My computer is infected..help!!!

I use ClamWinAV - FREE - it has been reliable and headache free.
http://www.clamwin.com/

After Downloading & installing, check for updates.

Now that you're almost a happy camper...

Right click > ClamWin icon:
Choose > Configure ClamWin

This will allow you to choose when you want updates done automatically, run scans, and of course, what to do with files - for example, under:
General tab:
Scanning Options
* Scan in Subdirectories

Infected Files
* Move to Quarantine Folder

 

ClamAV is worthless and totally ineffective against the most basic virus threats.

 

The company I work for installs e-Trust Antivirus & Microsoft Anti-Spyware on all its laptops. I have got to say that it is the most un-intrusive combination that I have ever used.

My home pc has McAfee installed at present - but I find some parts of it an absolute PITA. When this expires I will find out if the e-Trust package is practical for installation at home.

 

wax - when I made my post I was in a hurry so let me explain further. ClamAV is free and reliable because its not really doing anything. You should be concerened if this is your primary source of virus detection. There are approximately 187,000 viruses out there today. ClamAV detects between 35,000 (per their manual) and 50,000 (per their website). It doesnt detect polymorphic viruses which is almost all of them these days. Thats only 19%. The University of Hamburg Virus Test Center rated ClamAV the lowest rating "Useless" two years in a row (0 points out of 19).

I have submitted virus samples to ClamAV that were 2 weeks old and they still didn't know about it. There are days where they have no definitions coming out, when all the major vendors have updates every day. Even when they do have an update, many times it contains defintions for only 1 or 2 new viruses when the other players have 15 or more.

I mention all this because I think those that rely on ClamAV are actually helping the viruses propogate rather than hindering (much to their surprise).

You get what you pay for!

Mike

 

Mike, since you seem to know alot about this stuff..whats the best out there?

 

Whether it was 95, 98, Me or XP - All I've ever gotten from McAfee and Norton's were problems - not Virus problems - Norton and McAfee problems. Especially Norton.

Thanks for taking the time to go into greater detail - your genuine concern does not go unnoticed - but... I'm a fan of OpenSource (If I could get a stable Linux program & use it fulltime, I would - Gentoo would be preferable). The OpenSource ClamAV is one of two AV programs I use. Easiest to deal with & doesn't war with others. Despite my OpenSource quirks, Avast! 4.x VPS (which looks more like a Media Player) is also free & has not run interference on me. I also use a few other programs to take out the trash.

 

Can I jump in on this. My computer was infected on Friday.

I started getting this red box warning, together with a new icon (red circle with line that alternates to a green semi-circle). When I boot, I get this message.

Adaware and kaspersky haven't been able to find it. I tried safe mode reboot to last good config and that didn't solve it. Can anyone help?

Thanks.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

That second page you posted is malware advetisement for Pest Trap, Malware Wipe, Spy Guard. Go to www.majorgeeks.com, go to the support forum, then malware section and follow instructions for what to do, etc..

The first is more than likely a dummy warning. Mine was similar (Spy Axe, Spy Sheriff, and another one in the group). MANUALLY remove the programs before shutting the computer off. Mine sent a file into the prefetch so upon shutdown and start up, it would launch. Also, if you click the unistall program supplied with the malware, it will instead install the program.

 

The ol' "this sounds good" trick, aye?

Here's how it got there...
http://www.scanspyware.net/info/Rbot-JE.htm
______

Important: Get confirmation from someone else before you follow these manual deletion steps:
______
Start > Search > For Files or Folders:
systemupdate.exe

Delete this file:
systemupdate.exe
___________________

Start > Run:
regedit
[OK]
Edit > Find:
Windows Update Service 2004/2005

Delete this registry value wherever it displays (might display in three different places):
Windows Update Service 2004/2005

 

Thanks a bunch for the help, you guys! I'll try this when I get home this afternoon.

 

McAfee's technology is hands down the best, no questions. I'm not saying that just because I'm partnered with them. Disclaimer -- Not all McAfee products are written by me!

Unfortunately there are some very cheap AV products out there (McAfee and Symantec included). The $29 versions, pre-loaded OEM versions, etc. Many folks don't know about their professional/business editions, which are very very good. The server software is especially good, I run them on Linux, AIX and OS400. But they're all based on the same technology and quite effective.

 

Hi, i got exactly same problem as you over w/e. I cant fix it, downloaded norton but no success. if you solve pls pls pls pm me.

zak

 

...would disagree, TrendMicro makes a fine product.

 

Yes, they do. A very good product. One of the best, especially the corporate products. Trend's home products are a bit to be desired but that's the same with most AV products.

 

While we're on the subject ... what about AVG Antivirus? Is it any good?
I currently run AVG, ZoneAlarm, PrevX ... is that enough to say I don't need Norton (I only keep it because I'm not sure about my AVG, ZA, PrevX trio)?

 

Fine product, maybe, but this is what the University of Hamburg Virus Test Center says about Trend Micro:

"One serious concern from our results is that AV producers concentrate more
on detection of In-The-Wild (ITW) viruses than on zoo viruses. Indeed, one
AV company - TrendMicro - informed us that they dont wish to participate
in our test as they concentrate on ITW detection and are aware that their
products will produce "unfavourable results" for VTCs zoo testbeds (see 3).
Indeed, VTC tests differ from other tests in that large zoo testbeds
are used for testing reliable and consistent detection."

"TrendMicro Germany has again recently informed the author of this
report that they are NOT interested in VTC test participation
as their scanner is deliberately trimmed to on-access
scanning and detection of In-The-Wild viruses. As
VTC emphasize also the detection of zoo viruses where
their products would produce "unfavourable results",
there is still no intent to submit their products. When
2 experts from TrendMicro asked to test their product but
NOT TO PUBLISH results but report them only to TM lab,
VTC - as university lab devoted to public information -
had to refuse that "offer". Consequently, VTC refrains
from inviting TrendMicro for future test participation.
"

So without verifiable non-biased independent testing, what factors into your opinion that Trend Micro's technology is better than McAfee's?

 

My answer to your question: Many years of IT experience.

If you quote something like that, please link, citing the date and possibly the version of the software. A lot has changed, and if they refer to their consumer product, then I would agree that it is crap.

 

I have 25 years of IT experience, and I suggest doing your own research. Its pretty easy to get started, just google University of Hamburg Virus test center. The information has been publically avialable for many years.

 

We can throw out quotes too listing TM appearing in Top Ten lists and McA not in the number one position, so what, this is getting into a pissing contest. you think McA is the best, we don't....just because a product has market share doesn't necessarily make it the best….Windows anyone?

 

What you should've done is set up a dual boot with Linux for him, and forbidden him from using your Windows (disable the guest account and don't reveal any of your passwords). Linux has perfect functionality for surfing, and it's practically immune to viruses/spyware/adware/malware/trojans/etc... He can surf as much pr0n as he wants while logged into Linux. Oh yeah, if you mount your windows partitions, make sure write permissions are turned off (most Linux distros cannot write to NTFS partitions anyway).

 

Just getting back to this. The virus test center is not a *quote*, it was an extensive non-biased study. It ran for several years. It had nothing to do with market share. Did you read it?

I work with viruses 24x7. Its what I do for a living. This is by no means a pissing contest. If you or your company chose one vendor over another and like it, so be it. Someone asked my opinion and I gave it. I choose McAfee because I find their technology to be superior. I'm restricted to what I can say about their technology, otherwise I could provide tons of reasons.

And I don't believe in magazine articles, quotes, top 10 lists and the like. Much of that is driven by marketing/advertising dollars. Those results are all over the map.