What is this virus and how can we remove it from our computer?

Question

there is a virus in our computer, we dont know how we got it. ALL our folders have subfolders with the same name as the folder, but when you click on it, a black ms-dos-like screen comes up. we cannot open our anti-virus software, it somehow closes it. if we try to search the internet by typing any of the known virus softwares or by even typing the word 'virus' it closes it down. HELP!

Answer 1

Here you have some information:
http://askcomputerexpert.ws43.com/security/
And here you have some good and free antivirus programs:
http://askcomputerexpert.ws43.com/download/

Answer 2

get the following, all are free for a safe surfing experience,
install in SAFE mode with networking ( hit F-8 at boot time ), run them all in SAFE mode
with networking as you'll need it for the updates all the programs below will need.


ANTI VIRAL

AVG (free) http://free.grisoft.com/


FIREWALL

ZoneAlarm http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp

WEB BROWSER - http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox

EMAIL use thunderbird. It has a good built in spam filter and learns when you teach it. http://www.mozilla.org/products/thunderbird

SPYWARE

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html


and if you have a wireless router follow these tips,


1. Use WPA encryption (WPA-PSK) it's less crackable then WEP.

2. Make a passphrase that is upper & lower case and has some numbers thrown in there as well, again harder to crack.
some like mAkE1t5eCurE0rel53 and as long as possible.

3. Use MAC access control so only you or authorized PC's can connect (even if you do have encryption turned on)

4. Turn off DHCP use static addresses.

5. Turn off SSID (and change it) unless your card really needs it (some do)

6. Change username/password of access unit front end

7. Ensure you have the usual firewall enabled on your PC.

8. Paranoia rules, turn WLAN off if your not using it :)

Answer 3

Your computer has been hijacked by a trojan virus.

You can try and click on F8 key when you start up your computer so that you can get into "SAFE MODE". Once in the safe mode, then run your antivirus program. An reboot your pc. If this does not work, you will have to reformat your entire system.

If you are able to rid yourself of this trojan, you should change all your passwords for your emails etc. etc.

Clinical Psychiatrist, France

Answer 4

Start up your computer in safe mode by pressing F8 at the startup menu. From there I would suggest choosing "Safe Mode With Networking" and once you get into Safe Mode, go to http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ then choose the free option to scan your computer now.

As long as you are using Internet Explorer, you should be able to scan your computer directly from the website. The advantage to this is that we will be able to rule out any tampering of your anti-virus software from the virus.

Answer 5

There's a good list of free virus removal tools here, also has some good info on how to avoid stuff like this.http://www.basicspywaretips.com/getridofspyware.html

Answer 6

Try going into safe mode and scanning with your antivirus. If you cannot get into safe mode you probably will have to reformat your computer.