Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: fbWldcat on June 20, 2010, 06:31:09 AM

Title: Antivirus
Post by: fbWldcat on June 20, 2010, 06:31:09 AM
My Brother has a virud he can't seem to get off of his computer, he has tried it with Kaspersky, and one or two different Malware removers. He is thinking about rejoining Aces High soon, so he needs something that will get rid of this big bad virus, but won't kill Aces High. Could anyone recommend any programs? I've already suggested AVAST! And he has already tried Kaspersky. Thanks in advance, guys.
 :cheers:
Title: Re: Antivirus
Post by: guncrasher on June 20, 2010, 09:00:18 AM
Does he know which virus?

Semp
Title: Re: Antivirus
Post by: Ghosth on June 20, 2010, 09:10:51 AM
He might try Trend Micro's housecall, which is an online free scanner.

He also might consider a dos based virus scanner. The problem with a lot of virus's is that once they are in place, they protect themselves. Won't let new antivirus software be installed, or cripple it.

http://www.f-prot.com/download/home_user/download_fpdos.html (http://www.f-prot.com/download/home_user/download_fpdos.html)

Might want to take a look at this page also.
http://askthegeek.kennyhart.com/2005/12/how-to-make-bootable-thumb-drive-virus.html (http://askthegeek.kennyhart.com/2005/12/how-to-make-bootable-thumb-drive-virus.html)

Some virus's are just so tough, that the only sure fire way to  completely remove them is to do a full reformat, reinstall OS/drivers/software.

If he has a really tough one, that may well be the easiest way in the long run.

Last, for protection "After" he is clean or reinstalled I recommend Threatfire either stand alone or with your fav virus scanner. Its free, uses almost no system resources, and stops most attacks in their tracks.
Title: Re: Antivirus
Post by: fbWldcat on June 20, 2010, 10:14:15 AM
Well, he used one of the Malware removers and it would remove the virus, but it would come back (rootkit, I'm guessing). The virus allowed for Kaspersky to be updated, and the newer version immediately snuffed out the rootkit. Both of us think the computer is fine now... we think we got it from Webquest where someone hacked the site. You never know where it will come from these days, thanks for the help guys, I will have to take a look into some of these and hopefully replace Norton 360 (God forbid) in the near future.

Thanks again,   :cheers:
Title: Re: Antivirus
Post by: Dragon on June 21, 2010, 01:57:33 PM
Norton 360




I thought this type of language was forbidden on these boards?
Title: Re: Antivirus
Post by: Skuzzy on June 21, 2010, 02:02:12 PM

I thought this type of language was forbidden on these boards?

Oh, it is allowed.  I put it in the same class as the guy that screams in pain every time he hits himself in the head with a sledge hammer.  I figure one of these days, he is bound to get it.
Title: Re: Antivirus
Post by: SIK1 on June 21, 2010, 02:08:37 PM

I thought this type of language was forbidden on these boards?

I thought that was the virus.
Title: Re: Antivirus
Post by: fbWldcat on June 21, 2010, 02:16:16 PM
I know, I was expecting something like "See Rule #4" or something  :lol
Title: Re: Antivirus
Post by: MrRiplEy[H] on June 21, 2010, 02:28:57 PM
Unfortunately things are not good by default.. Antivirus business is always one step behind the attackers:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/pcworld/20100620/tc_pcworld/testingrevealssecuritysoftwareoftenmissesnewmalware
Title: Re: Antivirus
Post by: Spikes on June 21, 2010, 06:09:52 PM
Unfortunately things are not good by default.. Antivirus business is always one step behind the attackers:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/pcworld/20100620/tc_pcworld/testingrevealssecuritysoftwareoftenmissesnewmalware
Well, yeah...I mean, you can't stop an antivirus before it happens if you don't know about it. :)

Well, you can, however it's tough to 'guess' and new stuff comes out daily.
Title: Re: Antivirus
Post by: fbWldcat on June 21, 2010, 10:15:52 PM
Well. My folks decided to screw with my computer while I was away for a week or two. Came back and had several Java updates and Norton (God Forbid) 360 on our computer, and we don't even have 3 computers  :rolleyes: Also had a pretty bad spyware/malware on the comp apparently from where my dad thought he was updating Java.  :rolleyes: Needless to say I created a user account with a super secret password. I figure the only way they will ever figure out it is IHaveRAM is when pigs fly... oh wait... swine flu  :O
Title: Re: Antivirus
Post by: DREDIOCK on June 22, 2010, 01:02:18 AM
Without being given some info about what virus it is. It going to be near impossible to help get rid of it cept for maybe blind luck as with some nasties. there are sometimes very specific tools to be downloaded and run that will shut off the processes needed to enable your antivirus/maleware removal program to get rid of it

Nod32 does however have a free online scanner

http://www.eset.com/
Title: Re: Antivirus
Post by: OOZ662 on June 22, 2010, 09:43:31 AM
Personally, I'd spend the time to switch to Firefox and teach them how to properly operate the NoScript add-on. Coupled with AdBlock Plus (which requires no intervention), the only virus I've had come through in years was actually half expected, and was immediately punched in the face by NOD32.
Title: Re: Antivirus
Post by: fbWldcat on June 22, 2010, 11:44:27 AM
Thanks guys. I was thinking about just installing Kaspersky when Norton ends. I always thought of Kaspersky as a very good Anti-virus.
Title: Re: Antivirus
Post by: Krusty on June 22, 2010, 01:07:50 PM
You're better off removing Norton NOW, not when it runs out. That money is gone, there's no reason to punish yourself more by using Norton for a year.


Edit: That is... if Norton will let you remove it all the way....
Title: Re: Antivirus
Post by: Skuzzy on June 22, 2010, 01:24:55 PM
It will not.  You have to go to Symantec's WEB site to get a tool that will help remove it, but there is damage done that will not be undone until a complete OS installation is done.
Title: Re: Antivirus
Post by: fbWldcat on June 22, 2010, 02:44:30 PM
So even using a tool remover and defragmenting my Hard Drive, I can't get Norton off? What can the reminants of Norton do?
Title: Re: Antivirus
Post by: Skuzzy on June 22, 2010, 02:47:05 PM
Slows hard disk access for one.
Title: Re: Antivirus
Post by: fbWldcat on June 22, 2010, 02:48:22 PM
I have 750 GB of Hard Drive, would it make a huge difference?
Title: Re: Antivirus
Post by: Skuzzy on June 22, 2010, 02:57:56 PM
The effects are wide ranging and they impact other applications.  For example, you might install an application one day, long after you remove Norton, and that application flakes out, crashes, and so on.  Your first instinct is to blame the application.  In reality, it is the mess that Norton left behind that is causing the stability problems.
Title: Re: Antivirus
Post by: MrRiplEy[H] on June 22, 2010, 03:07:14 PM
The effects are wide ranging and they impact other applications.  For example, you might install an application one day, long after you remove Norton, and that application flakes out, crashes, and so on.  Your first instinct is to blame the application.  In reality, it is the mess that Norton left behind that is causing the stability problems.

QFT I've ran into norton dll errors multiple times when installing software to clients who had Norton preinstalled on their laptops. One client had a Norton install that was expired (inactive). I talked him over to remove the installation and install a trial of Nod32 instead. His Vista machine booted up in 40 seconds the next boot compared to the 5 MINUTES with 'non working' Norton install on computer.

And as Skuzzy said even now it's still not totally gone.
Title: Re: Antivirus
Post by: fbWldcat on June 22, 2010, 03:10:26 PM
So once I do the system reboot, I was thinking about which anti-virus I should get. I was thinking Kaspersky, AVAST!, or Nod32, I will have to block the sites for Norton, McAfee and AVG, otherwise I may have to rely on the password to keep my computer safe  :uhoh
Title: Re: Antivirus
Post by: CRYPTIC on June 23, 2010, 12:49:31 PM
Node 32 has been the best for me also low resources is one of the main factors.
Title: Re: Antivirus
Post by: shppr01 on June 23, 2010, 08:42:44 PM
Ive actually used malwarebytes.
A good thing to use to get rid of most viruses that Ive had .
Title: Re: Antivirus
Post by: whiteman on June 24, 2010, 03:57:31 PM
Nod32 is it i use, love it.
Title: Re: Antivirus
Post by: guncrasher on June 24, 2010, 05:57:25 PM
I have nod32, i can get 3 licenses for the same price as 1 mccaffey, or actually even less.  best thing is I dont have to hear the dreaded mccaffey is updating sound while playing the game.  I never turn nod32 off, it dont eat up as much resources as mccaffey.  You know how I know that?  Skuzzy said so, and that is good enough for me :banana:.  Also use malwarebytes to do weekly scans, just in case.  So far no viruses.  As opposite to at least 4 that mccafey let in.

semp
Title: Re: Antivirus
Post by: fbWldcat on June 24, 2010, 06:04:54 PM
I have nod32, i can get 3 licenses for the same price as 1 Mcafee, or actually even less.  best thing is I dont have to hear the dreaded Mcafee is updating sound while playing the game.  I never turn nod32 off, it dont eat up as much resources as Mcafee.  You know how I know that?  Skuzzy said so, and that is good enough for me :banana:.  Also use malwarebytes to do weekly scans, just in case.  So far no viruses.  As opposite to at least 4 that Mcafee let in.

semp

Fixed, sorry, had to do it, mild case of OCD.  :D
Title: Re: Antivirus
Post by: Denholm on June 26, 2010, 05:23:52 PM
You're better off removing Norton NOW, not when it runs out. That money is gone, there's no reason to punish yourself more by using Norton for a year.


Edit: That is... if Norton will let you remove it all the way....
Money is not gone. You can request a refund. I convinced one of my friends to ask for a refund on the product since Norton had a history of allowing malicious software into the system. It took two phone-calls, yet my friend received a full refund.