Bit o' computer trouble

[bassboy1]

Friday night, I got a couple viruses while downloading music, using Limewire, which, as of Friday night, I don't use anymore. (I know, bad me). Anyway, I have been running virus scans just about 1 after the other since then, and they keep clearing them out, and it seems to be getting better. That isn't my problem.

But, while running the scans, I started reading the titles of some of the files it was scanning, and was quite shocked. Somehow or another, some stuff that shouldn't have was downloaded on my computer. I believe that one of the housesitters last summer, who didn't do such a great job with the animals, probably was viewing some things that he shouldn't have been. That is about the only time that other people have used my computer. Well anyway, I use the Shield Antivirus, and when it is scanning files, it has the location of the file, and below that, the name of these files. The files that shouldn't be there were under the folder name c:\Documents and Settings\HP_Owner\!

I don't have a clue how to get there to remove this crap from my computer, and would like some assistance in that.

Thanks.

 

[tommays]

Re: Bit o' computer trouble

XP

If so you log on as the administrator and go to user accounts in the control panel and see whats there, should ONLY be one in your name with options to delete or create other accounts

If you set it up with passwords nobody will be able to do stuff in the future


If you startup in safe mode a quick F8 on boot up i believe it is generally goes much better when trying to get rid of nasty stuff

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Bit o' computer trouble

Spend the money and use i-tunes......

I just left a job where one of my functions was as the IT persom. Limewire is dangerous to any and all computers. Don't go there at all ....... it is where your computer can catch something that nothing will fix.

Depending on what type of anti-virus you are running (what brand) each has it's own strong points and weak points.

I am running AVG 8 which updates 6 times a day.... every 4 hrs.

Some virus programs become active on specific dates, some wait 10 days to become active........ there is no clear cut answer.

 

[Wotknot]

Re: Bit o' computer trouble

As with boats, it helps to know some things......such as your OS and the brand of computer you've got. If you do have an HP then I would say it's quite possibly some files that were installed from the factory........maybe. And if you don't have an HP then yes I'd scan them and question their authenticity. If you've got XP or Vista (maybe ME, NT2000, been too long since I've messed with those) "right click" on the start button, then left click on "explore". Find the file (s) you're questioning. Right click on properties. That will give you some info on each file.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Bit o' computer trouble

Sorry about the lack of info. It is an HP. Operating system is Windows XP.

I just tried the F8 command, and it didn't work. Also, I am done with Limewire. Shouldn't have made that mistake in the first place.

As far as the antivirus thing is going, I think I have all the info I need. This isn't the first time we have dealt with these, so I am hoping I won't have too much trouble. We use the Shield, and so far, it has done its job fairly well, and that is the reason I noticed the virus in the first place - the antivirus thing gave me a warning.

Hey Wotnot, I am sure the files were not installed at the factory. Either that, or one of the workers had an obsession for porn. See why I want it removed?:redface: I will try the right click method tomorrow afternoon, and see what I can clear up. Thanks.

 

[beerfilter]

Re: Bit o' computer trouble

Free file sharing sites are ALL suspect , and , have the potential to expose your computer to nasties .

My advice to you is this:
Since you do not know the level of compromise on your machine , back up any important documents you wish to save , and , format your c drive several times over .
When you have done this 3 times , reinstall XP .

During setup , make sure you set a PASSWORD for the administrator level account .

When this is done and the reinstall is complete , setup a LIMITED user account for every person using this machine , including yourself .
Use the Administrator account ONLY when you have to install programs or hardware , or , change system settings .
Otherwise , do your computing under a limited user account , as much as possible .
This in itself minimizes risk from most "driveby" malware attacks .

These are the first initial steps to securing Wndows , and , the ones most often ignored by most home users .

Forget Windows firewall , it is better than nothing , but , not by much .
There are a lot of options out there , but , I like Zone Alarm .
Opinions always vary .

For antivirus , I prefer Avast , over AVG .

When it comes to antispyware , AD-AWARE from Lavasoft is a good program .
AVG had an excellent FREE antispy program , but , seems to have gotten cheap and no longer offers a free version .
Windows Defender is worth a shot , and , has some nice tools .
Webroot Spysweeper and Spybot are popular , but , I do not care for either of them .

Trendmicro has a free online scan , and , I use it often .

If you just want to surf and email , and , are not interested in gaming , my advice to you is to simply get the heck away from Microsoft , go to this site , and , see the light .
http://www.ubuntu.com/

If you don't like this OS , try here: http://distrowatch.com/
I'm sure THEY have something to turn you on .

I don't hate Microsoft , they are just the biggest target for every virus and malware writer out there , so , you are a target as well .
Lower profile = less exposure = safer computing .

 

[Coors]

Re: Bit o' computer trouble

Avast is still free, and seems to work. I use edonkey, on a computer that has nothing important in it, in case I need to re-format, haven't had to in 5 years.

 

[vess]

Re: Bit o' computer trouble

I have used this site for computer guidance many times. Turning off system restore may be the thing you need if you are being reinfected after cleaning your system out. Check it out and see if it helps. http://securitytango.com/

 

[mike64]

Re: Bit o' computer trouble

Lot of good advice here. I'll add my 2 cents (I'm not an IT guy, but I play one at work

Some viruses keep a bit of "sleeper" code hidden on your HD. No matter how many times your anitvirus kills the active virus files, the "sleeper" code will bring the nasties back to life at next bootup, or some other trigger. As Beerfilter said, you're probably best off backing up, reformatting and reinstalling XP just to be sure. As for limited accounts, I would set up anyone else who uses your computer with one of those, but if you've learned your lesson you might want to go with a full account for yourself, because legit programs that automatically update themselves, can't under a limited account. I personally would go nuts if I had to switch back and forth between limited and administrator accounts on my comp.

When you have a nice clean OS again, I personally like AVG Free (they do still make a free version, I think they just made it harder to find-- type "AVG Free" into Google). And Adaware antispyware has a good free version. Finally, I would highly recommend downloading and using Firefox for browsing-- it's much less of a vector for viruses and spyware. Keep IE around just for those very few sites that don't play nice with FF.

 

[jameskb2]

Re: Bit o' computer trouble

I'll second that Mike.

I use AVG free for virus, and have used Mozilla Firefox since it came out.

To get to safe mode on boot, press F8 rapidly and continuously when the computer starts. You only have a second or two and with an HP, you're probably shielded from the boot sequence screen with their logo. (You don't see what's going on because of it) Just keep pressing that F8 key until you reach the XP selection screen on startup.

Oh, and I have Spybot S and D and AVG on my kid's machines, they both are scanned daily (overnight) and I keep the computers on 24/7. Neither of the kid's machines have had trouble for years now,

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Bit o' computer trouble

Thanks y'all. I scanned all the files I wanted to keep one last time with The Shield antivirus, and then transfered them to another computer. Now, I am looking into getting a copy of XP to load onto mine when clearing everything.

Now, lemme ask this, will clearing the hard drive get rid of all these records? Like I said, the only place I can find them is when I run a virus scan, and I read which files it is scanning. But, seeing as I am 15, having someone find thousands of inappropriate files on my machine is probably the last thing I need at the moment.

 

[i386]

Re: Bit o' computer trouble

Now, lemme ask this, will clearing the hard drive get rid of all these records?

For all practical purposes yes.

If feel that your hard drive will be subject to forensic analysis then a secure disk erase program will be required.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Bit o' computer trouble

Go to the HD manufactors site and download their wiping utility...do it twice some have real good ones...but ifin your worried destroy the HD by drilling lots of holes in it and buy a new one

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Bit o' computer trouble

If feel that your hard drive will be subject to forensic analysis then a secure disk erase program will be required.

Not too worried about the forensic analysis, but if someone happened to walk in during one of the weekly virus scans, and read which files it is scanning.....
You get the picture.

 

[mike64]

Re: Bit o' computer trouble

Yeah, unless you have government secrets on there, a reformat and reinstall will be fine. You'd need some serious skills to find any old files on the HD after that.

 

[arboldt]

Re: Bit o' computer trouble

An HP box running Microsloth XP..

Unless you have created and use the system restore CDs, do NOT try to install a different copy of XP unless you want to pay the full licen$e fee. If you've never done the one-time-only create restore CDs, then do it now (the system won't let you do it a second time).

There's probably a hidden partition on your hard drive to restore everything as shipped from the factory. If you're lucky, it won't have all the bloatware. This is probably the best route to go. Be *sure* to save any and all files you'd want to keep... any documents, pictures, songs, settings, etc etc because once you Restore, they'll all be gone.

1. Do a complete system backup, preferably to an external hard drive.
2. As an IT professional, I'd repeat step 1 so I have 2 complete backups
3. Copy any and all files to a CD, DVD, or another external hard drive.
4. If you got the HP with XP Media Center, there's probably an option under Sonic to copy these files for you. Do that, too.
5. Do you get the idea how important a backup is? *Always* backup with verify on! Yeah, the extra media might cost a couple bucks, but how valuable is your data?
6. [Here my memory starts to fade] Right-click My Computer -> Manage -> [find the option for System Restore] and do it.
7. Restore your settings ... isp, all account IDs, etc etc.
8. Install your firewall, antivirus, and antispyware. (I like Zone Alarm, AVG, and Spybot). Make sure your router (if you have one) can see your PC.
8. After you're sure you can reconnect to the internet ok, update all drivers.
9. Recreate user accounts. It's a good idea to password-protect your Administrator account. It's also a good idea to rename the Administrator account -- may make it a little tougher for a hacker to get it. Especially on these, be sure to use a password that would NOT be found in an unabrigded dictionary or otherwise easily guessed.
10. Recreate any folders or subfolders you'd had
11. Copy your documents, music, videos, etc etc back.
12. If you encounter any sever glitches, do a system restore from your backup, then start over from step 6.
13. DO NOT DO THIS WHEN YOU'RE TIRED OR RUSHED. Plan on the whole thing taking a couple days. Maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised.

14. If you ever even think some one else might use your PC when you're not right there with them, create a limited-user account for them.