Issues with Computer - Viruses??

[Jupiter&Wolfe]

I have a Windows Vista Lap top. One day a few weeks ago I went to go turn it on and it would let me use any of the programs or functions. All that was on the screen was an all white background and a window about Windows Privacy. It's definitely from my computer, not a foreign virus or something. It was saying there was a security breech and there are viruses and it was listing what was at risk and such. Well I figured I would just quit out of that and do a virus scan, but it would NOT let me close the window. I can't get anywhere else on my computer, it's JUST that window.

I guess I have to take it to a computer guy to get it fixed. If I deleted my history before bringing it in, would there still be a way he could go through where I've been in the past? Is there anyway for me to fix this from home?

Thanks!

 

[Jupiter&Wolfe]

Bump. Hoping to get some advice, simplified the first post to get the bare facts.

 

[mickeyboat]

I won't be too much help, but I contracted two viruses at work that took over Windows XP and would not let my computer do anything unless I bought their anti-virus software.

Our IT guy ran Malwarebytes and did a bunch of other stuff to find and get rid of the virus. He consulted some discussion boards for help.

Can you use another computer to google whatever message you are getting to figure out what to do?

Good luck!

 

[LindaG4458]

Last summer I had a virus that took over my laptop and wouldn't let me do anything. It kept showing porn and then tell me that I had to buy a particular security software. If I managed to turn off the computer and turn it back on it would recommend a different software package. I had to take it to a local computer repair shop and have the entire disk backed up and cleaned up. It cost me $150! Now I am very cautious and update the security software immediately if I haven't been on the laptop for a couple days. So far there has been no further problems.

ETA: The virus I had was ANTIVIRUS 2008. Following are symptoms from the document that the repair shop gave me:

SIGNS OF AND ANTIVIRUS 2008 INFECTION:

The following symptoms can be seen after the Antifirus 208 virus has successfully infected your computer:

1. "VIRUS ALERT" appears inthe system tray (lower right hand corner of your desktop)
2. The computer's desktop background changes to a red hazard alert or a blue background with a yellow alert in the center
3. The computer's screen saver changes to either the "Blue Screen of Death" with a random error code that changes or animated bugs crawl around the screen
4. The Start Menu does not list "Programs", "My Documents", "My Computer", "My Recent Documents", "Search", "Help", "Control Panel" or "Run".
5. Pop ups of random rogue anti-spyware programs appear. The pop-ups displayed are for rogue anti-spyware programs like Antivirus 2008, Antivirus 2009, Antivirus XP 2009, XP Antivirus Protection, Spy-Shredder, WinSpywareProtect, and others.
6. Windows Explorer closes by itself or displays an "Illegal Operation of System" page
7. Computer performs sluggish or it ultimately crashes. Afterward it only "loop boots" over and over
8. The Antivirus 2008 program will hide inthe _"Program Files" folder located in C:\druve directory ina sub-folder named something like "XP Antivirus 2008" or "Antivirus XP"

If you see any signs or activity as we have described above, it is very likely you computer is infected with the Antivirus 2008 virus. Shut down your computer immedieately.

DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR CREDIT CARD INFORMATION.

Contact your computer professional to have Antivirus 2008 removed from your computer. Once a computer has become infected with this program, specialty software will have to be used before your computer becomes completely disabled.

 

[NotUrsula]

It's definitely from my computer, not a foreign virus or something. It was saying there was a security breech and there are viruses and it was listing what was at risk and such. Well I figured I would just quit out of that and do a virus scan, but it would NOT let me close the window. I can't get anywhere else on my computer, it's JUST that window.

Yes, it is a "foreign virus or something." That window is a fake generated by the virus.

 

[Tatania]

Using a back-up laptop.

Right now the Malware is getting MUCH worse. I cleaned of Antivirus Pro a couple time but got hit with Malware Defense last Thursday and this one really fried my computer. I tried for about 20 hours to get rid of it (using the very excellent Spy Doctor Pro version and Malware Bytes) and fix all the ensuing problems that occured (including no browsers staying open, no system restore, constant freezing etc. not fully loading windows, not installing AVG etc.) but to no avail. After that it was an all night file back-up session and now it's in the shop for a probable reformat. The guy said they had never seen as many fired computers as right now thanks to the nature of the new Malware. Best advice is to have Spy Doctor Pro Intelliguard AND AVG Professional on at all times while surfing the web and use Firefox. I will not use IE again.

 

[nd5056]

... The guy said they had never seen as many fired computers as right now thanks to the nature of the new Malware...

I second that.

It's cheaper and quicker just to back-up data and reformat. I wasted so much time trying to prove to myself that I can clean it all up... Did most of it but not 100%. Had to reformat anyway...

.

 

[Tatania]

That was probably a good idea nd5056. The shop got back to me today (run by old gamer friends of mine who really know their stuff) and said the virus/malware had attached itself to my OS and it was a helluva job to get rid of it. Spydoctor Pro did not detect those files because they were completely hidden within the OS. They may STILL need to reformat after all this because noting is working properly anymore on the computer. But it DOES explain why after removing the first attack I kept getting attacked repeatedly while browsing.

 

[nd5056]

I just did friend laptop last night hit with Malware Defense. But for some reasons I thought they didn't do too much damage so I decided to clean it instead of reinstall…

4 hours later I was able go clean it up 99%, but the automatic Windows Update Service is down & I can’t bring it back. The only way to do updates is to physically click on Windows Update from the Start Menu. And you can not change the settings preference in the Win Security settings…

Just out of curiosity, how much will this cost you??? (Or how much your friend charges for service like?)

..Spydoctor Pro did not detect those files because they were completely hidden within the OS...

Yup. Windows Registry is the place to hide / prevent execution / change properties information / etc.

They change the KEY values.

Once this is done, they hide the KEY! Now, since you can’t see the Key or the values it’s set to, you can’t change it unless you knew the mile long string to type it in…

.

 

[Tatania]

Sorry for not getting back sooner but haven't had time to come to the boards lately. Anyway, it cost me $150 and for that I also got a professional version of AGV installed that's monitoring my computer all the time while online. The waste of time and money all this Malware is causing is criminal and I would gladly line them all up against a wall and pull the trigger myself. BTW, the shop was full of computers hit by various Malware which is mutating very fast and getting very difficult to remove except professionally.