Question:
my virus protection found trojan horse this week and everyday they find a virus,when viewing the summary it?
2008-04-11 20:10:48 UTC
says it has been put in vault,but the backupcopy is infected.Also sometimes a box says JS/Downloader.Agent virus,can someone tell me what all this means and idont know what to do?My sister said i will have to get a new computer or see if this one can be fixed but she dont think so.I hope someone can help me soon. thank you ,please hurry
Eight answers:
2008-04-11 20:17:32 UTC
You don't need a new computer. You DO need to get this one cleaned up. Free software or phony virus programs won't help--they just make matters worse.



Do yourself a favor and make sure you have a REAL virus protector in place and keep it up to date. DO NOT use one of the free registry scrubbers or antivirus tools so many here suggest. Some of these are just ok, but far too many are themselves evilware and most of them are pretty flimsy. Some actually implant other spyware, adware or even viruses or trojans on your system and make things worse--far worse. The problem with a weak antivirus program is that it gives you a false sense of security--like Airborne cold-preventer. Using nothing at all would be better as you would be more careful about where you venture on the Internet.



I have not exaustively tested the top-rated dozen or so serious antivirus programs (of the many dozen out there) but PCWorld has; so has Consumer Reports. AVG is the lowest-rated. I would not depend on first-hand accounts from end-users and amateurs but instead, look for opinions from computer _professionals_ whose job it is to analyze these _essential_ programs. Using a free antivirus program is like buying cancer drugs from that guy on a street corner...



See http://www.pcworld.com/article/124475-1/article.html

or subscribe to Consumer Reports--I have done so for over 30 years and never miss an issue.
?
2016-08-22 08:35:44 UTC
2
2008-04-11 20:19:53 UTC
try this:



http://www.precisesecurity.com/tools-resources/adware-tools/smitfraudfix/



Then next time something like that happens, just use Google to find a solution. If you can't find the solution, then call tech support. There's no need to get a whole new computer.
Carling
2008-04-11 20:17:58 UTC
You don't need a new computer that's for sure if you have a virus then your virus protection software should get rid if it.. if not you should format your hard drive and reinstall windows.. and start a fresh...
2016-08-27 19:25:47 UTC
This question is worth everyone's attention
Venky
2008-04-11 20:45:21 UTC
U really dont need a new computer.. all u have to do is to re-install OS
2016-07-31 06:30:28 UTC
Not sure about this
2008-04-11 21:02:27 UTC
The back up copy of what ? Antivirus programs do not make back ups of threats. They clean them from the system files (safely delete).



When you get one in the Quarantine folder, open the folder and see if it is a document infected - rare. Click something like "Attempt To Clean".... READ CAREFULLY if you are actually seeing that it is an infected file placed there or if it is JUST a virus (most likely). You are probably not seeing clearly.



Generally all items in the quarantine folder are simply deleted. All the information is there as to whether the entire infected file was quarantined to give the user a chance at recovery of the file. If the antivirus program can not clean it (rare) and you have to save the document (example) or whatever you will have to go through a more in depth recovery of the infected file that may only produce up to 95 to 99 percent of the original. This is all usually done in businesses - NOT home computers.



DO NOT listen to anyone telling you to through your computer in the trash or wipe the disk and reinstall windows over a simple 35 dollar antivirus software that will remove these catagory threats. Unfortunately - this is no longer a dark secret in America. It is in the news they have actually thrown away a 2,000 dollar plus computer in the trash because they were unaware of antivirus products. Believe it or not it is in the news from the Security industry publications on the net !!! ABSURD !!!!



NOTE.... viruses and worms and many trojans are in the antivirus catagory. Adware, spyware, more are in the antispyware catagory of security softwares. Rootkits are included in software scans in some of the top products now. Briefly, a rootkit can evolve past detection and has the ability to continually install malware. They have to be caught in their youth. Several scans a day is not rare by a heavy user. Once per session is not rare among average users. If you scan less than once a month - forget it. A rootkit can install security software disabling trojans as an example.



In real world all you need is quality paid subscription security softwares including a personal firewall, antivirus, and antispyware and you are good to go. I did say QUALITY security software. Trend Micro Internet Security 2008 is tops. Google it.



ADVICE: You need to clean the malware out now. If infected, use your head - the last thing you want to do is purchase stuff while spyware or viruses are transmitting this information to cyber criminlas posed to max your accounts (anyone's).



Simple. Hopefully you have quality antivirus. Trend Micro again has won top honors in world top tests in this catagory beating out the previous world's best Kaspersky. Symantec Norton has won many many times. SEE VB100 Award. The Grisoft AVG has won this. NOD32 is another world tops. In antispyware Trend Micro has been tops for years about tied with Webroot Spysweeper and Counterspy. This is what everyone in the know is using. This is what made these companies the mega billion dollar business they are - people buying their products because they work and proved in ALL independent lab tests - look it up anywhere on the net.



INSTALL / UPDATE / FULL SCAN.... In scan results quarantine what you are not sure of. Known threats - delete them immediately out of the computer.



AGAIN you are probably looking at the virus files themselves. Do you see anything like "Mom's Pictures" or "Our Fancy Newsletter" ??? A file name instead of just the virus name ? Are you seeing a malware embedded crafted photo like something .JPG or JPEG as the file extension ? That is a crafted photo with an embedded virus and worthless. So if you do not see your antivirus offering to clean like "Mom's Photo" file - then it is a virus or trojan and simply delete it. End of story. You always review the virus vault after a scan or notification. If it is not a valid file that can be saved then delete it immediately. End of story.



Hopefully you understand you need to install a firewall immediately and try free top rated Comodo. Best in leak and penetration tests - google it (means look up results in search engine like Google.com - "google it"). Hopefully you understand that spyware is a seperate threat with a seperate removal software program. Antispyware does not remove viruses and worms. Antivirus does not remove adware and spyware catagory threats.



REMOVAL SOFTWARES - FREE HOME VERSIONS (Quality free home versions):



Go Here for the list (about botom right on page):

Spyware Removal Center

http://www.bluecollarpc.net/pcsafety.html



If you are afraid to visit my site at least add these to your scannings and if there are any more warnings or messages from your known products (you are not running a fake bogus application right?) then come back to get instructions of how to boot into "Safe Mode" and remove them. Neccesssary in severe threats to stop the process to remove it. ....



AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition [working-freeware]

Download, Information at this website :

http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html

http://www.grisoft.com/

AVG Free Edition is the well-known antivirus protection tool. AVG Free is available free of charge to home users for the life of the product. Rapid virus database updates are available for the lifetime of the product, thereby providing the high level of detection capability that millions of users around the world trust to protect their computers. AVG Free is easy to use and will not slow your system down (low system resource requirements). Highlights include automatic update functionality, the AVG Resident Shield, which provides real-time protection as files are opened and programs are run, free Virus Database Updates for the lifetime of the product, and AVG Virus Vault for safe handling of infected files.



ClamWin Free Antivirus [Open Source - working freeware]

http://www.clamwin.com/

ClamWin is a Free Antivirus for Microsoft Windows. ClamWin Free Antivirus comes with an easy installer. You may download and use it absolutely free of charge. It features: High detection rates for viruses and spyware; Scanning Scheduler; Automatic downloads of regularly updated Virus Database. Standalone virus scanner and right-click menu integration to Microsoft Windows Explorer; Addin to Microsoft Outlook to remove virus-infected attachments automatically. The latest version of Clamwin Free Antivirus is 0.88.2.3 . Please note that ClamWin Free Antivirus does not include an on-access real-time scanner. You need to manually scan a file in order to detect a virus or spyware.



Trend Micro RootkitBuster (popular) [working-freeware]

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/Trend-Micro-Rootkit-Buster.shtml

Trend Micro RootkitBuster is a rootkit scanner that offers ability to scan for drivers, registry entries, processes, hidden files and hooked system service. Trend Micro RootkitBuster also includes the cleaning capability for hidden files and registry entries. License: Freeware / OS: Windows All



AVG Anti-Rootkit Free [working-freeware]

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/download-free-anti-rootkit/us/frt/0

AVG Anti-Rootkit Free is a powerful tool with state-of-the-art technology for the detection and removal of rootkits.







a-squared trojan remover (Free Working Version for life and Proactive Premium Version)

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

a-squared (a-squared) is a complementary product to antivirus software and desktop firewalls on MS Windows computers. Antivirus software specializes in detecting classic viruses. Many available products have weaknesses in detecting other malicious software (Malware) like Trojans, Dialers, Worms and Spyware (Adware). a-squared fills the gap that malware writers exploit. Automatic updates: In a-squared Free the updater must be run manually. The auto-update feature of a-squared Personal checks hourly for new available updates and installs them automatically. a-squared Free is freeware!



Microsoft AntiSpyware is now Windows Defender

[working-freeware from Microsoft]

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

Windows Defender is a free program that helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software. It features Real-Time Protection, a monitoring system that recommends actions against spyware when it's detected, and a new streamlined interface that minimizes interruptions and helps you stay productive.



AVG Anti-Spyware Free Edition

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/20/us/frt/0

http://www.grisoft.com/



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