Smithfraud Removal, aka core.cache.dsk

UPDATE: This procedure does not work. Simply easier to go ahead and do a re-install. Smithfraud is a bitch!

Finally found a solution after searching the internet for 3 days.
Symptons of Smithfraud, aka core.cache.dsk virus infection: constant pop-ups relevant to the pages you are browsing. Pop-ups continue no matter what browser you may be using. Plain indication of an infection on a Microsoft Vista machine: file named "core.cache.dsk" will be found in the location, C:/windows/system32/Drivers/core.cache.dsk .
This file can be deleted after its relevant handles are closed, but once you reboot or reconnect to the internet it is regenerated. Trust me, I've been there. Damn near pulled what little hair I have left the hell out over this one. THIS GUIDE STATES THAT IT ONLY WORKS FOR WinXP, Win2k. BUT I CURED THIS ON MY VISTA MACHINE, THE ONE I AM WRITTING THIS ON, SO GIVE IT A SHOT BEFORE YOU SLICK YOUR DRIVE.

(A link to the origional post is at the bottom of the guide, if this solves your problem, thank me by leaving a comment :). ,,,and, in the future make sure that you scan any cracks or patch files before you open and run them. Cheers.

Solution:

What you need to do:-First of all it would be a good idea to print this guide of as you will have to reboot into safe mode1. Download SmitFraudFix.exe (<-- Click there) by SiRi and save it to your desktop! This tool only works on (WinXP, Win2K).2. Please download AVG Anti-Spyware to your Desktop or to your usual Download Folder.http://www.ewido.net/en/download/
Install AVG Anti-Spyware by double clicking the installer.
Follow the prompts. Make sure that Launch AVG Anti-Spyware is checked.
On the main screen under Your Computer's security.
Click on Change state next to Resident shield. It should now change to inactive.
Click on Change state next to Automatic updates. It should now change to inactive.
Next to Last Update, click on Update now. (You will need an active internet connection to perform this)
Wait until you see the Update succesfull message.
Right-click the AVG Anti-Spyware Tray Icon and uncheck Start with Windows.
Right-click the AVG Anti-Spyware Tray Icon and select Exit. Confirm by clicking Yes.If you are having problems with the updater, you can use this link to manually update ewido.AVG Anti-Spyware manual updates.Download the Full database to your Desktop or to your usual Download Folder and install it by double clicking the file. Make sure that AVG Anti-Spyware is closed before installing the update.3. Next step is to reboot into Safe Mode like so:
Restart your computer
After hearing your computer beep once during startup, but before the Windows icon appears, press F8
A menu should appear
Select the first option, to run Windows in Safe Mode
When you are at the logon prompt, log in as the user your normally log in as
You should then see your Desktop, make sure all windows are closed4. Click on the Smitfraudfix.exe file which is on your desktop. When the tool first starts you will see a credits screen. Simply press any key on your keyboard to get to the next screen.5. You will now see a menu as shown in the image below. Press the number 2 on your keyboard and the press the enter key to choose the option Clean (safe mode recommended).The program will start cleaning your computer and go through a series of cleanup processes. When it is done, it will automatically start the Disk Cleanup program as shown by the image below.Wait for the tool to complete and disk cleanup to finish.6. You will be prompted asking Do you want to clean the registry? (y/n). At this screen press the Y button and then press the enter key.The tool will also check if wininet.dll is infected. If a clean version is found, you will be prompted to replace wininet.dll. Answer Yes to the question "Replace infected file ?" by typing Y and hit Enter.7. A reboot may be needed to finish the cleaning process, if you computer does not restart automatically please do it yourself manually.Once the computer has rebooted, you may be presented with a Notepad screen containing a log of all the files removed from your computer.(Otherwise the tool will create a log named rapport.txt in the root of your drive, eg: Local Disk C: or partition where your operating system is installed.)8. Go back into Safe Mode (Look at Step 3)9. Navigate to C:\Windows\TempClick Edit, click Select All, press the DELETE key, and then click Yes to confirm that you want to send all the items to the Recycle Bin.Navigate to C:\Documents and Settings\(EVERY LISTED USER)\Local Settings\TempClick Edit, click Select All, press the DELETE key, and then click Yes to confirm that you want to send all the items to the Recycle Bin.Clean out your Temporary Internet files. Proceed like this:Quit Internet Explorer, all browsers and quit any instances of Windows Explorer.For Internet Explorer 7
Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Internet Options.
On the General tab, click Delete... under Browsing History.
Next to Temporary Internet Files, click Delete files, and then click OK.
Next to Cookies, click Delete cookies, and then click OK.
Next to History, click Delete history, and then click OK.
Click the Close button.
Click OK.For Internet Explorer 4.x - 6.x
Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Internet Options.
On the General tab, click Delete Files under Temporary Internet Files.
In the Delete Files dialog box, tick the Delete all offline content check box, and then click OK.
On the General tab, click Delete Cookies under Temporary Internet Files, and then click OK.
Click on the Programs tab then click the Reset Web Settings button. Click Apply then OK.
Click OK.For Netscape 4.x and Up
Click Edit from the Netscape menubar.
Click Preferences... from the Edit menu.
Expand the Advanced menu by clicking the triangle sign.
Click Cache.
Click both the Clear Memory Cache and the Clear Disk Cache buttons.For Mozilla 1.x and Up
Click Edit from the Mozilla menubar.
Click Preferences... from the Edit menu.
Expand the Advanced menu by clicking the plus sign.
Click Cache.
Click the Clear Cache button.For Opera
Click File from the Opera menubar.
Click Preferences... from the File menu.
Click the History and Cache menu.
Click the two Clear buttons next to Typed in addresses and Visited addresses (history) and click the Empty now button to clear the Disk cache.
Click Ok to close the Preferences menu.Next Click Start, click Control Panel and then double-click Display. Click on the Desktop tab, then click the Customize Desktop button. Click on the Web tab. Under Web Pages you should see a checked entry called Security info or something similar. If it is there, select that entry and click the Delete button. Click Ok then Apply and Ok.Empty the Recycle Bin by right-clicking the Recycle Bin icon on your Desktop, and then clicking Empty Recycle Bin.10. Close ALL open Windows / Programs / Folders. Please start AVG Anti-Spyware and run a full scan.
Click on Scanner on the toolbar.
Click on the Settings tab.
Under How to act?
Click on Recommended Action and choose Quarantine from the popup menu.
Under How to scan?
All checkboxes should be ticked.
Under Possibly unwanted software:
All checkboxes should be ticked.
Under Reports:
Select Do not automatically generate reports.
Under What to scan?
Select Scan every file.
Click on the Scan tab.
Click on Complete System Scan to start the scan process.
Let the program scan the machine.
When the scan has finished, follow the instructions below.IMPORTANT : Don't click on the "Save Scan Report" button before you did hit the "Apply all Actions" button.
Make sure that Set all elements to: shows Quarantine (1), if not click on the link and choose Quarantine from the popup menu. (2)
At the bottom of the window click on the Apply all Actions button. (3)
When done, click the Save Scan Report button. (4)
Click the Save Report as button.
Save the report to your Desktop.
Right-click the AVG Anti-Spyware Tray Icon and select Exit. Confirm by clicking Yes.Reboot into Normal Mode.11. Open the SmitfraudFix folder which the exe creates on your desktop and double-click smitfraudfix.cmd.Select option #3 - Delete Trusted zone by typing 3 and press Enter.Answer Yes to the question "Restore Trusted Zone ?" by typing Y and hit Enter.Note, if you use SpywareBlaster and/or IE-SPYAD, it will be necessary to re-install the protection both afford. For SpywareBlaster, run the program and re-protect all items. For IE-SPYAD, run the batch file and reinstall the protection.12. You should be free of this infection. However we strongly recommend you have a check up

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