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Trying to get rid of Trojan.fakeavalert and need help desperately!!

Updated: 21 May 2010 | 22 comments
claudel's picture
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This issue has been solved. See solution.

I'm trying to fix a friend's computer that had Trojan.fakeavalert; as the virus is blocking his internet access, I'm using my computer for access.  He has Symantec's anti-virus corporate edition.  I have been following Symantec's directions as found here:
http://www.symantec.com/norton/security_response/w...

and also the forum discussion re this virus
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/forums/vir...

The virus was quarantined except for one file C:\windows\system32\lsp.dll, which I managed to delete, so a system scan now shows no virus

At this point, access to the internet was still blocked so I went into the registry to check entries as per Symantec's list.  I corrected some, a lot were not listed (I assume the virus does not delete entries?), and a few I was unsure of so I left them alone, but I did keep a detailed list of what I did or didn't do.

I checked the hosts file, but couldn't find any of the listed entries.  I then tried to reboot the computer and it won't fully boot; I can't get past the point where the wallpaper pops up - nothing else loads, no taskbar no nothing!  Please help... I'm totally lost and praying I haven't ruined my friend's computer.

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bjohn's picture
02
Sep
2009
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See if you go into safe mode

See if you go into safe mode and download malwarebytes and see if it finds anything.

bjohn's picture
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2009
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See if you go into safe mode

See if you go into safe mode and download malwarebytes and see if it finds anything.

claudel's picture
02
Sep
2009
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malwarebytes

Where do I find malwarebytes, and as access to the internet is still blocked, is it something I can download onto a flash drive from my computer and then install on the sick computer?  

bjohn's picture
02
Sep
2009
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http://malwarebytes.org/ Yes,

http://malwarebytes.org/

Yes, It can be downloaded to a flash drive and then installed on the sick computer.

Prachand's picture
02
Sep
2009
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Since you are not able to 

Since you are not able to  acess the internet on the infected computer, You can download the file on a diffrent computer , copy that on a flash drive and then use it on the infected computer.

Prachand Kumar MCSE-2003 Symantec Technical Specialist (SCTS)

claudel's picture
02
Sep
2009
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Can't access Flash drive

I downloaded the program on a flash drive and plugged into the sick computer which is in safe mode, but nothing popped up.  How can I open the flash drive?

Sorry I'm not too savvy about all of this but what an education I'm getting.

Thanks so much for your patience!

claudel's picture
02
Sep
2009
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malwarebytes

Duh!  I figured out how to open the flash drive, installed the program and it's scanning now - I'll let you know what happens!

claudel's picture
02
Sep
2009
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Okay, malwarebytes found 7

Okay, malwarebytes found 7 infected items, successfully removed them, and told me to restart computer to complete process which I did.  Unfortunately, the computer still does not complete the start up - stops at wallpaper and nothing else; and when I used tassk manager to see if I could access the internet, it's still blocked!

Any more ideas please?  And how can I get it to completely boot up?

bjohn's picture
03
Sep
2009
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In safe mode, go to Start >

In safe mode, go to Start > Run > msconfig, Startup tab, uncheck all and see if that helps.

Prachand's picture
02
Sep
2009
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Log into the machine with

Log into the machine with safe mode with networking and Run NSS

ftp://ftp.symantec.com/misc/tools/nss/NortonSecuri...

Prachand Kumar MCSE-2003 Symantec Technical Specialist (SCTS)

Prachand's picture
02
Sep
2009
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In task manger  Kill these

In task manger  Kill these process:
system.exe
autorun.exe
printer.exe
WinAvXX.exe

Remove the files:

%UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\system.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\ Start Menu\Programs\Startup\autorun.exe
%System%\printer.exe
%System%\WinAvXX.exe

Prachand Kumar MCSE-2003 Symantec Technical Specialist (SCTS)

claudel's picture
02
Sep
2009
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Need more specifics please

Prachand,  Thanks for the suggestions, but I need more details.  I can go in to safe mode with networking, but how do run NSS - I don't know how to get to an ftp site as I can't access the internet on that computer.

I did look for those processes in task manager but none were listed.  As for the files, how and where do I look for them as I have no taskbar and no start button on the screen and I'm not very good at remembering keyboard short cuts.

Thanks


Prachand's picture
03
Sep
2009
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You can download NSS in the

You can download NSS in the same way you downloaded malwraebytes. Download it on a diffrent machine and copy it on the flash drive and get it on the infected machine.

create a new foler say Norton on the desktop
Unzip the files in this folder
Run NSS.exe

Prachand Kumar MCSE-2003 Symantec Technical Specialist (SCTS)

Vikram Kumar-SAV to SEP's picture
03
Sep
2009
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So when your computer boots

So when your computer boots up it comes till wallpaper right..
then you are also able to open task manager..
So it means Shell is not loading...
Open task manager - Click on File -> New Task (run..) --type explorer.exe
ClickOK.

If everything comes up then fine..if not let us know the error

claudel's picture
03
Sep
2009
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Still Blocked

Vikram - After reading your suggestion, I got the idea to go back and check the registry, there was one item I had changed from the Symantec list on removing the virus that I was unsure of, so I went in and changed it back to the original value data of just "Explorer.exe" and now it starts up fine...

However, Internet access is still blocked

Prachand, I ran NSS off of a flash drive, but it said it does not have the latest definitions, so the scan (which only found one tracking cookie) was inaccurate and I should make sure I'm on the internet and rerun it which of course I cannot do.  Earlier I had run symrapidreleasedefsi32.exe off of the flash drive, but I guess that wasn't right.

Where do I go now?
 

Vikram Kumar-SAV to SEP's picture
03
Sep
2009
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Looks like deleting isp.dll

Looks like deleting isp.dll causing this issue.
Found this after searching for this issue ..it might help..http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.zip

Prachand's picture
03
Sep
2009
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How to run NSS without

How to run NSS without Internet acess

On the computer where you can connect to the internet , extract the files to C:\NSS and launch NSS.exe.

The Virus definitions will download to the local machine here: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SymcData\virusdefs-2.5-e\<date.rev>).

In the C:\NSS folder, create a folder called "VirusDef" (example C:\NSS\VirusDef)

Copy all the virus definition folder content from \<date.rev> folder (example:20080725.003) into the VirusDef folder

Copy the entire VirusScan folder to a thumb drive.

Now you can start NSS.exe from the thumb drive. It may complain about definition might not be the latest, but you can skip that message.

Prachand Kumar MCSE-2003 Symantec Technical Specialist (SCTS)

David-Z's picture
03
Sep
2009
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Hmm... You can try these

Hmm...

You can try these commands to see if it will bring internet access back to the machine.

Open a Command Prompt-

Start->Run..->Type in: cmd
Click OK

At the command prompt type in the following commands:

netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt
Hit the <Enter> key.

ipconfig /flushdns
Hit the <Enter> key.

netsh winsock reset catalog
Hit the <Enter> key.

Reboot the computer and see if you have internet connectivity back.

Hope that helps!

claudel's picture
03
Sep
2009
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Repair Utility

I ran the above utility and it says

Problems found in LSP chain.

Keep:
                               
mswsock.dll                   
winrnr.dll
rsvpsp.dll

Remove:

lsp.dll

As it has that semi-threatening "I know what I'm doing (or enjoy re-installing my operating system)" check box, I thought I'd ask before I click on finish...

Do I go ahead and remove the protocol handler lsp.dll?

Vikram Kumar-SAV to SEP's picture
03
Sep
2009
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"" When "Finish" is pressed,

"" When "Finish" is pressed, the undesired entries are removed, and the remaining entries in the registry are renumbered to make them consecutive. The total module counts are then updated. Finally, the program will display a summary of the changes that were made.

 
Windows 2000 and Windows XP users: In order for this program to be able to access the registry or make any repairs, you must be logged in as Administrator.""

I haven't found a place where it says ISP.dll is a good file..and currently it has corrupted your winsock.
and since the isp.dll is already on the right hand box (remove) you can procede..there are ways of coming back even it doesn't work without re-installing the whole OS.

claudel's picture
03
Sep
2009
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I'M IN!!!!!!!

THANK YOU ALL SO VERY VERY MUCH!!!

I'm back on the internet and I'll run another scan just to be sure that bloody virus is all gone, but as of this moment I'm thrilled and will send you all the best of wishes.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your patience, guidance, and advice!

cheers, Audrey

Vikram Kumar-SAV to SEP's picture
03
Sep
2009
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That great !! I was eagerly

That great !!
I was eagerly waiting for your reply i would have refreshed this page atleast 10 time after posting my comment ..