Please help me remove Searchmeup hijack

Hello,

I found my computer this morning has been hijacked by "www.searchmeup.com" and it is really giving me a hard time. I did some research before posting this, so I ran CWShredder but it found nothing other than 9 IE reg problems. It fixed these, but they come back as soon as I open IE again. (You can see the entries below in the log)

Here is my Hijackthis log file. Thanks so much for any help!

Logfile of HijackThis v1.97.7
Scan saved at 1:53:22 PM, on 5/2/04
Platform: Windows 98 SE (Win9x 4.10.2222A)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KERNEL32.DLL
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSGSRV32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MPREXE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\mmtask.tsk
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ATI2EVXX.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSTASK.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SYSTRAY.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\REAL\UPDATE_OB\REALSCHED.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ATIPTAXX.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSREXE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\RUNWIN32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\WININET32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\DDHELP.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\WMIEXE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\WINDIAL32.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\KAZAA LITE K++\KAZAA.KPP
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\PSTORES.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\WINDIAL32.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\INTERNET EXPLORER\IEXPLORE.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\INTERNET EXPLORER\IEXPLORE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\TEMPORARY INTERNET FILES\CONTENT.IE5\S5M7SDI7\HIJACKTHIS[1].EXE

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.searchmeup.com/search.php?aid=1057
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.searchmeup.com/search.php?aid=1057
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.searchmeup.com/search.php?aid=1057
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = about:blank
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://netsearchsoft.com/searchbar.html
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.searchmeup.com/search.php?aid=1057
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.searchmeup.com/search.php?aid=1057
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.searchmeup.com/search.php?aid=1057
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = http://www.searchmeup.com/search.php?aid=1057
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.searchmeup.com/search.php?aid=1057
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://www.searchmeup.com/search.php?aid=1057
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = 127.0.0.1:8080
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = local
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {A5366673-E8CA-11D3-9CD9-0090271D075B} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\FLASHGET\JCCATCH.DLL
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {4401FDC3-7996-4774-8D2B-C1AE9CD6CC25} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\E-BOOK SYSTEMS\FLIPVIEWER\FPLAUNCH.DLL
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {E21B52A9-00D9-2796-28F2-5E2B4275A530} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSDXM.OCX
O3 - Toolbar: FlashGet Bar - {E0E899AB-F487-11D5-8D29-0050BA6940E3} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\FLASHGET\FGIEBAR.DLL
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ScanRegistry] C:\WINDOWS\scanregw.exe /autorun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SystemTray] SysTray.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Jet Detection] C:\Program Files\Creative\SBAudigy\PROGRAM\ADGJDet.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\QTTASK.EXE" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RadBoot] C:\PROGRAM FILES\RADLINKER\RadBoot.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AtiPTA] atiptaxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [System Service] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSREXE.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DAEMON Tools-1033] "C:\Program Files\D-Tools\daemon.exe" -lang 1033
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [ATIPOLL] ati2evxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [SchedulingAgent] mstask.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [ATISmart] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ati2s9ag.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [runwin32] C:\WINDOWS\runwin32.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [wininet32] C:\WINDOWS\wininet32.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: Add to filterlist (WebWasher) - http://-Web.Washer-/ie_add
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download using FlashGet - C:\PROGRAM FILES\FLASHGET\jc_link.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download All by FlashGet - C:\PROGRAM FILES\FLASHGET\jc_all.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://C:\PROGRAM FILES\GOOGLE\GOOGLETOOLBAR1.DLL/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Cac&hed Snapshot of Page - res://C:\PROGRAM FILES\GOOGLE\GOOGLETOOLBAR1.DLL/cmcache.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Si&milar Pages - res://C:\PROGRAM FILES\GOOGLE\GOOGLETOOLBAR1.DLL/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward &Links - res://C:\PROGRAM FILES\GOOGLE\GOOGLETOOLBAR1.DLL/cmbacklinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate into English - res://C:\PROGRAM FILES\GOOGLE\GOOGLETOOLBAR1.DLL/cmtrans.html
O9 - Extra button: Related (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Show &Related Links (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: Messenger (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Messenger (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: FlashGet (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: &FlashGet (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: Messenger (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Yahoo! Messenger (HKLM)
O12 - Plugin for .bcf: C:\PROGRA~1\INTERN~1\Plugins\NPBelv32.dll
O16 - DPF: {166B1BCA-3F9C-11CF-8075-444553540000} (Shockwave ActiveX Control) - http://download.macromedia.com/pub/s...wdir85r307.cab
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://download.macromedia.com/pub/s...sh/swflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {72D59B9C-1E59-4958-803A-ABDEE2D4CFA6} (DivX Player) - http://download.divx.com/player/DivXPlayerInstaller.exe
O16 - DPF: {27527D31-447B-11D5-A46E-0001023B4289} (CoGSManager Class) - http://gamingzone.ubisoft.com/packages/GSManager.cab
O16 - DPF: {41F17733-B041-4099-A042-B518BB6A408C} - http://a1540.g.akamai.net/7/1540/52/...eInstaller.exe
O16 - DPF: {9F1C11AA-197B-4942-BA54-47A8489BB47F} (Update Class) - http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.co...914.7538310185
O16 - DPF: {DF780F87-FF2B-4DF8-92D0-73DB16A1543A} (PopCapLoader Object) - http://anu.popcap.com/games/popcaploader_v5.cab
O16 - DPF: {30528230-99F7-4BB4-88D8-FA1D4F56A2AB} (YInstStarter Class) - http://download.yahoo.com/dl/installs/yinst0401.cab
O16 - DPF: {39B0684F-D7BF-4743-B050-FDC3F48F7E3B} (FilePlanet Download Control Class) - http://www.fileplanet.com/fpdlmgr/ca...C_1_0_0_41.cab

[Unzy]

Hi AdamL,

have only HijackThis running and fix :

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.searchmeup.com/search.php?aid=1057
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.searchmeup.com/search.php?aid=1057
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.searchmeup.com/search.php?aid=1057
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://netsearchsoft.com/searchbar.html
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.searchmeup.com/search.php?aid=1057
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.searchmeup.com/search.php?aid=1057
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.searchmeup.com/search.php?aid=1057
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = http://www.searchmeup.com/search.php?aid=1057
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.searchmeup.com/search.php?aid=1057
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://www.searchmeup.com/search.php?aid=1057
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = 127.0.0.1:8080

O2 - BHO: (no name) - {E21B52A9-00D9-2796-28F2-5E2B4275A530} - (no file)

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [System Service] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSREXE.EXE
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [runwin32] C:\WINDOWS\runwin32.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [wininet32] C:\WINDOWS\wininet32.exe

Restart PC after doing so and remove :

C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSREXE.EXE <- this file
C:\WINDOWS\runwin32.exe <- this file
C:\WINDOWS\wininet32.exe <- this file

NOTE : This particular CWS variant also hijacks proxy settings. After removing the files you have to uncheck the proxy to get your internet connection back.

Rightclick internet explorer -> properties -> connections. Select the connection you are using -> settings, uncheck proxy.

Hope this helps

Cheers,

PS -- My computer "Beeps" (The normal, windows operation "Beep!") every now and then, even when nobody is using the machine. This started right about the same time as the hijack. Is the software trying to perform execution functions on my machine? (!)

Thank you for the fast response! I will let you know how it goes.

First time I removed the reg entries they all came back upon reboot, but then I found out that I had to close the wininet32.exe and runwin32.exe files in the task manager before trying to remove them with hijackthis. After doing that, everything went perfectly.

Thanks so much for your help, I really appreciate your assistance.

Adam

[Unzy]

you're welcome

Glad we were able to help

Cheers,