Computer virus problems ... please help ?

[Andy1672]

My pc is running mega slow at the moment.

I have ran spybot which finds the following ... "myway.mywebsearch" PUPSC

however when spybot finishes scanning it says the problem cannot be fixed but may be repairable on startup.

I have tried this and spybot runs again (another 40 minutes), finds the same problem and still says it may be repairable on startup grrrr !!

Any ideas ?

[Chopper]

Try this;

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/combofi ... e-combofix

Combofix is very impressive. Also I tend to find where there is smoke there is fire. One positive means a few hidden nasties and Combofix usually knocks six bells out of the nastiest of modern spyware.

[Andy1672]

Thanks Mark, I will give it a go .... I have tried just about everything else !!!

[Andy1672]

ok combofix wont run win AVG and I cant figure out how to disable AVG ?

even tho I have quit and closed AVG it is still running somehow or somewhere ?

[Andy1672]

ok i figured out combofix and is now running .......

[The Baron]

Spybot rocks, but another good free Spyware program is Ad-Aware. I run it in conjunction with Spybot as they both tend to find bits that the other misses.

http://www.lavasoft.com/single/trialpay.php

On first run both will mention that they found the other, just click Ignore.

Also worth getting is Spyware Blaster (also freeware), it is a Spyware shield. All you have to in is install, activate and check for updates from time to time.

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

AVG is a decent program, but tends to flip out over cracks and keygens for bootlegged software (so I am told). What firewall are you running?

If AVG won't shut down, the best way to disable a program altogether is to open up Task Manager (right-click on the Taskbar or just hit CTRL-ALT-DEL), find it in the Processes tab and then select End Process. It may take a moment to respond as this is essentially a crowbar method. Also, you will need to restart your PC to reactivate anything you disable.

Another tip, go to the Start button and find the Run command. Type in MSCONFIG and hit enter. This will bring up your System Configuration box. Go to the startup tab. This is everything on your PC that activates on bootup, most of which is shite. EG, auto-update features for Acrobat that kill your internet connection at random.

I untick everything except for known applications and security. For example mine is like this:

Ticked Processes:
Windows Defender
COMODO Internet Security
Spybot - Search & Destroy
uTorrent
Messenger
Stardock ObjectDock

Unticked Processes:
AcroTray - Adobe Acrobat Distiller helper application
Adobe Acrobat
CloneCD
DesktopVideoPlayer
EPSON Status Monitor 3
GrooveMonitor Utility
Nero Home
Catalyst Control Center
Tablet Driver for Win2000

They are all programs that I use, but I don't necessarily need them all to spring to life as soon as I switch on. That's what my desktop shortcuts are for. Auto updates and helper programs? I'll run them manually, thankyou.

But to get to the point, if something nasty has taken root, most likely it will show up in this list. Unticking will at least disable it as an active function.

While you're in System Configuration, it's also worth looking at the Services tab. First thing to do is tick the "Hide all Microsoft services" box in the bottom left corner, you don't want to mess with those really, and ticking this will shorten the list considerably.

Again, here are my processes.

Ticked Processes:
Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service
COMODO Internet Security Helper Service

Unticked Processes:
Ati External Event Utility
##Id_String1.6844F930_1628_4223_B5CC_5BB94BB79762##
FLEXnet Licensing Service
InstallDriver Table Manager
Nero BackItUp Scheduler 3
NMIndexingService
PLFlash DeviceIoControl Service
WinTab Service

See what I mean? ##Id_String1.6844F930_1628_4223_B5CC_5BB94BB79762## is listed as being Manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc. The only Apple application I have would be QuickTime, and I don't ever use it (I prefer the K-Lite add-on). Most likely it installed as part of a cutscene module for a game.

Once you've unticked all your crap, you will need to restart. I just found a couple of ticked boxes in mine so am off to do that myself.

I'm running Vista 64-bit, but all of the above should translate into XP, I think. Do shout if I've gone all Star Trek!

[The Baron]

If you are running Vista and cannot find the Run Command, just use the Start Search box. It is underneath the All Programs list off the Start button (the Windows icon button in the bottom left of your screen).

If you want to add the Run command to your programs list, you need to;

Right-click on the taskbar and select Properties
Go to the Start Menu tab and select Customize...
Scroll down and tick the box for Run Command (I also tick Printers and untick Highlight newly installed programs)
Hit OK, and then OK again.
Run... should now be visible when you hit your Start button.

[Andy1672]

Wow thats a lot of info Baron !!

I will have to peruse it later as im on my lunch break now !

Cheers

[The Baron]

Don't worry, it's pretty straightforward. Most of that is just examples.

[The Baron]

Andy1672, are you all sorted now?