Is this spyware?

[Dan Murphy]

Dan my husband did what you said reanda and it worked!!! Thank God your name is Dan and not Danielle he would probably have ignored your advice!

We had 4 viruses, 41 spyware, and 5 dialers which scared the heck out of me. I would not mind but I faithfully ran NOrton adaware and spybot a couple of times a week too!

Anyway...I am back in business!! Yipee just in time for Christmas!

Glad it worked for you, B the B. It is good software.

Yikes, I looked at my earlier post, what a spelling job, LOL.

 

[Imzadi]

Run a Trend Micro AntiVirus online since you do not have a good antivirus right now.
http://housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/start_corp.asp

Then download CWShredder - if the virus will let you. If you Do have a virus or spyware - it disables your antivirus & doesn't let you even install certain types of programs remove it.

http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html

http://wiki.castlecops.com/Securing_Your_Computer:_Overview

 

[Jeff in BigD]

Oy!

My sister had a similar issue with her laptop, she had to start from scratch. This is the 2nd software issue she's had in less than a year.

Last year we both got laptops, she got a PC & I got an iBook. Guess which one of us is jealous.

 

[DisMN]

For the record, ANY time I've had weirdness on my computer it's always been a virus or trojan attack of some sort. ALWAYS.

Using Norton as my daily (which yep I admit doesn't catch everything) I also use the three free products from Trend Micro (the anti spyware, the CWshredder and the Trend Micro virus scan) in addition to Adaware and Spybot, all free products.

I'm amazed how using just one doesn't work, you almost HAVE to use a combo of several to catch everything.

 

[vettechick99]

Run a Trend Micro AntiVirus online since you do not have a good antivirus right now.
http://housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/start_corp.asp

Then download CWShredder - if the virus will let you. If you Do have a virus or spyware - it disables your antivirus & doesn't let you even install certain types of programs remove it.

http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html

http://wiki.castlecops.com/Securing_Your_Computer:_Overview

Imzadi (or anyone), I'm at the Trend website right now and I get a "security warning" from Windows when I try to run the software. It says the publisher is unknown and doesn't have a digital signature and prevents me from downloading it). Is this my virus playing tricks on me?

Since my problem started yesterday, I've removed and reloaded my Norton, and the enable is back on, but Windows is saying I don't have any anti-virus loaded. Obviously something is standing in between the two. I've also gone to the Norton website and run their scan to see if I have a virus (someone posted the link) and it says I'm all clear. I also called Norton but after 20 minutes of getting nowhere, I hung up.

Grrr...I'm always so careful! I can't figure out what happened here.

 

[ScoJo15]

It does sound like the Klez virus. Check out this link and see if any applies/works for you:

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.klez.e@mm.html

 

[ScoJo15]

Also, boot your PC in safe mode and try running the scan from there.

 

[jfulcer]

Since my problem started yesterday, I've removed and reloaded my Norton, and the enable is back on, but Windows is saying I don't have any anti-virus loaded. Obviously something is standing in between the two. I've also gone to the Norton website and run their scan to see if I have a virus (someone posted the link) and it says I'm all clear. I also called Norton but after 20 minutes of getting nowhere, I hung up.

Grrr...I'm always so careful! I can't figure out what happened here.

Norton and Windows don't play well together. Windows does not recognize Norton as an antivirus product so says you are not protected. There is a patch to resolve this issue, but I cannot find it right now. As long as Symantec is indicating it's running, you should be ok.

I dunno about the other issue. It does sound like a virus type thing. Have you tried to boot in safe mode and try to run the scan then? I'd try that next if not.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

im gonna have to ask a question here too---I have Fsecure anti virus, which is what my computer guy put on my computer...sometimes, when i turn on my computer, it will say that my computer did not recognize an anti virus program, but im still able to run it...should i downlaod another anti virus?

 

[jennz]

I recently (last month) had the same thing and DH took the computer in to his vendor who fixed it. Nothing we tried at home worked. They found another virus as well and said they can really get buried in your system now. FWIW they also recommend NOT using IE since it's targeted more often. We're using Mozilla Firefox for our browser not.

Good luck! I know this is very frustrating!

 

[vettechick99]

Also, boot your PC in safe mode and try running the scan from there.

I just ran the Klez scan and a full-system Norton scan (before and after updates) and I'm clean on both. So how do I do a safe-mode scan?

 

[ScoJo15]

I just ran the Klez scan and a full-system Norton scan (before and after updates) and I'm clean on both. So how do I do a safe-mode scan?

Reboot your PC. When it starts back up, press F8 repeatedly until you see a screen asking if you want to boot in safe mode or not.

Safe mode starts Windows with the bare minimum of drivers, but Norton will still be there. Run a scan like you'd normally do.

Also, have you scanned for spyware?? Microsoft's AntiSpyware is free and really good....I'd recommend doing that as well.

 

[Imzadi]

Imzadi (or anyone), I'm at the Trend website right now and I get a "security warning" from Windows when I try to run the software. It says the publisher is unknown and doesn't have a digital signature and prevents me from downloading it). Is this my virus playing tricks on me?

Yes, it probably is the virus. There are a couple of viruses that know how to recognise the websites & programs to download, install the Antivirus programs. They are designed to NOT let you even download, let alone install the programs or run a scan.

"Trend Micro" is the Symantec Company that puts out one of the more famous Antiviruses. I can't remember which one.

Go to this page & download the 3 free Antivirus programs. Online reviews by PC Magazine says they are equally the 3 best (free) Antivirus programs out. ALL of them run in REAL TIME instead of only on demand when you remember to do a scan so you can have it running in the background. So you don't even need to BUY a AV after you get your current problem solved.

I downloaded all of them. (About 12 MB each.) All of them run with Win 95 or 98 & up.) I installed & tested each one SEPERATELY. (Then uninstalled each one.) The first one found a virus & deleted it. The second one found a Trojan horse & a virus! I had a whole bunch of trouble trying to delete the virus. By the time I got the third AV installed, this one said I have no viruses now. My puter is running MUCH faster now. I'm keeping the third progam on, since suits my needs the best.

 

[Imzadi]

Did you ever post your hack this log file to one of the hack this support sites?

Even if she posts a HiJack This log, it will take a week for them to get back to her. (They are all volunteers.)

Plus they simply refer you to a page download more programs to fix the problems on your own first.

This is the reply I got while waiting:

Whilst you are waiting for an expert to examine your log, we recommend that you follow our Malware Removal Procedure , a new system we have devised to enable users to either partially, or fully clean their systems without the direct aid of an expert. Should you still require HJT assistance after completing malware removal, this step will eliminate the need for you to repeat these scans during your log analysis.

3/ Post a fresh post scan log into this thread (under my post right here).
(Then wait several more days.)

The Malware Procedure Page refers to this page to download all the goodies to remove infections:
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Securing_Your_Computer:_Overview

 

[Chuck S]

Both Norton and McAfee seem to have added so much overhead to their products that they seem to drag down any systems they're installed on.

My wife's recommending Computer Associate's eTrust now.

I'm glad to hear that. I currently have Norton...but just got Road Runner high speed, and they are offering eTrust EZArmor for free..should I switch?

 

[vettechick99]

Thanks everyone for your help. I ran the Norton in Safe-Mode and it came up clear. The only thing that looked weird was the Email Scanning said "error". I don't know what that means, especially since I never use my Outlook (in fact, it's never even been set up).

I also ran my Ad-Aware and downloaded Spybot and CleanUp! and all looks good there as well. So I think I'm in over my head. Monday I'm going to take it to someone in town and have them look a little closer. I'll let you know what they find.

 

[DisMN]

Yes, it probably is the virus. There are a couple of viruses that know how to recognise the websites & programs to download, install the Antivirus programs. They are designed to NOT let you even download, let alone install the programs or run a scan.

"Trend Micro" is the Symantec Company that puts out one of the more famous Antiviruses. I can't remember which one.

Go to this page & download the 3 free Antivirus programs. Online reviews by PC Magazine says they are equally the 3 best (free) Antivirus programs out. ALL of them run in REAL TIME instead of only on demand when you remember to do a scan so you can have it running in the background. So you don't even need to BUY a AV after you get your current problem solved.

I downloaded all of them. (About 12 MB each.) All of them run with Win 95 or 98 & up.) I installed & tested each one SEPERATELY. (Then uninstalled each one.) The first one found a virus & deleted it. The second one found a Trojan horse & a virus! I had a whole bunch of trouble trying to delete the virus. By the time I got the third AV installed, this one said I have no viruses now. My puter is running MUCH faster now. I'm keeping the third progam on, since suits my needs the best.

Trend Micro is Symantec? Are you sure? I know Norton's is Symantec but didn't know Trend Micro had any connection whatsoever.

In any case, you're right on with the rest of the info about the free scans from TM. They've been great for me, probably better than the other stuff I've used. And yep, when I had several viruses, the viruses themselves wouldn't let me run Trend Micro. Smart little buggers!!

 

[bicker]

Trend Micro is a Japanese company. Symantec is an American company.

 

[Imzadi]

Trend Micro is Symantec? Are you sure? I know Norton's is Symantec but didn't know Trend Micro had any connection whatsoever.

Ahh, I guess I always see the two names linked so I assumed they are the same company. They have just been sharing info & former executives:

http://www.symantec.com/press/1998/n980408.html
http://www.symantec.com/press/2000/n001004a.html

Sorry, my bad!
Here it says "Trend Micro, the third largest PC-security firm behind Symantec (Nasdaq: SYMC) and McAfee..." so they still are a reputable company in terms of doing an online scan.

 

[DisMN]

Ahh, I guess I always see the two names linked so I assumed they are the same company. They have just been sharing info & former executives:

http://www.symantec.com/press/1998/n980408.html
http://www.symantec.com/press/2000/n001004a.html

Sorry, my bad!
Here it says "Trend Micro, the third largest PC-security firm behind Symantec (Nasdaq: SYMC) and McAfee..." so they still are a reputable company in terms of doing an online scan.

LOL No problem. I just wanted to make sure for myself. Although I suppose the unlinking will help a few people who might be looking for Trend micro info on the Symantec site. LOL LOL

I really do love that free Trend Micro trio and thus far it's been far superior to the Nortons/symantec that I actually pay for. Isn't that awful?