Malware, trojan horses, viruses!?

Question

I have a simple question to ask. You see I had norton anti virus installed and I thought everything was good. Then one day it said my scanner couldn't run a full scan. I was a bit worried that some unknown virus had taken over it but I thought I was jumping to conclusions. Then I downloaded some better virus scanner, that was very good at picking out viruses. To my discovery I found over 21 viruses on my computer. Not only that but since I ran the scan, the viruses were programmed to react to this type of situation and began to attack the virus scanner. Well, it all worked out and I neutralized them all but I want to delete them off my computer to never again infect it. I tried using IE and it shuts me off and my computer doesn't allow me to search... what should I do?

All of these answers are good but I have something else to mention. I used kaspersky to scan with and most of the viruses were attached inside of norton anti virus folders.. I went in and deleted the viruses that were visible and they are gone. Their are still some left and it seems like they are invisible? That or they have been deleted. My computer doesn't let me on it and I do infact have a firewall to help protect me. Another odd thing is that my computer doesn't allow me to search things on it. Like someone disabled the option to search. It's like when I go online it kicks me off when i'm 30 seconds on it. I will try some of these methods and i'll delete norton anti virus off my computer.

Answer 1

Try a online antivirus scanner and a online anti-adware/malware/spyware scanner in safe mode with network to clean up your computer BEFORE you download anything.

Turn off system restore before you boot up in safe mode with network to clean your system restore points for viruses, spyware, adware etc.

To get in safe mode tap F8 when booting you computer.
Choose "Safe mode with network".
Go to Start – Run - type iexplore http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html Enter(ok).
Do a full system scan. If something is found, delete it, reboot and do the same again in safe mode with network.
When that scan does not find anything you reboot again in safe mode with network.
Go to Start – Run – type iexplore http://www.ewido.net/en/ Enter(ok).
Do a full system scan. If something is found, delete it, reboot and do the same again in safe mode with network.

**NOTE: Do NOT do anything else with your computer when scanning. This because you can start virus/adware/spyware/malware manually.

When no one of these scanners are showing anything you can reboot back to normal mode.
Turn on system restore.
------------------
You need to get one antivirus program, one firewall and some spyware/adware/malware removers if you don't have it.
I use Norton Internet Security (antivirus, spyware, firewall, add blocker, mail spamfilter, pop up blocker etc) on my desktop running XP Home SP2 with Firefox and Yahoo Toolbar with pop up blocker.
On my laptop i have Ubuntu 7.04. No security needed in Linux, but i use antivirus and firewall.
I have no virus, spyware, adware, pop up etc on my computers.

Here are some free programs.
BitDefender Anti-Virus Free.
http://www.bitdefender.com/PRODUCT-14-en--BitDefender-8-Free-Edition.html
Avast Anti-Virus Free.
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
AVG Anti-Virus Free.
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/lng/us/tpl/v5
Avast Virus Cleaner - free virus removal tool.
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-virus-cleaner.html

Firewall Protection.
ZoneAlarm Firewall Free.
http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_za.jsp?dc=34std&ctry=&lang=nb&lid=trial_zaFamily
Easy-to-use firewall blocks hackers and other unknown threats.
* Systematically identifies hackers and blocks access attempts.
Automatically makes your computer invisible to anyone on the Internet.
Use ZoneAlarm if you normally use Windows Firewall.
Disable Windows Firewall after downloading ZoneAlarm if it's not done automatically.

Ad-Aware 2007 Free.
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.php
Ad-Aware 2007 Free remains the most popular anti-spyware product for computer users around the world, with nearly one million downloads every week. Our free anti-spyware version provides you with advanced protection against spyware that secretly attaches and takes control of your computer, resulting in aggressive advertising pop-ups, sluggish computer activity, even identity theft through stolen bank details, passwords, and credit card account numbers. If you want real-time scanning capabilities, consider upgrading to Ad-Aware 2007 Plus for real-time protection against spyware, all the time.

SUPERAntiSpyware Free.
http://www.superantispyware.com/

AVG Anti-spyware Free.
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/20/lng/us/tpl/v5

Spybot - Search & Destroy detects and removes spyware, a relatively new kind of threat not yet covered by common anti-virus applications. spyware silently tracks your surfing behaviour to create a marketing profile for you that is transmitted without your knowledge to the compilers and sold to advertising companies. If you see new toolbars in your Internet Explorer that you haven't intentionally installed, if your browser crashes inexplicably, or if your home page has been "hijacked" (or changed without your knowledge), your computer is most probably infected with spyware. Even if you don't see the symptoms, your computer may be infected, because more and more spyware is emerging. Spybot-S&D is free, so there's no harm giving it a try to see if something has invaded your computer.
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html

AVG Anti-Rootkit Free.
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/39798/lng/us/tpl/v5
AVG Anti-Rootkit is a powerful tool with state-of-the-art technology for detection and removal of rootkits. rootkits are used to hide the presence of a malicious object like Trojans or keyloggers on your computer. If a threat uses rootkit technology to hide itself it is very hard to find the malware on your PC. AVG Anti-Rootkit gives you the power to find and delete the rootkit and to uncover the threat the rootkit is hiding.

CCleaner is a freeware system optimization and privacy tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. But the best part is that it's fast and contains NO spyware or adware.
http://www.ccleaner.com/

ClearAllHistory - clears browser history, cache, cookies, clipboard and remove other computer activity tracks.
http://www.clearallhistory.com/delete-passwords.html

**NOTE: Only have one antivirus program and one firewall installed on your computer.
Anti-adware/malware/spyware are ok to have more of.

Also scan with online scanners sometimes.
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/home.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym&plfid=00&pkj=VOONYHGBYNCJEIMXQKC&bhcp=1
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html
http://www.ewido.net/en/onlinescan/
http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner
http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols.shtml

Also run Windows Updata http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
and defragmet you harddisk(s).
How To Analyze and Defragment a Disk in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/305781

Hope this was helpful.
Good luck.
JTB.

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

Sounds like you still virus or viruses left in your system. We all know that Nortons, is pure junk and a resource hog.

You did not say if you downloaded a second antivirus program, without uninstalling Nortons. You will have serious conflict if you are running two antivirus program. You can run three or four antispyware with no conflict.

Nortons is really a nightmare trying to uninstall, because you are left with over 375 fragments of Nortons, glued to all your files, folders, registry and hidden all over your system, and this causes conflict.

Remove Nortons or the other unknown antivirus you installed.

My suggest is that you run what is known as "online scanner, direct from the servers of Karpersky Russia, rated # 1 in the world for virus detections. No conflict with other antivirus or antispyware. Allow the complete scan, that can take upto two hours, as the scanner will kill any found virus in real time. When the scan as completed, reboot your system and you should be ok.

http://www.kaspersky.com/remoteviruschk.html

Just remember only one antivirus program can be installed in your system

Minddoctor, France,
excuse my english

Answer 4

You system has been captured by some software. They hide in the System Restore file. You will have to turn off System Restore. Be CAREFUL! If your system is marginal it will crash. Losing EVERYTHING! After turning it off. You then boot to Safe Mode. And from there you scan, clean, disinfect. Then check for any viruses. You will most likely ALSO have to boot normal and run the scans again. Then do a ReStart. Then turn back on System Restore. Meaning TURN OFF - Turn Off System Restore. Now run a full set of scans in Safe Mode and the Normal Mode.
Now comes the fun part. Check your OS through Windows Update using Genuine Advantage. You will have full access to all the special software made to eliminate these problems through Software Updates if the OS checks out. Then install EVERY recommended update.

Answer 5

First, nothing is enough to keep it totally safe... that being said, I'd also add adaware (free), spy-bot SD (free), and stop using IE as your browser... it's been a huge target fopr it's vulnerabilities, and whenever MS seems to fix it, the hackers just work a tad harder, cracking it all over again.. try firefox, Opera, Mozilla, or any number of other browsers out there. Main thing to do, though, is keep all your antispy, antivirus programs up to date... otherwise, they are fairly useless. EDIT: Almost forgot, do not have more than one firewall running at a time, personnally I use the one with McAffee, and leave the windows one OFF.

Answer 6

If it found viruses in the Norton Antivirus Folder means that it detected the signatures that Norton has to identify viruses. These are not viruses. They are files tat Norton uses to identify real viruses.

Answer 7

First off, you want to install a firewall because any new virus can jump in and infect your antivirus at any given moment.

Secondly, I would switch program to NOD32 or something better. Norton good but not good enough in detection.

This can help you fight virus if you follow my suggestions.

Answer 8

norton is damn crap ! big devil !

well for removal go here housecall.trendmicro.com/ - it's an online scanner . it will detect and remove those viruses.

and download AOL Active Virus Shield ! it's ranked no.2 .

very powerful. Active Virus Shield is free anti-virus for your PC that combines traditional antivirus programs, stopping them before they can infect your computer.

Active Virus Shield is brought to you as a free service of AOL and is based on Kaspersky Lab’s award winning Personal Anti-Virus:

download link : http://www.activevirusshield.com/antivirus/freeav/more_info.adp

Answer 9

well NORTORN actually slows down your PC alot not only that it is not very good either anyways if none of the above work email or on YAHOO INSTANT MESSENGER i will help you get yourself an firewall, anti spyware (at least 2), anti virus that is not nortorn if you dont have money or need some free resources that are good and effective email or send me a messege i will help u on that too

Answer 10

Get a New Norton and run it They are only good for a year .

Answer 11

Hi. firstly make sure your firewall is up to date then select the offending article(s) and delete them this will put them into the recycle bin and then you can empty it. Maclaren.