Posted on 03/21/2009 7:08:22 AM PDT by Minn
The laptop in the house, which is currently the only computer in the house, has a bad virus/trojan/dropper that seems to have me beat. All clicks on Google are redirected to phony yellow pages. Most banner ads on normal sites are replaced with ads for a penis enlargement product (as if I need that). All communication with McAfee or attempts to download, update or reinstall McAfee fail. McAffe's instructions for disabling the virus by messing with IP address flushing do no good.
I'm hesitant to completly start over on this computer. It's an HP OEM machine that didn't come with a Windows disk, just a recovery partition. So I'm not even sure a restore from the partition will do any good, since who really knows what those do. I've searched all over for suspicious processes and registry start up settings without luck. Any ideas?
What are you? A pervert?
What was the need to put all that stuff in the headline?
And remember when you are really beat, you can reformat the hard drive and reload your operating system and programs. Keep those in a folder or box somewhere so you have everything you need when you need to do it.
Srike that Skipper18,
This was meant for Minn.
I’m a huge free avast fan, every few years I have tried AVG for a while to compare them, avast is the friendlier, smoother, trouble free, more effective program.
I also use windows defender which runs real time (free) and spyware blaster which runs real time (free).
Since you said you don’t have backup disks, I suggest you follow HP’s instructions on making a set of backup disks for your laptop from the recovery drive. It won’t help with your current problem, but may avert a future one.
I bagged the resource-sucking MacAfee for Avast’s anti-virus, good ol’ Adaware, and Comodo’s firewall. All free
Either that or surf using a Linux machine.
On Halloween, I just throw it over my shoulder and go as a gas pump....no White Man’s Disease here.
I'll third that! I'm an (unemployed) IT guy and have used the tool and the info on the site to remove some nasty stuff.
The problem with ad/spyware, is, no matter what tools you use to try and remove it, you can never be really sure. Clean wipes and re-installs are the only way. Also, as you've noticed, attempts to contact websites that can help are being redirected. And even if you could download and install a tool, you still have to worry that that file might get infected, and start your problems all over again.
Sorry, not trying to ruin your day.
It certainly is a growing business.
You have headline envy.
Get Norton- forget McAfee
Worked for me
If you have XP do a restore, if you can find a restore point,or Use a good anti-virus, if those two things don’t work hopefully you have a backup image saved. However, I would run something like Spyware Doctor or other anti-spyware software because it sounds as if you are infected with spyware, not a virus. They are very similar to a virus but usually take a different type of anti software to get rid of. I had a friend who had a spyware infection just about like you describe except hers didn’t show sex related ads. It would take her to another web site as soon as she opened the browser. Another cure after you clean your machine is to make sure you run FireFox and not IE.
Clean-up:
If you are using Internet Explorer, from IE select “Tools”, “Internet Options”, “General Tab” and delete history.
Download and install Adaware (free for personal use).
Reboot and run Adaware in Safe Mode. This is a very safe and effective cleanup tool, have used it since it would fit on a 3-1/2” floppy. Don’t run the active protection mode, waste of resources.
If this does not fix your problem, you might resort to Hijack This, but it should be used with extreme caution. Especially if you are not experienced in computer cleanup. It is a great tool, but you can also trash the system with it.
There are a lot of VX and Winsock hacks that this will not cleanup, but this is about all I would suggest an inexperienced person to use.
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Advice when you get it cleaned up.
Never use Internet Explorer. Too many hacks and too poor security.
Download and install Firefox. It is faster and better. Have used it since it’s inception and it is great.
Find another mail client, do not use Outlook or OutlookExpress. Also set your e-mail client up in text only format. Do not use HTML in e-mails.
I use Windows daily, but my personal machine is a Linux box.
“Safe Surfing my friend”
Before you delete it could you get me a phone number or sumthin’?
Join AOL. Their technicians are the best.
It's small business right now, but it could be really big!
For only $19.95.
Don’t screw with trying to remove it. Just boot and choose the ‘Recover’ option and then let it do it’s thing.
If there is nothing on your hard drive you care about this is the best option that takes the least amount of time.
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