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Author Topic: Got hit by a PC virus  (Read 2171 times)

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Nickbat

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Got hit by a PC virus
« on: 19 December 2011, 17:37:22 »
Was looking at a ski-resort website (where some friends have just gone) when Windows reported a security issue and said it was closing Explorer. I immediately became suspicious and ran my Bullguard virus scan. It started OK and so I left it to run. When I came back, the screen was covered in write-error messages. Eventually a screen came up saying tht my Drive C was "unreadable" that it was "spinning 20% too slow", that my memory had reached "a critical 83-degree temperature" and so on. Needless to say, it had a box where I could buy a program that would fix all these problems. Yeah, right. :( :( ::) ::)

Anyway, using system restore, I got everything running OK and have since run SpyBot (it found threats and quarantined them) and also Trend Micro House Call to ensure it's all clean again. However, really annoyingly, the virus has randomly changed the attributes of loads of files to "Read-only" and or "Hidden". I have manually changed quite few back, but was wondering if it might not be easier to use a utility to batch change all attributes to normal and then change back the ones that need to be Read-only and Hidden. Trouble is, not sure which ones I would need to do that to.

Any useful tips for me?

BTW: Running XP SP2

Thanks in advance.  :y 
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TheBoy

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Re: Got hit by a PC virus
« Reply #1 on: 19 December 2011, 17:44:12 »
Malwarebytes freebie, run from Safe Mode if possible, as a starter for 10...
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TheBoy

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Re: Got hit by a PC virus
« Reply #2 on: 19 December 2011, 17:45:22 »
Although, that said, after any infection, if possible, I like to go down the rebuild route.  I know thats not an option for some, and not everyone has as good a data backup policy as I do.
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Plomien

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Re: Got hit by a PC virus
« Reply #3 on: 19 December 2011, 19:19:24 »
When it comes to this type of infection save what files you need (photos etc) and wipe and start again much safer
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cem_devecioglu

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Re: Got hit by a PC virus
« Reply #4 on: 19 December 2011, 21:15:01 »
I find microsoft security essentials to be adequate and easy to use.. and its free..
 
after the system restore, open the system in safe mode with networking and install and search..
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Richie London

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Re: Got hit by a PC virus
« Reply #5 on: 19 December 2011, 21:21:20 »
You sure it weren't a dodgy porn site nick.  ;D ;D
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Nickbat

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Re: Got hit by a PC virus
« Reply #6 on: 19 December 2011, 22:19:28 »
Quote from: TheBoy on 19 December 2011, 17:44:12
Malwarebytes freebie, run from Safe Mode if possible, as a starter for 10...

Tried that Jaime, and nothing untoward detected.  :y

Mind you, I would still like the answer as to what files should be hidden/read-only.
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freecall666

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Re: Got hit by a PC virus
« Reply #7 on: 19 December 2011, 22:20:55 »
should off used widows update and got sp3, has the fix, keep windows updated.
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Nickbat

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Re: Got hit by a PC virus
« Reply #8 on: 19 December 2011, 22:47:20 »
Quote from: freecall666 on 19 December 2011, 22:20:55
should off used widows update and got sp3, has the fix, keep windows updated.

I just checked and I do have SP3.
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Nickbat

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Re: Got hit by a PC virus
« Reply #9 on: 19 December 2011, 22:48:28 »
Quote from: freecall666 on 19 December 2011, 22:20:55
should off used widows update and got sp3, has the fix, keep windows updated.

Is that dating software for more mature gentlemen?  ;) ;D ;D
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freecall666

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Re: Got hit by a PC virus
« Reply #10 on: 19 December 2011, 22:51:16 »
do you update each week or is it on auto?
yes it is for the more mature gentlemen
and backing up on reg time dose help.
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Nickbat

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Re: Got hit by a PC virus
« Reply #11 on: 19 December 2011, 22:55:02 »
Quote from: freecall666 on 19 December 2011, 22:51:16
do you update each week or is it on auto?
yes it is for the more mature gentlemen
and backing up on reg time dose help.

Think it's on auto, but you've got me thinking. Better go and check.  ;)
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freecall666

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Re: Got hit by a PC virus
« Reply #12 on: 19 December 2011, 23:08:38 »
Quote from: Nickbat on 19 December 2011, 22:55:02
Quote from: freecall666 on 19 December 2011, 22:51:16
do you update each week or is it on auto?
yes it is for the more mature gentlemen
and backing up on reg time dose help.

Think it's on auto, but you've got me thinking. Better go and check.  ;)
Had a virus think it was last year that made windows update look on and it was really off, and when went into control pannel you get a box come up on page then disaper. think it was a spy root virus. got it off with comado.
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Terbs

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Re: Got hit by a PC virus
« Reply #13 on: 19 December 2011, 23:22:08 »
Just had a Blaster32 worm....killed the comp. Blocks all exe programmes, System restore, Help and Support etc, etc. :(  Managed to save a few essentials that were on that drive :y
This is why I only use C drive as the operating system, so a wipedown is not disasterous. All my other drives..D,E,F, I and J came off unscathed...(G is DVD, and H is my camera which was not connected)
Thought I would try Windows 7 this time....going well so far :y
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Nickbat

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Re: Got hit by a PC virus
« Reply #14 on: 19 December 2011, 23:51:24 »
Quote from: terbert on 19 December 2011, 23:22:08
Just had a Blaster32 worm....killed the comp. Blocks all exe programmes, System restore, Help and Support etc, etc. :(  Managed to save a few essentials that were on that drive :y
This is why I only use C drive as the operating system, so a wipedown is not disasterous. All my other drives..D,E,F, I and J came off unscathed...(G is DVD, and H is my camera which was not connected)
Thought I would try Windows 7 this time....going well so far :y

Me, too. My D drive is data and is backed up daily online.  :y
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