Virus help
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
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From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
Virus help
I guess I downloaded a virus when I tried a free desktop dyno from some mustang forum I found in a google search. I restartsd in safe mode and removed that program, now I can go online but only to sites I have visited recently.I tried a scan on msn.com and it found no problems. The computer is almost ten years old and hasnt had any virus protection for a long time. I am unemployed and would like to try to fix it with something inexpensive or free would be even better. I am running XP if that helps. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,180
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From: Scio, OR
The two good free virus scanners that I am aware of are the Avast home edition (Download FREE antivirus software - avast! Home Edition), and AVG Free (AVG Free - Download Free Antivirus and Antispyware for Windows XP and Vista).
Both of these are good virus scanners. I don't know that either of them will remove an existing virus however. You might have to do some research on the virus you have (you can find out using one of the above scanners), and remove it manually.
Both of these are good virus scanners. I don't know that either of them will remove an existing virus however. You might have to do some research on the virus you have (you can find out using one of the above scanners), and remove it manually.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
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From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
I can get all the way to the "download now" screen but when I click that it just stays on that screen (the little windows flag is waving in the top right of my toolbar indicating it is trying). This seems to be what happens when I try to visit new websites. I was actually surprized I got as far as I did. Any idea if I could download to a cd from another computer then install it on mine?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
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I am no expert but you could put one of those anti-virus programmes onto a disc along with Malwarebytes Anti-malware and Spybot Search and Destroy (with the teatimer option disabled) and run the scanners and see if they can find and remove any malicious software.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: MA
I am an expert and that is what I recommend, But first try doing a system restore back a few days.. You can find it on the start menu under accessories\system tools..
If that doesn't work then Download the avg and malwarebytes files to a thumb drive or cd then install malwarebytes first and run that.. It fixes most things first try..
Then install the AVGfree antivirus and scan
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 4
From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
no luck on the restore. I'll try the malwarebytes and avg next. is there any way I could get a link to malwarebytes and exactly what to download? My g/f will be doing this at work and doesnt have a lot of time to mess with it. Thanks for all the help
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Washington State
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Posting Guru
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Go through and check your recent documents, and any text documents, check for anything in those files that is in the DOS-Prompt format, it should say what format it is in under the file name, alot of times the weaker viruses are able to be seen like this cause they have been disigned like crap. Then just try to simply delete it. If the person who created it was a decent programmer it has probably already duplicated itself into several files, needing more than likley professional help to remove it.
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Moderator
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: MA
That is not malwarebytes Antimalware...
Just go to Thank you for downloading Malwarebytes Anti-Malware from Download.com
The link should bring you right to it..
If it doesn't goto www.download.com then search for malwarebytes.
It should be first on the list Malwarebytes Antimalware 1.36
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Kiefer, Northeastern Okla
AVG 8.5 (free) is kinda hard to get to, but it will remove viruses and lock them down, (just like 8.0 but better) and the pay version is a step up, with a few more features. Ah- here it is- AVG Antivirus and Security Software - AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition for Windows XP and Vista
Takes a couple of hours to run a full scan at first, but worth it.
Pete
Takes a couple of hours to run a full scan at first, but worth it.
Pete
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 4
From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
thanks for all the advice, I'll try what donjamer suggested first.Any other suggestions are welcome though. I'll post results, or if I don't I guess it didnt work!
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 387
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From: Cambridge, Ontario
I literally just had to format my drive to get rid of an evil virus similar to that " reader_s*****" Virtumonde. Win32\Virut. It does nasty things and is all most impossible to remove without a re-format and a clean install.
I couldn't download any updates for windows or anti virus, no system restore and everytime I went to an online scanner web page it wouldn't load but every other site worked fine. I used Spy-bot, Malawarebytes and AVG, all would detect this virus, but none will completely remove it since it attaches itself to everything in Windows and shreds it's registry. Seems all the top anti virus\ spy ware programs leave remnants behind and never fully rid this infection.
Good luck,
I couldn't download any updates for windows or anti virus, no system restore and everytime I went to an online scanner web page it wouldn't load but every other site worked fine. I used Spy-bot, Malawarebytes and AVG, all would detect this virus, but none will completely remove it since it attaches itself to everything in Windows and shreds it's registry. Seems all the top anti virus\ spy ware programs leave remnants behind and never fully rid this infection.
Good luck,
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,562
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From: Southern MD
There are some NASTY things out there, on the internet!!!!!
With the FREE anti-virus software that is available today, I just don't understand why someone/anyone would peruse the 'net without some sort of anti-virus!?!?!?!?
Now, with that said, Malwarebytes anit-malware is one incredible program! (Especially since it's FREE!)
AVG anti-virus is another.
ZoneAlarm (firewall) is another FREE program.
SpyBot Search & Destroy is another anti-spyware program.
With the FREE anti-virus software that is available today, I just don't understand why someone/anyone would peruse the 'net without some sort of anti-virus!?!?!?!?
Now, with that said, Malwarebytes anit-malware is one incredible program! (Especially since it's FREE!)
AVG anti-virus is another.
ZoneAlarm (firewall) is another FREE program.
SpyBot Search & Destroy is another anti-spyware program.
Really!