I seem to be infected with a W32 worm

[bengaluru]

Hi

:huu:For the last two days I am unable to open IE or Firefox and the only browser that opens is Safari which I have used to post this thread.

My laptop seems to be infected with the worm W32/Gaobot.worm.gen.u as a message popped up once. My OS is Windows Vista and I am the only user on my laptop. I downloaded a software from Symantec.com but that did not work as well.

Please can somebody help.

[smirnoff]

Try http://www.malwarebytes.org/

Download and update if you can and run.

[bengaluru]

Thanks Smirnoff. I downloaded the malaware software but it says that I do not have permission to access the program-
"Windows cannot access the specified device, path or file. You may not have appropriate permission to access the item"

I am the only user of the laptop and not sure how I can access the software . As such I am unable to run the malaware removal and send you the scan report. Any other suggestions ?

[smirnoff]

Tried in safe mode?

[bengaluru]

No tried in regular mode.

How do I do it in safe mode ?

[T_Totler]

No tried in regular mode.

How do I do it in safe mode ?
Reboot your PC, then hit and hold the F8 key...

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/chsafe.htm

[smirnoff]

Well you may need to keep taping f8 some computer are alittle flaky about that.

[T_Totler]

Well you may need to keep taping f8 some computer are alittle flaky about that.
very true

[bengaluru]

Well you may need to keep taping f8 some computer are alittle flaky about that.

I tried in safe mode but I get the same error message that I do not have appropriate permission to access the item.

What do I do now ?

[smirnoff]

http://www.ehow.com/how_5145226_remove-gaobot-worm-gen-u.html

Try that.

Link to the tool is at the bottom of the article.

[bengaluru]

http://www.ehow.com/how_5145226_remove-gaobot-worm-gen-u.html

Try that.

Link to the tool is at the bottom of the article.

Thanks. I will try. In the meanwhile my IE tries to open several windows with the following web address - http://ad.harrenmedianetwork.com/click2,wNtKAHesBwCBMRoAAAAAADmnCAAAAAAAAgBAAAIAAAA AAP8AAAACFwH1CwAAAAAAXqIFAAAAAABPYAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABSAwQ AAAAAAAIAAwAAAAAA8QCN3yMBAAAAAQAAADg3NzYxNTJlLWE3M WUtMTFkZS04MTYzLTAwMzA0ODYzMjg0NAAAAAAAAAA=9RtPAA= =,,http%3A%2F%2Fad.harrenmedianetwork.com%2F,

Does this mean anything ?

[smirnoff]

Thanks. I will try. In the meanwhile my IE tries to open several windows with the following web address - http://ad.harrenmedianetwork.com/click2,wNtKAHesBwCBMRoAAAAAADmnCAAAAAAAAgBAAAIAAAA AAP8AAAACFwH1CwAAAAAAXqIFAAAAAABPYAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABSAwQ AAAAAAAIAAwAAAAAA8QCN3yMBAAAAAQAAADg3NzYxNTJlLWE3M WUtMTFkZS04MTYzLTAwMzA0ODYzMjg0NAAAAAAAAAA=9RtPAA= =,,http%3A%2F%2Fad.harrenmedianetwork.com%2F,

Does this mean anything ?


That would be the virus or viruses.

After you get rid of this one i would run a full scan with a updated malwarebytes.

[bengaluru]

Thanks.

I had run the FXGaobot tool before posting in this forum and the result was No W32 Gaobot found in your computer. I ran the tool the second time in the safe mode after you mentioned it.......Same result.

However the scan report showed every file as Not scanned. Example:

Symantec W32.Gaobot FixTool 1.35.0

C:\Documents and Settings: (not scanned)
C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Family Safety\HistoryStore: (not scanned)
C:\ProgramData\Application Data: (not scanned)
C:\ProgramData\Desktop: (not scanned)
C:\ProgramData\Documents: (not scanned)
C:\ProgramData\Favorites: (not scanned)
C:\ProgramData\Start Menu: (not scanned)
C:\ProgramData\Templates: (not scanned)
C:\System Volume Information: (not scanned)
C:\Users\All Users\Application Data: (not scanned)
C:\Users\All Users\Desktop: (not scanned)
C:\Users\All Users\Documents: (not scanned)
C:\Users\All Users\Favorites: (not scanned)
C:\Users\All Users\Start Menu: (not scanned)
C:\Users\All Users\Templates: (not scanned)
C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Application Data: (not scanned)
C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\History: (not scanned)
C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Temporary Internet Files: (not scanned)
C:\Users\Default\Application Data: (not scanned)
C:\Users\Default\Cookies: (not scanned)
C:\Users\Default\Documents\My Music: (not scanned)
C:\Users\Default\Documents\My Pictures: (not scanned)
C:\Users\Default\Documents\My Videos: (not scanned)
C:\Users\Default\Local Settings: (not scanned)
C:\Users\Default\My Documents: (not scanned)
C:\Users\Default\NetHood: (not scanned)
C:\Users\Default\PrintHood: (not scanned)
C:\Users\Default\Recent: (not scanned)
C:\Users\Default\SendTo: (not scanned)
C:\Users\Default\Start Menu: (not scanned)
C:\Users\Default\Templates: (not scanned)
C:\Users\Default User: (not scanned)

So where do I go from here ? Thanks for all your help. Much appreciated.


That would be the virus or viruses.

After you get rid of this one i would run a full scan with a updated malwarebytes.

How do I get rid of this one ?

[linuxguru]

Here is the Symantec info about removing the problem. Download from the link in the post [ called Removal Tool]

Discovered: April 27, 2004
Updated: February 13, 2007 12:22:15 PM
Also Known As: Backdoor.Agobot.gen [Kaspersky, WORM_AGOBOT.JF [Trend], WORM_AGOBOT.JO [Trend]
Type: Worm
Systems Affected: Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows XP

Removal using the Removal Tool
Symantec Security Response has developed a removal tool (http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.gaobot.removal.tool.html) to clean the infections of W32.Gaobot.AFJ. This is the preferred method in most cases.

Manual Removal
The following instructions pertain to all current and recent Symantec antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus product lines.


Disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP).
Delete the lines that were added to the Windows Hosts file.
Update the virus definitions.
Restart the computer in Safe mode or VGA mode.
Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as W32.Gaobot.AFJ.
Reverse the changes made to the registry.

For details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.

1. To disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP)
If you are running Windows Me or Windows XP, we recommend that you temporarily turn off System Restore. Windows Me/XP uses this feature, which is enabled by default, to restore the files on your computer in case they become damaged. If a virus, worm, or Trojan infects a computer, System Restore may back up the virus, worm, or Trojan on the computer.

Windows prevents outside programs, including antivirus programs, from modifying System Restore. Therefore, antivirus programs or tools cannot remove threats in the System Restore folder. As a result, System Restore has the potential of restoring an infected file on your computer, even after you have cleaned the infected files from all the other locations.

Also, a virus scan may detect a threat in the System Restore folder even though you have removed the threat.

For instructions on how to turn off System Restore, read your Windows documentation, or one of the following articles:

"How to disable or enable Windows Me System Restore (http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001012513122239?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam)"
"How to turn off or turn on Windows XP System Restore (http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001111912274039?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam)"

Note: When you are completely finished with the removal procedure and are satisfied that the threat has been removed, re-enable System Restore by following the instructions in the aforementioned documents. For additional information, and an alternative to disabling Windows Me System Restore, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article, "Antivirus Tools Cannot Clean Infected Files in the _Restore Folder (http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q263/4/55.ASP),"Article ID: Q263455.

2. To delete the added lines from the Windows Hosts file


Note: The location of the Hosts file may vary and some computers may not have this file. For example, if the file exists in Windows 98, it will usually be in C:\Windows; and it is located in the C:\WINNT\system32\drivers\etc folder in Windows 2000. There may also be multiple copies of this file in different locations.
Follow the instructions for your operating system:

Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000

Click Start, point to Find or Search, and then click Files or Folders.
Make sure that "Look in" is set to (C:) and that "Include subfolders" is checked.
In the "Named" or "Search for..." box, type:

hosts
Click Find Now or Search Now.
For each Hosts file that you find, right-click the file, and then click "Open With."
Deselect the "Always use this program to open this program" check box.
Scroll through the list of programs and double-click Notepad.
When the file opens, delete all the entries in the Hosts file, except for the following line:

127.0.0.1 localhost
Close Notepad and save your changes when prompted.


Windows XP

Click Start, and then click Search.
Click All files and folders.
In the "All or part of the file name" box, type:

hosts
Verify that "Look in" is set to "Local Hard Drives" or to (C:).
Click "More advanced options."
Check "Search system folders."
Check "Search subfolders."
Click Search.
Click Find Now or Search Now.
For each Hosts file that you find, right-click the file, and then click "Open With."
Deselect the "Always use this program to open this program" check box.
Scroll through the list of programs and double-click Notepad.
When the file opens, delete all the entries in the Hosts file except for the following line:

127.0.0.1 localhost




3. To update the virus definitions
Symantec Security Response fully tests all the virus definitions for quality assurance before they are posted to our servers. There are two ways to obtain the most recent virus definitions:

Running LiveUpdate, which is the easiest way to obtain virus definitions: These virus definitions are posted to the LiveUpdate servers once each week (usually on Wednesdays), unless there is a major virus outbreak. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by LiveUpdate, refer to the Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate) (http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2004-042914-1054-99&tabid=3#protection).
Downloading the definitions using the Intelligent Updater: The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are posted on U.S. business days (Monday through Friday). You should download the definitions from the Symantec Security Response Web site and manually install them. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by the Intelligent Updater, refer to the Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) (http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2004-042914-1054-99&tabid=3#protection).

The Intelligent Updater virus definitions (http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/defs.download.html) are available: Read "How to update virus definition files using the Intelligent Updater (http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nav.nsf/docid/1998082013035306?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam)" for detailed instructions.


4. To restart the computer in Safe mode or VGA mode

Shut down the computer and turn off the power. Wait for at least 30 seconds, and then restart the computer in Safe mode or VGA mode.

For Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, or XP users, restart the computer in Safe mode. For instructions, read the document, "How to start the computer in Safe Mode (http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001052409420406?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam)."
For Windows NT 4 users, restart the computer in VGA mode.


5. To scan for and delete the infected files

Start your Symantec antivirus program and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files.

For Norton AntiVirus consumer products: Read the document, "How to configure Norton AntiVirus to scan all files (http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nav.nsf/docid/1999110513272906?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam)."
For Symantec AntiVirus Enterprise products: Read the document, "How to verify that a Symantec Corporate antivirus product is set to scan all files (http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/ent-security.nsf/docid/2002052213125148?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam)."


Run a full system scan.
If any files are detected as infected with W32.Gaobot.AFJ, click Delete.



6. To reverse the changes made to the registry
WARNING:Symantec strongly recommends that you back up the registry before making any changes to it. Incorrect changes to the registry can result in permanent data loss or corrupted files. Modify the specified keys only. Read the document, "How to make a backup of the Windows registry (http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/199762382617?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam)," for instructions.

Click Start, and then click Run. (The Run dialog box appears.)
Type regedit

Then click OK. (The Registry Editor opens.)
Navigate to the key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Run
In the right pane, delete any of these values:

"Microsoft Update"="msiwin84.exe"
"Microsoft Update"="Microsoft.exe"
"WinMsrv32"="WinMsrv32.exe"
"soundcontrl"="soundcontrl.exe"
"Microsoft Update"="msawindows.exe"
Do one of the following:

On Windows NT/2000/XP: Exit the Registry Editor, and then restart the computer in Normal mode.
On Windows 95/98/Me computers: Proceed with step f.


Navigate to the key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\
RunServices
In the right pane, delete the value:

"Microsoft Update"="msiwin84.exe"

or:

"Microsoft Update"="Microsoft.exe"

or:

"WinMsrv32"="WinMsrv32.exe"

or:


"soundcontrl"="soundcontrl.exe"
Exit the Registry Editor and restart the computer in Normal mode.