Hi,

I have an about:blank problem which is slowing down my computer and also reverting my internet home page toi the about:blank search page. I have copied my hijckthis log file for your perusal and hopefully a resolution.

I have installe spybot S&D and keep coming up with repeat problems despite the announcement that all is fixed.

My Spybot report page states that I have a possible extension hijack, a DSO exploit and a webdialer problem.

Hope you can help me too,

Logfile of HijackThis v1.98.2
Scan saved at 16:10:01, on 27/11/2004
Platform: Windows 2000 SP2 (WinNT 5.00.2195)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 (6.00.2600.0000)

Running processes:
C:\WINNT\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\services.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\ntrtscan.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\regsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\MSTask.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\stisvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\tmlisten.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\WBEM\WinMgmt.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\mspmspsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\ofcdog.exe
C:\Program Files\Winamp\Winampa.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Hardware\Mouse\point32.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\FotoNation\EvLstnr.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\pccntmon.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\internat.exe
C:\Program Files\Outlook Express\msimn.exe
C:\WINNT\explorer.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\Winamp\winamp.exe
E:\Autoroute\AutoRout.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\cmd.exe
c:\program files\internet explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\WinZip\winzip32.exe
C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = file://C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\sp.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = file://C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\sp.html
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = file://C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\sp.html
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = file://C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\sp.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = file://C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\sp.html
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = file://C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\sp.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,HomeOldSP = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,HomeOldSP = about:blank
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyServer = ftp=172.31.0.70:80;http=172.31.0.70:80;https=172.3 1.0.70:80;
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyOverride = 10.27.56;10.27.59;10;<local>
O1 - Hosts: 212.1.25.163 fugronet.fugro.nl
O1 - Hosts: 172.31.0.132 fugro.insite
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {19B6B95A-9EB9-47AB-815D-2C28BD3B4EB5} - C:\WINNT\System32\kgeiddg.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINNT\System32\msdxm.ocx
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Synchronization Manager] mobsync.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TCASUTIEXE] TCAUDIAG.exe -off
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinampAgent] "C:\Program Files\Winamp\Winampa.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [POINTER] point32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EVENTLISTENER] C:\Program Files\Common Files\FotoNation\EvLstnr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [OfficeScanNT Monitor] "C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\pccntmon.exe" -HideWindow
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [internat.exe] internat.exe
O9 - Extra button: Related - {c95fe080-8f5d-11d2-a20b-00aa003c157a} - C:\WINNT\web\related.htm
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Show &Related Links - {c95fe080-8f5d-11d2-a20b-00aa003c157a} - C:\WINNT\web\related.htm
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - (no file)
O12 - Plugin for .mov: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\PLUGINS\npqtplugin.dll
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O16 - DPF: {10003000-1000-0000-1000-000000000000} - ms-its:mhtml:file://C:oo.mht!http://195.225.177.13/100006/online.chm::/on-line.exe
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{AC8AB3C3-2E3F-4882-A07A-8D10BEDB38A2}: NameServer = 172.31.1.70
O18 - Protocol: stibo - {FFAD3420-6D61-44F6-BA25-293F17152D79} - E:\RSEC\ProtocolHandler.dll
O18 - Filter: text/html - {909C91F8-C6FD-4898-A390-64714B9D5D8B} - C:\WINNT\System32\kgeiddg.dll
O18 - Filter: text/plain - {909C91F8-C6FD-4898-A390-64714B9D5D8B} - C:\WINNT\System32\kgeiddg.dll

Hello,
Please download and install APM from here. Also download and install Ad-aware from here.

Once you have installed Ad-aware, run the program and in the bottom right hand corner click Check For Updates. Update Ad-aware following the prompts and then close the program, we will use it later.

Now disconnect from the internet, restart Hijack This and put a checkmark next to the following entries:

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = file://C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\sp.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = file://C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\sp.html
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = file://C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\sp.html
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = file://C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\sp.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = file://C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\sp.html
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = file://C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\sp.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,HomeOldSP = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,HomeOldSP = about:blank
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {19B6B95A-9EB9-47AB-815D-2C28BD3B4EB5} - C:\WINNT\System32\kgeiddg.dll
O16 - DPF: {10003000-1000-0000-1000-000000000000} - ms-its:mhtml:file://C:oo.mht!http://195.225.177.13/100006/online.chm::/on-line.exe
O18 - Filter: text/html - {909C91F8-C6FD-4898-A390-64714B9D5D8B} - C:\WINNT\System32\kgeiddg.dll
O18 - Filter: text/plain - {909C91F8-C6FD-4898-A390-64714B9D5D8B} - C:\WINNT\System32\kgeiddg.dll

Now click Fix Checked

After you have done that, start APM.

In the top Window select explorer.exe
After this, in the bottom Windows find kgeiddg.dll
Right click kgeiddg.dll and choose Unload.
Click OK

Now Start Ad-aware

We need to configure Ad-aware for a full scan.

Click on the Gear icon (second from the left) to access the preferences/settings window

1. In the General window make sure the following are selected:

• Automatically save log-file
• Automatically quarantine objects prior to removal
• Safe Mode (always request confirmation)

2. Click on the Scanning button on the left and select :

• Scan Within Archives
• Scan Active Processes
• Scan Registry
• Deep Scan Registry
• Scan my IE favorites for banned URL’s
• Scan my Hosts file
• Under Click here to select drives + folders, choose:
• All of your hard drives

Click on the Advanced button on the left and select:

• Include additional process information
• Include additional file information
• Include environment information

Click the Tweak button and select:

• Under the Scanning Engine:
  • Unload recognized processes & modules during scan
  • Include additional Ad-aware settings in logfile
• Under the Cleaning Engine:
  • Let Windows remove files in use at next reboot

Click on Proceed to save the settings.

Click Start and on the next screen choose Activate in-depth Scan at the bottom of the page and then choose:

• Use Custom Scanning Options

Click Next and Ad-aware will scan your hard drive(s) with the options you have selected.

Save the log file when it asks and then click Finish

When finished, mark everything for removal and get rid of it. (Right-click the window and choose Select All from the drop down menu and click Next).

Reboot your computer and post a fresh Hijack This log

Thanks Owen,

I have done as you have said although I received errors when updating ad-aware.

Here is the latest hijackthis log:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.98.2
Scan saved at 20:27:42, on 27/11/2004
Platform: Windows 2000 SP2 (WinNT 5.00.2195)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 (6.00.2600.0000)

Running processes:
C:\WINNT\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\services.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\ntrtscan.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\regsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\MSTask.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\stisvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\ofcdog.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\tmlisten.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\WBEM\WinMgmt.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\mspmspsv.exe
C:\WINNT\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Winamp\Winampa.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Hardware\Mouse\point32.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\FotoNation\EvLstnr.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\pccntmon.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\internat.exe
C:\Temp\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyServer = ftp=172.31.0.70:80;http=172.31.0.70:80;https=172.3 1.0.70:80;
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyOverride = 10.27.56;10.27.59;10;<local>
O1 - Hosts: 212.1.25.163 fugronet.fugro.nl
O1 - Hosts: 172.31.0.132 fugro.insite
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINNT\System32\msdxm.ocx
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Synchronization Manager] mobsync.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TCASUTIEXE] TCAUDIAG.exe -off
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinampAgent] "C:\Program Files\Winamp\Winampa.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [POINTER] point32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EVENTLISTENER] C:\Program Files\Common Files\FotoNation\EvLstnr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [OfficeScanNT Monitor] "C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\pccntmon.exe" -HideWindow
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [internat.exe] internat.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - (no file)
O12 - Plugin for .mov: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\PLUGINS\npqtplugin.dll
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{AC8AB3C3-2E3F-4882-A07A-8D10BEDB38A2}: NameServer = 172.31.1.70
O18 - Protocol: stibo - {FFAD3420-6D61-44F6-BA25-293F17152D79} - E:\RSEC\ProtocolHandler.dll

looking forward to your response......
All the best,
Govathalay

Thats a clean log, how are things running?

Cheers Owen,

Much faster and no about:blank......not sure where it came from as is a computer that gets used by a lot of people 24 hours a day...so could be by anyone from anywhere.

Anyway, your efforts are most appreciated and hopefully we won't see that again. Is there any software that you recommend to keep about:blank at bay.

Many Thanks,
Govathalay

Have a read of this info:

Preventing it returning

After your problem has been resolved on the forum, it is an absoulute MUST to do the following steps to prevent the problem returning. Click on the link to get access to the software or webpage that I'm referring to.

1. Visit Windows Update
Pay a visit to Windows Update and scan for and download ALL Critical Updates and Service Packs. New updates are usually released monthly so check back to Windows Update every month.

2. Download Antivirus Software-
If you haven't already got Antivirus software, you should download and install AVG Antivirus. It is freeware and is updated nearly every 2 days (sometimes more frequently if there are a lot of new viruses) and in my opinion, is better than some Antivirus software such as Norton. Antivirus software will prevent viruses infecting your system and it is important that you update it every two days or every week at the most.

3. Download a Firewall-
If you haven't already got a firewall, it is Very important that you download one. Firewalls will prevent unauthorised access to your computer and stop data leaking out of your computer. You may think that it won't happen to you, but Hackers don't care who you are, what you do, where you live or what you had for tea last Sunday on your holiday in the Lake District, they want your data. Firewalls will keep these sneaks out and one of the best is Sygate Personal Firewall, which happens to be freeware.

4. Spyware Scanners-
It is important that as well as having real time spyware protection, you have a spyware scanning application. If you have not already been told to download one earlier in this thread, it is a good idea to download Spybot Search And Destroy and Ad-aware. They are both spyware scanners and will search for a remove spyware. It is recommended that you have both, because one will pick up entries that the other misses. It is even a good idea to download these if you have other programs such as ASE, Spysweeper, Pest Patrol, etc, because one spyware scanner will not pick up everything. Please remember to update your spyware scanners weekly/fortnightly.

5. Prevent Spyware slipping through Internet Explorer-
Quite a lot of spyware slips through Internet Explorer if your settings are not tight enough. Spyware Blaster will help you prevent spyware slipping through and installing tracking cookies. Simply run it via Start> Programs> Spyware Blaster and click Enable All Protection and it will protect you. It doesn't even have to be open! Remember to update weekly/fortnightly.

6. Constant Spyware Protection-
It is important to have constant spyware protection. Spyware Guard works like an antivirus program but detects Spyware instead. It will constantly protect your system. Check for updates monthly.

All Of these steps are very important and it is HIGHLY recommended that you download all of the programs mentioned for your own safety. Remember to Update everything (including Windows using Windows Update)! It is also a good idea to perform weekly/fortnightly scans with Spybot S&D, Ad-aware and your antivirus software.

And last of all, please remember, that common sense is your greatest tool. Without it, spyware and other related Malware would rule!