Member Avatar for MMG

Dear community,

On a quite regular basis, the screen of one of the laptops I use blinks for a fraction of a second. It does it like with some screen capture softwares when they are triggered.

Besides, I'm observing from time to time some strange behaviour: Command windows that open and close in a fraction of a second, multiple hidden folders named like "ZZZ_ZZ_ZZZZZ_ZZ_ZZZ...." that appear and disappear on the root disk...

Note that I frequently activate Team Viewer to allow some colleagues to have some distant access, but always under my control (I'm blocking "unattended access option").

Also, the laptop is lent from time to time to third parties I trust.

After each loan, I run Malaware and Ad-Aware but they do not detect anything except some cookies or common adware stuff..

Can anyone explain that blinking thing ? And if the other signs can be the result of intrusions ?

Many many thanks in advance

Hijackthislog :

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 16:52:42, on 09/12/2011
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18702)
Boot mode: Normal

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\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgchsvx.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgrsx.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgcsrvx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxpers.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxsrvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Wireless Assistant\HPWAMain.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgwdsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
C:\Program Files\Firebird\Firebird_2_1\bin\fbguard.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Shared\HPDrvMntSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamservice.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgnsx.exe
D:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.2\OLAP\bin\msmdsrv.exe
c:\Program Files\Common Files\Protexis\License Service\PsiService_2.exe
C:\Program Files\Spyware Terminator\st_rsser.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\TuneUp Utilities 2012\TuneUpUtilitiesService32.exe
D:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\Binn\msftesql.exe
C:\Program Files\WIDCOMM\Bluetooth Software\bin\btwdins.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Shared\hpqWmiEx.exe
C:\Program Files\TuneUp Utilities 2012\TuneUpUtilitiesApp32.exe
C:\Program Files\Firebird\Firebird_2_1\bin\fbserver.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Shared\hpqToaster.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\EXCEL.EXE
C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\AAWTray.exe
C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\AAWService.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\WINWORD.EXE
C:\Program Files\Google\Google Desktop Search\GoogleDesktop.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Shared\hpCaslNotification.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Spyware Terminator\SpywareTerminatorUpdate.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\msiexec.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HiJackThis\HiJackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar =
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.fr/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL =
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,SearchAssistant =
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,CustomizeSearch =
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 =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = local
R3 - URLSearchHook: &Crawler Toolbar Helper - {1CB20BF0-BBAE-40A7-93F4-6435FF3D0411} - C:\PROGRA~1\Crawler\Toolbar\ctbr.dll
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: &Crawler Toolbar Helper - {1CB20BF0-BBAE-40A7-93F4-6435FF3D0411} - C:\PROGRA~1\Crawler\Toolbar\ctbr.dll
O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgssie.dll
O2 - BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Programme d'aide de l'Assistant de connexion Windows Live - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Crawler Toolbar - {4B3803EA-5230-4DC3-A7FC-33638F3D3542} - C:\PROGRA~1\Crawler\Toolbar\ctbr.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Persistence] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxpers.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WirelessAssistant] C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Wireless Assistant\HPWAMain.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AppleSyncNotifier] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\AppleSyncNotifier.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware] "C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamgui.exe" /starttray
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe ARM] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [APSDaemon] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Apple Application Support\APSDaemon.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SpywareTerminatorShield] C:\Program Files\Spyware Terminator\SpywareTerminatorShield.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SpywareTerminatorUpdater] C:\Program Files\Spyware Terminator\SpywareTerminatorUpdate.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SpybotSD TeaTimer] C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\RunOnce: [FlashPlayerUpdate] C:\WINDOWS\system32\Macromed\Flash\FlashUtil10x_ActiveX.exe -update activex
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-21-1993962763-1532298954-1417001333-1003\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe (User '?')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-21-1993962763-1532298954-1417001333-1003\..\RunOnce: [avg_spchecker] "C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\Notification\SPChecker1.exe" /start (User '?')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'Default user')
O8 - Extra context menu item: Add to Google Photos Screensa&ver - res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\GPhotos.scr/200
O8 - Extra context menu item: Crawler Search - tbr:iemenu
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Send to &Bluetooth Device... - C:\Program Files\WIDCOMM\Bluetooth Software\btsendto_ie_ctx.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Send To Bluetooth - C:\Program Files\WIDCOMM\Bluetooth Software\btsendto_ie.htm
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: @btrez.dll,-4015 - {CCA281CA-C863-46ef-9331-5C8D4460577F} - C:\Program Files\WIDCOMM\Bluetooth Software\btsendto_ie.htm
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @btrez.dll,-12650 - {CCA281CA-C863-46ef-9331-5C8D4460577F} - C:\Program Files\WIDCOMM\Bluetooth Software\btsendto_ie.htm
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Spybot - Search & Destroy Configuration - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
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
O18 - Protocol: linkscanner - {F274614C-63F8-47D5-A4D1-FBDDE494F8D1} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgpp.dll
O18 - Protocol: tbr - {4D25FB7A-8902-4291-960E-9ADA051CFBBF} - C:\PROGRA~1\Crawler\Toolbar\ctbr.dll
O20 - AppInit_DLLs: C:\PROGRA~1\Google\GOOGLE~1\GOEC62~1.DLL
O20 - Winlogon Notify: avgrsstarter - avgrsstx.dll (file missing)
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Browseui preloader - {438755C2-A8BA-11D1-B96B-00A0C90312E1} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\browseui.dll
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Component Categories cache daemon - {8C7461EF-2B13-11d2-BE35-3078302C2030} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\browseui.dll
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: AVG Free WatchDog (avg9wd) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgwdsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Service Bonjour (Bonjour Service) - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: Bluetooth Service (btwdins) - Broadcom Corporation. - C:\Program Files\WIDCOMM\Bluetooth Software\bin\btwdins.exe
O23 - Service: Com4QLBEx - Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Quick Launch Buttons\Com4QLBEx.exe
O23 - Service: Firebird Guardian - DefaultInstance (FirebirdGuardianDefaultInstance) - Firebird Project - C:\Program Files\Firebird\Firebird_2_1\bin\fbguard.exe
O23 - Service: Firebird Server - DefaultInstance (FirebirdServerDefaultInstance) - Firebird Project - C:\Program Files\Firebird\Firebird_2_1\bin\fbserver.exe
O23 - Service: Google Desktop Manager 5.9.1005.12335 (GoogleDesktopManager-051210-111108) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Desktop Search\GoogleDesktop.exe
O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: HP Quick Synchronization Service (HPDrvMntSvc.exe) - Hewlett-Packard Company - C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Shared\HPDrvMntSvc.exe
O23 - Service: HP Software Framework Service (hpqwmiex) - Hewlett-Packard Company - C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Shared\hpqWmiEx.exe
O23 - Service: Hotspot Shield Routing Service (HssSrv) - AnchorFree Inc. - C:\Program Files\Hotspot Shield\HssWPR\hsssrv.exe
O23 - Service: Hotspot Shield Tray Service (HssTrayService) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Hotspot Shield\bin\HssTrayService.EXE
O23 - Service: Hotspot Shield Monitoring Service (HssWd) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Hotspot Shield\bin\hsswd.exe
O23 - Service: Service de l’iPod (iPod Service) - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service - Lavasoft Limited - C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\AAWService.exe
O23 - Service: MBAMService - Malwarebytes Corporation - C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamservice.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Security Scan Component Host Service (McComponentHostService) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\Program Files\McAfee Security Scan\2.0.181\McCHSvc.exe
O23 - Service: OracleDBConsolenbad - Oracle Corporation - D:\app\Administrator\product\11.1.0\db_1\bin\nmesrvc.exe
O23 - Service: OracleDBConsolerba - Oracle Corporation - D:\app\Administrator\product\11.1.0\db_1\bin\nmesrvc.exe
O23 - Service: OracleJobSchedulerNBAD - Unknown owner - d:\app\administrator\product\11.1.0\db_1\Bin\extjob.exe
O23 - Service: OracleJobSchedulerRBA - Unknown owner - d:\app\administrator\product\11.1.0\db_1\Bin\extjob.exe
O23 - Service: OracleOraDb11g_home1TNSListener - Unknown owner - D:\app\Administrator\product\11.1.0\db_1\BIN\TNSLSNR.exe
O23 - Service: OracleServiceNBAD - Oracle Corporation - d:\app\administrator\product\11.1.0\db_1\bin\ORACLE.EXE
O23 - Service: OracleServiceRBA - Oracle Corporation - d:\app\administrator\product\11.1.0\db_1\bin\ORACLE.EXE
O23 - Service: Protexis Licensing V2 (PSI_SVC_2) - Protexis Inc. - c:\Program Files\Common Files\Protexis\License Service\PsiService_2.exe
O23 - Service: Spyware Terminator 2012 Realtime Shield Service (ST2012_Svc) - - C:\Program Files\Spyware Terminator\st_rsser.exe
O23 - Service: TuneUp Utilities Service (TuneUp.UtilitiesSvc) - TuneUp Software - C:\Program Files\TuneUp Utilities 2012\TuneUpUtilitiesService32.exe
O23 - Service: Service Partage reseau du Lecteur Windows Media (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\WMPNetwk.exe

--
End of file - 13246 bytes

  • 3 Contributors
  • 2 Replies
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  • 19 Hours Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by jholland1964

Dani AI

Generated

A short expert triage and practical checklist to narrow down whether this is accidental software activity (installers, toolbars, drivers) or an intrusion — plus the minimum logs that help responders.

Immediate triage (do first)

  • Isolate the laptop from networks (unplug Ethernet / turn off Wi‑Fi) and make a full disk image or backup before changing anything.
  • Verify any remote‑access software is truly set to require confirmation (TeamViewer has an unattended‑access feature and account settings that control it). (support.teamviewer.com)
  • Long‑term: the VM + snapshot approach suggested by is an excellent containment/repair strategy. (docs.oracle.com)

Targeted diagnostics (capture the event)

  • Capture short‑lived processes and file activity with Process Monitor (ProcMon): filter for Process Create, Process Start, CreateFile and SetDisposition operations and leave it running until the blink/console appears. ProcMon can record the exact process, parent process and command line that caused the activity. (learn.microsoft.com)
  • Use Process Explorer’s “Find Window’s Process” (drag the target icon) to identify which process owns any visible flicker or transient window; Process Explorer also exposes VirusTotal checks. (learn.microsoft.com)
  • Review startup and persistence locations with Autoruns and save the report for posting. (learn.microsoft.com)

Quick commands / outputs to save

netstat -ano | findstr ESTABLISHED
tasklist /V
(procmon.exe -> save a .PML; autoruns.exe -> File -> Save)

Netstat output helps spot active remote sessions. (learn.microsoft.com)

Recovery and deeper scanning

  • If suspicion remains, run an offline rescue scan (bootable rescue image) before modifying the installed Windows copy (example: Kaspersky Rescue Disk) and run up‑to‑date on‑demand scanners such as Malwarebytes. (support.kaspersky.com)

What to post (per )

  • Autoruns saved file, ProcMon PML (filtered to Process/Create events), netstat output, and a Process Explorer snapshot or textual tasklist. If posting file hashes to VirusTotal, avoid uploading sensitive personal files (VirusTotal guidance). (support.threatdown.com)

If evidence of remote control or data access appears, credentials should be changed from a known‑clean machine and a full reimage considered.

Recommended Answers

All 2 Replies

Member Avatar for rubberman

Well, this is why I run Windows in a Linux VM and snapshot the Windows image before I loan it to someone. Then, when I get it back, I revert to the snapshot, removing any possible infections my friends may have attracted. Also, I provide a guest login for them that automatically loads the Windows vm, SO they never have access to the underlying Linux system.

Edited by rubberman because: n/a
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