SearchMiracle blues.

[JonTan]

Hi recently I've been getting a whole lot of searchmiracle popups even when I'm not running IE. I ran Adaware and Spyboy searchanddestroy but that didn't really help. Then I used Hijack this and removed everything that had searchmiracle in it. Worked for awhile but soon resurfaced and I decided to look for the Pros for help. Would appreciate if you guys would help me out. Thanks. Someone should just sue every penny out of these searchmiracle monkeys.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.97.7
Scan saved at 3:56:08 PM, on 9/15/2004
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\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTsvcCDA.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\crypserv.exe
C:\Program Files\Diskeeper\DkService.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\EPSON\EBAPI\eEBSVC.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\EPSON\EBAPI\SAgent2.exe
C:\Program Files\GlobalSCAPE\Secure FTP Server\cftpstes.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Iomega\System32\AppServices.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\MsPMSPSv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\WkUFind.exe
C:\Program Files\Iomega\DriveIcons\ImgIcon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Creative\SBAudigy2\Surround Mixer\CTSysVol.exe
C:\Program Files\Creative\SBAudigy2\DVDAudio\CTDVDDet.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTHELPER.EXE
C:\Program Files\Care2_GTU\Care20.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files\Creative\MediaSource\RemoteControl\RcMan.exe
C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Distillr\acrotray.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\MouseWare\system\em_exec.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\wkcalrem.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 97\Office\OSA.EXE
C:\Program Files\Care2_GTU\Care21.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\mozilla.org\Mozilla\mozilla.exe
C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\msnmsgr.exe
E:\downloads\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.pagn.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=30
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&ar=iesearch
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&pver=6&ar=msnhome
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&ar=iesearch
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = localhost
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,Shellnext = wmplayer.exe
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroCheck] C:\WINDOWS\system32\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WINDVDPatch] CTHELPER.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdReg] C:\WINDOWS\UpdReg.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WorksFUD] C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\wkfud.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Microsoft Works Portfolio] C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\WksSb.exe /AllUsers
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Microsoft Works Update Detection] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\WkUFind.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MoneyStartUp10.0] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Money\System\Activation.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Iomega Drive Icons] C:\Program Files\Iomega\DriveIcons\ImgIcon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Deskup] C:\Program Files\Iomega\DriveIcons\deskup.exe /IMGSTART
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Logitech Utility] Logi_MwX.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Configuration Loader] iexplore.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DIAGENT] C:\Program Files\Creative\SBLive\Creative Diagnostics 2.0\DIAGENT.EXE startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AHQInit] C:\Program Files\Creative\SBLive\Program\AHQInit.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CrazyTalk Serve] rundll32.exe C:\WINDOWS\System32\crazytalk.dll,DllServeMediaFile
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTSysVol] C:\Program Files\Creative\SBAudigy2\Surround Mixer\CTSysVol.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTDVDDet] C:\Program Files\Creative\SBAudigy2\DVDAudio\CTDVDDet.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTHelper] CTHELPER.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SBDrvDet] C:\Program Files\Creative\SB Drive Det\SBDrvDet.exe /r
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VC5Player] C:\Program Files\HHVcdV5Sys\VC5Play.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ZingSpooler] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Zing\ZingSpooler.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Care20] "C:\Program Files\Care2_GTU\Care20.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BluetoothAuthenticationAgent] rundll32.exe bthprops.cpl,,BluetoothAuthenticationAgent
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Sys29] C:\windows\system32\winfvy32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RDLL] RunDll16.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [msbb] c:\windows\msbb.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [Configuration Loader] iexplore.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [RDLL] RunDll16.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [RemoteCenter] C:\Program Files\Creative\MediaSource\RemoteControl\RcMan.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SpybotSD TeaTimer] C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
O4 - Startup: fix.bat.lnk = C:\fix.bat
O4 - Global Startup: Acrobat Assistant.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Distillr\acrotray.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Logitech Desktop Messenger.lnk = C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\LDMConf.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Works Calendar Reminders.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: Office Startup.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 97\Office\OSA.EXE
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Translate (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Customize translation options (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: ICQ Lite (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: ICQ Lite (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: MoneySide (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: Messenger (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger (HKLM)
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O16 - DPF: {0249A051-D6F9-11D2-8803-006008957532} - http://clubs.lycos.com/live/Download/Install.cab
O16 - DPF: {166B1BCA-3F9C-11CF-8075-444553540000} (Shockwave ActiveX Control) - http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/director/sw.cab
O16 - DPF: {19E28AFC-EAE3-4CE5-AC83-2407B42F57C9} (MSSecurityAdvisor Class) - http://download.microsoft.com/download/0/5/c/05c905f4-dd30-427d-a3de-373c3e5552fc/msSecAdv.cab?1092559561734
O16 - DPF: {1CC506A7-1B8D-11D4-BDD5-0060977007E0} (CrazyTalk Player) - http://www.reallusion.com/Stuff/CrazyTalk.cab
O16 - DPF: {2A32B14F-4D29-4EA3-AC54-E9B19F436CE7} (Scanner Class) - http://www.windowsecurity.com/trojanscan/TDECntrl.CAB
O16 - DPF: {33564D57-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71} - http://download.microsoft.com/download/F/6/E/F6E491A6-77E1-4E20-9F5F-94901338C922/wmv9VCM.CAB
O16 - DPF: {39B0684F-D7BF-4743-B050-FDC3F48F7E3B} (FilePlanet Download Control Class) - http://www.fileplanet.com/fpdlmgr/cabs/FPDC_1_0_0_44.cab
O16 - DPF: {41F17733-B041-4099-A042-B518BB6A408C} - http://a1540.g.akamai.net/7/1540/52/20020713/qtinstall.info.apple.com/samantha/us/win/QuickTimeInstaller.exe
O16 - DPF: {5E943D9C-F8DC-4258-8E3F-A61BB3405A33} (ZingBatchAXDwnl Class) - http://www.imagestation.com/common/classes/batchdwnl.cab?version=4,3,2,20802
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/2004061001/housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/xscan53.cab
O16 - DPF: {80DD2229-B8E4-4C77-B72F-F22972D723EA} (AvxScanOnline Control) - http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/Msie/bitdefender.cab
O16 - DPF: {9A9307A0-7DA4-4DAF-B042-5009F29E09E1} (ActiveScan Installer Class) - http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/as5/asinst.cab
O16 - DPF: {9F1C11AA-197B-4942-BA54-47A8489BB47F} - http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/CAB/x86/unicode/iuctl.CAB?37489.2617013889
O16 - DPF: {9FC87BC7-7963-4B70-8485-B1A41034C9A1} (Sony Pictures Game Downloader) - http://www.sonypictures.com/charliesangelsgame/SonyPicturesGameDownloader.cab
O16 - DPF: {A5DC33CE-214B-4C26-8596-8A45456C9EB8} - http://activex.microsoft.com/objects/ocget.dll
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - http://us.dl1.yimg.com/download.yahoo.com/dl/toolbar/yiebio5_1_5_0.cab

[Dexter]

Welcome to Short-Media. If you are not sure how to do some of the things I tell you, check the links I provide for instructions.

Please make sure that HijackThis.exe is in its own folder, as explained here. (http://www.short-media.com/forum/showpost.php?p=172584&postcount=2)

Set your system to Show Hidden Files and folders. (http://www.short-media.com/forum/showpost.php?p=172588&postcount=3)

For Windows XP or ME, Disable System Restore. (http://www.short-media.com/forum/showpost.php?p=172591&postcount=4)

Reboot into Safe Mode. (http://www.short-media.com/forum/showpost.php?p=175908&postcount=6)


Run Hijack This. FIX THE FOLLOWING:

**************


R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.pagn.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=30
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&ar=iesearch
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&pver=6&ar=msnhome
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&ar=iesearch
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = localhost
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,Shellnext = wmplayer.exe

(Basically I want you to fix all of these to restore them to default settings. You can reset your desired home page later.)

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: C:\WINDOWS\UpdReg.EXE

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Sys29] C:\windows\system32\winfvy32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RDLL] RunDll16.exe

(That it item is very likely a virus. See: http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/backdoor.sdbot.f.html for removal instructions. Looking at your log you do not appear to have any anti-virus programs running. [U]YOU CANNOT SURF THE NET WITHOUT ANTIVIRUS PROGRAMS! Please purchase an anti-virus program. Free online scans, which I see several of inyour log, are not always reliable, and they often cannot fix active virus processes! Your computer is worth hundreds of dollars. Your data on it is probably priceless. Why cheap out and not protect it with an anti-virus package???? )


O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [msbb] c:\windows\msbb.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [Configuration Loader] iexplore.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [RDLL] RunDll16.exe

O4 - Startup: fix.bat.lnk = C:\fix.bat


**************

Stay in Safe mode, manually locate the exe and bat files in the entries above, and quarantine them. (http://www.short-media.com/forum/showpost.php?p=173532&postcount=5)

Then, go into C: -> Windows -> Downloaded Program Files, and delete everything in there. Anything you really need will be re-downloaded on demand when you visit the website that needs them.

Reboot normally, check things out, and come back to let us know how it turned out. Post a fresh HJT log for review. If things looks clean, re-enable your system restore and set a new restore point.



Dexter...

[JonTan]

Okay I did whatever you told me to. I couldn't find some of the files

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RDLL] RunDll16.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [msbb] c:\windows\msbb.exe

I ran spybot- search and destroy before that so I'm not sure. Anyway here is my new log. Thanks for the help. Really appreciate it.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.97.7
Scan saved at 7:58:46 PM, on 9/17/2004
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\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTsvcCDA.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\crypserv.exe
C:\Program Files\Diskeeper\DkService.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\EPSON\EBAPI\eEBSVC.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\EPSON\EBAPI\SAgent2.exe
C:\Program Files\GlobalSCAPE\Secure FTP Server\cftpstes.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Iomega\System32\AppServices.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\MsPMSPSv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\WkUFind.exe
C:\Program Files\Iomega\DriveIcons\ImgIcon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Creative\SBAudigy2\Surround Mixer\CTSysVol.exe
C:\Program Files\Creative\SBAudigy2\DVDAudio\CTDVDDet.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTHELPER.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files\Creative\MediaSource\RemoteControl\RcMan.exe
C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Distillr\acrotray.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\wkcalrem.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\MouseWare\system\em_exec.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 97\Office\OSA.EXE
C:\Program Files\Care2_GTU\Care21.exe
C:\Program Files\Care2_GTU\Care20.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
E:\hjt\HijackThis.exe

O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroCheck] C:\WINDOWS\system32\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WINDVDPatch] CTHELPER.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WorksFUD] C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\wkfud.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Microsoft Works Portfolio] C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\WksSb.exe /AllUsers
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Microsoft Works Update Detection] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\WkUFind.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MoneyStartUp10.0] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Money\System\Activation.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Iomega Drive Icons] C:\Program Files\Iomega\DriveIcons\ImgIcon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Deskup] C:\Program Files\Iomega\DriveIcons\deskup.exe /IMGSTART
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Logitech Utility] Logi_MwX.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Configuration Loader] iexplore.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DIAGENT] C:\Program Files\Creative\SBLive\Creative Diagnostics 2.0\DIAGENT.EXE startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AHQInit] C:\Program Files\Creative\SBLive\Program\AHQInit.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CrazyTalk Serve] rundll32.exe C:\WINDOWS\System32\crazytalk.dll,DllServeMediaFile
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTSysVol] C:\Program Files\Creative\SBAudigy2\Surround Mixer\CTSysVol.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTDVDDet] C:\Program Files\Creative\SBAudigy2\DVDAudio\CTDVDDet.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTHelper] CTHELPER.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SBDrvDet] C:\Program Files\Creative\SB Drive Det\SBDrvDet.exe /r
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VC5Player] C:\Program Files\HHVcdV5Sys\VC5Play.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ZingSpooler] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Zing\ZingSpooler.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Care20] "C:\Program Files\Care2_GTU\Care20.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BluetoothAuthenticationAgent] rundll32.exe bthprops.cpl,,BluetoothAuthenticationAgent
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [Configuration Loader] iexplore.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [RemoteCenter] C:\Program Files\Creative\MediaSource\RemoteControl\RcMan.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SpybotSD TeaTimer] C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Acrobat Assistant.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Distillr\acrotray.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Logitech Desktop Messenger.lnk = C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\LDMConf.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Works Calendar Reminders.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: Office Startup.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 97\Office\OSA.EXE
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Translate (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Customize translation options (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: ICQ Lite (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: ICQ Lite (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: MoneySide (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: Messenger (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger (HKLM)
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O16 - DPF: {A5DC33CE-214B-4C26-8596-8A45456C9EB8} - http://activex.microsoft.com/objects/ocget.dll

[Dexter]

Looks better, are the problems gone...?

Dexter...

[JonTan]

Thanks man. The devil popup is gone. Anyway, how come nobody sues these companies for invading privacy? I'm sure the government agencies can track them but why aren't these people stopped? They are costing millions in dollars yearly right? Or are they using these methods to obtain information as well?

[primesuspect]

The reason they haven't been sued successfully is because people install this software themselves. You installed it, whether you know it or not. It was probably bundled with something else that you installed and buried 43 pages deep within the EULA that you clicked "Yes, I agree" to. That's how spyware gets installed.