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Trojan Horses & Computer Help
self

Posted on 12/23/2007 5:13:12 AM PST by hsmomx3

I am not sure what has happened but I always have my AVG Anti-Virus running and it used to be in the task bar.

Yesterday, something strange happened.

When I noticed it was not there, and after the kids were finished on the computer, I restarted it and got this message:

C\WindowsSystem32\vtsqr.exe

Windows cannot access the specified device, path or file. You may not have the appropriate permission to access the item.

I got into my AVG program and ran it and some 44 Trojan Horse Dropper, generic THT items were found in many programs such as Acrobat Reader, in my AVG program, etc.

After the AVG was run, I ran the check disk option and it fixed many corrupt files.

I am able to start my computer but my AVG program is no longer in the task bar. I can access the internet as well but I am not sure if this problem will affect my ability to install software in the near future such as tax software, etc.

And there are times when I am on the internet and when I get out of it, all of my icons and the task bar are not on the desktop and I have to restart the computer.

I do not know how to get the Windows System 32 (as listed above) to load.

I am running Windows XP, SP1. My computer is about seven years old.


TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: malware; spyware; trojanhorses; windowsxp
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To: Vinnie; hsmomx3

Run Trend Micro Internet Security or F-Prot, and you won’t have these problems.

Also, supervise the kids.


21 posted on 12/23/2007 11:57:15 PM PST by Jeff Chandler ("Liberals want to save the world for the children they aren't having." -Mark Steyn)
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To: UsnDadof8
In addition to all this I would recommend downloading SP2.

Yes, keep everything updated.

22 posted on 12/23/2007 11:58:20 PM PST by Jeff Chandler ("Liberals want to save the world for the children they aren't having." -Mark Steyn)
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To: hsmomx3; holymoly
It is very common that virus writers will create a package with a feature to stymie Norton, McAfee or AVG. There has never been a perfect scanner and probably won’t be.

Using a layered defense is the only way to protect your system. Keep this thread handy and the next time the kids come home from college, have friends over etc., you will have a workable plan to clean it all off.

Glad that you are back in business!

And keep holymoly’s links close at hand. I have added several of his findings to my jump drive and they eventually bring success.

Merry Christmas to both of you!

23 posted on 12/24/2007 5:50:54 AM PST by texas booster (Join FreeRepublic's Folding@Home team (Team # 36120) Cure Alzheimer's!)
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To: holymoly
MERRY CHRISTMAS

thanks for the links

24 posted on 12/24/2007 7:20:53 AM PST by righthand man (WE'RE SOUTHERN AND PROUD OF IT)
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To: texas booster
Glad that you are back in business!

That is good news.

However, since she had 44(?) trojans on her system, I don't think I'd stop scanning with Dr. Web CureIT.

When she gets the time, it might not be a bad idea for her to download & run Hijackthis. Then, post the log to the Spywarewarrior.com forum.

One of the experts there will review the log, and tell her if her system is actually clean. If not, they will give here detailed, step-by-step instructions on what to do.


25 posted on 12/24/2007 8:08:44 AM PST by holymoly (Molon labe.)
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To: righthand man
MERRY CHRISTMAS

thanks for the links

You're welcome. Good to know you & others find it useful.


26 posted on 12/24/2007 8:10:55 AM PST by holymoly (Molon labe.)
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To: holymoly; hsmomx3

I’m slipping up. Post #25 was also meant for hsmomx3.


27 posted on 12/24/2007 8:15:12 AM PST by holymoly (Molon labe.)
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To: hsmomx3

I am experiencing the same problem you are, and it just started on Dec. 22.

If I do a google-search on “Dropper.Generic.THT”, four items are returned. In all four cases, the anti-virus software being used is AVG. I think the odds of that are extremely low, much too low to be a coincidence. Maybe I am barking up the wrong tree, but I’m very suspicious.

I wonder if AVG itself has been hacked. Did your problems begin happening soon after an AVG update? I believe mine were.


28 posted on 12/24/2007 3:47:13 PM PST by tomlew
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To: tomlew

Yes, it did happen the exact same day as yours!! I always keep our system clean and of course, I am always blaming my kids-lol!!

I used the cureit to which a link in one of the above posts is provided. It was very simple to use but I continue to find 1-4 Trojans everyday which AVG has been picking up but I noticed this trojan also got into the AVG program and infected it.

I am not that computer savvy, just know how to roam the internet safely and do my word processing stuff offline.


29 posted on 12/25/2007 12:40:08 PM PST by hsmomx3
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To: Jeff Chandler

That is one thing I did not do based on all of the people who have had major problems with their Dell computers. Mine is about 7 years old. I think I would feel more comfortable is someone with expertise were here when/if the installation of that were to occur.


30 posted on 12/25/2007 12:42:13 PM PST by hsmomx3
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To: hsmomx3

It’s important to set up Windows automatic updates, and automatic updates on your virus protection program. Watch what you download and email attachments, stay off of porn sites, and supervise young people using the computer.


31 posted on 12/25/2007 8:38:59 PM PST by Jeff Chandler ("Liberals want to save the world for the children they aren't having." -Mark Steyn)
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To: Jeff Chandler

I do everything you say but like another poster said, it all happened on Dec. 22nd after the latest AVG update was downloaded.

Strange.............


32 posted on 12/25/2007 9:17:35 PM PST by hsmomx3
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To: COUNTrecount; hsmomx3; Vinnie

Glad some folks on here like Kaspersky; I’m looking for something to replace clunky Norton and the reviews on it are good.


33 posted on 12/26/2007 11:52:02 AM PST by CedarDave (The only access Hillarycare will bring is access to a waiting list.)
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To: boxerblues

bump for later


34 posted on 12/26/2007 12:01:08 PM PST by boxerblues
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To: CedarDave

If you buy it you get to put it on three computers, so it is really worth the price.I did an outstanding job on my computers.


35 posted on 12/26/2007 12:16:53 PM PST by COUNTrecount
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To: COUNTrecount

Thanks. That’s exactly why I’m looking to buy it. I’d be paying that much to re-up with resource hog Norton.


36 posted on 12/26/2007 12:40:59 PM PST by CedarDave (The only access Hillarycare will bring is access to a waiting list.)
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To: CedarDave

I have Adaware on my system but am finding that thing takes forever—like 10 minutes to scan!

It is very frustrating as all it does is look for spyware items.

I wonder if anyone else finds this annoying?


37 posted on 12/26/2007 5:49:10 PM PST by hsmomx3
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To: hsmomx3

There’s a command that allows you to have it perform a “smart scan” that only takes three to four minutes. I couldn’t find a description of how the “smart scan” differs from the complete scan, though I suspect it only checks areas of the computer which are most likely to have embedded spyware.


38 posted on 12/26/2007 6:26:46 PM PST by CedarDave
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To: CedarDave

I think that is what it does. I just have the free version but oh well......I have been checking my system a few times a day with different things just in case.


39 posted on 12/26/2007 6:37:19 PM PST by hsmomx3
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To: tomlew

Just wanted you to know that I have gone two days now without a Trojan or virus.

I am running AVG anti-virus everyday, and another program as well.


40 posted on 12/28/2007 2:18:21 PM PST by hsmomx3
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