A virus attacked my computer, and i'm scared it got in?

Question

i'm not sure if i have it or not :/ the minute it opened it started doing all this ****, and i closed all of the windows as fast as possible, and started running a scan with norton.. after scanning 8000 files it stopped and said it had no threats, but it only scanned a small portion of the computer so i checked the security log, and it said that there HAD been a threat when it searched, paint shop pro 8 (wtf?) had made 8 changes to my start-up options on windows? so i closed psp8 (it was open while the virus attacked) and started the search again.. 65000 files and it hasn't shut down yet, but i'm freaking out. im sure this doesn't make sense, i'm not very good at explaining things, but is there anything i can do? does it sound like it got in?

Answer 1

Sometimes when a virus has infected your computer it will also mess with your installed virus scanning software. One way to determine whether or not you have a virus is through this web site:



http://security.symantec.com/



You can run a free virus scan from the web site, which works much more reliably than if you run one from your own machine. If it finds anything it will then direct you on how to fix/remove the virus.

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

The person above me copied that answer from another user.

He does not personally know what he is talking about and is trying to get points through others experience.



Norton is almost completely useless. Its just terrible, and slows down computers as much as a virus would.

I know, because Ive use ALL of the programs his article listed.



Use a free antispyware like AVG or Spybot: Search and Destroy, Norton can be disabled by most modern viruses.



Also do the following.

Click the start menu and select "run" You may need to set your menu back to classic in order to see it.

When it opens, type "regedit".

When regedit opens, in both "hkey_current_user" and "hkey_local machine" go into the following, Software, Microsoft, Windows, Currentversion, and empty everything in the "run" and "run once" folders.

These are the registry files that tell programs to open with windows, including viruses, which are just programs designed to steal information.

Answer 4

Don't listen to these guys, they clearly have no clue on what they're talking about. I am a developer at Microsoft so I know a thing or two about computers. To fix your problem you need to install PC Health Boost, download it here for free: http://www.healthboostpc.com



It's very light and it's the only antivirus/cleaner with a 99.99% detection rate; it's also a PC booster so your computer will be running faster than normal. Install it, hit run and problem solved. It shouldn't take you more than 5 minutes.

Answer 5

I would use a number of apps to search for it, thats what i do all the time, besides norton, try avg 8 free addition, possibly some free adware/spyware app like Spyware Doctor. . . or even clamwin anti virus app.



theres a possibility you got lucky.

Answer 6

So..

Here I got Firefox for free http://bit.ly/1xTyOAY

Very useful program!

Cheers.

Answer 7

Follow the spyware and virus removal guide at My Slow PC - http://www.MySlowPC.net/ - just click on the "Troubleshooting" link. Good luck, let me know if you get stuck or post at the site.

Answer 8

norton is good dont belive what people say.



If you Looking Good Anti-Virus i would Recommend Use Avira AntiVir Personal Press here http://www.download.com/Avira-AntiVir-Pe...



Why is Avira AntiVir Personal it is Good Than Avast ,Avg,NOD32,Kaspersky, and Norton? Press here http://www.virusbtn.com/news/2008/09_02



Use Super Anti-Spyware To Remove Spyware,adware, malware, Trojans, dialers, worms, keyloggers, and hijackers. Prevent potentially harmful to download Super Anti-Spyware Press here http://www.superantispyware.com/



And Use Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware is designed to quickly detect, destroy, and prevent malware, spyware, trojans. Can detect and remove malware that even the most well-known Anti-Virus and Anti-Malware applications on the market today cannot To Download Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware Press herehttp://www.download.com/Malwarebytes-Ant...



Use The Best Browser Mozilla Firefox it is Best Web Browser Than internet Explorer Mozilla Firefox is a fast, full-featured Web browser. Firefox includes pop-up blocking; tab-browsing; integrated Google search; simplified privacy controls; a streamlined browser window that shows you more of the page than any other browser; and a number of additional features that work with you to help you get the most out of your time online. To Download Mozilla Firefox Press here http://www.download.com/mozilla-firefox/



Use 2 Toolbar To Block all Pop Up in you Computer Yahoo toolbar and Google Toolbar Yahoo Toolbar is a free and convenient search tool that now includes a pop-up blocker. Stop annoying pop-up ads, search the Web, access Yahoo Mail, and games. Customize your toolbar and save your bookmarks online for one-click access from any computer.



Version 7.0.5 may include unspecified updates, enhancements or bug fixes.To download Yahoo toolbar Press here http://www.download.com/Yahoo-Toolbar-wi...





Google Toolbar Pop-up Blocker

Lost in a jungle of annoying pop-up ads? Toolbar's pop-up blocker keeps your screen free and clear To Download Google Toolbar Press here http://toolbar.google.com/T5/intl/en/





Use WOT is a Free Internet Security addon for Firefox and IE that warns you about risky websites that try to deliver malware, online scams or send spam WOT is a free Internet security addon for your browser. It will keep you safe from online scams, identity theft, spyware, spam, viruses and unreliable shopping sites. WOT warns you before you interact with a risky website. It's easy and it's free.

To Download Wot Press here http://www.mywot.com/



Use McAfee SiteAdvisor is the virtual equivalent of the school crossing guard, helping to ensure safe navigation of the web.

Pros

Helps protect against spyware and adware

Alerts on potentially malicious web sites

Provides safety ratings for search results

Helps filter safe web sites from not so safe web sites

Helps to identify nefarious phishing scam sites To Download McAfee SiteAdvisor Press here http://www.siteadvisor.com/



alsotry these



Malwarebytes Anti-Malware:

http://www.download.com/Malwarebytes-Ant...

Download, install, update and select Full Scan.

Remove all infections that it finds after scan.





and... Spyware, Adware, Trojans, Malware, Dialers, Popups:

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaw...

http://www.ewido.net/en/download/...

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareb...

http://www.download.com/Bazooka-Adware-a...

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sgdownlo...

http://www.safer-networking.org/

http://www.download.com/HijackThis/3000-...

http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/down...

Online Scanners:

http://www.webroot.com/consumer/products...

http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virus...

http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/ac...

http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html

http://www.windowsecurity.com/trojanscan...

http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner

http://www.spywareguide.com/onlinescan.p...

http://housecall65.trendmicro.com/

Spyware, Adware, Trojans, Malware, Dialers, Popups List:

http://www.softpedia.com/catList/104

Antivirus:

http://www.grisoft.com/

http://www.avast.com/

Antivirus Lists:

http://www.softpedia.com/catList/1

Firewall:

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/co...

Firewall Lists:

http://www.softpedia.com/catList/97

IP Blocker:

http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/peerg...

System Cleaner:

http://www.ccleaner.com/

System Cleaning List:

http://www.softpedia.com/catList/98

System Info:

http://www.softpedia.com/catList/92



Spybot S&D:

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/downl...

Download, install, update and Immunize, turn off Tea Timer then click 'Check for problems' then when complete select all and then 'Fix Checked'

Open Spybot, click on Mode, select Advanced, click on Tools then Resident and untick Resident 'Tea Timer'

Do NOT untick Resident 'SD Helper' as that is your protection.



Spyware Doctor Free Basic Edition - Realtime monitoring:

http://www.download.com/Spyware-Doctor-S...

Download install, update and run.



Comodo BO Clean:

http://www.comodo.com/boclean/CBO_downlo...

Simply download and install, follow instructions on screen.

Real time virus and malware protection - stops rootkits,, hijackers, keyloggers and Trojans from stealing your identity.

Go here to see what it protects you against:

http://www.comodo.com/boclean/trolist.ht...



Also use CCleaner, it deletes your cookies and history:

http://www.download.com/CCleaner/3000-21...

Click on the Cleaner Tab on the left and under Windows tick all boxes in Internet Explorer. If you save your username/passwords untick 'Autocomplete Form History' and under System tick all boxes except the last 2, and leave Advanced all unticked.

Then click on the Applications tab and tick all apart from Saved form information if you use Firefox and save your username/passwords

Click on Options then Settings and under Secure Deletion mark the Secure file deletion (slower) and use the drop down to select Guttman (35 passes)

Please note that some files are 'locked' but will be removed on shutdown.





heres more! If you want a free anti-virus I recommend in this order (install only one):



1. AVG Free

a. A simple interface (easier to use than Avast! and Avira)

b. Can detect about 82.82% of viruses

Cons: low virus detection



2. Avast!

a. Real-time protection

b. It has an option to delete a virus once found

c. Can detect about 87.46% of viruses.

Cons: Too many icons and confusing user interface



3. Avira AntiVir

a. It can detect malware better than Avast and AVG

b. It's cute umbrella icon

c. Can detect about 94.26% of viruses





Here's some ideas to "roll ya own" Internet Security Suite for free. Free is always the best.

--------------------------------------...

1. For your Anti-Virus......(Always use only 1 A-V)



For your anti-virus needs, I would suggest Avira AntiVir® PersonalEdition Classic. It has excellent heuristics, a virus detection rate that is better than many of "paid-for" anti-virus programs and is light on using your computer's resources. And did I mention that it's free!



Download here:

http://www.free-av.com/



--------------------------------



2. For your Firewall..........(Always use only 1 firewall)



An excellent free firewall is Comodo Personal Firewall. It can pass firewall "leak tests" that even most of the "paid-for" firewalls cannot pass.



And Comodo has a great support forum. Where the CEO / President of the company might even himself answer your question! Check it out at:

http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/



-------------------------------



3. For your Anti-Adware and Anti-Spyware needs...............(use 2)



Pick and choose, 2 anti-spywares from the list below and alternate scanning with them on a regular basis. New spywares are created literally hourly, so no single anti-spyware can really detect all malware. Have at least 2 on hand and alternate scanning with each every few days or so. All are free. All can remove as well as detect.



Spybot Search and Destroy:

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybo...



Ewido (now known as AVG Anti-spyware) Do NOT download AVG Anti-virus.:

http://ewido.com



AdAware 2007

http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/



A-Squared:

http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free...



SUPERAntiSpyware:

http://www.superantispyware.com/



Windows Defender:

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security...



Unfortunately, many "paid for" anti-spyware products are in fact either of limited usefulness or downright scams. When in doubt, look at the list of rogue anti-spyware solutions listed here:

http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti...



--------------------------------------...



4. And to protect your computer from ever getting infected with malware in the first place............ (use them both)



SpywareBlaster:

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareb...



SiteAdvisor:

http://www.siteadvisor.com/

-----------------------------------

Everything here is 100% free!!!!!!



Great luck! Enjoy!



Avast is one of best anti-virus programs and completely free Avast works for 60 days after installation you will obtain your FREE license key by email after you register, the license key is valid for 1 year after one year you will need to just re-register.



Avast home edition is free and effective, it scans your downloads and emails for viruses (unlike AVG) and also includes anti-rootkit and anti-spyware, it can also run a boot scan, I use Avast along side Comodo Pro firewall both are free and have been independently tested and proven to be more effective then Norton or Mcafee.



Avast Anti-Virus: http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.ht...



Comodo Pro: http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/



Why Avast is better then AVG:



AVG themselves state that the free version of their Anti-Virus does NOT scan downloads for malicious content where as the free