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Help! Virus is redirecting my searches in IE, changing my file attributes etc.
Please help. I think my Dell 2310 All-in-one has been affected with a virus which redirects my searches in IE, changes attributes of my files to "Read Only" and "Hidden", changes graphics drivers and who knows what else. I have scanned my PC (mcAfee) both in normal and safe mode but nothingis showing up. Tried system restore but it failed to complete (must be affected as well). Can someone help me to clean my PC without doing a full PC restore which will be a lot of work (provided it works). Thanks
Kelbear1
1.5K Posts
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January 25th, 2012 07:00
You are in the wrong forum. You need to post your question HERE.
speedstep
8 Wizard
8 Wizard
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47K Posts
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January 25th, 2012 10:00
Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta | Microsoft Connect
rdunnill
6 Professor
6 Professor
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8.8K Posts
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January 25th, 2012 11:00
You may have a rootkit, in which case an effective technique is to run a scan from "live media" like a bootable CD.
postner
91 Posts
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January 25th, 2012 16:00
Another example of how feeble Mcafee is at protecting one from malware.
Two simple approaches that may help you remedy this problem.
1) Download/install/update/scan your systems with a free anti-malware program called www.malwarebytes.org. The free version of Malwarebytes only scans "on demand" (only scans when you prompt it). It is great to have on every computer for instances like this as some malware will prevent you from installing it after the machine has been infected.
2) Download/install the free real time antivirus product called www.avast.com. Avast allows you to schedual a boot time scan, meaning that once selected Avast will scan your system the next time the computer is started, before Windows is loaded, which makes it able to detect and repair things that other antivirus products can not.
Bugbatter
20.5K Posts
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January 31st, 2012 13:00
Hi OzLK,
Welcome to the Virus & Spyware forum.
Please do not attempt to add a second anti-virus to your security. It will conflict with your McAfee -- even if McAfee has been disabled by the infection, the new one may see McAfee's files and most likely will refuse to install.
The problem with using a hit-or-miss approach with random scanners is that with a system that is already unstable, you could be making things worse. I recommend working with a rootkit expert who knows how to disable the malware, run some diagnostics to find out exactly what (and where) the problem is, and clean the infection if that is still possible.
Unfortunately, Dell no longer has a Malware Removal Forum staffed by trained volunteer experts. My suggestion is to post in the Malware Removal Forum at SpywareHammer and have the staff trained in malware removal walk you through the diagnostic logs and a cleanup. Help is free, but you will need to register there. In addition, there are other options listed at the top of the this forum. Some are free; some require a fee. Please use only one resource. It can be counter-productive to have too many people trying to help. Good luck! :emotion-1:
Bugbatter
20.5K Posts
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February 3rd, 2012 10:00
The above attempts to run various scans did not solve the problem. This issue is being handled here by a trained rootkit expert: http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?topic=12448.0
postner
91 Posts
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February 3rd, 2012 11:00
They are probably better off backing up the system and using system restore than proceeding with the extremely complicated instructions that the person on the spawarehammer site has suggested. Seasoned people often take it for granted that everyone knows what an ISO file is and what to do with, let alone that not everyone knows how to boot from a CD... Good luck to the op, and if he/she wants to follow up here then go ahead and do so. It is supposed to be a public forum where people can ask questions and get answers. Strange how Dell has decided to no longer provide support for malware but shoots down a discussion from a user before it even gets started.
Bugbatter
20.5K Posts
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February 3rd, 2012 13:00
Thank you for your input. The staff at SpywareHammer's Malware Removal Forum are trained to work with users who have skills at all levels. If the instructions are too difficult, the analyst will adjust them to meet the needs of the original poster.
As long as this is being handled at another forum, I am going to close this discussion.
Regards,
Bugbatter
postner
91 Posts
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February 3rd, 2012 13:00
Yes, yes. And there is a sticky at the top of this forum that states Dell policy regarding not helping with malware issues and refering them to the many alternative places to seek assistance. But that does not proclude asking people here... at least in theory. But moderators here seem to consistantly try to shut down disucssions about malware despite the fact that someone is merely trying to help. It is very odd policy that Dell has and odd behavior that it demonstrates.
joe53
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5.8K Posts
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February 3rd, 2012 17:00
Postner:
There are many Security fora that no longer offer malware removal boards (Wilders, and Calendar of Updates spring to mind. They, like Dell, refer posters to sites staffed by experts). I do not find this odd behaviour. The purpose of this board is "discussions around spyware, malware, and virus protection software". Not removal of malware.
I'm not defending Dell's decision, but it is their forum. And I think the OP has been well-served by just such a referral by Bugbatter.
Your suggestions were ill-advised, and un-helpful to the OP, however well-intentioned. They illustrate the problems of having an "open forum" for advice on malware removal. I say, "leave it to the experts".
postner
91 Posts
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February 3rd, 2012 19:00
I disagree. Often malware falls into one of two categories; something that is easily removed by MalwareBytes or the boot scan feature of AVAST, or they are complex and difficult to remove requiring pain staking and time consuming efforts that have no guaranty of success. And when it is the later then reloading the machine from scratch is not only less time consuming but the only path to certain success.
Bugbatter
20.5K Posts
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February 8th, 2012 11:00
This discussion is closed because the original poster has been referred to a dedicated security site specializing in malware removal.
Everyone else who is having a similar issue, please begin a New Post at the top of the forum.