Re: Browser Hijacker please help me

From: Jan Il (abuse_at_localhost.com)
Date: 11/07/04 

Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2004 14:07:42 -0500

Hi jay187

Then you may have a new variant that needs a bit more Malto-Meal ;o) See if
this will help:

CAUTION!!!!!
Before you try to remove spyware using any of the programs below, download a
copy of LSPFIX from any of the following sites:
http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm
http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html (if your OS is Win2k or
XP) The process of removing certain malware may kill your internet
connection. If this should occur, this program, LSPFIX, will enable you to
regain your connection.

Also, get a copy of WINSOCKFIX available at:
http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html

now.....

This coolwebsearch infection uses a hidden dll to reinfect, thus it
replicates itself over and over if not removed properly.

HOW TO Restart in Safe Mode
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001052409420406

HOW TO Enable Hidden Files
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2002092715262339

About Buster
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4289.html

CWShredder
Newest version (2.0) here:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download3019.html

and......

How To Remove CWS Variant 'Home Search Assistant' - 'CWS_NS3'
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topict3341.html

if still no joy, then........

New CWS variant removal tool: (about:blank)

CoolWebSearch (CWS) Removal Procedure
http://www.silentrunners.org/sr_cwsremoval.html
For NT - 2000 and XP

or......the text fo the above:

Like any disinfection procedure, it's a bit risky - it deletes an important
registry key and subsequently restores a revised version. If something goes
wrong, your PC may no longer work normally.

YOU USE THIS PROCEDURE AT YOUR OWN RISK!

Download Registrar Lite 2.0, install it and run it.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download469.html
http://www.softpedia.com/public/cat/12/5/12-5-21.shtml

Navigate to this key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
(note...should be all on one line)
and look at the AppInit_Dlls value.

Write down the name of the DLL file that's displayed!

(If you see several values separated by commas or spaces, which is unlikely,
use Windows Explorer to search for each one in the Windows\System32 or
Winnt\System32 directory. The one you can't find is the one to remember!)

Exit Registrar Lite.

Download and run this script. It will delete the CWS AppInit_Dlls value and
reboot Windows. After the reboot, the shield-DLL file is still on the hard
disk, but it's no longer a threat to your PC.
http://www.silentrunners.org/CWS%20Shield%20Dropper.vbs

Download Silent Runners here:
http://www.silentrunners.org/Silent%20Runners.vbs
Run it and look at the list of Browser Helper Objects. One of them will have
a strange name. Write down the the file name (including the full path)!

(If you're not sure which BHO was installed by CWS, reboot into Safe Mode
and follow steps 8-10 here. Commercial programs, such as PestPatrol, are
also available to identify and delete BHO pests.)

Download and run this script to delete the CWS shield-DLL and the BHO files.
No reboot will be required.
http://www.silentrunners.org/CWS%20File%20Cleaner.vbs

Reset your Internet Explorer home page. Your PC should now run normally.

If these steps do not resolve your problem, please post back to this thread
with the details and any error messages.

Hope this helps

Jan :)
Smiles are meant to be shared,
that's why they're so contagious.

Please reply to the newsgroup so others may benefit.
How to make a good newsgroup post:
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

> Hey Jan Il
> Thanks for your help... my computer has been scanned by like 5 different
> spyware programs now but the hijacker is still there, it is always my
hompage
> and ignores most sites I type in the address box.
> When I try to install Ad Aware se nothing happens, Ive downloaded the
setup
> file but when I double click it nothing happens... what does this mean?
How
> do I install it??
>
> "Jan Il" wrote:
>
> > Hi jay187 :-)
> >
> > Oops! Please excuse the previous empty reply, mousie got over anxious
and
> > jumped on the send button too soon...;o)
> >
> > You have a hijacker, malware, spyware or parasites on your system
> > causing this problem. Thus, in addition to running your updated
anti-virus
> > program, you should do the following to be sure none of these are
present on
> > your system. Although you may have already run one or more of the
programs,
> > please do so again according to the instructions below. Some variants
of
> > malware can replicate themselves over and over if not removed properly.
> > Please follow all instructions carefully to be sure your system is
> > thoroughly cleaned:
> >
> > Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites:
> > http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
> > Be sure to run CWShredder, Ad-aware and Spybot.
> > Also be sure to use the About:Buster here
> > http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4289.html
> > http://www.atribune.org/downloads/AboutBuster.zip
> > AdAware se (Free)
> > http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/
> > the newest version of CWShredder (2.0) here:
> > http://www.majorgeeks.com/download3019.html
> > and the HijackThis. Please do not post your log to this
> > newsgroup, but to the SpywareInfo or the Aumha HiJackThis forums
> > http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.php?f=30, to allow the experts there to
> > evaluate your log and advise you of the necessary steps to clean your
> > system.
> >
> > CAUTION!!!!! Before you try to remove spyware using any of the programs
> > below, download a copy of LSPFIX from any of the following sites:
> > http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm
> > http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html
> > (if your OS is Win2k or XP) The process of removing certain malware may
kill
> > your internet connection. If this should occur, this program, LSPFIX,
will
> > enable you to regain your connection.
> >
> > Also, get a copy of WinsockFix Utility
> > http://www.dfwonline.net/files/WinsockFix.zip
> > or
> > WinsockXPFix available at:
> > http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html
> > and
> > WinsockXP Fix- WinXP
> > http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html
> > Also, with instructions, at
> > http://www.iup.edu/house/resnet/winfix.shtm
> > also
> > From LavaSoft- all versions of Windows-
> > http://digital-solutions.co.uk/lavasoft/whndnfix.zip
> > also ....
> > (NOTE: It is reported that in XP SP2, the command netsh winsock reset
> > will fix this problem without the need for these programs.)
> >
> > Also.........
> >
> > Courtesy of Jim Byrd -
> >
> > Download Sysclean.com, from Trend Micro, here:
> > http://www.trendmicro.com/download/dcs.asp along with the latest pattern
> > file, here:
> > http://www.trendmicro.com/download/pattern.asp
> > Be sure to read the "How-to" info here:
> > http://www.trendmicro.com/ftp/products/tsc/readme.txt
> > You might also want to get Art's updater, SYS-UP.Zip, here for future
> > updating of these: http://home.epix.net/~artnpeg/.
> > (If you download and use the updater from the beginning, it will
> > automatically handle downloading the other files. Place them in a
dedicated
> > folder after appropriate unzipping, and then run. This scan may take a
long
> > time, as Sysclean is VERY extensive and thorough
> >
> > and......
> >
> > NOTE: If you can not download these programs from the Internet, if your
PC
> > has CD read capabilities, go to another computer with CD-ROM burning
> > capabilities. Create a folder on the hard drive of the other computer
called
> > HOLD, download the programs to that folder, then burn that folder to a
CD.
> > Copy the HOLD folder to your HD and then install the programs from
there
> > and run them. After you have IE access again, update all programs where
> > possible to get the latest definitions and run them again in Safe Mode
to be
> > sure there are no lingering items on the system.
> >
> > also...........
> >
> > Additional information on how to protect your PC:
> > The Parasite Fight http://www.aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
> > More security tips at http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
> > Bugs, Glitches & Stuffups: http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm
> >
> > So how did I get infected in the first place?
> >
http://boards.cexx.org/viewtopic.php?t=957&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=&sid=53751d8ff5915261af727df08e66ce0d
> > or
> > http://snipurl.com/980t
> >
> > If these steps do not resolve your problem, please post back to this
thread
> > with the details and any error messages.
> >
> > Hope this helps
> >
> > Jan :)
> > Smiles are meant to be shared,
> > that's why they're so contagious.
> >
> > Please reply to the newsgroup so others may benefit.
> > How to make a good newsgroup post:
> > http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > <jay187@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:5EA48D0C-95DF-4C7F-BE14-E76FD10D2DBB@microsoft.com...
> > > Please help me.. I can hardly visit any site without my browser
getting re
> > > directed to an annoying search site... the link is
> > > http://t.swapx.cc/h.php?aid=20009 but dont go there because you might
get
> > > infected.. how do I fix this problem? I can only visit a few sites.. I
> > cant
> > > even check my email!
> > > Please reply asap I really need help. Ive already used Hijack This and
it
> > > doesnt seem to work.
> >
> >
> >