I got a big problem !! Virus alert !!!

[Vaanskylord]

I need assistance from all you techy guys, i dont know much about computers, and my research skills are terrible so i'm not sure where too look for help.

Ok guys, a couple of days ago my computers were infected with a virus or something (I have 2 computers). The first one is so badly infected that it needs too be wiped clean. But the one i am currently on can still be saved. Eventually my uncle will come over too see what the problem is but i want too see if i can fix it.

Here is what happens. When i go on the interenet (Internet Explorer), 9 times out of 10 it will say "Blocked" at the top left corner, on the blue tab thingy, while the adress bar says "about:Blank" Then the page itself will turn red and say "This website has been reported as unsafe" (Even if i am on a safe website, like google). Then it says "We strongly recommend that you discontinue the use of this website" sometimes a message out of no where will appear and say "Your internet connection is experiencing problems, would you like to send and error report ?" no matter what i click, (Dont send or send) it will shut down my internet window.

This happens alot no matter where i go, and it's really annoying !!! I cant get anything done without going through a shit load of trouble. My virus protection is AVG, the free version.

Does anyone know what i can do to get rid of this problem ?

[Amphoric]

Try running an Anti-Virus (AVG is free), Try running a spyware check (Spybot is free)

or

you can try doing a System Restore

Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> System Restore

When the option for you to pick a Date comes up, select one of the Dates that you were not having this problem (On the calendar in the System Restore window) then click next, your computer will restore itself to that time and restart to complete the restore. (It wont delete anything you saved manually, so don't worry) If you don't like the restore point, you can re-run System Restore and click on today's date and it will restore it back to your current settings.

[Scott]

Stop using Internet Explorer too, it's one of the most vulnerable browsers to viruses.

[Advent-EVA]

How about taking off a signature or two, that might fix your issues? =3

[Vaanskylord]

@Beynd: I'm running AVG right now. Is it safe too use your other method while running AVG ?

@Scott: Yeah i just figured that out, i guess i should get Firefox.

@Advent-Eva: HAHAHA....veeeery funny.......no seriously i did chuckle a bit.

[Amphoric]

@Beynd: I'm running AVG right now. Is it safe too use your other method while running AVG ?


If you do a system restore, it restarts your computer, Finish scanning with AVG to delete any possible viruses, from your PC, then try a system restore if your problem is not resolved.


Even if you get a virus and remove it, the damage is done to your OS, I usually always reformat if I got a virus unless I can remove it easily, but in a weeks time, I can tell the damage done and usually reformat then (I don't use system restore though)

[Adiuvo]

Start the computer up in safe mode and run the virus scan from there. That way it can't avoid detection. Also, download NOD32 and run that as well. It's better at catching the rarer viruses than AVG.

How to start in safe mode. (http://www.pchell.com/support/safemode.shtml)
NOD32. (http://www.eset.com/) It's not free, but there's a trial.

As for the browser, personally I recommend Chrome. It's the fastest out of all of them and has the best use of screen real estate without entering cripple mode like Firefox needs to.

[Durzo]

Hmm. Is system restore when you use that app that deletes everything you've ever downloaded to the date that you choose?

If not, I'm sorry i don't know the name of it. But there's a little app in your control panel and you choose the date before you had a virus and it should clean everything until that date. That should get rid of the virus.

Hope I helped, Vaan. :)

[Vaanskylord]

Well the AVG scan said that there wasn't a virus. I'll try this date thingy you guys are talking about. I didnt download much since i got the virus.

[Suppi]

Run malwarebytes.
Also IE sucks balls. Try get Firefox or god for bid Safari.
also I would tell you to try and manually search the programs currently running and look for odd names and google them up. if you find it you can manually isolate them.

[smilie]

Try a different anti-virus because the free one that you can get from AVG is not reliable. :)

And google chrome is a nice browser too. :)

[Limbo_lag]

If you're looking for freeware, I recommend Advanced System Care. Works well for deleting spyware, and it helps to detect/delete hijacked system settings.

[Vaanskylord]

Alright the system restore wont work, it says that it was unable too restore the system.

I downloaded Advanced system care and it found problems, so i cleaned that stuff up.

But i'm still having the same problem with my internet. I'm not even sure if its a virus. It wont go away !!

[Tsuken-]

You should reformat your both computers. it always helps me.

[Vaanskylord]

How do i do that ? Damn nothing is working.

[Tsuken-]

If your using Vista, check this out-->YouTube- How to Reformat your Windows Vista computer without a CD

[Vaanskylord]

I dont have Windows Vista, will it still work for XP ?

Also i would rather not have everything on my computer be deleted.

[Kraid]

Find the program "Malware Bytes Anti-Malware." This has gotten rid of MANY a viruses that AVG has failed to got rid of for me.

Adaware is also useful as it can remove anything that is usually Browser related.

Adaware, Malware Bytes and AVG should be enough to get rid of 99.9% of all the crap that appears online.

RUN THESE IN SAFE MODE, FOR GOD SAKE.

Speaking off Internet Browsers:

IE 7 is the safest Browser so far online. Firefox isn't actually that safe, since they don't update it as often as it should. (Even though I use FireFox...)

You should really right now use IE 7. Safari don't bother: It hasn't got the support FireFox or IE have.

I don't understand the hatred for IE: If you don't update it, of course it's unsafe. But it's the safest browser on the internet IF you do update it, which you ALWAYS SHOULD BE.

[Amphoric]

(Kraid posted as I was typing this down)

*Being in Safe Mode is the best way to remove viruses - but isn't always needed (but I'd still recommend being in safe mode to remove viruses)

To start in Safe Mode just press F8 right away your computer starts POST (after you see your system specs, If you have a Title Screen that hides your POST, wait for it to disappear before you start hitting F8

I found people who were having the same problem as you.

This is what they did to fix it:

1. Download Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware (http://www.precisesecurity.com/tools-resources/adware-tools/malwarebytes-anti-malware/) (mbam-setup.exe) and save it on your Desktop.
2. After downloading, double-click on mbam-setup.exe to install the application.
3. Follow the prompts and install as “default” only
4. Before the installation completes, check on the following prompts:

- Update Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware
- Launch Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware
5. Click “Finish.” Program will run automatically and you will be prompt to update the program before doing a scan. Allow it to update.
6. Scan your computer thoroughly.
7. When scanning is finished click on the “Show Results”
8. Make sure that all detected threats are marked, click on Remove Selected.
9. Restart your computer.

Note: Some malware may prevent mbam-setup.exe from downloading and running. You can download and rename this program from a different computer before running it on infected system.

(In english, download the file on a different computer, rename the installer.exe to something else and use a USB stick to transfer it to your computer if it won't download on your current machine)


I know that someone mentioned this program before hand in an earlier post.

[Stupid Aquarius]

Did you try scanning in Safe Mode Vaan?

[Vaanskylord]

@Kraid: How do i go into dafe mode ?

@Aquarius: I knew you would come back for me baby. Read the above.

@Beynd: I'm currently scanning my computer with what you provided. I'm not scanning in safe mode though.

[Kraid]

Scanning in normal mode isn' going to help: Alot of viruses can simply avoid detection. Safe Mode stops that.

I don't know which version of Windows you've got... if you even HAVE windows. But...

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/chsafe.htm

Will tell you how to get into Safe mode. YOU MUST do this in Safe Mode.

[Stupid Aquarius]

I am going to change my name to "Aqueerius" and hopefully you'll get the message. I would like you as a little brother though!


IE 7 is the safest Browser so far online. Firefox isn't actually that safe, since they don't update it as often as it should. (Even though I use FireFox...)
Even with Adblock + NoScript? S:

[Vaanskylord]

I see the word queer in that name does that mean you're gay ? I am currenly in safe mode on my cpu and i am scanning it. i'm on the psp web browser.

[Stupid Aquarius]

Only when you're near me. ...And for certain people.

That's great, you got into safe mode. Hopefully the programs will pick up stuff and you'll get this ordeal sorted.

[Vaanskylord]

Aquarius, you're gonna love me whether you want too or not. Alright it's finished and the computer seems too be running problem free.

Thanks everybody, for the help.

[Kraid]

I am going to change my name to "Aqueerius" and hopefully you'll get the message. I would like you as a little brother though!


Even with Adblock + NoScript? S:

From my experience with computers, people who generally use FireFox suffer more problems than people with updated IE. Simple as. I, myself, had a problem not to long ago which was supposed to be prevented BY FireFox, but in the end I had to REFORMAT my Harddrive because it became corrupted. And I didn't download anything at that time.

[Limbo_lag]

@ Vaan, Hey, glad to hear it!

@ Kraid, Just curious, did you get that problem where Firefox/IE just crashed and hung randomly? I used to get that often when I used Google, although I think the update for Firefox fixed it. Also...wouldn't most antivirus softwares prevent problems from occuring? I've been running Firefox with my own antivirus program (which has changed over the years (from Norton, to McAfee, etc...)) for several years now, with little problems so far.