can someone help me delete 95 infected file?

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@mrscomputersavvy wrote:

thanks! i think i'll just be re-installing XP - hopefully the instructions i printed out are the ones i used before to re-install....

then it will delete the infected files. adware is annoying!

thanks anyways.

Adware is not a trojan...  You're about to embark on a 1/2 day exercise to reinstall XP, then all your programs.  Versus spending much less time following their removal instructions.  Suit yourself.

thanks! i think i'll just be re-installing XP - hopefully the instructions i printed out are the ones i used before to re-install....

then it will delete the infected files. adware is annoying!

thanks anyways.

 

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@mrscomputersavvy wrote:

:smileyindifferent:

i appreciate your sentiments, however i suppose i just don't understand how to remove it, plus it can come back again and again. i have all my information saved.

On Symantec's site, they give you step by step instructions to remove Trojans, specific to the one you have.  They do NOT "come back again and again" unless you again download them - which a reinstall of your operating system does nothing to prevent.  Viruses and spyware get on your machine because you download them, usually part of someone's email. Maintaining CURRENT antivirus software and NEVER DOWNLOADING anything that you are not expecting (even if sent by a good friend) are good steps to take to keep your PC clean.

it said i had 95 infected files and one trojan horse.... i would love to have you come and fix my computer - but i'm sure i'd be charged just like what Dell does, so i suppose i'll have to suit myself :) and re-install!!

Dell won't come to your house to remove viruses or reinstall your OS.

:smileyindifferent:

i appreciate your sentiments, however i suppose i just don't understand how to remove it, plus it can come back again and again. i have all my information saved.

it said i had 95 infected files and one trojan horse.... i would love to have you come and fix my computer - but i'm sure i'd be charged just like what Dell does, so i suppose i'll have to suit myself :) and re-install!!

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@mrscomputersavvy wrote:

i used symantec's online virus scanner and it has located 95 infected files with one virus (trojan horse) how can i delete these?

 

please help?

 

should i just re-install XP?

 

As I said in my prior response, Symantec will either remove the virus(es) or give you the name of the virus, and then they provide on their site removal instructions for specific viruses.  You have 1, and it should be quite easy to delete once you read Symantec's instructions.

mrscomputersavvy

first of all . . . i wish to state that i am at work and have limited access to the internet . . . therefore i cannot offer links to specific web-sites / products. dell.com is a trusted web-site with the company i work for . . . so that is how i can access dell's support forum. the reason i am posting my reply here at work, instead of when i get home tonight, is so that you can avoid doing something you might regret later.

in today's era of the internet, it's necessary to be diligent and aware of one's every move. what does this mean to the average person researching on the internet? it means equipping yourself with an arsenal of sentries. nowadays, it is necessary to utilize and maintain the following software components :
   a firewall
   an anti-virus program
   a few trusted anti-malware products.
remember, while connected to the internet . . . some programs will try installing themselves on your computer . . . without you even being aware this is taking place.

firewall :
keep firewalls active! only one software firewall should be used. if using a hardware firewall, it is acceptable using a software firewall as supplement. the reason for using a firewall is to barricade your system from all sorts of unwanted pests.
note: if using windows software firewall that comes with service_pack_2, there are three factors that need to be adhered to :
   firewall
   anti-virus
   windows update
anti-virus :
keep only one anti-virus program on your computer . . . all others should be properly uninstalled. remember to keep the program up-to-date with reference files from their corresponding web-site. this entails download updates . . . usually once or twice a week will suffice. they will help purge your computer when scanned.
anti-malware :
each of these programs needs up-to-date reference files. this entails downloading updates from their corresponding web-site . . . usually once or twice a week will suffice. they will help purge your computer when scanned.
additional security :
these would include sentries and repairs and shredders. sentries assist by limiting outside exposure to your computer. repairs assist by repairing problems after they develop. shredders assist by munching / gobbling / shredding vital data within your computing envornment . . . rather than uselessly "deleting" the data.

i use windows service_pack_2 for software firewall . . .
          avg for anti-virus . . .
          ad-aware for malware infections . . .
          spy-bot for malware infections . . .
          a-squared for malware / trojans . . .
          spyware-blaster for sentry . . .
          hijack-this for repair.
again . . . consult with the message boards here on dell.com for additional advice. also . . . keep those reference files up-to-date.

important . . . never operate your computer with anti-virus or the firewall down / compromised.

if you do decide to re-install windows_xp . . . make sure it is not a repair install but a fresh / clean install.
   re-installing the operating system will not get rid of any virus living inside your computer.
   fresh / clean install of the hard-drive will get rid of anything undesirable.
         this clean install procedure should entail deleting all partitions on your
         hard-drive as well as re-formatting your hard-drive.
if the clean install procedure was not documented in a manual when you got your computer, you can find the necessary information here on dell.com web-site. you can also find the relevant information in dozens of postings here in the support forum message boards . . . look under "win-xp" or "service-packs" or even "anti-virus" message boards. one of the regular posters here, denny_denham, supposedly has also outlined the necessary procedure in one of his own personal web-sites.
take note . . . even after re-formatting your hard-drive / re-installing the operating system, it is likely your computer will become re-infected . . . unless you take the proper precautions as i have illustrated above.

if you decide to clean your computer, research your issue a bit more than you have, as one of the other posters has advised. i suspect the norton online scan should have specified the name of the trojan(s) present on your computer. use that name as the key for your search. a good place to start searching is on the norton web-site . . . use their local search engine. if norton does not specify the name of the trojan, you still have other viable options at your disposal. contemplate using another online scan . . . refer to the dell.com anti-virus message boards for the links. you could also download an anti-virus program to provide for a more in-depth scan of your computer.

what would i do if i was in your shoes ?
first of all, i would decide between clean installation of win-xp or getting rid of the problems. each individual has their own set of priorities to substantiate their decision.
if i made clean install of win-xp . . . i would refer to some of the excellent advice in the dell support forum.
if i was to get rid of the problems . . . i would find out how to delete the trojan and other infections. i would then download / install service_pack_2 . . . as this includes a very good firewall.
i would then do another online scan and make sure everything is clean. i would also download a single anti-virus program as well as a few good anti-malware software. i would also make sure my security preferences are adequate inside the MIE internet_options interface.

final notations :
there really is a plethora of information here on dell.com for those willing to invest a little time in research. corresponding web-sites are also invaluable for information.
   keep your eye on the start-up processes (run / msconfig) at the command line . . .
         research every process on the internet.
   keep your eye on the task manager . . . research every process on the internet.
   keep your eye on the windows events manager . . . research every process on the internet.

i think i have covered most of the bases . . . but i will emphasize that ignorance is simply an excuse . . . especially in today's world. if necessary, print out this dissertation and keep it handy for occasional reference. and, yes . . . print out the clean install procedures . . . even you decide against it.

pijai