pop-ups and "your computer is infected" message

[rmetal]

This may or may not be related to my last 'episode' but I'll start a new thread in this shiny-brand-new subforum anyway.....

I haven't downloaded anything (to my knowledge) lately, other than software and updates recommended here, just Windows stuff and widely-recognized utilities. 

I have PC Tools Firewall Plus and Avast! antivirus running in realtime, with nightly full scans scheduled.  All clear since the 28th, a virus captured and deleted, no problems.

Then last night while reading a webpage, there was a pop-up with a warning about my computer being at risk, then another pop-up urging me to download such-and-such antivirus (wasn't "Paladin" like before) and then comes a screen similar to the one I get when clicking on 'my computer' with C drive highlighted and a pink box with red lettering saying my "computer is infected" and another pop-up on top of that which is identical to the first....(all of which I closed using Alt+F4, rather than risking a click) and the one wanting me to download the anitivirus kept coming back.  Unlike last time, I am able to open antivirus programs, and can access sites like bleeping computer without incident. 

At this point, I'm wondering if these are simply harmless pop-ups that I need to get a blocker for?  Anyway--Thanks in advance for any assistance!

I closed everything, updated super antispyware and Malwarebytes, then started working the steps per the instructions here.  I went to bed before S.A.S. finished, and my Avast! scheduled scan ran overnight (finding nothing.) I ran Malwarebytes and HijackThis this morning.

Here are the logs:

Superantispyware:

SUPERAntiSpyware Scan Log
http://www.superantispyware.com

Generated 03/06/2010 at 10:13 PM

Application Version : 4.34.1000

Core Rules Database Version : 4647
Trace Rules Database Version: 2459

Scan type       : Complete Scan
Total Scan Time : 00:37:15

Memory items scanned      : 444
Memory threats detected   : 0
Registry items scanned    : 4754
Registry threats detected : 0
File items scanned        : 53307
File threats detected     : 0

Malwarebytes:

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.44
Database version: 3831
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702

3/7/2010 7:27:22 AM
mbam-log-2010-03-07 (07-27-22).txt

Scan type: Quick Scan
Objects scanned: 162055
Time elapsed: 4 minute(s), 37 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 0
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 0

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

HijackThis:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 7:28:47 AM, on 3/7/2010
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18702)
Boot mode: Normal

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:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast5\AvastSvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehRecvr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehSched.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\Program Files\PC Tools Firewall Plus\FWService.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\New Boundary\PrismXL\PRISMXL.SYS
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\ehome\ehtray.exe
C:\Program Files\Digital Media Reader\readericon45G.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehmsas.exe
C:\WINDOWS\RTHDCPL.EXE
C:\Program Files\PC Tools Firewall Plus\FirewallGUI.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast5\avastUI.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\OBD2 TekLink\2100D.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\sniper.exe.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.bing.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: RealPlayer Download and Record Plugin for Internet Explorer - {3049C3E9-B461-4BC5-8870-4C09146192CA} - C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Real\RealPlayer\BrowserRecordPlugin\IE\rpbrowserrecordplugin.dll
O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Browser Address Error Redirector - {CA6319C0-31B7-401E-A518-A07C3DB8F777} - c:\windows\system32\BAE.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl - {E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ehTray] C:\WINDOWS\ehome\ehtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [readericon] C:\Program Files\Digital Media Reader\readericon45G.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RTHDCPL] RTHDCPL.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Recguard] %WINDIR%\SMINST\RECGUARD.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Reminder] %WINDIR%\Creator\Remind_XP.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [00PCTFW] "C:\Program Files\PC Tools Firewall Plus\FirewallGUI.exe" -s
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avast5] C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast5\avastUI.exe /nogui
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe"  -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [OBD2_TekLink_Start] C:\Program Files\OBD2 TekLink\2100D.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe ARM] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [Power2GoExpress] NA (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [Power2GoExpress] NA (User 'Default user')
O4 - Startup: ERUNT AutoBackup.lnk = C:\Program Files\ERUNT\AUTOBACK.EXE
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\npjpi160_18.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\npjpi160_18.dll
O9 - Extra button: PalTalk - {4EAFEF58-EEFA-4116-983D-03B49BCBFFFE} - C:\Program Files\Paltalk Messenger\Paltalk.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/muweb_site.cab?1170302585546
O16 - DPF: {7530BFB8-7293-4D34-9923-61A11451AFC5} - http://download.eset.com/special/eos/OnlineScanner.cab
O16 - DPF: {E2883E8F-472F-4FB0-9522-AC9BF37916A7} - http://platformdl.adobe.com/NOS/getPlusPlus/1.6/gp.cab
O18 - Protocol: linkscanner - {F274614C-63F8-47D5-A4D1-FBDDE494F8D1} - (no file)
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.dll
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: avast! Antivirus - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast5\AvastSvc.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Mail Scanner - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast5\AvastSvc.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Web Scanner - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast5\AvastSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
O23 - Service: PC Tools Firewall Plus (PCToolsFirewallPlus) - PC Tools - C:\Program Files\PC Tools Firewall Plus\FWService.exe
O23 - Service: PrismXL - New Boundary Technologies, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\New Boundary\PrismXL\PRISMXL.SYS

--
End of file - 6535 bytes

[evilfantasy]

Open HijackThis and select Do a system scan only

Place a check mark next to the following entries: (if there)

• O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - (no file)
• O18 - Protocol: linkscanner - {F274614C-63F8-47D5-A4D1-FBDDE494F8D1} - (no file)

.
Important: Close all open windows except for HijackThis and then click Fix checked.

Once completed, exit HijackThis.

----------

Download Disable/Remove Windows Messenger to the desktop to remove Windows Messenger.

Do not confuse Windows Messenger with MSN Messenger or Windows Live Messenger because they are not the same. Windows Messenger is a frequent cause of popups.

Unzip the file on the desktop. Open the MessengerDisable.exe and choose the bottom box - Uninstall Windows Messenger and click Apply.

Exit out of MessengerDisable then delete the two files that were put on the desktop.

----------

If you already have ComboFix be sure to delete it and download a new copy.

Download ComboFix© by sUBs from one of the below links. Be sure top save it to the Desktop.

Link #1
Link #2

**Note:  It is important that it is saved directly to your Desktop

Close any open Web browsers. (Firefox, Internet Explorer, etc) before starting ComboFix.

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.
 
Double click combofix.exe & follow the prompts.
Vista users Right-Click on ComboFix.exe and select Run as administrator (you will receive a UAC prompt, please allow it)
When finished ComboFix will produce a log for you.
Post the ComboFix log in your next reply.

Important: Do not mouseclick ComboFix's window while it is running. That may cause it to stall.

Remember to re-enable your antivirus and antispyware protection when ComboFix is complete.

If you have problems with ComboFix usage, see How to use ComboFix

[rmetal]

Ok--

I followed all your instructions, and here is the ComboFix log.

[Saving space, attachment deleted by admin]

[evilfantasy]

I don't see anything that indicates the computer was infected.

and then comes a screen similar to the one I get when clicking on 'my computer' with C drive highlighted and a pink box with red lettering saying my "computer is infected"

If you closed the window without clicking and installing anything you likely did not actually get infected.

[rmetal]

Oh my.... .... now I'm embarrassed......

Paranoia got the best of me?

Thanks for your time, Evilfantasy.  I apologize for having (apparently) wasted some of it.

I have Spywareblaster now, maybe will switch to Firefox  if the popup junk keeps coming up.  Grrrrrrrr.....

Good evening, sir.  Thanks for helping me!

[evilfantasy]

Is the popup still happening or is it only when you go to that website?

[rmetal]

There have been no popups since tonight's *fix*

In the last couple of weeks, the popups have happened only a handful of times   --each episode being a rapid succession of several small windows, opening one on top of the last, either "detecting"  _______ virus/trojan/worm/etc or urging me to download a virus protection program to get rid of them.  They all had the same M.O., but finding different problems and selling different *cough* programs *cough* 

The malware that put on the porn shortcuts must've been from a series of popups that I tried to close using the mouse, and ending up accidentally clicking into a new window while trying to close the previous one.

They have occurred at different websites-- a news headline site, a couple of large blogs...places I've safely surfed for a year or more.   So     All of these sites have rotating legit advertising...maybe that has something to do with it?

I think because of my computer's particularly (and formerly, thanks to your suggestions!) outdated software and lack of utilities, and my own ignorance/negligence/procrastination.....well.....we've just seen the result, huh?   

[evilfantasy]

If there are no more malware issues we can finish up now.

* Click START then RUN
* Now type Combofix /Uninstall in the runbox
* Make sure there's a space between Combofix and /Uninstall
* Then hit Enter.

The above procedure will:
* Delete: ComboFix and its associated files and folders.
* Reset the clock settings.
* Hide file extensions, if required.
* Hide System/Hidden files, if required.
* Set a new, clean Restore Point.

----------

Clean out your temporary internet files and temp files.

Download TFC by OldTimer to your desktop.

Double-click TFC.exe to run it.

Note: If you are running on Vista, right-click on the file and choose Run As Administrator

TFC will close all programs when run, so make sure you have saved all your work before you begin.

* Click the Start button to begin the cleaning process.
* Depending on how often you clean temp files, execution time should be anywhere from a few seconds to a minute or two. 
* Please let TFC run uninterrupted until it is finished.

Once TFC is finished it should restart your computer. If it does not, please manually restart the computer yourself to ensure a complete cleaning.

----------

Use the Secunia Software Inspector to check for out of date software.

* Click Start Scanner
* Check the box next to Enable thorough system inspection.
* Click Start
* Allow the scan to finish and scroll down to see if any updates are needed.
* Update anything listed.

----------

Go to Microsoft Windows Update and get all critical updates.

----------

If you are using or have installed IE6 you are using an outdated and soon to be unsupported version of Internet Explorer and I strongly suggest you update to the latest version directly from Microsoft Internet Explorer 8: Home page.

----------

I recommend you keep SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for scanning/removal of malware. Unless you purchase them, they provide no realtime protection so will not interfere with each other. They do not use any significant amount of resources (except a little disk space) until you run a scan.

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.

SpywareBlaster - Secure your Internet Explorer to make it harder for ActiveX programs to run on your computer. Also stop certain cookies from being added to your computer when running Mozilla based browsers like Firefox.
* Using SpywareBlaster to protect your computer from Spyware and Malware
* If you don't know what ActiveX controls are, see here

Protect yourself against spyware using the Immunize feature in Spybot - Search & Destroy.
* Guide: Use Spybot's Immunize Feature to prevent spyware infection in real-time. Note: To ensure you have the latest Immunizations always update Spybot - Search & Destroy before Immunizing. Spybot - Search & Destroy FAQ

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 smooth.