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+---- Thread: Virus troubles (/showthread.php?tid=13497)
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Virus troubles - Sassafras - 11-03-2008
Hey Guys,
My computer is infected with a nasty virus. I've tried Spybot S/D and Malwarebytes, but they can't fix it.
Four things are happening. 1) When running Freelancer, the game will minimize for no reason, and it keeps doing it. 2) I will get an audio message that I've won a free laptop or something, but no screen pops up. 3) A privacy dialog box will open for no reason, but if I check OK, then my web browser is hijacked. 4) Running Skype causes my system to crash. Now that may or may not be related.
Any recommendations would be appreciated. I've pulled almost all my hair out on this and I'm ready to switch to Linux :(
Sass
Virus troubles - 13CentKiller - 11-03-2008
Two words...
Smit Fraud.
Its damn hard to remove and comes in all different shapes and sizes.
Take your computer to a professional, or format (probably the most in-expensive option):(
Virus troubles - Ark - 11-03-2008
Do you have antivirus?
If not, try AVG. That may or may not help.
Additionally try Ad-aware from lavasoft. That may or may not help.
If you know your background processes like the back of your hand, look at the list in taskmanager. If you see an .exe there that doesn't belong, right click and kill the process. Then search your hard drive for that .exe
Once the mysterious .exe is located, move it to the recycle bin*
Restart and see if that changes anything.
*DON'T move or delete any .exe files if you can't tell for yourself what they are. You can damage your system. If you question what it is, sometimes you can tell by right clicking and checking the properties. If the manufacturer and such information is blank or suspect, google the exact name of the .exe. You'll often find forum posts of people asking tech support what an .exe is, and the answer. If it's a well known virus, go ahead and follow the instructions on how to remove it (if found in such a tech support forum.) If the .exe is made by microsoft, your computer manufacturer, or the manufacturer of any of your hardware pieces, leave it alone.
EDIT: 13c beat me to it and appears to know what it is anyway. Reformatting would do the trick, but if you do that make sure you back up your important files.
Virus troubles - Virus - 11-03-2008
' Wrote:EDIT: 13c beat me to it and appears to know what it is anyway. Reformatting would do the trick, but if you do that make sure you back up your important files.
Which is, of course, your Freelancer ID!
Anyway, thanks for mentioning me. I should note that even though I have no firewall, I don't really get viruses, and I do scan for me.... Err... 'em, rather.
Virus troubles - Sarawr!? - 11-03-2008
I Suggest you get SUPERAntiSpyware FREE Edition.
and for a disk space cleaner, get CC Cleaner.
Those two programs seem to do all that needs doing.
Virus troubles - 13CentKiller - 11-03-2008
' Wrote:SUPERAntiSpyware FREE Edition.Sounds dodgy. Like Trusted Anti-virus
By the way, do you have any of the following:
-Windows XP AntiVirus 2008
-Windows XP AntiVirus 2009
-Windows Vista AntiVirus 2008
-Windows Vista AntiVirus 2009
-WinXP Clenzer
-Changed bootscreen/login screen or desktop background?
-A Red sheild with a white "X" in the center on the bottom right of your task bar? If you click it and it takes you to some random website it is in fact Smit-Fraud without a doubt.:sleep:
Virus troubles - Sassafras - 11-03-2008
I downloaded a movie and some audio programs via torrent. I think that's when it started.
Sass
Virus troubles - 13CentKiller - 11-03-2008
' Wrote:I downloaded a movie and some audio programs via torrent. I think that's when it started.may not be smit fraud. I would restore your computer to before all this started, and see if you get any results.
Sass
Remember, you can always "undo" your restore once a restore has been done. Might be your safest option until you can tell us more or give us a process name.:)
Virus troubles - Sassafras - 11-03-2008
Hey 13Cent,
I downloaded Avast and did a full scan. The virus is:
Win32:Trojan-gen {Other}
I did a quick Google and the steps to remove it are complex. I'll give it a shot nonetheless.
Sass
Virus troubles - Boss - 11-03-2008
If it does turn out to be Smit (Which I HATE WITH A BURNING PASSION), SmitFraudFix.exe does the trick. A guy got fed up with the software (Site said he'd been hit with it a LOT) and created a program that WTFPWNS it. It's not intuitive though.