I ran into a problem the other day, and my sygate personal firewall would not run on startup. I restarted several times, and it simply wouldn't run. I immediately disconnected my modem, and ran all my scans. adaware, avg, spybot. They found nothing except the typical tracking cookies. I reinstalled sygate firewall, and it seems to be working just fine again now, however, I am constantly finding a hidden IEXPLORE.EXE running in my task manager, and sygate keeps informing me that it is attempting to connect to 125.212.52.245, which I of course block every time. obviously this is some kind of malware/spyware...I just need some help figuring out how to get rid of it. I have included a recent HJT log. thank you in advance for your help.


Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 4:54:12 AM, on 4/28/2007
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Sygate\SPF\smc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\MouseWare\system\em_exec.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.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:\WINDOWS\System32\HPZipm12.exe
C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMAgent.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqSTE08.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\HJT\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.comcast.net/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.comcast.net
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page_bak = http://www.comcast.net/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Microsoft Internet Explorer provided by Comcast
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyServer = :0
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:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KernelFaultCheck] %systemroot%\system32\dumprep 0 -k
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Logitech Utility] Logi_MwX.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SmcService] C:\PROGRA~1\Sygate\SPF\smc.exe -startgui
O4 - Global Startup: HP Digital Imaging Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll
O9 - Extra button: AIM - {AC9E2541-2814-11d5-BC6D-00B0D0A1DE45} - C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://www.comcast.net
O16 - DPF: {62475759-9E84-458E-A1AB-5D2C442ADFDE} - http://a1540.g.akamai.net/7/1540/52/...eInstaller.exe
O16 - DPF: {62789780-B744-11D0-986B-00609731A21D} (Autodesk MapGuide ActiveX Control) - http://www.sprintsitesusa.com/maps/v...6/mgaxctrl.cab
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/windowsu...?1151638438984
O16 - DPF: {D1E7CBDA-E60E-4970-A01C-37301EF7BF98} (Measurement Services Client v.3.11) - http://advisor.futuremark.com/global/msc311.cab
O16 - DPF: {D8089245-3211-40F6-819B-9E5E92CD61A2} (FlashXControl Object) - https://register3.valueactive.com/20...CX/FlashAX.cab
O20 - AppInit_DLLs:
O20 - Winlogon Notify: WRNotifier - WRLogonNTF.dll (file missing)
O23 - Service: ATI Smart - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ati2sgag.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: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINDOWS\System32\HPZipm12.exe
O23 - Service: Sygate Personal Firewall (SmcService) - Sygate Technologies, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Sygate\SPF\smc.exe
O23 - Service: SoundMAX Agent Service (SoundMAX Agent Service (default)) - Analog Devices, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMAgent.exe

Lets see if the following fix resolves your issues:


SELECT HijackThis FIX ITEMS: Scan with HijackThis and place a check next to these items:

O20 - AppInit_DLLs:

Make sure that all browser windows and internet links are closed, even this one!
CLICK ’FIX CHECKED’ with HijackThis.





Ewido has now been replaced by AVG Anti-Spyware. Uninstall Ewido.

Please download AVG Anti-Spyware to your Desktop or to your usual Download Folder.

• Install AVG Anti-Spyware by double clicking the installer.
• Follow the prompts. Make sure that Launch AVG Anti-Spyware is checked.
• On the main screen under Your Computer's security.
  • Click on Change state next to Resident shield. It should now change to inactive.
  • Click on Change state next to Automatic updates. It should now change to inactive.
  • Next to the words Last Update, click on Update now. (You will need an active internet connection to perform this)
  • Wait until you see the Update successful message.
  • Click on Scanner on the toolbar at top of this screen.
  • Click on the Settings tab.
    • Under How to act?
      • Click on Recommended Action and choose Quarantine from the popup menu.
    • Under How to scan?
      • All checkboxes should be ticked.
    • Under Possibly unwanted software:
      • All checkboxes should be ticked.
    • Under Reports:
      • Select Automatically generate report after every scan and uncheck Only if threats were found.
    • Under What to scan?
      • Select Scan every file.
  • Close AVG Anti-Spyware without running yet.

Now disable (turn off AVG Anti-Spyware)

• Right-click the AVG Anti-Spyware Tray Icon (Bottom right corner of computer screen near clock) and uncheck Start with Windows.
• Right-click the AVG Anti-Spyware Tray Icon again and select Exit. Confirm by clicking Yes.

If you are having problems with the updater, you can use this link to manually update AVG Anti-Spyware.
AVG Anti-Spyware manual updates.
Download the Full database to your Desktop or to your usual Download Folder and install it by double clicking the file. Make sure that AVG Anti-Spyware is closed before installing the update.
______________________________

Reboot your computer in Safe Mode.

• If the computer is running, shut down Windows, and then turn off the power.
• Wait 30 seconds, and then turn the computer on.
• Start tapping the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Options Menu appears. If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a "keyboard error" message. To resolve this, restart the computer and try again.
• Ensure that the Safe Mode option is selected.
• Press Enter. The computer then begins to start in Safe mode.
• Login on your usual account.

______________________________


Close ALL open Windows / Programs / Folders. Please start AVG Anti-Spyware and run a full scan.
Note: If AVG Anti-Spyware screen does not fit your monitor screen Hold down the Alt button on keyboard then tap spacebar, menu should pop up then choose maximize. AVG Anti-Spyware screen should now fit to the screen a lot better.

• Click on the Scan tab.
• Click on Complete System Scan to start the scan process.
• Let the program scan the machine.
• When the scan has finished, follow the instructions below.

IMPORTANT : Don't click on the "Save Scan Report" button before you hit the "Apply all Actions" button.

• Make sure that Set all elements to: shows Quarantine (1), if not click on the link and choose Quarantine from the popup menu. (2)
• At the bottom of the window click on the Apply all Actions button.(3)

• When done, click the Save Scan Report button. (4)
  • Click the Save Report as button.
  • Save the report to your Desktop. I will need you to post this in your next reply.
• Right-click the AVG Anti-Spyware Tray Icon and select Exit. Confirm by clicking Yes.

Reboot in Normal Mode.



POST A REVISED HIJACKTHIS LOG for review:
Reboot and post a new HijackThis log with any feedback as appropriate - how things are now behaving: any new or remaining apparent issues.