Question:
How do I remove a trojan horse which is sending emails on my behalf?
Christopher P
2007-12-07 06:22:22 UTC
I think I have a trojan horse or worm on my computer which is sending ut 100s of emails from my machine, using my email address but a different user name. I know this is happening because I am getting a ton of "Deliver Status Notification Failures" for emails I never sent.

One I am looking at right is

From: Meghan Rainey [cjpeltz@comcast.net]
To: nellysnaughtygyrl@msn.com
Subject: Things I enjoy are

cjpeltz@comcast.net is ME, but I never sent this email even though the delivery failure notice appeared in my Inbox.

So, my key question is is there a way that I can fix this without buying a ton of expensive software? Something open source would be nice, or a recommendation from someone on how I can manually remove this.
Eleven answers:
2007-12-07 06:27:08 UTC
The easiest way is this. F disk your hard drive and reinstall the operating system.



It will take an hour or two, but it is sure to solve the problem. You will also need to reinstall any programs you might have.



I have dealt with issues like yours and this is the best route.
Grace
2016-08-24 12:14:06 UTC
2
Attaboyslim
2007-12-07 06:38:10 UTC
Well now, this is one that I have never heard of but I'll offer a few suggestions. First, download a copy of AVG Free. This is a terrific Anti-Virus program and it is free. After installation, run the program but set it to scan ALL files. You can then visit their website and scan for every known virus, worm ... etc but it will take a minute. Next, download System Mechanic 7 from Iolo Technologies. There is a 30 trial version. or download XP Tools Pro from Downloads.com (also a trial version) either program offers great maintenance and correction applications which can pinpoint problems and give solutions. Finally, I recommend AdAware SE and you should be able to get a trial. This is great for cleaning up and correcting problems. Always delete the findings, even from quarantine locations because Trojans are capable of self replicating and so any trace on your system can possibly come back to life. Good Luck !
2014-09-02 11:28:08 UTC
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.
?
2016-05-22 16:16:14 UTC
Depending on the exact issue at hand, a thorough Google search may be be your best bet at resolving for yourself whatever is causing dysfunction. Nonetheless, as a computer technician who runs his own business troubleshooting, repairing, rebuilding, and optimizing computers... I can probably guide you in the right direction. However, without having your PC directly at my fingertips, I can only make general suggestions. In this case, I would surely check out the highly esteemed world-class Reimage software from https://tr.im/ReimageRepairs ..



When people come into our shop and drop off their PC for repair, the first thing we do is run an initial diagnostic. For this function, I use Reimage exclusively. In many cases, I am able to diagnose very quickly what is making their computer run slow, or is giving them the crashes/freezes/errors/grief that brought them to me in the first place. After the diagnostic, in a majority of cases, Reimage is able to remedy All problems and replace any corrupted Windows files. I then proceed to charge a handsome fee for my services that took me all but 30-60 minutes to complete. Obviously sometimes I must work more, but often this is all it takes. It is a very powerful tool that would likely put me and others in my industry out of business if more people knew of it. So don't tell anyone lol, and Good Luck with your PC.
?
2016-10-10 15:21:41 UTC
sure, likely whoever sent it knew that they have got been sending you a Trojan, except their pc has a Trojan that linked to their e mail and that they do no longer understand approximately it. additionally, keep in mind that it somewhat is amazingly ordinary to make an e mail look like it got here from somebody else; so whoever sent you the Trojan won't be who you think of it grow to be!
2007-12-07 22:16:26 UTC
The best way to get rid of trojans is using a best anti-spyware to protect your computer.Anti-Virus is not good at removing trojans,spywares and adwares.

Top 5 anti-spywares reviews,comparisons and download links on

http://remove-spywares.info/

You can download and scan your computer for free.
2007-12-07 06:48:06 UTC
Try using Ad-aware2007 first to see if it can be seen.

If that can't find it then thy

Spybot Search and Destroy-be sure to update it first before running it to look thru your computer(that way it has the latest info.on spys, trojans,worms. Updateing is something you have to do manually, it is not an automatic feature.....then let it scan your computer.
TravisT
2007-12-07 06:27:30 UTC
I can't tell you how to remove it without knowing the specific trojan name, but if you want a free anti-virus solution, I recommend AVG anti-virus. You can download it here.



http://free.grisoft.com/doc/downloads-products/us/frt/0?prd=aff
liam_from_england
2007-12-07 06:31:20 UTC
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/download-free-anti-spyware/us/frt/0



and/or



http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.php



Both are free and both are the best out there. Be sure to update and do a full scan.
2007-12-09 14:04:30 UTC
first download northen anti virus

To remove a trojan horse(normal) follow these step with nothen antivirus

Discovered: February 19, 2004

Updated: August 15, 2007 3:51:25 PM

Also Known As: Trojan-Spy.HTML.Smitfraud.c [Kaspersky], Phish-BankFraud.eml.a [McAfee], Trj/Citifraud.A [Panda Software], generic5 [AVG]

Type: Trojan

Systems Affected: Windows 98, Windows 95, Windows XP, Windows Me, Windows Vista, Windows NT, Windows Server 2003, Windows 2000



The following instructions pertain to all current and recent Symantec antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus product lines.



Disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP).

Update the virus definitions.

Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected.

Delete any values added to the registry.

Edit the Win.ini file.

Edit the System.ini file.

Clear the Temporary Internet Files folder.



For specific details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.



1. To disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP)

If you are running Windows Me or Windows XP, we recommend that you temporarily turn off System Restore. Windows Me/XP uses this feature, which is enabled by default, to restore the files on your computer in case they become damaged. If a virus, worm, or Trojan infects a computer, System Restore may back up the virus, worm, or Trojan on the computer.



Windows prevents outside programs, including antivirus programs, from modifying System Restore. Therefore, antivirus programs or tools cannot remove threats in the System Restore folder. As a result, System Restore has the potential of restoring an infected file on your computer, even after you have cleaned the infected files from all the other locations.



Also, a virus scan may detect a threat in the System Restore folder even though you have removed the threat.



For instructions on how to turn off System Restore, read your Windows documentation, or one of the following articles:

How to disable or enable Windows Me System Restore

How to turn off or turn on Windows XP System Restore



Note: When you are completely finished with the removal procedure and are satisfied that the threat has been removed, reenable System Restore by following the instructions in the aforementioned documents.



For additional information, and an alternative to disabling Windows Me System Restore, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article: Antivirus Tools Cannot Clean Infected Files in the _Restore Folder (Article ID: Q263455).



2. To update the virus definitions

Symantec Security Response fully tests all the virus definitions for quality assurance before they are posted to our servers. There are two ways to obtain the most recent virus definitions:

Running LiveUpdate, which is the easiest way to obtain virus definitions: These virus definitions are posted to the LiveUpdate servers once each week (usually on Wednesdays), unless there is a major virus outbreak. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by LiveUpdate, refer to Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate).

Downloading the definitions using the Intelligent Updater: The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are posted daily. You should download the definitions from the Symantec Security Response Web site and manually install them. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by the Intelligent Updater, refer to Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater).



The latest Intelligent Updater virus definitions can be obtained here: Intelligent Updater virus definitions. For detailed instructions read the document: How to update virus definition files using the Intelligent Updater.



3. To scan for and delete the infected files

Start your Symantec antivirus program and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files.

For Norton AntiVirus consumer products: Read the document: How to configure Norton AntiVirus to scan all files.

For Symantec AntiVirus Enterprise products: Read the document: How to verify that a Symantec Corporate antivirus product is set to scan all files.

Run a full system scan.

If any files are detected, take note of the file names, and click Delete.



If the infected files are detected in the \Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5, due to the design of the operating system, you will not be able to delete them. Write down the entire path and file name and clear the Temporary Internet Files Folder at the end of the removal instructions.



Important: If you are unable to start your Symantec antivirus product or the product reports that it cannot delete a detected file, you may need to stop the risk from running in order to remove it. To do this, run the scan in Safe mode. For instructions, read the document, How to start the computer in Safe Mode. Once you have restarted in Safe mode, run the scan again.



After the files are deleted, restart the computer in Normal mode and proceed with the next section.



Warning messages may be displayed when the computer is restarted, since the threat may not be fully removed at this point. You can ignore these messages and click OK. These messages will not appear when the computer is restarted after the removal instructions have been fully completed. The messages displayed may be similar to the following:



Title: [FILE PATH]

Message body: Windows cannot find [FILE NAME]. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start button, and then click Search.



4. To delete the value from the registry

Important: Symantec strongly recommends that you back up the registry before making any changes to it. Incorrect changes to the registry can result in permanent data loss or corrupted files. Modify the specified subkeys only. For instructions refer to the document: How to make a backup of the Windows registry.



Click Start > Run.

Type regedit

Click OK.



Note: If the registry editor fails to open the threat may have modified the registry to prevent access to the registry editor. Security Response has developed a tool to resolve this problem. Download and run this tool, and then continue with the removal.





Navigate to the subkeys:



HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\Run

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrenVersion\RunServicesOnce

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\Run





In the right pane, delete any value that refers to a file that was detected during the scan.





Exit the Registry Editor.



5. To edit the Win.ini file

WARNING: The following steps instruct you to remove the text from the run= line of the Win.ini file. If you are using older programs, they may load at startup from one of these lines. If you are sure that the text contained in these lines is for the programs that you normally use, then we suggest that you do not remove it.



If you are running Windows 95/98/Me, follow these steps:



Click Start > Run.

Type the following:



edit c:\windows\win.ini



and then click OK.



(The MS-DOS Editor opens.)



NOTE: If Windows is installed in a different location, make the appropriate path substitution.





In the [windows] section of the file, look for a line similar to:



run=[TROJAN FILE NAME]



Note: [TROJAN FILE NAME] refers to the file name detected during the scan.





If this line exists, delete everything to the right of run=





Click File > Save.

Click File > Exit.



6. To edit the System.ini file

If you are running Windows 95/98/Me, follow these steps:

Click Start > Run.

Type the following:



edit c:\windows\system.ini



and then click OK.



(The MS-DOS Editor opens.)



NOTE: If Windows is installed in a different location, make the appropriate path substitution.





In the [boot] section of the file, look for a line similar to:



shell = Explorer.exe [TROJAN FILE NAME]



Note: [TROJAN FILE NAME] refers to the file name detected during the scan.





If this line exists, delete everything to the right of Explorer.exe.



When you are done, it should look like:



shell = Explorer.exe





Click File > Save.

Click File > Exit.



7. To clear the Temporary Internet Files folder, if required

Log on to the computer using the name that was shown in the path that you wrote down in the scan and delete infected files section.



For example, if the path was:



C:\Documents and Setting\Linda\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\qrwmqczd.dll



log on to the computer as Linda.





Start Internet Explorer.

Click Tools > Internet Options.

In the Temporary Internet Files section, click the Delete Files button.

Check Delete all offline content, and then click OK.









however if you do not know what type of worm I can not help you on this.If you know which type of worm you have contact me with this e-mail:jimmychenjimmy@yahoo.ca and i will tell you how to remove that worm or if you have a diffrent type of trojan horse contact me and i will edit my answer


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
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