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Virus running in the background -- Norton doesn't help
Posted on 12/04/2004 10:11:38 AM PST by streetrepair
Hi Folks,
Was trying to fix a friend's PC last night. She's running XP Home and uses a cable modem for access to the internet. As soon as you boot up the machine, dozens of Internet Explorer windows start running in the background, flooding the system, and thereby grinding web performance/access to a halt almost immediately.
I ran Norton Anti-Virus 2005 and it found no problem. I also ran AVG anti-virus software and that too found no problem. If anyone has ideas on what I can do to kill whatever it is that's running in the background, causing this, I'd be most appreciative for your suggestions.
Many thanks...
TOPICS: Computers/Internet
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To: oh8eleven
Have Norton, Ad-Aware, and Spybot Search and Destroy all three been updated to address the most recent threats?
Also, you can use the Windows Task Manager (Cntl+Alt+Delete) to find which processes are running and consuming CPU capacity. To find a description of the services and selectively shut down those that you suspect, go to the Control Panel, then to Administrative Tools, then to Services Shortcut. To find that stuff, you may have to change your Task Bar and Start Menu to the "Classic Start Menu."
Good Luck.
21
posted on
12/04/2004 10:42:56 AM PST
by
LOC1
To: Publius6961
Now now Publius 6961 - dont let your envy take control of you. Ho Hum - PC users are so easy.
22
posted on
12/04/2004 10:44:11 AM PST
by
erswts
To: erswts
Publius6961 - Not to mention that we just sold part of our Apple stock to pay of the house. Pretty sweet and no viruses and crashes either.
23
posted on
12/04/2004 10:46:17 AM PST
by
erswts
To: LOC1; streetrepair
I think you meant this for "streetrepair" who may be changing his screen name to PCrepair. Thanks ...
Have Norton, Ad-Aware, and Spybot Search and Destroy all three been updated to address the most recent threats?
Also, you can use the Windows Task Manager (Cntl+Alt+Delete) to find which processes are running and consuming CPU capacity. To find a description of the services and selectively shut down those that you suspect, go to the Control Panel, then to Administrative Tools, then to Services Shortcut. To find that stuff, you may have to change your Task Bar and Start Menu to the "Classic Start Menu." Good Luck.
To: streetrepair
25
posted on
12/04/2004 10:51:22 AM PST
by
jwalsh07
To: streetrepair
One more thought, At&T recently sent out a notice that "Pop-Up Stopper" was causing some problems with Explorer. Their suggested solution was to turn off the "check for updates automatically" feature under the "Preferences" section of "Pop-Up Stopper."
26
posted on
12/04/2004 10:53:10 AM PST
by
LOC1
To: streetrepair
Unfortunately, many people would not guess no matter how long they think about it. Acronyms are always a bad technique. I work in a large site with dozens of engineers and technicians, and I always question acronyms, because in every meeting there are at least a few people who feel left out.
27
posted on
12/04/2004 10:55:27 AM PST
by
Publius6961
(The most abundant things in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity.)
To: oh8eleven
Thanks a lot. I'll download that to a CDR and then install/run on her machine later. I have to download LOTS of stuff to a CDR since she's not able to even get online.
To: freedumb2003
Boot in safe mode (try F8) and see what is in the startup folder.
Great idea. Thank you. I will run MSCONFIG to see what's under the startup tab and also to have the PC boot up in SAFE mode.
To: erswts
I've never had a problem with envy. I do have periodic irritation with pest control...
If apples are ever again used by sufficient numbers of people to make it worth writing exploits for, it won't be a matter of "if".
30
posted on
12/04/2004 11:00:03 AM PST
by
Publius6961
(The most abundant things in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity.)
To: jwalsh07
Why don't you just restore the system to a previous operating date?
Thanks for your response. One of her friends disabled the firewall and turned off the system restore function months ago. I just now found this out. Otherwise, you're right, System Restore could be an option. Unfortunately, it's not. :)
To: rdb3
Would removing than reinstalling IE help---esp. if the spyware is in the IE file folder?
I had a problem like that---and it worked for me.
I have a cable modem---and use the Norton Firewall.
No problem since...
32
posted on
12/04/2004 11:03:03 AM PST
by
fastattacksailor
(Free KoolAid for all DUmmies!)
To: streetrepair
Let me know if it works.
Sometimes, it is the simple stuff...
33
posted on
12/04/2004 11:07:25 AM PST
by
freedumb2003
(When does the Revolution start? I'm going for a bike ride for a while. Please fill me in later.)
To: streetrepair
Thanks a lot. I'll download that to a CDR and then install/run on her machine later.While you're at, don't forget to clean up the registry too.RegCleanThere are others available.
To: streetrepair
bttt for reference My sister-in-law has an always-on cable modem, and I found four separate virae over Thanksgiving. Some I couldn't find at the Symantec website.
35
posted on
12/04/2004 11:08:44 AM PST
by
1rudeboy
To: oh8eleven; streetrepair
I just got the new version of Ad Ware and it really even better and of course spy bot, but Adware does the job!
I had to do a Quick Restore that means strip the C hard drive ULG!
Than restore what you can and gear up with an anti-virus
I got E-Trust EZ antivirus for free 1 year so far I am doing find!
I found it on a list that microsoft had offer of anti-virus co. I chose this one E-Trust
http://www3.ca.com/Solutions/Product.asp?ID=156
36
posted on
12/04/2004 11:09:21 AM PST
by
restornu
("KNEEL TO HEAVEN WITH IT ALL !!")
To: LOC1
LOC1, Thank you for your reply and suggestions. Yep, Norton, AdAware and Spybot are updated. Latest versions/updates have been installed. When I go over there next, I'll take a look at what's running under the "processes" tab in the Taskbar Manager. I can probably kill some unneeded stuff by looking them up at
http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm
To: oh8eleven
Thanks again. I use
Registry First Aid at the moment. It's not my computer so I'm not sure if I'll mess with her computer's registry.
To: freedumb2003
Will do.
"Sometimes, it is the simple stuff..."
Yes, yes it is!
To: jwalsh07
I wasn't impressed with Pest Patrol, despite how highly it's touted. Pest Patrol found Bonzi Buddy registry keys when, in reality, none ever existed. I'm not sure if Pest Patrol's basic free scan finds Bonzi Buddy on everyone's computer, just to get them to purchase the software or what. Seems suspicious.
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