Finding and Removing vtsts.dll Manually

This section provides a tutorial example of how to find and remove trojan Vundo file, vtsts.dll, manually.

Befor downloading any anti-virus tools, I decided to try to find and delete vtsts.dll manually.

File Explorer Checking: Using File Explorer, I could not see vtsts.dll in \windows\system32 directory.

Command Window Checking: Using Command Window, I could not see vtsts.dll in \windows\system32 directory:

>dir C:\WINDOWS\system32\vtsts.dll
   (no file)

File Explorer Checking Again: I decided to review File Explorer options to make sure it is not hiding any files:

Run File Explorer
Go to menu Tools >> Folder Options. The Folder Options dialog box displays. 
Click View tab. 
Review Advanced settings:
   Display the contents of system folders: checked
   Show hidden files and folders: checked
   Hide extensions for known file types: unchecked
   Hide protected operating system files: checked
Change the last setting to: 
   Hide protected operating system files: unchecked
Click OK to save changes

When I looked the \windows\system32 folder again, I saw vtsts.dll and several other strange files:

jkkjj.dll      557,108   12/21/2005 11:29 AM 
vtsts.dll      557,108   12/21/2005 11:30 AM
ststv.tmp        1,190   12/21/2005  5:52 PM
ststv.ini        1,236   12/31/2005 10:54 PM
ststv.bak1   1,078,661    6/18/2006 11:17 PM
ststv.bak2   1,399,968    11/3/2006 11:06 PM
ststv.ini2       1,398    11/4/2006 10:42 AM

Action: I tried the following steps to remove vtsts.dll:

1. Copy of the above suspicious files into a ZIP file, vundo_200611.zip.

2. Try to delete vtsts.dll with File Explorer. But I got a "File in use" error.

3. Try to delete vtsts.dll with HijackThis:

Run HijackThis
Do a system scan
Find and check the vtsts.dll entry in the scan report
Click "Fix checked" 
Do a system can again
View the scan report
   vtsts.dll entry is still in the report

Conclusion: I did not see the vtsts.dll file in the Windows system directory, because Trojan Vundo hides this file as a Windows system. So it will not show up in File Explorer window with its default setting. Actually, Trojan Vundo hides several files in the Windows system directory, like vtsts.dll, jkkjj.dll, ststv.tmp, etc., as Windows system files.

In the future, if you are search for suspicious files, remember to turn off the "Hide protected operating system files" setting in File Explorer.

Trojan Vundo file, vtsts.dll, can not be fixed by HijackThis V1.99. I did not try any newer versions.

Table of Contents

 About This Book

 Introduction to Microsoft Windows

 Introduction to Windows Explorer

 Introduction to Internet Explorer

 "Paint" Program and Computer Graphics

 GIMP - GNU Image Manipulation Program

 JPEG Image File Format Quality and Size

 GIF Image File Format and Transparent Background

 "WinZip" - ZIP File Compression Tool

 "WinRAR" - RAR and ZIP File Compression Tool

 FTP Server, Client and Commands

 "FileZilla" - Free FTP Client and Server

 Web Server Log Files and Analysis Tool - "Analog"

 Spyware Adware Detection and Removal

 IE Addon Program Listing and Removal

Vundo (VirtuMonde/VirtuMundo) - vtsts.dll Removal

 What Is Trojan Vundo

 Partial Removal of Trojan Vundo

 Detecting Trojan Vundo with McAfee VirusScan

 McAfee VirusScan and

 Instructions on Full Removal of Trojan Vundo

 Removing xxxxxxxx.dll Files Generated by Vundo

 What Is Vundo Related vtsts.dll

Finding and Removing vtsts.dll Manually

 Removing Trojan Vundo with FixVundo.exe from Symantec

 Removing Trojan Vundo with VundoFix.exe from Atribune.org

 Trojan and Malware "Puper" Description and Removal

 VSToolbar (VSAdd-in.dll) - Description and Removal

 Spybot - Spyware Blocker, Detection and Removal

 Setting Up and Using Crossover Cable Network

 Home Network Gateway - DSL Modem/Wireless Router

 Windows Task Manager - The System Performance Tool

 "tasklist" Command Line Tool to List Process Information

 "msconfig" - System Configuration Tool

 Configuring and Managing System Services

 Windows Registry Key and Value Management Tools

 Startup Programs Removal for Better System Performance

 Winsock - Windows Sockets API

 Java on Windows

 Glossary of Terms

 Outdated Tutorials

 References

 Full Version in PDF/ePUB