My homepage has been hijacked with about: blank virus for about three long weeks now. I have tried everything there is to remove it, but nothing works. It comes back just as soon as you delete the files with anything now. Also, a different about: blank pop-up window has been poping up, getting stuck, and forcing IE to shut down completely. I have been to forums and try to follow the advice given, such as different removal tools, but for some reason, (and i am pretty sure it has to do with this about: blank thing) IE on my computer will not alllow me to download anything that has to do with spyware removal, and if it does, none of the programs are able to connect to the internet and get the proper updates they need to function to their fullest ability. Is there a patch (hopefully) out there that i am oblivious to?

Does anyone out there know how to rid a computer system of such a parasite??


Here is a log of hijack this results:


Logfile of HijackThis v1.97.7
Scan saved at 3:58:21 PM, on 5/6/2004
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:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Documents and Settings\lewk\Desktop\HijackThis.exe
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = res://C:\WINDOWS\System32\nhf.dll/sp.html (obfuscated)
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = res://C:\WINDOWS\System32\nhf.dll/sp.html (obfuscated)
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = res://C:\WINDOWS\System32\nhf.dll/sp.html (obfuscated)
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = res://C:\WINDOWS\System32\nhf.dll/sp.html (obfuscated)
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = res://C:\WINDOWS\System32\nhf.dll/sp.html (obfuscated)
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = res://C:\WINDOWS\System32\nhf.dll/sp.html (obfuscated)
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,HomeOldSP = about:blank
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,Shellnext = http://www.dellnet.com/
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.0 localhost
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.2 auditmypc.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.3 boards.cexx.org
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.4 bulletproofsoft.net
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.5 camtech2000.net
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.6 cexx.org
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.7 computercops.us
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.8 ct7support.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.9 doxdesk.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.20 kellys-korner-xp.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.21 kephyr.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.22 lavasoft.de
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.23 lavasoftusa.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.24 lurkhere.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.25 majorgeeks.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.26 merijn.org
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.27 mjc1.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.28 moosoft.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.29 mvps.org
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.30 net-integration.net
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.31 noadware.net
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.32 no-spybot.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.33 onlinepcfix.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.34 pchell.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.35 pestpatrol.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.36 safer-networking.org
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.37 secure.spykiller.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.38 secureie.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.39 security.kolla.de
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.40 spybot.info
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.41 spychecker.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.42 spychecker.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.43 spycop.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.44 spyguard.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.45 spykiller.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.46 spyware.co.uk
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.47 spyware-cop.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.49 spywarenuker.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.50 spywareremove.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.51 spywareremove.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.52 stopzillapro.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.53 sunbelt-software.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.54 thiefware.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.55 tomcoyote.org
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.56 unwantedlinks.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.57 webattack.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.58 wilders.org
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.59 www.auditmypc.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.60 www.bulletproofsoft.net
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.61 www.cexx.org
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.62 www.computercops.us
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.63 www.ct7support.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.64 www.doxdesk.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.65 www.eblocs.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.66 www.enigmasoftwaregroup.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.67 www.free-spyware-scan.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.68 www.free-web-browsers.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.69 www.grc.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.70 www.grisoft.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.71 www.hackfaq.org
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.72 www.hazeleger.net
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.73 www.javacoolsoftware.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.74 www.kellys-korner-xp.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.75 www.kephyr.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.76 www.lavasoft.de
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.77 www.lavasoftusa.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.78 www.lurkhere.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.79 www.majorgeeks.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.80 www.merijn.org
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.81 www.mjc1.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.82 www.moosoft.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.83 www.mvps.org
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.84 www.net-integration.net
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.85 www.noadware.net
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.86 www.no-spybot.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.87 www.onlinepcfix.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.88 www.pchell.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.89 www.pestpatrol.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.90 www.safer-networking.org
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.91 www.secureie.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.92 www.security.kolla.de
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.93 www.spybot.info
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.94 www.spychecker.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.95 www.spychecker.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.96 www.spycop.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.97 www.spyguard.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.98 www.spykiller.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.99 www.spyware.co.uk
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {3DC38D8D-438E-4B87-ADA0-2B7515194537} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\nhf.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5CA3D70E-1895-11CF-8E15-001234567890} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswshx.dll
O2 - BHO: NAV Helper - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BCMSMMSG] BCMSMMSG.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [dla] C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswctrl.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DVDSentry] C:\WINDOWS\System32\DSentry.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PCMService] "C:\Program Files\Dell\Media Experience\PCMService.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [diagent] "C:\Program Files\Creative\SBLive\Diagnostics\diagent.exe" startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdReg] C:\WINDOWS\UpdReg.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DwlClient] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Dell\EUSW\Support.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccRegVfy] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccRegVfy.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdateManager] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sonic\Update Manager\sgtray.exe" /r
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_01\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MediaFace Integration] C:\Program Files\Fellowes\MediaFACE 4.0\SetHook.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: AIM (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: Real.com (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: Messenger (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger (HKLM)
O12 - Plugin for .mpg: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\PLUGINS\npqtplugin3.dll
O16 - DPF: {0000000A-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71} - http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...367/wmavax.CAB
O16 - DPF: {02BF25D5-8C17-4B23-BC80-D3488ABDDC6B} (QuickTime Object) - http://www.apple.com/qtactivex/qtplugin.cab
O16 - DPF: {166B1BCA-3F9C-11CF-8075-444553540000} (Shockwave ActiveX Control) - http://download.macromedia.com/pub/s...ctor/swdir.cab
O16 - DPF: {33564D57-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71} - http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...22/wmv9VCM.CAB
O16 - DPF: {90C9629E-CD32-11D3-BBFB-00105A1F0D68} (InstallShield International Setup Player) - http://www.installengine.com/engine/isetup.cab
O16 - DPF: {CC05BC12-2AA2-4AC7-AC81-0E40F83B1ADF} (Live365Player Class) - http://www.live365.com/players/play365.cab
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub...sh/swflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {D719897A-B07A-4C0C-AEA9-9B663A28DFCB} (iTunesDetector Class) - http://ax.phobos.apple.com.edgesuite...ITDetector.cab
O16 - DPF: {F04A8AE2-A59D-11D2-8792-00C04F8EF29D} (Hotmail Attachments Control) - http://by8fd.bay8.hotmail.msn.com/activex/HMAtchmt.ocx

You Have A Variant of the CoolWebSearch Trojan.

Please Download CWShredder from HERE and run the Program in safe mode . Press the "Fix Button" Let it fix all variants. Next, Close the program and all windows and IE windows and run hijackthis and Post a Fresh log.

Reboot to SAFE mode to run swshredder

How to start computer in safe mode

reboot computer and post a new log

Important: Create a folder on the C: drive called C:\HJT.
You can do this by going to My Computer (Windows key+e) then double click on C: then right click and select New then Folder and name it HJT.
Unzip HijackThis into this folder. When you run HijackThis from this folder and have it "Fixed checked" it will create a backup file of modifications to use if restore is necessary.

I have same problem. Nothing gets rid of it. The only difference between what I've tried and what you said is running in safe mode. I'll give it a shot.

Any results?

Phaelax,

If you need to repost, please start your own thread insteAd of continuing here. To keep threads clear and concise, we ask that members abide by our policy of "one member, one problem" per thread.

Thanks

Go to this blog and read the post of April 21, 2004

http://bubdaddy.blogspot.com/

I had the exact problem you're describing and I used Ghost Surf, and then checked it with Ad-aware, which I update daily. I have deleted all of the other free programs.
I don't have any problems anymore.

sry. Didn't think much of it considering it was the same problem. But anyway, running the fixes in safe-mode did the trick. case closed.

No problem- it just makes it easier (and faster) for us to get to the bottom of a given member's problem if he/she starts their own thread, and that thread remains dedicated to their problem alone. In others words, that approach helps us all.


Very cool- glad we could help you get it sorted.

Don't count you chickens ! It can return ,and don't forget to run you windows updates .