Computer virus

imjin138

imjin138

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Last Tuesday i had to take my home computeoff line, I found a anti-virus (virus) called security tool on and it would not let me do anything at all. Could,nt update my macaffee or windows or anything.

Called Milwaukee PC and they knew about the virus cost 5 days and $157.00 to clean up the mess. they wiped it clean and I put Norton in, what a pain i would like to find the goofball making up these viruses and kick him in the gonads.
 
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Stan,

I feel your pain. My daughter thought it neat to download some sort of special tool bar, which interestingly enough also loaded a bunch of virus crap on our big computer. It took me close to two weeks to restore that system, but I was able to do it myself with a little help. If it happens again, try to cure yourself by using the folks at Spybot Forums (yes, the same folks that put out the spybot software). They have a malware removal forum where you post your symptoms accomanied by a computer log, and in a day or two one of the malware "fighters" will walk you through cleaning your system.

Part of the length of time it took to clean/repair was due to the 8 hour time difference between me and my guide (he is in Norway, but there are folks from all over the map).

All it cost me was time. Plus you get that satisfaction of doing something yourself.
 
If you are running Windows XP make sure you set a restore date so you can get back to your clean reload if it happens again.
 
I just went through the exact same thing. I have a 3 year old toshiba lap top. It started running slow about a month ago. Would speed up after a couple hours online. Then it totaly locked up on me about 5-6 days ago. Only thing I could get was porn, and I never had went to a porn site. It only wanted me to buy some off the wall anti virus. I sure wasnt going to send my CC for that! Family and other computer nurds told me to get a new one . $650s + $350s virus protectors = $1,000s!
I aint that easy! I took it to a hole in the wall gamer place here in town. The geeks wiped everything off, I started new, $65 cost + another $70 for norton and it is running better than the day I bought it!
People had told me the opposite when I asked if that couldnt be done. Said I needed newer tech, more memory etc. Said my computer wouldnt handel faster programs? Well maybe. All I know is that right now its sailing!
 
I had the same thing happen. Did a search on "security tool" and directed me to spyware doctor. It gave you step by step directions how to get rid of it. It actually worked and cost nothing.
 
Malware

If you're running XP, get a good anti-malware program such as Malwarebytes or Super Anti Spyware. A lot of these malicious programs are not viruses, but malware. These anti malware programs are free downloads at CNET or other places

Mcafee, AVG, etc. won't catch them. Run the anti malware programs.

Munster
 
Munsterf18 said:
If you're running XP, get a good anti-malware program such as Malwarebytes or Super Anti Spyware. A lot of these malicious programs are not viruses, but malware. These anti malware programs are free downloads at CNET or other places

Mcafee, AVG, etc. won't catch them. Run the anti malware programs.

Munster
Click to expand...
This is not quite as much the case as it used to be, but it's still largely true. Originally, anti-virus programs like Norton didn't search for spyware AT ALL. They've been getting a little better with each new version.

Still, I don't rely on them for that. I use Adaware, Spybot Search & Destroy and in the worst cases, Hijackthis.

I haven't come across a case in more than ten years where a system HAD to be wiped in order to remove a virus OR spyware.
 
Called Milwaukee PC and they knew about the virus cost 5 days and $157.00 to clean up the mess.
Click to expand...

Man, you got screwed and bet you didn't even get kissed.:D

They just formatted your HD and reinstalled Windows. You could have done that in about two hours. There are lots of good, free anti-virus programs out there. I'm using AVG now and it seems to work real well.
 
Bassamatic said:
Man, you got screwed and bet you didn't even get kissed.:D

They just formatted your HD and reinstalled Windows. You could have done that in about two hours. There are lots of good, free anti-virus programs out there. I'm using AVG now and it seems to work real well.
Click to expand...
I'd have done it for $100 tops AND left all of his data and settings untouched.

Doesn't pay to be honest, I guess.
 
roymack said:
I had the same thing happen. Did a search on "security tool" and directed me to spyware doctor. It gave you step by step directions how to get rid of it. It actually worked and cost nothing.
Click to expand...

We had the same problem, and my wife did as you did. It took her about three hours, IIRC.
 
This is why I build my own computers, and buy all the software I use. At least twice a year I format the HD and reinstall everything I need. I use free anti-virus software from Avast and have never had a virus.

When you get a virus/malware/spyware, it's best to go to another computer, and search for info on how to get rid of it, best to go to a antivirus software company site like Norton, Symantec or Avast and find the info on how to get rid of it. Print that off, it will give you step by step directions on how to remove the offending content. Then, go back to your computer and do it. It might take 2-3 hours to get all the steps done in some cases, but it's better than paying a "professional" to do the exact same thing.

I'll relay a story about my uncle's PC. I was home on leave and he asked if I could come over and help him get rid of a virus. First thing I do when diagnosing a PC problem is run a search for pictures on the computer by looking for *.jpg. Looking at some of the pics you can quickly get an idea of what type of web browsing the person does. In searching my uncle's PC, I noticed that he had a great appreciation for websites that were "adult" rated and I also noted that he didn't have a currently operational anti-virus software. I spent about 6-8 hours "cleaning" his computer and installing free virus protection, then showed him how to make it work. Before I left he said "thanks, if I have another problem, I'll give you a call." To that I responded "if you have another virus problem I'll come over and help you box the computer up and carry it out to the dump so you can get rid of it." He gave me a dumbfounded stare and asked why I said that. So I plainly told him that he ha wasted my whole day and he most likely would screw up his computer again, which would show me that he's too dumb to have one. Last time I was home, they still have the same computer, and it's still sitting in the same spot, with a formidable layer of dust on it. I'm sure it has viruses, but they aren't going to get it taken care of.

Bill
 
mtb1bkr said:
First thing I do when diagnosing a PC problem is run a search for pictures on the computer by looking for *.jpg. Looking at some of the pics you can quickly get an idea of what type of web browsing the person does.
Click to expand...
In my considerable experience, downloaded screensavers, "decorations" (like Christmas lights), free games and other junk are a FAR better predictor of spyware and viruses than adult material. In all of my years of removing spyware and viruses, I've only seen TWO instances that were obviously tied to adult material, and both were a direct result of ineffective anti-virus and anti-spyware measures. Various third party toolbars, cursors, memory resident nicknacks and the like are a virtual guarantee that the system on which they reside is at the least infected with multiple types of spyware. Clicking on links in unsolicited email is an ABSOLUTE guarantee, especially with out of date or weak anti-virus software. With anti-virus and anti-spyware software, penny-wise is ALWAYS pound-foolish.

If adult material was an indicator that a system was infected, I couldn't have gotten on line in the first place to reply to your message.
 
cmort,
I agree, but I still stand by my assesment. I can go to those sites as well with no worries of getting virus'/malware/spyware because I keep my "digital condom" up to date.:cool: A lot of the wizbang toolbar ads and other "neat" sounding software pop-up show up when you brose those sites unprotected and in your "hightened" state, it's easy to click away to get to the next bit, thereby allowing a new "STD" to get into your computer. :D

Bill
 
mtb1bkr said:
cmort,
I agree, but I still stand by my assesment. I can go to those sites as well with no worries of getting virus'/malware/spyware because I keep my "digital condom" up to date.:cool: A lot of the wizbang toolbar ads and other "neat" sounding software pop-up show up when you brose those sites unprotected and in your "hightened" state, it's easy to click away to get to the next bit, thereby allowing a new "STD" to get into your computer. :D

Bill
Click to expand...
The WORST spyware infection I ever saw was on the machine of a now deceased friend whose son had stayed with him after returning from Iraq.

There were SO many porn related popups that they actually interfered with EACH OTHER. Even though it was able to get out to the internet, I couldn't download any anti-spyware software. I was eventually able to go to an obscure German website and download Adaware (but not download updates). Running that allowed me to clean off enough stuff to run Hijackthis. Hijackthis found something I've never seen before or since. The hosts file had been modified to add about 150 lines of entries which redirected most [then] known sources of anti-spyware and anti-virus software to localhost (127.0.0.1), ie. the computer itself. Removing those entries allowed me to update Adaware and download and update Spybot Search & Destroy.

That was one of two obviously porn related spyware problems that I've ever seen.
 
After losing three computers to viruses, I got an Apple computer. I do not like Apple computers, but I use one for the internet as viruses do not target them. My Dell Windows Computer never links to the net, and has all my offline applications. It works.
 
In some ways, this is a joke. In other ways, it is not.

Take the computer to a Colorado School of Mines Sophomore, Junior, or Senior. Graduate students cost a little more.

For $50 and a Playboy, they'll fix everything.

(No kidding)
 
I am computer dumb. I dont even know if my "virus" was just some accident or if some low moraled animal gets their kicks by causeing everyone grief. If the latter, I take it personal and feel that if they are ever caught, and proven guilty they should be shot. For one person to be able to cause maybe a million people to go buy a new computer, or at best to cause them the exspence in trouble, money and time to fix it, they dont deserve to breath air on this planet.
 
I got hit just last night. Slammed my computer like Rosie Odonall on a ham sandwich.

I used Spybot and Adaware to toss a few shots to the engine room of the virus and then did a system restore, ran Macafee and Spybot and Adaware after for a complete system cleaning.

Those lowlife miscreants that make these viruses should be forced to get a bikini trim by a blind man with a straight razor.
 
Well I find myself in a dire predicament. The computer keeps rebooting itself unless I use safe mode ( XP ). In safe mode it won't let me use CD / DVD drives or access the internet. I was using windows live one care with great sucess until now, it doesn't work either.

Any ideas?

Thanks
 
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