The Windows Security Center service can't be started.

Just offhand, it looks like a lot of your security files are either missing or have been disabled.

You can try booting in safe mode and running some of the above listed apps to see if that yields any results.

For the most part, depending on the complexity of it, malware/viruses will infect the first restore point, sometimes the second, possibly all of them. It's worth a try to go into safe mode and see if you can restore backward to the 3rd point or farther if possible. If this succeeds, immediately run a full scan on your system with an AV.

Have you made a windows repair disk that you can run? You can also try a repair boot disk, here is a list of them:

FREE Bootable AntiVirus Rescue CDs Download List

If you can still go there, you can get a free online scan from Norton which will run independent of the system.

Free Virus Scan - Free Antivirus Software | Norton Security Scan

Click on the "continue to security check" button and follow the directions. Note that you will have to be running IE for this to function. Depending on your speed, this may take a while to d/l.

The fact that the Malicious Software Removal Tool won't run points to the possibility of a virus that has taken control of your registry and disabled certain key security operating files.

There are a lot of good suggestions in the posts above and you should try them until you find something that may work. This failing, be aware that the virus may have compromised windows to the point of no return & you may have to format the HD and re-install windows, which would be the only assurance that you indeed have a clean system.

I say format the HD because if you just re-install over the old, there's a possibility the virus will still be present.

One more thing, the phrase "Keygens always come up as viruses/malware don't they?" is always used as a way to entice people to go ahead and click the ignore button on their AV's. Avoid using them in the future.

Your welcome rb,

Have you tried running SuperAntispyware (SA) yet?

Also try ESET's Online Scanner

This "Security Center problem". Do you notice any pop-ups asking you to purchase another program or trying to re-direct you to another page?

Two items I noticed in your HJT log that send a chill up my spine are:

Code:

BHO: URLRedirectionBHO - {B4F3A835-0E21-4959-BA22-42B3008E02FF} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~2\Office14\URLREDIR.DLL
Filter hijack: text/xml - {807573E5-5146-11D5-A672-00B0D022E945} -  C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft  Shared\OFFICE14\MSOXMLMF.DLL

It is also one of the shortest HJT logs I have ever seen this may allude to Borg's statement:

Just offhand, it looks like a lot of your security files are either missing or have been disabled.

I'm using NOD32. I've used it for ages though and never had this Security Center problem so something must have changed. When I go to services.msc, it's disabled. I change it to automatic, press start, and it works, for about 20 seconds before turning off again.

Users can not become complacent when it comes to protecting their machines you may want to consider upgrading to SmartSecurity4.

Since you are using a 64bit OS is NOD 64bit? Which version (32-bit or 64-bit) of ESET Smart Security or ESET NOD32 Antivirus should I download? - ESET Knowledgebase

Does your present version of NOD have email protection, automatic updates?

Are you married do you have children? If so, are they aware of the dangers when online?

The niece I mentioned earlier. Her husband has been known to visit sites of ill-repute, and her children have friends that are around when the kids are online.

I told her to tell her husband to run SA immediately after every time he gets off the web, and her son didn't own up to a "buddy" wanting to get on a particular web site until Uncle Steve talked to him in a firm, and conversational tone. He was afraid he was going to get yelled at.
I told him he was going to have to own up to the possibility that him and his buddy may be the reason the machine is sick, and he would have to tell his parents.

I clued the parents, and all went well in the end.

I'll try the malicious software removal tool but wouldn't that be unnecessary if I already have an AV program installed?

As Hoppy stated earlier "It won't hurt". Most things in life are not free, but in this case think of it as an adjunct to NOD32. Microsoft Malware Protection Center

You can preform a MS online scan here:
https://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm

Here is a list of Online scanners check seventh column to the right: https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikiped...virus_software

If all this does not work, you may need to visit a Security related forum like:
Wilders Security Forums - Powered by vBulletin
Security - BleepingComputer.com
Security Cleanup forum | DSLReports.com, ISP Information

Please adhere to their posting requirements they are very strict because every situation is different!

Download CKScanner by askey127 from HERE
Important - Save it to your desktop.
Doubleclick CKScanner.exe and click Search For Files.
After a very short time, when the cursor hourglass disappears, click Save List To File.
A message box will verify the file saved.
Double-click the CKFiles.txt icon on your desktop and copy/paste the contents in your next reply.

roastbeef

When you get back here follow Jacee's suggestions first.
She is one of our security Aces.

Everyone else has lots of good ideas. I'd go with the Ace to start!
Mike

I'd like you to scan your machine with ESET OnlineScan

1. Hold down Control and click on the following link to open ESET OnlineScan in a new window.
   ESET OnlineScan
2. Click the button.
3. For alternate browsers only: (Microsoft Internet Explorer users can skip these steps)
   1. Click on to download the ESET Smart Installer. Save it to your desktop.
   2. Double click on the icon on your desktop.
4. Check
5. Click the button.
6. Accept any security warnings from your browser.
7. Check
8. Push the Start button.
9. ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer. Please be patient as this can take some time.
10. When the scan completes, push
11. 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.
12. Push the button.
13. Push

That's good! Don't download cracks, they come with unsuspected malwareware, such as, viruses, Trojans, password stealers, rootkits, etc.

If you really want a program, buy it or look for free opensource alternatives Find Open Source Alternatives to commercial software | Open Source Alternative - osalt.com

Now flush the bad DNS cache and restore MS's Hosts file

Copy and paste these lines in Note pad.
@Echo on
pushd\windows\system32\drivers\etc
attrib -h -s -r hosts
echo 127.0.0.1 localhost>HOSTS
attrib +r +h +s hosts
popd
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns
netsh int ip reset all
shutdown -r -t 1
del %0
Save as flush.bat to your desktop. Right click to run as Administrator. Your computer will reboot itself.

Did you pay for Nod32? If you didn't, MSE is an excellent Antivirus program and it's free https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...2-33d813687a7f

Two items I noticed in your HJT log that send a chill up my spine are:

Code:

BHO: URLRedirectionBHO - {B4F3A835-0E21-4959-BA22-42B3008E02FF} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~2\Office14\URLREDIR.DLLFilter hijack: text/xml - {807573E5-5146-11D5-A672-00B0D022E945} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE14\MSOXMLMF.DLL

@Anak Look up both CLSIDS using SystemLookup - An online database of what's good and bad on your computer

Borg 386 said:

Just offhand, it looks like a lot of your security files are either missing or have been disabled.

@Borg 386 ... HJT is getting 'long in the tooth' and can't read the lists of O23's (services) on a 64bit computer properly. That's why we use other tools.