Would it be alright if I deleted an infected file myself?

Question

I was downloading a movie off Morpheus the other day, and every since then my computer has been freezing and turning off. I've restored twice already and my computer still isn't working properly. I've ran several different spyware/virus deleting programs and I keep getting this "Alexa" file popping up, and the spyware programs say that it's deleted, but when I run another program it says it's still there.. so could I just go ahead and find the file in Windows and delete it? Or would that just cause problems? I'm not too bright when it comes to computers, so any help at all would be muchly appreciated! Thanks so much!

By the way, I've tried to run Norton AntiVirus on safemode and normal mode, but my computer keeps freezing and then turning off half way through the scan! ;(

Answer 1

Alexa is installed with internet explorer when you install windows (i think).. It has long been suspected as spyware and should be deleted.

http://www.osvdb.org/displayvuln.php?osvdb_id=3056

You don't need to remove any peer 2 peer apps as long as you practice safe computing (Good firewall, Antivirus, anti-spyware and regualar updating of windows, don't open attachments/files from untrusted sources).

System restore is flawed. If you remove any spyware from your pc and the spayware was present in the config of your System restore the Spyware will be active again, if your anti-spyware software didn't remove it from system restore.

Back to the peer 2 peer issue. Morpheus comes bundled with spyware. if you remove the spyware morpheus may act up. rarther ditch morpheus and settle for a peer 2 peer program the weaker forms of spyware or none(like shareaza http://www.shareaza.com/ ). If you download programs using peer to peer are living dangerously wether your client comes bundled with spyware or not.

Your problem with the pc sounds more like a hardware problem possibly related to overheating, or a corrupted driver. It is possible that spyware could be using your processor so that it is running at peak, which in turn will cause it to burn hotter. when the thermal paste or heatsink becomes ineffective due to dust or drying up the processor might burn close to its maximum rated tempreture, when that happens your computer will become very unstable.

PS. Stop trusing system restore, it's for noobs.

Answer 2

YES!! Delete Morpheus immediately and keep deleting each time it comes back. Morpheus killed one of my computers ... it's a horrible program. For the future, go to download.com and get Ares or Ares Lite - it doesn't install a bunch of "peripheral programs" (full of viruses) like Morpheus does.
Go to the Start Menu, Select Control Panel, then Select Add/Remove Programs. You can delete it from the menu, and delete anything that says Morpheus on it ... there might be more than one file.

Answer 3

You might have to rebuild your computer if it is a bad virus. Some do not have cures at all.

If you can find the file and delete it, I would say go ahead. It shouldn't hurt anything more than what is now.

Answer 4

yes delete the file causeing problems, but also turn of the restore function in control panel, system, system restore. that has a habit of backing up viruses and replaceing them after you have removed them

Answer 5

That would be like blowing your nose and hope your cold got better. First, stop using P to P programs, they are full of junk and nasty stuff. If you are using Windows XP, can you restore to an earlier date?

Answer 6

Humans are so pathetic; you have now realized that such software is useless. I could assist you but I cannot, I am under Eruiners law, stating that such stupidly should be left unaided

Answer 7

yes if it lets you delete it then do it then scan your computer then you will be all set

Answer 8

yea delete it thats wat is causing ur problems