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Virus, Virus, Everywhere!

R

Ron

Flightless Bird
I was looking over some Instructable and the anti-virus software that
came with the new laptop started kicking up a fuss, supposedly about
about detecting a virus. But when I tried to do something about it,
every time I opened a program-- any program-- it would close
immediately and I would get a message saying the program was infected.
If it was only one program, that'd probably be true, but every program
and file I have can't be infected!

This is a very annoying situation, and probably a dangerous one too
since I can't get anything done Does anyone know of a way to remedy
this problem so I can shut off the anti-virus program (I tried Add/
Remove Programs but according to a window, that's infected too.
Right...) so I can do a proper system check?

Ron
 
J

Joe3301955@aol.com

Flightless Bird
Whenever my computer acts strange or hesitates, even though I have
McAfee antivirus software, I found "Malwarebytes Anti-Malware" finds
bad, bad, bad things that my virus program did not.

I use the free version of it and give it about 2 hours to run a full
scan.



On Jul 14, 4:48 am, Ron <r...@dslnorthwest.net> wrote:
> I was looking over some Instructable and the anti-virus software that
> came with the new laptop started kicking up a fuss, supposedly about
> about detecting a virus. But when I tried to do something about it,
> every time I opened a program-- any program-- it would close
> immediately and I would get a message saying the program was infected.
> If it was only one program, that'd probably be true, but every program
> and file I have can't be infected!
>
> This is a very annoying situation, and probably a dangerous one too
> since I can't get anything done Does anyone know of a way to remedy
> this problem so I can shut off the anti-virus program (I tried Add/
> Remove Programs but according to a window, that's infected too.
> Right...) so I can do a proper system check?
>
> Ron
 
R

Ron

Flightless Bird
I hate Windows XP but it came with the laptop. But the AV program that
I use is AVG, but I can't use any program at all: *everything* I try
to run causes a message saying the program is infected! Unless I get
a better idea, I may have to do a root canal and replace the OS--
preferably with something more reliable like Windows 2k.

Ron


Joe3301955@aol.com wrote:
> Whenever my computer acts strange or hesitates, even though I have
> McAfee antivirus software, I found "Malwarebytes Anti-Malware" finds
> bad, bad, bad things that my virus program did not.
>
> I use the free version of it and give it about 2 hours to run a full
> scan.
>
>
>
> On Jul 14, 4:48 am, Ron <r...@dslnorthwest.net> wrote:
> > I was looking over some Instructable and the anti-virus software that
> > came with the new laptop started kicking up a fuss, supposedly about
> > about detecting a virus. But when I tried to do something about it,
> > every time I opened a program-- any program-- it would close
> > immediately and I would get a message saying the program was infected.
> > If it was only one program, that'd probably be true, but every program
> > and file I have can't be infected!
> >
> > This is a very annoying situation, and probably a dangerous one too
> > since I can't get anything done Does anyone know of a way to remedy
> > this problem so I can shut off the anti-virus program (I tried Add/
> > Remove Programs but according to a window, that's infected too.
> > Right...) so I can do a proper system check?
> >
> > Ron
 
M

mike

Flightless Bird
Ron wrote:
> I hate Windows XP but it came with the laptop. But the AV program that
> I use is AVG, but I can't use any program at all: *everything* I try
> to run causes a message saying the program is infected! Unless I get
> a better idea, I may have to do a root canal and replace the OS--
> preferably with something more reliable like Windows 2k.
>
> Ron
>
>
> Joe3301955@aol.com wrote:
>> Whenever my computer acts strange or hesitates, even though I have
>> McAfee antivirus software, I found "Malwarebytes Anti-Malware" finds
>> bad, bad, bad things that my virus program did not.
>>
>> I use the free version of it and give it about 2 hours to run a full
>> scan.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Jul 14, 4:48 am, Ron <r...@dslnorthwest.net> wrote:
>>> I was looking over some Instructable and the anti-virus software that
>>> came with the new laptop started kicking up a fuss, supposedly about
>>> about detecting a virus. But when I tried to do something about it,
>>> every time I opened a program-- any program-- it would close
>>> immediately and I would get a message saying the program was infected.
>>> If it was only one program, that'd probably be true, but every program
>>> and file I have can't be infected!
>>>
>>> This is a very annoying situation, and probably a dangerous one too
>>> since I can't get anything done Does anyone know of a way to remedy
>>> this problem so I can shut off the anti-virus program (I tried Add/
>>> Remove Programs but according to a window, that's infected too.
>>> Right...) so I can do a proper system check?
>>>
>>> Ron
safe mode?
 
J

John Doue

Flightless Bird
On 7/15/2010 5:04 AM, Ron wrote:
> I hate Windows XP but it came with the laptop. But the AV program that
> I use is AVG, but I can't use any program at all:-*everything* I try
> to run causes a message saying the program is infected!

Even when you try to launch ... AVG?

--
John Doue
 
B

Bob Villa

Flightless Bird
On Jul 14, 9:04 pm, Ron <r...@dslnorthwest.net> wrote:
> I hate Windows XP but it came with the laptop. But the AV program that
> I use is AVG, but I can't use any program at all: *everything* I try
> to run causes a message saying the  program is infected! Unless I get
> a better idea, I may have to do a root canal and replace the OS--
> preferably with something more reliable like Windows 2k.
>
> Ron
>
> Joe3301...@aol.com wrote:
> > Whenever my computer acts strange or hesitates,  even though I have
> > McAfee antivirus software, I found "Malwarebytes Anti-Malware" finds
> > bad, bad, bad things that my virus program did not.
>
> > I use the free version of it and give it about 2 hours to run a full
> > scan.
>
> > On Jul 14, 4:48 am, Ron <r...@dslnorthwest.net> wrote:
> > > I was looking over some Instructable and the anti-virus software that
> > > came with the new laptop started kicking up a fuss, supposedly about
> > > about detecting a virus. But when I tried to do something about it,
> > > every time I opened a program-- any program-- it would close
> > > immediately and I would get a message saying the program was infected..
> > > If it was only one program, that'd probably be true, but every program
> > > and file I have can't be infected!
>
> > > This is a very annoying situation, and probably a dangerous one too
> > > since I can't get anything done Does anyone know of a way to remedy
> > > this problem so I can shut off the anti-virus program (I tried Add/
> > > Remove Programs but according to a window, that's infected too.
> > > Right...) so I can do a proper system check?
>
> > > Ron

Try running MB in "SafeMode" (as suggested). XP is my #1 fave OS (W2K
2nd) There are always "things" you hate about an OS! : (
 
B

BJ

Flightless Bird
On Wed, 14 Jul 2010 01:48:53 -0700 (PDT), Ron <ryon@dslnorthwest.net>
wrote:

>I was looking over some Instructable and the anti-virus software that
>came with the new laptop started kicking up a fuss, supposedly about
>about detecting a virus. But when I tried to do something about it,
>every time I opened a program-- any program-- it would close
>immediately and I would get a message saying the program was infected.
>If it was only one program, that'd probably be true, but every program
>and file I have can't be infected!
>
>This is a very annoying situation, and probably a dangerous one too
>since I can't get anything done Does anyone know of a way to remedy
>this problem so I can shut off the anti-virus program (I tried Add/
>Remove Programs but according to a window, that's infected too.
>Right...) so I can do a proper system check?
>
>Ron

Go to any off-beat sites or click on any ad banners lately?
What was the last thing you did before your problem appeared?

Go into safe mode, and see if you can do a system restore.
If you can't you've been infected. If you've been infected
by one of these worms, Good Luck! They infest your machine
and are very difficult to remove.

BTW, you should probably do some reading:

http://www.av-comparatives.org/

It's one of the only sites I know of that does actual AV testing.

BJ
--
I have nothing important to say...
 
B

Bob Villa

Flightless Bird
On Jul 15, 6:03 am, BJ <backroadjun...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> On Wed, 14 Jul 2010 01:48:53 -0700 (PDT), Ron <r...@dslnorthwest.net>
> wrote:
>
> >I was looking over some Instructable and the anti-virus software that
> >came with the new laptop started kicking up a fuss, supposedly about
> >about detecting a virus. But when I tried to do something about it,
> >every time I opened a program-- any program-- it would close
> >immediately and I would get a message saying the program was infected.
> >If it was only one program, that'd probably be true, but every program
> >and file I have can't be infected!
>
> >This is a very annoying situation, and probably a dangerous one too
> >since I can't get anything done Does anyone know of a way to remedy
> >this problem so I can shut off the anti-virus program (I tried Add/
> >Remove Programs but according to a window, that's infected too.
> >Right...) so I can do a proper system check?
>
> >Ron
>
> Go to any off-beat sites or click on any ad banners lately?
> What was the last thing you did before your problem appeared?
>
> Go into safe mode, and see if you can do a system restore.
> If you can't you've been infected.  If you've been infected
> by one of these worms, Good Luck!  They infest your machine
> and are very difficult to remove.
>
> BTW, you should probably do some reading:
>
> http://www.av-comparatives.org/
>
> It's one of the only sites I know of that does actual AV testing.
>
> BJ
> --
> I have nothing important to say...

http://nsslabs.com/
 
B

BJ

Flightless Bird
On Thu, 15 Jul 2010 04:34:20 -0700 (PDT), Bob Villa
<pheeh.zero@gmail.com> wrote:

>On Jul 15, 6:03 am, BJ <backroadjun...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>> On Wed, 14 Jul 2010 01:48:53 -0700 (PDT), Ron <r...@dslnorthwest.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>> >I was looking over some Instructable and the anti-virus software that
>> >came with the new laptop started kicking up a fuss, supposedly about
>> >about detecting a virus. But when I tried to do something about it,
>> >every time I opened a program-- any program-- it would close
>> >immediately and I would get a message saying the program was infected.
>> >If it was only one program, that'd probably be true, but every program
>> >and file I have can't be infected!
>>
>> >This is a very annoying situation, and probably a dangerous one too
>> >since I can't get anything done Does anyone know of a way to remedy
>> >this problem so I can shut off the anti-virus program (I tried Add/
>> >Remove Programs but according to a window, that's infected too.
>> >Right...) so I can do a proper system check?
>>
>> >Ron
>>
>> Go to any off-beat sites or click on any ad banners lately?
>> What was the last thing you did before your problem appeared?
>>
>> Go into safe mode, and see if you can do a system restore.
>> If you can't you've been infected.  If you've been infected
>> by one of these worms, Good Luck!  They infest your machine
>> and are very difficult to remove.
>>
>> BTW, you should probably do some reading:
>>
>> http://www.av-comparatives.org/
>>
>> It's one of the only sites I know of that does actual AV testing.
>>
>> BJ
>> --
>> I have nothing important to say...
>
>http://nsslabs.com/

Thanks for the link. I'll register later today and do some reading.

BJ
--
I have nothing important to say...
 
R

Ron

Flightless Bird
John Doue wrote:
> On 7/15/2010 5:04 AM, Ron wrote:
> > I hate Windows XP but it came with the laptop. But the AV program that
> > I use is AVG, but I can't use any program at all:-*everything* I try
> > to run causes a message saying the program is infected!
>
> Even when you try to launch ... AVG?

If it wasn't so annoying, this would almost be funny. I can't open
*any* program at all without getting the "infected" pop-up and AVG
won't run in safe mode, So now I'm beginning to think that maybe
nothing is really infected, but the OS got itself screwed somehow;
none of the past OSes had built-in security, and I think I can now see
why.

Ron
 
A

AJL

Flightless Bird
Ron <ryon@dslnorthwest.net> wrote:

>John Doue wrote:
>> On 7/15/2010 5:04 AM, Ron wrote:
>> > I hate Windows XP but it came with the laptop. But the AV program that
>> > I use is AVG, but I can't use any program at all:-*everything* I try
>> > to run causes a message saying the program is infected!
>>
>> Even when you try to launch ... AVG?
>
>If it wasn't so annoying, this would almost be funny. I can't open
>*any* program at all without getting the "infected" pop-up and AVG
>won't run in safe mode, So now I'm beginning to think that maybe
>nothing is really infected, but the OS got itself screwed somehow;
>none of the past OSes had built-in security, and I think I can now see
>why.

Sounds like time to use the recovery disk. If you don't have one there
may be one available online, check the mfg website. Even if you got it
working now I wouldn't trust it...
 
B

Bob Villa

Flightless Bird
On Jul 15, 8:52 pm, Ron <r...@dslnorthwest.net> wrote:
> John Doue wrote:
> > On 7/15/2010 5:04 AM, Ron wrote:
> > > I hate Windows XP but it came with the laptop. But the AV program that
> > > I use is AVG, but I can't use any program at all:-*everything*  I try
> > > to run causes a message saying the  program is infected!
>
> > Even when you try to launch ... AVG?
>
> If it wasn't so annoying, this would almost be funny. I can't open
> *any* program at all without getting the "infected" pop-up and AVG
> won't run in safe mode,  So now I'm beginning to think that maybe
> nothing is really infected, but the OS got itself screwed somehow;
> none of the past OSes had built-in security, and I think I can now see
> why.
>
> Ron

Will MB run in SafeMode? If you don't take any advice why post here?
 
R

Ron

Flightless Bird
Bob Villa wrote:
> On Jul 15, 8:52 pm, Ron <r...@dslnorthwest.net> wrote:
> > John Doue wrote:
> > > On 7/15/2010 5:04 AM, Ron wrote:
> > > > I hate Windows XP but it came with the laptop. But the AV program that
>
> Will MB run in SafeMode? If you don't take any advice why post here?

Getting snippy helps no one. But here's some things to ponder: 1) I
don't have MB and 2) in safe mode, I can't get on the Internet to
download it or anything else. 3) In safe mode, some-- if not many--
programs don't work at all.

Ron
 
R

Ron

Flightless Bird

>
> Sounds like time to use the recovery disk. If you don't have one there
> may be one available online, check the mfg website. Even if you got it
> working now I wouldn't trust it...

In the past, on my PC, I would use a floppy to get into the system at
the command prompt and erase just about everything from the Windows
directory, then reload the OS; I've never had any problems after that.

But on this new laptop, I don't have a floppy drive to interrupt the
loading sequence-- it would have to be done from the CD, and getting
the command prompt becomes trickier. Oy...

Ron
 
R

Richard Bonner

Flightless Bird
Ron (ryon@dslnorthwest.net) wrote:
> I hate Windows XP but it came with the laptop. But the AV program that
> I use is AVG, but I can't use any program at all: *everything* I try
> to run causes a message saying the program is infected! Unless I get
> a better idea, I may have to do a root canal and replace the OS--
> preferably with something more reliable like Windows 2k.

> Ron

*** I have a friend that swears by Win 2K.

If you decide to switch to a different operating system, I suggest
Debian or Linux Mint. Regarding the latter, last year two friends of mine
switched from XP to Mint and won't go back for any reason, now.

--
Richard Bonner
http://www.chebucto.ca/~ak621/DOS/
 
J

John Doue

Flightless Bird
On 7/17/2010 10:40 AM, Ron wrote:
>
>
>>
>> Sounds like time to use the recovery disk. If you don't have one there
>> may be one available online, check the mfg website. Even if you got it
>> working now I wouldn't trust it...
>
> In the past, on my PC, I would use a floppy to get into the system at
> the command prompt and erase just about everything from the Windows
> directory, then reload the OS; I've never had any problems after that.
>
> But on this new laptop, I don't have a floppy drive to interrupt the
> loading sequence-- it would have to be done from the CD, and getting
> the command prompt becomes trickier. Oy...
>
> Ron
Floppy USB drives are reasonably inexpensive. I seldom use the one I
have but I do, it means I am in deep trouble. Saved my bacon several times.

--
John Doue
 
B

Bob Villa

Flightless Bird
On Jul 17, 2:19 am, Ron <r...@dslnorthwest.net> wrote:
> Bob Villa wrote:
> > On Jul 15, 8:52 pm, Ron <r...@dslnorthwest.net> wrote:
> > > John Doue wrote:
> > > > On 7/15/2010 5:04 AM, Ron wrote:
> > > > > I hate Windows XP but it came with the laptop. But the AV programthat
>
> > Will MB run in SafeMode?  If you don't take any advice why post here?
>
> Getting snippy helps no one. But here's some things to ponder: 1) I
> don't have MB and 2) in safe mode, I can't get on the Internet to
> download it or anything else. 3) In safe mode, some-- if not many--
> programs don't work at all.
>
> Ron

So, as resourceful as you are, you can't download to a USB drive
(another machine) and install MB? I know (in XP) I have installed MB
in SafeMode and ran it.
 
B

Bigguy

Flightless Bird
On 14/07/2010 09:48, Ron wrote:
> I was looking over some Instructable and the anti-virus software that
> came with the new laptop started kicking up a fuss, supposedly about
> about detecting a virus. But when I tried to do something about it,
> every time I opened a program-- any program-- it would close
> immediately and I would get a message saying the program was infected.
> If it was only one program, that'd probably be true, but every program
> and file I have can't be infected!
>
> This is a very annoying situation, and probably a dangerous one too
> since I can't get anything done Does anyone know of a way to remedy
> this problem so I can shut off the anti-virus program (I tried Add/
> Remove Programs but according to a window, that's infected too.
> Right...) so I can do a proper system check?
>
> Ron

Go to

http://download.bitdefender.com/rescue_cd/BitDefender-Rescue-CD.iso

Download and burn the .iso to a CD (it makes a Linux Live (bootable) CD
with AV and rescue tools).

Boot the infected PC from the CD...

Allow Bitdefender to update defs online...

Do a full scan of all your PC's drives...

Fix / quarantine / delete all viruses that are found.

Reboot into Safe Mode and run a full scan with MalwareBytes.

Restart into Windows.

If you cannot access the internet use FixWinsockXP (if usingXP) or use
proceedure below for Win 7.

Guy

============================================
To repair and reset the Windows 7 Winsock

1.Click on Start button.
2.Type Cmd in the Start Search text box.
3.Press Ctrl-Shift-Enter keyboard shortcut to run Command Prompt as
Administrator. Allow elevation request.
4.Type netsh winsock reset in the Command Prompt shell, and then
press the Enter key.
5.Type netsh int ip reset in the Command Prompt shell, and then press
the Enter key.
6.Restart the computer.
============================================
 
B

Bigguy

Flightless Bird
On 16/07/2010 12:40, Bob Villa wrote:
> On Jul 15, 8:52 pm, Ron<r...@dslnorthwest.net> wrote:
>> John Doue wrote:
>>> On 7/15/2010 5:04 AM, Ron wrote:
>>>> I hate Windows XP but it came with the laptop. But the AV program that
>>>> I use is AVG, but I can't use any program at all:-*everything* I try
>>>> to run causes a message saying the program is infected!
>>
>>> Even when you try to launch ... AVG?
>>
>> If it wasn't so annoying, this would almost be funny. I can't open
>> *any* program at all without getting the "infected" pop-up and AVG
>> won't run in safe mode, So now I'm beginning to think that maybe
>> nothing is really infected, but the OS got itself screwed somehow;
>> none of the past OSes had built-in security, and I think I can now see
>> why.
>>
>> Ron
>
> Will MB run in SafeMode? If you don't take any advice why post here?
Yes it will. Well it does here on my Win 7 PC anyway...

Guy
 
C

C.Joseph Drayton

Flightless Bird
On 7/14/2010 2:48 AM, Ron wrote:
> I was looking over some Instructable and the anti-virus software that
> came with the new laptop started kicking up a fuss, supposedly about
> about detecting a virus. But when I tried to do something about it,
> every time I opened a program-- any program-- it would close
> immediately and I would get a message saying the program was infected.
> If it was only one program, that'd probably be true, but every program
> and file I have can't be infected!
>
> This is a very annoying situation, and probably a dangerous one too
> since I can't get anything done Does anyone know of a way to remedy
> this problem so I can shut off the anti-virus program (I tried Add/
> Remove Programs but according to a window, that's infected too.
> Right...) so I can do a proper system check?
>
> Ron

Hi Ron,

If the machine you sent this article on has a CD burner, I would
download Hiren's Boot CD (its an ISO that needs to be burned to a CD).

http://www.hirensbootcd.net/

I would then boot the Hiren's Boot CD. Note that you may have to change
the boot order in the BIOS.

I only like a few of the tools that are on that CD, but if when the CD's
boot menu comes up you chose 'Mini WindowsXp', you can than plug in a
thumbdrive that has the tools of your choice. I would probably use;

1) ClamWin Portable
http://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/clamwin_portable

2) Spybot Search & Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

3) Rootkit Revealer
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897445.aspx

That should get you cleaned up. If nothing else, it will allow you to
make a backup of your data files to an external drive. Then in the event
you cannot remove the malware you will be able to initialize the system
and restore your data from the external backup.

Sincerely,
C.Joseph Drayton, Ph.D. AS&T

CSD Computer Services

Web site: http://csdcs.site90.net/
E-mail: c.joseph@csdcs.site90.net
 
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