New virus!!! MSN - Beware!!?

Question

whilst on msn last night I received a msg from one of my contacts:

"holy s**t, have a look at this!!!!! www.windowslivemessenger.biz/msn/msn.php?s=DMu&id=6454&profile=(your msn address)"

If you receive this from any of your contacts DONT click the link, as it is a virus and if you click on it, not only does it infect your computer, but it will send itself on to all of your contacts.

I have ran my AVG free anti-virus software but with no result. I have searched the web to try and find out more info, but it seems to be quite new - the only info I could find was from the last few days.

Will there be an update to my anti-virus software that I can use to get rid of it?

I don't know a lot about viruses, but a friend told me that these computer geeks can use them to get access to your credit/debit card details if you've used them online, is this the case?

Does anyone know how to get rid of this?

It started off with a series of these messages from my mum on MSN but I clicked on the link, not knowing any better, and now it seems to be posting the messages from me to my contacts. I have advised my contacts not to click on the link, and have had to stop using msn for the time being. I have definately been infected as well.

Answer 1

Hi there,

Unfortunately you have been infected with a variant of the Worm Licat infection:
http://virusinfo.prevx.com/pxparall.asp?PX5=09ee345faf49a6c60fc500ad4f4e0500b79bcd14

If it is your friend who keeps posting the messages then it is actually THEM who is infected, and their MSN is most likely sending these messages out to their entire friendlist which is the worm's way of spreading.

Most of the time it sends what looks like an image which a tagline of "Is this you in this picture?" or something similar, but what they are actually sending is a .pif file that infects your machine once clicked. Other times it can just be a direct link.

Tell your friend to update their security software and scan their machine. If they don't remove it, there is a variety of programs that will.

My recommendation would be to download and install the Free Trial of Prevx1. This will scan your PC and remove this and any other infections free of charge.

Answer 2

Switch off System Restore as back up files may be hiding in there, and it will just restore itself. Go to Start - programs - accessories - system tools - system restore.
Run your anti virus in Safe Mode. To get into Safe Mode repeatedly press the F8 key after the bios screen loads but before Windows loads. You'll know if you made it because the screen will be at 800 x 600 and your pc will be slow.

Then beef up your security. Its easier to prevent malware getting on to your sytem in the first place rather than trying to remove it. All the following programs are free for home use;

You need to install one firewall.
http://www.comodogroup.com/ - Comodo firewall.

You need to install one anti virus;
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/ -AVG anti virus

http://www.bitdefender.co.uk/site/Main/view/Download-Free-Products.html - Bitdefender 8 doesn't run in the background and can be used as a second back up anti virus.

You need all these anti spyware programs;
http://www.ewido.net - AVG(Ewido) anti trojan.
http://www.safer-networking.org - Spybot Search and Destroy anti spyware. Use the Teatimer settings to protect Internet Explorer, and the Immuniser to stop malware getting on your pc.
Spywareblaster works with Internet Explorer and Firefox. It won't uninstall spyware that is already on your pc, but it will prevent hijacks and other malicious changes to your browser.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com
Plus;
http://www.lavasoft.com - Ad-Aware SE Personal anti adware

Make sure your AVG is up to date, if it can't find the virus it can't remnove it so you may need to try a different anti virus such as Avast.
Avast scans all incoming messages, you may be better off with it after you fget this problem sorted out. If it finds a virus in an incoming message it will break the internet connection.
http://www.avast.com - Avast Antivirus

Answer 3

First, you have a free antivirus software, so dont expect to much from it. I had a friend bring me here computer with AVG installed, I put her hard drive in my pc and ran an antivirus scan and found 8 viruses.
Call your internet service provider, most of them now supply their customers with a free security suite that includes, antivirus, antispyware, and a firewall.......
For now try an online scan, shut down your antivirus when using another scanner.....

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx

http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/ActiveScan.htm

Answer 4

as a exchange of chain mailing approximately how poor the virus is, in basic terms tell them to alter their MSN password, user-friendly as that. that is not a virulent disease according to-say, your password and person call are in basic terms stored interior a database that then makes use of your credentials and signs and indicators in as you from a distant region sends out the hyperlink then disconnects. additionally, i might advise to disable the 'vehicle-login' option.

Answer 5

Ccleaner is the application I use to clean up my system when my pc slows down because of viruses, trojans or malwares. Free Download here: http://bit.ly/UrArJj

Answer 6

Make sure you have a firewall up and AVG 7.5. The firewall will keep out virus out and AVG 7.5 will search if you have any virus at all.

Answer 7

Try rebooting the computer

Answer 8

Can't help you out because I don't Know anything about them...


but thank you for letting us know about it
Hope you get your problem fixed.

Answer 9

I can't understand why people do this. What an earth do they get out of it?

Answer 10

You may try AVP

www.kasperskylabs.com