Virus cannot be healed-- safe to delete file?

Question

My avg virus protection notified me of an infection, and when i scanned it showed the location of an infected file, C:\Program files\internet optimizer.  I ecplored my C: drive and found the file and the icon was this little bug guy, sounded like a virus to me.    Would it be safe to delete that?   All the other files for that virus are in C:\System Volume Information.  I dont think i can delete these since they are in a hidden OS folder.   AVG cannot heal any of these files.  Most of the files belong to the Dragos worm/virus, but i think i have some others.

Midnight Star · Answer

fish, See if you can uninstall 'Internet Optimizer' (while your there,check for other things that you didn't directly install, or don't recognize), then disable system restore and run your anti-virus program again. When it's done, re-enable system restore and create a new restore point manually. Also, i'd recommend posting up a HiJackThis for review, just in case something has 'wedged' onto your system. - Mike. Message Edited by Midnight Star on 01-08-2005 09:39 PM

Midnight Star · Answer

fish, You can download HiJackThis from here. Mike.

fish111 · Answer

How do you mean uninstall Internet optimizer?  It isnt listed in the Add/remove programs box, or in program files.  Where can I download HJT?

fish111 · Answer

Thanks midnight, Ill try to download it, but the pc with all the virus stuff is being really cranky when it comes to loading anything in internet explorer, i think i have a ton of spyware too :smileysad:   When I download it, is it originally a zipped file?  And Im supposed to put it in a root folder of its own right? Message Edited by fish111 on 01-09-2005 12:41 PM

Midnight Star · Answer

Fish,

Your welcome! Yes, it should be in it's own folder, to preserve the backups it makes. If your having a problem unzipping the file, there's an executable available also for download.

I know, some of the junk that gets onto a persons system can really mess up the works - remember they're really not interesting in politely playing with the operating system, just trying to fullfill their purpose for as long as possible before being detected and removed.

If you can get IE working, i'd consider downloading a secondary browser like Firefox, just so you'll have the ability to download the programs and tools you might need in case IE fails out completely.

-

Mike.

Midnight Star · Answer

Fish,   Your welcome. I know that alot of users have had problems with SP2, but I would always recommend keeping things as upto date as possible.   -   Look forward to seeing your log.   Mike.

fish111 · Answer

I think Im gonna download it on my other machine then put HJT on a floppy and install it on the one thats full of spyware.  Man ever since i uninstalled win xp SP2 i got all this malware, i really need to put it back on there.  thanks again midnight

fish111 · Answer

I posted my log here: http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=si_virus&message.id=30313

Virus & Spyware

Virus cannot be healed-- safe to delete file?

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