How do I get rid of a downloader virus??

Question

Ok so I have this virus on my computer and symantec says its a downloader virus. It wont let me delete it or quarentine it. It says

Virus Name: Downloader

File: C:\WINDOWS\system32\__c00C3B80.dat

Location: C:\WINDOWS\system32

please help me!!

Answer 1

I wouldn't advise anyone to have Norton installed but that's up to you. If you wish to remove it and install Avast you will need to install the Norton Removal Tool http://service1.symantec.com/Support/tsg... but if you are happy with it, skip this and the Avast recommendation and do the rest.

Firstly, switch off System Restore, you can restart this once your computer is clean. You do this because a lot of infections hide in these restore points and reactivate themselves after you have scanned your computer.

I always recommend the following be stored on computers and install them myself on any I repair.

Avast Home Edition http://avast.com

Run a full scan once a month. I find this the best free anti-virus software

SUPERantispyware http://superantispyware.com

Update and run a full scan once a week.

Spybot Search and Destroy http://safer-networking.org

Update, Immunize and scan once a week.

ccleaner http://ccleaner.com

Run the Cleaner scan and remove all it finds

Run the Registry scan and fix all issues but repeat this until nothing is detected.

Run this daily.

Comodo Firewall http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

Some people just prefer the Windows one but this is better.

Check that you don't need to defragment monthly and also run a Disk Cleanup monthly too.

Feel free to email me if I can be of further help  

Answer 2

Use Malwarebytes Anti-Malware:

http://www.download.com/Malwarebytes-Ant...

Download, install, update and select Full Scan.

Remove all infections that it finds after scan.

Spyware Doctor Free Basic Edition - will remove Downloader vb

http://pack.google.com/intl/en/pack_inst...

Its free with Google pack, untick all boxes except Spyware Doctor. Download install, update and run.

SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition:

http://www.download.com/SUPERAntiSpyware...

Download, install, check for updates, then select Scan your Computer, select your drive and select Perform Complete Scan

Spybot S&D:

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/downl...

Download, install, update and Immunize, then click 'Check for problems' then when complete select all and then 'Fix Checked'

VundoFix:

http://www.symantec.com/content/en/us/gl...

Disconnect your computer from the internet

Run vundo

Restart your computer

Run the tool again to ensure no traces are left.

If there are the reboot into Safe Mode and run FixVundo again.

Answer 3

try windows unlocker or just format your computer and before formatting save all your necessary files and documents

Answer 4

Unfortunately, if you find one infection, it is highly likely you have another one. A virus, trojan or worm are all different types of infections/malware and there are some great FREE programs that can help you.

First, clean up (delete) your cookies, temp files and temporary internet files. I prefer to use Ccleaner (available at www.filehippo.com) to do this, rather than the built-in DISK CLEANUP, as I feel it does a much more thorough job - for example, it will clean out the index files on your next reboot.

If you want to use Disk Cleanup, you can find it if you:

- Double-Click on My Computer to open it up

- RIGHT-click on your C: drive

- Choose PROPERTIES and then click on the DISK CLEANUP button

- When done, reboot your computer.

Delete these files daily or run Ccleaner every day right before you shut your computer down.

2 - You should also have a good anti-virus program to help protect your computer. AVG FREE is an excellent anti-virus program, which can be downloaded from www.download.com. You might also choose Avast or Avira, both also free programs from www.download.com.

3 -Since NONE of the anti-spyware/anti-adware programs are 100% accurate in finding and removing spyware, you need at least two programs which you will run one after the other, not at the same time.

There are three excellent free ones:

--Spybot, Search and Destroy

--Ad-Aware

--Spyware Blaster

All are available FREE from www.download.com

You will need to download, install, update (and IMMUNIZE in Spybot) and run them, one at a time. Be careful with the NAME of these programs - there are "look-alikes" with very similar names, that are in fact spyware themselves! Reboot after you install each one!

After this current infection is cleared up, be sure to run both of the above programs at least once a week if you are on the internet frequently and/or like to download music or files.

NOTE: Some infections prevent your from downloading the above programs. You may have to use a clean computer to download the programs and copy them to a thumb drive or CD. Then transfer the install files to the infected computer and run.

--Occasionally you will not be able to run these programs without being in SAFE MODE. To get there, reboot your computer and tap the F8 key, repeatedly until a menu comes up. You want to choose SAFE MODE WITH NETWORKING.

4 -You should also have a good firewall to help protect your computer. Zone Alarm makes a totally free version (watch you don't download the 30-day free trial of the paid version). You can download this from the manufacturer at www.zonelabs.com

Answer 5

Turn off system restore & scan.

Answer 6

Try Dr.Web Curit. No offense but Symantec kinda lacks in their virus definitions. If you need real protection try AVG 8. Its free and gets up dated some times 3 times a week.