HELP!!! Malware alert

[STEVE HANLEY]

I don't know how it's happened but my laptop has become infested with malware/spyware or whatever you want to call it. Naked women everywhere (Ooer missus). My question is. Is there a dowloadable software programme that will zap it all and keep it out? Preferably numpty proof that even an total idiot like me can easily install. Or is it a back to factory settings job (Please god I hope not)

Many thanks good people

[DazzyD]

Stop! Don't panic!! There's always a solution!

Yes, factory reset - wipe the HDD and start again!

NO!!!!! WAIT!!!!

There is a way. But you need to turn the laptop off and do nothing until you have a recovery system in place. For this, you need another, unaffected computer, that you can use to access the internet and download some software. Only problem is, I'm not 100% sure of the name of the programs you need at this moment as I have them all on my recovery key. Give me a few minutes!!

[ppentertainments]

Naked women everywhere - just close your internet browser lol

[DazzyD]

First of all, I'm assuming you've turned the laptop off and back on again (after waiting 10 minutes for a complete shutdown and memory clean). If not, do this now. If the problem remains, read on:

Read this (on a clean computer - if your laptop is still infected it should now be off!):

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/778269

This lists several links to anti-malware software that you can run and try and resolve the problem.

However, I'd expect this might not be enough. You need a program that can "kill" the malware processes on your system. Enter RKill:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/rkill/

This program will scan your system and shut down any background malware processes that are causing the popups that just won't go away. Instructions are here:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/foru...o-the-program/

Follow the instructions to run RKill. Some malware are aware of RKill and will stop any processes associated with the program from running. For this reason there are covert versions of the program (ones that simply have different names - pure genius!!) and you may need to download and run one of these.

Once you've run RKill, following all the on-screen prompts, then you should run some anti-malware software (the ones that were listed in my first link are a good start).

Please read all the info on RKill BEFORE YOU START THE RECOVERY PROCEDURES and always FOLLOW THE PROMPTS. Be aware that any popups telling you RKill is infected with malware ARE FAKE and are just trying to stop you from running RKill. DO NOT BE FOOLED.

A quick tip on malware popup windows. NEVER CLICK ANYWHERE ON THE WINDOW AS THIS WILL DOWNLOAD FURTHER MALWARE TO YOUR COMPUTER - EVEN THE "X" IN THE TOP CORNER IS FAKE. Use Task Manager or right click on the window name in the task bar to close these windows.

I'm going out now so not able to help any further but I hope you get on ok, Steve. But please be patient as the last virus I had took me over 5 hours to remove it completely and I knew what I was doing.. You could be in for a long night!

Oh, and when it comes to removing malware, http://www.bleepingcomputer.com is your friend!

[DazzyD]

Naked women everywhere - just close your internet browser lol

I had to work hard to resist the tempation to make a comment like this, Chris, but I've seen so many people get really terrified when they've been infected like this that I always walk on eggshells when replying to these requests for help. I've had people ringing me up in tears when they've been infected by the FBI Warning malware that physically blocks the user from accessing the computer. The priority is telling people not to panic and don't go clicking on these popup windows as this only makes things worse. These are just scams intended to scare but, as always, knowledge is everything and they're not really that scary (more of a nuisance) when you get attacked.

[STEVE HANLEY]

Cheers Daz. I'm reading this on my little netbook which is completely clean. Now to click on some of your links and have a good read

[Daryll]

Try ( free ware)

http://www.malwarebytes.org/

or this is the best , but it is ruthless, also free

http://www.combofix.org/

Daryll

[DazzyD]

Try ( free ware)

http://www.malwarebytes.org/

or this is the best , but it is ruthless, also free

http://www.combofix.org/

Daryll

I've never used Combofix before (never needed to) so I can't comment personally on it's use. However, I remember from past posts on malware issues on here that Marc J recommended you use it with caution (read the whole thread, though, it's a good one and related to this one):

http://www.forum.mobilediscodirector...329#post584329

What worries me is that the Combofix site mentions having to remove some infections manually which usually entails going in to the registry and editing/removing settings and entries which can be a very daunting task for a novice. It's also quite dangerous if you don't know what you're doing as you could change something that stops your computer from working entirely.

About a year ago I did a full step by step set of instructions for removing malware for a guy I worked with who had the same problem as Steve Hanley. I'm having little luck finding them at the moment but I'll keep on trying. I can't remember if they were for a specific piece of malware (they could be for the Anti Virus 2011-2012-2013 scareware) but they could still come in handy if I can dig them out.

[mattydj50]

I've used Malaware successfullly on 2 computers and have it running on this one now.

Whenever running clean-up programs or the like, its best to do it after booting in safe mode. That way, it works withour drivers etc. having been started and is less likely to affect "proper" programs.

[DazzyD]

Unfortunately, I cannot find the step by step instructions that I did to remove malware from computers. I did create a rescue USB key but I can't find that, either! (I'm wondering if I got it back when I loaned it to the guy with the problems???). Oh well, I suppose that's not much use now.

However, I've got a solution which might be easier. Kaspersky Labs are the PC security experts as far as I'm concerned and they've got a rescue USB key of their own which seems really quite simple to create using their own USB installer. All software and full instructions are here:

http://support.kaspersky.com/8092

The instructions are fairly simple compared to some solutions out there and the finished key will contain all the software you need to clean your computer of the infections.

I've also found a lot of recommendations for http://www.freedrweb.com/livecd/ but this doesn't look as straightforward and is possibly higher risk than the Kaspersky solution.

Hope this info can help!