I've got this crap on my computer. Pretty sure I got it from a pop-up ad (I clicked NO, but it was one of those lose-lose deals).

Anyway, the program sends you a bunch of false reports saying there's hundreds of infections on your computer and then tries to get you to purchase an antivirus software. It's pretty much eaten my hard drive, so much so that even google won't let me on.

Just wondering if there's any program to destroy this? I've tried killing it off with SpyBot and Registry Mechanic with no luck. I'm not opposed to just starting over and reformatting my hard drive, but just wanted to make sure there's no other avenues. I'm not extremely tech savvy, but any help would be appreciated!

6/24/2008 9:38:46 AM

id say update norton and run a full scan, update spybot and run a scan and immunize, and update ccleaner and delete everything you find....

if that doesn't work just wipe out the hard drive as long as you don't have a crap ton of important stuff on it.... in which you could just back it up anyway. or if you use system restore and you remember when you clicked that popup you can just restore to an earlier time which might work

6/24/2008 10:05:12 AM

Thanks for the response.

Dumb question: How do I restore the system to an earlier time? This sounds less painful than reformatting. I'm guessing there's software for it, but I don't really know the logistics of it.

6/24/2008 10:28:59 AM

xp has a built-in system restore function but i doubt it would do you any good in this situation

i would just restage the machine, it will probably be easier and will be a better solution in the end

6/24/2008 10:30:43 AM

^That's what I'm thinking

Another question about reformatting, since it's looking like the best option. Would my wireless internet still be funtioning after the reformat, or is there some sort of component I'd have to reinstall.

(once again, this is probably a retarded question)

6/24/2008 10:51:19 AM

you will probably have to reinstall the wireless driver.

go ahead and reinstall. System Restore likely won't help you in this situation, and it's also unlikely that any automated tool will get you back to a clean state.

6/24/2008 3:34:33 PM

Yeah.. I'd personally burn the drivers you need for your wireless card (assuming you don't have the original CD's) to a CD and format away..

6/24/2008 3:53:44 PM

(assuming youve found no info so far, im guessing its not been documented much), unless you've really got something worth saving, i'd just wipe it and install again. it can be a pain to fight a malware app in real time. i do it for my notes for some definitions i'm working on, but its no hobby after the first time

if it were mine, i'd just reinstall. usually i keep all my downloads/music/tv/etc on a different drive so i can just wipe it every few months anyways. just make sure to use a bootable xp install CD if youre gonna do some formatting, or even installing.... and install if off a powerdown.

ps - i'm convinced that all you need is ClamAV: http://w32.clamav.net/

and maybe spybot if you feel like it. but clam is free, very supported, (kinda slow on the full system scan)... either way, i've not had issues with virus/spyware/etc at all since i switched to clam and put out popup blockers

bye tech talk

6/24/2008 4:37:33 PM

Thanks people. I'm planning on reinstalling as soon as I get home from work.

fuckin' spyware.

[Edited on June 24, 2008 at 5:34 PM. Reason : ]

6/24/2008 5:33:38 PM

don't reinstall. I had to remove this from a machine at work. it's pretty simple. Just remove the startup entry from the registry and delete all the files it made. pretty simple to do.

6/24/2008 10:35:25 PM

^ Well, it really depends on what version of AIDS he's gone and contracted.

If it's anything like the fool-ass customers at the bookstore used to bring in, there will be hundreds of system files infected and thousands of random bullshit infected files throughout the computer. It's possible to fix it, but easier to nuke it. So, nuke it! And do regular backups in the future to avoid losing any data.

[Edited on June 24, 2008 at 10:53 PM. Reason : moar words]

6/24/2008 10:53:01 PM

make sure before you restore your files on the new OS install, that you install and update you AV software and SCAN THEM ALL

6/25/2008 1:17:20 AM