I have a virus in my computer?

Question

I have a virus in my computer, I know it even though the anti virus doesn't detect anything, I cant open "My Computer" or i'll have to close of explorer.exe from task manager and re-open it because the computer will stick,I cant update my computer because they tell me "Attention *my name goes here* some dangerous viruses detected in you system. Microsoft XP is corrupted. This may lead to the destruction of important files in C;/WINDOWS download potection software now! Yes/No" that when i open IE only, I have AVG Pro, what should i do?

Answer 1

Hello

you must format. Hi and good luck  

Answer 2

It certainly sounds like you have been infected with some kind of malware. 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 3

Hi

You can boot into Safe Mode (press F8 at startup), update AVG and scan again. Then (still in Safe Mode) download Superantispyware free and Malwarebytes Antimalware free. Update those two and scan with them.

Answer 4

Firstly, antivirus programs will NOT remove these as they are malicious codecs, although they may find reference to them and remove it but upon rebooting it's back again.

Therefore you need to use a 'layered' approach to removing this parasite.

Remove Restrictions Tool:

http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/RR...

Download from Softpedia Secure Download (RO), install, run and check all boxes then click Apply and then reboot. This tool re-enables what codecs/viruses have disabled.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware:

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

Download, install, update and select Full Scan.

Remove all infections that it finds after scan.

SmitFraud Removal

Firstly, download the removal tool from here:

http://siri.urz.free.fr/Fix/SmitfraudFix...

How to use:

http://cotojo.wordpress.com/2007/08/24

Spybot S&D:

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

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

Spyware Doctor Free Basic Edition - Realtime monitoring:

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

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.

If your desktop has changed or icons are missing also use:

Wallpaper Hijacker Removal Tool:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/Wallpaper_Hija...

Note: You should hit all "Repair" buttons even though it may not say "Found!" This will fix a wallpaper hijack everytime if all repair buttons are pressed.

A-Squared Free:

http://www.download.com/A-squared-Free/3...

This is not a limited version but a full tool to clean your computer from Malware, Spyware, Trojans, Backdoors, Worms, Dialers and Keyloggers.

How to use:

http://cotojo.wordpress.com/2008/07/07

If the problem persists, turn OFF System Restore, Right click My computer > select Properties > System Restore Tab > Tick Turn Off System restore on all drives and scan with the above programs in Safe Mode - tap F8 during boot before Windows splash screen and select Safe Mode.

After scans are complete and machine is clean remember to turn system restore back ON and create a new restore point.

Once your scans are complete and your machine is clean, uninstall some of the programs, I suggest that you keep Malwarebytes for manual scanning, Spyware Doctor for realtime monitoring and Spybot. The remainder can be removed to save drive space, but you may want to keep the installers for future use.

Frequently the first 4 programs will resolve the problem.