Computer Experts: Virus Advice Please....

[mtblujeans]

When I made my last post, I did not get to Imzadi's suggestion. It was getting late so I just went ahead and deleted the folders (CMEII & GMT) from the recycle bin and took my chances. I then restarted my computer and ran the Ad-Aware again. It only showed the 2 remaining problems and they are Registry Keys. I don't know what that is. They are the ones Ad-Aware has been unable to delete.

Then, I could not get back on the internet. By 9:30, I gave up. I was afraid that by deleting those folders I had done something to my modem software. So, I shut it down and thought I would deal with it today.

I started it up and it is running better than last night. To my surprise, it did dial in just fine. I'll run more scans today and see what I can find. Thanks everybody!

 

[mtblujeans]

If you are running WinXp or even WinMe, then restore points (backups) are automatic, and "should" be able to get you back to the point before the virus infected your computer. Should being the important word there, viruses arent always cooperative.....

I have WIN98. I am not sure about a "restore" as I never backed up. I don't know....I guess if it comes down to it.....I'll reinstall everything. I am in the processing of pulling all the software together now. It has just been so long since I have had to do anything substantial to a computer that I don't have much confidence in this area!

 

[Dan Murphy]

FYI


http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient-menuext&ie=UTF-8&q=CMEII

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=GMT+spyware

 

[mtblujeans]

WOW, Dan! I never think to Google stuff! There is alot of info there! THANKS!

 

[mtblujeans]

Ok....in looking at this stuff.....this HKEY, RegEdit stuff is the 2 items left. I don't understand how to delete them through the RegEdit.

 

[mtblujeans]

I downloaded Xoftspy and scanned my computer with it and it came up with the 2 Ad-Aware shows and more. They want me to pay $40 to complete the scan by deleting what it found. **sigh** I don't understand why these things don't come up when I scan with my Norton!

On the other hand, the GAIN name is gone from the Add/Remove Programs now that I have deleted those files.

 

[Tigger By The Tail]

You may want to try Spybot Search and Destroy. It is a free program similar to Lavasoft Adaware.

 

[Imzadi]

I don't understand why these things don't come up when I scan with my Norton!

Like I said, No one spyware program is able to get everything.

 

[jfulcer]

You should run Spybot (make sure you follow directions to 'update' your definitions):
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

You should run Adaware (make sure you follow directions to 'update' your definitions):
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

(You should run both of these weekly to get rid of this stuff!)

Still got bad stuff? Get HijackThis. Please read the directions on how to install and run it properly.

After you install HijackThis this please go to this website and post your own thread with a copy of your log. They will tell you what to remove. And believe me it is worth it!!!!!

Also while there, read this thread and follow the instructions this will really help keep the nasties away.

you can also post at TechGuy he will help also sometimes faster than Computer Cops.


After everything is gone:

Make sure you are running current antivirus software and also
Don't use Internet Explorer anymore.

Get the Firefox browser:


I highly recommend using Firefox. It's much better at not allowing crap into your system. Of course, there are times where you need to use IE for a legitimate site, but for the most part I use Firefox 98% of the time.

Adaware and spybot should both be run weekly, if not more frequently depending on your surfing.

 

[mtblujeans]

Ok, thanks guys!

I am using DS computer today so I don't make anyone nervous that I may possibly be passing on a virus. Yesterday, I deleted some programs that I don't think I need anymore and ran the defragment program. Then I tried Ad-Aware again and it just starts out deleting the 2 things that are remaining at that half-way point where it left off before and does not progress any farther. I don't know what is up with that!

I will try these other suggestions you have provided and let 'ya know. This spyware stuff is all new to me....I have never had a problem like this before. I have ALWAYS kept my Ad-Aware and Norton updated. This is very frustrating and I hope I don't go through something like this again.

Thanks, again, everybody!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I will say I had used Norton for many years but of recent got rid of it. It is as tough on a PC as AOL is. it entrenches itself, causing more headaches than it is worth. I use separate programs for various utility needs, firewall, antivirus and anti spyware.

 

[mtblujeans]

Well, the Spybot did it! It said it found 8 items and deleted them. It worked as smoothly as the Ad-Aware usually does. I scanned my computer with Ad-Aware and Norton after Spybot cleaned my computer and there is no trace of anything left!

Like you said, Dan, I have always used Norton but as the years go by it seems to get deeper and deeper into my computer and I have trouble with it! At its worst, you can't even delete it from your hard drive anymore!! What type of antivirus programs to you guys use for your computers?

 

[Towncrier]

I use a combination of Windows XP built in firewall, Spybot S&D, Microsoft AntiSpyware, AdAware (from LavaSoft), McAfee Enterprise Edition, and CyberArmor. With all of these programs installed and running, my PC performs almost as well as the very first PC that I owned back in the early 1990's. It seems the more powerful the computers become, the more deadly the virii and spyware are. I guess that is the price we pay to stay connected to the internet.

 

[jfulcer]

I will say I had used Norton for many years but of recent got rid of it. It is as tough on a PC as AOL is. it entrenches itself, causing more headaches than it is worth. I use separate programs for various utility needs, firewall, antivirus and anti spyware.

Dan, what do you use for Antivirus. Panda? I've used Norton in the past and thought it very robust. I have been trying to find a replacement, and most of them interfere with doing development on my machine. Norton never did.