For ****'s sake... (virus topic)

[Frank]

So I downloaded a free VST plugin for Logic (music program), but obviously it was nothing but a virus... or actually lots of them. What it has done is that it has slowed down my computer on start-up - it takes quite a while for it to understand that windows is actually running. Second of all it has made a folder on my harddisc called Downloads which I can't see because it has been made invisible (or something like that?). And through LimeWire I can see this folder and all it contains are files, of which I don't know of, called Win2000XP-Crack, Eminem-dick-hard-Crack.. and so on and so on... you know the drill.
I've run a Ad-Aware and it found something, but not the viruses...
I've also scanned my computer with Stinger Anti Virus but that didn't do anything either...

Pretty please with sugar on the top - help me obi wan...

 

[CptStern]

try this:


http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

 

[Gorgon]

Always use norton AV 2005..................

 

[Laivasse]

Get:

AVG Free edition
Microsoft Antispyware

Update them both and scan with them. (btw there are probably a few other good ones you could use, anyone else please please feel free to add some names...)

Then get:

Hijackthis

And delete any registry entries you know to be suspicious (or post a log file on here if you're not sure). Also, going to start>run>msconfig and checking your startup programs can be useful in stopping the weakest spyware from starting up. More persistent ones will switch themselves back on until they have their reg entry and supporting files deleted (safe mode activity sometimes required).

Then restart in safe mode! In safe mode that folder should no longer be invisible, as long as the right wotsits have been deleted. Scan a few times in safe mode with the first 2 progs and just generally conduct a no-mercy blitzkrieg attack against your spyware.

Finally, if all of this has gone well, check out your windows/system32 folder manually, sort it by date, and check out any files that appeared at the time you got your infection - look specifically for dodgy looking dll's and exe's. You can also do a PC-wide search on all *.exe's and *.dll's which appeared on your computer on the day in question. If they are in windows/system32, right click any suspects and their properties to see if they have a "version" and lots of official looking microsoft numbers etc....if they don't they are probably shitware. Google their names or ask here if you're not sure. Also note: deleting important stuff in windows/system32 or with hijackthis can do you damage. I should know ;(

edit - I always found ad-aware to be total shit. It never helped me, especially in times of heavy infection.

 

[Ti133700N]

edit - I always found ad-aware to be total shit. It never helped me, especially in times of heavy infection.

I can see why, it's not an anti-virus it's an anti-spywares, it won't protect you against viruses.

 

[poseyjmac]

AntiVir is also a great free antivirus. i switched from AVG to this because its been the most successful cleaning viruses off my friends computers.

 

[jellydoughnut217]

if all else fails theres always complete system restore, that wipes out just about everything

 

[WhiteZero]

I'd suggest consulting this before choosing an AV program:
http://www.av-comparatives.org/seiten/ergebnisse/report05.pdf

Top dogs for detection rates right now are:
Kasperspy
Norton
McAfee
NOD32

Unfortunetly, AVG has the worst detection rates out there, but only by about 10%. So it's not really bad, just the worst. If that makes any sence. lol

 

[DEATH eVADER]

Always use norton AV 2005..................

Norton AV kicks ass , I've had no problems with viruses on my computer ever since using it, the only problem is its very easily crashes if you try and change some of the settings, I can't play some internet based games cause of it, and I don't wan't to turn it off during multiplayer because I'm afraid the virus will sneak in :frown:

 

[Laivasse]

I can see why, it's not an anti-virus it's an anti-spywares, it won't protect you against viruses.

Microsoft antispyware is also technically just an anti-spyware prog but it catches all kinds of trojans and other malicious files.

It is true though that you shouldn't rely on just one program alone, since there are holes in every program, AV or anti-spyware.That's not to say you should have a ton of different AV things running, cos that is often fairly useless, but at least familiarise yourself with your startup programs via hijackthis, know what your running tasks are etc...

 

[Frank]

Get:

AVG Free edition

It worked! Thanks!!!!

 

[Top Secret]

Nod32.

Hackers actually reccomend it.

 

[Reaktor4]

Yes nod32 is by far the best anti virus.
What was the name of the vst and where did you get it (i wanna know so i dont download it).

 

[duffers20]

I use nod32 and I don't think I have ever used a better AV. Damn easy to use and the auto updates are excellent.

 

[Ti133700N]

I use nod32 and I don't think I have ever used a better AV. Damn easy to use and the auto updates are excellent.

Quoted for thruth

And it founds more stuff than Norton did.

 

[marksmanHL2 :)]

I use bit defender, avg, adaware, spybot s&d and microsoft anti spyware at the moment.



My computer is still running like shite


Anyone know the best (free) anti virus program out there. I was told bit defender... which I think is half true.

When I run it it allways finds about 40+ virus instances... but then only ever manages to fix about half of them. Not much use if you ask me seen as they just spread again... :x

 

[Laivasse]

I use bit defender, avg, adaware, spybot s&d and microsoft anti spyware at the moment.



My computer is still running like shite


Anyone know the best (free) anti virus program out there. I was told bit defender... which I think is half true.

When I run it it allways finds about 40+ virus instances... but then only ever manages to fix about half of them. Not much use if you ask me seen as they just spread again... :x

Make sure you turn off system restore when purging viruses, because sometimes windows just backs them up to your restore folder.

Go to run>msconfig>startup and check your startup programs for anything suspicious. Also run hijackthis and check for suspicious reg entries. Kill those and restart in safe mode - with luck all the viruses should be laid bare before your scanning stuff.

 

[marksmanHL2 :)]

Make sure you turn off system restore when purging viruses, because sometimes windows just backs them up to your restore folder.

Go to run>msconfig>startup and check your startup programs for anything suspicious. Also run hijackthis and check for suspicious reg entries. Kill those and restart in safe mode - with luck all the viruses should be laid bare before your scanning stuff.

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated

 

[Fliko]

Slowdowns are most likely caused by Spyware, which probably keep on intalling themselves through an entry in the register. Yes, Laivasse got it right, and run another scan, if the same virus/spyware pops up that you got rid of, tell us. I can do a search for it to see how to remove it.

 

[baron insig]

you are all cheapskates, norton sucks get mcafee, preferably mcaffee enterprise, best antivirus on the planet