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computer help please?; am i infected?
Topic Started: May 25 2006, 02:09:43 AM (1,464 Views)
Tiredwithtwins
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Admin

this morning i went onto google to find a pic for my 'put a caption to the pic' thread .... must have accessed something dodgy cos my computer keeps telling me i have a virus and security alert.....help!

i have a firewall and anti spyware........and have avast freeware antivirus.
i ran spybot which cropped up nothing in particular, then went onto microsoft help and ran a virus scan which came up negative. Im up to date with my msn updates too....... i ran avast through all my files and folders etc, and it said i had a virus - win95.matyas - and i thought the avast would fix it....
however....i keep getting alerts telling me spyware is accessing my passwords etc, and to click on the balloon to get more info (i thought id managed to delete this program but it obviuosly hasnt worked - in c;\windows\system32\PAV.SIG if htat means anything to anyone!!) when i start my computer i get a homepage for topsecuritysite.com....even though i have reset my homepage to my usual....this bloody thing keeps appearing.
plus, i keep getting pop ups (despite a pop up blocker) for pc security and porn!!!

help!!
does any one know what i need to do???

thanking you in advance.....

sue x

ps if you never hear from me again, my computer has died.... :(
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ProofReader
Unregistered


Hi Sue,

Hang on in there, we'll fix it between us!

Firstly, which operating system are you using (Windows 98, ME, XP?) and what firewall and anti-virus stuff have you got installed? Are your anti-virus definitions up to date?


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ProofReader
Unregistered


OK, Symantec (Norton), Microsoft and Avast don't have anything about viruses or files by the names you've given. I strongly suspect that this is some sort of spyware which hasn't been picked up by Spybot (it happens!)

Am PMing you a link for a removal tool which is one of the best available.


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Tiredwithtwins
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ProofReader
24th May, 2006 - 05:49pm

OK, Symantec (Norton), Microsoft and Avast don't have anything about viruses or files by the names you've given. I strongly suspect that this is some sort of spyware which hasn't been picked up by Spybot (it happens!)

Am PMing you a link for a removal tool which is one of the best available.



thanks pr - it keeps shutting me down.....im not ignoring you, im just having trouble staying online!!!!!!!!
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gobbyjock
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TWT - did you manage to fix it??
This is what I like about this site the help you get isn`t just about Oz - the people really do try to help :)
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bobbyftm
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found this link looks like other people have suffered the same ! maybe worth a try good luck bobby
http://pcpitstop.invisionzone.com/lofivers...php/t56820.html
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ABCDiamond
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I just looked up www.topsecuritysite.com, and wasn't impressed with what I read.

It tells me "Your system is currently exposed. Any remote computer can easily browse following folders and files on your computer"
and that I use "Mozilla/4.0"

However, I don't use Mozilla, and my firewall stops my system being seen.

I just checked on http://security.symantec.com/
a decent reputable site, which confirms I am safe:
1: Your computer appears safe from most common intrusions.
2: Your computer's identity is secure.
3: Your computer and data are not vulnerable to Trojan horse attacks.

I don't trust that "www.topsecuritysite.com" site


A good place to look for more info is http://www.geekstogo.com/
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ABCDiamond
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Read the following links:

my IE homepage was hijacked and set to www.topsecuritysite.com.
http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/index.php?s...ecuritysite.com

and

http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/index.php?s...ecuritysite.com

They refer to similar/same problems that you have, and both very recently.
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Tiredwithtwins
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hi folks,
ive just pm-ed pr, but will let you know whats happening !!
im in the library at the moment as my computer has just crashed.
when i ran the spyware programme it said i was heavily infected, and identified over 200 threats - spyware, several trojans and a virus!!!

anyhoos........will let you know how i get on.
will try again when i get home......pr sent me some links (this spyware in my computer is stopping me accessing them though...) so im going to try them....thats if my computer hasnt eaten itself in my absence.

thanks for those links abcd......shall try them if i have no luck with prs!!!

btw - ive tried registering with geekstogo, and it says im already registered...... :unsure: :huh:

just out of interest...if this problem has totally crashed my computer....do i need to buy a new computer, or just a hard drive????
or am i totally out of my depth with this???

cheery bye peeps....

sue xxxx
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Tiredwithtwins
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gobbyjock
24th May, 2006 - 06:12pm
TWT - did you manage to fix it??
This is what I like about this site the help you get isn`t just about Oz - the people really do try to help :)

yes, you are sooooo right gj!!

i owe so much to some people on this site..........wonderful!!!


:)
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ABCDiamond
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You would just need to reformat your hard drive and reload all programs.

No need to buy any hardware.

Even in an absolute worst case scenario it would only be the hard drive that needs changing, not the entire computer :)

Spyware is VERY common, we probably all have 100's of those, Trojans and Virus however, are a different matter.
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manxfamily
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Mad Manx Marvel
You could do with wiping your HD clean and starting again.

Do you run broadband or are you on dial-up. Broadband tends to stop lots of the problems because you are running through a router which is supposedly firewalled before you get to your Computer.

Also viruses such as dialers (they disconnect you and dial a premium rate number instead) are made obsolete.

Good luck with whatever your do.
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Tiredwithtwins
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how do i wipe my hard drive clean and start again? how can i ensure i dont get reinfected?
can you run me thorugh it - i have 20 minutes left on this computer and can print off any instructions.....

id rather do this.....i dont have anything i particularly need to save on my computer - anything important is backed up....
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manxfamily
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Mad Manx Marvel
tiredwithtwins
25th May, 2006 - 09:13am
how do i wipe my hard drive clean and start again? how can i ensure i dont get reinfected?
can you run me thorugh it - i have 20 minutes left on this computer and can print off any instructions.....

id rather do this.....i dont have anything i particularly need to save on my computer - anything important is backed up....

Where did you buy the computer. You should have received a CD with it called a 'recovery disk' which basically when used it wipes you machine and reinstalls all the software to restore it to it was when it came out of the box.

If you don't have this then maybe you have an original windows disc which may have a restore option on it when you run it.

Failing that, then you may have to speak to an IT company, they are ten penny but will probably charge a couple of hours work, around £100+VAT. Check your locall paper's classified section, they are usually some geeks offering a home repair service.

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Tiredwithtwins
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manxfamily
25th May, 2006 - 10:17am
tiredwithtwins
25th May, 2006 - 09:13am
how do i wipe my hard drive clean and start again? how can i ensure i dont get reinfected?
can you run me thorugh it - i have 20 minutes left on this computer and can print off any instructions.....

id rather do this.....i dont have anything i particularly need to save on my computer - anything important is backed up....

Where did you buy the computer. You should have received a CD with it called a 'recovery disk' which basically when used it wipes you machine and reinstalls all the software to restore it to it was when it came out of the box.

If you don't have this then maybe you have an original windows disc which may have a restore option on it when you run it.

Failing that, then you may have to speak to an IT company, they are ten penny but will probably charge a couple of hours work, around £100+VAT. Check your locall paper's classified section, they are usually some geeks offering a home repair service.

aha!
thanks for that manx!!!

im off home now....... will be back in the library in the morning if it doesnt work!!!


thanks everyone for you help.......:flowers: :flowers: :flowers:


pr -will text you later !
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ProofReader
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Sue, got your PM and answered it. The link to fix it which I gave you is the starting point from the same site as ABCD's ones above.

I'm hoping that you won't need to reformat, as there IS a fix to try first, although that will get you back online again too.

As I said in my PM, you ARE registered at GeeksToGo, I saw your name as newest member immediately after I'd registered there! :thumb:

Talk soon.
PR :hug:


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DagBoy
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ABCDiamond
25th May, 2006 - 11:00am
I just looked up www.topsecuritysite.com, and wasn't impressed with what I read.

It tells me "Your system is currently exposed. Any remote computer can easily browse following folders and files on your computer"
and that I use "Mozilla/4.0"

However, I don't use Mozilla, and my firewall stops my system being seen.

I just checked on http://security.symantec.com/
a decent reputable site, which confirms I am safe:
1: Your computer appears safe from most common intrusions.
2: Your computer's identity is secure.
3: Your computer and data are not vulnerable to Trojan horse attacks.

I don't trust that "www.topsecuritysite.com" site


A good place to look for more info is http://www.geekstogo.com/

Well I just had to go and look too, just to see if my machine was vulnerable.

Attention! Your system is currently exposed. Any remote computer can easily browse following folders and files on your computer:
- \Windows\System32
- \Program Files\Internet Explorer
- \My Documents
- Drive C:\ files

Wow. I am impressed. Mind you, since I am running Linux and do not have a C:\ drive or a \Windows\System32 directory - or indeed, any of the others, I am not that impresses.

:)

Bloody charlatans.

Cheers,

DagBoy
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Tiredwithtwins
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well i seem to be able to stay online....but as i just pmed pr, i keep getting the virus alerts/spy alerts and pop ups offering antispy software, and ''desperate for sex in dronfield'' !!!!

its very confusing......and not vry clear to a computer dunce like me :ph43r:

i have followed some of those links - and now im just even more confused (yes, i know, its obviuos lol!)
i ran the ad-aware scan and fix......and i seem to be able to stay online, but i keep getting the alerts as i said!


cripes....bring back morse code :rolleyes: :D
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ProofReader
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DagBoy
25th May, 2006 - 12:40pm
Well I just had to go and look too, just to see if my machine was vulnerable.


:lol: Typical boy ... has to go for a sneaky at something geekish! :P

I would seriously NOT recommend anyone else doing this unless you are positive that your computer is not vulnerable to malware, as I suspect that this site is a furphy (that's a falsity, lie, bad thing, etc.) and will only contribute to any malware you already have!

For anyone wanting to check their system, GeeksToGo is a great place to start! You'll need to register (free) but it's worth it!


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Tiredwithtwins
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ProofReader
25th May, 2006 - 01:00pm

:lol: Typical boy ... has to go for a sneaky at something geekish! :P

I would seriously NOT recommend anyone else doing this unless you are positive that your computer is not vulnerable to malware, as I suspect that this site is a furphy (that's a falsity, lie, bad thing, etc.) and will only contribute to any malware you already have!

For anyone wanting to check their system, GeeksToGo is a great place to start! You'll need to register (free) but it's worth it!



hi pr - have sent you a pm!

sue xx
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ProofReader
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tiredwithtwins
25th May, 2006 - 04:27pm
hi pr - have sent you a pm!

sue xx


And I've sent you one back! :wink: :lol:


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Tiredwithtwins
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well, im literally glued to the geeks website now, but no one has replied yet.


and now i have to lucy to brownies, go to the shops, drop mums washing off then pick lucy up, come home, do tea, get it all ready for tomorrow! (must remember to get the washing in off the line - someone remind me!)

see yaz all later....hopefully with a 'clean' computer :D :wink:
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ProofReader
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Hmmmm, I spose I should think about getting some food for hungry people here too! :hungry:

Will keep half an eye on Geeks for you, Sue.

Catchya later,
PR :redwine:


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ABCDiamond
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ProofReader
25th May, 2006 - 10:00pm

I would seriously NOT recommend anyone else doing this unless you are positive that your computer is not vulnerable to malware, as I suspect that this site is a furphy (that's a falsity, lie, bad thing, etc.) and will only contribute to any malware you already have!

I agree with that.

I have checked my machine before and was sure that I am hidden from the world, and relatively secure, but I wouldn't be game to click on ANY links on that "topsecuritysite" page !
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ProofReader
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tiredwithtwins
25th May, 2006 - 05:41pm
(must remember to get the washing in off the line - someone remind me!)


Hope you got the reminder?! ;)

Looking good so far on Geeks. :thumb:


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Tiredwithtwins
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ProofReader
25th May, 2006 - 11:45pm
tiredwithtwins
25th May, 2006 - 05:41pm
(must remember to get the washing in off the line - someone remind me!)


Hope you got the reminder?! ;)

Looking good so far on Geeks. :thumb:



lol....yes, thanks for that!

yes, geekstogo is definitely looking good. seems i got the strong silent type of helper......other people got a 'hello, im your helper' type smiley post!!!! lol :D

i did go out and buy norton internet security thingy this afternoon - it was half price in staples (so only £25) :wink:

once this is sorted i intend to delete all the crap that is sat on my computer....got lots of things for the kids that they never use.....and will install that first!!

will let you know how i get on :wink:
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ProofReader
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Before you unwrap Norton, give me a yell! ;)


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Tiredwithtwins
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ProofReader
26th May, 2006 - 01:23am

Before you unwrap Norton, give me a yell! ;)



:( :( :(

already unwrapped it :(
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BIX
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Boner-fide Bonza Bloke


Norton :(

Bloatware extraordinaire.

Fills your computer with crap and slows everything down.

Rip off merchants too.

Hate it.

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BIX
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Boner-fide Bonza Bloke

tiredwithtwins
26th May, 2006 - 09:13am


yes, geekstogo is definitely looking good. seems i got the strong silent type of helper......

Tis probably Dagboy.
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