Hi D-A-L wizzkids!

I updated A-squared this morning and deep scanned my computer (after putting it through the usuals - i.e. AVG, Spybot and Ewido - with negative results.

Turns out that A-squared identified two Heuristic Dialer files and asked if I wanted to quarantine them or delete them; I accidentally deleted the two files (I'm especially accident prone when it comes to computers....lol). I re-scanned and, of course, they re-appeared, this time in the RESTORE files. I quarantined both and did a third scan. Which eventually turned out negative.

In the meantime, I googled Heuristic Dialer, which brought up some 12000 hits, but a great number of the first ones on the list had something to do with a-squared, oddly enough... Which leads me to the perhaps naive conclusion that those flags might be false positives.

In any event, please find below my latest HJT. I would be grateful if you had a look at it and tell me what you think. If there's anything specific to be done, kindly bear in mind that I am still a neophyte even after all these years and I would appreciate it if you went easy with me....

AS ALWAYS, many, may thanks for any help you might send.

BTW, I have Windows XP SP2 and DSL. Should I be worried about this Heuristic Dialer thingie?


Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 10:04:24 AM, on 12/11/2006
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOW\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOW\SYSTEM32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOW\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOW\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOW\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOW\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOW\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOW\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOW\system32\LVCOMSX.EXE
C:\Program Files\Logitech\Video\LogiTray.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\msnmsgr.exe
C:\Program Files\ASUS\SmartDoctor\SmartDoctor.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AIM\aim.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
C:\Program Files\ewido anti-spyware 4.0\guard.exe
C:\Program Files\OpenOffice.org1.1.4\program\soffice.exe
C:\WINDOW\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOW\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\Video\FxSvr2.exe
C:\WINDOW\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\ypager.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\WINDOW\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Program Files\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer,SearchURL = http://neword.com/adw.html?s
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer,SearchURL = http://neword.com/adw.html?s
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.ca/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://neword.com/adw.html?s
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://neword.com/adw.html?s
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://neword.com/adw.html?m
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = http://neword.com/adw.html?s
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = http://neword.com/adw.html?s
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyOverride = localhost
O2 - BHO: Yahoo! Toolbar Helper - {02478D38-C3F9-4EFB-9B51-7695ECA05670} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn4\yt.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: UberButton Class - {5BAB4B5B-68BC-4B02-94D6-2FC0DE4A7897} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common\yiesrvc.dll
O2 - BHO: YahooTaggedBM Class - {65D886A2-7CA7-479B-BB95-14D1EFB7946A} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common\YIeTagBm.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn4\yt.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SmcService] C:\PROGRA~1\Sygate\SPF\smc.exe -startgui
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickFinder Scheduler] "C:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2002\Programs\QFSCHD100.EXE"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOW\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LVCOMSX] C:\WINDOW\system32\LVCOMSX.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogitechVideoRepair] C:\Program Files\Logitech\Video\ISStart.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogitechVideoTray] C:\Program Files\Logitech\Video\LogiTray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Yahoo! Pager] C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\ypager.exe -quiet
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ASUS SmartDoctor] C:\Program Files\ASUS\SmartDoctor\\SmartDoctor.exe /start
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AIM] C:\PROGRA~1\AIM\aim.exe -cnetwait.odl
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [LogitechSoftwareUpdate] "C:\Program Files\Logitech\Video\ManifestEngine.exe" boot
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [LDM] \Program\BackWeb-8876480.exe
O4 - Startup: OpenOffice.org 1.1.4.lnk = C:\Program Files\OpenOffice.org1.1.4\program\quickstart.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Lancement rapide d'Adobe Reader.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Logitech Desktop Messenger.lnk = C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\LDMConf.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: Adult - http://listdating.com/se/se10.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Business - http://listdating.com/se/se5.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Car Insurance - http://listdating.com/se/se3.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Escorts - http://listdating.com/se/se9.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Finance - http://listdating.com/se/se6.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Games - http://listdating.com/se/se12.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Health Insurance - http://listdating.com/se/se4.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Loans - http://listdating.com/se/se7.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Online Casino - http://listdating.com/se/se2.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Porn - http://listdating.com/se/se11.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Sport Betting - http://listdating.com/se/se1.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Viagra - http://listdating.com/se/se8.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Yahoo! Search - file:///C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common/ycsrch.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: >> DATING >> - http://listdating.com/dt.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: >> SEARCH >> - http://listdating.com/se.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Yahoo! &Dictionary - file:///C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common/ycdict.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Yahoo! &Maps - file:///C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common/ycmap.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Yahoo! &SMS - file:///C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common/ycsms.htm
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: Yahoo! Services - {5BAB4B5B-68BC-4B02-94D6-2FC0DE4A7897} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common\yiesrvc.dll
O9 - Extra button: AIM - {AC9E2541-2814-11d5-BC6D-00B0D0A1DE45} - C:\PROGRA~1\AIM\aim.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {0EB0E74A-2A76-4AB3-A7FB-9BD8C29F7F75} (CKAVWebScan Object) - http://www.kaspersky.com/kos/english...an_unicode.cab
O16 - DPF: {193C772A-87BE-4B19-A7BB-445B226FE9A1} (ewidoOnlineScan Control) - http://download.ewido.net/ewidoOnlineScan.cab
O16 - DPF: {30528230-99f7-4bb4-88d8-fa1d4f56a2ab} (YInstStarter Class) - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common\yinsthelper.dll
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/2...ll/xscan53.cab
O16 - DPF: {8714912E-380D-11D5-B8AA-00D0B78F3D48} (Yahoo! Webcam Upload Wrapper) - http://chat.yahoo.com/cab/yuplapp.cab
O16 - DPF: {9A9307A0-7DA4-4DAF-B042-5009F29E09E1} (ActiveScan Installer Class) - http://acs.pandasoftware.com/actives...ree/asinst.cab
O16 - DPF: {9B03C5F1-F5AB-47EE-937D-A8EDA626F876} (Anonymizer Anti-Spyware Scanner) - http://download.zonelabs.com/bin/pro...tor/WebAAS.cab
O16 - DPF: {E504EE6E-47C6-11D5-B8AB-00D0B78F3D48} (Yahoo! Webcam Viewer Wrapper) - http://chat.yahoo.com/cab/yvwrctl.cab
O16 - DPF: {F58E1CEF-A068-4C15-BA5E-587CAF3EE8C6} (MSN Chat Control 4.5) - http://chat.msn.com/bin/msnchat45.cab
O18 - Protocol: msnim - {828030A1-22C1-4009-854F-8E305202313F} - "C:\PROGRA~1\MSNMES~1\msgrapp.dll" (file missing)
O20 - Winlogon Notify: WgaLogon - C:\WINDOW\SYSTEM32\WgaLogon.dll
O23 - Service: Adobe LM Service - Adobe Systems - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe Systems Shared\Service\Adobelmsvc.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Alert Manager Server (Avg7Alrt) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Update Service (Avg7UpdSvc) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
O23 - Service: AVG E-mail Scanner (AVGEMS) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
O23 - Service: ewido anti-spyware 4.0 guard - Anti-Malware Development a.s. - C:\Program Files\ewido anti-spyware 4.0\guard.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOW\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: Sygate Personal Firewall (SmcService) - Sygate Technologies, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Sygate\SPF\smc.exe

Should I be worried about this Heuristic Dialer thingie?

This should be an operational non-issue if you don't have a connected dialup modem for any dialer application to access. In such a case, they could be unwelcome clutter and a waste of CPU time.


I am somewhat concerned over aggressive apps like 'A Squared' that do have higher than average false positives (some apps may have legitimate call-home capabilities). I always try to research and verify any and all suspect malware alerts. I also tend to trust 'EWIDO' more so than 'A Squared' - if EWIDO did not have an issue with those files, I would tend to more likely suspect 'false positives'.


You may want to take note of the following link:

http://www.siteadvisor.com/sites/neword.com

The neword.com site (kazaa lite) probably increases the possibility for such dialers gettiing on your PC.



You would be well advised to fix the following items in HijackThis:

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer,SearchURL = http://neword.com/adw.html?s
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer,SearchURL = http://neword.com/adw.html?s
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://neword.com/adw.html?s
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://neword.com/adw.html?s
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://neword.com/adw.html?m
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = http://neword.com/adw.html?s
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = http://neword.com/adw.html?s