Windows Tutorials - Herong's Tutorial Examples - v5.62, by Dr. Herong Yang
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
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
Partial Removal of Trojan Vundo
Detecting Trojan Vundo with McAfee VirusScan
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