How often do you tangle with viruses/malware?

[Sideshow Spock]

I've currently got something on another laptop that's driving me batty. It's preventing me from updating AVG, and sometimes re-directs Firefox to retail and health sites whenever I try to point to an anti-virus site. It also crashes the browser on occasion too.

It's frustrating, cuz I update AVG daily, and I'm ticked that it still let it through. And it's not like I'm out galavanting on questionable sites.. I basically go to the same 10 sites everyday, all of them well within the mainstream. Unless you count this place.

Anyway, I've run LENGTHY scans with the programs I have (malwarebytes, spybot, avg), and haven't been able to kill it. It's taking up WAY too much of my time.

Mac, please.

[Gorn Captain]

Well, some frakking (DELETED) stole $1,500 from my VISA account last month.
Every time I use my computer now, I start to sweat.....

[raider5gt]

Sounds like you may have a malicious adware,have you tried lavasofts ad aware?Its free.Not all Anti virus programs get things off your pc.


Sorry to hear that Rik,hope you were insured.

[Sideshow Spock]

I had an older version of ad aware, but I had to remove it when I put a new version of AVG on a couple months ago. There was a conflict.

I tried to put Avast on last nite, but it wouldn't let me download it.

I might try superantispyware tonite if I have time..

[fallensaviour]

I have been using avast for quite awhile now and have had no problems so far.
I used to use Norton but I found it still wasn't as good as avast and it cost me like $80 a year where avast is free.

[jwyblejr]

Yeah I've got avast! as well. That and Spybot- Search and Destroy. Don't have that many problems with those two running.

[Neutron X]

I recently went through several bad virus attacks and ended up wiping my hardrive clean and starting over.

When the virus won't let you download a program to fight it. Try having a buddy send it to your email account and install it from there. Or go to library and save to a DVD an open from the DVD onto your computer. I had an evil virus last summer that even with programs I had to go back a month and restart from there then so I could run the anti-Virus software and isolate it.

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!

[knight errant00]

I just spent a full week with my computer in safe mode, running different full scans with different apps, deleting stuff by hand, and re-running scans and removal tools. After four different anti-spyware programs, an update to my Norton AV, and two patches from Microsoft -- as well as their Malicious Software Removal Tool -- my machine's clean and running like before.

I'd recommend you go download and run

- MS Malicious Software Removal Tool
- Lavasoft Ad-Aware
- Spybot Search & Destroy
- Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

All are free, and the Malwarebytes works great, digging out and netralizing a lot of stuf the other progrmas miss. They all miss smonethin, though, which is why it's really necessary to run at least a couple of them (updated) regularly.

Good luck with it!

[cjefferys]

Yeah I've got avast! as well. That and Spybot- Search and Destroy. Don't have that many problems with those two running.

I use those two as well. So far, so good.

[Mikey]

I hope yous don't mind, but can I steal this thread to ask a question about the same subject ....

I updated my Spybot and ever since then something weird is happening.
It always only finds only one problem --- when my old version used to find over 20.

I uninstalled it and installed it again.
Same thing -- only 1 problem.

Does this sound like a Spybot thing ?
The 1 problem it always finds is some kind of media something.

Before, it would find all kinds of spyware I get from Amazon, Yahoo, etc.

[ctc]

>The 1 problem it always finds is some kind of media something.

I used to use Spybot, and it's possible that everything the old version used to find is now being blocked outright or no longer counts as malware. My scanners find tracking cookies all the time; which aren't really bad. Problem with the old software was it'd also delete cookies like the ones which let me log into different sites. (Like here.) So I had to keep re-entering stuff.

Next time you do a scan write down what it finds. Someone here will probably know what it is. (I'm betting it's a tracking cookie.)

As to the original question; I don't normally have problems with malware. I don't surf that many places. About once or twice every six months my computer will come under attack (usually through e-mail) and the problem is usually dealt with. I DID get whacked with something about four months back. Wiped out damned near my whole system. (A Downloader.ZLOB Agent.AHRN thingie.) Luckily for me my Luddite ways don't allow me a lot of faith in technology, and I keep all my important data on external disk.

Don C.

[WannabeMego]

If your being redirected to other sites, it sounds like your host file has been hijacked.

I'd recommend:

Spybot over AdAware to get rid of the Spyware (Just My Preference...I've used many & both)

Use CWShredder which focuses on one type of Spyware (Cool Web Search)...

After you've scrub your system, install SpywareBlaster (it hardens your system against Spyware, it doesn't remove it) and update it manually at least once a week.

...and let me add to that Windows Defender...

aVast! over AVG for Virus Protection (Just My Preference...I've used many & both)

...and if you really want to lock things down, install PeerGuardian 2, which like Spyware Blaster, hardens your system against Spyware, Adware, Malware, & Hijacks...

PeerGuardian has 5 major Block Lists (Ads, Educational, Gov, P2P, & Spyware) that block over 980 million reported malicious IP Addresses.

This app is a MUST if you use a P2P and/or BitTorrent for downloads over the Net.

You can use it in a passive state which monitors calls/requests to your machine or in a more aggressive state which monitors Web (HTTP) Traffic as well...this may block normal sites that are not necessarily malicious, but are known for collecting information such as any of the Big Banks and Credit Card Companies...but your can bypass/enable those if your OK with that.

You'll be surprised by the amount of passive scans that hit your machine on a regular basis looking for holes...PeerGuardian will show them in a simple scrolling log.

Update PeerGuardian once a week...

Unfortunatley, there isn't a single Windows App (noticed how I said 'Windows') that can do it all (for Free), so you have to be diligent and update them on a regular basis.

If your looking for an Updater, I recommend FileHippo Updater, but it only alerts you to App Updates not Definition Updates (i.e. SpyBot, SpywareBlaster, aVast!, & PeerGuardian List Updates).

Lastly, if your really have a nasty piece of Spyware/Malware that still plagues your system after trying all the above, you may want to install HiJack This (same people as CWShreder) and post the log it generates on any of many Tech Forums.

There are many things you can do on your own for free without having to pay someone or buy some expensive software.

Hope this Helps.

~Tom

P.S. Your Hosts File is located here: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc ...and it should be no bigger then 1KB...If you open the file in Notepad and see a long list of IP Addresses rerouting to different sites, then you've been HiJacked...

DO NOT DELETE THIS FILE...you need this to pretty much do anything on the Net.

You'll need to do some detective work through Google to find some instructions on what that particular HiJack has done to your machine...usually the rerouted site name and/or IP address is al you need to find the information you're looking for.

Once you've gotten rid of all traces of the Malware, you can lockdown the Hosts File from being HiJack through Spybot and/or SpywareBlaster.

Good Luck

[M3G0M4V3R1CK]

i went out and bought me some anti spyware virus ware stuff and so far its the stuff to have hadnt had any problems since

[tay666]

Well, way back when I first got online I used to run virus software and all that crap, but all it did was slow down my computer and cause problems.

I have been runing without active antivirus software for 8 years now without any major issues.
On the rare occasion the system doesn't seem right I do an online virus scan
Trend Micro HouseCall - Free Online Virus and Spyware Scan - Trend Micro USA

I do run spyware scans on a regular basis, as those are much more prevalent.
Been using Adaware for years now.
Though I do also change things up and use an online scan also.
Though I can't find the link right no.

I also use CWShredder and HijackThis monthly to make sure things are good.

Seems most of the crap I pick up comes from google searches.

[Cosmicman]

Histrionic Spock. I am a computer technician and have done my share of removing and cleaning computers.
You want my opinion? Here it is. It is based on many years of tweaking and prodding through people's operating systems and repairing large amounts of damage.
Though not a dangerous or harsh program. Foxfire is a piece of **** and blocks and invades a lot of stuff including helpful programs you have installed like AVG or Spybot Search and Destroy.
Firefox might be the cat's whiskers to you (no pun intended) to you and all your friends but trust me, that son-of-a-***** has caused a lot of havoc on people's computers that use "free" virus programs such as AVG or Spybot Search and Destroy.

Take my advice. Use one or the other. Remove Firefox! If it still won't work and makes it worse, then it has done damage. Reformat you hard drive and don't use it again.

Firefox is a ******* when it comes to stuff like this. Trust me. My knowledge of what I have encountered and documented is all I can offer. Take my word of advice or not.