Hijacked browser freezes

[getrid]

Hi folk,
I've been trying to get rid of something that's hijacking my browser and freezing it at the same time. Junk ads like Ebay, Javvin, Podshow, Celbrity Calculator, blowsearch, ezanga, jambotv, etc. popup in a new firefox window. I've run HJT, SmitFraudFix, Vundofix, Look2me Destroyer, VirtumundoBegone, PC Health, EZ-Antivirus with the result of a nicer running machine, but still the ads popup.

Here is my newestHJT scan:
Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 12:12:48 PM, on 6/13/2007
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16473)

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:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MsMpEng.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\SuperAdBlocker.com\Super Ad Blocker\SABSVC.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\sstray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\zHotkey.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\WkUFind.exe
C:\Program Files\Optimum Online\Netsurf.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb10.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\hpcoretech\hpcmpmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop Album Starter Edition\3.0\Apps\apdproxy.exe
C:\Program Files\Zamaan's Software\Browser Hijack Retaliator 4.5\BHR.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe
C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\cctray\cctray.exe
C:\Program Files\CA\eTrust EZ Armor\eTrust EZ Antivirus\CAVRID.exe
C:\Program Files\CA\eTrust EZ Armor\eTrust EZ Antivirus\CAVTray.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboTaskBarIcon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\SuperAdBlocker.com\Super Ad Blocker\SAdBlock.exe
C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware 2007\aawservice.exe
C:\Program Files\BigFix\BigFix.exe
C:\Program Files\CA\eTrust EZ Armor\eTrust EZ Antivirus\ISafe.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\Program Files\CA\eTrust EZ Armor\eTrust EZ Antivirus\VetMsg.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\ccprovsp.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Desktop\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://red.clientapps.yahoo.com/customize/ycomp/defaults/sb/*http://www.yahoo.com/search/ie.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://red.clientapps.yahoo.com/customize/ycomp/defaults/sp/*http://www.yahoo.com
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.yahoo.com/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://red.clientapps.yahoo.com/customize/ycomp/defaults/su/*http://www.yahoo.com
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
N4 - Mozilla: user_pref("browser.startup.homepage", "http://home.netscape.com/"); (C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\default\5faat799.slt\prefs.js)
N4 - Mozilla: user_pref("browser.search.defaultengine", "http://www.google.com/"); (C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\default\5faat799.slt\prefs.js)
O2 - BHO: SuperAdBlockerBHO Class - {00000000-6C30-11D8-9363-000AE6309654} - C:\Program Files\SuperAdBlocker.com\Super Ad Blocker\SABBHO.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Super Ad Blocker Toolbar - {B4B3001E-0F56-4E51-8250-BDE11547EC55} - C:\Program Files\SuperAdBlocker.com\Super Ad Blocker\sabtb.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\WINDOWS\system32\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nForce Tray Options] sstray.exe /r
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CHotkey] zHotkey.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Microsoft Works Update Detection] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\WkUFind.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Optimum Online] C:\Program Files\Optimum Online\Netsurf.exe -tray
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPDJ Taskbar Utility] C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb10.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Component Manager] "C:\Program Files\HP\hpcoretech\hpcmpmgr.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Photo Downloader] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop Album Starter Edition\3.0\Apps\apdproxy.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BHR] C:\Program Files\Zamaan's Software\Browser Hijack Retaliator 4.5\BHR.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Defender] "C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe" -hide
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [cctray] "C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\cctray\cctray.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CAVRID] "C:\Program Files\CA\eTrust EZ Armor\eTrust EZ Antivirus\CAVRID.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CaAvTray] "C:\Program Files\CA\eTrust EZ Armor\eTrust EZ Antivirus\CAVTray.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AdwareAlert] C:\Program Files\AdwareAlert\AdwareAlert.exe -boot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SpywareBot] C:\Program Files\SpywareBot\SpywareBot.exe -boot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [LDM] C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\LogitechDesktopMessenger.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [RoboForm] "C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboTaskBarIcon.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [updateMgr] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\AdobeUpdateManager.exe" AcRdB7_0_8 -reboot 1
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Uniblue RegistryBooster2] C:\Program Files\Uniblue\RegistryBooster 2\RegistryBooster.exe /S
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SuperAdBlocker] C:\Program Files\SuperAdBlocker.com\Super Ad Blocker\SAdBlock.exe
O4 - Startup: Web Eraser.lnk = C:\Program Files\WebEraser\weraser.exe
O4 - Global Startup: BigFix.lnk = C:\Program Files\BigFix\BigFix.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Logitech Desktop Messenger.lnk = C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\LogitechDesktopMessenger.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Logitech SetPoint.lnk = C:\Program Files\Logitech\SetPoint\SetPoint.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: Customize Menu - file://C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComCustomizeIEMenu.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Fill Forms - file://C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComFillForms.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: RoboForm Toolbar - file://C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComShowToolbar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Save Forms - file://C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComSavePass.html
O9 - Extra button: Fill Forms - {320AF880-6646-11D3-ABEE-C5DBF3571F46} - file://C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComFillForms.html
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Fill Forms - {320AF880-6646-11D3-ABEE-C5DBF3571F46} - file://C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComFillForms.html
O9 - Extra button: Save - {320AF880-6646-11D3-ABEE-C5DBF3571F49} - file://C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComSavePass.html
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Save Forms - {320AF880-6646-11D3-ABEE-C5DBF3571F49} - file://C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComSavePass.html
O9 - Extra button: RoboForm - {724d43aa-0d85-11d4-9908-00400523e39a} - file://C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComShowToolbar.html
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: RoboForm Toolbar - {724d43aa-0d85-11d4-9908-00400523e39a} - file://C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComShowToolbar.html
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
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
O11 - Options group: [INTERNATIONAL] International*
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://www.emachines.com
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=39204
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/muweb_site.cab?1127752840953
O18 - Protocol: bwfile-8876480 - {9462A756-7B47-47BC-8C80-C34B9B80B32B} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\GAPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: x-excid - {9D6CC632-1337-4A33-9214-2DA092E776F4} - c:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files\mimectl.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SABWinLogon - C:\Program Files\SuperAdBlocker.com\Super Ad Blocker\SABWINLO.DLL
O20 - Winlogon Notify: WgaLogon - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WgaLogon.dll
O23 - Service: Ad-Aware 2007 Service (aawservice) - Lavasoft AB - C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware 2007\aawservice.exe
O23 - Service: CaCCProvSP - CA, Inc. - C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\ccprovsp.exe
O23 - Service: CAISafe - Computer Associates International, Inc. - C:\Program Files\CA\eTrust EZ Armor\eTrust EZ Antivirus\ISafe.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: Super Ad Blocker Service (SABSVC) - SuperAdBlocker.com - C:\Program Files\SuperAdBlocker.com\Super Ad Blocker\SABSVC.EXE
O23 - Service: SymWMI Service (SymWSC) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Security Center\SymWSC.exe
O23 - Service: VET Message Service (VETMSGNT) - Computer Associates International, Inc. - C:\Program Files\CA\eTrust EZ Armor\eTrust EZ Antivirus\VetMsg.exe

It would be great if anyone canhelp me out of this trap.
Thanks in anticipation,
Rick

[burnsy]

Hey Rick,

Here's what I would try... first realize that HijackThis! is a great tool (I use it all the time) but it only provides data that is meaningful when used with additional information. When I got nailed with the Vundo virus it had placed files on my system that looked like legitimate Microsoft OS support files. I've also had disguised driver files... HijackThis! reports them and they look kosher at first glance, but of course they're not.

First, I'd like you to run Security Task Manager. Just google it, download the file and run it. It will give you a prioritized list of what's running (or available to run) on your system. The things at the top and in red are most likely malware and need to be removed. BUT BE CAREFUL! It's only reporting what looks suspicious... some of these could be drivers or other useful items. Removing them could make things worse.

So the next step is identifying what's bad and what's not. For every entry that we suspect we query the filename against one of the startup databases on the net. I use

www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups

If someone in the community has seen it before there's probably at least one entry for it. This is also useful in identifying trojans. If the file on your system is in the wrong directory or if the filename uses the wrong upper or the lower case letters, the database uses this to help identify which piece of malware is responsible. Before deleting anything, always check the database first (this is also good advice for HijackThis! log entries.) If you're not sure, just post here and someone will help you.

After removing all the vermin (I'm fairly confident this will solve your problem) then make sure you run Ad-aware (which I see you have) and AVG (formerly Ewido) antispyware programs.

If these fail to eliminate your problem then we'll have to start looking at the entries (I start with the O4 and O23s) in your HijackThis! log.

[getrid]

Hi Butrnsy,
Thanks bunch! I'll get on it. Let you know what transpires.
Rick

Hey Rick,

Here's what I would try... first realize that HijackThis! is a great tool (I use it all the time) but it only provides data that is meaningful when used with additional information. When I got nailed with the Vundo virus it had placed files on my system that looked like legitimate Microsoft OS support files. I've also had disguised driver files... HijackThis! reports them and they look kosher at first glance, but of course they're not.

First, I'd like you to run Security Task Manager. Just google it, download the file and run it. It will give you a prioritized list of what's running (or available to run) on your system. The things at the top and in red are most likely malware and need to be removed. BUT BE CAREFUL! It's only reporting what looks suspicious... some of these could be drivers or other useful items. Removing them could make things worse.

So the next step is identifying what's bad and what's not. For every entry that we suspect we query the filename against one of the startup databases on the net. I use

www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups

If someone in the community has seen it before there's probably at least one entry for it. This is also useful in identifying trojans. If the file on your system is in the wrong directory or if the filename uses the wrong upper or the lower case letters, the database uses this to help identify which piece of malware is responsible. Before deleting anything, always check the database first (this is also good advice for HijackThis! log entries.) If you're not sure, just post here and someone will help you.

After removing all the vermin (I'm fairly confident this will solve your problem) then make sure you run Ad-aware (which I see you have) and AVG (formerly Ewido) antispyware programs.

If these fail to eliminate your problem then we'll have to start looking at the entries (I start with the O4 and O23s) in your HijackThis! log.

[getrid]

Hi there,
The ad problem is solved, now I have icons that flicker at startup! I'm taking issue with that now.
Rick