Posted on 03/29/2011 11:26:05 AM PDT by Professional
Last week I got hit with a nasty set of viruses, malware, and trojans.
One of the first things I did, was to check out Freerepublic to get some free advice. Unfortunately, it didn't help much, so I've decided to try and add some value here for folks that have something similar happen to them.
My problems began, by using Google searches for information pertaining to the Japan Earthquake. Now, I suspect that part of these internet virus scams, is to embed the trouble in searches that are very popular at any given time.
I took the advice of this forum, and downloaded malwarebytes. Sure enough, it helped identify a bunch of the stuff, some that my avira virus scan could not detect. So, after identifying the problems, they were removed. I also did a system restore going back a few days in time, beyond the origination of the trouble.
Trouble is, that each time I restarted the computer, I got more viruses, etc. I also could no longer contact microsoft updates, it was being blocked. My browser was being hijacked, and I was getting all sorts of websites redirected, mostly about a survey and a free walmart gift card. While the computer ran, eventually I got a message reporting problems to WIN32 being shut down. This turned out to be a huge problem, because that would shut down the msft security center!
I did some searches about viruses, and that only brought me to MORE plague filled pages. This is a huge RISK, DO NOT DO SEARCHES about viruses!! Many fake leads using key words, then you wind up with more trouble than you started with.
I downloaded Microsoft Security essentials on another computer and put it on a thumb drive. I ran the program on the infected computer, but it could not solve the win32 problem, and I still could not use the internet to contact microsoft.
Ok, now I'm into this like 3 days, and I'm really, really getting ticked off. Nothing is working, and I'm about to call a guy and pay him to fix the computer. My concern there, is that they almost always just wipe out your computer, and give you a few of your old files back.... In my case, that means an enormous amount of work that I'd rather avoid.
Finally, I use the other computer to browse microsoft website about viruses. There was a toll free number available, so I gave it a shot, figuring that would be a long, long hold.... No, it rang straight through to Bombay. Raj does a remote takeover of my computer, and runs into one obstacle after the next. Finally he finds a way to get through, and do a virus scan. After 1/2 an hour or more....my computer is supposedly "clean". I get disconnected, and I go home and go to bed. But, Microsoft doesn't give up that easy. By Monday morning, I've gotten 2-3 emails at yahoo, and two voice mails at my office. Next thing you know, Bombay is calling me again.
Now, I've got one of their experts. He takes the computer over again, and this time he fixes the busted windows registry stuff. That was the heart of the problem. Once that was completed, I ran a few more virus checks, and did a msft update and got the system fully up and running again.
I'm very pleased with how microsoft helped me. I should have gone straight to them, and in the future that is what I'm going to do!
Right now, I have a paid computer expert in my office, and he's analyzing our operation. We have service through comcast, and he informs me... that norton antivirus is FREE, full version, due to our business with comcast. We were not aware of this.
I hope my description above is helpful for all freepers.
very helpful. bookmarking this.
My past experience with Norton is horrible. I consider it a virus and was very frustrated with the trouble it caused me interfering and slowing down my computer. I wouldn't use it if they paid me.
The only issue I have with what you write is Norton. I have no faith in them, nor in McCaffee. I use Zone Alarm for my firewall and Avast! for my anti-virus. Both are free as well. And, I also use Malwarebytes. No issues.
My kids like to get their computer full of this stuff. I just wipe the computer clean and tell them to download the updates. The last time I did this one of the restore discs would not work. I called gateway and they told me they no longer support this computer because it is older than three years. Now the oldest one wants to use my computer to “just check her Facebook page.” Haha, she will have to wait on that one.
Norton is a PITA. I just bought a brand new HP Pavilion 490t with a six core processor and 10GB RAM and Norton had it running like my old Win XP Gateway. I removed Norton and installed McAfee enterprise and now it’s fine.
Allow me to be the first to say this...
And I know I’ll get trashed — but it HAS to be done... ;)
Get a Mac!
Glad you’re back up and running; take care and thanks for sharing the issues you had.
Hoss
I can get norton free from my employer.
I won’t use it.
It is a resource pig and acts as much like a virus as the viruses themselves.
I used it once and was so unhappy with it I removed it. And I had a devil of a time removing it. It had its tentacles all over the registry.
I was able to find a special norton removal tool and that finally got rid of the nuisance.
Use Linux and be done with it. Right now, I have a dual boot system. I may go to all Linux in the not too distant future.
Ubuntu has a great desktop, and even the Fedora desktop has come a long way.
I use Avast anti-virus and Malwarebytes
I have never gotten a virus on my computers.
I think Avast is the best.
The worst virus I did see (on a friends computer) was one that offers to scan your system for errors and then reports infections and offers to fix them if you go to theor site (for a $39.99 software download)
This piece of $hit was a virus iteself and it took over the browers and so many things I swear I will kill the bastards that wrote this if I eve find them.
It required something from Microsoft to fix too, but its been so long i forget what
If you ever go to a site and it offers to do a virus scan turn off the power if you have to, to avoid letting it complete the process.
Also install Avast and Malwarbytes.
Get Carbonite, you’ll never lose anything.
That whole "independent thought" thing is way over rated.
Yes, use Linux.
If you really really NEED windows to run a special application, run it on a virtual machine. Don’t even bother with a virus application. Your host Linux system will act as your firewall.
If the virtual windows guest gets infected, simply blow it away and create a new one.
One of the best things you can do to prevent getting viruses is to quit using Internet Explorer.
I had a similar issue. I used Stopzilla and it fixed everything.
I’ve been using ESET Nod32 for almost a year now. Only one trojan ever got through and a scan eliminated that. I also have superantispyware and that takes care of all the adware. I’m a happy camper with both of them.
I use Linux. What is this malware you speak of?
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