Excerpts From the Scratch Pad of a Pc Tech: Experience With the Destructive Trojan Win32 Weelsof

A new colleague stopped by the office yesterday, carrying her ailing computer system in tow. She detailed repeated alerts from her anti-virus software package, Avast!, indicating possible corruption within the C: \ProgramData\ directory. She added that the alerts pointed out rogue processes seeking to use system resources to communicate with an external website: urbangood. info.

I'll take a brief moment here to mention the anti-virus software program Avast!. I suggest Avast! to every one of my clients and family. I feature it within a collection of vital tools I implement on a day to day basis when repairing pcs. It's straightforward to understand why Avast! retains very high scores on the Cnet software download internet site. Not only does the staff consistently update the software program with the most newly released trojan definitions but the user support is nearly unequalled.

Ok, carrying on with the service. For starters, I update and carry out a quick scan with the anti-virus software program, Ikarus, presently set up on the pc. Validated, The Ikarus analysis shows presence of the Trojan Win32 Weelsof malware.

A quick word concerning Trojan Win32 Weelsof, the formal identity of a destructive trojan associated with notorious ransomware, such as the UKASH virus, recognized for intimidating pc users into shelling out money to have control of their computer systems released. The abilities of the virus include spying on the corrupted pc, sending private info, and accessing or executing additional malware via a remote server.

Signs of an infection comprise computer operation slowing to a halt together with the occurrence of dodgy files and processes located notably in the C: \ProgramData\ directory. Many users acquire the trojan by means of:

1. Drive-by scripts located on corrupted shareware and freeware internet sites and downloaded to the computer system with no knowledge or permission.
2. Visiting suspicious pop-ups or links.
3. Opening email attachments from unfamiliar origins.

I commence to download, to the contaminated laptop, my variety of useful pc repair tools including: Avast!, OTL, ComboFix, MalwareBytes and TDSSKiller. The primary action, toward wiping out this virus, consists of executing an OTL scan. The OTL analysis indicates unwanted files found in the C: \ProgramData\ and C: \Users\[users]\AppData\Roaming\ directories, Alternate Data Streams in the C: \ProgramData\ and C: \Users\[user]\AppData\Local\ directories and unnecessary Internet Explorer toolbars. Based on the recent virus definitions, I'm comparatively positive the dodgy files and Alternate Data Streams in the C: \Users\[users]\AppData\Roaming\ and C: \Users\[user]\AppData\Local\ are not brought on by the Trojan Win32 Weelsof virus - they will need eradication nonetheless.

I whip up an OTL script and run the fix. The OTL analysis indicates a clear system.

I restart the system and it begins to run faultlessly.

Taylor records and writes of true life experiences at our Computer Repair Shop in Sherman Oaks. We provide free remote guidance If you require assistance removing virus, malware, or trojans from your computer system. Our Free Virus Removal.

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In-The-Field Analysis of "Trojan Horse Patched_c LYT" Virus

A long term client, having difficulties with pc problems, recently contacted us. She identified her computer signs and symptoms as follows:

"After Googling something and clicking a link I am hijacked off to a arbitrary website or pop-up".

I carried on by importing the vital analysis and restoration tools to the infected laptop via usb drive - packages included AVG, ComboFix, OTL, and MalwareBytes.

My primary phase comprises performing an AVG diagnostic scan. The outcome of the test pointed out an issue in c: \Windows\System32\services. exe caused by the computer virus "Trojan horse Patched_c. LYT". AVG offers you minimal support against a computer virus aimed towards services. exe - so eradication of the malware by using an anti-virus software program will not be a solution.

The next measure consists of executing a comboFix scan. Keep in mind, I rename ComboFix before upload to the corrupted laptop - because a number of spyware and adware specify combofix. exe explicitly.

Some added points concerning combofix. exe include:

1. Shut down every open web browsers before executing
2. Close and disable any anti-virus or anti-malware
3. Clicking on combofix while it executes may perhaps result in a stall
4. Combofix may interrupt internet connection if terminated prematurely. A system reboot clears this issue.
5. Combofix may dump the error "Illegal operation attempted on a registery key that has been marked for deletion". In this instance, a system restart fixes this issue.

The comboFix log indicates a problem in c: \Windows\System32\services. exe. We need to find a clean version of services. exe to restore the corrupted file located in the System32 folder. I begin an OTL session and scan the laptop for an authentic version. I also take this occasion to locate a clean copy of smss. exe.

/md5start
services. *
/md5stop

Now that we currently have the location of the original systems files we may continue to overwrite the contaminated system files. We could replace a systems executable in various ways- I opt for either a manual restore with software such as ComboFix or use of the System File Check utility. In this instance I fire up ComboFix and manually copy the clean executables:

FCopy::
C: \Windows\winsxs\[location of your services folder]\services. exe | C: \Windows\System32\services. exe
C: \Windows\winsxs\[location of your smss folder]\smss. exe | C: \Windows\System32\smss.exe

This appears to have eliminated the problem. The contaminated computer is now executing splendidly.

At this time I prefer to tie up loose ends by running MalwareBytes. A couple of details pertaining to MBAM:

1. Check for updates before running this application.
2. Quick scan will do in most situations
3. Look at the outcomes of the scan and be certain to select all items, then eliminate all chosen objects.
4. In the case MBAM encounters a difficult file you will be prompted with a couple of dialog boxes. Permit MBAM to complete the procedure and restart the system.

In this circumstance the MBAM diagnostic comes back clean.

Taylor Jacobson writes about actual experiences from our computer repair shop in Encino, CA. For more information regarding these types of computer viruses checkout: Encino Computer Repair Field Docs. If you require assistance repairing your computer we offer free online diagnostics: EncinoComputerRepair.com

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Getting Rid of a Trojan Virus - What to Do If Your Computer Is Infected

Removing a Trojan is just like removing any other computer infection, most modern day antivirus programs will rid a computer of Trojans, worms, viruses, spyware plus other threats with ease. People that I have talked to have a misconception that a Trojan is far more serious and dangerous than a virus or spyware, this however is not the case.

The main difference between Trojans and other infections is that a Trojan is much stealthier, it will usually be in the background completing a task, stealing information or presenting itself as something useful, whereas a virus just usually takes over your computer and destroys as much as possible or makes it unusable.

So how do we remove a Trojan? It is fairly simple, if you have ever removed any virus or other infection using a program such as AVG, Avast, Malwarebytes, Combofix etc then you will already be able to remove a Trojan. Two of the best programs available to remove pretty much any infection are Malwarebytes and Combofix, both are free and available to download with a simple Google search.

Firstly you need to download both of the packages mentioned above, install each program in the usual way. Once the software has been downloaded and installed, it is just a case of opening each of them, ensuring that both are updated and then running a full scan. The software will then pick up any infections and provide you with any necessary action that needs to be taken, usually in the form of quarantine or deletion.

To be extra safe, be sure to have a real time antivirus running at all times. There are a number of free ones available that have great detection rates and are just as good as paid versions. Most Trojans, viruses or any infections can be stopped before they even enter your computer, simply by having this protection. It is a must for any machine and with plenty of free software out there there is no excuse (AVG Free, Avast Free, Avira Free, Bitdefender Free).

It is also important to change any bad browsing habits you may have had to contract this infection in the first place. If you enjoy clicking every link you come across and just have to download that illegal movie or click the attachment in every email then its time to re-assess your behavior and start acting better for the sake of your computer safety!

There you have it, a bit of information about Trojans, what you can use to get rid of them and a few extra tips to keep you safe from future infection. Enjoy the web.

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