I've been infected by parasites. While I used to have nearly 1,000 issues created by them I've lowered it to 11. I downloaded and installed ad-aware since my current Virus Scanner couldn't find these issues, pretty louzy if you ask me. I also had to search through my computer to find some of them. However, I can't delete or remove these last 11 because Ad-aware, the one that is able to detect these last 11, is the only program I've seen with the ability to securly track them down. However to get the full version of ad-aware you have to pay, I was wondering if there were any recomendable programs.

Try spybot: Search and Destroy, it's pretty good, plus it's free for home users.

Available from:
http://www.spybot.info/en/index.html

Alright, thanks VZ. I'm running the program right now, let's see if it can catch those last 11.

EDIT

It's better, it's found 80 infections instead of 11... That's just bad....

what AV are you using?

I am using kaspersky, and it is doing an excellent job so far..

Did it fix them all though?

So have you managed to reduce those parasites to 1500 or what ;D

I currently now have about 5 after this incident, trying to find ones that will remove the infections. My original was AVG. I now have ad-aware and the one VZ recommended.

Actually it wouldn't fix them unless I registered, which costed money, like the others. So all I was able to do was detect them.

EDIT

The threat is critical now, like... I've lost the ability to access any files I had on my username, I'm using another user to do this. I seriously need something that will let me remove these things without registering.

hmm... Spybot shouldn't be asking to register, and if it does there should be a button marked later click that. But otherwise after it finds them at the top there should be a button marked fix, just click that and it should get rid of them.

also you say you have 5? 5 anti-virus programs? (anti-virus and anti-adware are different... spybot and ad-aware won't protect you if you have a virus...) also if you do have multiple virus scanners, disable all but one, then re-scan in safemode

to get to safe mode:
1-reboot then;
2-at start up press F10,
3-it should give you a list of options on how to boot,
4-choose safe mode.

(it will look funny as it's going to display with generic drivers and it will have minimal extra programs running- it will only have the core os and any anti-virus/spyware programs you then open.)

Scan in this mode and it should get rid of any parasites that may linger.

My comp was running slow so I had to uninstall it and now I'm reinstalling it.

My real concern is the blue screen of death... :-_-:

btw: One program said that my comp had over 16,000 errors. Is that too high or is it just caused from the viruses possibly?

Man this really is getting critical...man i wish i could help you in anyway...

*Sigh* The stuff pissed me off really when it had the lame affect of changing all of my icons and mixing it around. Well, i'm grateful for the help you gave VZ. This program is starting to erase the infections.

well im not a computer expert n i don kno much but wat i do kno is if it gets too bad to wipe d harddrive

Ok first off, Dictator, I am going to tell you know that as a user of AVG, they suck..

My avg couldn't remove all of the virus, and it missed a lot, that my ZA fiewall picked up..

I recommend getting a better firewall, such as ZA.. they have a free version, and they also have a commercial version, that you have to pay for.. there's other ways of getting it, but I am not allowed to suggest them.

That is an excellent firewall, and it gets the job done.

Spybot is good when it comes to detecting minor threats, but they don't detect everything.

Recently, Mr. Nest's laptop was infected with a virus, just as AVG stopped working, and ZA had shut down because of an upgrade.

I couldn't run explorer, I couldn't use the control panel, I couldn't open or close anything..

Adaware, Spybot, and AVG didn't do shit to help.

The only thing that spybot did was notify me that something was trying to change the registry..

Finally, I had to install windows xp pro as a dual boot, install kaspersky and scan that way, and it removed some of the threats..

Mr. Nest used Bart PE Builder to make a Live CD of windows XP, and it was through that cd were we able to move stuff over the to the external harddrive..

After we filled up the external hard drive, we installed windows xp pro, and then moved the remaining files over to the xbox via our wireless network setup..

when that was done, we formatted that harddrive, and reinstalled everything from scratch..

this is what I reccomend for you..

I reccomend that you find some way to back up your files.. I reccomend either using Bart PE builder, or downloading and then burning Knoppix to a cd or dvd, and then having a separate hard drive that is formatted in FAT, so that you can move your files over to it. The best thing about knoppix is that you don't have to install it.. just burn it to a cd, and then restart your computer with it in the drive.. (you have to make sure that your bios is set to boot from disk in order for it to work..)

After you have backed up all of your important files, I suggest that you thoroughly format your harddrive, and then re-install windows..

I am sorry but if you have all of those infections, then that clearly means that what you are using isn't working.. and that the problem has only gotten worse.

At that point, there will always be a chance that you missed something, and at least with a format, you know that your hard drive will be clean.

After re-installing windows, I suggest that you install a firewall, first and foremost.. even if the only site you visit after install is the microsoft update site.. because you can still be attacked.

After you install the firewall, and update the signatures for antivirus and antispyware, the next thing you should install is the antivirus software.

Last thing should be an anti-spyware program.. once again, update the signatures, and then restart your computer.

Then you may update windows as normal..

Keep in mind that you are going to have to stay with your computer, because the firewall, will need you to allow the changes to the registry when prompted.

I reccomend the following programs..

Spy Sweeper instead of spybot.. a lot of the time spybot gives you false positives.. so if you have better and spyware software or Adaware SE installed, then spybot will detect the keys and files associated with it, and say that it is malicious.

Spy sweeper, is very extensive of it's search, and there are a LOT more in the way of protective features for you to use, such as registry guard, BHO detectors, etc.. there is 11 shields that you can enable.

For Antivirus, I reccomend Kaspersky.

This program has done a lot more in terms of protecting my computer, and making itself known that it is protecting my computer, than any of the other antivirus software I have ever used.

It scans out going and in coming connection requests, and it shuts down the connection until the scan is complete.

It also notifies me if something was trying to change the registry, or execute a file on my computer.

It also verifies digital certificates, and informs me whether or not it is valid, and reccomends the next course of action.

As far as firewalls are concerned, I suggest that you use Zone Alarm.

They have done a lot more in the way of protecting my computer than any firewall that I have used since Sygate Professional firewall.

Because Symantec purchased Sygate technologies, Sygate discontinued all versions of its' software, and stopped supporting it, and releasing new signatures.

Zone Alarm is the only firewall that I have tried that has successfully picked up where Sygate has left off.

They have an antivirus program, antispyware, im security, (which works too well sometimes right VZ? :lol:) program control, ad-blocking, script blocking, and a lot more.

It also helps to have a diagnostic tool such as WinPatrol.. which monitors running process, startup processes, cookie control (you can type in words to ban, and it will automatically ban the cookies based on those words) you can also get detailed information about a running process, in terms of what it is, who manufactures it, and a lot more.. You also have the option to delete registry keys, disable and delete startup processes, and it helps keep track of BHO's or IE toolbars..

I tried to install the ZA firewall but it say it's not compatable with my Kerio Personal Firewall.

You'd have to uninstall kerio first.. if you are running xpsp2 then you can enable your your o/s firewall, and then raise the secuity level and then uninstall it, but that is up to you..

Well, I was able to find an alternative. I had to dig through my registry first and delete files from there that shouldn't have been there, then I had to update it with the backup registry my dad had made for the system. After that I used Spybot to remove the spyware and adware and I got my computer to normal compatability.

For futre refrences remember this


THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS OVER PROTECTING YOUR COMPUTER


BA Zone alarm might work for u but it is just a realpain for most users.

Dictator I have problems like this all the time so let me give u a little advice


U said u use AVG? not a bad start AVG works well at my place. But If it doesn''t work for BA get more protection.

Ad-aware... great piece of protection. but u have to remember this Updates come out all the time. When a new build comes out.... download it....... Don't think about it DOWNLOAD IT!

Spybot another good piece as u can find, remove and immunize. again this program comes out with updates very very frequently. So always download them. Make sure the tea timer is on as this is a system settings protecter and will alert you if something is going wrong. And always check immiunize to see if u can keep yourself protected.

Spy sweeper. This Program is the king!! It can find anything. This will find trojans, spybots(yes there is a type of spyware known as a spybot), phishers u name it. The only 2 problems, 1. not free 2. not compatible with vista(believe me I know)

Norton Antivirus....... not bad but the problem is AVG and Norton butt heads with each other. so choose 1 or the other

This one is important.

VundoFix Vundos are extremely annoying and unfortunatley I can't tell u what they look like or where they come from, but If u think u have a vundo download vundo fix.

Dictator ur going to need to know what ur doing for this one

Hijackthis

This program scans ur pc for running processes. but beware as this program cannot tell the difference between good and bad processes. So only delete something if u know what ur doing.

But remember

when all else fails we have to wipe. I was told by my father that u have to wipe about a year and 1/2 or so so I hope all this helps.

I basically cured the problems though with a little registry editing... >_> I used programs to track down registry issues and then it solved everything.

Norton sucks, and has a tendency to narc on you if you do not renew your subscription.

I will never use norton ever again for this reason..

A friend of mine had a legal copy of Norton on his system, and because he decided not to renew his subscription, they had sent a letter to his ISP informing them that he used P2P software to download illegal files.

He found this out because his ISP emailed him with this information.

I admit that ZA is not for everyone, but it is configurable based on the extent of your pc knowledge.. (hence why they ask you a lot of questions in the beginning about it.. if you don't know a lot about PC's there is learning mode, in addition to flash-based tutorials on how to configure it.)

well i'm glad ur computer is acting better

just remeber my tips for next time this happens because believe me


IT WILL HAPPEN