For william kruger: Annoying Virus Alert!, Critical Sytem Error pop-up in my task bar

Question

william kruger 0 Newbie Poster

19 Years Ago

I have a very annoying pop-up in my task bar tell ing me to download antimalware because of an infection. It keeps flashing between a "Question Mark" and a "No Entry" symbol.
Here is my HiJackThis log:
Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 6:13:38 PM, on 9/1/2006
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)
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:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\devldr32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\PCODEC\isamonitor.exe
C:\Program Files\PCODEC\pmsngr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RUNDLL32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\GWMDMMSG.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Program Files\BestBuy\HelpExpress\HXDL.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Andrew\Desktop\hjt\HijackThis.exe
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page =
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL =
R3 - URLSearchHook: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\yt.dll
O2 - BHO: Yahoo! Toolbar Helper - {02478D38-C3F9-4EFB-9B51-7695ECA05670} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\yt.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {202a961f-23ae-42b1-9505-ffe3c818d717} - C:\Program Files\PCODEC\isaddon.dll
O2 - BHO: Yahoo! IE Services Button - {5BAB4B5B-68BC-4B02-94D6-2FC0DE4A7897} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common\yiesrvc.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\yt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Protection Bar - {fe2d25c1-c1db-4b5e-9390-af1cb5302f32} - C:\Program Files\PCODEC\iesplugin.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE NvQTwk,NvCplDaemon initialize
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [GWMDMMSG] GWMDMMSG.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [GWMDMpi] C:\WINDOWS\GWMDMpi.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdReg] C:\WINDOWS\Updreg.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [HXDL.EXE] C:\Program Files\BestBuy\HelpExpress\HXDL.EXE -from="HXIUL.EXE" -to="HXIUL.EXE" -run
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AIM] C:\Program Files\AIM95\aim.exe -cnetwait.odl
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Check Local Printer.lnk = C:\Program Files\KXP6X00\Chkpnt.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O4 - Global Startup: AOL Instant Messenger.lnk = C:\Program Files\AIM95\aim.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: Yahoo! Services - {5BAB4B5B-68BC-4B02-94D6-2FC0DE4A7897} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common\yiesrvc.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: AIM - {AC9E2541-2814-11d5-BC6D-00B0D0A1DE45} - C:\Program Files\AIM95\aim.exe
O9 - Extra button: Yahoo! Messenger - {E5D12C4E-7B4F-11D3-B5C9-0050045C3C96} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\YahooMessenger.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Yahoo! Messenger - {E5D12C4E-7B4F-11D3-B5C9-0050045C3C96} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\YahooMessenger.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
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=
O18 - Protocol: ms-help - {314111C7-A502-11D2-BBCA-00C04F8EC294} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Help\hxds.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: WgaLogon - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WgaLogon.dll
O21 - SSODL: bestreak - {874443fe-aa33-4ebf-a6ac-73208787e62d} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\viruxz.dll
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPodService - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: SQL Server (SQLEXPRESS) (MSSQL$SQLEXPRESS) - Unknown owner - c:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\Binn\sqlservr.exe" -sSQLEXPRESS (file missing)
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Driver Helper Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe

Please help me get rid of this!
Andrew

how do i get rid of this

information-security virus-malware

2 Contributors
1 Reply
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8 Hours Discussion Span
Latest Post 19 Years Ago Latest Post by DMR

Dani AI

Generated 7 Months Ago

Short expert summary and removal plan (expanded from 's HijackThis suggestion for ):

The HijackThis scan already posted shows an unknown ShellServiceObjectDelayLoad (SSODL) item and other unusual autorun/startup entries — that pattern is exactly how many rogue “fake‑antimalware” programs persist and display repeated taskbar warnings. Treat SSODL entries as high‑priority suspects because Explorer loads them automatically at startup. (sm-u.com)

Practical sequence to remove the popup safely (do these steps in order):

Immediately isolate the PC from the network (unplug or disable NIC/Wi‑Fi) to stop further downloads or data exfiltration.
Reboot to Safe Mode (F8) and run an initial cleanup pass: use RKill (to stop active malware processes if needed) then run Malwarebytes (full scan, enable rootkit scanning) and AdwCleaner to remove rogue components and PUPs. These tools are standard for scareware/fake‑AV removal. (bleepingcomputer.com)
Use Autoruns (Sysinternals) while in Safe Mode or after the scanners have run to locate and disable suspicious startup points (look under Logon, Explorer, and the ShellServiceObjectDelayLoad area). Autoruns can “jump to” the file location so the file can be examined or removed safely. After disabling entries, delete or quarantine the actual DLL/file from the System32 folder (deletions are safest from Safe Mode). (learn.microsoft.com)

Notes, cautions and follow‑up:

HijackThis (and similar tools) removes registry references but does not delete the malicious file itself; manual file removal or a robust anti‑malware scanner is required to prevent reappearance. Back up important data before invasive changes. (sm-u.com)
After cleanup, reboot normally, update engines/signatures, run a second full scan, and change any passwords used while infected. If persistence remains (file reloads, icons return), consider a known‑good offline scanner or a clean OS image—some infections require a full reinstall. For detailed removal walkthroughs for rogue/fake AV, follow established guides rather than ad‑hoc downloads. (bleepingcomputer.com)

This plan prioritizes stopping the popup, removing persistent startup hooks, and eliminating the underlying files.

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DMR 152 Wombat At Large Team Colleague · Answer 1 · 2006-10-25T06:27:25+00:00

Hi William Kruger- welcome to Daniweb :)

First of all, I've split your post into its own new thread, as per the guidelines stated in our posting rules:
"Do not piggyback threads (aka "hijack" threads) by posting your question as a reply to another question."

Regarding your problem: Because there are different variants of the infections that cause the bogus warning symbols, and because every member's computer is configured somewhat differently, here's what you need to do in order for us to get an initial picture of the state of your computer:

Download the (free) .

Once downloaded, follow these instructions to install and run the program:

* Create a folder for HijackThis outside of any Temp/Temporary folders and move the downloaded HijackThis.exe file to that folder now. A folder such such as C:\HijackThis or C:\Spyware Tools\HijackThis will do.

* Run HijackThis, but do not have HJT fix anything yet; only have it scan your system! Once the scan is complete, the "Scan" button will turn into an option to "Save log...".

* Save the log in the folder you created for HijackThis; the saved file will be named "hijackthis.log". The log file will open in Windows Notepad once you save it; cut-n-paste the entire contents of the file from Notepad and post it here.

The log contents will tell us a lot about what "nasties" have crept into your system, and once we analyse the log we can tell you what to do from there.