Cannot get rid of popups.(RESOLVED)

Hello everyone, my system is infected [ understatement ]

I've tried every type of cleaner i can get my hands on
adware, no-adware, spybot, spy doctor, spy sweeper

None of them are able to get rid of my popups.


This is what happens, system boots normally. Then after a few minutes a popup. It will take me to some random site. additionally, I also get flash popups. With an advert for various things. PLEASE HELP. I CANT SURF THE net without having to close firefox tabs.

---- HJT LOG -----

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 10:53:18 PM, on 12/17/2005
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\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Ixia\Endpoint\endpoint.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\Rtvscan.exe
C:\Program Files\PurgeIE\PurgeIE_Service.exe
C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\sdhelp.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\vptray.exe
C:\Program Files\Winamp\winampa.exe
C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\PDVDServ.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\Elaborate Bytes\DVD Region Killer\RegKillTray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\msnmsgr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\MOZILL~1\FIREFOX.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\NOTEPAD.EXE
C:\Documents and Settings\Dharan V\Desktop\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.ca
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.ca
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIPTA] C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [vptray] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\vptray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinampAgent] C:\Program Files\Winamp\winampa.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RemoteControl] "C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\PDVDServ.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\WINDOWS\system32\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RegKillElbyCheck] "C:\Program Files\Elaborate Bytes\DVD Region Killer\ElbyCheck.exe" /L RegKill
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RegKillTray] C:\Program Files\Elaborate Bytes\DVD Region Killer\RegKillTray.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O9 - Extra button: Spyware Doctor - {2D663D1A-8670-49D9-A1A5-4C56B4E14E84} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYWAR~1\tools\iesdpb.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: Nls - C:\WINDOWS\system32\n88o0il3e8q.dll
O23 - Service: Adobe LM Service - Adobe Systems - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe Systems Shared\Service\Adobelmsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - ATI Technologies Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: ATI Smart - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ati2sgag.exe
O23 - Service: Ixia Endpoint (IxiaEndpoint) - Ixia - C:\PROGRA~1\Ixia\Endpoint\endpoint.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec AntiVirus Client (Norton AntiVirus Server) - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\Rtvscan.exe
O23 - Service: PurgeIE XP Service (PurgeIEservice) - Assistance & Resources for Computing, Inc. - C:\Program Files\PurgeIE\PurgeIE_Service.exe
O23 - Service: PC Tools Spyware Doctor (SDhelper) - PC Tools - C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\sdhelp.exe

------- END HJT LOG --------

ALSO, i was doing something else in cmd promt and i did a netstat. And I see that i have an active connection with some website i dont recognize.
Maybe this might help


C:\>netstat
Active Connections

Proto Local Address Foreign Address State
TCP dpblue:1444 status.qckads.com:1445 ESTABLISHED
TCP dpblue:1445 status.qckads.com:1444 ESTABLISHED
TCP dpblue:1446 72.14.203.104:http ESTABLISHED
TCP dpblue:1447 72.14.203.104:http ESTABLISHED
TCP dpblue:1449 baym-cs235.msgr.hotmail.com:1863 ES
TCP dpblue:1456 72.14.203.99:http ESTABLISHED
TCP dpblue:1459 64.233.163.104:http ESTABLISHED
TCP dpblue:1460 64.233.163.104:http ESTABLISHED
TCP dpblue:1462 209.123.81.95:http ESTABLISHED
TCP dpblue:1463 209.123.81.94:http ESTABLISHED
TCP dpblue:1464 baym-sb168.msgr.hotmail.com:1863 ES
TCP dpblue:1466 207.68.178.61:http ESTABLISHED

The use of a HOSTS file would have blocked any access to such a site. Will provide setup details after we fix the following causing situation:



You have the latest version of VX2. Download L2mfix from one of these two locations:

http://www.atribune.org/downloads/l2mfix.exe
http://www.downloads.subratam.org/l2mfix.exe



Save the file to your desktop and double click l2mfix.exe. Click the Install button to extract the files and follow the prompts, then open the newly added l2mfix folder on your desktop. Double click l2mfix.bat and select option #1 for Run Find Log by typing 1 and then pressing enter. This will scan your computer and it may appear nothing is happening, then, after a minute or 2, NOTEPAD will open with a log. Copy the contents of that log and paste it into this thread.

IMPORTANT: Do NOT run option #2 OR any other files in the l2mfix folder until you are asked to do so!

If you receive, while running option #1, an error similar like: ''C:\windows\system32\cmd.exe
C:\windows\system32\autoexec.nt the system file is not suitable for running ms-dos and Microsoft windows applications. Choose close to terminate the application.."...then please use option 5 or the web page link in the l2mfix folder to solve this error condition. Do not run the fix portion without fixing this first.

__________________
Vincent P

MALWARE: READ FIRST Procedures:
|_ SpyBot V1.5 _|_ HijackThis LOG __V2.0.2 _|

__
ASAP: promoting a high standard and quality of security support no matter where you seek help.

OH thank you thank you thank you.


I just went with option 2 and fixed it. YEs i know you told me not to....



Thank you so much. No more popups.

To help avoid serious infection again, please look carefully at this post for some excellent preventative measures. Prevention must be made the first line of defense to improve upon.


As a final cleanup step, it is often advisable to Reset and Re-enable your System Restore to remove any bad files that may have been backed up by Windows . The files in System Restore are protected to prevent any programs changing them. And, this is the only complete way to clean these files: (You will lose all previous restore points which could likely be infected, anyway.)

PLEASE NOTE: you will need to log into your computer with an account that has full administrator access. You will know if the account has administrator access because you will be able to see the System Restore tab. If the tab is missing, you are logged in under a limited account.

(Windows XP)
To Turn OFF System Restore.

1. Click the Start button.
2. Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
3. On the System Restore tab, check Turn off System Restore or Turn off System Restore on all drives.
4. Click Apply.

To Turn ON System Restore.

1. Follow the steps in the previous section, but in step 3, uncheck Turn off System Restore or Turn off System Restore on all drives. Then click OK.
2. Create new System Restore points.

(Windows ME)
See the following link for instructions:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...rc=sec_doc_nam




To reduce the re-infection potential for malware and protect your PC against spyware, here are a few helpful suggestions:

1. Keep Windows and Internet Explorer current with the latest critical security updates from Microsoft . This will patch many of the security holes through which attackers can gain access to your computer . You CANNOT complete this update using an alternate browser – you must use Internet Explorer.
   http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/v5co...t.aspx?ln=en-us
   http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.asp
   
   
2. Run your antivirus software regularly, and to keep its definitions up-to-date. If you are thinking about switching, there are a some good free Antivirus programs that are decent, including AVG and Avast!.
   AVG: http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1
   Avast: http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
   
   
3. In addition to using Ad-aware consider using another free malware scanning/removal program :
   Adaware SE: http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Person...ubj=dl&tag=top5
   Spybot S&D: http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Dest...tml?tag=lst-0-1
   MS Antispyware beta: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/s...re/default.mspx
   
   
4. Consider using a free firewall if you are not already using one. Some good free ones are:
   Sygate: http://smb.sygate.com/products/spf_standard.htm
   Zone Alarm: http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/comp...n.jsp?lid=ho_za
   
   It is not a bad idea to also consider using a Router/Hardware firewall device where you have a high-speed Internet access connection. A software firewall may occasionally need to be disabled or it gets/remains disabled by someone or something. Such an added layer of security consistency has a lot of merit to it.
   
   
5. Consider using an alternate free browser for general web surfing but you must use IE for windows updates.
   Mozilla Firefox: http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
   
   
6. Consider increasing your browser security by using these programs:
   SpywareGuard will help protect your homepage from being hijacked: http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html
   SpywareBlaster will increase browser protection by blocking access to thousands of known malware sites by adding them to IE's restricted sites zone. It essentially blocks known- bad ActiveX program items from being installed or running on your computer. Download it here: http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
   • If you use SpywareBlaster, you can also use a customblocklist to add even more entries into IE restricted sites zone. Go to this site for the current list and how to use instructions: http://customblockinglist.cjb.net/
     
   • IE-SPYAD is similar in that it adds thousands more known malware sites to IE's restricted zone. Download it here:
     https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/resource.htm
   
   
7. A HOSTS file can block Internet access to thousands of known-bad sites by not allowing you any easy browser access to such sites knowingly or unknowingly. Use HJT to determine if a current HOSTS file exists and any contents therein:
   • Run the HiJackThis tool and select ‘Open the Misc Tools section’.
   • Next select ‘Open host file manager’ button.
   • Use the ‘Open in Notepad’ button in XP/W2K or use WORDPAD if necessary [type wordpad.exe in the RUN box (Start>Run)] and load the FILE PATH identified in HJT.
   • Go to http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.txt . # Read the initial instructions #. Copy and paste (append or replace) the RELEVANT host address entry contents of that file into Notepad or Wordpad and save the updated file contents.
     
     
     Quote:

     #start of lines added by WinHelp2002 # [Misc A - Z] 127.0.0.1 phpadsnew.abac.com 127.0.0.1 a.abnad.net 127.0.0.1 e.abnad.net 127.0.0.1 www.accoona.com #[Adware-Accoona][Adware.Atoolb][Panda.Accoona] . . . #end of lines added by WinHelp2002

*Remember just like your primary anti-virus software, it is important to:

• Keep all of these programs up-to-date, and
• Use them on a regular basis.

__________________
Vincent P

MALWARE: READ FIRST Procedures:
|_ SpyBot V1.5 _|_ HijackThis LOG __V2.0.2 _|

__
ASAP: promoting a high standard and quality of security support no matter where you seek help.