I'm working on a WIndows 2000 Pro machine, that got hit with a virus/spyware this morning. I've run Spybot and AdAware, and there are still issues. I also checked active processes, and ended some. I also went into the registry and removed entries that were clearly spyware/viruses. I can't open Internet Explorer. The only way I can get on the internet is to open up My Computer, then type an address in the address bar. Also, my antivirus software won't load up automatically. I installed Hijack This, and here's the log file it generated:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.98.2
Scan saved at 5:14:30 PM, on 10/18/2004
Platform: Windows 2000 SP4 (WinNT 5.00.2195)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINNT\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\services.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\CA\eTrust\InoculateIT\InoRpc.exe
C:\Program Files\CA\eTrust\InoculateIT\InoRT.exe
C:\Program Files\CA\eTrust\InoculateIT\InoTask.exe
C:\WINNT\LogWatNT.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\regsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\MSTask.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\WBEM\WinMgmt.exe
C:\Program Files\TightVNC\WinVNC.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\Explorer.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\WINZIP\winzip32.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\WINZIP\wzqkpick.exe
C:\Program Files\HJT\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page =
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: G1.GZ - {79C03BC5-6C55-4B5B-921F-C02B6F1ABD7B} - C:\DOCUME~1\ALLUSE~1\APPLIC~1\Pribi\Pribi.dll
O2 - BHO: E.HH - {9E992732-295F-4987-8BE3-16FAC1639198} - C:\DOCUME~1\ALLUSE~1\APPLIC~1\IESERV~1\IEService.dll (file missing)
O2 - BHO: NLS UrlCatcher Class - {AEECBFDA-12FA-4881-BDCE-8C3E1CE4B344} - C:\WINNT\system32\nvms.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {B23F28CC-25AB-A873-3EEB-A1BF409785AB} - C:\WINNT\Fwzmslxy.dll
O2 - BHO: CB UrlCatcher Class - {CE188402-6EE7-4022-8868-AB25173A3E14} - C:\WINNT\system32\mscb.dll
O2 - BHO: ADP UrlCatcher Class - {F4E04583-354E-4076-BE7D-ED6A80FD66DA} - C:\WINNT\system32\msbe.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINNT\System32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: Search - {73C0B0C6-74A9-8428-A456-FD30267EA4AA} - C:\WINNT\Fwzmslxy.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Synchronization Manager] mobsync.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinVNC] "C:\Program Files\TightVNC\WinVNC.exe" -servicehelper
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Realtime Monitor] "C:\Program Files\CA\eTrust\InoculateIT\realmon.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINNT\System32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINNT\System32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Realtime Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\CA\eTrust\InoculateIT\Realmon.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Office Startup.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Find Fast.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\FINDFAST.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O16 - DPF: Yahoo! MahJong Solitaire -
O16 - DPF: {56336BCB-3D8A-11D6-A00B-0050DA18DE71} (RdxIE Class) -
O16 - DPF: {75565ED2-1560-4F15-B841-20358DE6A0D1} (ImageControl Class) -
O16 - DPF: {861DB4B6-3838-11D2-8E50-002018200E57} (MrSIDI Control) -

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Dani AI

Generated

Good first steps by (running anti‑spyware and posting the HijackThis output) and good troubleshooting from . Persistent add‑ons and autostart items that “come back” usually mean a persistence mechanism (service, scheduled task or helper) is restoring them at boot, so treat this as more than a simple toolbar cleanup.

Immediate containment: isolate the machine from the network right away (unplug ethernet / disable Wi‑Fi) to stop any remote control or data exfiltration while you investigate. Preserve the powered‑on state if forensic details matter; do not reconnect until the system is contained and scanned. (cisa.gov)

Investigation and cleanup workflow (practical, in order):

  • Boot Safe Mode (no network) and run up‑to‑date antimalware scans, then perform an offline scan from trusted rescue media (bootable rescue ISO) if available. (support.kaspersky.com)
  • Use Autoruns to view and disable/delete every autostart location (Run, RunOnce, services, BHOs, Winlogon, Scheduled Tasks). It shows BHOs and toolbars clearly so you can remove persistent registry entries safely. (learn.microsoft.com)
  • Use Process Explorer to inspect running processes (file path, publisher signature, open handles). Unknown processes whose files are outside expected program folders should be quarantined for analysis. (learn.microsoft.com)

If a remote‑access server or unknown service is present, stop and uninstall it properly (don’t just kill the process). Follow vendor uninstall steps for legitimate tools; for VNC‑type servers the vendor doc describes removing the service and related files. If a service was installed by malware, remove its service entry and associated files, then recheck autoruns and scheduled tasks. (tightvnc.com)

Final notes: if you find evidence of a backdoor or admin‑level persistence, the safest course is recovery from a known‑good image or full reimage and restore from verified backups — malware with persistent remote access is hard to guarantee cleaned. After recovery, reset all credentials used on the box, fully patch the OS/apps, and tighten browser/ActiveX settings (using a hardened browser is fine, but Windows updates may still require IE). (cisa.gov)

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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 =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page =
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing

O2 - BHO: G1.GZ - {79C03BC5-6C55-4B5B-921F-C02B6F1ABD7B} - C:\DOCUME~1\ALLUSE~1\APPLIC~1\Pribi\Pribi.dll
O2 - BHO: E.HH - {9E992732-295F-4987-8BE3-16FAC1639198} - C:\DOCUME~1\ALLUSE~1\APPLIC~1\IESERV~1\IEService.dll (file missing)
O2 - BHO: NLS UrlCatcher Class - {AEECBFDA-12FA-4881-BDCE-8C3E1CE4B344} - C:\WINNT\system32\nvms.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {B23F28CC-25AB-A873-3EEB-A1BF409785AB} - C:\WINNT\Fwzmslxy.dll
O2 - BHO: CB UrlCatcher Class - {CE188402-6EE7-4022-8868-AB25173A3E14} - C:\WINNT\system32\mscb.dll
O2 - BHO: ADP UrlCatcher Class - {F4E04583-354E-4076-BE7D-ED6A80FD66DA} - C:\WINNT\system32\msbe.dll

O3 - Toolbar: Search - {73C0B0C6-74A9-8428-A456-FD30267EA4AA} - C:\WINNT\Fwzmslxy.dll

O16 - DPF: {56336BCB-3D8A-11D6-A00B-0050DA18DE71} (RdxIE Class) -

Reboot & without shutting down any processes, rescan with hijackthis & post that log.

Ok, I did as you said, and here's the new log file it generated:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.98.2
Scan saved at 7:00:30 PM, on 10/20/2004
Platform: Windows 2000 SP4 (WinNT 5.00.2195)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINNT\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\services.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\CA\eTrust\InoculateIT\InoRpc.exe
C:\Program Files\CA\eTrust\InoculateIT\InoRT.exe
C:\Program Files\CA\eTrust\InoculateIT\InoTask.exe
C:\WINNT\LogWatNT.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\regsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\MSTask.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\WBEM\WinMgmt.exe
C:\Program Files\TightVNC\WinVNC.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\HJT\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page =
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {79C03BC5-6C55-4B5B-921F-C02B6F1ABD7B} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINNT\System32\msdxm.ocx
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Synchronization Manager] mobsync.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinVNC] "C:\Program Files\TightVNC\WinVNC.exe" -servicehelper
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Realtime Monitor] "C:\Program Files\CA\eTrust\InoculateIT\realmon.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINNT\System32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINNT\System32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Realtime Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\CA\eTrust\InoculateIT\Realmon.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Office Startup.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Find Fast.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\FINDFAST.EXE
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O16 - DPF: Yahoo! MahJong Solitaire -
O16 - DPF: {75565ED2-1560-4F15-B841-20358DE6A0D1} (ImageControl Class) -
O16 - DPF: {861DB4B6-3838-11D2-8E50-002018200E57} (MrSIDI Control) -

Thank you for your help. Also, I'm thinking of making it policy to use Mozilla for web browsing throughout the building now, to help keep this from happening again, would that be a good idea?

I have Firefox (Mozilla) on my computer & would recommend it, although I use Opera 99% of the time. You will still need to use IE to get your Microsoft updates.

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 =
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing

O2 - BHO: (no name) - {79C03BC5-6C55-4B5B-921F-C02B6F1ABD7B} - (no file)

I did exactly as you said, and made sure there were no explorer windows of any sort open, and did another scan. I fixed the entries that you said, and when i opened it back up again and did another scan, they were all right back there. Should I post another log so you can see?

Not necessary :). Those entries are just not pointing at anything. Not malware of any kind. Just that they usually clean up straight away.
You can try doing it in safe mode, but they are not that important :).

ok, thanks for all your help!

You're welcome :). Marking this as solved. Anyone else with the same problem, please start your own thread. Thank you.

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