Posted on 05/29/2011 5:09:43 AM PDT by Daisyjane69
I'm typing fast. My computer is restarting itself every 20 minutes or so.
While finishing my news site browsing before bed, I got a pop up claiming Adobe. I tried to ignore it. Since I had an Adobe file open, I finally relented and agreed to install. BIG MISTAKE. It was a Trojan virus and is in the process of destroying my computer.
Trojan.Win32.Generic.paklacobra
I heard that Macs are better as far as viruses. Is there a reputable dealer that sells Macs? I don't imagine I can afford a brand new Mac.
Failing that, would there be another browser other than IE that would be less hospitable to viruses? This tower is only two years old. And I'm getting messages telling me:
Damaged hard drive clusters RAM usage is critically high RAM memory failure Hard drive failure
This virus is attempting to wipe out my AdAware & AVG as we speak.
I store NOTHING of value on this computer. No photos, movies, passwords, account numbers. I do NO online banking.
I was able, after several tries, to finagle one measly operational window, and it's what I'm using to post this to the people who know everything important...FReepers.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm a plant chick, not a computer chick! LOL
Also, please forgive me if you post a suggestion and I don't reply right away. I have no idea if this window is going to work 5 minutes from now, let alone 5 hours from now. If TSHTF on this thing I won't be able to check replies until Tuesday at the library (as we are in a holiday weekend). Naturally....
I should have been in bed 4 hours ago, and I've been playing around with this box of wires ever since, and I'm exhausted.
This was scary as hell. I never saw anything gobble up things as fast as this miscreant. I knew something was dreadfully wrong within 10 minutes.
Thanks for any help & ideas you have.
Install and run RKILL before using Malwarebytes.
Many Trojans act before and during a Malwarebytes run unless you freeze them with something like RKILL.
Use your 20 minutes periods to BACK UP EVERYTHING YOU CAN because you may need to reformat.
golux.
Okay, so you need someone there with more understanding. Do you have a friend, family member you can call and have them come over to help. I’m afraid the advice being offered here won’t be of much use, and since were all remote, we can’t really help all that much.
You need someone local and live, to help you out.
I’m posting this from a laptop running Ubuntu operating system. There are almost no viruses written for linux OS’s like Ubuntu and it is easy to use.
I’m not savvy enough to recommend anything, but here’s what I do.
I keep a Win98 close by. Some years ago it got hit by an “about blank” thingy, which is malware I think. I now have it cropping up on my XP, whatever it is. But the 98 survived and now, although it hasn’t the functionality of later systems, it doesn’t seem to be the target of attacks. Apparently the devils have upgraded their hatred to Windows 7. My 98 is over ten years old; maybe 15 by now. Suits me fine.
I learned to avoid Adobe. It seems to keep my anti-virus very busy.
I’ve backed up everything with thumb drives, they hold the world and they cost almost nothing.
I befriended a tech-savvy kid. It’s like having a genie.
There is a majorly bad Mac virus making the rounds now.
I’ve already received about 300 notices that my hard drive is damaged. If I click on them, it will reboot again. Evidently my RAM is also nearly gone, whatever the hell that is.
My memory is nearly gone, even though I store nothing on this computer. No music, no movies, nothing.
The sun is coming up here, and despite how tired I am, I’ll end up sleeping during the day Sunday because I’m as mad as a hornet.
As I sit here, I am watching notices coming up, one by one, announcing which system file is being destroyed.
Beware, these scoundrels are using the normally safe and reliable Adobe to do this. It came across as an Adobe.exe thing.
Turn it off and take to someone. A wise man knows when to admit defeat.A reasonably savvy computer person can fix it easily.
The disk notices could be fake. Viruses do not attack hardware.
Online help can be found at www.bleepingcomputers.com
I had a nasty virus that allowed other viruses. I tried everything. The online help at that site took me through a step-by-step fix. The fix was complicated, but it worked.
I’ve often wondered what these virus purveyors get out of creating this kind of havoc. The best answer I can come up with is they are trying to sell anti-virus software:)
Up until a couple of years ago, I worked at a major university. It received more than 3 million attempted virus attacks a week, keeping their IT department very busy. To get out in front of the onslaught, they installed McAfee on every computer and even updated the dat files automatically. One of the bad side effects for the average user was that often emails with attachments were rerouted directly to the trash or spam file without ever being seen by the recipient. With their T3 fiber optic connections, universities are a favorite target of hackers.
I once got a few things in my computer.
Somebody told me to download Hijack This! and it would take care of the problem for me.
It did, and a few drivers to boot. :)
Here is a beefed up browser that should help to eliminate some of these problems for all Freepers.
http://www.kace.com/products/freetools/secure-browser/
Daisyjane,
I am so sorry you are undergoing this. I’ve been through it and it is a pain. Thanks for trying to warn the rest of us.
In my experience, a virus attack on a home computer really stinks. I found I could milk an advantage on my work computer, though:) Any time someone called to complain that I hadn’t handled some detail, I would apologize and then tell them my computer had been victimized by a virus. They were very sympathetic. You can use this excuse for up to 6 months:)
Thank you so much for all your helpful ideas.
I’m writing them down while I still have a link to all of you.
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.
Thank you.
Get Win 7 and use MS Security Essentials.
So far I have been very happy with the way that it runs and have had no security problems for well over a year.
In the alternative get Ubuntu Linux.
That’s a great idea! LOL And btw, you are very kind.
One of the many reasons I’m so grateful for the magnificent advice from our FReeper family is because, like so many others, I’m tangled up in this Obama ecomomy. This isn’t like the 1980’s where you pick up the Sunday paper; one needs a functional computer & internet connection just to look for jobs.
And I am genuinely appreciative for each computer whiz who offers their kind advice. I’m happily willing to reciprocate with plant advice!
We each have our “thing.” :)
I've had a thumb drive die. I would suggest multiple backups if it's important.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.