Getting Trojan Free!

[Fra]

Hi. I'm currently trying to get my computer free from malware since it started acting up. I initially noticed an error message saying 'invalid realtek stream format' and the headphone jack wouldn't work. Then the computer would freeze on boot up when just entering windows.

I naively ran avg boot time scan and thought that sorted it but it seems these things are smarter. I punched in the above error into google and noticed that someone had linked it to MBR alureon virus. I downloaded rkill and ran that and it deleted some files, then combofix and deleted some more files. I'm now running malwarbytes free version and its found one infected file so far.

Am I doing this right and what should I do next. I'd appreciate any advice

Cheers

[Retlaw]

Originally Posted by Fra

Hi. I'm currently trying to get my computer free from malware since it started acting up. I initially noticed an error message saying 'invalid realtek stream format' and the headphone jack wouldn't work. Then the computer would freeze on boot up when just entering windows.

I naively ran avg boot time scan and thought that sorted it but it seems these things are smarter. I punched in the above error into google and noticed that someone had linked it to MBR alureon virus. I downloaded rkill and ran that and it deleted some files, then combofix and deleted some more files. I'm now running malwarbytes free version and its found one infected file so far.

Am I doing this right and what should I do next. I'd appreciate any advice

Cheers

Malwarebytes works fine for me, members on Rossendale on line swear by it, disable or get rid of Norton anti virus if you have it, its useless. The Malware will update itself as often as you set it for, mines set every 3 days, I run the quick scan once a week, & deep scan once a month, you'd be surprised at what can piggy back, from
supposedly innocent web sites.
Retlaw

[Restless]

Backup files and Re install your system. Don't go near those dodgy sites where you got the trojan from again.

[Restless]

PC infected with MBR:Alureon-K [Rtk] - Malwarebytes Forum

[Fra]

Thanks so far. I will have to see what happens when I reboot a couple of times.

[Restless]

This is why for everyday usage(prepares myself for flack) I use linux. Bye bye worries of viruses. Making the leap to linux can be a difficult one and isn't for everyone. Ubutnu is becoming more and more accessible to new users as time goes by.

[davemac]

Not sure if you have tried to system restore, take it back well past the problem then run your virus software. You can download free software from www.Iobit.com they have a free malware fighter.

[Restless]

Dave have the clones taken you over? just say NO to system restore. ewwwwww

[davemac]

Originally Posted by Restless

Dave have the clones taken you over? just say NO to system restore. ewwwwww

used it many times to get out of trouble, it just takes your computer back to a time when everything worked, then you can run all the programs you need to secure the system.

[Restless]

Unfortunately system restore is much of an option for viruses, trojans etc. But it can be helpful in other ways

Originally Posted by davemac

used it many times to get out of trouble, it just takes your computer back to a time when everything worked, then you can run all the programs you need to secure the system.

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by Restless

Unfortunately system restore is much of an option for viruses, trojans etc. But it can be helpful in other ways

I have had little or no trouble with malware since I started using BullGuard Restless, I run a quick scan every few days and a deep scan fortnightly

[davemac]

Originally Posted by Restless

Unfortunately system restore is much of an option for viruses, trojans etc. But it can be helpful in other ways

Not sure I understand your reasoning on that, could you explain why you think restoring is advantageous to viruses.

[Margaret Pilkington]

I like bullguard too.......I run a scan every day...and deepscan on a Sunday morning

[Margaret Pilkington]

Originally Posted by davemac

Not sure I understand your reasoning on that, could you explain why you think restoring is advantageous to viruses.

I think(but could have got hold of the wrong end of the stick - if so, I am pretty sure someone with superior knowledge will tell me) that some viruses/trojans affect the Rootkit and so taking the computer back doesn't do anything to remove them, so your machine is still infected......or that is the info that I was once given when my old machine got tripped up with a trojan......it seems that the infection is right into the guts of the workings.

My old computer had to go into the computer hospital and have itself restored from scratch...OS wiped and OS installed from the original disk.
An expensive learning curve.

[susie123]

Originally Posted by Restless

Unfortunately system restore is much of an option for viruses, trojans etc. But it can be helpful in other ways

Originally Posted by davemac

Not sure I understand your reasoning on that, could you explain why you think restoring is advantageous to viruses.

Didn't Restless just write is when he meant isn't?