Posted on 03/01/2009 10:05:37 PM PST by Frantzie
Sorry to post a vanity but I got the parite virus that somehow got on my laptop. I rarely use it for too much and rarely surf the web with this laptop. I lost my desktop icons and was stumped.
I have AV programs I have bought for my other machines like Spybot and PC Tools and Iolo System Mechanic to name a few. I was just lazy on this machine because it came with Norton. The machine is about 2 years old so my mistake.
Thanks but I cannot get to the web because the browser.
I have a program that downloads stock files that pulls data via FTP. It works so i can access the net.
When i launch MSFT Windows Explorer browser - it will not connect to the web. ???
It seems that getting all the Parite viruses trashed my browser or something. I wonder if I can download Firefox from another machine, put it on a ROM and install on the browserless machine.
Thanks. I will be going to bed soon but I appreciate your help. Got the viruses I think but browser will not connect to the web. the machine is connectd????
Definitely get firefox and possibly google chrome. You can download on another machine and move it to the infected machine with a cd or flash drive. good luck! If there’s anything I can do to help you, let me know.
Thanks for all your help. Super. Just download to a ROM or flash drive and reinstall?
Yeah, that should work.
Weird. I pulled down Firefox and burned a ROM on another machine.
My store bought copy of PC Tools was the one that seems to have nailed Parite after AVG was wacky and Avast I thought got it but did not. I have always had good luck with AVG too???
Anyway - while I was burning the ROM - I uninstalled AVG, rebooted and my browser works again. Maybe AVG has a tough firewall default setting that enables itself. I never had any problems with AVG but this install was a problem from the start. PC Tools Spyware Doctor and Antivirus seems to be very good. Good ratings in 2007 and 2008. I think I paid $29 for 3 machine version. I bought it a month ago.
Putting Firefox on anyway. Logging off for tonight but I will get that malware program you suggested. I will let you know.
Thanks again. The computer help on FR is the best. I try not to abuse it with too many vanities.
;-)
I’ve been trying Avast, vetting it to replace AVG Free which in version 8 has taken a turn for the crapware, and I haven’t been too unhappy with it. However I elected not to register it when I downloaded and now it’s decided it will expire soon, so I should buy the paid version or at least register it. It pops up a little box from the tray which can’t be closed, and if you click on it, opens a window with no close/minimize/restore buttons with links to purchase or register. So if you want to close it, you can’t because there’s no button to do so in the window, no buttons on the title bar, and you can’t right click on the toolbar button and close it. So I try to open Task Manager to close it like that, but nothing happens. I try to run taskmgr (the Task Manager exe) from the run box, and it can’t find it!!!!! This sucky “program” has actually renamed a standard Windows program so that I can’t shut it down if I choose to do so! They call this an “anti” virus? Sounds more like the behavior of a virus to me. I don’t care if it’s the best anti-virus program on the face of the earth, I’ll not have software that intentionally tries to thwart me.
Check out PC Tools Spyware Doctor & AntiVirus. My copy cost $29 for a 3 seat license. It offers very fast screening and got rid of this pirate virus that attaches itself to every exe files. AVG had problems with the 1500 + copies of the virus!
I never surf with that laptop. A company does a small web based analysis program I use. Well the morons let the virus get on their sever and I got it. I pay $500 for them to give me a virus!
Anyway, AVG had problems getting rid of 1500 copies of the virus - it must morph. Avast was slightly better but it really did not get it.
PC Tools screened and zapped it in 56 minutes! No muss no fuss. I wasted 3 days trying to solve the problem and PC Tools took care of it iun 56 minutes.
Norton took a day and a half to screen the hard drive then wanted $50 bucks to renew!
Thanks for the tip. I am sold on PC Tools followed up with Malwarebytes.
A great combo. I found out this pirate virus is from a service i pay for for a web based analysis service! Somehow the virus go on their server. I bet they lose customers - I did not bitch too much but it wasted my time.
I love Avast free edition. It keeps our computers free from everything that’s come along in the last 3 years.
Norton Symantec crashed me every few months.
Although, I did have a Windows Vista Update that messed me up one time.
Avast is great!! It also doesn’t hog up all your memory...like the aforementioned.
I keep Webroot Spy Sweeper (paid fee) and McAfee (came free with Comcast) running all the time, and I occasinally run Lavasoft AdAware (paid fee). I also routinely run my Webroot Window Washer (bought it years ago and keep it updated). I have NEVER had a virus problem on this old Dell with XP. I also keep up with all the Windows updates whenever that little yellow shield shows up in the toolbar.
Of course, I’ve never been stupid enough to open anonymous email attachments, either, and I only open attachments from known senders when I’m expecting them and they interest me.
I’ll give it a try. I wish they hadn’t crapified AVG. I used it for years and don’t like any of the ones I’ve auditioned as a replacement nearly as well.
I think if I had had AVG on my machine it would have stopped it. AVg has been generally good but I think they are trying to move away from freebie versions. It is a hard business because of so many companies out there.
I had Norton on there from the factory - it is 2 years old. I use it so little on the net that I was lazy. Once I got this Parite crap it was almost impossible to get rid of. PC Tools took care of it in a breeze.
See the thread for a freebie suggested by another FR member called Malwarebyte. Nice little program.
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