okay. i have tried everything that i've read in every forum. i'm running:
Win2000, Ad-aware, Spybot Search and Destroy, Spyware Blaster, CWShredder, Norton Antivirus.

i've run all the spyware remove programs multiple times and in safe mode as well, but some how, these porn site dialers keep coming up and so do website popups. also, my homepage on the internet keeps getting changed to some other site like coolbiz or iwantsearch.com. i don't know what else to do. i think there is a running process that drives this thing. is there any program out there that can detect harmful running processes??? hopefully someone can help. here is my latest hjt:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.98.2
Scan saved at 8:33:30 PM, on 9/17/2004
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\ibmpmsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
C:\WINNT\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\LEXPPS.EXE
C:\WINNT\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\Program Files\Symantec AntiVirus\DefWatch.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\EPSON\EBAPI\SAgent2.exe
C:\Program Files\IBM\Security\uvmserv.exe
c:\sdwork\issimsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\drivers\ldlcserv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AT&TNE~1\NetCfgSv.EXE
C:\Program Files\Symantec_Desktop_Firewall\NISSERV.EXE
C:\WINNT\system32\regsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\MSTask.exe
C:\Program Files\Symantec AntiVirus\Rtvscan.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\WBEM\WinMgmt.exe
C:\Program Files\RealVNC\WinVNC\winvnc.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\mspmspsv.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Symantec_Desktop_Firewall\NISUM.EXE
C:\WINNT\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Personal Communications\PCS_AGNT.EXE
C:\WINNT\AGRSMMSG.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\ThinkPad\UTILIT~1\TP98TRAY.EXE
C:\WINNT\system32\RunDll32.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\ThinkPad\PkgMgr\HOTKEY\TPHKMGR.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\PRPCUI.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\IBM\Security\certtool.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPLpr.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
C:\Program Files\VERITAS Software\StorageGuard\sgtray.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\dla\tfswctrl.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\windows\services.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\LXSUPMON.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~2\VPTray.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AIM\aim.exe
c:\progra~1\intern~1\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\WIDCOMM\Bluetooth Software\BTTray.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\E_S10IC2.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\WIDCOMM\BLUETO~1\BTSTAC~1.EXE
C:\WINNT\system32\YtaxJ.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\YtaxJ.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\HiJackThis\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://mail.yahoo.com/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.ptvtyxvduasv.org/8_/Hom6KnzkcqXj4aiEC_sCugXOca5DvL0Hui55cR4Yedmnj4x_YGnYiR/3LHH1S.html
N1 - Netscape 4: user_pref("browser.startup.homepage", "http://home.netscape.com/"); (C:\Program Files\Netscape\Users\default\prefs.js)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {02716B31-5FA1-D9DF-C7D3-CA274A576DA9} - C:\PROGRA~1\SETTIN~1\64 third.exe
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINNT\system32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: AIM Search - {40D41A8B-D79B-43d7-99A7-9EE0F344C385} - C:\Program Files\AIM Toolbar\AIMBar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Synchronization Manager] mobsync.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iamapp] "C:\Program Files\Symantec_Desktop_Firewall\IAMAPP.EXE"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIModeChange] Ati2mdxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AGRSMMSG] AGRSMMSG.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TPTRAY] C:\PROGRA~1\ThinkPad\UTILIT~1\TP98TRAY.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BMMGAG] RunDll32 C:\PROGRA~1\ThinkPad\UTILIT~1\pwrmonit.dll,StartPwrMonitor
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TPHOTKEY] C:\PROGRA~1\ThinkPad\PkgMgr\HOTKEY\TPHKMGR.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PRPCMonitor] PRPCUI.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISS_Certtool] C:\PROGRA~1\IBM\Security\certtool.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISSI EZUpdate Service] "c:\sdwork\issimsvc.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: [StorageGuard] "C:\Program Files\VERITAS Software\StorageGuard\sgtray.exe" /r
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [dla] C:\WINNT\system32\dla\tfswctrl.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISAM SMT Service] "C:\Program Files\c4ebreg\isamsmt.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinVNC] "C:\Program Files\RealVNC\WinVNC\winvnc.exe" -servicehelper
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LoadQM] loadqm.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Ink Monitor] C:\Program Files\EPSON\Ink Monitor\InkMonitor.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows] C:\WINNT\system32\windows\services.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LXSUPMON] C:\WINNT\system32\LXSUPMON.EXE RUN
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [vptray] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~2\VPTray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [qOo.exe] C:\documents and settings\administrator\local settings\temp\qOo.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ER.exe] C:\documents and settings\administrator\local settings\temp\ER.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [38Z3MSR3DDD##A] C:\WINNT\system32\HacH5X.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [eXQp66oI.exe] C:\documents and settings\administrator\local settings\temp\eXQp66oI.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Surf wipe] C:\PROGRA~1\signdvdlink\ElseVga.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AIM] C:\PROGRA~1\AIM\aim.exe -cnetwait.odl
O4 - Global Startup: BTTray.lnk = C:\Program Files\WIDCOMM\Bluetooth Software\BTTray.exe
O4 - Global Startup: EPSON Status Monitor 3 Environment Check 2.lnk = C:\WINNT\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\E_SRCV02.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Lotus QuickStart.lnk = C:\lotus\wordpro\ltsstart.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &AIM Search - res://C:\Program Files\AIM Toolbar\AIMBar.dll/aimsearch.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward Links - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmbacklinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Cached Snapshot of Page - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmcache.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Similar Pages - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate into English - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmtrans.html
O9 - Extra button: AIM - {AC9E2541-2814-11d5-BC6D-00B0D0A1DE45} - C:\PROGRA~1\AIM\aim.exe
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/2004061001/housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/xscan53.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{333AD2D9-FAD0-4545-96BF-BA368B466C67}: Domain = ibm.com
O17 - HKLM\System\CS1\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: SearchList = ibm.com
O17 - HKLM\System\CS2\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: SearchList = ibm.com
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: SearchList = ibm.com

APM (Advanced Process Manipulation) is a good tool for manipulating running processes; you can get it here:

http://www.diamondcs.com.au/index.php?page=apm

In terms of your log, let's start with this:

1. Have HJT fix the following:

R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.ptvtyxvduasv.org/8_/Hom6...YiR/3LHH1S.html
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {02716B31-5FA1-D9DF-C7D3-CA274A576DA9} - C:\PROGRA~1\SETTIN~1\64 third.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows] C:\WINNT\system32\windows\services.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [qOo.exe] C:\documents and settings\administrator\local settings\temp\qOo.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ER.exe] C:\documents and settings\administrator\local settings\temp\ER.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [38Z3MSR3DDD##A] C:\WINNT\system32\HacH5X.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [eXQp66oI.exe] C:\documents and settings\administrator\local settings\temp\eXQp66oI.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Surf wipe] C:\PROGRA~1\signdvdlink\ElseVga.exe

2. - Reboot into safe mode and, for every user account listed under C:\Documents and Settings, delete the entire contents of these folders:

1. Local Settings\Temp
2. Cookies
3. History
4. Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5

- Delete the entire content of your C:\Windows\Temp folder.

If you get any messages concerning the deletion of system files such as desktop.ini or index.dat, just choose to delete those files; they'll be automatically regenerated by Windows if needed.

- Open Windows Explorer, and in the Folder Options->View settings under the Tools menu, select "show hidden files and folders", and uncheck "Hide protected operating system files". Once done, search for and delete all of the .exe files in the HJT entries I listed above.

- Empty your Recycle Bin.

- Reboot normally.

- run HJT again and post a fresh log.

DMR,
Thanks for the help!!! From what i see right now, IE seems to be MUCH more stable. :lol: I had one question: when you said to delete ALL the .exe files from the HJT log, the file "services.exe" came up in a few places. i only deleted the one in the specific folder that the HJT had. but should i delete all the other "services.exe" which appear in other folders?

here's my new log:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.98.2
Scan saved at 1:24:21 PM, on 9/18/2004
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\ibmpmsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
C:\WINNT\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\LEXPPS.EXE
C:\WINNT\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\Program Files\Symantec AntiVirus\DefWatch.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\EPSON\EBAPI\SAgent2.exe
C:\Program Files\IBM\Security\uvmserv.exe
c:\sdwork\issimsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\drivers\ldlcserv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AT&TNE~1\NetCfgSv.EXE
C:\Program Files\Symantec_Desktop_Firewall\NISSERV.EXE
C:\WINNT\system32\regsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\MSTask.exe
C:\Program Files\Symantec AntiVirus\Rtvscan.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\WBEM\WinMgmt.exe
C:\Program Files\RealVNC\WinVNC\winvnc.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\mspmspsv.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Symantec_Desktop_Firewall\NISUM.EXE
C:\Program Files\Personal Communications\PCS_AGNT.EXE
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINNT\AGRSMMSG.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\ThinkPad\UTILIT~1\TP98TRAY.EXE
C:\WINNT\system32\RunDll32.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\ThinkPad\PkgMgr\HOTKEY\TPHKMGR.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\PRPCUI.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\IBM\Security\certtool.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPLpr.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
C:\Program Files\VERITAS Software\StorageGuard\sgtray.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\dla\tfswctrl.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\LXSUPMON.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~2\VPTray.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AIM\aim.exe
C:\Program Files\WIDCOMM\Bluetooth Software\BTTray.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\E_S10IC2.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\WIDCOMM\BLUETO~1\BTSTAC~1.EXE
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE
C:\HiJackThis\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://mail.yahoo.com/
N1 - Netscape 4: user_pref("browser.startup.homepage", "http://home.netscape.com/"); (C:\Program Files\Netscape\Users\default\prefs.js)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINNT\system32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: AIM Search - {40D41A8B-D79B-43d7-99A7-9EE0F344C385} - C:\Program Files\AIM Toolbar\AIMBar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Synchronization Manager] mobsync.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iamapp] "C:\Program Files\Symantec_Desktop_Firewall\IAMAPP.EXE"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIModeChange] Ati2mdxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AGRSMMSG] AGRSMMSG.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TPTRAY] C:\PROGRA~1\ThinkPad\UTILIT~1\TP98TRAY.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BMMGAG] RunDll32 C:\PROGRA~1\ThinkPad\UTILIT~1\pwrmonit.dll,StartPwrMonitor
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TPHOTKEY] C:\PROGRA~1\ThinkPad\PkgMgr\HOTKEY\TPHKMGR.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PRPCMonitor] PRPCUI.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISS_Certtool] C:\PROGRA~1\IBM\Security\certtool.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISSI EZUpdate Service] "c:\sdwork\issimsvc.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: [StorageGuard] "C:\Program Files\VERITAS Software\StorageGuard\sgtray.exe" /r
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [dla] C:\WINNT\system32\dla\tfswctrl.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISAM SMT Service] "C:\Program Files\c4ebreg\isamsmt.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinVNC] "C:\Program Files\RealVNC\WinVNC\winvnc.exe" -servicehelper
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LoadQM] loadqm.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Ink Monitor] C:\Program Files\EPSON\Ink Monitor\InkMonitor.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LXSUPMON] C:\WINNT\system32\LXSUPMON.EXE RUN
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [vptray] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~2\VPTray.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AIM] C:\PROGRA~1\AIM\aim.exe -cnetwait.odl
O4 - Global Startup: BTTray.lnk = C:\Program Files\WIDCOMM\Bluetooth Software\BTTray.exe
O4 - Global Startup: EPSON Status Monitor 3 Environment Check 2.lnk = C:\WINNT\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\E_SRCV02.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Lotus QuickStart.lnk = C:\lotus\wordpro\ltsstart.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &AIM Search - res://C:\Program Files\AIM Toolbar\AIMBar.dll/aimsearch.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward Links - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmbacklinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Cached Snapshot of Page - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmcache.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Similar Pages - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate into English - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmtrans.html
O9 - Extra button: AIM - {AC9E2541-2814-11d5-BC6D-00B0D0A1DE45} - C:\PROGRA~1\AIM\aim.exe
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/2004061001/housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/xscan53.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{333AD2D9-FAD0-4545-96BF-BA368B466C67}: Domain = ibm.com
O17 - HKLM\System\CS1\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: SearchList = ibm.com
O17 - HKLM\System\CS2\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: SearchList = ibm.com
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: SearchList = ibm.com

Good catch on the services.exe file- you deleted the right one. There is a valid (and essential) Windows program named services.exe, but it lives in the C:\windows\system32 folder; the existence of a services.exe file in any other location is almost certainly indicative of an infection.

Your log looks clean to me; are you still having any noticeable problems?

DMR,
if you could double check for me; services.exe appears in 3 places:

C:\WINNT\system32 <-- this one is the valid one, right?
C:\WINNT\ServicePackFiles\i386
C:\WINNT\$NtServicePackUninstall$

i'm thinking those other 2 place look okay too, right?

Thanks a lot for your help!! i've been at the problem for a week and it's finally looking good! mad props to you!!

You are correct again. The first file is the real services.exe; the second two you found are pieces of the Win 2k service pack install; you can leave them be.

Glad you got it worked out; let us know if anything else crops up. :)

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