MS Security Essential fails to update !!!

[Newcomer7]

Hi,

I have been using Security Essential for a few years, and regularly update it either automatically or sometimes manually. However, the update failed both yesterday and today. The message is: The virus ...definition... didn't update on ... because of an internet or network connectivity problem. The virus / spyware definition version shown was 1.175.1441.0. If I go to Windows update history, it will show KB2310138 and some presumably new version of the definition - and the status is "Failed".

Obviously, my broadband is ok as I can use email and I can raise this thread here....

Do you have the same problem these 2 days? More importantly, what is the best way to fix it? I have thought about uninstall it and re-install. However, I am worried that if the re-install fails I will have no protection at all after the old version has been removed.

Help, please?

 

[Britton30]

You may have an infection that is blocking it.
Please download AdwCleaner:
http://general-changelog-team.fr/fr/downloads/finish/20-outils-de-xplode/2-adwcleaner
Save to the desktop.

Close all open programs.
To run the program, right-click AdwCleaner.exe and select: Run as Administrator

Click on Search and confirm the prompt.
After the program finishes, click the Report button. Please post the contents of the C:\AdwCleaner[Rx].txt in your next reply. In the reply window click the "#" icon at the top and paste the log text between the [code ] Paste Here [ /code] tags.

Do NOT perform the delete part before I or someone else can read the log.



To delete:

Run AdwCleaner once again.
This time click on:Delete, you will be asked to reboot to finish cleaning.
When done, please post the content of the C:\AdwCleaner[Sx].txt in your reply as outlined above.

 

[Newcomer7]

Hi

Here is a screen shot for reference...

Looking forward to your comment, please.

 

[Britton30]

No help at all, read and follow my first post.

 

[Newcomer7]

OK... I posted that one before I saw your first post... will do it now.

 

[Newcomer7]

AdwCleaner Report

# AdwCleaner v3.212 - Report created 08/06/2014 at 16:16:37
# Updated 05/06/2014 by Xplode
# Operating System : Windows 7 Home Premium Service Pack 1 (64 bits)
# Username : Agostinho - AGOSTINHO-PC
# Running from : C:\Users\Agostinho\Desktop\adwcleaner_3.212 (1).exe
# Option : Scan

***** [ Services ] *****


***** [ Files / Folders ] *****

File Found : C:\END
Folder Found : C:\Program Files (x86)\Conduit
Folder Found : C:\Users\Agostinho\AppData\Local\Conduit
Folder Found : C:\Users\Agostinho\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\fifbhfmciagkcmdmapchdimjekakljld
Folder Found : C:\Users\Agostinho\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jbolfgndggfhhpbnkgnpjkfhinclbigj
Folder Found : C:\Users\Agostinho\AppData\LocalLow\Conduit
Folder Found : C:\Users\Agostinho\AppData\LocalLow\PriceGong
Folder Found : C:\Users\Agostinho\AppData\Roaming\OpenCandy
Folder Found : C:\Users\Lily\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jbolfgndggfhhpbnkgnpjkfhinclbigj

***** [ Shortcuts ] *****


***** [ Registry ] *****

Key Found : HKCU\Software\AppDataLow\Software\Conduit
Key Found : HKCU\Software\AppDataLow\Software\ConduitSearchScopes
Key Found : HKCU\Software\AppDataLow\Software\PriceGong
Key Found : HKCU\Software\AppDataLow\Software\SmartBar
Key Found : HKCU\Software\Conduit
Key Found : HKCU\Software\Google\Chrome\Extensions\fifbhfmciagkcmdmapchdimjekakljld
Key Found : [x64] HKCU\Software\Conduit
Key Found : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{3C471948-F874-49F5-B338-4F214A2EE0B1}
Key Found : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Toolbar.CT3289847
Key Found : HKLM\Software\Conduit
Key Found : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Google\Chrome\Extensions\fifbhfmciagkcmdmapchdimjekakljld
Key Found : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Google\Chrome\Extensions\jbolfgndggfhhpbnkgnpjkfhinclbigj

***** [ Browsers ] *****

-\\ Internet Explorer v11.0.9600.17041


-\\ Google Chrome v35.0.1916.114

[ File : C:\Users\Agostinho\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\preferences ]

Found [Search Provider] : hxxp://uk.ask.com/web?q={searchTerms}
Found [Extension] : fifbhfmciagkcmdmapchdimjekakljld
Found [Extension] : jbolfgndggfhhpbnkgnpjkfhinclbigj

[ File : C:\Users\Lily\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\preferences ]

Found [Search Provider] : hxxp://uk.ask.com/web?q={searchTerms}
Found [Extension] : jbolfgndggfhhpbnkgnpjkfhinclbigj

*************************

AdwCleaner[R0].txt - [2437 octets] - [08/06/2014 16:16:37]

########## EOF - C:\AdwCleaner\AdwCleaner[R0].txt - [2497 octets] ##########

Hi, report attached as advised

 

[Britton30]

You are infected with Conduit which can cause issues. Also a few toolbars and Open Candy, a monetizing thing for developers.

Go ahead and run Adwcleaner in Clean mode and post that log and try MSE updates again.

 

[Newcomer7]

Thanks... does it mean I just need to run the Adwcleaner again and do the "scan" and the "uninstall"? I have never done this before, so just need to make sure I do it correctly....

but how about "clean mode"? ... is it something else?

By the way, why did MSE not stop these conduit etc going to my machine.. and why was it the other way round, i.e. these programs stops MSE working ???

 

[Britton30]

Yes you have to run it again and chose the uninstall or clean, whichever it says. It will ask for a reboot to do it, go ahead and there will be another log generated.

MSE is about the worst for protecting a PC.

 

[Newcomer7]

Not working

Unfortunately, still not working Please see attached:

# AdwCleaner v3.212 - Report created 08/06/2014 at 19:56:54
# Updated 05/06/2014 by Xplode
# Operating System : Windows 7 Home Premium Service Pack 1 (64 bits)
# Username : Agostinho - AGOSTINHO-PC
# Running from : C:\Users\Agostinho\Desktop\adwcleaner_3.212 (1).exe
# Option : Clean

***** [ Services ] *****


***** [ Files / Folders ] *****

Folder Deleted : C:\Program Files (x86)\Conduit
Folder Deleted : C:\Users\Agostinho\AppData\Local\Conduit
Folder Deleted : C:\Users\Agostinho\AppData\LocalLow\Conduit
Folder Deleted : C:\Users\Agostinho\AppData\LocalLow\PriceGong
Folder Deleted : C:\Users\Agostinho\AppData\Roaming\OpenCandy
Folder Deleted : C:\Users\Agostinho\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jbolfgndggfhhpbnkgnpjkfhinclbigj
Folder Deleted : C:\Users\Lily\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\jbolfgndggfhhpbnkgnpjkfhinclbigj
Folder Deleted : C:\Users\Agostinho\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\fifbhfmciagkcmdmapchdimjekakljld
File Deleted : C:\END

***** [ Shortcuts ] *****


***** [ Registry ] *****

Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Google\Chrome\Extensions\jbolfgndggfhhpbnkgnpjkfhinclbigj
Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\Google\Chrome\Extensions\fifbhfmciagkcmdmapchdimjekakljld
Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Google\Chrome\Extensions\fifbhfmciagkcmdmapchdimjekakljld
Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Toolbar.CT3289847
Key Deleted : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{3C471948-F874-49F5-B338-4F214A2EE0B1}
Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\Conduit
Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\AppDataLow\Software\Conduit
Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\AppDataLow\Software\ConduitSearchScopes
Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\AppDataLow\Software\PriceGong
Key Deleted : HKCU\Software\AppDataLow\Software\SmartBar
Key Deleted : HKLM\Software\Conduit

***** [ Browsers ] *****

-\\ Internet Explorer v11.0.9600.17041


-\\ Google Chrome v35.0.1916.114

[ File : C:\Users\Agostinho\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\preferences ]

Deleted [Search Provider] : hxxp://uk.ask.com/web?q={searchTerms}
Deleted [Extension] : fifbhfmciagkcmdmapchdimjekakljld
Deleted [Extension] : jbolfgndggfhhpbnkgnpjkfhinclbigj

[ File : C:\Users\Lily\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\preferences ]

Deleted [Search Provider] : hxxp://uk.ask.com/web?q={searchTerms}
Deleted [Extension] : jbolfgndggfhhpbnkgnpjkfhinclbigj

*************************

AdwCleaner[R0].txt - [2581 octets] - [08/06/2014 16:16:37]
AdwCleaner[R1].txt - [2641 octets] - [08/06/2014 19:55:17]
AdwCleaner[S0].txt - [2571 octets] - [08/06/2014 19:56:54]

########## EOF - C:\AdwCleaner\AdwCleaner[S0].txt - [2631 octets] ##########

 

[NoelDP]

The usual cure for MSE-related update problems is simple - uninstall it, and install again from a fresh download.

 

[Newcomer7]

I did think about this, but was worried that after uninstalling it I might not be able to install it again (if there is something wrong with my PC)...

Latest development is that I by chance found a MS link to update MSE manually. I did it and it worked. Now if I use the MSE icon on the bottom right to do update, it does not show error, although obviously there is nothing to update anymore. However, if I try the Window Update route to update MSE, there is another error message.... actually, I will now restart my pc to see what happens.

Thanks

 

[Newcomer7]

Just restarted and now even the "windows update route" for security essential is fine. Hopefully it will be ok from now on.... I have to check it again tomorrow.

Thank you for both replies... I may need your help again (hopefully not)

 

[Britton30]

Good to hear, now be very careful with what you download! All that crap got there because you allowed it. Always check advanced install and look through the license agreement for unwanted add-ons.

 

[Newcomer7]

OK thanks. Just tried to use the icon to update and it's fine Will try to use "windows update" option tomorrow to make sure it is OK as well.

 

[Britton30]

You're welcome, it's possible one of the crapwares was causing the problem.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
I'm not at all sure any antivirus would block Conduit from being installed that was included in some other download ?

The best way to get rid of Conduit is here step by step,
http://malwaretips.com/blogs/remove-conduit-search-virus/
http://malwaretips.com/blogs/conduit-search-removal/
Which includes a few different scanners not just Adwcleaner
Cheers.