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Media Center>The Official Malware/Antivirus Thread - Need help or general advice? Read this first!
Bearcat 12:28 AM 08-18-2010
This thread provides information on malware removal, links to malware removal tools, and recommendations & links to anti-virus software. The intention of this thread is to provide quick and accurate support for malware-related issues and questions.

Many people here are willing to provide assistance if you're having computer problems, and this thread is not meant to discourage people from asking for help.... but, please read the information provided first, or else there's a good chance you'll be sent here, here, or here . We aren't Geek Squad, so while we won't grossly overcharge you for information and advice, we also aren't responsible for anything you do to your computer.

Also, feel free to make suggestions on the content of this post, and I'll try to keep it up to date.

Research


A lot of information can be found at this EliteKiller link, including...

Malware Removal

If you think your computer is infected, the EliteKiller link provides a thorough solution. Simply put...

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.:
Step 1 go here http://www.elitekiller.com/malware.htm and read up

Step 2 download the Rogue Removal Kit http://www.elitekiller.com/files/rogueremoval.zip

Step 3 unzip the Kit, read the instruction file and run the tools in the order given.

Step 4 Thank me in about 3 hours for fixing your shit.

The Rogue Removal Kit is is a zipped file that includes malwarebytes, CCleaner (a registry cleaner that will also delete temporary files), Combofix, Hitman Pro, and HiJackThis (HiJackThis is optional, see below). The instructions guide you through running these tools in Safe Mode With Networking; then running malwarebytes and an online scanner in Normal Mode.

Some people don't recommend running Combofix unless you're fairly certain you need to use it, but I've never heard of people having major problems with it. Here's a list of symptoms to Vundo infections, which may help determine if you need to run Combofix. You can also look here to see instructions with screenshots on how to use Combofix.

Taken from the readme in the Rogue Removal Kit:

Quality Online Virus Scanners: (all scanners offer detection and removal)


F-Secure
NOD32
Bitdefender

Quality Free Anti-Virus Software:

Panda Cloud
Microsoft Security Essentials
Antivir
Avast!
AVG


My two cents on downloading anti-malware software...

Other Helpful Tips & Tools

Rkill will kill processes that may be preventing scanners from completely removing malware.

To get into Safe Mode With Networking, press F8 every couple of seconds while the computer is starting (before the Windows splash screen). If you see the Windows splash screen, you will need to try again. The safe thing to do is log into Windows, restart, and try pressing F8 several times before seeing the Windows splash screen. Alternatively, my advice that falls into the category of “what I'd do if it was my own computer, but wouldn't tell someone to do it if I worked in tech support” would be, if you didn't get into Safe Mode the first time and you're at the Windows splash screen, hold down the power button until the computer turns off. When you start the computer again, it should automatically ask you if you want to go into Safe Mode With Networking.

If you get a Blue Screen of Death after selecting Safe Mode With Networking, read the following posts on how to fix it:
http://blog.didierstevens.com/2006/06/22/save-safeboot/
http://blog.didierstevens.com/2006/0...ring-safeboot/
http://blog.didierstevens.com/2007/0...th-a-reg-file/


Still infected, or just want to make sure everything is okay?

HiJackThis is a tool that will create a log file that can be analyzed by geeks to see what is running on your computer. Install and run HiJackThis (preferably in Safe Mode With Networking), and select 'Do a system scan and save a log file'. You can then copy/paste the output to this thread, and with any luck, someone will stop by and let you know what you can delete. You can then checkmark the items in HiJackThis and click 'Fixed checked'.

If you don't get a quick response here or would rather do it yourself, you can also go to http://hijackthis.de/, which is an online analyzer for your HiJackThis log. Simply copy and paste the log into the text box and click the Analyze button. During my testing of the site, I found it wasn't perfect, especially when a proxy was setup (the visitor rating would be 'extremely nasty', but the site itself would say it was safe)... but, it's at least a good tool that can significantly shorten the time it takes to analyze the log, and it gives you an idea of which entries you can delete or at least Google/post here for further research.

You can also look at the responses to HiJackThis posts in this thread to get an idea of what is safe and what should be removed.


Windows Performance

A good starting point to knowing what processes and services are running on your computer is a HiJackThis log. There's also a lot of information that's only a Google search away.

To manage the process that start when Windows starts, use msconfig (Start button -> Run... -> msconfig -> Startup tab). This is a good resource on startup processes, and it includes a large database of startup processes with information on whether they're required to run Windows or if it's okay to uncheck them. You basically want processes that are in c:\Windows checked, and you can generally uncheck processes in c:\program files (but there are exceptions, like your antivirus), but do some research (Google, the provided links, this thread) if you're not sure. Adobe, Apple (including qttask, Boujour, AppleUpdater, etc), and any messenger program (unless you have it sign you in at startup) are always the first ones to get unchecked on my computer.

Services can be a little tougher to manage, because it's usually a much longer list, and it's not as simple as flipping them on or off. This is a great resource for managing Windows services (Start button -> Run... -> services.msc). Simply choose your version of Windows and then click on the Service Configuration link. It presents the default setup, a safe setup (what most people can use without any consequences), a tweaked setup for faster startup, and a bare bones setup for the super geek. There's also a Tweaks page for stuff like Adding/Removing programs and System Restore.
[Reply]
Mr. Plow 10:41 AM 11-11-2015
Alright guys, hoping you all can help me.

Got a couple computers on my network that have the Cryptowall Virus.

I haven't successfully removed it, but all indications are that Malwarebytes will take care of it. Can't seem to find anything online about decrypting the files - all seems to point to that it can't be done.

So, I turn to you guys - is there a way that I haven't located yet to decrypt the files or am I screwed on these couple machines?
[Reply]
Fish 11:39 AM 11-11-2015
Originally Posted by Mr. Plow:
Alright guys, hoping you all can help me.

Got a couple computers on my network that have the Cryptowall Virus.

I haven't successfully removed it, but all indications are that Malwarebytes will take care of it. Can't seem to find anything online about decrypting the files - all seems to point to that it can't be done.

So, I turn to you guys - is there a way that I haven't located yet to decrypt the files or am I screwed on these couple machines?
If data has already been encrypted, you're fucked.
[Reply]
Mr. Plow 12:20 PM 11-11-2015
Originally Posted by Fish:
If data has already been encrypted, you're fucked.
That's what I was afraid of.
[Reply]
DeepPurple 04-10-2016, 09:59 AM
This message has been deleted by DeepPurple. Reason: Problem was solved, Century Link was the culprit, they had a malware in their system
RINGLEADER 05-08-2016, 06:14 PM
This message has been deleted by RINGLEADER.
Fairplay 07:55 PM 01-23-2017
My computer is six years old, I'm not much of gamer but want a computer to play the games that people play these days. Because I need a little play time like 10 hours a week.

Limited budget, I don't want to go the build route.

I'm thinking of one of these with maybe a 8 gig memory upgrade to 16.
Thoughts on which one is to go with?

https://www.amazon.com/CYBERPOWERPC-...ds=computer+pc

or

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LAG8KEK?psc=1
[Reply]
DaneMcCloud 02:38 PM 01-24-2017
Originally Posted by Fairplay:
My computer is six years old, I'm not much of gamer but want a computer to play the games that people play these days. Because I need a little play time like 10 hours a week.

Limited budget, I don't want to go the build route.

I'm thinking of one of these with maybe a 8 gig memory upgrade to 16.
Thoughts on which one is to go with?

https://www.amazon.com/CYBERPOWERPC-...ds=computer+pc

or

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LAG8KEK?psc=1
IMO, both are too much money for the value. i5, no SSD's, at $719?

Whew, that's bank.

I'd buy this before either of those computers:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F3R9H7Q...019TTJDY6?th=1
[Reply]
Fairplay 07:17 PM 01-24-2017
Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud:
IMO, both are too much money for the value. i5, no SSD's, at $719?

Whew, that's bank.

I'd buy this before either of those computers:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F3R9H7Q...019TTJDY6?th=1
Interesting, I'll have to check into that, thanks for your opinion Dane.
[Reply]
DaneMcCloud 08:37 PM 01-24-2017
Originally Posted by Fairplay:
Interesting, I'll have to check into that, thanks for your opinion Dane.
I'd grab the Dell, upgrade the RAM and throw in at least 250 gig SSD for your system drive, then move the installed drive to SATA 1 and use it as backup.
[Reply]
Rasputin 02:16 PM 02-16-2017
Well shit fuck damn. My home PC got the AIDS Virus and it said call this free number and I couldn't understand the India Indian so I got a tad mad through my new phone at hard drive and I think my computer is fubar now. But my phone is working.

This is new for me to post via phone.

This pisses me off. Now going have to get new computer i can't afford next week.
[Reply]
Fish 07:54 PM 02-16-2017
Originally Posted by KC Tattoo:
Well shit fuck damn. My home PC got the AIDS Virus and it said call this free number and I couldn't understand the India Indian so I got a tad mad through my new phone at hard drive and I think my computer is fubar now. But my phone is working.

This is new for me to post via phone.

This pisses me off. Now going have to get new computer i can't afford next week.
If it says call any number, good fucking grief, do not call the number. It's a scam. Run the recommended scanners from this thread.
[Reply]
Bearcat 09:58 PM 06-20-2017
So, this post is almost 7 years old, and beyond this thread, I don't know how much demand there is for this type of stuff around here. If someone wants to take over the OP, feel free to post updates or redo the entire thing (a few links don't even work any longer) and I'll edit mine... or start your own thread and dive into the brave new world of Windows 8/10 and ransomware, etc; and I'll unsticky this one and sticky your thread.
[Reply]
Mr. Plow 07:18 AM 06-29-2017
Originally Posted by Bearcat:
So, this post is almost 7 years old, and beyond this thread, I don't know how much demand there is for this type of stuff around here. If someone wants to take over the OP, feel free to post updates or redo the entire thing (a few links don't even work any longer) and I'll edit mine... or start your own thread and dive into the brave new world of Windows 8/10 and ransomware, etc; and I'll unsticky this one and sticky your thread.
How about no?
[Reply]
Bowser 10:59 AM 06-29-2017
Originally Posted by Mr. Plow:
How about no?
Everyone send Mr. Plow a PM when you have an antivirus question from here on out. Thanks in advance.
[Reply]
Mr. Plow 11:34 AM 06-29-2017
Originally Posted by Bowser:
Everyone send Mr. Plow a PM when you have an antivirus question from here on out. Thanks in advance.
I'll be tech support.

"Oh, how do you get rid of pop ups? Sorry bro, computer is toast. Gotta throw it out and get a new one."

"Excel keeps screwing up? Yup, that's fatal man. Get you a new computer."
[Reply]
Bearcat 11:15 PM 06-30-2017
Originally Posted by Mr. Plow:
I'll be tech support.

"Oh, how do you get rid of pop ups? Sorry bro, computer is toast. Gotta throw it out and get a new one."

"Excel keeps screwing up? Yup, that's fatal man. Get you a new computer."

[Reply]
Fansy the Famous Bard 01:05 PM 04-16-2018
Bump for reuse!
[Reply]
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