Computer Virus?

Question

I'm pretty sure i have a virus, but my Norton Antivirus IS NOT picking up any viruses when i do a full system scan. In my quick launch area with my icons is a flashing yellow ! and it keeps saying "Security Alert" and that i have all these different types of viruses. I am thinking this itself is the virus because it tells me to download this or that anti-virus software...plus now im getting SOO many pop-ups for anti-virus downloads. I completely deleted internet exlporer, but these pop-ups are from IE. What can i do to stop this...its SO annoying!!!

Answer 1

Is that advertising trying to sell you, one (or more) of these useless products? If it is one of these, then it is likely an infection called Smitfraud that is causing the phony warnings. It is scam advertising trying to swindle you. And a link to a free removal tool is down at the bottom.

__________________________

EDIT:



BTW, it is impossible to disable IE, whatever you did only got rid of any IE icons or shortcuts.



Internet explorer is an intergral part of Windows and cannot be removed without damaging Windows itself.





AdwarePunisher,

AdwareSheriff,

AlphaCleaner,

Antispyware Soldier,

AntiVermeans,

AntiVermins,

AntiVerminser,

AntivirusGolden,

AVGold,

BraveSentry,

MalwareWipe,

MalwareWiped,

MalwaresWipeds,

MalwareWipePro,

MalwareWiper,

PestCapture,

PestTrap,

PSGuard,

quicknavigate.com,

Registry Cleaner,

Security iGuard,

Smitfraud,

SpyAxe,

SpyCrush,

SpyDown,

SpyFalcon

SpyGuard,

SpyHeal,

SpyHeals,

SpyLocked,

SpyMarshal,

SpySheriff,

SpySoldier,

Spyware Vanisher,

Spyware Soft Stop,

SpywareLocked,

SpywareQuake,

SpywareKnight,

SpywareSheriff,

SpywareStrike,

Startsearches.net,

TitanShield Antispyware,

Trust Cleaner,

UpdateSearches.com,

Virtual Maid,

VirusBlast,

VirusBurst,

Win32.puper,

WinAntiSpyPro

WinHound





If so, then you most likely have a serious Smitfraud infection and a free removal tool called SmitFraudFix with the removal procedure is here:

http://siri.urz.free.fr/Fix/SmitfraudFix_En.php



More infomation and another free removal tool called RogueFix can be found here:

http://www.internetinspiration.co.uk/roguefix.htm



Most "All-Purpose" malware apps such as AVG, Norton, Spybot etc unfortunatly can not remove or even detect this vile pest called Smitfraud.



Good luck.

Answer 2

The pop ups are spyware trying to get you to buy something get SUPERantispyware for free at SUPERantispyware.com next get ccleaner at ccleaner.com to clean your system and fix your registry both free and both great. If you have not updated you norton then there is a problem new viruses come out all the time. If you are usin gthe free trial program that has probably run out to get a free virus program go to grissoft.com and get AVG works good. in the mean time go to trendmicrosystems.com and get a free scan of your computer onlline to detect if you have a problem.

Answer 3

Get a free online antivirus

'A' rated AVG antivirus program

Get the basic version it's great

http://www.free.grisoft.com/doc/1

THat's the link you can download the Anti-RootKit, the AntiVirus, the Anti Spyware



ORRR www.avast.com

Answer 4

Mrs. try the Avast avast.com



Is very easy to use and if your trial is over , you can renoval your trial and there is no cost.



Any question [e-mail] ( just for personal use.)

Answer 5

You are most likley infected with spyware. Search google for spybot search and destroy and that should fix your problem.

Answer 6

If its that bad, you should reformat your Hard drive. Or try with Spybot- search & Destroy, NOD 32, and winpatrol







http://www.theindietribune.com/

Answer 7

d l pc tools virus (free verison ) d l it and let it run

Answer 8

If you follow all the following steps it should get rid of your problem and prevent future problems. All programs listed are free.



OS Reinstallation vs. Virus Removal

http://safecomputing.umn.edu/guides/rebuild_repair.html



When should I re-format? How should I reinstall? (#10063)

http://www.dslreports.com/faq/10063



Securing a Personal Machine

http://safecomputing.umn.edu/studentchecklist.html

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Update your antivirus and run a full scan



If you do not have full time (active) virus protection install (only one) all are excellent:



AVG Antivirus 7.5 Free Edition

http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/avg-anti-virus-free/lng/us/tpl/v5

http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10669237.html?tag=lst-0-1

or

Free antivirus - avast! 4 Home Edition

http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html

or

AOL Active Virus Shield (powered by Kaspersky)

http://www.activevirusshield.com/antivirus/freeav/index.adp

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Install Windows Defender (full time spyware protection)

Perform a full scan in save mode

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx



or

AOL Automatic Protection Against Spyware and Malware

http://daol.aol.com/safetycenter/spyware

http://daol.aol.com/safetycenter/

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Install the following five programs and run weekly or at least monthly. You need all five. They will greatly increase your protection. They are not a substitute for full time spyware and virus protection.



Ad-Aware SE Personal (update + full scan)

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php



Spybot Search & Destroy (update + immunize + scan)

Do not enable Tea Timer and SDHelper

After installation: update + scan + immunize

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html



SpywareBlaster: Update then open and click “enable all protection”.

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html



SUPERAntiSpyware free version: (update + scan)

http://www.superantispyware.com/



CCleaner: Do not install toolbar option

Removes tracking cookies, unneeded files, history

In options.

Set to run when computer starts.

Place cookies you want to keep in save list

http://www.ccleaner.com/

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Note if a scan detects a problem but is unable to remove, start the computer in safe mode with the internet line disconnected and run a full scan.



In severe cases your system restore files will also be infected. In these cases you will need to turn off system restore to prevent malware hiding in the system restore files and reinfecting the computer during removal or during a future system restore. Turning off system restore deletes the system restore files.



Right click on "my computer"> Properties > System Restore Tab > Check box turn off system restore



After the malware is removed turn on system restore.

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McAfee Site Advisor: Internet Explorer and Firefox

http://www.siteadvisor.com/

Indicates if a site is unsafe and can link to a page to explain why it is unsafe.

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

Additional run this time and monthly.



Run Microsoft Update "Custom Mode" install everything

http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us



Microsoft OneCare Live, run “full service scan”

Updates windows, virus and spyware scan, disk cleanup, disk fragmentation (if needed), backs up registry and then cleans registry, and checks for open firewall ports

http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm



Malicious Software Removal Tool (run “full scan”)

http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

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RootkitRevealer v1.71

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/Security/RootkitRevealer.mspx



Rootkit Removal Guide

http://safecomputing.umn.edu/guides/scan_unhackme.html



Rootkits Removers

Pick any 2 install and run one each month



AVG Anti-Rootkit

http://www.grisoft.com/doc/products-avg-anti-rootkit-update-app-art/?ver=1.1.0.29



F-Secure BlackLight

http://www.f-secure.com/blacklight/



Panda Anti-Rootkit

http://research.pandasoftware.com/blogs/research/archive/2007/04/27/New-Panda-Anti_2D00_Rootkit-_2D00_-Version-1.07.aspx



Sophos Anti-Rootkit

http://www.sophos.com/products/free-tools/sophos-anti-rootkit.html



Trend Micro Rootkit Buster

http://www.trendmicro.com/download/rbuster.asp

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

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

Online Free Scanners:

Run Trend Micro, Kaspersky, and Panda Scan now.

Run a different one each month.



Trend Micro: HouseCall Free Scan (removes what it finds)

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

BitDefender Online Scanner http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html

Kaspersky Labs Online Scanner http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner

McAfee http://us.mcafee.com/root/mfs/default.asp?affid=294

Edwido Spyware Scan

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

F-Secure

http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols.shtml

Panda ActiveScan Free Online Scanner http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan?

Symantic Online Scanner http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/ssc_eula.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym&plfid=23&pkj=ALUFRHYTINMHDKDCWLL&vc_scanstate=2

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

Special Removal Tools

Run this time only if indicated.



CWShredder: run

http://www.trendmicro.com/cwshredder/



Roguefix.bat

http://www.internetinspiration.co.uk/roguefix.htm#uninstall



Shoot The Messenger

http://www.grc.com/stm/shootthemessenger.htm



SmitFraudFix

http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/How_to_use_SmitFraudFix-t109268.html



Vundo Fix and

VirtumundoBegone (if VundoFix does not work)

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic18610.html



VX2 tool for Ad-Aware and run tool (Install and run)

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/securitycenter/vx2_cleaner.php

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Additional Information read:

http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Overview

http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Prevention:_Prevent_Re-infection

http://www.castlecops.com/f67-Hijackthis_Spyware_Viruses_Worms_Trojans_Oh_My.html

http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm

http://aumha.org/secure.htm

http://aumha.org/a/parasite.php

http://www.castlecops.com/t102301-Hijackthis_Guidelines_Read_Before_Posting.html

http://www.techsupportforum.com/security-center/hijackthis-log-help/15968-updated-important-read-before-posting-log.html

http://forum.aumha.org/viewtopic.php?t=4075&sid=901703d08c2ace31389ffef2d84b6607

Answer 9

Try these free softwares:



I prefer Avast, but AVG is just as great.



AVG AntiVirus

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1



Avast Home Antivirus

http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-...



You may also want some other tools to run and use as well



SpywareBlaster

http://www.download.com/spywareblaster/3...



Spybot S&D

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



AVG AntiSpyware

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/20/lng/us/tp...



Adaware (Lavasoft)

http://www.download.com/ad-aware-2007-fr...



If you are currently having a problem:



◙ Download and install AVG. Use it first and see if it finds any viruses or trojans.



☞ http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1



◙ After running AVG go here and run this virus scanner online. There is no need to install it on your computer.



http://housecall.trendmicro.com/...



◙ Microsoft's New Live Safety Center. Download this scanner to check and remove spyware, viruses, get rid of obsolete files and junk off your computer, and improve your PCs performance.



☞ http://safety.live.com/site/en-us/defaul...



◙ The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool checks computers running Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 for infections by specific, prevalent malicious software—including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom—and helps remove any infection found. When the detection and removal process is complete, the tool displays a report describing the outcome, including which, if any, malicious software was detected and removed. You can run this tool online FREE.



http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/detai...



◙ Before downloading email attachments in Gmail and Yahoo Mail click on the link that says, "Scan With Norton Antivirus".



◙ Before downloading any software from the internet type it into http://groups.google.com/ to see if that title is known for spyware or viruses. Google Groups has over 1 billion posts spanning 25 years to help you. Even after checking it there ALWAYS scan it before opening it. You just can't be too careful. -- Smart Computing Magazine



◙ A lot of the download sites like http://www.download.com/ and http://www.tucows.com/ scan software before releasing it to the public. But just for safety sake you should still scan it yourself.



◙ Here is a really great article on browser hijacking. This will show you how to get rid of it. There is a tutorial and software to get rid of part of it. You'll need to make some changes to your computer's registry to get rid of the rest of it. Click on the chatroom link on their main page if you need help.



☞ http://www.spywareinfo.com/articles/hija...



◙ Here is Yahoo!'s Internet Security section.



☞ http://security.yahoo.com/



◙ Below is Mcafee's Site Adviser. Type in a URL in the form here and you will find out if the site you want to go to is known for phising (getting your personal info under false pretenses), viruses, spyware, and many other things. You can use the tool on their site or download an program to do that.



☞ http://www.siteadvisor.com/



◙ Get more information at these PC Magazine Web sites.



☞ http://www.pcmag.com/

☞ http://www.smartcomputing.com/



◙ Top 100 Computer & Software Magazines.



☞ http://netvalley.com/top100mag.html........



★★ TOOLS FOR SPECIFIC VIRUSES & TIPS ★★



◙ Sometimes you'll get a particularly nasty virus that cannot be removed with conventional tools. For times like these you can (quite often not always) download a removal tool for that specific virus. Below are some sites you should look at.



☞ http://www.grisoft.com/doc/utilities/ing...

☞ http://www.symantec.com/security_respons...

☞ http://www.bitdefender.com/site/download...



◙ Below is a tool called "Stinger" that Mcafee put together with all 54 of it's tools in it.



☞ http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/...



◙ GLOBAL VIRUS ALERT -- The latest virus outbreak alerts from F-Secure, Trend Micro, Panda, and Sophos. Each anti-virus fighter is reporting the state of the Virus Battles on its front, which reflects a unique customer and geographic profile.



☞ http://www.trimmail.com/news/tools/#glob...



◙ Add free virus alerts to your web site.



☞ http://www.trendmicro.com/syndication/vi...

For Trojans try these ( free to try),

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

Or

http://www.misec.net/trojanhunter/.........

Or

http://www.agnitum.com/products/tauscan/...





And always scan once a week with these free and trusted scanners as well if you go to gaming sites and porn and etc.

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/...

http://www.webroot.com/freescan...

http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner...

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

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

http://www.bitdefender.com/



First, you need anti-virus software - download, install and update AVG anti-virus (it's free for personal use) - you can find it here - http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1



Then remove your System Restore points (viruses love to hide in the System Restore files), but be aware that if you do remove your existing Restore Points you will not be able to "roll back" your computer to a previous configuration. To find out how to disable System Restore see this page - http://www.pchell.com/virus/systemrestor...



Just to be sure you don't have other malware on your computer I recommend that you download SpyBot Search & Destroy and Adware - both are free spyware/adware detection and removal software.



Next, start the computer in Safe Mode - (as the comptuer is starting up, keep tapping the F8 key on your keyboard until you see a special start-up menu) - more on how to start in Safe Mode here - http://www.microsoft.com/resources/docum...



Using AVG - run a full system virus scan while in Safe Mode



After the viruses have been detected and removed, run SpyBot and AdAware (full system scans) then restart the comptuer, enable System Restore again and enjoy a virus-free computing experience.



If the problems are still there, try using MSCONFIG to help figure out how to manually disable the Trojan from starting up - see more about MSCONFIG here - http://netsquirrel.com/msconfig/...



To help protect against malware you should install a firewall, Zone Alarm works perfectly well and is free – http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/c...



Also, don't forget to keep Windows up-to-date - using Microsoft Windows Update!



After following these instructions go to: http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/must-read... they will help you for free, no credit card or personal information needed, and they will analyze Hijack This logs for you, to make sure that your computer is safe. HijackThis helps If persistent spyware is bogging down your computer, you might need HijackThis. The tiny program examines vulnerable or suspect parts of your system, such as browser helper objects and certain types of Registry keys. Pressing the Scan button generates a log of dozens of items, most of which are just customizations. Don't check off an item and hit the Fix checked button unless you're sure it's malware. Clicking Info on selected item tells you why the entry was flagged as suspicious, but not whether it's actually malware. To find that out, search the Web for that item's name or go straight to a forum, such as SpywareInfo or Computer Cops. Saving the log creates a text document you can post to these forums.



The latest version adds powerful tools to the Config window. The process manager and hosts file editor help you excise virulent infections. The unique ADS Spy tool scans for alternate data streams, which some browser hijackers use to hide from spyware removers. The program still installs into whatever directory in which you unzip the file, which can make it hard to locate. HijackThis is a serious tool for any user who needs to root out a serious infestation, but wield it with caution. So, go to the site I gave you above, and they'll help you step by step.

Free registry cleaners:

CCleaner does not specialise in cleaning the registry, it's mostly used to speed up your computer by cleaning up your recycle bin, temp files/internet files, browsing history, application errors, log files and so on.. which frees up some space in your harddisk





I've tried these 10 free cleaners

http://www.regsofts.com/freeware/freereg...

I would recommend the following(click on the webpage and follow):



Free Windows Registry Repair(first one) - rather effective, the first scan i did after about a year showed over 500 problems with the registry, fixed them all



RegSeeker(2nd one) - fixed another 300 problems after using the previous one.



and like the two of them said, Eusing Free Registry Cleaner and Abexo Free Registry Cleaner(30 day trial)



Just run them all that'll fix most problems! But dont expect 100% fixes because programs might recreate registry entries when used and so a second scan might still show the same few errors. (ignore such errors)







those are all freeware, hope i'm of some help



Good Luck!