Just incase don't get computer going again......

Just wanted to let you know that my computer is having problems at the moment, anmd don't want anyone thinking I'm ignoring them (especially you Kathy, as you have so kindly put an allium in the post for me!)

It is apparently a 'virtumonde' infection. Have followed the security instructions, and have found and removed the @%£$"*& (well, it has, nothing whatsoever to do with me, I know nothing about these things!) but cannot resore my computer to an earlier date, as clicking on the arrows on the calendar on the appropriate page do nothing. Have restored it to the best I can do (earlier on today!), but the problems really started yesterday, and I need to go further back beyond that to make sure I've caught it!

Any idea how I can get back to May on the calendar?

I tried creating my own restore point (called it '13 June 08'), but obviously that is just a name, and infact the restore point was the time I typed that! You see, I have NO idea!!!

Anyway, bit fed up with computer going ridiculously slow, and having some kind of spyware attached like a limpet making me feel nervous.

I blame it all on my son who uses Limewire to listen to music, and goodness knows what else!

Can anyone help me? Please...

 

If you're on AOL that seems the norm over the past month

 

Hi there.

You say you have removed it. If so, then you should have nothing to worry about...but are you sure you have removed it.

My questions would be....not knowing what your security arrangements are (please don't say Norton)

Then free download. Spybot S&D and update it and then run it. Same with Ad-Aware SE Personal. Same with Easy Cleaner..that will then check your registry for you and finally download and run CCleaner (some times referred to as CrapCleaner)

I would download them all to the same place on your computer. Then fire them up and run them in the order I have posted them in.

When you have done all that, reboot and defrag your machine, you should find that facility in Accessories, system tools.

Then cut off your sons testicles and remove limewire etc from your system. Get him to purchase his own computer and password protect yours, heh,heh.

To get back to a restore point, you have to select the dates that are in Bold as none of the other dates will work.

Lets know how you get on.:thumb:

If you require any further info about any of these things, you can either post here or pm me.:thumb:

 

Thanks tweaky!
I was so niiave to think I had removed it yesterday! :rolleyes:

I did an F-Secure scan, performing a full computer check. It found 2 trojan downloaders (both viruses) Trojan-Downloader.Win32.VB. with different endings. (means absolutely nothing to me).. However, the action taken was to 'rename' them (would have preferred 'obliterate'!)

I then ran the Ad-aware thingumy, which the IT techncian at work advised. It told me that it found 246 infections when it was running, then at the end there were none! Maybe it automatically saw to them?

However, I noticed on first turning on computer, that I have a new icon on my desktop "Vista antivirus 2008" which keeps popping up warning me of attack, wanting me to activate and register (I haven't!). I believe this is part of the problem (?), but don't know how to get rid of it.

I am also (just to make me laugh) getting pop-up advertisments - not all of them PG rated. Though my computer is definitely running faster, I am being bombarded by blumin adverts, and warned of attack and generally being inconvenienced to say the least!

Having spent the best part of 4 or 5 hours trying to sort it out, have had enough for the evening but I do welcome/invite your input, as I am really clueless as to where to go from here. (if I download the other cleaning dievices, how do I make them download to the same place as eachhother as advised?)

Many thanks again, (especially for the parenting advice which was the first thing to make me smile all evening!)

P.S. The only bold date I was given inthe restoring calendar was yesterdays date. I believe Dell ar noted for their lack of restoration points.

Cheers for now.

 

Oh Eck.

Your system does appear to be in a bit of a pickle doesn't it. As soon as you mentioned Vista, it sent shivers down my spine

I have to admit, I know absolutely nothing about Vista, I have stuck with XP Pro and will stay with it as long as I can. My next puter will be an Apple mac, so I don't have to worry to much about Windows.

Dell computers are fine, nowt wrong with them...its the operating system..Windows that gives everyone problems.

I assume you are using Internet Explorer as your browser? I ditched that years ago and opted for Firefox. However. When you download something, you usually have a choice whether to save it to disk (which is the safest way so you can virus check it etc), or let it execute itself after downloading. If you don't know how to set up your system to save all downloads to a particular folder...(I normally use the desk top and then move them afterwards), then with those programmes I mentioned it is safe to download and let them execute on download ( I'm sure your IT mate would agree)...

I can recommend a good puter site..it's not a large one, but there are some lads and lasses on there that really know what they are talking about. If I am allowed to mention it, then its HERE

There is usually a verification time..but if you let me know what name you are registering as, then I rush it forward for you. I am on there as Tweaky, same as here.

They are a good bunch and don't mind anyone who isn't technical asking questions. I could post your problems but then its, he said, she said add infinitum.:thumb:

 

JarBax, I'm with you on everything you say:rolleyes: My brother asked me to look at his girlfriends laptop when i was there a few years ago (I know, I don't know why either:D). It too had Limeware on. I was told to remove it. I tried to remove all the un-necessary stuff from it. An hour later, her son came in from school, said who's removed my Limeware, well I'm putting it back on! When told it may be passworded he said to his mum, that's ok I know what yours is:eek: Right little b****** he is

Anyway she has got a new laptop and I told my brother to make sure she passwords it without anyone else knowing! Not much help to you I know but I do think it can cause problems when people share a machine. My son actually 'split' my desktop! He's not getting on it again.

cheers

 

Thanks both -am close to tears! Will let you know how I get on with next bit - removing the 'vista anti-virus' (which is I believe spyware in itself) (I googed it). I dont have vista, I have windows XP too, this vista thing has latched onto my computer, I aim to remove it before it does anything more.

Hope to update positively soon!

 

Hey settle down...no need for tears, it's only a blinkin computer after all. I can understand your frustration, particularly if you are unsure about what you are doing. But you do have help here. There is also a puter thread on this site.

Puters can be extremely annoying at times but there is always a solution...someone somewhere will be able to help.

Unfortunately in my case...I need to sit at the particular machine in person to attempt to sort these things out. I am afraid you are too far away, otherwise I would pop round.

The best bet is to go through these things from A to Z otherwise you become extremely frustrated and in the end solving nothing.

Have you gone through the steps I suggested. I would do those first, otherwise you could be running around in circles. If they come up empty at least you have that under your belt to go further and try something else.

Things can bury themselves in the Registry and unless you know what you are doing, you don't mess in there.

Tell you what. Post a Hijack List.... and I shall get my more experienced friends to view it for you.

Here is the link to download it....again its free.

Download it and run it. Copy the results and paste them in here or via my pm. Please read the page first and don't do anything yourself when you get the results.

http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/tools/security_tools/hijackthis

 

Thanks again Tweaky, will pm you info, as it is lengthy.

 

Deep breaths! OK, back to step A!

The Vista Antivirus 2008 removal typically costs money! I will pay if all else fai (am reading hat is is v. difficult t get rid of manually, and I certainly haven't got a goat in bells chance! :D

Didn't get a chance to properly catch the IT technician at work today, though went through one or two of his suggestions, without joy.

Thankyou again for your tience!

Will let you know if there's any progress!

 

JarBax
Sorry to hear you are having lots of computer trouble.

Earlier this year my pc was swamped with viruses and Trojans.
I was tearing my hair out so paid an IT man to clear the whole thing
and reload. It cost £70 but whoopee! it was great -for a few hours then
I found the firewall hadn't been re-installed and within hours I was
swamped with viruses and Trojans again

So - not wanting to pay another £70 - I took the bull by the horns so
to speak and did a 'reload' myself.
Not knowing anything about this operation it took a lot of sweat but I finally did it.
And I rid my computer of all the bugs and stuff and learned a lot in the process.

Hope you get sorted soon - I can really sympathise with your predicament.:eek:

 

Hi JarBax

Got your pm's. including part three.

You don't have to pay to get rid of this really nasty virus/trojan...I can lead you through the step by step instructions. But in the meantime, it can slow your puter down...also keep giving you pop up adverts when browsing etc.

The most likely culprit is your son. Albeit accidentally. But once you have got rid of it, you have to ensure you don't get it again. So you really need to make sure your computer is protected properly with a good Anti-Virus system and a good Firewall. If your son is running any P2P file sharing, get him to stop immediately.(he will know what I mean)

Stop visiting strange web sites that are on offer and when there, stop clicking on daft adverts etc, just to see what happens. And Limewire...get shut immediately.

Excerpt from Wiki.

There are many ways your computer could get infected with Vista Antivirus 2008. Vista Antivirus 2008 can come bundled with shareware or other downloadable software.

Another method of distributing Vista Antivirus 2008 involves tricking you by displaying deceptive pop-up ads that may appear as regular Windows notifications with links which look like buttons reading Yes and No. No matter which "button" that you click on, a download starts, installing Vista Antivirus 2008 on your system. Vista Antivirus 2008 installs on your computer through a trojan and may infect your system without your knowledge or consent.

 

I agree with that JWK.

I wasted a couple of weeks trying to sort my computer before I decided to
do a complete re-install. In the end it was so much quicker to start from the
beginning again. Only thing is it's a pain having to save things
that you want to keep and then re-installing afterwards :eek: