[PapaBigFace]

Well I have been freaking out the last 10-20 minutes because the impossible happened to me. I got a PC bug/virus. I thought they were myth...

Anyway, My wallpaper went to some bogus warning about spyware, I click properties from the desktop and background and screensaver are not there, and all restore points are gone. Please help me, there has to be a way to save this PC without a fresh OS install...I got too much data on this to lose.

[ivwshane]

Do you have another computer?

If so, plug it into the other computer and set it up as a slave. Go to an anti virus site and run the online scanner (I like kerpsky and trendmicro). After you are done then put it back into the old system and run the anti virus scans again as well as a good spyware cleaner and be sure to do it under all users.

[Daveyiv2k1]

run a virus scan? there are plenty of online scanners Trend Micro HouseCall - Free Online Virus and Spyware Scan - Trend Micro USA BitDefender Online Scanner - Free Online Virus Scan are a couple

[PapaBigFace]

okay so Im running trendmicro now..I think...when it's done...do I need to post the results here?

[randomtask]

I recently had the dis-pleasure of fixing a computer with some similar spyware. Safemode + manual deleting the spyware from program files (was hidden under some obscure named folder.), and removing any related entries found in the registry got it back to a reasonably usable state.

Also it actually edits your group policy to remove the 'screen saver' and 'desktop settings' tabs. (The screensaver is a fake bluescreen, then set to shutdown your computer after a few mins of in-activity.)

The computer was still fucked hardcore though, (after numerous scans with adaware and spybot, + nortons antivirus) it just wasn't running anything like it should, so we did a fresh re-install.

[PapaBigFace]

man I am super freakin bummed....well shit I guess I can transfer important stuff via net work...or can this thing leak over the network too? man this sucks so hard.

[Chris]

Judging by what I've seen at work, anything that boots, updates and scans right from a LiveCD is your best bet. I've never been impressed with any AV that scans from regular or safe mode. They never fully find everything. Especially trojans, dear God.

[PapaBigFace]

well Im pretty much gonna do a fresh install...what I need to know is if I am connected to a wireless network can I SAFELY copy pictures and junk over to another PC? Or am I at risk there too?

[Chris]

Put everything you want in one folder, transfer it to another PC and scan the entire folder from there (before opening any of the files). Honestly, you're most likely fine. Most viruses and spyware hang out in the registry and fuck with you from there.

A rule of mine though is that if I get infected at all, I reinstall Windows. Period. I don't run an AV or firewall and haven't been infected by any mal/spyware or virus in probably 5 or so years. I attribute most of that to using non-default programs like Firefox, Thunderbird, only downloading things via torrents, etc.

That may not be a smart option for everyone, keep in mind. I run a very light Windows install and most everything is on another hard drive.

[ivwshane]

Originally Posted by Chris

Put everything you want in one folder, transfer it to another PC and scan the entire folder from there (before opening any of the files). Honestly, you're most likely fine. Most viruses and spyware hang out in the registry and fuck with you from there.

A rule of mine though is that if I get infected at all, I reinstall Windows. Period. I don't run an AV or firewall and haven't been infected by any mal/spyware or virus in probably 5 or so years. I attribute most of that to using non-default programs like Firefox, Thunderbird, only downloading things via torrents, etc.

That may not be a smart option for everyone, keep in mind. I run a very light Windows install and most everything is on another hard drive.

What? No limewire?!!

[PapaBigFace]

LOL, yeah for years now I have run no AV and felt like people who did were being scammed...I still believe that. I was looking at some porn today and got tricked into downloading their fake codec file...Im stupid...and thats how I got into this mess. Well I guess it's God's Lesson to me...


and when you say scan it.....what do I scan it with??? right click and use whatever windows has given me?? Sorry if I sound dumb.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by ivwshane

What? No limewire?!!

LOL

Let me just say the unnamed tech chain that I work for probably makes most of its AV removal package money from things downloaded off of Limeware. It's ridiculous. haha

[Chris]

Originally Posted by PapaBigFace

and when you say scan it.....what do I scan it with??? right click and use whatever windows has given me?? Sorry if I sound dumb.

Scan the folder after you transfer it from the TrendMicro browser-based scanner. Or, just download something. If I had to choose a Windows AV it'd probably be Kaspersky.. Love that shit.

[ivwshane]

Originally Posted by Chris

LOL

Let me just say the unnamed tech chain that I work for probably makes most of its AV removal package money from things downloaded off of Limeware. It's ridiculous. haha

Believe me I'm well aware of the virus downloading program known as limewire

[Jackalope]

if you havent already, ry using UBCD4Windows

its a cd you make from your existing windows cd, that boots an external windows shell. it comes preloaded with tons of antivirus, anti-spyware, and registry cleaning tools. and since you aren't booting from your hd, you can delete any file or reg key you need.

but be careful, becuase you CAN delete important files too.

UBCD has saved my ass a few times from a fresh install

[fornik8her]

I've had good results using the forums on spybot.com for getting assistance in cleaning badly infected machines...

[SoulAssassin]

Download combofix from here A guide and tutorial on using ComboFix

Run this and it will remove the crap you have.

[MSP]

So you weren't running any anti-virus software?

[PapaBigFace]

nope, I never do. So many people go without anti virus software. I am convinced that AV software is the reason half the people in the world have computer problems. I think that the AV companies put shit out there just so they can fix it for you.....I just don't believe in AV software.

[demonizeZ]

I don't run any Anti virus either man never have. I go to alot of underground site to get various programs. Never had an issue . I do run xp but in virtual my main os is Linux (kubuntu). So far so good no virus issue and no crash other then me messing with linux code and crashing.