Search Me Up.com

Discussion in 'adware, spyware & hijack cleaning' started by sammyboy, May 5, 2004.

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  1. sammyboy

    sammyboy Registered Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2004
    Posts:
    4
    A couple of days ago my laptop started behaving very strangely. Whenever I would start it up the homepage would be changed to www.wholeworldmarket.com and when you would try and change the page to a different one, that page would minimize and a full page would take over the screen of "searchmeup.com". In addition certain letters would not type like "o" and "l" they would be replaced with numbers.
    I have a firewall and I have run Adaware,Hijack This and CWShredder... I no longer have the problem with the hompage being changed or the "searchmeup.com" page taking over the screen but the letters are still jumbled on the screen when I type.. Are these all symptoms of the Cool Web Search variant trojan ?

    I am at work so will post the logs when I get back home.

    Thanks for any help.
     
    sammyboy, May 5, 2004
    #1
  2. dvk01

    dvk01 Global Moderator

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2003
    Posts:
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    Location:
    Loughton, Essex. UK
    go to http://www.thespykiller.co.uk and download 'Hijack This!'.
    make sure it is placed into it's own folder, not a temporary folder. Then doubleclick the Hijackthis.exe.
    Click the "Scan" button, when the scan is finished the scan button will become "Save Log" click that and save the log.
    Go to where you saved the log and click on "Edit > Select All" then click on "Edit > Copy" then Paste the log back here in a reply.
    It will possibly show issues deserving our attention, but most of what it lists will be harmless or even required,
    so do NOT fix anything yet.
    Someone here will be happy to help you analyze the results.
     
    dvk01, May 5, 2004
    #2
  3. sammyboy

    sammyboy Registered Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2004
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    Thanks DVK01... does the changing letters thing sound like Cool Web Search ?
     
    sammyboy, May 5, 2004
    #3
  4. Pieter_Arntz

    Pieter_Arntz Spyware Veteran

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2002
    Posts:
    13,491
    Location:
    Netherlands
    That part not really, but searchmeup and wholeworldmarket are CWS domains for sure.

    Regards,

    Pieter
     
    Pieter_Arntz, May 5, 2004
    #4
  5. sammyboy

    sammyboy Registered Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2004
    Posts:
    4
    Her are the 36gs

    Logfile of HijackThis v1.97.7
    Scan saved at 18:35:02, on 05/05/2004
    Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
    MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

    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\Symantec_Client_Security\Symantec AntiVirus\DefWatch.exe
    C:\Program Files\Symantec_Client_Security\Symantec AntiVirus\Rtvscan.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\slserv.exe
    C:\Program Files\Virtual CD v4 SDK\system\vcssecs.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\System32\MsPMSPSv.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\System32\ESB.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\System32\4mtcsb.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\System32\igfxtray.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\SOUNDMAN.EXE
    C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPLpr.exe
    C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
    C:\Program Files\Virtual CD v4 SDK\system\vcsplay.exe
    C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 6\DragToDisc\DrgToDsc.exe
    C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 6\AudioCentral\RxMon.exe
    C:\Program Files\Packard Bell EverSafe\TrayControl.exe
    C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 6\AudioCentral\Playlist.exe
    C:\Program Files\Winamp\winampa.exe
    C:\Program Files\USB Flash Disk Utility\UFD Utility\UFDMon.exe
    C:\Program Files\USB Flash Disk Utility\UFD Utility\USBTD.exe
    C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\vptray.exe
    C:\Program Files\Thomson\SpeedTouch USB\Dragdiag.exe
    C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
    C:\PROGRA~1\ZONELA~1\ZONEAL~1\zlclient.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\System32\ctfmon.exe
    C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
    C:\Documents and Settings\Steve\Desktop\HijackThis.exe

    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://format.packardbell.com/cgi-bin/redirect/?country=UK&range=AD&phase=6&key=SEARCH
    R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3668747.stm
    R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = file://C:\APPS\IE\offline\uk.htm
    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Packard Bell
    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,Shellnext = http://www.google.co.uk/
    O2 - BHO: (no name) - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - c:\apps\Adobe\Acrobat 5.1\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
    O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ESB] C:\WINDOWS\System32\ESB.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [4mtcsb] C:\WINDOWS\System32\4mtcsb.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINDOWS\System32\igfxtray.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMan] SOUNDMAN.EXE
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPLpr] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPLpr.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPEnh] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VCSPlayer] "C:\Program Files\Virtual CD v4 SDK\system\vcsplay.exe"
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CleanEasyImg] c:\apps\easydvd\cleanall.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RoxioEngineUtility] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\System\EngUtil.exe"
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RoxioDragToDisc] "C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 6\DragToDisc\DrgToDsc.exe"
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RoxioAudioCentral] "C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 6\AudioCentral\RxMon.exe"
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NovaNet-WEB Tray Control] C:\Program Files\Packard Bell EverSafe\TrayControl.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroCheck] C:\WINDOWS\system32\NeroCheck.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinampAgent] C:\Program Files\Winamp\winampa.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UFD Monitor] C:\Program Files\USB Flash Disk Utility\UFD Utility\UFDMon.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UFD Utility] C:\Program Files\USB Flash Disk Utility\UFD Utility\USBTD.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [vptray] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\vptray.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SpeedTouch USB Diagnostics] "C:\Program Files\Thomson\SpeedTouch USB\Dragdiag.exe" /icon
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [websx] C:\Program Files\websx\int113777.exe -auto
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Zone Labs Client] C:\PROGRA~1\ZONELA~1\ZONEAL~1\zlclient.exe
    O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\System32\ctfmon.exe
    O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
    O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
    O4 - Global Startup: Packard Bell EverSafe Tray Control.lnk = C:\Program Files\Packard Bell EverSafe\TrayControl.exe
    O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
    O9 - Extra button: Related (HKLM)
    O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Show &Related Links (HKLM)
    O9 - Extra button: Real.com (HKLM)
    O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=file://C:\APPS\IE\offline\uk.htm
    O16 - DPF: Yahoo! Chat - http://us.chat1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/chat/applet/c381/chat.cab
    O16 - DPF: {2B323CD9-50E3-11D3-9466-00A0C9700498} (Yahoo! Audio Conferencing) - http://us.chat1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/chat/applet/v45/yacscom.cab
    O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab

    CWShredder
    Windows XP (5.01.2600 SP1)
    Windows dir: C:\WINDOWS
    Windows system dir: C:\WINDOWS\system32
    AppData folder: C:\Documents and Settings\Steve\Application Data
    Username: Steve

    Found Hosts file: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\hosts (734 bytes, A)
    Shell Registry value: HKLM\..\WinLogon [Shell] Explorer.exe
    UserInit Registry value: HKLM\..\WinLogon [UserInit] C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe,
    Registry value: DefaultPrefix (should be http://) [] http://
    Registry value: WWW Prefix (should be http://) [www] http://
    Registry value: Mosaic Prefix (should be http://) [mosaic] http://
    Registry value: Home Prefix (should be http://) [home] http://
    Found Win.ini file: C:\WINDOWS\win.ini (583 bytes, A)
    Found System.ini file: C:\WINDOWS\system.ini (231 bytes, A)

    - END OF REPORT -

    Keyboard is still messed up

    ThanKs for any help
     
    sammyboy, May 5, 2004
    #5
  6. sammyboy

    sammyboy Registered Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2004
    Posts:
    4
    There are two profiles on this PC. One for my flatmate and one for me. Now the homepage problem appears to have gone but I am still left with one profile having problems with the keyboard ( this started at exactly the same time as the searchmeup.com homepage hijacking started ) . Various keys type the wrong letters or numbers ( ie o = 3 , l=6 ) . If you log into my flatmates profile you cannot type, if you switch users I cannot enter my profile as the letters have switched. However if you log straight into my profile the typing is fine.
    Thinking of setting up a new profile for my flatmate but want to make sure any trace of cool web search / searchmeup /whatever is gone. Pieter ( above ) said that the key switching is not usual with cool web search but I'm hoping it has done something so at least I know what is going on !

    I realise that you get loads of requests to have look at people's logs so thanks to those people above who have taken the time to reply and hopefully will reply again...
     
    sammyboy, May 5, 2004
    #6
  7. dvk01

    dvk01 Global Moderator

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2003
    Posts:
    3,131
    Location:
    Loughton, Essex. UK
    it sounds like you have somehow got the keyboard set to a foreign language setting. from then description of the keys it is almost certainly japanese or a similar asian setting

    to cure that one, using the affected profile go to control panel/regional & language options /click on languages/details and reset the input devices to UK keyboard and language
     
    dvk01, May 5, 2004
    #7
  8. dvk01

    dvk01 Global Moderator

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2003
    Posts:
    3,131
    Location:
    Loughton, Essex. UK
    now to clear the rest

    first copy these files and zip them and send to submit@thespykiller.co.uk with a short note referring to this thread
    C:\WINDOWS\System32\4mtcsb.exe
    so I can see what it is , I think it's part of you PB laptop drivers but want to check it isn't a hijacker

    Before you start, please unzip hijackthis to a separate folder. The program will make backups in the folder in the folder it's in.
    These easily get lost in a Temp folder or get scattered all over the desktop

    Run hijackthis, tick these entries listed below and ONLY these entries, double check to make sure, then make sure all browser & email windows are closed and press fix checked

    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://format.packardbell.com/cgi-b...se=6&key=SEARCH

    R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = file://C:\APPS\IE\offline\uk.htm
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [websx] C:\Program Files\websx\int113777.exe -auto
    O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=file://C:\APPS\IE\offline\uk.htm



    Reboot into safe mode by following instructions here: http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001052409420406
    then as some of the files or folders you need to delete may be hidden do this:
    Open Windows Explorer & Go to Tools > Folder Options. Click on the View tab and make sure that "Show hidden files and folders" is checked. Also uncheck "Hide protected operating system files" and untick "hide extensions for known file types" . Now click "Apply to all folders"
    Click "Apply" then "OK"

    Delete these files

    C:\Program Files\websx

    then
    Reboot normally &

    download CWshredder from http://www.thespykiller.co.uk then Run it
    Close all browser windows, click on the cwshredder.exe then click "FIX" (Not "Scan only") and let it do it's thing.

    Reboot After running cwshredder and as soon as possible follow this advice:
    Now as CWS Hijacks are normally installed via the byte verifier exploit in M$ JavaVM, just surfing a page with an infected applet can install it with no user participation. So once you’ve run the above, it is vital that you go here, click Scan for updates in the main frame, and download and install all CRITICAL updates recommended.

    Download and unzip or install these programs/applications if you haven't already got them. If you have them, then make sure they are updated and configured as described

    Spybot - Search & Destroy from http://security.kolla.de
    AdAware 6 from http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download

    Run Sybot S&D

    After installing, first press Online, press search for updates, then tick the updates it finds, then press download updates. Beside the download button is a little down pointed arrow, select one of the servers listed. If it doesn't work or you get an error message then try a different server

    Next, close all Internet Explorer and OE windows, press 'Check for Problems', and have SpyBot remove all it finds that is marked in RED.

    then reboot &

    Run ADAWARE

    Before you scan with AdAware, check for updates of the reference file by using the "webupdate".
    the current ref file should read at least 01R302 03.05.2004 or a higher number/later date

    Then ........

    Make sure the following settings are made and on -------"ON=GREEN"
    From main window :Click "Start" then " Activate in-depth scan"

    then......

    click "Use custom scanning options>Customize" and have these options on: "Scan within archives" ,"Scan active processes","Scan registry", "Deep scan registry" ,"Scan my IE Favorites for banned URL" and "Scan my host-files"

    then.........

    go to settings(the gear on top of AdAware)>Tweak>Scanning engine and tick "Unload recognized processes during scanning" ...........then........"Cleaning engine" and "Let windows remove files in use at next reboot"

    then...... click "proceed" to save your settings.

    Now to scan it´s just to click the "Scan" button.

    When scan is finished, mark everything for removal and get rid of it. (Right-click the window and choose"select all" from the drop down menu) then press next and then say yes to the prompt, do you want to remove all these entries.

    reboot again

    then post a new hijackthis log to check what is left
     
    dvk01, May 5, 2004
    #8
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