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Alas, another Antivirus XP victim

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Re: Alas, another Antivirus XP victim

Unread postby Shaba » July 1st, 2008, 7:40 am

Hi

"Also, in my C:/ drive is what appears to be another drive titled delete. When opened it looks like a copy of my C:/ drive with a folder named delete. Once that is opened there is another copy of my c:/ drive, along with the same folder named delete. I can open that folder about 15-20 times, each time it appears to have the same folders inside. When I run Mcaffee Virus Scan it attempts to scan c:/delete/delete/delete/delete/delete...... essentially keeping my virus scan running indefinately (i stopped it last time when it hit 2 full days). I was hoping this was part of the Antivirus XP, but I guess not. This appeared at about the same time as Antivirus XP."

Can you delete c:\delete?
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Re: Alas, another Antivirus XP victim

Unread postby lilbilly » July 1st, 2008, 7:49 am

I am attempting to. It says its file size is 178 gb, the same amount of used disc space on my c:/
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Re: Alas, another Antivirus XP victim

Unread postby Shaba » July 1st, 2008, 7:54 am

Hi

Then I don't recommend to delete it. Try to find out how many delete subfolders there are present.
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Re: Alas, another Antivirus XP victim

Unread postby lilbilly » July 1st, 2008, 8:01 am

After I reach this point:

C:\delete\delete\delete\delete\delete\delete\delete\delete\delete\delete\delete\delete\delete\delete\delete

I receive this message:

C:\delete\delete\delete\delete\delete\delete\delete\delete\delete\delete\delete\delete\delete\delete\delete\delete is not accessable
The name of the file cannot be resolved by system
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Re: Alas, another Antivirus XP victim

Unread postby Shaba » July 1st, 2008, 8:02 am

Hi

OK, then we likely leave it alone.

I think that you can set McAfee to ignore that folder during scan.
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Re: Alas, another Antivirus XP victim

Unread postby lilbilly » July 1st, 2008, 8:10 am

Great! If thats the case, then then I don't believe I have any problems. Im stoked with how easy you have made this whole process. Thank you so much.
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Re: Alas, another Antivirus XP victim

Unread postby Shaba » July 1st, 2008, 8:20 am

Hi

Then you're clean!

Now that you are clean, please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:

You can delete Registrar Lite if you like to.

Your Java is out of date. Older versions have vulnerabilities that malware can use to infect your system. A malicious site could render Java content under older, vulnerable versions of Sun's software if the user has not removed them. Please follow these steps to remove older version Java components and update:
  • Download the latest version of Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 6 Update 6 and save it to your desktop.
  • Scroll down to where it saysThe Java SE Runtime Environment (JRE) allows end-users to run Java applications..
  • Click the Download button to the right.
  • Select Windows on platform combobox and check the box that says:
    Accept License Agreement. Click continue.
  • The page will refresh.
  • Click on the link to download Windows Offline Installation with or without Multi-language and save to your desktop.
  • Close any programs you may have running - especially your web browser.
  • Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel, double-click on Add/Remove Programs and remove all older versions of Java.
  • Check (highlight) any item with Java Runtime Environment (JRE or J2SE) in the name.
  • Click the Remove or Change/Remove button.
  • Repeat as many times as necessary to remove each Java versions.
  • Reboot your computer once all Java components are removed.
  • Then from your desktop double-click on jre-6u6-windows-i586-p.exe to install the newest version.

Next we remove all used tools.

Please download OTCleanIt and save it to desktop.
  • Double-click OTCleanIt.exe.
  • Click the CleanUp! button.
  • Select Yes when the "Begin cleanup Process?" prompt appears.
  • If you are prompted to Reboot during the cleanup, select Yes.
  • The tool will delete itself once it finishes, if not delete it by yourself.

Note: If you receive a warning from your firewall or other security programs regarding OTCleanIt attempting to contact the internet, please allow it to do so.

  • Disable and Enable System Restore. - If you are using Windows XP or Vista then you should disable and re-enable system restore to make sure there are no infected files found in a restore point.

    You can find instructions on how to enable and re-enable system restore here:

    Windows XP System Restore Guide

Re-enable system restore with instructions from tutorial above

  • Make your Internet Explorer more secure - This can be done by following these simple instructions:
  • From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.
  • Click once on the Security tab
  • Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
  • Click once on the Custom Level button.
  • Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt
  • Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable
  • Change the Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to Disable
  • Change the Installation of desktop items to Prompt
  • Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
  • Change the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt
  • When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.
  • If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the Yes button.
  • Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the Internet Properties page.

  • Update your AntiVirus Software - It is imperitive that you update your Antivirus software at least once a week (Even more if you wish). If you do not update your antivirus software then it will not be able to catch any of the new variants that may come out.

  • Visit Microsoft's Windows Update Site Frequently - It is important that you visit http://www.windowsupdate.com regularly. This will ensure your computer has always the latest security updates available installed on your computer. If there are new updates to install, install them immediately, reboot your computer, and revisit the site until there are no more critical updates.
  • Install Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware - Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is a new and powerful anti-malware tool. It is
    totally free but for real-time protection you will have to pay a small one-time fee. Tutorial on installing & using this product can be found below:

    Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Setup Guide

    Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Scanning Guide

  • Install SpywareBlaster - SpywareBlaster will added a large list of programs and sites into your Internet Explorer settings that will protect you from running and downloading known malicious programs.

    A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:

    Using SpywareBlaster to protect your computer from Spyware and Malware

  • Update all these programs regularly - Make sure you update all the programs I have listed regularly. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new malicious programs are released.
Follow this list and your potential for being infected again will reduce dramatically.

Here are some additional utilities that will enhance your safety


Stand Up and Be Counted ---> Malware Complaints <--- where you can make difference!

The site offers people who have been (or are) victims of malware the opportunity to document their story and, in that way, launch a complaint against the malware and the makers of the malware.

Also, please read this great article by Tony Klein So How Did I Get Infected In First Place

Happy surfing and stay clean! :)
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Re: Alas, another Antivirus XP victim

Unread postby lilbilly » July 2nd, 2008, 9:33 am

After attempting the restart from OTCleanit I received a message to this effect:

Missing file <windows root>\system32\hal.dll. Windows cannot reboot. Install this file and reboot.

I am currently using a friends computer and am attempting to fix this problem.

And I was so close! lol

Thanks for all the help!
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Re: Alas, another Antivirus XP victim

Unread postby Shaba » July 2nd, 2008, 9:46 am

Hi

That is sorry to hear and never encountered that with otcleanit :(

This should help here.
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Re: Alas, another Antivirus XP victim

Unread postby lilbilly » July 2nd, 2008, 5:53 pm

Well, those instructions almost worked. When I get to the point where I am to select the version of Windows I want to work with my C:\ drive is not listed. Instead, 2 versions are listed on the i:\ drive, which is a drive we use for our cameras memory card. I attempted to continue with the instructions to install the missing .dll using the listed drive, but to no avail.

During the cleanup process my roomie continued to use the computer for her i-pod, perhaps it had something malicious stored on it? Darn Mac gear!

Any other advice before I reinstall Windows? I have an eerie feeling that will be my solution :cry:

Thank you!
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Re: Alas, another Antivirus XP victim

Unread postby Shaba » July 3rd, 2008, 3:38 am

Hi

Yes, that is possible.

Reformatting may not be needed, I would take it to some computer store for repair first.
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Re: Alas, another Antivirus XP victim

Unread postby lilbilly » July 3rd, 2008, 6:38 pm

Well, its official...gotta reinstall :(

Despite the death of my beloved machine, I want to thank you for everything you did to help clean and secure my computer. To other members and guests reading this I want to emphasize that i do not believe the advice on this site caused my computer crash. Quite the contrary, we were on the road to recovery!

Once again, thank you very much for your help and time. When Ole Bessy gets up and running again I will return here and follow your advice to secure my computer.

Long days and pleasant nights Sheba.

Lilbilly
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Re: Alas, another Antivirus XP victim

Unread postby Shaba » July 4th, 2008, 1:42 am

Hi

Thank you for your kind words and I hope that you stay clean in future.
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Re: Alas, another Antivirus XP victim

Unread postby Shaba » July 6th, 2008, 5:00 am

lilbilly this topic is now closed.

We are pleased we could help you resolve your computer's malware issues.

If you would like to make a comment or leave a compliment regarding the help you have received, please see Feedback for Our Helpers - Say "Thanks" Here.
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