Computer Virus Problems

[rodentraiser]

  OK, just to keep everyone on their toes:

  I have had three bad viruses in the last month and I have no idea where they came from (NOT from porn sites, funny guys!), although I suspect they came from surfthechannel.com. They claimed they were hit by viruses and they have now cleaned up their site - I can only hope. But as it is possible to pick these viruses up from other sites, I thought I would post some solutions.

  The Google redirect virus is a browser hijacker that will allow you to connect to Search Google and then, when you click on the link you want to visit, you are taken to another link.

  The XP Defender virus puts popups on your monitor that look just like your Security Center saying that you have a bunch of infections and you need to register - when you go to register, you are asked to pay something.

  First things first - NEVER close a popup by clicking on the X in the window - go to your task bar, right click and then click CLOSE.

   Secondly, I was fortunate - my computer wasn't badly infected yet and I was able to get rid of both of these viruses with running Malwarebytes. I have heard some people having to resort to ComboFix to get rid of the Google Redirect, but unless you are an expert with computers, you will probably need to have help with this. From what I've read, Malwarebytes is the ONLY solution to getting rid of the XO Defender virus.

  My first reaction is to search for a solution by going on Google, then when I find one, I go to CNet to download it for safety. Currently I am keeping Malwarebytes on my computer because the XP virus can lock your OS up so you can't download anything. I just want to be ready if it comes back.

  Now as to the Alureon.H virus. This one is particularly nasty and is a rootkit? Apparently it gets into the operating system and all the guys at Microsoft can't seem to get rid of this one. Their recommendation is a complete clean reinstall of your operating system. This is coming from a fairly high tier of Microsoft guys as recently as yesterday.

  I ran the Microsoft Malware Removal Tool which is the only tool so far that can actually find it. Unfortunately, it could only partially remove it, so I am still facing having to reinstall my OS again. Joy.

  Anyway, these are just my experiences so far and if anyone has anything else to add to this, please, feel free because I know most people here are not computer experts and will need help if they get these things on their computers. My advice at this point would be to go to CNet and download Malwarebytes just in case, update ALL security on your computer and find and have a clean copy of your OS to install in case you get the Alureon virus (to me, they're all viruses), because supposedly, that one is starting to spread. Also, make a back up now of all your bookmarks and pictures, so you don't have to have to do it after your computer is infected.

  I guess that's about it.

[johnnycakes]

and yet you continue to look at porn.     

[Mok]

  Now as to the Alureon.H virus.

Never heard of this one.  What's it do and how does it get in?

[rodentraiser]

and yet you continue to look at porn.    

 I AM NOT LOOKING AT PORN!!!

  

 Now as to the Alureon.H virus.

Never heard of this one.  What's it do and how does it get in?

  It's a rootkit and a nasty one - I have Alureon.H although I've seen people now that have .A and .C and some others - all in the general family. It will do things like open the back door to hackers to steal your identity and /or crash your computer. After reading a little bit more on it, I'm not sure I ever had Google Redirect - it might have been this virus.

  I've now heard of people using Avast, AVG, Spybot, Spyware Doctor, Malwarebytes and some others that can't get rid of it and a lot of times can't even detect it. People have said they've used ComboFix and TDSSkiller and say they've gotten rid of it that way, and some of the computer guys are asking, "Are you really sure about that?" I guess it can hibernate and come back.

  I didn't know what it was until I ran Microsoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool last night. That scanned over 900,000 files and ran for more than 4 hours and finally gave me the name, but it was able to still only partially remove it. I heard people working with Microsoft Support up on the 5th tier, as they say, who are telling them they can't completely get rid of it. It seems the only people who are getting rid of this virus are the ones who are submitting logs to computer experts and getting help there, or are just reformatting their computer. I am waiting for an answer to my question on a computer tech forum, but if I don't hear anything by tomorrow, I'm reformatting my computer regardless.

 I'm not sure exactly how you get it - just by clicking on an infected web page, I guess. They give you all the same old to keep from getting it which is use a firewall, keep your anti virus up to date, don't visit questionable web pages, don't open attachments - none of which I did and I have all the anti-virus and firewall protection. The only thing I noticed was I got both the XP Defender virus and I think the Alureon virus by going to sufthechannel.com .  I haven't had problems with them before, but when I went back to them today (I know, I take risks) there was a message there saying all their ads had been overwhelmed with viruses and they had them under control. I never click on the ads, but I did click on a few to mute their volume, so who knows?

  Anyway, here's part of a tech forum if you want to read through it - I think it'll give you more info:

 http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/msescan/thread/8c4025f0-daa0-4892-9db7-f7f5d2a2a09e

[Gabbys Heart]

A friend had pop ups on her computer and programs she didn't know where they came from, she thought our neighbor cop put them on there because he was letting her use his w.f I don't know I think shes paranoid I should know paranoid because I can be noid too!