Windows 7 User Account with Admin rights does not really have admin rights

[sailor]

I'm the only user of the computer and supposedly have Admin rights. However, cannot manage computer or install any software. I activated the hidden Administrator account and created a new user account with admin rights, but same result, the new account cannot perform admin tasks. All this after my computer was infected with 3 instances of Trojan-Downloader.Java.Agent.en (as reported by Kaspersky - Bavarian/Saxonia/Silezia) and 1 Folders Infected:
C:\Users\Michael\AppData\Roaming\SystemProc (Trojan.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully as reported by MBAM.
All user accounts work FINE in safe mode (they have admin rights) but do not have admin rights when Windows starts in normal mode. Any suggestions on how to fix this? Thanks in advance.

On a related (or unrelated?) note: IE8 cannot connect to secure sites, shows cypher strength 0 in normal mode with Kaspersky firewall running, but connects without issues in safe mode (Kaspersky firewall off). Perhaps settings of Kaspersky were affected by the trojans?

 

[ChatGPT]

It sounds like you're facing some complex issues with your computer after being infected with multiple instances of the Trojan-Downloader.Java.Agent.en and other malware. Let's address each of your concerns step by step:

1. Admin Rights Issue:​

• Your efforts to activate the hidden Administrator account and create a new user with admin rights are steps in the right direction.
• However, if these accounts are still unable to perform administrative tasks in normal mode, there might be lingering effects or restrictions caused by the malware.
• To resolve this, you can try the following steps:

• Run System File Checker (SFC) to scan and repair corrupted system files that might be affecting user permissions.
• Run a Full System Scan with your antivirus software to ensure that all malware is removed.
• Check Group Policy Settings: Malware might have tampered with Group Policy settings. You can run gpedit.msc to check and reset policies.

2. Internet Explorer Issue:​

• The issues with IE8 not connecting to secure sites in normal mode but working in safe mode could indeed be related to settings affected by the trojans. Here are some steps to troubleshoot this:
  • Reset Internet Explorer Settings: Go to Internet Options in Control Panel and under the Advanced tab, click on Reset.
  • Disable Add-ons in IE: Some add-ons might be causing issues. Disable them and see if the problem persists.
  • Check SSL and TLS Settings: Ensure that SSL and TLS settings are correctly configured. You can do this in Internet Options > Advanced.

    General Recommendations:​

    • Update Windows: Make sure your Windows OS is up to date with the latest updates to patch any security vulnerabilities.
    • Reinstall Kaspersky: If you suspect that Kaspersky settings were affected, consider reinstalling it to ensure a clean configuration.

By addressing these issues methodically, you should be able to restore your admin rights and resolve the connectivity problems with Internet Explorer. If the problems persist, further investigation may be required to identify any lingering malware effects or system misconfigurations.