[Error]Bad image error when launching applications

[Mamoun]

After I installed Mcafee 2006 security suite trial, I receive an error when I launch any application, Clicking OK would simply close it and launch the software, But Sometimes It cases the applications to crash silently.

The error was:

(Application name)- Bad image

The application or DLL C:\windows\system32\fkfhgjdn.dll is not a valid windows image. Please check this against your installation diskette.

I Tried checking the dll files with the windows CD, But no luck.

[Mamoun]

With some googling, Someone in a forum had this problem and he removed this dll and a new one was generated, I removed the dll Is that okay?

Edited August 29, 2006 by Mamoun

[RJARRRPCGP]

Appears to be a malware attack!

Unfortunately, to make sure that malware is gone, required to write zeroes to the HDD, repartition, reformat the HDD then reinstall Windows!

It's possible for the malware to hide in a secret partition.

[Mamoun]

OMG! What?

Edited August 30, 2006 by Mamoun

[RJARRRPCGP]

OMG! What?

I dunno what else to tell you.

[jheibeck]

Sounds like it to me. Mostly, files named with a random collection of letters like yours is are bad news.

[LLXX]

If the DLL reappears again, you can upload it here and I can take a look at it to see what other files may be related to this malware (some malware have many files, and if you just delete one of them it has the ability to repair itself by recreating the deleted portions).