computer freezes

Thsi laptop freezes anytime I try to do a virus scan with Norton's

Here is a HJT log, but I don't see the problem:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 3:38:27 PM, on 2/19/2007
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16414)

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:\WINDOWS\system32\explorer.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\wkcalrem.exe
C:\Program Files\Compaq\Compaq Advisor\bin\compaq-rba.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\DefWatch.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\Rtvscan.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\msiexec.exe
C:\HJT\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.yahoo.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://red.clientapps.yahoo.com/cus.../*http://www.yahoo.com/ext/search/search.html
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Microsoft Internet Explorer provided by Compaq
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: [Compaq_RBA] C:\Program Files\Compaq\Compaq Advisor\bin\compaq-rba.exe -z
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SmartBarXP] C:\Program Files\SmartBarXP BETA4.8\SmartBarXP.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MoneyAgent] "c:\Program Files\Microsoft Money\System\Money Express.exe "
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Works Calendar Reminders.lnk = ?
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MI1933~1\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MI1933~1\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - %windir%\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - %windir%\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe (file missing)
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
O9 - Extra button: Support - {A1C62740-93D5-4E72-A5B6-B668D58C5197} - C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\SIGNUP\Presario.htm (HKCU)
O11 - Options group: [INTERNATIONAL] International*
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://store.presario.net/scripts/redirectors/presario/storeredir2.dll?s=consumerfav&c=3c01&lc=0409
O16 - DPF: Yahoo! Hearts - http://download.games.yahoo.com/games/clients/y/ht1_x.cab
O20 - Winlogon Notify: explorer - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\explorer.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: NavLogon - C:\WINDOWS\system32\NavLogon.dll
O23 - Service: Compaq Advisor (Compaq_RBA) - NeoPlanet - C:\Program Files\Compaq\Compaq Advisor\bin\compaq-rba.exe
O23 - Service: DefWatch - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\DefWatch.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec AntiVirus Client (Norton AntiVirus Server) - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\Rtvscan.exe

 

And that's why we have this forum, where those of us who work on these infected systems see things which may be out of the ordinary.

Like this:
O20 - Winlogon Notify: explorer - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\explorer.dll

Bad, bad. Wrong file path. Googling produces zero hits. 020 location is also a give-away, ought not be there.

I'd first off run and grab a scan of it, so we can see what it is exactly we're dealing with out of curiosity.

Jotti Online File Scanner

Navigate to the file path as posted in HJT log and hit the submit button, and post results back here.

:arrow: Run HJT, and place a check next to the following lines, then, with all browsers and windows closed, hit 'Fix checked':

O20 - Winlogon Notify: explorer - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\explorer.dll

Search for, and delete, if found, the following files/folders:
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\lorer.dll<<<--this file**Please note file path, there may be a legit file of same name, but in a different location on your computer.

:arrow: Reboot post a new HJT log back into this thread please.

 

jotti scanned file - explorer.dll

Scan taken on 20 Feb 2007 03:02:41 (GMT)
AntiVir Found TR/SCKeyLog.H
ArcaVir Found Trojan.Spy.Sckeylog.I
Avast Found Win32:SCkeylog-B-DLL
AVG Antivirus Found PSW.Generic.RST
BitDefender Found nothing
ClamAV Found nothing
Dr.Web Found nothing
F-Prot Antivirus Found nothing
F-Secure Anti-Virus Found Trojan-Spy.Win32.SCKeyLog.i
Fortinet Found Spy/SCKeyLog
Kaspersky Anti-Virus Found Trojan-Spy.Win32.SCKeyLog.i
NOD32 Found Win32/Spy.SCKeyLog.I
Norman Virus Control Found W32/SCKeyLog.H
VirusBuster Found nothing
VBA32 Found Trojan-Spy.SCKeyLog.6 (paranoid heuristics) (probable variant)

 

HJT scan #2

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 9:20:04 PM, on 2/19/2007
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16414)

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:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\wkcalrem.exe
C:\Program Files\Compaq\Compaq Advisor\bin\compaq-rba.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\DefWatch.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\Rtvscan.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\HJT\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.yahoo.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://red.clientapps.yahoo.com/cus.../*http://www.yahoo.com/ext/search/search.html
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Microsoft Internet Explorer provided by Compaq
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: [Compaq_RBA] C:\Program Files\Compaq\Compaq Advisor\bin\compaq-rba.exe -z
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SmartBarXP] C:\Program Files\SmartBarXP BETA4.8\SmartBarXP.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MoneyAgent] "c:\Program Files\Microsoft Money\System\Money Express.exe "
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Works Calendar Reminders.lnk = ?
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MI1933~1\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MI1933~1\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - %windir%\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - %windir%\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe (file missing)
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
O9 - Extra button: Support - {A1C62740-93D5-4E72-A5B6-B668D58C5197} - C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\SIGNUP\Presario.htm (HKCU)
O11 - Options group: [INTERNATIONAL] International*
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://store.presario.net/scripts/redirectors/presario/storeredir2.dll?s=consumerfav&c=3c01&lc=0409
O16 - DPF: Yahoo! Hearts - http://download.games.yahoo.com/games/clients/y/ht1_x.cab
O20 - Winlogon Notify: NavLogon - C:\WINDOWS\system32\NavLogon.dll
O23 - Service: Compaq Advisor (Compaq_RBA) - NeoPlanet - C:\Program Files\Compaq\Compaq Advisor\bin\compaq-rba.exe
O23 - Service: DefWatch - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\DefWatch.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec AntiVirus Client (Norton AntiVirus Server) - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\Rtvscan.exe

 

OK, as you can see by the Jotti scan, it indicated a key logger of some sort.
That means if you have done any online banking or do any, all your passwords need to be changed immediately. You may also want to alert any financial institutions to the possible breach, to avoid any liability which may arise.

Beyond that, the log appears ok, is the machine behaving normally now?

 

uh oh

I went back to Windows/System32 and the explorer.dll file was still there. I did another scan on jotti and got the same results!!!!!!

 

Did you try to delete it? Give it a shot. If you get any errors that it is in use or something like that, get this tool:

DL Unlocker.

Once installed:
Locate the file
Right-click and select 'Unlocker'
In the window that appears select 'Unlock All'
In the drop down menu select 'delete'.

Let me know how that goes.

 

I was able to delete it without a problem. I rebooted and went back - it was gone. whew!
Thank you for your help....

 

Great job!

We have 3 more things to do, mostly maintenance and then our recommendations:

Empty the TIF (Temporary Internet Files)
Delete all the files in (and any subfolders of) the C:\Windows\Temp folder
The app below will help with temp files.
Index.dat Suite

Also, delete all your cookies, and empty your recycle bin. But remember, by deleting your cookies, you will have to re-enter any passwords and log-in info for any sites you are usually required to do so with.

This would also be a good time to set a new system restore point for your machine.
Set New System Restore Point. Do not do this unless there are no other user accounts to be diagnosed.

Also, as you are an XP user, if there are any other accounts on this machine, they too, must be cleaned with AdAware, Spybot S&D, then HJT. Not all infections are global, nor are all the HJT fixes global. You can post each user account here into this thread, but please, do only one at a time to avoid confusion. It is very rare that anything significant is ever found.

Here is a link which describes how security apps work with WIN XP machines.
XP User Accts Security Apps Operation

To further prevent the installation of ad/mal/spyware, DL the apps below, which are just as good the fight against ad/mal/spyware as AdAware & Spybot S&D:

SpywareBlaster
With SpywareBlaster v3.5.1 , just DL, install and check for updates, enable Internet Explorer protection, and your done! I don't recommend using IE restricted sites protection as it's not a very large database. Use IE-SPYADs below.

To avoid known malware infested sites from loading in IE install IESPY ADS.
And MVPS Hosts File will accomplish a similar tactic and provide another layer of protection.

And to prevent unknown applications from being inserted to start up on your machine install WinPatrol 2007 v11.1.2007.

Another thing I would suggest, is to install SiteAdvisor. It gives sites a few different 'ratings' and while not fool proof, a good additional layer of information about many sites.

Links for tutorials for all the apps I mentioned can be found on my site as well.

Confused about which apps are good or not? Read about Rogue/Approved Anti Security apps

And just because you have security apps installed, they are useless unless updated regularly. Keep track of updates for ALL your security needs here:
Calendar of Updates

Subscribe to update alerts for all the above security apps here.

You can also see my own ongoing security testing with all the above apps proving how securely you can safe with them installed.
TeMerc Test Box Forum

Happy surfing!!
Tom


Due to resolution this topic is closed.

If you need this topic reopened, please request this by sending the moderating team a PM with the address of the thread. This applies only to the original topic starter.