Can scorecard research be removed with a system restore?

[Tunni]

Hello!

My story started when I was browsing the net when this survey popped with scorecard research. I knew popups = viruses, so I closed Google Chrome and ran CCleaner and a scan with ESET. I was totally freaked out, but I did a system restore.
I don't use that much data on this computer (like credit card numbers ) but I'd like my e-mails in place!

My question is: Can it be removed with this system restore, or do I need anything else? Will the pop-ups appear again?

Thanks in advance!

[SuperDave]

Hello and welcome to Computer Hope Forum. My name is Dave. I will be helping you out with your particular problem on your computer.

1. I will be working on your Malware issues. This may or may not solve other issues you have with your machine.
2. The fixes are specific to your problem and should only be used for this issue on this machine.
3. If you don't know or understand something, please don't hesitate to ask.
4. Please DO NOT run any other tools or scans while I am helping you.
5. It is important that you reply to this thread. Do not start a new topic.
6. Your security programs may give warnings for some of the tools I will ask you to use. Be assured, any links I give are safe.
7. Absence of symptoms does not mean that everything is clear.

If you can't access the internet with your infected computer you will have to download and transfer any programs to the computer you're using now and transfer them to the infected computer with a CD-RW or a USB storage device. I prefer a CD because a storage device can get infected. If you use a storage device hold the shift key down while inserting the USB storage device for about 10 secs. You will also have to transfer the logs you receive back to the good computer using the same method until we can get the computer back on-line.
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Can it be removed with this system restore, or do I need anything else? Will the pop-ups appear again?

Infections like to hide in the System Restore. This way the computer becomes re-infected as soon as the System Restore is run. Let's run some scans and see what turns up.
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Please download AdwCleaner by Xplode onto your Desktop.

• Please close all open programs and internet browsers.
• Double click on adwcleaner.exe to run the tool.
  
• Click on Delete or Clean.
  
• Confirm each time with OK
  
• Your computer will be rebooted automatically. A text file will open after the restart.
• Please post the content of that logfile in your reply.
• You can find the logfile at C:\AdwCleaner[Sn].txt as well - n is the order number.
  

*********************************************
Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware from here.
Double Click mbam-setup.exe to install the application.

• Make sure a checkmark is placed next to Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, then click Finish.
  
• If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
• Once the program has loaded, select "Perform Full Scan", then click Scan.
  
• The scan may take some time to finish,so please be patient.
• When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
• Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
  
• When disinfection is completed, a log will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to Restart. (See Extra Note)
• Please save the log to a location you will remember.
• The log is automatically saved by MBAM and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.
• Copy and paste the entire report in your next reply.

Extra Note:

If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove,you will be presented with 1 of 2 prompts,click OK to either and let MBAM proceed with the disinfection process. If asked to restart the computer, please do so immediately.
*************************************************
Please download Junkware Removal Tool to your desktop.

•Warning! Once the scan is complete JRT will shut down your browser with NO warning.

•Shut down your protection software now to avoid potential conflicts.

•Temporarily disable your Antivirus and any Antispyware real time protection before performing a scan. Click this link to see a list of security programs that should be disabled and how to disable them.

•Run the tool by double-clicking it. If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7, right-click JRT and select Run as Administrator

•The tool will open and start scanning your system.

•Please be patient as this can take a while to complete depending on your system's specifications.

•On completion, a log (JRT.txt) is saved to your desktop and will automatically open.

•Copy and Paste the JRT.txt log into your next message.

[Tunni]

Hey!
So, System Restore is useless? I red on a site that you must use it to delete this virus
Here is the log for ADWCleaner:
# AdwCleaner v3.016 - Report created 28/12/2013 at 12:56:40
# Updated 23/12/2013 by Xplode
# Operating System : Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3 (32 bits)
# Username : My Pc - PC
# Running from : C:\Documents and Settings\My Pc\Desktop\adwcleaner.exe
# Option : Clean

***** [ Services ] *****


***** [ Files / Folders ] *****

Folder Deleted : C:\Documents and Settings\My Pc\Local Settings\Application Data\visi_coupon
Folder Deleted : C:\Documents and Settings\My Pc\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\s1zfc3ud.default\Extensions\{635abd67-4fe9-1b23-4f01-e679fa7484c1}
File Deleted : C:\Documents and Settings\My Pc\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\s1zfc3ud.default\user.js

***** [ Shortcuts ] *****


***** [ Registry ] *****

Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{058F0E48-61CA-4964-9FBA-1978A1BB060D}
Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{18F33C35-8EF2-40D7-8BA4-932B0121B472}
Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{02478D38-C3F9-4EFB-9B51-7695ECA05670}
Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\{02478D38-C3F9-4EFB-9B51-7695ECA05670}
Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\PreApproved\{02478D38-C3F9-4EFB-9B51-7695ECA05670}
Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\PreApproved\{EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88}
Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\1ClickDownload
Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\Softonic

***** [ Browsers ] *****

-\\ Internet Explorer v8.0.6001.18702


-\\ Mozilla Firefox v26.0 (en-US)

[ File : C:\Documents and Settings\My Pc\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\s1zfc3ud.default\prefs.js ]


-\\ Google Chrome v31.0.1650.63

[ File : C:\Documents and Settings\My Pc\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\preferences ]


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

AdwCleaner[R0].txt - [2026 octets] - [28/12/2013 12:55:34]
AdwCleaner[S0].txt - [1971 octets] - [28/12/2013 12:56:40]

########## EOF - C:\AdwCleaner\AdwCleaner[S0].txt - [2031 octets] ##########



MBAM didn't detect anything.
So, is it still necessary to use JRT?

Also, I blocked third-party cookies and sites, such as scorecardresearch.com

[SuperDave]

So, System Restore is useless? I red on a site that you must use it to delete this virus

No System Restore can be used to turn back your computer after you've made changes that you didn't want to make. It's not a very good method of cleaning malware from a computer.

So, is it still necessary to use JRT?

Yes, please.

Malwarebytes' Anti-Rootkit

Please download Malwarebytes' Anti-Rootkit and save it to your desktop.

• Be sure to print out and follow the instructions provided on that same page for performing a scan.
• Caution: This is a beta version so also read the disclaimer and back up all your data before using.
  
• When the scan completes, click on the Cleanup button to remove any threats found and reboot the computer if prompted to do so.
  
• Perform another scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit to verify that no threats remain. If they do, then click Cleanup once more and repeat the process.
  
• If there are problems with Internet access, Windows Update, Windows Firewall or other system issues, run the fixdamage tool located in the folder Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit was run from and reboot your computer.
  
• Two files (mbar-log-YYYY-MM-DD, system-log.txt) will be created and saved within that same folder.
• Copy and paste the contents of these two log files in your next reply.

[Tunni]

Hey!
Sorry I couldn't log in.
The JRT didn't detect anything.
Also, I'm a bit afraid to use Malwarebytes Anti Rootkit, because of the "back-up data thing".

I haven't seen the pop-up ever since.

[SuperDave]

I'd like to scan your machine with ESET OnlineScan

•Hold down Control and click on the following link to open ESET OnlineScan in a new window.
ESET OnlineScan

•Click the button.
•For alternate browsers only: (Microsoft Internet Explorer users can skip these steps)

• Click on to download the ESET Smart Installer. Save it to your desktop.
  
• Double click on the icon on your desktop.
  

•Check
•Click the button.
•Accept any security warnings from your browser.

• Leave the check mark next to Remove found threats.
  

•Check
•Push the Start button.
•ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer. Please be patient as this can take some time.
•When the scan completes, push
•Push , and save the file to your desktop using a unique name, such as ESETScan. Include the contents of this report in your next reply.
•Push the button.
•Push
A log file will be saved here: C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET Online Scanner\log.txt

[Tunni]

Log:

C:\Documents and Settings\My Pc\Local Settings\Application Data\Sun\Java\Deployment\cache\6.0\6\42ee3686-70ac7db4   multiple threats   cleaned by deleting - quarantined
C:\Documents and Settings\My Pc\Local Settings\Application Data\Sun\Java\Deployment\cache\6.0\62\2eeeffe-7890b7f1   multiple threats   cleaned by deleting - quarantined

[SuperDave]

How's your computer running now? Any other issues?

[Tunni]

Hello Dave!

As I said , I haven't seen the pop-up . I'm also using CCleaner to delete cookies and cache.
I think I'm safe now.

Thank you.

[SuperDave]

I'm trying to post some cleanup instructions with no luck. I'll keep trying.

[SuperDave]

Ok, let's do some cleanup.

Click Start> Computer> right click the C Drive and choose Properties> enter
Click Disk Cleanup from there.



Click OK on the Disk Cleanup Screen.
Click Yes on the Confirmation screen.



This runs the Disk Cleanup utility along with other selections if you have chosen any. (if you had a lot System Restore points, you will see a significant change in the free space in C drive)
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To turn off Windows XP System Restore:

NOTE: These instructions assume that you are using the default Windows XP Start Menu and have not changed to the Classic Start menu. To re-enable the default menu, right-click Start, click Properties, click Start menu (not Classic) and then click OK.

1. Click Start.
2. Right-click the My Computer icon, and then click Properties.
3. Click the System Restore tab.
4. Check "Turn off System Restore" or "Turn off System Restore on all drives"
5. Click Apply.
6.  When turning off System Restore, the existing restore points will be deleted. Click Yes to do this.
7. Click OK.
8. Restart the computer and follow the instructions in the next section to turn on System Restore.

To turn on Windows XP System Restore:

1. Click Start.
2. Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
3. Click the System Restore tab.
4. Uncheck "Turn off System Restore" or "Turn off System Restore on all drives."
5. Click Apply, and then click OK.
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Go to Microsoft Windows Update and get all critical updates.

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I suggest using WOT - Web of Trust. WOT is a free Internet security addon for your browser. It will keep you safe from online scams, identity theft, spyware, spam, viruses and unreliable shopping sites. WOT warns you before you interact with a risky website. It's easy and it's free.

Check out Keeping Yourself Safe On The Web for tips and free tools to help keep you safe in the future.

Also see Slow Computer? It may not be Malware for free cleaning/maintenance tools to help keep your computer running smoothly.
Safe Surfing!