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Computer Virus: Help Requested
March 30, 2004 | Self

Posted on 03/29/2004 11:02:58 PM PST by bd476

About 7 hours ago a Security Alert pop-up from Norton Anti-Virus appeared suddenly on this computer screen.

Then followed another pop-up with text about closing Windows, then another pop-up followed that in the form of an adult content page, followed by yet another pop-up window with another adult content page, and then one more pop-up window with text about paying for a website using advertising pop-up windows.

I couldn't close the pop-up windows, so I unplugged the cable connection and then ran my updated Norton Virus Scan. It found nothing.

However, the Norton Anti-Virus Security Alert Log showed that in fact a virus "Download. Trojan" (there was a space between the dot and Trojan on the Norton log) had been found on my computer and that Norton Anti-Virus had failed to fix it.

Somehow I managed to get to Norton's website, where there were instructions on how to get rid/fix the virus.

Per Norton's online site instructions, I disabled System Restore, restarted this computer, ran Norton Virus Scan in regular Windows (XP) and then again in Safe Mode. Both times my Norton Anti Virus Program failed to locate the reported virus.

I had also updated virus definitions for Norton sometime earlier in the day, but decided to try updating them again. Norton's website added more virus definitions to the virus engine.

I have increased the Security options on this computer to "High." Yet still there is a concern that the reported trojan virus was not found nor fixed during the several runs of Norton's Virus Scan.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.


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1 posted on 03/29/2004 11:02:58 PM PST by bd476
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To: bd476
Download AdAware & Spybot Search & Destroy - install, update, then run both - you likely got hit with a spybot/adbot type thing - one of those 2 programs should find and remove it for you.
2 posted on 03/29/2004 11:06:35 PM PST by Keith in Iowa (Democrats are the real asses of evil.)
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To: bd476
 TrendMicro Sysclean

Download the executable

SysClean

And then download the latest pattern:

SysClean Pattern

Put them both in a folder and run the SysClean.com file.

You can run them right off the desktop if you'd like.  They'll create a bunch of temp files that may alarm you but once the program's run, all the temp files will be deleted except the original files and a .log file.

Sysclean is a free "Command line" AV program that will only help find and remove viruses: it doesn't install anything on your system and it won't prevent your getting viruses.

The SysClean homepage is here, just incase you don't trust my links.  lol.

Hope it works.

3 posted on 03/29/2004 11:08:13 PM PST by Psycho_Bunny
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To: Keith in Iowa; bd476
Then after that install a firewall, I recommend Zone Alarm, you can download it for free. I did it a year ago, haven't had a problem since. (knock wood)
4 posted on 03/29/2004 11:08:15 PM PST by dfwgator
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To: bd476
Download the computer users best friend, AdAware.

This program removes unwanted spyware, and best of all is free.

5 posted on 03/29/2004 11:08:16 PM PST by edeal
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To: bd476
Go to grisoft.com and get the free..........FREE........AVG software. I run it in addition to my Norton Pro and it catches a whole boatload of germs ! Also Spybot and Ad-Aware 6.0 are free and work extreamly well......... They are all FREE FREE FREE and the updates require no subscription crap.

Stay safe

6 posted on 03/29/2004 11:08:56 PM PST by Squantos (Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet.)
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To: bd476
Spybot is wonderful.
7 posted on 03/29/2004 11:09:56 PM PST by MarMema (Next Year in Constantinople!)
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To: bd476
I'm almost afraid to open this thread. Scary. Hope I won't catch anything. Adult content huh?.. and you told your wife it was all politics didnt you?

Seriously though, I am sure there are Freepers who can help. Don't pay any attention to the ones who advise you to reformat the hard drive =o)

8 posted on 03/29/2004 11:12:20 PM PST by GeronL (www.armorforcongress.com..... put a FReeper in Congress)
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To: Psycho_Bunny
why would someone not trust a person who calls themselves Psycho_Bunny? =o)
9 posted on 03/29/2004 11:14:03 PM PST by GeronL (www.armorforcongress.com..... put a FReeper in Congress)
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To: Keith in Iowa
Thanks, Keith. Great idea. I forgot to mention that I also ran LavaSoft's Adaware when the Norton AntiVirus Scans failed to find the virus the Norton Alert had found earlier.

LavaSoft's AdAware found only the typical annoying cookies which I also removed.

According to Norton's site, this Trojan virus has been around for awhile, unless that space between the dot and "Trojan" signifies a new one.

I'm wondering why the Norton Scan couldn't find what the Norton Alert engine found, couldn't fix yet still reported. I am wondering if Trojan viruses migrate within a computer to other files.

10 posted on 03/29/2004 11:14:34 PM PST by bd476 (Walking in faith is easier on my soul than walking in fear.)
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To: bd476
Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

  1. Buy a Mac.
  2. Never run MS Internet Explorer. Use Safari or OmniWeb instead.
  3. Never, never, never install anything made by Norton. You can run Virex once in a while if it makes you feel better, but it will never find anything.
  4. Promptly and permanently forget about viruses, worms, pop-ups, pop-unders, Trojan horses, whack-a-mole porn ads, and all the rest of the filth that comes with being a Windows user.
  5. Get your work done, go to bed early, and as you fall into a sound sleep, snicker at the folly of those whose businesses depend on the good will and competence of Bill Gates' minions.

You're welcome.

-ccm

11 posted on 03/29/2004 11:16:11 PM PST by ccmay
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To: dfwgator
Someone recommended Kerio's firewall awhile ago, I downloaded it but had disabled it because it slows the computer down to a snail's pace. Lesson learned hard.
12 posted on 03/29/2004 11:17:02 PM PST by bd476 (Walking in faith is easier on my soul than walking in fear.)
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To: bd476
Allow me to be the first to make a snide remark about upgrading to Linux.

OK... Now that I've gotten that outta my system...

It sounds like you've gotten hold of a nasty variety of ad-ware. Spybot can probably kill it off in short order. Spybot Search and Destroy can hunt down and eliminate ~13,000 threats.

Zone Alarm is another "must-have" with a Windows system. Zone Alarm asks permission before allowing programs access to the Internet. It's easy to use and I haven't heard of anything that can get by it. You would have caught the trojan with it the first time it tried to run off and download an ad to display.

13 posted on 03/29/2004 11:19:03 PM PST by Redcloak ("Aye...And if my grandmother had wheels, she'd be a wagon." -Capt. Montgomery Scott, Starfleet, ret.)
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To: ccmay
you forgot some more that follow when you buy a mac

6. Become a vegan
7. Stop bathing, start to smell
8. Only wear sandals
9. Become a fashionable male (if you know what I mean)
10. Build a small shrine to Steve Jobs

Hey, lighten up! I actually like macs.
14 posted on 03/29/2004 11:19:37 PM PST by edeal
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To: ccmay
Nahh, why waste all that money buying a Mac? One could easily just get Linux and install it on the same hardware.
15 posted on 03/29/2004 11:19:57 PM PST by kingu (Which would you bet on? Iraq and Afghanistan? Or Haiti and Kosovo?)
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To: Squantos
Thanks Squantos! That's right! I forgot about Grisoft's AVG. Going to go download that right now. It's a bit peculiar that we have to supplement Norton despite its cost.
16 posted on 03/29/2004 11:21:08 PM PST by bd476 (Walking in faith is easier on my soul than walking in fear.)
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To: bd476
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download1666.html

download the 30 day program...

run it...

then redo AdAware, Spybot S & D...

AVG anti virus is better that McAffee, it's free.

or choose one of these others.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=trojan+killer&btnG=Google+Search

good luck...use Zone Alarm Basic, it's free

personally I use Frisk Software F-Protect AV.

http://www.f-prot.com
17 posted on 03/29/2004 11:25:08 PM PST by kemosabe (Sheesh...Who is running the Assylum anyhow?)
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To: bd476
check this out too:

http://swatit.org/

It specifically removed Trojans, in some tests they claim it performed better - found more,than Norton.

I also concur with others suggestions about Spybot search and destroy.
18 posted on 03/29/2004 11:26:26 PM PST by FairOpinion (Zell Miller (D):"I’m on George Bush’s side because he’s on the side of the American people.")
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To: bd476
In addition to adaware, and zonealarm, another great free product is the avast antivirus program at avast.com. After 2 years of Norton, I didn't pay for the the 3rd update, uninstalled it and went with avast. It does everything, if not more, than Norton and is completely free with no catches that I can ascertain. Since I installed it, it has intercepted several of the recent worms and virused from my email. It automatically keeps updating its virus database.
19 posted on 03/29/2004 11:27:59 PM PST by jimwnola
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To: All
AdAware actually places spyware on your computer.

Run Spy Sweeper instead as it is far superior and finds and quaratines things that AdAware can't.

20 posted on 03/29/2004 11:28:23 PM PST by Rodney Dangerfield
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