[Brackenclose]

Today I have received 2 separate but very similar e-mails. One purports to come from Wiiiam Morrison, Editor, The Guardian. The other purports to come from Joseph Hope Editor at Yale.

Both e-mails have 2 attachments. 1 is zipped and is called "photo+article", the other is a txt doc.

The text of the e-mail, which is very similar in each case, asks me to review and approve the photo and article before printing. The Guardian one has a URL in the text (not the real Guardian one) but the other doesn't. Unfortunately, before I realised that it may be a scam of some sort I unzipped one of them but couldn't open the file.

I suspect I may have let a virus in. Has anyone had similar experiences or also received this type of e-mail. I rang the Guardian who assured me that the one in their name is fake.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[GTO]

Those e-mails really are fake. Well-known companies, organizations and people do not send e-mails with suspicious attachments. Moreoever, they do not send any e-mails to unfamiliar recipients at all.

Files like photo+article or photo and article are malicious. A lot of parasites use them.

If you suspect that your computer might have been infected, please download the HijackThis program, run a system scan and post your log into the HijackThis log analysis section. I will check your log.

[Brackenclose]

Many thanks for your reply. This site is amazingly helpful and I was impressed by the very clear guidance and instructions you provided. There must be many people like me who are totally dependent on our PCs but not expert enough to solve problems like this. I have Spyware Doctor and Trend PcCillin on my PC and the latter may have trapped the Photo and Article virus (there is an entry in the virus log to this effect). Nevertheless I have downloaded and run Hijack This and the result is below. I would appreciate your advice on it. Thanks in advance.
Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 10:52:58, on 01/02/2006
Platform: Windows 2000 SP4 (WinNT 5.00.2195)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINNT\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\csrss.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\services.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\crypserv.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\TRENDM~1\INTERN~2\PcCtlCom.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\regsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\MSTask.exe
C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\sdhelp.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\stisvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\TRENDM~1\INTERN~2\Tmntsrv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\TRENDM~1\INTERN~2\tmproxy.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\wltrysvc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\bcmwltry.exe
C:\WINNT\Explorer.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\TRENDM~1\INTERN~2\TmPfw.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\pctspk.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\hkcmd.exe
C:\Program Files\DELL\AccessDirect\dadapp.exe
C:\Program Files\CD-Eject Launcher V1\CDEJECT.EXE
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Hardware\Keyboard\type32.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\Thomson\SpeedTouch USB\Dragdiag.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\Internet Security 2005\pccguide.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\hpcoretech\hpcmpmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\CCWasher\washer.exe
C:\Program Files\SpeedTouch\Dr SpeedTouch\drst.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\winzrs32.exe
C:\wanadoo\wanadooconnectionkit\atdialler1.exe
C:\Program Files\Nikon\PictureProject\NkbMonitor.exe
C:\Program Files\Nikon\NkView6\NkvMon.exe
C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\1033\msoffice.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\WBEM\WinMgmt.exe
C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\swdoctor.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\Internet Security 2005\pccmain.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Norman E Haighton\Desktop\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&pver=6&ar=msnhome
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&ar=iesearch
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&ar=iesearch
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.wanadoo.co.uk
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&pver=6&ar=msnhome
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&ar=iesearch
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&ar=iesearch
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd={SUB_PRD}&clcid={SUB_CLSID}&pver={SUB_PVER}&ar=home
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.google.com/ie
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://home.microsoft.com/access/autosearch.asp?p=%s
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Microsoft Internet Explorer provided by Wanadoo
O2 - BHO: PCTools Site Guard - {5C8B2A36-3DB1-42A4-A3CB-D426709BBFEB} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYWAR~1\tools\iesdsg.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O2 - BHO: PCTools Browser Monitor - {B56A7D7D-6927-48C8-A975-17DF180C71AC} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYWAR~1\tools\iesdpb.dll
O3 - Toolbar: SpoofStick - {4D46ED77-1429-4CF6-8F63-C84B5D710BAF} - C:\Program Files\CoreStreet\SpoofStick\SpoofStick.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINNT\system32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: Wanadoo - {8B68564D-53FD-4293-B80C-993A9F3988EE} - C:\PROGRA~1\Wanadoo\WSBar\WSBar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Synchronization Manager] mobsync.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PCTVOICE] pctspk.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINNT\system32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINNT\system32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DadApp] C:\Program Files\DELL\AccessDirect\dadapp.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CD-Eject Launcher V1] "C:\Program Files\CD-Eject Launcher V1\CDEJECT.EXE"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IntelliType] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Hardware\Keyboard\type32.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SpeedTouch USB Diagnostics] "C:\Program Files\Thomson\SpeedTouch USB\Dragdiag.exe" /icon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [pccguide.exe] "C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\Internet Security 2005\pccguide.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Component Manager] "C:\Program Files\HP\hpcoretech\hpcmpmgr.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ControlDiskTsk] winzrs32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServicesOnce: [washindex] C:\Program Files\CCWasher\washidx.exe "Norman E Haighton"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Washer] C:\Program Files\CCWasher\washer.exe /0
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [STManager] "C:\Program Files\SpeedTouch\Dr SpeedTouch\drst.exe" -b
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Spyware Doctor] "C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\swdoctor.exe" /Q
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ControlDiskTsk] winzrs32.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\RunServicesOnce: [washindex] C:\Program Files\CCWasher\washidx.exe
O4 - Global Startup: EPSON Status Monitor 3 Environment Check 2.lnk = C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\SPOOL\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\E_SRCV02.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Billminder.lnk = C:\quickenw\BILLMIND.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: HP Digital Imaging Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Wanadoo Connection Kit.lnk = C:\wanadoo\wanadooconnectionkit\atdialler1.exe
O4 - Global Startup: NkbMonitor.exe.lnk = C:\Program Files\Nikon\PictureProject\NkbMonitor.exe
O4 - Global Startup: NkvMon.exe.lnk = C:\Program Files\Nikon\NkView6\NkvMon.exe
O4 - Global Startup: WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Search - http://bar.mywebsearch.com/menusearch.html?p=zuzeb004YYGB_undefined
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Translate English Word - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmwordtrans.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: Search with Wanadoo - res://C:\PROGRA~1\Wanadoo\WSBar\WSBar.dll/VSearch.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Similar Pages - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate Page into English - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmtrans.html
O9 - Extra button: Spyware Doctor - {2D663D1A-8670-49D9-A1A5-4C56B4E14E84} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYWAR~1\tools\iesdpb.dll
O9 - Extra button: Related - {c95fe080-8f5d-11d2-a20b-00aa003c157a} - C:\WINNT\web\related.htm
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Show &Related Links - {c95fe080-8f5d-11d2-a20b-00aa003c157a} - C:\WINNT\web\related.htm
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files\trackzapper.com\tz spyware-remover\apptoport.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files\trackzapper.com\tz spyware-remover\apptoport.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files\trackzapper.com\tz spyware-remover\apptoport.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files\trackzapper.com\tz spyware-remover\apptoport.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files\trackzapper.com\tz spyware-remover\apptoport.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files\trackzapper.com\tz spyware-remover\apptoport.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files\trackzapper.com\tz spyware-remover\apptoport.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files\trackzapper.com\tz spyware-remover\apptoport.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files\trackzapper.com\tz spyware-remover\apptoport.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files\trackzapper.com\tz spyware-remover\apptoport.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files\trackzapper.com\tz spyware-remover\apptoport.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files\trackzapper.com\tz spyware-remover\apptoport.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files\trackzapper.com\tz spyware-remover\apptoport.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files\trackzapper.com\tz spyware-remover\apptoport.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files\trackzapper.com\tz spyware-remover\apptoport.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files\trackzapper.com\tz spyware-remover\apptoport.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files\trackzapper.com\tz spyware-remover\apptoport.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files\trackzapper.com\tz spyware-remover\apptoport.dll
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://www.wanadoo.co.uk/
O16 - DPF: {15589FA1-C456-11CE-BF01-00AA0055595A} - https://www.wanadoo.co.uk/time/anytimereg_dialer/dialer/dialers/sd0101_5.exe
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=48835
O16 - DPF: {1D4DB7D2-6EC9-47A3-BD87-1E41684E07BB} - http://ak.imgfarm.com/images/nocache/funwebproducts/ei/MyFunCardsFWBInitialSetup1.0.0.15.cab
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/muweb_site.cab?1128105410093
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{A01D7901-16E4-4D99-A75C-C2DF0B55157A}: NameServer = 195.92.195.94 195.92.195.95
O20 - Winlogon Notify: igfxcui - C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\igfxsrvc.dll
O23 - Service: Crypkey License - Kenonic Controls Ltd. - C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\crypserv.exe
O23 - Service: Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service (dmadmin) - VERITAS Software Corp. - C:\WINNT\System32\dmadmin.exe
O23 - Service: Trend Micro Central Control Component (PcCtlCom) - Trend Micro Incorporated. - C:\PROGRA~1\TRENDM~1\INTERN~2\PcCtlCom.exe
O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINNT\system32\HPZipm12.exe
O23 - Service: PC Tools Spyware Doctor (SDhelper) - PC Tools Research Pty Ltd - C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\sdhelp.exe
O23 - Service: Trend Micro Real-time Service (Tmntsrv) - Trend Micro Incorporated. - C:\PROGRA~1\TRENDM~1\INTERN~2\Tmntsrv.exe
O23 - Service: Trend Micro Personal Firewall (TmPfw) - Trend Micro Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\TRENDM~1\INTERN~2\TmPfw.exe
O23 - Service: Trend Micro Proxy Service (tmproxy) - Trend Micro Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\TRENDM~1\INTERN~2\tmproxy.exe
O23 - Service: WLTRYSVC - Unknown owner - C:\WINNT\System32\wltrysvc.exe

[GTO]

Your log looks clean .