Oh, crap, not another malware virus....

[MikDee]

Re: Oh, crap, not another malware virus....

Format C:

Formatting the Hard drive will wipe everything that I have on the computer off?

Ron, & gonefishy, I don't know if I'm still infected now or not? But, I switched from Avast, to AVG, and did another scan late last night, it picked up a coupla problems, but a ton of spyware cookies? and I deleted it, all seems to be Ok now.

It's funny I started with AVG yrs ago when Norton ran out, and after a long while switched to Avast because the user interface was simpler, Now I find this new version of AVG to have the better interface! So, I'm sticking with that for now.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Oh, crap, not another malware virus....

Well, thats what I get for trying to download an old dos game from a foreign website. I got a bum game that didn't work, and a nice case of VIRTUMONDE. This sweet little malware pops up new windows mostly of anti-spyware/virus providers, and adult web sites about every 20 seconds. It also downloads every known tracking cookie known to man, and reproduces itsself under different names on your PC so its darn near impossable to remove.

The problem is that neither Spybot SD or Mcafee stopped it from being downloaded. Spybot found if on a manual search, but even after numerous tries to elimintate it, it was still there. I downloaded and ran various programs specifically claiming to remove it, but they all failed. Even the forums from Spybot gave specific directions, but they did not work either. Everytime I re-booted, it was right back again.

Took me two days, but I finally found Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware. One simple download and run and the virus was gone. No booting in safe mode, no special manipulation of registry entries, etc. It just worked. Find this one and bookmark the site. Its free and you may need it someday.

Beware of VIRTUMONDE!!!!! Its one tough malware to eliminate.

I'm going to give this a try; I've had Virtumonde stuck on my computer for at least a year now. I haven't noticed that it has given me any particular problems however. I also run Pop-up Stopper that I've found it to be pretty good at stopping almost all pop-ups. Spybot and Ad-aware won't touch Virtumonde, although Spybot reports it. Thanks for the tip.

 

[redeye1962]

Re: Oh, crap, not another malware virus....

I used to work at desktop support and when the customer was informed they needed to reinstall they would ask how to get their data. I would tell them from their backup. After a long pause they would say "What backup"?

Generally viruses will stay in the OS when I say stay I mean stay. I make it a habit to reinstall my system every 6 months or so. Create an image from Ghost and reinstall that way. It saves a day or so. Also, Try to partition the hard drive to backup your data on the other partition or have a dedicated server? old computer" to backup data. It has saved me several times.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Oh, crap, not another malware virus....

I used to work at desktop support and when the customer was informed they needed to reinstall they would ask how to get their data. I would tell them from their backup. After a long pause they would say "What backup"?

Generally viruses will stay in the OS when I say stay I mean stay. I make it a habit to reinstall my system every 6 months or so. Create an image from Ghost and reinstall that way. It saves a day or so. Also, Try to partition the hard drive to backup your data on the other partition or have a dedicated server? old computer" to backup data. It has saved me several times.

It sounds like you're way over my head in computer savvy! I have a Compaq puter made by HP, and part of the hard drive "D" is backup (they never gave me any Windows Discs! ) So I assume you mean that?

But if you say you backup your data, then clean up, and reinstall, how do you keep from taking any Malware along with you? Partition the hard drive,,, Duh?

 

[redeye1962]

Re: Oh, crap, not another malware virus....

There is always the possiblity of taking the virus with you but it mainly stays in the OS. The backup drive is probably the reinstall image. If you look on the HP website and search how to reinstall OS there should be some instructions on how to reinstall. It usually takes a keystroke upon bootup and then follow instructions. If you have an old computer give it a clean image and back up your important things, pics, docs, Etc and only use it for that purpose and you should be pretty safe.

There are also ways of transfering your email etc to the new image but you will have to reinstall all of the extra software your computer did not come with.

It takes around 10 minutes on the web for someone to ping your PC, in other words there are hackers always out there searching. I wish I know how to hack so I can protect myself but a router is a pretty good start.