Windows Recovery Virus

[neohippie]

I'm trying to minimize my computer time because it got infected with the Windows Recovery Virus. I almost fell for it too, but when I told Daniel my computer was telling me I had to buy something costing $70 to fix my computer, and if there was a better way because I can't afford that, he said, "that's got to be a scam

Comments

[lwood]

I would suggest Avast!, which comes in a free version and works better than most:

http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download

The longer you leave the thing partially downloaded, the more likely it is to have reconstructed itself from whatever you've left behind. Also, as you're infected and your computer is being used as a zombie, please unplug it from the network until you fix it.

-- Lorrie

[neohippie]

Also, as you're infected and your computer is being used as a zombie, please unplug it from the network until you fix it.

Really? I didn't even think of that.

[lwood]

Yeah.

Oh, and expired AV software is really worse than none at all--because you think you're protected, when really...not so much.

Once you do have it cleaned off, make sure to run Microsoft Update and apply all the Recommended updates and all the Optional ones that make sense. Using Internet Explorer (which you shouldn't really use for anything else ever IMO), go to:

http://update.microsoft.com/

-- Lorrie

[daniel_saunders]

I had something similar a while back, but it was easier to get rid of.

Wouldn't surprise me they'd encourage the making of viruses just to get people to pay a bunch of money to have them removed.

Ooh, that's cynical even by my standards. I used to be friends with someone who worked writing anti-virus software (he has been known to comment on Doctor Who posts on my LJ), so I'm not saying anything.

Sadly, nothing in life is free (except love, aww).

[neohippie]

Well, Daniel can get cynical like that sometimes, calling antivirus software a protection racket. He might be rubbing off on me.

[lwood]

Mm. The free anti-virus software is pretty good--and that's "good" as measured in objective third-party testing against real-world threats.

The real money in software development is selling to businesses anyway, not individuals, so it makes sense that a couple of the lesser-known names in the field (Avast, AVG, etc) are free for home users, so that people might bring up those names in the workplace and net the company lucrative contracts.

-- Lorrie

[nwhyte]

I use both Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware - both are free.

[huggyrei]

I too use Avast - I hate Norton. There was a time when it was impossible to buy a computer without it on, and it always interfered with my software. Turned out to be virtually impossible to uninstall, too. More like a virus than any actual virus I've ever caught.

If you google the virus, you may be able to find specifi instructions for removing. Also, update virus checker and get rid of it. Also update your OS in case there are any patches. Maybe also run Adaware, to get rid of any spyware/adware stuff.

If you have more than one anti-virus installed, though, they can occasionally fight each other. Watch out for that if you try installing Avast! as well as keeping Norton.

[neohippie]

Well, I ran Avast, which took a really long time, but deleted some more stuff. I hoped that had fixed it, but just when I was reading your comment, my computer started playing ANOTHER commercial. >:-(

You think I should try to uninstall Norton, then? That scares me a little, but if it's not doing me any good, then might as well.

I did Google the virus and try manual removal. That was the only way I could get my computer to work enough to even be able to run any antivirus programs, but apparently I haven't gotten it all yet.

[huggyrei]

I suggest:

1. Download installation files for avast, adaware, and any patches

2. Save a copy of instructions for uninstalling Norton (not always as easy as it sounds)

3. Unplug from network - very important! You don't want to be spreading to anyone ele, triggering anything, or being online without any protection.

4. Make another attempt at clearing virus while not online

5. Uninstall Norton as per earlier instructions

6. Install new antivirus stuff

7. Run antivirus

8. Don't open internets yet - but go online and check for updates for antivus stuffs

9. Unplug again, and run antivirus stuffs again

Then see how it goes??

Also, maybe check browser settings for security level, plugins, clear cookies, etc?

[huggyrei]

p.s. I'm really not an expert or anything; this is just what I would do!