(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); I've been pretty sure of this for a while, and I cba going into details.

Point is, everytime I start-up my computer 2 CMDs pop-up and then vanish very quickly and I just about managed to get a pic of 1 of them this time, here:

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Don't mistake hosts.exe for hosts.txt within the \drivers\etc\ folder, this is a different file. It's also hidden, even after enabling to show hidden files.

Point is, what do I do?? As always there's +rep in this for helpers :n00b:

Have you scanned with any Anti Virus/spyware software? I would recommend you scan with more than one though. MalwareBytes is free and there are plently other free anti-viruses

Here's a log from Hijack This:

    Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4

Scan saved at 14:10:18, on 27/03/2011

Platform: Windows 7 SP1 (WinNT 6.00.3505)

MSIE: Internet Explorer v9.00 (9.00.8080.16413)

Boot mode: Normal



Running processes:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Norton 360\Engine\5.0.0.125\ccSvcHst.exe

C:\Program Files (x86)\RocketDock\RocketDock.exe

C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\CursorFX\CursorFX.exe

C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe

C:\Windows\SysWOW64\explorer.exe

C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe

C:\PROGRA~2\Yzshadow\YzShadow.exe

C:\PROGRA~2\VIRTUA~1\VIRTUA~1.EXE

C:\PROGRA~2\VIRTUA~1\modules\WinList.exe

C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe

C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe

C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe

C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe

C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe

C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe

C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe

C:\Program Files (x86)\Hotspot Shield\bin\openvpntray.exe

C:\Program Files (x86)\Hotspot Shield\bin\openvpntray.exe

C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe

C:\Users\user\Desktop\HijackThis.exe



R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = Preserve

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = https://www.google.co.uk/

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = https://homepage.packardbell.com/rdr.aspx?b=ACPW&l=0809&m=ixtreme_m3730&r=173609103116p04d5v1k5y45l12241

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896

R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = https://homepage.packardbell.com/rdr.aspx?b=ACPW&l=0809&m=ixtreme_m3730&r=173609103116p04d5v1k5y45l12241

R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = 

R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = 

R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = C:\Windows\SysWOW64\blank.htm

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName = 

F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=userinit.exe

O2 - BHO: Freecorder - {1392b8d2-5c05-419f-a8f6-b9f15a596612} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Freecorder\prxtbFre0.dll

O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll

O2 - BHO: RealPlayer Download and Record Plugin for Internet Explorer - {3049C3E9-B461-4BC5-8870-4C09146192CA} - C:\ProgramData\Real\RealPlayer\BrowserRecordPlugin\IE\rpbrowserrecordplugin.dll

O2 - BHO: Conduit Engine  - {30F9B915-B755-4826-820B-08FBA6BD249D} - C:\Program Files (x86)\ConduitEngine\prxConduitEngine.dll

O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C255C8A-E604-49b4-9D64-90988571CECB} - (no file)

O2 - BHO: Symantec NCO BHO - {602ADB0E-4AFF-4217-8AA1-95DAC4DFA408} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Norton 360\Engine\5.0.0.125\coIEPlg.dll

O2 - BHO: Symantec Intrusion Prevention - {6D53EC84-6AAE-4787-AEEE-F4628F01010C} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Norton 360\Engine\5.0.0.125\IPS\IPSBHO.DLL

O2 - BHO: Groove GFS Browser Helper - {72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~1\Office14\GROOVEEX.DLL

O2 - BHO: Windows Live ID Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll

O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll

O2 - BHO: SkypeIEPluginBHO - {AE805869-2E5C-4ED4-8F7B-F1F7851A4497} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll

O2 - BHO: URLRedirectionBHO - {B4F3A835-0E21-4959-BA22-42B3008E02FF} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~1\Office14\URLREDIR.DLL

O2 - BHO: Bing Bar Helper - {d2ce3e00-f94a-4740-988e-03dc2f38c34f} - "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\BingBar\BingExt.dll" (file missing)

O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll

O2 - BHO: Microsoft Web Test Recorder 10.0 Helper - {DDA57003-0068-4ed2-9D32-4D1EC707D94D} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0\Common7\IDE\PrivateAssemblies\Microsoft.VisualStudio.QualityTools.RecorderBarBHO100.dll

O2 - BHO: SWEETIE - {EEE6C35C-6118-11DC-9C72-001320C79847} - C:\Program Files (x86)\SweetIM\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\mgToolbarIE.dll (file missing)

O2 - BHO: Hotspot Shield Class - {F9E4A054-E9B1-4BC3-83A3-76A1AE736170} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Hotspot Shield\HssIE\HssIE.dll

O3 - Toolbar: Norton Toolbar - {7FEBEFE3-6B19-4349-98D2-FFB09D4B49CA} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Norton 360\Engine\5.0.0.125\coIEPlg.dll

O3 - Toolbar: SweetIM Toolbar for Internet Explorer - {EEE6C35B-6118-11DC-9C72-001320C79847} - C:\Program Files (x86)\SweetIM\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\mgToolbarIE.dll (file missing)

O3 - Toolbar: Freecorder Toolbar - {1392b8d2-5c05-419f-a8f6-b9f15a596612} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Freecorder\prxtbFre0.dll

O3 - Toolbar: Bing Bar - {8dcb7100-df86-4384-8842-8fa844297b3f} - "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\BingBar\BingExt.dll" (file missing)

O3 - Toolbar: Google Toolbar - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HKLM] C:\Windows\system32\drivers\hosts.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [sllaunch] C:\Windows\SysWOW64\sllaunch.exe

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SandboxieControl] "C:\Program Files\Sandboxie\SbieCtrl.exe"

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [RrDwPxVFPVRdtJQSbytXZGMfncJEEDIszHXxwNDGxWzecKyTKB] C:\Users\user\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Templates\FSKG.exe

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [HKCU] C:\Windows\system32\drivers\hosts.exe

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [slwc] C:\Windows\SysWOW64\slwc.exe

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [RocketDock] "C:\Program Files (x86)\RocketDock\RocketDock.exe"

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CursorFX] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\CursorFX\CursorFX.exe"

O4 - HKLM\..\Policies\Explorer\Run: [Policies] C:\Windows\system32\drivers\hosts.exe

O4 - HKCU\..\Policies\Explorer\Run: [Policies] C:\Windows\system32\drivers\hosts.exe

O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'LOCAL SERVICE'

O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'LOCAL SERVICE'

O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'NETWORK SERVICE'

O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'NETWORK SERVICE'

O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~1\Office14\EXCEL.EXE/3000

O8 - Extra context menu item: Se&nd to OneNote - res://C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~1\Office14\ONBttnIE.dll/105

O9 - Extra button: Blog This - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll

O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: &Blog This in Windows Live Writer - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll

O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\ONBttnIE.dll

O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Se&nd to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\ONBttnIE.dll

O9 - Extra button: OneNote Lin&ked Notes - {789FE86F-6FC4-46A1-9849-EDE0DB0C95CA} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\ONBttnIELinkedNotes.dll

O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: OneNote Lin&ked Notes - {789FE86F-6FC4-46A1-9849-EDE0DB0C95CA} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\ONBttnIELinkedNotes.dll

O9 - Extra button: Skype Plug-In - {898EA8C8-E7FF-479B-8935-AEC46303B9E5} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll

O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Skype Plug-In - {898EA8C8-E7FF-479B-8935-AEC46303B9E5} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll

O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files (x86)\common files\microsoft shared\windows live\wlidnsp.dll

O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files (x86)\common files\microsoft shared\windows live\wlidnsp.dll

O11 - Options group: [ACCELERATED_GRAPHICS] Accelerated graphics

O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{7DCB401A-A63D-4B7A-94D7-6D8730EC8A6C}: NameServer = 192.168.0.1,192.168.0.2

O18 - Protocol: skype-ie-addon-data - {91774881-D725-4E58-B298-07617B9B86A8} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll

O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:\PROGRA~2\COMMON~1\Skype\SKYPE4~1.DLL

O18 - Filter hijack: text/xml - {807573E5-5146-11D5-A672-00B0D022E945} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE14\MSOXMLMF.DLL

O23 - Service: ArcSoft Connect Daemon (ACDaemon) - ArcSoft Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\ArcSoft\Connection Service\Bin\ACService.exe

O23 - Service: Adobe Active File Monitor V7 (AdobeActiveFileMonitor7.0) - Adobe Systems Incorporated - c:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Photoshop Elements 7.0\PhotoshopElementsFileAgent.exe

O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\alg.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe

O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe

O23 - Service: CyberGhost VPN Client (CGVPNCliSrvc) - mobile concepts GmbH - C:\Program Files\S.A.D\CyberGhost VPN\CGVPNCliService.exe

O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\efssvc.dll,-100 (EFS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\lsass.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\fxsresm.dll,-118 (Fax) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\fxssvc.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: FLEXnet Licensing Service - Acresso Software Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService.exe

O23 - Service: GRegService (Greg_Service) - Acer Incorporated - C:\Program Files (x86)\Packard Bell\Registration\GregHSRW.exe

O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate) (gupdate) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe

O23 - Service: Google Software Updater (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe

O23 - Service: LogMeIn Hamachi 2.0 Tunneling Engine (Hamachi2Svc) - LogMeIn Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\LogMeIn Hamachi\hamachi-2.exe

O23 - Service: Hotspot Shield Service (hshld) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Hotspot Shield\bin\openvpnas.exe

O23 - Service: Hotspot Shield Routing Service (HssSrv) - AnchorFree Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Hotspot Shield\HssWPR\hsssrv.exe

O23 - Service: Hotspot Shield Tray Service (HssTrayService) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Hotspot Shield\bin\HssTrayService.EXE

O23 - Service: Hotspot Shield Monitoring Service (HssWd) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Hotspot Shield\bin\hsswd.exe

O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe

O23 - Service: @keyiso.dll,-100 (KeyIso) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: mental ray 3.8 Satellite for Autodesk 3ds Max 2011 32-bit 32-bit (mi-raysat_3dsmax2011_32) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Autodesk\3ds Max 2011\mentalimages\satellite\raysat_3dsmax2011_32server.exe

O23 - Service: @comres.dll,-2797 (MSDTC) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\msdtc.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: Norton 360 (N360) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Norton 360\Engine\5.0.0.125\ccSvcHst.exe

O23 - Service: Nero BackItUp Scheduler 4.0 - Nero AG - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Nero\Nero BackItUp 4\NBService.exe

O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\System32\netlogon.dll,-102 (Netlogon) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: nProtect GameGuard Service (npggsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\GameMon.des.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (nvsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\nvvsvc.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: Oberon Media Game Console service (OberonGameConsoleService) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Packard Bell GameZone\GameConsole\OberonGameConsoleService.exe

O23 - Service: PnkBstrA - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\PnkBstrA.exe

O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\psbase.dll,-300 (ProtectedStorage) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\Locator.exe,-2 (RpcLocator) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\locator.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: Sandboxie Service (SbieSvc) - SANDBOXIE L.T.D - C:\Program Files\Sandboxie\SbieSvc.exe

O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\snmptrap.exe,-3 (SNMPTRAP) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\snmptrap.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spoolsv.exe,-1 (Spooler) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\sppsvc.exe,-101 (sppsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\sppsvc.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: Steam Client Service - Valve Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Steam\SteamService.exe

O23 - Service: SwitchBoard - Adobe Systems Incorporated - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\SwitchBoard\SwitchBoard.exe

O23 - Service: TeamViewer 6 (TeamViewer6) - TeamViewer GmbH - C:\Program Files (x86)\TeamViewer\Version6\TeamViewer_Service.exe

O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ui0detect.exe,-101 (UI0Detect) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\UI0Detect.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: Updater Service - Acer - C:\Program Files\Packard Bell\Packard Bell Updater\UpdaterService.exe

O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vaultsvc.dll,-1003 (VaultSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vds.exe,-100 (vds) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\vssvc.exe,-102 (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Wat\WatUX.exe,-601 (WatAdminSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\Wat\WatAdminSvc.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\wbengine.exe,-104 (wbengine) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbengine.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe,-110 (wmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: @%PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe,-101 (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (file missing)



--

End of file - 15604 bytes

Try scanning your pc and registery with ccleaner: You must login or register to view this content.

Yeah, so what do I do about them?

Just thought I'd mention real quick, if I try running defrag this pops up:

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---------- Post added at 02:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:35 PM ----------



Didn't work. The hosts file within \drivers\etc is fixed but not the invisible one within \drivers\...

It Might be malware. (C+P) Description: host.exe is located in a subfolder of C: \. The file size on Windows XP is 241,664 bytes.
host.exe is a file without information about the maker of this file. The program has no visible window. host.exe is not a Windows core file. The process uses ports to connect to LAN or Internet. Therefore the technical security rating is 74% dangerous, however also read the users reviews.
If host.exe is located in the folder C: \Windows\System32 then the security rating is 46% dangerous. File size is 246,784 bytes. The program has a visible window. File host.exe is a file without information about the maker of this file. The application starts when Windows starts (see Registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run). host.exe is not a Windows system file.
If host.exe is located in a subfolder of C: \Windows then the security rating is 72% dangerous. File size is 209,546 bytes. There is no file information. The program has no visible window. It is located in the Windows folder, but it is not a Windows core file. The file is not a Windows core file.
If host.exe is located in a subfolder of "C: \Program Files" then the security rating is 46% dangerous. File size is 39,936 bytes.
Important: Some malware camouflage themselves as host.exe, particularly if they are located in c: \windows or c: \windows\system32 folder. Thus check the host.exe process on your pc whether it is pest.