Just a word of warning people.
I consider myself to be pretty competent when is comes to a computer. But I have been really screwed up by this and wanted to warn as many people as possible.
DO NOT go anywhere near these 3 programs :
Smart Anti Virus 2009 and Total Secure 2009 also Rapid Antivirus.
Don't know how they appeared but, they have really really caused me a problem. Fake virus warnings and redirecting of my browser, deep infection of my registry and Nigh on impossible to remove, SO FAR.
Also, I would like to make it known that i hope the person who created this has a really bad experience soon. The git.
F. >:(
Do you have any AV software running as well?
Quote from: OllieC on October 23, 2008, 09:53:48
Do you have any AV software running as well?
My NAV subscription ran out. D'oh. thouhgt it would be ok until end of month. But no.
I had to go rounds my parents, down load a malware removal tool, which got rid of them, it will not get rid of the Z!lob-CD trojan. Tonight I am going to get a Z!lob remover, get AVG and remove NAV. If that dont work its the restore to factory settings, I am loathe to do this though.
That's propper bum luck...
Just so you can all sleep tonight. I got rid of that pesky virus.
Another word of note, I have always used Norton to protect my pc and have done from day one. NO MORE. For those who dont know, AVG rocks. There were 63 virus infections on my PC which Norton had not got. Give it a go see if it helps.
Did you use free AVG Flunky? If so, was it easy to install, programme its virus run and not slow your PC down while it was working?
I always find it ok. Abe ;D
Quote from: Hyacinth on October 23, 2008, 18:54:44
Did you use free AVG Flunky? If so, was it easy to install, programme its virus run and not slow your PC down while it was working?
Doesnt appear to be, runing ok at the mo, fingers x. I found it really easy to use.
We have a prog called WinPatrol Plus. Thus runs in the background and will not allow any unauthorised alterations to the Computer. It does slow Start up down a little, but not so much that it becomes a problem. It asks before any alterations to the Registry are allowed.
Glad you got it sorted Flunky, we had Norton , got a virus and had to go back to factory settings......lost everything!
We have been using AVG for a while now, I like it :D
Quote from: star on October 23, 2008, 23:45:57got a virus and had to go back to factory settings......lost everything!
I know this may sound silly but doesn't anyone make backups at all? My system backs itself up every hour to an external 500Gb hard drive.
I tried running anti virus software once, slowed the system down too much, never ever found any so I got rid of it.
This is all related to Windows.
I set-up my main computer with a Vi-Power caddy for the system HDD. I have two drawers, one with XP and the other with Ubuntu/Linux. I use an ext USB HDD to store all data. I use the Ubuntu system for any online stuff as it is not affected by any virus. The XP HDD is only used (offline) for peripherals which are Windows specific, Canon Printers & Scanners, Olympus voice recorder and Epson Photo scanner.
After being hit with a particularly nasty virus myself, which took 3 days to rip out of my system (Norton was useless) I downloaded AVG and have never looked back. But I also use SuperAntiSpyware which gets rid of all sorts of pests, I run this once a week and also Spybot Search and Destroy (all free versions). I would recommend using all of these programs, I've not had a problem since.
Just had someone in to repair my computer, got a virus and he has installed AVG security, paid for this. Thing is I have lost the sound. He told me to check lead, which has been done and says the speakers have gone, but it worked before but must admit a bit random. I think it is just the settings and don't want to get him back if it is simple (more money). Anyone know how to check the sound, don't even get the annoying bleep on spider solitaire. Thanks.
I would check you sound card drivers. Maybe remove / reinstall. I would also say that if the sound card worked before he sorted it. It would be his responsibility to ensure that it still worked when he finished.
I know this problem all too well. I was on the PC yesterday when a message appeared about a spyware infection, and i should download and install 'antispywarexp 2009'. Naively i did even though I have Norton Internet security 2008. The software did a 'scan' and then told me i would have to pay money to register the product and remove the infections discovered. This i did not want to do. I then discovered my norton software had stopped working, and would neither work, uninstall or reinstall afresh. All the time this (now annoying) seemingly innocent windows message keeps popping up to tell me i have a spyware infection.
I have run several antispyware scans (adaware software installed on the pc and an online microsoft one. Whilst they have removed other spyware the 'big one' is still present and will not be shifted.
I am reluctantly considering the rather drastic step of doing a complete system reset. I say reluctant since it will take time and remove all my software bar windows (personal data protected thankfully), with no guarantee of sucess.
Any advice please?
You may have to use another PC because this malcious little aris will probably hijack your explorer.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/
http://free.avg.com/download-avg-anti-virus-free-edition
get these 2 progs and save them to desktop or a free standing storage device.
Start windows in "safemode" press F8 during startup.
Dont run any drivers or other programs.
use malware first then use AVG, you are looking a Z!lob-CD trojan or similar.
there is another killer which i cant find at the mo but will have a another look.
Try this beofre you do anything else, have you rude icons no your desk top ? are you seeing "total secure 2009" or anything similar ?
P.s Also if these two fail (they should sort it) search for Z!lob killer in google. there are specific programs that kill it.
P.P.s Sorry about the pps business, you will need to remove Norton before installing AVG. dont worry about people saying it is slow, this is easily dealt with.
:-\
Anyone spot the similarities in these posts? Norton, spawn of the devil and completely useless. How they have the nerve to charge I do not know.
Rant over...
;)
Quote from: katynewbie on October 31, 2008, 15:01:44
:-\
Anyone spot the similarities in these posts? Norton, spawn of the devil and completely useless. How they have the nerve to charge I do not know.
Rant over...
;)
Up until this i would of argued in favour in NAV everytime. People have been telling me for ages to switch to AVG, I pooh poohed it. Not anymore, In case you dont know, to speed up AVG you turn off Heuristics in advance set up. makes a world of difference.
I'm touching wood as I type this, but I've used Pc-Cillin ever since being introduced to it by the tech support at my last job. Seems to have done the job so far......
Had Norton before that and vowed never to use again...hmmmm, a pattern does seem to be emerging :)
What were you doing to catch so many viruses?
Errr....using the internet. You need to have a read of BBC technology pages, Lots of "high" traffic sites are being attacked and are causing drive by downloads. The increase in the number of attackes has been massive. i have been on the internet for 14 years and have never had a virus once.
I do however suppose it could of been all the p*rn aswell. ::)
A mate of mine Whom like Backyman, repairs, builds and sell computers told me be carefull of what anti virus you put on as some are viruses.
I often read the reviews on Cnet to see what is in the top 10 downloads. For those that don,t know of Cnet its worth a look.
Quote from: davyw1 on October 31, 2008, 18:12:48
A mate of mine Whom like Backyman, repairs, builds and sell computers told me be carefull of what anti virus you put on as some are viruses.
I often read the reviews on Cnet to see what is in the top 10 downloads. For those that don,t know of Cnet its worth a look.
Thanks for the Cnet info. The antivirus is exactly what happened. I have been looking into these, sometimes you dont even have to start a download.
I have done a system reset of my PC. As expected it caused the usual problem sof getting things like the internet connection, software and user settigns back to how i want them but so far (touching lots of wood!) there is no longer any sign of the virus i had been having trouble with. PC works a lot faster too so the reset needed doing anyway (been very slow even before the spyware infection).
I did have some trouble with the internet when i installed AOL and Norton but removing both and just installing AOL seems to have cured that problem. Instead of Norton i am trying out AVG Anti Virus Free as recomended. I just wonder if Norton might cause just as many problems as it solves. Unfortunately my norton was a bought piece of software and has 2/3 of a years subscription still on it, so may have to go back to it at some point.
Another Anti Spyware i find effective is Spybot Search and Destroy.
For anyone who has had Norton and having problems getting rid of it here is a free download tool.
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039
My Norton goes through this long elaborate scan every so often.
It always tells me I have a tracking cookie.
It gets rid of the TC and the next time it is there again.
What is a tracking cookie,think that is what it is called?
Quote from: betula on November 01, 2008, 18:20:06
My Norton goes through this long elaborate scan every so often.
It always tells me I have a tracking cookie.
It gets rid of the TC and the next time it is there again.
What is a tracking cookie,think that is what it is called?
Cookies are actually small text files, they really can not damage your computer system or any files on your hard drive. Once again, they cannot transmit viruses as viruses are executable in nature. Some users may just not want to be tracked and this is one of the primary reasons why many people just disable accepting cookies.
Yes but what is it tracking? :)
Always have this mental image of a rolling biscuit with big eyes looking at what I am doing. :)
Tracking cookies are files that track your web browsing habits.
Tracking cookies are browser settings that provide websites a unique ID for the user. The tracking cookies are constantly recreated when you browse the web.
Thanks davyw1
You can find the settings for then here Left click TOOLS then OPTIONS the Privacy.
Is it possible that having norton on your PC could slow it down too much? I am wondering this since without norton the machine works a lot faster. its just a question of whether it is as well protected with AVG Free instead?
::)
Yep, Norton is useless at protecting your pc and will make it run slower. I have run AVG for years and had hardly any problems. Comodo is another good one, lots to choose from here:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads29.html
Quote from: davyw1 on November 01, 2008, 18:28:06
viruses are executable
Exactly, that's why I use Ubuntu/Linux, executables cannot run in Linux (unless you actually run them in Wine, but you wouldn't do that would you?).