Unidentifiable program blocking installations?

nyoron · 12 Jul 2011

I recently attempted to install Steam on my computer, only to have a strange program request my user ID and login information - this has never happened before when I installed Steam. When I went to the control panel, and clicked "uninstall a program", the list of programs closed itself after a few seconds, and still kept closing after multiple attempts. Firefox and IE browser windows also close after opening them. Attached is a screenshot of the program icon in the taskbar, and its login prompt - is this malware?

Anak · 12 Jul 2011

Sure acts like it. What type of security programs do you have that you could run?

marsmimar · 12 Jul 2011

Hello nyoron ans welcome to Seven Forums.

You might want to install the free version of Malwarebytes, update it, and then run a full scan.

Malwarebytes : Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a free download that removes viruses and malware from your computer

Another free tool is Microsoft's Safety Scanner.

Microsoft Safety Scanner - Remove Spyware, Malware, Viruses Free

nyoron · 12 Jul 2011

I have Malwarebytes on my computer, but upon trying to run it, a prompt comes up asking, "Do you want to allow the following program to make changes to this computer?" Clicking either "yes" or "no" does nothing except display the strange login prompt, and malwarebytes doesn't start up.

Anak · 12 Jul 2011

Try using Safe Mode worst case you might have to rename the MBAM.exe file to get it to work.

There is also SuperAntiSpyware that is good, but if you download it, name it something like mydoghasfleas before you save it. Use the free version.

Britton30 · 12 Jul 2011

Definitely malware. Try the Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta | Microsoft Connect to see what you get.
Check msconfig/startup to see what programs are starting and A Preferred Method of Uploading/Posting Screen Shots
Install Virus, Spyware & Malware Protection | Microsoft Security Essentials

Steam sure causes issues.

karlsnooks · 12 Jul 2011

nyoron,

Definitely malware.

You can sometimes thwart the bad guys by renaming mbam that you downloaded by renaming it and then running the install.

Otherwise, I also recommend the Microsoft System Sweeper.

PUT SYSTEM SWEEPER ON A USB STICK

System Sweeper, https://connect.microsoft.com/systemsweeper, allows you to start an infected PC and perform an offline scan to identify and remove viruses, rootkits and other advanced malware. System Sweeper is a free standalone, bootable malware and virus remover from Microsoft.

Safety Scanner, Microsoft Safety Scanner - Remove Spyware, Malware, Viruses Free, is free, downloadable, provides on-demand scanning and helps remove viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. It works with your existing antivirus software.

If the target computer has a working internet connection, then you may prefer to use the Safety Scanner.

Download System Sweeper (about 576 kB):
https://connect.microsoft.com/systemsweeper

Insert 256 MB or larger USB stick into a usb port.

Run the downloaded program--mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe

Choose the option to install to USB.
Caution: The install program will format the usb stick.

The install program will download about 200 mB more.

After the install is finished, leave the stick in the usb slot.

Run the program you downloaded once again.

This 2nd run, and any subsequent runs, will download the very latest anti-virus definitions (about 60 mB).

To keep System Sweeper up-to-date, simply reinsert the usb stick and run the installation program again.

The initial, full scan by System Sweeper can easily take a couple of hours, but subsequent quick scans will take only a few minutes.

Remember, your computer is being very thoroughly checked for all types of malware.