Malware? Trojan? Virus? I don't know what my problem is!

[Philberaux]

Ok,
Just recently my computer has been giving me fits. Using Windows 7, 64 bit.
I can connect to the internet with Explorer and check my email with Thunderbird, but Firefox, Chrome and Steam will not connect. Furthermore, Filezillia and Google Music will not even run, they just go to "Not Responding". Spotify will not connect either.
Windows update seems to work but individual programs will not update. Malware bits will not update or scan.
I've run Spybot, Super Anti-Spyware and Junk Removal tool. it found stuff but didn't fix.
I've done System Restore to no avail as well.

So that's pretty much where I'm at. Any ideas??

 

[cottonball]

Welcome to the forum, Philberaux !

Please use the Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and see if we can find the reason for your computer issues.

Download: Farbar Recovery Scan Tool Download
Select the version that applies to your system.
Save it to your Desktop.
Double-click the downloaded file to run it.

When the tool opens, click Yes to the disclaimer.
Press the Scan button.

When done, the tool makes a log, FRST.txt, in the same directory from which the tool is run (Desktop).
:ar: Please provide the FRST.txt in your reply.

The first time the tool is run, it also creates another log: Addition.txt
:ar: Also post the Addition.txt in your reply.

 

[Philberaux]

Ok, had to attach them because they are pretty big.

 

[cottonball]

Philberaux,

Let's start with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, and see if we can get it to run.

Do you have a second computer where you can download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, and then update it?
Download: Malwarebytes | Antivirus, Anti-Spyware, & Anti-Malware Software

Once MBAM opens, where it says Your databases is out of date, click the Fix Now button.

Next, burn the updated Malwarebytes to a CD or DVD, and insert it into the drive of the problem computer.
Turn OFF the computer, wait 2-3 minutes, press the power button, and continuously tap the F8 key.
Select Safe Mode with Networking to run Malwarebytes from there.

In Safe Mode with Networking:

Open MBAM, click the Settings tab at the top, and, in the left column, select: Detections and Protections
If not already checked, select: Scan for rootkits

Click the Scan tab at the top of the program window, and select: Threat Scan
Next, click: Scan Now

If you receive a message that updates are available, click: Update Now

At this point, the most recent update is downloaded, installed, and the scan starts.
The scan may take some time to finish, so please be patient.

If potential threats are detected, select Quarantine All as the Action for all the listed items.
Next, click: Apply Actions

While still on the Scan tab, click: View detailed log
In the window that opens, click the Export button, select Text file (*.txt), and save the log to the Desktop.

:ar: Please post the MBAM log in your reply.

Notes:
1. The log is automatically saved by MBAM and is also viewed by clicking:
History tab > Application Logs
2. If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove...
Click OK and allow MBAM to proceed with the disinfection process.
If asked to restart the computer, please do so immediately.


.

 

[Philberaux]

Thanks Cottonball.
I'm at work right now so I'll have to wait until I get home this afternoon to do all this.

Tell me, what exactly is a Rootkit and how does one get it?

 

[cottonball]

Whenever you have the time to do so. That is fine.

After running MBAM as instructed above, and posting its result, let's check on AVG Family Safety.

Noticed that you have it installed, and appears on all the Winsock entries on your report.
What happens if you uninstall AVG Family Safety? Any improvement?


On a Rootkit...
In simple terms, it is an application designed to hide its existence and that of certain processes or programs from normal methods of detection. Also, it enables access to a computer.

A Rootkit can get to a computer most commonly through a trojan, a suspicious email attachment, or even through surfing the web.

At this point I do not see an indication of a Rootkit, just wanted you to check the option in MBAM to see what it shows.

 

[Philberaux]

CB,
Guess what?
It's working now. That makes me think it's the AVG Family Services as well. It's more of a filter service and I had a laptop that was doing pretty much the same thing that has AVG FS as well. Is it possible that something was interfering with it?
All I can say is if it happens again, I'll be back.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[cottonball]

Glad the pc is working better!!

It appears that AVG Family Services has caused problems to other users also.

If possible, please update and run Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, and post its results. Just want to make sure you are good to go.