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Virus infection
me ^ | 9-15-06

Posted on 09/15/2006 8:30:28 PM PDT by LouAvul

Guy I know picked up a virus that tells him his computer has been infected with a virus. The virus produces a window that says the only solution is to buy their solution for $50. He can't get into his computer.

He's trying system restore. Any other suggestions.


TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: embracethepenguin; lowqualitycrap; microsoft; windows

1 posted on 09/15/2006 8:30:28 PM PDT by LouAvul
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To: LouAvul

He says the computer says the system cannot be restored.


2 posted on 09/15/2006 8:31:02 PM PDT by LouAvul
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To: LouAvul

techsupportguy.com helped me through this about six months ago. Have him post and search there.


3 posted on 09/15/2006 8:32:42 PM PDT by Carling (It's Danny, Sir)
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To: LouAvul

Have the FBI raid the address where the $50 is supposed to be sent.


4 posted on 09/15/2006 8:34:37 PM PDT by Dog Gone
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To: LouAvul

Have your friend log into safe mode (F8 as he boots up).

Go to "Run" and type in

msconfig

Go to the "Start Up" tab and disable all. Go to the "Services" tab and click the "Hide Microsoft Services" and then disable all.

Close msconfig and reboot the machine.

Download AVG from www.grisoft.com (Free edition) and install, update and run.

Download Ad-aware from www.lavasoftusa.com (Ad-aware Personal edition) and install, update and run.

Tell your friend not to click on ads saying he is infected but they will sell him a program to take care of it.

No clicky!


5 posted on 09/15/2006 8:36:26 PM PDT by Anitius Severinus Boethius
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To: LouAvul

I had the same thing several months back. I ended up dumping everything and starting over clean.


6 posted on 09/15/2006 8:36:48 PM PDT by cripplecreek (If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can't it get us out?)
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To: LouAvul

http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/04/27/77828_HNtrojanransom_1.html

http://www.networkworld.com/buzz/2005/092605-ransom.html

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=ransomware&btnG=Search


7 posted on 09/15/2006 9:53:34 PM PDT by Revel
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To: LouAvul
Here's my list. You may want to start by (at least) burning some of the on-demand/no-install programs (Antidote, Dr. Web CureIT!, McAfee Stinger) to a CD for your friend.

Also, I recommend using both Ad-Aware SE & Spybot S&D.

PC security-related links.   All software listed is freeware or open source.

Last Update: 07/22/2006
Anti-Virus:

Antidote SuperLite
Windows 95/98/98SE/ME, 2000/XP.
On-demand virus checker. Detects, doesn't clean. No installation required.

AntiVir® Personal Edition
Windows 98/98SE/ME, 2000/XP.

Avast Home Edition
Windows 95/98/98SE/ME, 2000/XP.

AVG Anti-Virus
Windows 98/98SE/ME, 2000/XP.

BitDefender Free Edition
Windows 98/98SE/ME, 2000/XP.
On-demand anti-virus program.

ClamWin
Windows 98/98SE/ME, 2000/XP.
On-demand virus scanner. Detects, doesn't clean.

F-Prot Antivirus
The MS-DOS version is free.

McAfee Stinger
On-demand anti-virus/trojan. No installation required. Fits on a 3.5" floppy.
Alternatives to MSIE, Outlook & Outlook Express:

Mozilla.org
Firefox browser, Thunderbird E-mail client, Mozilla Suite (1.7.13 is the final release).

Opera
Supports tabbed browsing, etc. Easier on resources than Firefox, Mozilla/Seamonkey. Unlike Mozilla, Opera currently has no plans to drop support for Windows 9x/ME.

Off By One
The world's smallest and fastest web browser. No installation required.

Popcorn E-Mail
Small, no-frills e-mail client.

Seamonkey
The successor to the Mozilla Suite.  Web-browser, e-mail/usenet client, IRC client, HTML editing, all in one application.

Xnews
Usenet client.
Anti-Adware/Spyware:

Ad-Aware SE
Windows 98/98SE/ME, 2000/XP.
On-demand scanner (Select "Ad-Aware Personal").

SpywareBlaster
Windows 95/98/98SE/ME, 2000/XP.
Prevent the installation of spyware and other potentially unwanted software!

SpywareGuard
Windows 98/98SE/ME, 2000/XP.
Full/real-time protection against spyware/malware.

Spybot - Search and Destroy
Windows 98/98SE/ME, 2000/XP.
Offers on-demand scanning and full/real-time protection.
Firewall:

New! Filseclab Personal Firewall
Supports Windows 95*/98/ME, NT 4.0, 2000/XP.
(*With Winsock2 update and IE 4.01 or later.)

Kerio Personal Firewall 2.1.5
Windows 98/98SE/ME, 2000/XP.
(Last freeware version)

Tiny Personal Firewall 2.0.15A
Windows 95/98/98SE/ME, 2000/XP.

Tiny Personal Firewall 2.0.9
Windows 98/98SE/ME, 2000/XP.
(Last freeware version)

ZoneAlarm Free Download
Note:  Zonealarm is dropping support for Win9x/ME.

Zonealarm at Oldversion.com
For those who need a version compatible with Windows 9x/ME.
Technical Help:

CastleCops Security Forums

Cyber Tech Help Support Forum

SpywareWarrior.com Forum

VirtualDr Forums

How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
This guide will teach you how to ask questions in a way that is likely to get you a satisfactory answer.
How-to and Tutorial:

Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a HOSTS File
Don't surf the Net without it!

PCWorld: How to Install a Firewall

Using Ad-Aware SE

Using Spybot - Search and Destroy
Useful sites, etc.:

Firewall Test, Security Test and Security Scan

Leak Test
Test your firewall against internal extrusions (leaks).

Shields Up
Firewall Test.

Spyware/Adware/Malware FAQ and Removal Guide

SpwyareWarrior.com
Waging the war against spyware!

U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team

Miscellaneous Software:

Dr. Web CureIT!
Windows 95/98/98SE/ME, 2000/XP.
On-demand, anti-malware (anti-virus/spyware). No installation required.

Ping Plotter
Internet diagnostic tool.

Proxomitron
Windows 95/98/98SE/ME, 2000/XP.
A free, highly flexible, user-configurable, small, but very powerful, local HTTP web-filtering proxy.

WinPatrol
A robust SECURITY MONITOR.  WinPatrol will alert you to hijackings, malware attacks and critical changes made to your computer without your permission.

8 posted on 09/16/2006 7:22:52 AM PDT by holymoly ("A lot" is TWO words.)
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Mark


9 posted on 09/16/2006 4:14:45 PM PDT by girlscout
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