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Heads Up! Win 7 virus that attacks 'Activation'.
DGHoodini | 11/23/10 | DGHoodini

Posted on 11/23/2010 1:30:19 PM PST by DGHoodini

Ran into a Win 7 PC problem today. I got a 'Win Activation Notice from Microsoft, telling me that my copy of Windows was not legitimate.

Now my PC was running the same Win 7 copy that came preloaded on my PC from Toshiba, and I made sure it was activated within 24 hours of receiving it. I also have been running McAffee Security suite on it the entire time.

On the Win Autehtication notice was a link to test my copy. I ran the software, and *It* was talling me my OS copy was illegitimate. I knew this not to be true, and no one has access to my PC but me.

So even though it was prompting me to shell out a $100+ for a new "legitimate* copy of Win 7, I opted to try System Restore first, and picked a Restore point ftom a month wearlier. When it restored, I then rana full McAfee updatwe and scan, and then checked my activation status, that cam up as 'Successful'.

I am assuming that I wrnt to a site, ran some file that had this nasty little bug buried inside it, that not only attacked my Win Verifican, but likely attacked other things as well, and to my displeasure, was not detected by McAffee at all.

So, be forewarned.


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: activation; invalidcopy; vanity; virus
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1 posted on 11/23/2010 1:30:25 PM PST by DGHoodini
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To: All

b


2 posted on 11/23/2010 1:35:33 PM PST by Maverick68
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To: DGHoodini

Sounds like someone trying to get you to buy something you don’t need.


3 posted on 11/23/2010 1:36:19 PM PST by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote; then find me a real conservative to vote for)
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To: DGHoodini
I also have been running McAffee Security suite on it the entire time.

Ditch McAfee. It's junk. Use this instead. http://download.cnet.com/Avira-AntiVir-Personal-Free-Antivirus/3000-2239_4-10322935.html

4 posted on 11/23/2010 1:38:54 PM PST by library user
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To: DGHoodini

If it is a virus issue, you’re not supposed to do the system restore until AFTER you have disinfected the PC. Otherwise you still likely have rogue drivers and their associated files on your machine. The problem could come back in 24 hours or sooner.


5 posted on 11/23/2010 1:41:11 PM PST by library user
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To: DGHoodini
Norton and McAffe are about as helpful to your PC as Swordmaker (a FReeper) is.

JUST MY OPINION, swordmaker!

Use Avast! or AVG - both free.

They really work - Best, Leo

6 posted on 11/23/2010 1:42:34 PM PST by Leo Farnsworth (I'm not really Leo Farnsworth.)
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To: DGHoodini

Could be just a pop up scam to get you to buy something or just get your credit card info.


7 posted on 11/23/2010 1:43:10 PM PST by FreedomGuru (Obama is a home grown terrorist.)
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To: DGHoodini

Viruses and other malware attacks seem to be getting more aggressive these days.

I was hit with the “susp_irp_mj_create” trojan about a month ago. McAfee detected it but couldn’t remove it or even tell me what file was infected. My computer had to be re-staged. Many many hours lost.


8 posted on 11/23/2010 1:44:44 PM PST by Steely Tom (Obama goes on long after the thrill of Obama is gone)
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To: library user

I’ve had good luck using Microsoft Security Essentials which is free too. No problems in over a year. Got rid of my pay by the month security stuff.


9 posted on 11/23/2010 1:46:18 PM PST by mc5cents
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To: DGHoodini

Friendly advice - your machine is more than likely compromised. These ciruses will target your system restore points(inserting zombie ware) and more than likely have root kits as well. REstoring from the system restore points is no guarantee that other nasty things are still not lurking on your machine.


10 posted on 11/23/2010 1:47:08 PM PST by al_again2010
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To: DGHoodini
On the Win Autehtication notice was a link to test my copy.

That window is the virus. I had similar issues with my home system when I was away for business. The wife got the computer infected with a warning link regarding antivirus software. All these popups are bogus.

On my laptop I was having the same issues, I pulled the McAfee and put on Norton, plus both companies have stand alone fixit files for this type of infection.

I was not very impressed with McAfee's inability to stop this. It was kind of like the guards standing outside of the castle in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" when Lancelot is running across the field.

These are dangerous files. One of them eventually crashed the home desktop. I was lucky to retrieve the data off that one.

If you have a backup system be ready. If you don't you may want to start copying all your important files in prep for heavy seas.

As far as interesting software for emergencies goes I purchased Spotmau's Power Disc and it allowed me to retrieve a bunch of data I had failed to backup. It cost me $50, but I got a whole summer's worth of kids pictures off with it.

11 posted on 11/23/2010 1:47:24 PM PST by USNBandit (sarcasm engaged at all times)
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To: Steely Tom
I was hit with the “susp_irp_mj_create"

aka the WHEEL OF FORTUNE or Pat Sajak virus?

A_L
Y_UR
B_SE
BELO_G
T_
_S!

12 posted on 11/23/2010 1:47:55 PM PST by library user
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To: DGHoodini

McAfee is meant for people who are stuck in 1995 and think Clinton is still President and that Ace of Base currently has the #1 song on Casey Kasem. Seriously, ditch that McAfee like a bad penny.


13 posted on 11/23/2010 1:49:28 PM PST by library user
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To: USNBandit

MacAfee is the TSA of antivirus software. It slows down all the programs on a computer looking for the bad guy, and still lets the bad guy through.


14 posted on 11/23/2010 1:51:03 PM PST by USNBandit (sarcasm engaged at all times)
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To: DGHoodini
"Ran into a Win 7 PC problem today. I got a 'Win Activation Notice from Microsoft, telling me that my copy of Windows was not legitimate. "

That's your virus, right there. Microsoft doesn't put out any "Activation Notices". You clicked on a dialogue box that allowed a script to be run, and probably malicious software to be installed..

As some of the other posters have suggested, ditch McAfree and get one of the better anti-virus programs. Make sure you get one that has a root scan, just to be safe.

15 posted on 11/23/2010 1:51:07 PM PST by OldDeckHand
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To: USNBandit

carbonite is a great tool for PC backups. I’ve restored a couple of times due to disk failure and works like a charm for all your data files. At least those you have marked for backup.

exncrypted and works anytime you are connected to the internet. You dont have to remember to do backups. $55/yr or something like that.


16 posted on 11/23/2010 1:54:07 PM PST by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: DGHoodini

Sounds like the “Security Tool Virus.” It’s nasty.


17 posted on 11/23/2010 1:54:30 PM PST by sageb1 (This is the Final Crusade, There are only two sides. Pick one.)
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To: DGHoodini
On the Win Autehtication notice was a link to test my copy. I ran the software

I think I see your problem...

18 posted on 11/23/2010 1:54:44 PM PST by Cletus.D.Yokel (Islam is a violent and tyrannical political ideology and has nothing to do with "religion".)
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To: DGHoodini

Just little me pitching in my two cents, but what about a good pop up blocker and what’s your firewall? Windows firewall is crap. I use Comodo free version.


19 posted on 11/23/2010 1:54:51 PM PST by ReneeLynn (Socialism is SO yesterday. Fascism, it*s the new black. Mmm Mmm Mmm.)
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To: driftdiver

I’d rather risk losing my data and spend the $55 on booze instead.


20 posted on 11/23/2010 1:55:21 PM PST by library user
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