malware defense

[itgirl]

this stupid program got into my computer somehow and i can't get it out. it is dropping porn links all over my desktop and keeps popping up wanting me to buy it. how do i get rid of it for good? i know nothing about computers, so it has to be simple. :(

[pauldun170]

google malwarebytes
install and run full scan

[itgirl]

google malwarebytes
install and run full scan

thanks. that sounds simple enough.

[Bluestreak]

Here is the simple way...:lol

http://evergreen-rentals.com/images/sledgehammer.jpg

Any other way involves some trial and error.

Malwarebites is a good one.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/

Avast might work. (home edition is free)
http://www.avast.com/

There are probably many more but these two have worked well for me in the past.

Otherwise, you're looking at a manual clean up. Usually the best way to get rid of a nasty bug is to format your computer and start from scratch.

[Rider]

I hate to push MS products but the MS Malicious Software Removal Tool works really well if the malwarebytes doesn't fix it.

[fasternyou929]

Those things are getting nasty. A friend of mine just got that on his computer and it blocks AVG, Malwarebytes, Safe Mode, Task Manager, and every other program except itself. Oh, and it put .exe files on the "safe to run" list in the regsitry and downloaded about 50M worth of 'em. Who knows what they're doing. Even a "repair installation" of XP didn't fix the problem. Had to resort to a format and reinstall.

Good luck!

Oh, and unplug your infected PC from the internet, the last thing you want that doing is sending all your passwords around.

[OneSickPsycho]

I just switched from AVG to Avira for all that shit and am very impressed. Avira runs light and detects new shit every scan. AVG was ok in previous versions, but this newest one just fucking sucks the life out of your system resources. I kid you not, sitting stagnant in the background, I found it sitting on 100MB of RAM.

[Kerry_129]

Acronis TrueImage FTW!

Doesn't help with your current problem, itgirl - but after resolving your problem, install & make a full drive backup 'image' periodically. If you ever get hit with anything (virus/malware/OS/drive-failure) you can easily recover by re-flashing the drive (a new one, if necessary) & *BOOM* - back up & running at whatever point you were when you made the image. Far safer than just hoping something invasive doesn't get past & hose your system, especially since the latest bugs seem to be far more malicious & hard to get rid of. Also, unlike most every other backup utility out there (except Norton Ghost, which still sucks by comparison I've been told), it actually works to recover your system to a running state, not just recover files from it.

$50, but the best bang-for-the-buck software I've ever come across, and can be a major time & life-saver!
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/

[njchopper87]

I just switched from AVG to Avira for all that shit and am very impressed. Avira runs light and detects new shit every scan. AVG was ok in previous versions, but this newest one just fucking sucks the life out of your system resources. I kid you not, sitting stagnant in the background, I found it sitting on 100MB of RAM.

Will have to try that.. I've had AVG disabled for close to a year now since all it did was lag games and make movies hick-up.

[pauldun170]

I just switched from AVG to Avira for all that shit and am very impressed. Avira runs light and detects new shit every scan. AVG was ok in previous versions, but this newest one just fucking sucks the life out of your system resources. I kid you not, sitting stagnant in the background, I found it sitting on 100MB of RAM.

Dumped it years back for the same reason. Switched to Avast

[No Worries]

"Hijack This" is supposed to be good, but I heard it's not simple.

[LeeNetworX]

Malwarebytes is a good tool. Be sure to start your computer in Safe Mode before starting the scan.

- Safe Mode - Scan and Clean
- Repeat until it detects nothing
- Normal Mode - Scan and Clean
- Repeat until it detects nothing
- Perform a scan on your PC every few weeks or so to keep it clean

[OTB]

If you are having trouble even after cleanup, Avast makes a rootkit detector/cleanup tool. I have an older version, but if you check the Avast site, they have both the regular avast scanner and the rootkit available (though I don't know if the rootkit is a freebie.

[sherri_chickie]

I read this thread and decided to check out avast myself . I have avg but my computer has been slower than molasses in january. Hope it works! I have to uninstall avg though right ?

[Digifox]

one word.
Linux......hahah JK

Go get AVAST its what i run on my windows PC. its awesome!

[sherri_chickie]

downloaded and ran Avast. It found nothing. Think I like it though so off with AVG..

Now, why the hell is my computer so damn slow????

[Amber Lamps]

downloaded and ran Avast. It found nothing. Think I like it though so off with AVG..

Now, why the hell is my computer so damn slow????

I downloaded and ran Malwarebytes and found nothing, hopefully it doesn't change my computer's speed.

[sherri_chickie]

TIGGER.. my computer was insanely slow before the Avast, I know it was not caused by Avast. I am having our Tech god from work come look at my computer when he has a chance, he's awesome!

[Amber Lamps]

TIGGER.. my computer was insanely slow before the Avast, I know it was not caused by Avast. I am having our Tech god from work come look at my computer when he has a chance, he's awesome!

Oh sorry, I misinterpreted your post.

Question were any of you running Mc Afee before your problems? Supposedly, I'm covered for anything but you never know...

[pauldun170]

I read this thread and decided to check out avast myself . I have avg but my computer has been slower than molasses in january. Hope it works! I have to uninstall avg though right ?

Yes,
Uninstall AVG, reboot and then install Avast.

I would do one last full system scan with AVG before the switch.
Then install Avast.

[Rider]

"Hijack This" is supposed to be good, but I heard it's not simple.

If I understand right Hijack This wont fix any of your problems, it's just a tool to help you identify WHAT is causing your issue.

[LeeNetworX]

If I understand right Hijack This wont fix any of your problems, it's just a tool to help you identify WHAT is causing your issue.

Correct. It's a great scanning tool, but it doesn't clean/remove/fix anything.

[Looni2ns]

I use the free version of Avast. Works great. Have it set up for automatic updates.

[dReWpY]

Our school got hit hard by this

[Kerry_129]

Avast & a few other virus scanners + AdAware, etc. do work great for blocking stuff - but NONE of them are 100% effective.

Once again - keep a current drive image using Acronis TrueImage, and you're thoroughly protected against ALL malware/software/drive-failure issues. I just keep a second drive sitting on the shelf & periodically re-image my C: drive onto it (clone it, generally once a month or after any significant software installation) - that way if I get completely hosed in any fashion, all I have to do is swap it & PRESTO, back up & running with minimal hassle. WAY safer!