multiple failures- browser, system restore...possible malware

[corvpn]

Today I noticed that IE7 and Firefox were not loading pages correctly. Some page would not open, CSS was crazy or not there, picture not loading (you get the idea). I did a complete default restore on IE7 but that did not help.

I'm starting to think that it is a malware. So I ran Eset online scan twice with zero results. Ran Windows malware remover with zero results. I downloaded SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes but when I try to run them they crash. Tried downloading Google Chrome (so I could hopefully see webpages easier when I was looking for help) but it also crashes every time I try to install.

I tried doing a system restore but it won't finish. I choose various restore points but when I try to click next to execute it the program just stays idle.

I booted to the LAst Known Good Configuration but that dodn't help.

I really, really do not want to reformat. Any help would be great, thank you.

 

[LilBob]

Try running Malwarebytes in Safe Mode. Also try boot safe in SUPERAntiSpyware and see if that helps.

Another option is to Run HijackThis. Do a scan only & save a log file. Post your log file here for others to check for problems.

Bob

 

[goombawaho]

If you find stuff with MBAM in safe mode, make SURE to follow up with a reboot and run another MBAM scan. Things can hide themselves in safe mode.

Follow that up with an anti-virus scan. I find that a scan with antivirus software immediately following a full scan with MBAM will still find little pieces of things that need to be removed.

That can be due to the fact that different programs miss different things or malware is in the "eye of the beholder". One product will not categorize something as bad while another will flag it.

 

[corvpn]

I got it. I throw everything at it.

I should have mentioned that I tried running them in safe mode but they failed to start.

It was a combination of several malware, ativirus, reg cleaner programs that finally did it. I also had to re-install Microsoft Installer.

Thanks for all the help guys!!!

 

[LilBob]

Good pick-up goombawaho. I forgot to mention to run MBAM after rebooting. Avast is an excellent AV app. If any bugs are found, shut down Sytem Restore. This will erase all restore points. You don't want to reintroduce the bugs by using sys restore. Wait about a few days to be sure all is working right before turning it back on.

Let us know how things work out. Bob

 

[linney]

It is not unheard of for some malware to block anti-malware programs from loading, running, or installing. The usual way around this is to Rename, the setup or .exe concerned. This also applies to Windows tools like Msconfig, Regedit, Task Manager, etc. Access Permissions might force you to copy and run the Microsoft programs from another location too.