I've been infected with a hijacker that changed my homepage to "your-searcher.com"... I'm not a real computer expert, so I'm not sure how to explain this further, but I'll assume you guys know what I'm talking about. I've tried to get rid of this problem numerous times, but it keeps coming right back. Here's the Hijackthis log:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.98.2
Scan saved at 1:31:59 AM, on 10/2/2004
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\vptray.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe
C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe
C:\windows\dllhlp.exe
C:\Program Files\BUFFALO\Client Manager\CLIENTMG\Client Manager.exe
C:\Program Files\Symantec_Client_Security\Symantec AntiVirus\DefWatch.exe
C:\Program Files\Symantec_Client_Security\Symantec AntiVirus\Rtvscan.exe
C:\Program Files\mIRC\mirc.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE
C:\Program Files\Real\RealPlayer\realplay.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Justin\Local Settings\Temp\Temporary Directory 1 for hijackthis.zip\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://your-searcher.com/sp.htm
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://your-searcher.com/index.htm
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://your-searcher.com/index.htm
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://your-searcher.com/sp.htm
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://your-searcher.com/index.htm
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {7B55BB05-0B4D-44fd-81A6-B136188F5DEB} - C:\WINDOWS\questmod.dll (file missing)
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SystemTray] SysTray.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Cmaudio] RunDll32 cmicnfg.cpl,CMICtrlWnd
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [vptray] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\vptray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIPTA] C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Steam] C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\Steam.exe -silent
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MsnMsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AIM] C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe -cnetwait.odl
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [dllhelp] c:\windows\dllhlp.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Client Manager.lnk = C:\Program Files\BUFFALO\Client Manager\CLIENTMG\Client Manager.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward Links - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmbacklinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Cached Snapshot of Page - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmcache.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Similar Pages - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate into English - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmtrans.html
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll
O9 - Extra button: Corel Network monitor worker - {921717DF-CD36-420B-84C9-F3598148E190} - (no file)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Corel Network monitor worker - {921717DF-CD36-420B-84C9-F3598148E190} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: AIM - {AC9E2541-2814-11d5-BC6D-00B0D0A1DE45} - C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe
O9 - Extra button: Corel Network monitor worker - {921717DF-CD36-420B-84C9-F3598148E190} - (no file) (HKCU)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Corel Network monitor worker - {921717DF-CD36-420B-84C9-F3598148E190} - (no file) (HKCU)
O16 - DPF: {F54C1137-5E34-4B95-95A5-BA56D4D8D743} (Secure Delivery) - http://www.gamespot.com/KDX22/download/kdx.cab


Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Black

Please move HijackThis to another location, preferably c:\Program Files\HijackThis. Anywhere is fine, other than your Desktop or a Temp folder. If HijackThis is in a temporary folder you run the risk of accidentally deleting the backups.

How do you make a permanent folder:

Click "My Computer", then "C:\" and then on "Program Files".
In the menu bar, "File"->"New"->"Folder".
That will create a folder named "New Folder", which you can rename to "HJT" or "HijackThis".
Now you have "C:\Program Files\HijackThis". Put your HijackThis.exe there, and double click to run it.

Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete once => Click "Task Manager" => Click the "Processes"-tab => Double-click the "Image Name"- column header to alphabetically sort the processes => Scroll through the list and look for "dllhelp.exe". If you find the file, click it, and then click "End Process" => Exit the Task Manager.

Run HijackThis, click on "Scan" and check the boxes next to all these items.

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://your-searcher.com/sp.htm
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://your-searcher.com/index.htm
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://your-searcher.com/index.htm
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://your-searcher.com/sp.htm
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://your-searcher.com/index.htm

O2 - BHO: (no name) - {7B55BB05-0B4D-44fd-81A6-B136188F5DEB} - C:\WINDOWS\questmod.dll (file missing)

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [dllhelp] c:\windows\dllhlp.exe

O9 - Extra button: Corel Network monitor worker - {921717DF-CD36-420B-84C9-F3598148E190} - (no file)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Corel Network monitor worker - {921717DF-CD36-420B-84C9-F3598148E190} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: Corel Network monitor worker - {921717DF-CD36-420B-84C9-F3598148E190} - (no file) (HKCU)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Corel Network monitor worker - {921717DF-CD36-420B-84C9-F3598148E190} - (no file) (HKCU)

Then close all windows, and browsers, except HijackThis. Tell HijackThis to "Fix checked".

Now delete the following files in red (it could be that they are deleted already):
c:\windows\dllhlp.exe

You may have to have hidden files showing. How do I show hidden files?

Restart your computer and post a new log.

Here's the new log:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.98.2
Scan saved at 3:45:32 PM, on 10/2/2004
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\vptray.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe
C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe
C:\Program Files\BUFFALO\Client Manager\CLIENTMG\Client Manager.exe
C:\Program Files\Symantec_Client_Security\Symantec AntiVirus\DefWatch.exe
C:\Program Files\Symantec_Client_Security\Symantec AntiVirus\Rtvscan.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Hijack This\HijackThis.exe

O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SystemTray] SysTray.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Cmaudio] RunDll32 cmicnfg.cpl,CMICtrlWnd
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [vptray] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\vptray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIPTA] C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Steam] C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\Steam.exe -silent
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MsnMsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AIM] C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe -cnetwait.odl
O4 - Global Startup: Client Manager.lnk = C:\Program Files\BUFFALO\Client Manager\CLIENTMG\Client Manager.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward Links - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmbacklinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Cached Snapshot of Page - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmcache.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Similar Pages - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate into English - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmtrans.html
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll
O9 - Extra button: AIM - {AC9E2541-2814-11d5-BC6D-00B0D0A1DE45} - C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe
O16 - DPF: {F54C1137-5E34-4B95-95A5-BA56D4D8D743} (Secure Delivery) - http://www.gamespot.com/KDX22/download/kdx.cab

Hi Black,

your log is clean now.

This is a good time to set up protection against further attacks. Read the article behind this link "How did I get infected". You need an antivirus that is updated, a good firewall for example Kerio Personal Firewall or ZoneLabs Zone Alarm and a spyware blocker like SpywareBlaster and also IE-Spyads. All of these have good free versions available... be very cautious about any security software that advertises in popups or other intrusive ways, they are not only usually useless, but also often have malware in them....

Last, but not least, you need to keep Windows and Internet Explorer up to date by getting all the latest security patches that protects your computer.

This can be accessed by going to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and following the prompts.

Please post back if you are still having any problems....

Thanks a bunch.