Computer full of viruses

NotAGolf · 17 Dec 2006 at 19:21

I'm not sure which forum to post in so please move if neccessary.

My brother's computer is absolutely full of viruses due to general abuse and probably to much pr0n, he doesn't know how to fix it and I don't have the time at the moment. I was just wondering if it is posible these viruses can spread through our home network? We have 3 pc's, 2 secure and free of viruses, and his. The pc's are connected wirelessly through a 400 year old US robotics router. Any chance either of the other pc's could become infected? Sorry I dont really know much about these things, all I know is pr0n=viruses=bad! Thanks

zetec452 · 17 Dec 2006 at 19:47

Its possible they could, depends on the virus. Just install some AV software and do a full scan, its not really that hard.

basmic · 17 Dec 2006 at 19:50

Get NOD32 installed and updated, then run Ad-Aware on a full scan, followed by Spybot Search & Destroy.

If that doesn't get rid of the swine, run a full scan with NOD32 in Safe Mode, followed by the Ad-Aware and Spybot S&D.

NotAGolf · 17 Dec 2006 at 19:57

Thanks for the replies guys, I have run ad aware and spybot and removed what they picked up. Problem is that he had norton

() installed but hadn't updated it in a year, so while I was away I told him to unistall norton and install the trial version of nod32. However he bodged the unistallation and it no longer works, and nod32 wont work because norton is stopping it still somehow. I've tried using the norton removal tool to no avail. I've givin up on it tbh but just wondered if there was a possibility the other two systems could become infected even if i keep the up-to-date?

The_KiD · 18 Dec 2006 at 09:18

Download a copy of HiJackThis.

First make a folder on your computer in my documents called Hijackthis and then Unzip it to that folder.
Then doubleclick the Hijackthis.exe.

Click the Scan button, when the scan is finished the scan button will become Save Log click that and save the log.
Go to where you saved the log and click on Edit > Select All then click on Edit > Copy then paste the log at one of the sites listed here, or the one in my signature.

It will possibly show issues deserving our attention, but most of what it lists will be harmless or even required,
so do NOT fix anything yet.

Podfather · 18 Dec 2006 at 10:04

mpledge52 said:
I'm not sure which forum to post in so please move if neccessary.

My brother's computer is absolutely full of viruses due to general abuse and probably to much pr0n, he doesn't know how to fix it and I don't have the time at the moment. I was just wondering if it is posible these viruses can spread through our home network? We have 3 pc's, 2 secure and free of viruses, and his. The pc's are connected wirelessly through a 400 year old US robotics router. Any chance either of the other pc's could become infected? Sorry I dont really know much about these things, all I know is pr0n=viruses=bad! Thanks

do a spybot check, anti virus check and an Ad-Aware check.

bledd · 18 Dec 2006 at 11:14

disable system restore
then use these..

ccleaner slim (removes a load of temp files)
nod32
windows defender
spybot s&d
adaware
-clobber your brother

squiffy · 18 Dec 2006 at 11:17

If there's nothing on the computer, easier and quicker just to do a fresh install. At least you know it's then clean. Can never tell if undetected trojans still lying around.

And get your brother to pay you for doing it.

Richdog · 18 Dec 2006 at 11:19

mpledge52 said:
Thanks for the replies guys, I have run ad aware and spybot and removed what they picked up. Problem is that he had norton () installed but hadn't updated it in a year, so while I was away I told him to unistall norton and install the trial version of nod32. However he bodged the unistallation and it no longer works, and nod32 wont work because norton is stopping it still somehow. I've tried using the norton removal tool to no avail. I've givin up on it tbh but just wondered if there was a possibility the other two systems could become infected even if i keep the up-to-date?

Normally I wouldn't suggest this but the fact he has let the computer slide so badly AND has screwed the isntallation of Norton means that the poor computer is now really needing some TLC. Back up all important data, reformat windows and start from fresh... and this time install the following on the computer:

*Kaspersky Anti-virus 6 (best AV out there, with NOD32 a close second).

*Spyware Blaster (update and enable all protection, this stops all sorts of nasties from entering your PC).

*Adaware SE (good backup spyware scanner).

That's all you need...

z0mbi3 · 18 Dec 2006 at 12:01

Richdog said:
*Kaspersky Anti-virus 6 (best AV out there, with NOD32 a close second).

*Spyware Blaster (update and enable all protection, this stops all sorts of nasties from entering your PC).

*Adaware SE (good backup spyware scanner).

That's all you need...

I'd personally go with Avast and Windows Defender

wannabedamned · 18 Dec 2006 at 12:17

Lot's of methods out there.

Mine is as follows,

Disable System Restore (A favourite haven for Virus's's's's)
Spywareblaster - Update it and run it.
Spybot Search and Destroy - Update it and Run it
Ad-aware SE - update it and run it
Avast antivirus - Update it and run it.
CCleaner - Run it
Hijackthis - Run it, save the log and have it reviewed using either an online analyzer or post it on a forum with pro's.

A lot to do, But its the method I use now and again to bring my PC back to an almost clean install.

roadie · 18 Dec 2006 at 12:37

There are a few online virus scanners out there too. Check out the Trend Micro site for example.

bitslice · 18 Dec 2006 at 12:45

mpledge52 said:
However he bodged the unistallation and it no longer works, and nod32 wont work because norton is stopping it still somehow. I've tried using the norton removal tool to no avail.

I've heard this so many times now from different people.
Why is Norton so bad that it needs it's own uninstalltion tool ?
Plus the number of Norton related problems I've seen "fixed" just by changing to another AV.

Even going back umpteen years I've heard bad things about Norton uninstalls.

:-/

.

Richdog · 18 Dec 2006 at 14:31

z0mbi3 said:
I'd personally go with Avast and Windows Defender

Then you would be choosing a much inferior protection... not to mention running two real-time apps at once... never good.

t31os · 18 Dec 2006 at 14:57

Example of viruses spreading:

Open My Network Places yesterday to look at the Storage drive share on another PC, BAM! nod32 pops up and informs me 'Setup(2).exe' is trying to run (from a shared folder i only just opened, hadnt touched the exe).

So nod32 stops it my end, and i goes downstairs to the said pc and open mcafee, yep its fully upto date, so i continue to scan the file and the rest of the PC with mcafee, nope still nothing.....

Uninstalled mcafee, trial install of nod32 installed and updated..... problem solved.

I couldnt believe mcafee simply couldnt see this dodgy file, especially with it being fully upto date....

Suffice to say i'm never recommending Mcafee again, ever......

Its the same story i had with Norton before in the past, it just simply missed viruses, which is not what anyone wants from an AV right?....

Soon as my nod32 subscription runs out i'm trying out Kaspersky, for now though, nod32 hasnt missed a beat.

wannabedamned · 18 Dec 2006 at 15:31

Richdog said:
Then you would be choosing a much inferior protection... not to mention running two real-time apps at once... never good.

I dont understand how Avast is inferior, I understand why windows defender is.

But avast hits everything on the head. How can Kaspersky beat that? I have to be honest, I've used kaspersky in the past. And I removed it, I didnt replace it with avast, I replaced it with Mcaffee corporate, and my computer is airtight.

But simply put, Avast is free, Kaspersky is not, And they both do the same job don't they?

Richdog · 18 Dec 2006 at 15:58

wannabedamned said:
I dont understand how Avast is inferior,

But avast hits everything on the head. How can Kaspersky beat that?

Avast! uses an older verison of the Kaspersky engine... whereas Kaspersky 6 uses a new engine that is a lot more effective.

But simply put, Avast is free, Kaspersky is not, And they both do the same job don't they?

They do the same job just at different levels. Yeah Avast! is free... but the superior Kaspersky 6 is free in the form of AOL... which is the same just re-branded and lacking a few non-essential features. http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/downloads/2161910/aol-active-virus-shield

pcknight · 18 Dec 2006 at 19:04

Comodo do a great Antivirus program.

z0mbi3 · 19 Dec 2006 at 08:29

Richdog said:
... but the superior Kaspersky 6 is free in the form of AOL

I'd rather stick with Avast to be fair.

So what's wrong with Windows Defender? I've never found running 2 real time scanners an issue.

Richdog · 19 Dec 2006 at 08:47

pcknight said:
Comodo do a great Antivirus program.

Yeah, brilliant... http://www.download.com/Comodo-AntiVirus/3640-2239_4-10538178.html

z0mbi3 said:
I'd rather stick with Avast to be fair.

So what's wrong with Windows Defender? I've never found running 2 real time scanners an issue.

You'd rather stick with an inferior AV? Fair enough. As for the real-time scanners... running two at the same tme hampers performance , can cause errors, and also false positives. It's not reccommended.