IEXPLORE.EXE virus removal?

Question

Ok, so earlier I noticed that the 'Wave' volume in Master Volume kept getting turned all the way down randomly. Also, pop up would come up every so often in Internet Explorer, even though I was using Firefox. Upon checking in the Task Manager, there were two IEXPLORE.EXE programs running. Ending the tasks did nothing to help, they'd just reopen again.

I did A LOT of searching around, so I'm absolutely certain it's a virus. I tried a lot of things that seemed to work for other people who had this issue, but none of it has worked for me, and most of what I found was all the same stuff that, obviously, didn't work. I tried using Malwarebytes. Both a Quick Scan and a Full Scan removed quite a bit of things, but still not the actual IEXPLORE.EXE issue. I tried Prevx, but anything that detected requires a license to remove. I searched through my computer for the file and deleted them (not the Internet Explorer folder in Program Files, but that ones outside of there).

So, I'm hoping someone can suggest something else that might work. I'd really like to avoid re-formatting if I can help it. I'd rather use that as a last resort. Any help will definitely be appreciated. ♥

Answer 1

Sorry mate but I don't have an answer for you. I too am suffering from this damn virus!



I have multiple instances of iexplore.exe in the task manager, my wave volume keeps getting turned all the way down and I occasionally get a pop-up ad. I have XP Pro with Avast!, Malwarebytes and have tried Spybot but none of them have found anything. I am going to try a few online scanners but I don't hold out much hope. It is really going to be annoying if a format and reinstall is the only option.



I will be keeping an eye on this thread in the hope that someone with a bigger brain than me can figure it out ;-)

Answer 2

EDIT: I have a temporary answer to this problem. Download Code Stuff Starter from here http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/System-Tweak/Starter.shtml (It's free) and install it. Once installed, run the program. Switch from the startups tab at the top to processes. Find IEXPLORE.EXE (might be lowercase, make sure you are not running Internet explorer) and right click on it. Select "Explore Process Folder". This tells you what program is spamming the damn thing, chances are it might actually be your internet explorer. Memorize or write down this folder, restart your computer into safe mode (f8), and go delete that folder.



Since this virus is evil, it might come back from elsewhere in time, so keep an eye on processes and any suspicious ones. If it does come back, rinse and repeat the steps above. Also get some good anti-virus software, Avast! is good, because eventually they'll have a solution should it return. Also do yourself a favor and use Firefox or Chrome as a web browser, IE will always be a haven for crap.

Answer 3

2

Answer 4

The iexplore.exe files elsewhere may not have been a problem. It's usual to have more than 1 copy and in different places. I just checked where they are on my computer and three of the four are in the Windows folder; one in a dllcache folder, one in some horribly long-named folder courtesy of Microsoft's weird naming policies, and the other in prefetch with both a number and .pf tacked onto the end.



I suggest going to a dedicated malware forum for personalised help. Both of these are good:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic34773.html

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407



Those links are for what they want you to do that might shift the problem (at least, at Major Geeks; I'm not very familiar with the other guide) and what they want you to do before getting help.



If you use AdBlock Plus and go to Major Geeks, you may have trouble with links showing up there. This explains why and what to do about it:

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=217766

Answer 5

malwarebytes, if you cant install it, go into windows safe mod and install it then, hit f8 at computer start up, that should clear your problems.



Ok so I see you've tried malwarebytes, so what is the problem though? try reseting ie to default condition;

tools, advanced, reset.