Serious Computer Help Needed

[WDWorBUST]

I obviously have some AWFUL computer virus.....I can't get anything to open and on the main page it says:

WARNING!
You're in danger. Your computer is infected with spyware!!

Then goes on from there. It looks like it's trying to get me to buy "System Security" something or other. Has anyone seen this? Any ideas how to fix it without losing everything?

 

[Calliaz]

DO NOT PURCHASE ANYTHING! I am sure you weren't going to, but I wanted to be clear. I have not had to remove that particular virus (but a similar one). These look like good instructions:

http://www.precisesecurity.com/blogs/2008/12/23/system-security/

If the software they recommend doesn't work, I have also used Spybot (free) with good results.

 

[KathyTX]

Don't buy what's being pushed there (I think you already knew that part.)

Do you have a current and up-to-date copy of Norton or McAfee or another reputable virus scanning application on your machine? Start by running that.

It should be able to remove the malware/virus causing the problem. If it can't, come back and we'll figure out the next step.

So--- Step One is: Make sure your virus scan software is current, and run a FULL scan on your system.

 

[highland3]

I obviously have some AWFUL computer virus.....I can't get anything to open and on the main page it says:

WARNING!
You're in danger. Your computer is infected with spyware!!

Then goes on from there. It looks like it's trying to get me to buy "System Security" something or other. Has anyone seen this? Any ideas how to fix it without losing everything?

Don't click on anything!!!!!!!!!!

Do you have any anti-virus software? If so, go to the company website and look for the latest updates. Then run a scan!

 

[WDWorBUST]

Thanks - I'll try all that and go from there. I had no intention of buying anything or clicking "yes" to anything. I'll be back shortly - I hope. The only thing I still have currently is internet access.

 

[WDWorBUST]

Okay.....we have obviously been seriously lacking in that dept. It looks like I have Norton 2004. Can I download a current version and will it work? It won't let me run the version I have.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Go to download . com and download AVG antivirus. It is free, and it works very well.

Also, download spybot. It is a great spyware detection/cleaning tool, and it is also free...

 

[WDWorBUST]

Okay tried to download AVG and it started the download and the computer restarted itself only to come back to the screen WARNING - blah blah blah. I think I have all my photos, but I'd really like to get it back to make sure.

 

[FireDancer]

I would stay away from AVG or Norton. The two best anti virus software packages are Avast and AVG. Both are free and are available at downloads.com.

Do you have everything you need backed up? If so just format the drive and reinstall everything. I always recommend reinstalling only windows and all the necessary drivers and patches and imaging the machine. That way you have a good machine image if you run into problems in the future. It is a good idea to re-image the PC about every two years anyway because so much crap builds up in Windows just from every day use.

Even if you can get most of the virus off you never know if you've been infected with a root kit. If so, no matter how clean you get the machine you will not get everything off the computer.

The most important thing in computer security has nothing to do with anti-virus software but with behavior. What ever behavior you were doing that got yourself infected is probably the problem. Don't open attachments you get in email unless they are from someone you know, don't allow active X controls to run unless you know why they are being invoked, and don't run Internet Explorer. I only run Firefox and recommend the same to everyone along with the NoScript plug in. You can then manually allow the scripts needed to run on a page and keep those that don't blocked.

Good luck.

 

[dawson5]

ccleaner is helpful also. We use the avg, spybot and sometimes hijackthis to pinpoint problems.

 

[WDWorBUST]

Okay I'm a little confused....you say stay away from AVG but then turn around and say it's one of the best. I'm betting your brain got ahead of your fingers - at least that is what usually happens to me. I want to exhaust all efforts to restore it so I can be 100% sure I have all photos before reformatting. I don't mind reformatting - but would like to double/triple check that I have everything first (if that's even possible).

So guys....what should I try next?

 

[dawson5]

are you familiar with your task manager? Can you possibly find it running in that, shut it down and then try downloading AVG?

 

[WDWorBUST]

I'm used to going to the task manager by CTRL ALT DELETE....that's not working though. Is there another way to get there?

 

[dawson5]

i usually just right click on my task bar. I'm guessing this nasty is blocking you (dunno, been a while since I've dealt with one). another possibility, not sure if it will work. Do you have a spare pc? Download the AVG, Spybot and put onto a memory stick, cd, whatever will work and restart your pc in safe mode, install and run them.

edit: I can't remember if you can install things in safe mode. Might have to install and then restart in safe mode and run programs.

 

[FireDancer]

Okay I'm a little confused....you say stay away from AVG but then turn around and say it's one of the best. I'm betting your brain got ahead of your fingers - at least that is what usually happens to me. I want to exhaust all efforts to restore it so I can be 100% sure I have all photos before reformatting. I don't mind reformatting - but would like to double/triple check that I have everything first (if that's even possible).

So guys....what should I try next?

Sorry, I meant stay away from McAfee and Norton.

Do you have another PC? If so you can pull the hard drive out of the bad PC, hook it up as a slave, and pull all your picture off before reformatting.

 

[JR6ooo4]

Okay I'm a little confused....you say stay away from AVG but then turn around and say it's one of the best. I'm betting your brain got ahead of your fingers - at least that is what usually happens to me. I want to exhaust all efforts to restore it so I can be 100% sure I have all photos before reformatting. I don't mind reformatting - but would like to double/triple check that I have everything first (if that's even possible).

So guys....what should I try next?

do you have all your original disks for re-install the operating system and all your programs?

IS money no issue? you could buy a new hard drive and swap them, re-install all new fresh setup. your computer will be up and runnig and faster, most likely, and with more space. You can get a really nice HD for about $100.

then get a hard drive enclosure for about $30-50 and put the old infected drive in it. then retrieve your files after scanning and removing the virus.

then you have a nice backup drive for when this might ever happen again. all your important data is hopefully safe.

Mikeeee

 

[WDWorBUST]

I don't have another PC at home. Money is an issue....but if I don't find the backup discs to my pictures it isn't anymore. What you guys have suggested is over my head though......I'm willing to try anything though.

 

[FireDancer]

I don't have another PC at home. Money is an issue....but if I don't find the backup discs to my pictures it isn't anymore. What you guys have suggested is over my head though......I'm willing to try anything though.

Do you have anyone that might be able to help you out that is a bit more computer savy? I know I help out a lot of my less PC-inclined friends and family members.

If so, they might have a set up that allows them to pull the pictures off of your hard drive and then restore the drive for you. If not, you can always get the new drive as a P has stated and then use your bad drive as a slave and get the pictures off. This isn't hard but if it is out of your comfort zone that is understandable, but a friend or even the IT guys at work might be able to help you out.

 

[WDWorBUST]

I'm sure our network administrator would be willing to help. But after a failed system restore he suggested reformatting next. But he would be more likely to understand the process - as far as that goes he just may not have thought about it (I caught him at home with a bunch of kids at his house). But it looks like my pics are copying over onto my thumb drive now. I was able to get 2009 off last night onto a thumb drive. And then tonight I couldn't get it initially.....but it appears to be going now. Fingers crossed. If not I may be hauling the stupid thing to work.

 

[Frantasmic]

Did you try starting in safe mode? Safe mode should allow you to start up and get into your registry.

Restart your pc and hold done the F8 button while the pc restarts. You'll be asked what type of safe mode you want to open in. Choose one with a command prompt.

Also, a good site for these types of times is www.pchell.com

specifically, http://www.pchell.com/support/roguespywarecleaners.shtml

good luck