I have been hijacked by greatseach.biz. I have run Adware and Hijackthis. My hijackthis log is below. After I "fix" the obvious problem items (ones with greatsearch.biz in description) and restart, the items reappear in the hijackthis log. What am I missing? Please help.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.97.7
Scan saved at 10:28:12 AM, on 5/23/2004
Platform: Windows XP (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2600.0000)

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\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\cisvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\wanmpsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Dell\EUSW\Support.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\navapw32.exe
C:\Program Files\Digital Line Detect\DLG.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony Handheld\HOTSYNC.EXE
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\AiO\hp psc 900 series\Bin\hpobrt07.exe
C:\Program Files\Nova Development\Photo Explosion Deluxe\CalCheck.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\HEWLET~1\AiO\Shared\Bin\hpoevm07.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\hpoipm07.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Scott\Local Settings\Temp\Temporary Directory 3 for hijackthis.zip\HijackThis.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\AiO\Shared\bin\hpOSTS07.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\AiO\Shared\bin\hpOFXM07.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://greatsearch.biz/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://greatsearch.biz/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://greatsearch.biz/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://greatsearch.biz/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = 127.0.0.1
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = http://greatsearch.biz/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = http://greatsearch.biz/
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {00041A26-7033-432C-94C7-6371DE343822} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: myBar BHO - {0494D0D1-F8E0-41ad-92A3-14154ECE70AC} - C:\Program Files\MyWay\myBar\1.bin\MYBAR.DLL
O2 - BHO: NAV Helper - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {FDD3B846-8D59-4ffb-8758-209B6AD74ACC} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Money\System\mnyviewer.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: My &Search Bar - {0494D0D9-F8E0-41ad-92A3-14154ECE70AC} - C:\Program Files\MyWay\myBar\1.bin\MYBAR.DLL
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DwlClient] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Dell\EUSW\Support.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NAV Agent] C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\navapw32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSConfig] C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\MSConfig.exe /auto
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - Global Startup: America Online 7.0 Tray Icon.lnk = C:\Program Files\America Online 7.0\aoltray.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Digital Line Detect.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: HotSync Manager.lnk = C:\Program Files\Sony Handheld\HOTSYNC.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: HPAiODevice(hp psc 900 series) - 1.lnk = C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\AiO\hp psc 900 series\Bin\hpobrt07.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Office10\OSA.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Photo Explosion Calendar Checker.lnk = ?
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Real.com (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: MoneySide (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: Messenger (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Messenger (HKLM)
O16 - DPF: {02BF25D5-8C17-4B23-BC80-D3488ABDDC6B} (QuickTime Object) - http://www.apple.com/qtactivex/qtplugin.cab
O16 - DPF: {11260943-421B-11D0-8EAC-0000C07D88CF} (iPIX ActiveX Control) - http://www.ipix.com/download/ipixx.cab
O16 - DPF: {473EB4B9-6641-4FE4-9A0D-AB0EFAE34FA8} (ELSReg Class) - http://mobile.mdconsult.com/installer/ELSProxy.cab
O16 - DPF: {9600F64D-755F-11D4-A47F-0001023E6D5A} (Shutterfly Picture Upload Plugin) - http://web1.shutterfly.com/downloads/Uploader.cab
O16 - DPF: {9F1C11AA-197B-4942-BA54-47A8489BB47F} (Update Class) - http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.co...761.5004976852
O16 - DPF: {C606BA60-AB76-48B6-96A7-2C4D5C386F70} (PreQualifier Class) - http://www.verizon.net/checkmypc/inc...ivePreQual.cab
O16 - DPF: {EF791A6B-FC12-4C68-99EF-FB9E207A39E6} (McFreeScan Class) - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/is...62/mcfscan.cab

Ok. Please do the following & we will see if we can get it sorted for you.
Download CWShredder from here & run it. Select the fix button & it will get rid of everything related to CoolWebSearch that is stored in it's database. Close ALL windows, including IE, before running CWShredder.

To help prevent this from happening again, install the patches for the vulnerabilities that this hijacker exploits by going here for your critical updates.

Reboot after doing this & post another log please.

I downloaded and ran the CWshredder and it indicated that one item was removed, however the problem still exists. Below is the new hijackthis log.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.97.7
Scan saved at 7:53:06 PM, on 5/24/2004
Platform: Windows XP (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2600.0000)

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\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\cisvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\wanmpsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Dell\EUSW\Support.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\navapw32.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Program Files\Digital Line Detect\DLG.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony Handheld\HOTSYNC.EXE
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\AiO\hp psc 900 series\Bin\hpobrt07.exe
C:\Program Files\Nova Development\Photo Explosion Deluxe\CalCheck.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\HEWLET~1\AiO\Shared\Bin\hpoevm07.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\hpoipm07.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\AiO\Shared\bin\hpOSTS07.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\AiO\Shared\bin\hpOFXM07.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Scott\Local Settings\Temp\Temporary Directory 14 for hijackthis.zip\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://greatsearch.biz/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://greatsearch.biz/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://greatsearch.biz/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://greatsearch.biz/
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = http://greatsearch.biz/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = http://greatsearch.biz/
O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: My &Search Bar - {0494D0D9-F8E0-41ad-92A3-14154ECE70AC} - C:\Program Files\MyWay\myBar\1.bin\MYBAR.DLL
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DwlClient] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Dell\EUSW\Support.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NAV Agent] C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\navapw32.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - Global Startup: America Online 7.0 Tray Icon.lnk = C:\Program Files\America Online 7.0\aoltray.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Digital Line Detect.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: HotSync Manager.lnk = C:\Program Files\Sony Handheld\HOTSYNC.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: HPAiODevice(hp psc 900 series) - 1.lnk = C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\AiO\hp psc 900 series\Bin\hpobrt07.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Office10\OSA.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Photo Explosion Calendar Checker.lnk = ?
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Real.com (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: MoneySide (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: Messenger (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Messenger (HKLM)
O16 - DPF: {02BF25D5-8C17-4B23-BC80-D3488ABDDC6B} (QuickTime Object) - http://www.apple.com/qtactivex/qtplugin.cab
O16 - DPF: {11260943-421B-11D0-8EAC-0000C07D88CF} (iPIX ActiveX Control) - http://www.ipix.com/download/ipixx.cab
O16 - DPF: {473EB4B9-6641-4FE4-9A0D-AB0EFAE34FA8} (ELSReg Class) - http://mobile.mdconsult.com/installer/ELSProxy.cab
O16 - DPF: {9600F64D-755F-11D4-A47F-0001023E6D5A} (Shutterfly Picture Upload Plugin) - http://web1.shutterfly.com/downloads/Uploader.cab
O16 - DPF: {9F1C11AA-197B-4942-BA54-47A8489BB47F} (Update Class) - http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.co...131.6945023148
O16 - DPF: {C606BA60-AB76-48B6-96A7-2C4D5C386F70} (PreQualifier Class) - http://www.verizon.net/checkmypc/inc...ivePreQual.cab
O16 - DPF: {EF791A6B-FC12-4C68-99EF-FB9E207A39E6} (McFreeScan Class) - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/is...62/mcfscan.cab

OK. greatsearch IS a CWS infection. You definitely had ALL other windows & folders closed, yes?? If so, please boot into safe mode & run cwshredder again. How to : here

I went into safe mode and ran the cwshredder, however when I rebooted in normal mode everything was still there and my home page could still not be changed. I even went into safe mode and ran spybot S&D, AD-Aware, cwshredder, and used hijackthis to fix the top 5 lines or so in the log, and still no luck. I did have all windows closed when I did all of this. Are there any other options or am I going to have to resort to the good old fashioned hard drive erase? I really appreciate your help.

Not sure what is happening there, CWShredder fixes this infection all the time. Please try this instead.

Reboot into safe mode following the instructions here & Unzip HJT into it's own permanent folder before doing anything in order for it to create backups. (Not a temporary folder or the desktop & not directly on your hard drive). Close all (browser) windows & rescan with hijackthis. When the scan is finished place a check in the box to the left of the following entries & click 'fix checked' :

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://greatsearch.biz/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://greatsearch.biz/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://greatsearch.biz/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://greatsearch.biz/
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = http://greatsearch.biz/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = http://greatsearch.biz/

O3 - Toolbar: My &Search Bar - {0494D0D9-F8E0-41ad-92A3-14154ECE70AC} - C:\Program Files\MyWay\myBar\1.bin\MYBAR.DLL

Delete the MyWay folder. Empty the TIF (temp internet files) + offline content, check your favourites folder for baddies (stuff you never added) reset your homepage.

Boot normally.

I followed the instructions and still had no luck. I will try a few more times, before I give up. Are there any ways to erase certain files or programs before I resort to a complete dump of the hard drive?

Don't give up yet, try this & cross your fingers.

Ok please copy the contents of the quote box to notepad:






hit save as
give it the name clear.reg
under the filename set file types to all files.
save it to the desktop.

After done double click the clear.reg
when asked to merge say yes

Reboot.


then find this file:
system32.dll
its probably in one of two locations:
c:\windows\system32\system32.dll
c:\windows\system\system32.dll
and delete it.

Than fix these with hijackthis:

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://greatsearch.biz/redir.php
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://greatsearch.biz/redir.php
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://greatsearch.biz/redir.php
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://greatsearch.biz/redir.php
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = http://greatsearch.biz/redir.php
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = http://greatsearch.biz/redir.php

I had the exact same problem and could get nothing to work until I followed the final instructions. Worked a treat! Ta very much Crunchie.

I must also add that the fix was created by shadowwar, not myself. Thanx go to him.