ERROR: 'Windows Task Manager Has Stopped Working'

GregHamilton said:

I've tried many different anti-virus programs, such as Combofix, Norton Internet Security and Malwarebytes.

Hi Greg,

Combofix is an extremely powerful bit of software, that if used by an untrained person, can render your computer close to useless. This is the reason why every downlaod of Combofix carries this very explicit warning:

You should not run ComboFix unless you are specifically asked to by a helper. Also, due to the power of this tool it is strongly advised that you do not attempt to act upon any of the information displayed by ComboFix without supervision from someone who has been properly trained. If you do so, it may lead to problems with the normal functionality of your computer.

I wonder if some of the symptoms you are now experiencing are a product of using Combofix?

You mentioned that Malwarebytes found 4 viruses - can you recall their names? Please check the Malwarebytes scan log - the type of malware will determine the next steps to take.

My recommendation is to focus on this, before attempting anything else.

Regards,
Golden

Hi,

OK. You have had some nasty infections:
Encyclopedia entry: Backdoor:MSIL/Pontoeb.P - Learn more about malware - Microsoft Malware Protection Center

What you need to do firstly, from a known clean computer is the following:
1. Change all online account passwords (e.g. forum accounts, email accounts, Facebook etc. etc.)
2. Change any on-line banking passwords

Since this trojan is backdoor trojan, we have no way of knowing what other payloads have been downloaded and hidden within your system. The non-responsiveness of Task Manager is a classic technique employed by malware to deny you the ability to find and kill malicious processes.....but the waters are muddied by what Combofix may or may not have damaged.

For this reason, and its probably not what you want to hear, I strongly recommend that you wipe the entire disk/s on your computer, and perform a fresh install. It sounds onerous, but we have the best tutorials and people to guide you through this, if you would like us too. A wipe and clean install is also the only way of guaranteeing 100% that your system is clean.

Digest this information, and then let me know how you want to proceed - we will make sure that you come through this as unscathed as possible.

Regards,
Golden

Hi,

By backup, do you mean data files (photo's, music, documents, spreadsheets, that sort of stuff)? Yes, but once backed up to the USB drive, scan them for your own peace of mind.

Regards,
Golden

No worries Greg. Can you be a bit more specific about 'program settings'......I don't want to mislead you. Of course you will have to completely reinstall your applications (e.g. Microsoft Office etc. etc.)

GregHamilton said:

I understand that I'll have to reinstall my programs, I've had to reimage/reformat PC's often. Sorry for not being clear, I meant things such as browser history or bookmarks, I have some tutorials that I'd like to keep. I've backed up my browser history and bookmarks before but I'm wondering if it is safe seeing as the trojan was detected in the AppData of Google Chrome.

Thats fine Greg. Concerning the browser history and bookmarks, if you confident that the earlier backup preceeds the malware, then I would say its safe. Otherwise, its a risk you need to weigh up.

It sounds as if you are almost ready for a clean install, so I'll drop this here for you when you are ready - it has some good tips/pointers if you need them:
Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7