Viruses

Myscilyn · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 87 Location: Pennsylvania

I am just sitting here editing my transcript when all of a sudden, I get a message stating that my computer was infected with viruses, do I want to do a scan? So I hit yes. Then it comes up with a McAfee Shield asking me if I want to remove these trojans, I have all of these flashing red trojans, for a total of 527.

My question is, should I download what they are telling me to? I'm a point and click kind of girl, if something goes haywire, I have no idea what to do. It wants me to install live-antimalware-pro-scan. Should I?

Edited to say: What they want me to install is called Antivirus 360 components.

Thanks
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Melissa Clark

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Covering Harrisburg, Lancaster, York, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

nantastic · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 169 Location: Boston, MA

NO!

http://www.spywareremove.com/removeAntivirus360.html

Antivirus 360, also known as Antivirus360, is a rogue anti-spyware program that uses false spyware results to lure you to purchase its full version. Antivirus360 is an updated version of Antivirus 2008. Other Antivirus 360 aliases that have recently appeared on the Web are: XP Antivirus 2008, Vista Antivirus 2008, Ultimate Antivirus 2008 and System Antivirus 2008.

Antivirus 360 is usually promoted via a ZLOB/MediaAccess Codec installer found on adult websites. Zlob has been the trojan of choice to infect users with pop ups disguised as system notifications that lead to websites with rogue anti-spyware programs. You can also install Antivirus 360 manually on the rogue website antivirus-scanner.com. Antivirus 360 may use its system scanner to display false positives which work as an incentive to make unsuspecting users purchase Antivirus 360's commercial version.

Do not click on any link provided by Antivirus 360. Once you click on the link provided, you'll be redirected to Antivirus 360's website (Antivirus360.com) to download and purchase Antivirus 360's rogue anti-spyware program. Antivirus 360 has the ability to recreate itself after reboot and its "System scan" messages may continue to pop up on your task manager. It is advised to run a scan with a reliable anti-spyware program to check for the presence of Antivirus 360 on your computer.

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Antivirus 360 is a fake antivirus programs that misleads computer users to download the said program via the method which was used by scammers. Antivirus 360 usually pop-up warning messages about detected threats on computer and advised them to register the product to be able to remove the threat.
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Myscilyn · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 87 Location: Pennsylvania

Thank you. Thank you. I'm going to download it right now.
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Melissa Clark

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Covering Harrisburg, Lancaster, York, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

DEPO 911 · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 7:39 am Post subject:

Melissa,

See a post a started on January 24 under "Software" labled "Virus" and you'll get an idea of what you're up against.

Judy

Myscilyn · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 87 Location: Pennsylvania

DEPO 911 · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:13 am Post subject:

Oh, no! I bought a new computer because of that virus. NOTHING I did worked. I even had my tech come in and try and he got zilch. That's a nasty one.

But I do like my new Sony!
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hapster · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:12 am Post subject:

Careful with spyware programs.... just ran Spybot and it found a trojan in my main desktop's userinit.exe file. That's a critical file that allows you to SIGN ON to your XP computer. Well, Spybot found the malware and DELETED that file and so, therefore, when I got to my Windows sign-on screen, it allowed me to enter my password, but it then immediately "closed network connections" so I was in an endless loop not allowing me to sign on to the computer. If this computer wasn't connected to my home network, I wouldn't have been able to edit the registry entry over the network using my wife's computer and came REAL close to completely having to wipe the hard drive clean and reinstall Windows. Not something I'd want to spend the weekend doing unless I planned on it.

Careful out there.

H

Myscilyn · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 87 Location: Pennsylvania

First, let me correct myself. I called you Victoria, I'm sorry Virginia. I appreciate your help.

Let me just say that I have no idea what these words mean, spyware, malware, trojan. I do know they all sound horrible. I need a class. Where did you all learn this stuff? LOL

My computer is working, I can sign on to Depoman and aol and all of that, but my AOL is sending me all kinds of blank boxes that have an X in the top right-hand corner, but I can't get rid of. I am on Vista, how do you delete programs from your computer? I used to be able to go to the control panel, then add remove hardware, but on this it just has add hardware. Help.

If I do have trojans in my computer, what do they do?

Sorry if my questions seem stupid, when it comes to computers, if I can't point and click around the internet, then go to my software, I'm lost.
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Melissa Clark

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Covering Harrisburg, Lancaster, York, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

aprylmontero · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 12:24 pm Post subject:

Melissa, you have something called Rapid Antivirus. It probably won't let you get to a website with real virus protection.

I had it earlier this year and I had to rebuild my computer. Even if you think you get rid of it, it comes back a few days later.

I was running AVG and it got through anyway. I'm now running Symantec Endpoint, but it's a corporate license from my DH's work.

You can also try running Ad-Aware and Malwarebytes, but when you try to go to real antivirus websites, the malware you have will go nuts.

PS you might want to try Geek Squad or Tele-Techie.

Myscilyn · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 87 Location: Pennsylvania

AAARRRRGGGGHHHH, that's my e-scream.

I was able to download the link that Joyce Casey posted in the Software section under virus. I ran the scan and quarantined the viruses. There was only one virus and like 240 cookies. Then I deleted AOL out because it was giving me such problems. I can get to most of the websites that I've been using, but I can't get to my bank website. I cannot get to my AOL mail from the Internet Explorer. I'm not sure what's wrong now. I mean it's up and running like it was yesterday, but I just can't get to those two sites.

Anybody know why? Thanks
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Melissa Clark

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Covering Harrisburg, Lancaster, York, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

aprylmontero · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 2:19 pm Post subject:

Is your keyboard acting kind of funky, too? That's another symptom. Like I said, it will be slightly annoying for a while and get increasingly more annoying. It hides out in the registry and replicates itself so even though you think you've deleted or quarantined it, it's still there.

Make sure you have a good backup of all your critical files.
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Cheers!

Apryl Montero

Myscilyn · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 87 Location: Pennsylvania

Hi Apryl,

Nope, the only thing that is acting funny, as of this minute, are my internet providers. I have AOL, and it keeps sending me an error message. I have to keep clicking it until it finally goes away. It will allow me to get my email, but no web sites at all.

So then I go to the Internet Explorer. It won't let me get my AOL mail, but I can connect to depoman and other CR web sites. It won't let me get to my banking web site, though.

Weird and annoying.
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Melissa Clark

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Covering Harrisburg, Lancaster, York, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

aprylmontero · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 3:57 pm Post subject:

It's the virus Melissa. It doesn't do anything consistently.
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Cheers!

Apryl Montero

Myscilyn · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 87 Location: Pennsylvania

aprylmontero · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 4:45 pm Post subject:

Try these websites:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/malware-removal/remove-rapidantivirus

http://www.2-viruses.com/remove-rapidantivirus

http://www.xp-vista.com/spyware-removal/rapid-antivirus-removal-instructions-rapidantivirus-27

http://www.2-spyware.com/remove-rapid-antivirus.html

All your banking information is stored at the bank's computer, not yours, so your data isn't compromised, just your ability to manage it.

One of my husband's tech guys spent half a day trying to remove it, but it came back and he spent another day backing up all my stuff and recording all my registry stuff, reloaded XP, reinstalled all my software, and got me back to normal. If you have an external hard disk for backups it will make it a lot easier.

Good luck.
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Cheers!

Apryl Montero