Getting Trojan Free!

F

Fra

Local
Weaver
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
 
Fra said:
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
Click to expand...
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
 
Backup files and Re install your system. Don't go near those dodgy sites where you got the trojan from again.
 
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.
 
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 said:
Dave have the clones taken you over? just say NO to system restore. ewwwwww
Click to expand...


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

davemac said:
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.
Click to expand...
 
Restless said:
Unfortunately system restore is much of an option for viruses, trojans etc. But it can be helpful in other ways
Click to expand...
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
 
Restless said:
Unfortunately system restore is much of an option for viruses, trojans etc. But it can be helpful in other ways
Click to expand...

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


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.
 
oops. :o

System restore can hide the virus in the new restore point making it even harder to remove....Some of them attach themselves to the system restore files. Some even make it impossible for to be able to system restore.

If system restore works for you, you are lucky with that particular virus.

System restore is good for drivers & settings and stuff like that but its better to just turn the thing off for a faster system

TIPS

  1. always have your system fully updated
  2. get a virus killer. Any of them(even the free ones) will help.
  3. if your paranoid use sandboxie
  4. do some research into what is good spyware/adware killer. Most programs are crap.
  5. Use linux instead of windows

Most viruses come from dubious activity and/or user ignorance. If you are worrying about websites being dodgy. Use a link scanner for the URL first.
 
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