The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.
Computer got a Virus. Fuck.
Al_wat
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Yeah so I was browsing the internet last night and I accidentally got to a website that automatically downloads a virus to your computer. Didn't really have a virus scanner up and running... yeah, I'm an idiot.
I tried to use the trend micro online scan... but this virus seems to block it. Every time I try to go to the website it redirects to some phony search page. The few times it does let me through I get an error that says "An error occurred while trying to transfer data from the Internet! Do you want Trend Micro HouseCall to try resending the required files?" And when I try to get it to resend, it pops the same window up again.
So I downloaded AVG. Ran it. It "found" one virus and eliminated it (it described it as a worm).
So i try to run trend micro again to be sure. Same problems pop up. Redirects, that error message about not getting data properly. The virus is still here and fucking shitty AVG didn't solve the problem for me.
So yeah, anyone know some virus software that is good and reliable? I am not above going to a store and buying software if thats what I have to do.
I tried to use the trend micro online scan... but this virus seems to block it. Every time I try to go to the website it redirects to some phony search page. The few times it does let me through I get an error that says "An error occurred while trying to transfer data from the Internet! Do you want Trend Micro HouseCall to try resending the required files?" And when I try to get it to resend, it pops the same window up again.
So I downloaded AVG. Ran it. It "found" one virus and eliminated it (it described it as a worm).
So i try to run trend micro again to be sure. Same problems pop up. Redirects, that error message about not getting data properly. The virus is still here and fucking shitty AVG didn't solve the problem for me.
So yeah, anyone know some virus software that is good and reliable? I am not above going to a store and buying software if thats what I have to do.
Al_wat on
0
Posts
Link
If it won't run the .exe, rename it and try installing again.
Nuke it from orbit. Only way to be sure.
But no seriously, it is orders of magnitude more difficult to exorcise a virus from a computer than to guard against it in the first place. If you have any data on your computer that must be saved, I recommend you buy a 2-gig flash drive (or use the one you've got or whatever) and back up everything important, then restore your computer to factory, reinstall windows, the whole shebang.
Then, once you've done so, follow the advice soon to come of people recommending good virus management software and firewalls and such.At that point:
1. Make sure everything you have on your computer is ALWAYS updated. Windows, java, ESPECIALLY your firewall and virus scanner
2. Always have your firewall up. Learn how to port forward for applications that don't like your firewall.
Did you check your hosts file to see if the virus made certain websites redirect?
Try AntiVir and Avast as alternatives to AVG.
Running this right now. We will see how that turns out.
I don't want to nuke my computer just yet. I have about 75 gigs of Doctor Who that I can't allow to just vanish.
Assuming I do have to nuke the computer though and I want to preserve large volumes of data (on the order of 100Gb) think I would be able to get an external harddrive and just transfer it all over? I would have to assume the virus would migrate over to the hard drive right?
If that is the case can I take this course of action: Transfer files + likely the virus over to external HD. Nuke computer. Setup computer again, get good virus protection. Connect external harddrive to now protected computer, scan and purge viruses without becoming compromised and then transfer ~100Gb of data back.
Have not tried using safemode. My friend mentioned about the hosts file but I can't remember where to find it.
If this malware scan i am currently running doesn't work I will try the safemode approach. In the meantime where can i find the hosts file? If it makes a difference I use Vista.
2) Right click "Notepad" and select "Run as administrator"
3) Click "Continue" on the UAC prompt
4) Click File -> Open
5) Browse to "C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc"
6) Change the file filter drop down box from "Text Documents (*.txt)" to "All Files (*.*)"
7) Select "hosts" and click "Open"
8) Make the needed changes and close Notepad. Save when prompted.