Vista Smart Security

**jayeskay** · 19-04-2010

Have the Vista Smart Security problem which as soon as the PC is switched on supposedly scans, and then advises that to get rid of the identified viruses found click setup. Didn't do that, but it was happening every boot.

Last night the scenerio changed. On startup the scan no longer happens, the warning does not appear, and warning that appeared at the bottom of the screen about the number of viruses also no longer appear. However, it comes up with a restricted access message whenever I try to access programs.

Any advise appreciated.

Thanks

**broni** · 19-04-2010

Please download and run the below tool named Rkill (courtesy of BleepingComputer.com) which may help allow other programs to run.

There are 4 different versions. If one of them won't run then download and try to run the other one.

Vista and Win7 users need to right click Rkill and choose Run as Administrator

You only need to get one of these to run, not all of them. You may get warnings from your antivirus about this tool, ignore them or shutdown your antivirus.

* Rkill.com
* Rkill.scr
* Rkill.pif
* Rkill.exe

* Double-click on the Rkill desktop icon to run the tool.
* If using Vista or Windows 7 right-click on it and choose Run As Administrator.
* A black DOS box will briefly flash and then disappear. This is normal and indicates the tool ran successfully.
* If not, delete the file, then download and use the one provided in Link 2.
* If it does not work, repeat the process and attempt to use one of the remaining links until the tool runs.
* Do not reboot until instructed.
* If the tool does not run from any of the links provided, please let me know.

Once you've gotten one of them to run then try to immediately run the following.

Now download and run exeHelper.

* Please download exeHelper from Raktor to your desktop.
* Double-click on exeHelper.com to run the fix.
* A black window should pop up, press any key to close once the fix is completed.
* A log file named log.txt will be created in the directory where you ran exeHelper.com
* Attach the log.txt file to your next message.[/LIST]

Note: If the window shows a message that says "Error deleting file", please re-run the program before posting a log - and post the two logs together (they will both be in the one file).

================================================== ==========

Print these instructions out.

NOTE. If any of the programs listed below refuse to run, try renaming executive file to something else; for instance, rename hijackthis.exe to scanner.exe

***VERY IMPORTANT! Make sure, you update Malwarebytes before running the scans.***

STEP 1. Download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware: Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware: Malwarebytes to your desktop.
(Malwarebytes is free to use as a manual scanner. Payment is only required if you wish to have it run and update automatically which is not necessary for our purposes)

* Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
* At the end, be sure a checkmark is placed next to Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, then click Finish.
* If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
* Once the program has loaded, select Perform Quick Scan, then click Scan.
* When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
* Be sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
* When completed, a log will open in Notepad.
* Post the log back here.

The log can also be found here:
C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Application Data\Malwarebytes\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\Logs\log-date.txt
Or at C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\Logs\log-date.txt

RESTART COMPUTER!

STEP 2. Download GMER: GMER - Rootkit Detector and Remover, by clicking on Download EXE button.
Alternative downloads:
- |MG| GMER 1.0.15.15281 Download
- http://www.softpedia.com/get/Interne...ers/GMER.shtml
Double click on downloaded .exe file, select Rootkit tab and click the Scan button.
Do NOT use the computer while GMER is running!
When scan is completed, click Save button, and save the results as gmer.log
Warning ! Please, do not select the "Show all" checkbox during the scan.
Post the log to your next reply.

IMPORTANT! If for some reason GMER refuses to run, try again.
If it still fails, try to UN-check "Devices" in right pane.
If still no joy, try to run it from Safe Mode.

RESTART COMPUTER

STEP 3. Download HijackThis:
HijackThis - Trend Micro USA
by clicking on Installer under Version 2.0.2
[DO NOT download version 2.0.3 (beta)]
Install, and run it.
Post HijackThis log.
NOTE. If you're using Vista, or 7, right click on HijackThis, and click Run as Administrator
Do NOT attempt to "fix" anything!

DO NOT make any other changes to your computer (like installing programs, using other cleaning tools, etc.), until it's officially declared clean!!!

**jayeskay** · 23-04-2010

Sorry, wasn't more specific. the Vista Smart Security messages have disappeared, but when I switch on I get error messages for can't find path for rundll32.exe, and then the programs won't run properly.

I tried downloading and running rkill, none worked. Only the rkill.exe allowed me to run in admin mode, but all asked permission to allow to run.
Black box appears, and immediately an error box appears "Unknown error has occured. The program will be terminated"
I tried in safe mode - same thing.

I then tried a system restore back to beginning of April, and the rundll32.exe error is no longer appearing, and all programs seem to be working.
Tried rkill again, no luck

**broni** · 24-04-2010

See, if any of next steps will work.

**jayeskay** · 24-04-2010

Started from Malwarebyte section.
Log below

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.45
Malwarebytes

Database version: 4029

Windows 6.0.6002 Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18904

24/04/2010 12:13:24
mbam-log-2010-04-24 (12-13-24).txt

Scan type: Quick scan
Objects scanned: 118504
Time elapsed: 6 minute(s), 25 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 1
Registry Values Infected: 3
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 2
Files Infected: 1

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Ext\Stats\{a77d3539-581d-450c-9e44-a84c415a6172} (Trojan.FakeAlert) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Values Infected:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar\WebBrowser\{90b8b761-df2b-48ac-bbe0-bcc03a819b3b} (Adware.Zango) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Environment\avapp (Rogue.PersonalAntiVirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Environment\avuninst (Rogue.PersonalAntiVirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Uninstall\PersonalAV (Rogue.PersonalAntiVirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files\PersonalAV (Rogue.PersonalAntiVirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Files Infected:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Uninstall\PersonalAV\Uninstall.lnk (Rogue.PersonalAntiVirus) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

**jayeskay** · 24-04-2010

Download and started GMER.
Progtam stopped working, closed program, and tried to double click on icon - blue screen.
Tried again after re-boot - same.
Tried running without devices - worked, but log too big to upload, or cut and paste.

Unable to find Hijackthis 2.0.2 - it's now 2.0.4