maxd1.exe and msblank.html HELP!!!!

Question

Please help!   My one year old Dell Dimension 4600C just started bringing up a black screen at the start up with a virus message of C:\Windows\system32\maxd1.exe   When we attempt to use the Internet the second apparant virus appears as C:\Windows\system32\msblank.html.   What can we do about these things? Our updated Norton Antivirus/Symantec software is not catching it.   Also, we continue to receive a 'Security Warning'-'Advanced Browsing Technologies International Charges Apply'.  What is this?   I've been on hold for over 2 hours with Dell Support, and I'd appreciate any help.   Thanks,

ky331 · Answer

i have done a few quick searches, and have located the following:

maxd1 appears to be a dialer, associated with SpySherrif. Dialers are programs that secretly make phone calls from your PC... and that could certainly explain the "International Charges Apply" warning message you're receiving. If i'm correct about this, you need to get this fixed immediately --- and you should also contact your phone company to advise them about the problem, as you'll be held responsible for the phone bill :-(

msblank.html is a "browser hijacker"

i suggest you do the following:

Preliminary note: When attempting the following directions, if you can't access the internet or perform the indicated download of HiJackThis (HJT) on your "infected" machine, you should download it onto another "good" machine (one at work?), then transfer it via floppy (it's a tiny file) to the infected machine, run the UNZipped/.EXE file on the infected machine, and finally transfer the generated log via floppy over to the good machine, to post your log online.

Download the latest version of HJT(hijackthis) (version 1.99.1) from

http://majorgeeks.com/download3155.html

you must create a separate folder and place it there.... people commonly use C:\HJT. Note: Please do *NOT* use a TEMP (temporary) folder, *NOR* your DESKTOP, as HJT will be generating log files and backup files in the folder from which it is run... you risk accidentally losing these if you use a TEMP folder, and you will generate extreme clutter if you use your DESKTOP.

The file above comes as a compressed .ZIP file... you have to UNzip it (hopefully, you have an UNzip utility built into your Windows Explorer. If for any reason, you're unable to UNzip it, you can download the already-unzipped .EXE file from http://downloads.malwareremoval.com/HijackThis.exe )

After Unzipping, double click on HiJackThis.EXE

Click on Do a System Scan and Save a LogFile

This will automatically open NotePad

Copy the entire file from NotePad: EDIT/SelectAll, EDIT/Copy

Then go to the new forum dedicated for HiJack This logs (**NOT** back here), and PASTE the results there:

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board?board.id=si_hijack

Be sure to include a detailed description of any problems/errors/warnings you are encountering.

Hopefully, one of the HJT experts will get to it as quickly as possible.

WARNING: HiJack This is a VERY POWERFUL tool. Do *NOT* do anything else (in particular, do NOT use it to delete any entries) until you are advised to do so!! Improper use of this tool can severely damage your system.

Supplemental note: The procedure as worded above has been carefully edited over time, so as to expedite the process of helping people. Nevertheless, it seems that many individuals try to be "creative", and make some variations. It really would be to your benefit if you follow these directions EXACTLY as stated... because certain changes on your part can result in slowing-down the help process.

Specifically, the following are 3 very common BAD deviations which will cause delays:

a) BAD: using an older/outdated version of HiJackThis...

The experts only work with the current version. So if you make a post with an older version, you'll simply be advised to get the latest version, re-run it, and re-post your log.

b) BAD: using a TEMP directory or your DESKTOP for HJT....

Some experts may insist you move HJT before they'll begin working with you. Others will start the repair process, advising you to move HJT as one of the very first steps. Failure to do so can result in losing potentially critical information. So please, just use the suggested C:\HJT directory, rather than try to be creative.

c) BAD: posting your log in the wrong forum...

if you post your log back here, in the Virus/SpyWare forum, it will "sit idly", either until the forum moderator gets around to move it for you... or until you decide to repost your log... in the HiJackThis forum.

Virus & Spyware

maxd1.exe and msblank.html HELP!!!!

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