How to rid myself of weird PC infection?

Question

Well, I downloaded a "Super Codec 6.0" and I feel its responsible for the constant (fake) virus alerts and adult dating sites pop-ups (!!!) - and when I try to uninstall it, it simply reboots my pc without removing anything. Now I tried used the Norton Spyware program and I removed 4 Spyware files, but the problem persists - what do I do?

Answer 1

According to your description it looks like you have some Trojans on your computer. Trojans are not Viruses or Spyware but a seperate form of malicious malware.

These steps and programs should remove your infections. The two site at the bottom are for Smitfraud Trojan removal. If the two programs listed do not remove one or more then use the two sites at the bottom.

This procedure works for all Malware. Use any AntiVirus or AntiSpy program you choose.

Download and Update Ewido (now called the AVG Antispyware). Do not run:

http://www.ewido.net/en/download/...

Download AdAware SE and update. Do the setup. Do not run:

http://www.filehippo.com/download_ad-aware/

AdAware SE Setup:

1. Select "use custom scanning options" then select "customize". Make sure the following options are enabled: "scan within archives," "scan active processes," "scan registry," "deep scan registry," "scan my IE favorites for banned URLs," "scan my Hosts file."

2. Select the "tweak" option. Under "scanning engine," make sure "unload recognized processes and modules during scan" is enabled. Enable "scan registry for all users instead of current users."

3. Under "cleaning engine" turn on "always try to unload modules…," "during removal unload explorer and IE if necessary," "let windows remove files in use at next restart," and "delete quarantined items after restoring."

4. Use the "select drives and folders to scan" option to ensure that your entire hard drive is scanned (if you have more than one hard drive, scan all of them (of course, do not include floppy and CD/DVD).


TEMPORARILY SHOW HIDDEN FILES AND FOLDERS.

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

2. Click Appearance and Themes, and then click Folder Options.

3. On the View tab, under Hidden files and folders, click "Show hidden files and folders", and clear(uncheck) the "Hide protected operating system files" check box.

IMPORTANT: Files are hidden by Windows for a very good reason. It is not wise to experiment with these files. Unfortunately, to successfully remove modern spyware we must turn this protection off temporarily. Please turn the protection back on when you have finished cleaning your system.


EMPTY INTERNET EXPLORER BROWSER CACHE:

1. On the Internet Explorer Tools menu, click Internet Options.

2. On the General tab, in the Temporary Internet Files section, click the Delete Files button. Select the Delete all offline content check box in the confirmation dialogue box that appears, click OK. Click OK again.

RESTART IN SAFE MODE:

To do this you need to hold down or repeatedly tap the F8 key while the computer is booting (when the computer is displaying a black screen with white text). When the boot menu appears, use your keyboard arrows to select "Safe Mode."

Safe Mode can look quite ugly. The color may look bad, and all of your desktop icons will be very large. This is normal.



START THE SCAN WITH YOUR ANTI-VIRUS OR ANTI-SPYWARE PROGRAM.


When the scan and removal are completed REBOOT COMPUTER. This will restart you in normal mode. DON'T FORGET TO RESET HIDDEN FILES AND FOLDERS.


NEW RESTORE POINT.

The RESTORE POINTS may be infected with the Malware and cannot be used.

HERE'S HOW:

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

2. Click Performance and Maintenance, click System, and then click on the System Restore tab.

3. Select the Turn Off System Restore check box, click Apply, then restart your computer.

4. Return to the System Restore Tab and turn System Restore back on.


TO SET A NEW RESTORE POINT:

1. Click the Start button.

2. Point to Programs, then navigate to Accessories, then System Tools, then click System Restore.

3. Choose Create a restore point, and then click Next.

4. In the Restore point description box, type a name for your restore point, and then click Next.

5. Click OK.

NOTE: If you are using Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) and are unable to access the Internet after removing Malware, there is a command that may fix the problem. It works by resetting the winsock catalogue. Click on Start, then Run and type CMD in the box. Click OK. Type "netsh winsock reset" (no quotes)into the DOS window that appears.


ADDITION INFORMATION ABOUT TROJANS:

There are Trojans that fall into the Smitfraud family. These require the use of a specialized program for removal. Here are two sites that specialize in removing these:

http://www.internetinspiration.co.uk/roguefix.htm

http://siri.urz.free.fr/Fix/SmitfraudFix_En.php

Answer 2

This Add or Remove Programs entry corresponds to a program that is either malware, installs malware, or is bundled with malware.

It is advised that you uninstall this program from your computer due to the above reasons. If this program gave you the option to not install the malware or adware during setup, and you chose that option, then it should be safe to leave the program installed. Please note that not all programs listed here will actually be uninstalled when you attempt to do so. In situations like this it is advised that you ask follow the steps in this guide in order to receive help cleaning your computer.

Removal instruction at....

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/uninstall/2014/Super-Codec-6.0.html

Answer 3

I suggest that you try to carryout system restore to a day previous to the day when there was no virus or any problems. It may be a few weeks or months back. You have to decide the date. Detailed instructions are posted at http://fixit.in/systemrestore.html
The problem is likely to be solved. Then,You insatll a standard antivirus soft ware such as Norton, AVG , Avast ( free antivirus software and Ad-aware, Ewido ( free spyware removers). You can download free softwares at
http://fixit.in/antivirus.html and http://fixit.in/spywareremover.html

Answer 4

You can go to start - run - type in "msconfig", and you can choose which programs run when you start your computer, so you can just make the program not run without removing it.

Or you could run "system restore" if you still have that disk for your computer. You would need to back up any files you need on your pc, and basically start over. System restore wipes off every program on your computer except what it came out of the box with.

Answer 5

Norton software isn't good... try to use Webroot Spy Sweeper. If you are a good programmer you can remove the spyware yourself... :). I recommend you to scan the downloaded stuff with your AntiVirus program and AntiSpyware program... And always check your downloading sources. Good luck!

Answer 6

Download Spybot Search and Destroy at Download.com. Update the definition files, then scan your pc.

Answer 7

here are 2 things....
superantispyware...http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html

or here

http://siri.urz.free.fr/Fix/SmitfraudFix_En.php
u can choose either one....most likely u have the smitfraud infection...media codec...it will create fake virus aletrts...and it will try to have u PAY to remove threats.....good luck

Answer 8

go into safe mode and try to remove the codecs.and dont dnload it agian is my suggestion.Many firewalls have to be removed in Safe Mode as well. ICY

Answer 9

Anti-virus programs, norton recommend if you are new to a computer

Answer 10

AVG virus scanner.