the system to an operational mode.
>
>I am thinking of restoring the "System Restore" function
and going back a
>month or so before I got whacked to do a System Restore
at that point.
>Hopefully that will restore the sounds and
functionality. It may also
>restore the viruses, but I may be able to delete them
this time before they
>do permanent damage.
>
>I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts on what I can do or
whether my plan even
>makes sense.
>
>Thanks in advance for your help.
>
>
>.
>

Re: Trojan/virus effects by PA

PA
Sat Jun 26 02:51:15 CDT 2004

1. Download and run Stinger (http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/); then...

2. Update your virus definitions, enable Show Hidden Files
(http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2002092715262339)
and then run a full system scan in Safe Mode
(http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001052409420406)
with nothing else running in background. Note the files identified and
removed then find the corresponding page for the file at your AV maker's
online support pages (e.g.,
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/adware.winfavorites.html)
and follow all Removal steps.

WinXP Only (WinME similar): If this scan finds anything, create a new
Restore Point then Disk Cleanup > More options > Delete all but the most
recent Restore Point.

Check your system for other "hijackware":

Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/Darnit.htm

CoolWebSearch Chronicles
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/cwschronicles.html

Run these tools in the following order with nothing else running in
background:

1. CWShredder (fix all found)

2. Ad-Aware (fix all found)

3. Spybot (RTFM but generally fix everything in red)

Important: You *must* seek updates for Ad-Aware, Spybot, etc., before each
and every use, even "right out of the box". But even they can't catch
everything, 24/7. When all else fails, HijackThis
(http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/HijackThis.exe) is the preferred
tool to use. It will help you to both identify and remove any
hijackware/spyware. **Post your files to http://forums.spywareinfo.com/ or
http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.php?f=30 for expert analysis, not here.**

[Alternate download pages for many of the above tools may be found at
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm.]

So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
http://boards.cexx.org/viewtopic.php?t=957
--
HTH - Please Reply to This Thread

~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE), AH-VSOP

AumHa Forums
http://forum.aumha.org

What You Should Know About Spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/twc/privacy/spyware.mspx

Jacky Yau wrote:
> It sounds like your explore.exe is already crashed by the
> virus/trojan. I will suggested to do a restore by Windows
> XP CD.
>
> Since I guess some of the files there is hidden or it may
> resistance on the IE cookies/plug-in. Another method is
> try to remove it by hand on those C:\WINNT/Downloaded
> program files\*.*, you may also check if there have any
> program running by checking Task Manager. You have to
> delete the programs you feel it should not exist on
> msconfig, autoexec, WINNT.INI and all windows startup
> files.
>
> Actually restore is the last sort to sloving problems. If
> it still cannot fix your problem, you may need to
> reinstallit.
>> -----Original Message-----
>> For the past two days I tried to get rid of several pesky viruses/trojans
>> that apparently messed up my machine and kept returning on reboot.
>>
>> I'm running XP and turned off System Restore, then rebooted in Safe Mode,
>> then ran my AV program, and deleted the "Trojano" worm and a few other
>> viruses, like the "DyfucDldr" variety.
>>
>> I think I'm now virus, trojan, worm, and adware-free, but the damage
>> seems to have been done:
>>
>> First, I can't open programs from my desktop, like IE or Ad-Aware, or
>> Real Audio. The system just hangs and the hourglass icon stares at me.
>> CTL-ALT-DEL doesn't work...it either freezes the computer or I get an
>> error message saying there is something wrong with the program and
>> asking me to send a report to Microsoft.
>>
>> Second, there is no audio on the computer anymore. The files for all of
>> the Windows sounds are missing -- there is no
> C:/WINDOWS/MEDIA folder anymore.
>> Instead, in Control Panel, the icons for each sound show a path that
>> begins with "%System Root%" and I get a message that the file can't be
>> located. The same is true of all the other program sounds, for Real
>> Audio, my anti-virus alerts, etc. (I checked and nothing is muted.)
>>
>> Finally, I noticed the Startup list after
> running "msconfig" shows a couple
>> strange ".exe" files, for example, "Nye42.exe". This box is checked like
>> all the others, and it says the location is in the C:/Windows folder,
>> but I did a search for it and there is no such file found on my
>> computer. I unchecked this from the Startup list, but the two problems
>> noted above still exist.
>>
>> I'm afraid whatever got me really got me good and I have no idea how to
>> recover from this.
>>
>> Any suggestions would be appreciated. I've done a web search (on my
>> other computer) and reviewed the bulletin board threads. I think I've
>> done everything I've read to get rid of the nasties, I just don't know
>> how to restore the system to an operational mode.
>>
>> I am thinking of restoring the "System Restore" function and going back a
>> month or so before I got whacked to do a System Restore at that point.
>> Hopefully that will restore the sounds and functionality. It may also
>> restore the viruses, but I may be able to delete them this time before
>> they do permanent damage.
>>
>> I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts on what I can do or whether my plan even
>> makes sense.
>>
>> Thanks in advance for your help.
>>
>>
>> .


Re: Trojan/virus effects by David

David
Sat Jun 26 09:07:24 CDT 2004

thanks. very helpful.

"PA Bear" <PABear@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:OHU2bJ1WEHA.1144@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> 1. Download and run Stinger (http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/); then...
>
> 2. Update your virus definitions, enable Show Hidden Files
>
(http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2002092715262339)
> and then run a full system scan in Safe Mode
>
(http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001052409420406)
> with nothing else running in background. Note the files identified and
> removed then find the corresponding page for the file at your AV maker's
> online support pages (e.g.,
>
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/adware.winfavorites.html)
> and follow all Removal steps.
>
> WinXP Only (WinME similar): If this scan finds anything, create a new
> Restore Point then Disk Cleanup > More options > Delete all but the most
> recent Restore Point.
>
> Check your system for other "hijackware":
>
> Help with Hijackware
> http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
> http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
> http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
> http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/Darnit.htm
>
> CoolWebSearch Chronicles
> http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/cwschronicles.html
>
> Run these tools in the following order with nothing else running in
> background:
>
> 1. CWShredder (fix all found)
>
> 2. Ad-Aware (fix all found)
>
> 3. Spybot (RTFM but generally fix everything in red)
>
> Important: You *must* seek updates for Ad-Aware, Spybot, etc., before each
> and every use, even "right out of the box". But even they can't catch
> everything, 24/7. When all else fails, HijackThis
> (http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/HijackThis.exe) is the preferred
> tool to use. It will help you to both identify and remove any
> hijackware/spyware. **Post your files to http://forums.spywareinfo.com/
or
> http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.php?f=30 for expert analysis, not here.**
>
> [Alternate download pages for many of the above tools may be found at
> http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm.]
>
> So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
> http://boards.cexx.org/viewtopic.php?t=957
> --
> HTH - Please Reply to This Thread
>
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE), AH-VSOP
>
> AumHa Forums
> http://forum.aumha.org
>
> What You Should Know About Spyware
> http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/twc/privacy/spyware.mspx
>
> Jacky Yau wrote:
> > It sounds like your explore.exe is already crashed by the
> > virus/trojan. I will suggested to do a restore by Windows
> > XP CD.
> >
> > Since I guess some of the files there is hidden or it may
> > resistance on the IE cookies/plug-in. Another method is
> > try to remove it by hand on those C:\WINNT/Downloaded
> > program files\*.*, you may also check if there have any
> > program running by checking Task Manager. You have to
> > delete the programs you feel it should not exist on
> > msconfig, autoexec, WINNT.INI and all windows startup
> > files.
> >
> > Actually restore is the last sort to sloving problems. If
> > it still cannot fix your problem, you may need to
> > reinstallit.
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> For the past two days I tried to get rid of several pesky
viruses/trojans
> >> that apparently messed up my machine and kept returning on reboot.
> >>
> >> I'm running XP and turned off System Restore, then rebooted in Safe
Mode,
> >> then ran my AV program, and deleted the "Trojano" worm and a few other
> >> viruses, like the "DyfucDldr" variety.
> >>
> >> I think I'm now virus, trojan, worm, and adware-free, but the damage
> >> seems to have been done:
> >>
> >> First, I can't open programs from my desktop, like IE or Ad-Aware, or
> >> Real Audio. The system just hangs and the hourglass icon stares at me.
> >> CTL-ALT-DEL doesn't work...it either freezes the computer or I get an
> >> error message saying there is something wrong with the program and
> >> asking me to send a report to Microsoft.
> >>
> >> Second, there is no audio on the computer anymore. The files for all
of
> >> the Windows sounds are missing -- there is no
> > C:/WINDOWS/MEDIA folder anymore.
> >> Instead, in Control Panel, the icons for each sound show a path that
> >> begins with "%System Root%" and I get a message that the file can't be
> >> located. The same is true of all the other program sounds, for Real
> >> Audio, my anti-virus alerts, etc. (I checked and nothing is muted.)
> >>
> >> Finally, I noticed the Startup list after
> > running "msconfig" shows a couple
> >> strange ".exe" files, for example, "Nye42.exe". This box is checked
like
> >> all the others, and it says the location is in the C:/Windows folder,
> >> but I did a search for it and there is no such file found on my
> >> computer. I unchecked this from the Startup list, but the two problems
> >> noted above still exist.
> >>
> >> I'm afraid whatever got me really got me good and I have no idea how to
> >> recover from this.
> >>
> >> Any suggestions would be appreciated. I've done a web search (on my
> >> other computer) and reviewed the bulletin board threads. I think I've
> >> done everything I've read to get rid of the nasties, I just don't know
> >> how to restore the system to an operational mode.
> >>
> >> I am thinking of restoring the "System Restore" function and going back
a
> >> month or so before I got whacked to do a System Restore at that point.
> >> Hopefully that will restore the sounds and functionality. It may also
> >> restore the viruses, but I may be able to delete them this time before
> >> they do permanent damage.
> >>
> >> I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts on what I can do or whether my plan
even
> >> makes sense.
> >>
> >> Thanks in advance for your help.
> >>
> >>
> >> .
>



Re: Trojan/virus effects by George

George
Sat Jun 26 15:16:42 CDT 2004

You have to be careful about removing these new generation of Spyware =
and Trojans. The reason is that we don't know everything about what may =
be necessary and we can often do more damage then good trying to fix the =
issue.

In your case I assume you are using Windows XP. If that is the case I =
do not know exactly how to fix your issue. My first method of attack =
(after using CWShredder and HijackThis and AdAware 6 and BHODemon) would =
be remove Windows Media Player 9 but I don't think that can be done in =
XP. I'm not sure where to begin in that case other then running sfc =
/scannow /purgecache with the operating system CD-ROM in the drive.

--=20
George Hester
__________________________________
"David" <n4wwl@NOSPAM.hotmail.com> wrote in message =
news:0y5Dc.3192$x9.923@nwrddc01.gnilink.net...
> For the past two days I tried to get rid of several pesky =
viruses/trojans
> that apparently messed up my machine and kept returning on reboot.
>=20
> I'm running XP and turned off System Restore, then rebooted in Safe =
Mode,
> then ran my AV program, and deleted the "Trojano" worm and a few other
> viruses, like the "DyfucDldr" variety.
>=20
> I think I'm now virus, trojan, worm, and adware-free, but the damage =
seems
> to have been done:
>=20
> First, I can't open programs from my desktop, like IE or Ad-Aware, or =
Real
> Audio. The system just hangs and the hourglass icon stares at me.
> CTL-ALT-DEL doesn't work...it either freezes the computer or I get an =
error
> message saying there is something wrong with the program and asking me =
to
> send a report to Microsoft.
>=20
> Second, there is no audio on the computer anymore. The files for all =
of the
> Windows sounds are missing -- there is no C:/WINDOWS/MEDIA folder =
anymore.
> Instead, in Control Panel, the icons for each sound show a path that =
begins
> with "%System Root%" and I get a message that the file can't be =
located.
> The same is true of all the other program sounds, for Real Audio, my
> anti-virus alerts, etc. (I checked and nothing is muted.)
>=20
> Finally, I noticed the Startup list after running "msconfig" shows a =
couple
> strange ".exe" files, for example, "Nye42.exe". This box is checked =
like
> all the others, and it says the location is in the C:/Windows folder, =
but I
> did a search for it and there is no such file found on my computer. I
> unchecked this from the Startup list, but the two problems noted above =
still
> exist.
>=20
> I'm afraid whatever got me really got me good and I have no idea how =
to
> recover from this.
>=20
> Any suggestions would be appreciated. I've done a web search (on my =
other
> computer) and reviewed the bulletin board threads. I think I've done
> everything I've read to get rid of the nasties, I just don't know how =
to
> restore the system to an operational mode.
>=20
> I am thinking of restoring the "System Restore" function and going =
back a
> month or so before I got whacked to do a System Restore at that point.
> Hopefully that will restore the sounds and functionality. It may also
> restore the viruses, but I may be able to delete them this time before =
they
> do permanent damage.
>=20
> I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts on what I can do or whether my plan =
even
> makes sense.
>=20
> Thanks in advance for your help.
>=20
>