Computer virus question!

[BigJim13]

So this morning I did my usual routine, get up, get coffee, hop on the computer to check email etc. After I was done my wife got on and noticed a pop up from our anti virus software (AVG) stating that we had 4 files infected with a Trojan Horse (I think thats what it's called). AVG had the option of repairing the file which didn't work so the next option was removing them entirely. AVG warned, however, that deleting the files could cause system stability issues. When neither option worked in AVG, my wife identified the files and deleted them from our computer and recycle bin completely. We have since run 2 complete computer scans for virus' and both came up with nothing and no warnings. The computer seems to be running pretty slow...not sure if this is a fact or it just seems that way because we're worried about this virus.

So my question is now, is there anything else we should do? Is there another place we should be looking for this virus or anything else we should do?

Thanks!

 

[DouginGA]

Jim

I had the same thing happen a while back and i use norton antivirus. norton did not stop it and they wanted an additional $99 to fix it(end of norton for me.)

run some google checks on it and you have to find the file(s) and remove them. sorry not more help but i am not that bright.

 

[zaphod]

If you are still concerned disable the AVG (free) software and download Avast (free) and run same. What one misses the other will pick up. Just do not keep both active as the may not play well together.

 

[warbirdlover]

Some of those are not true viruses but spyware and since I've bought SpyZooka I have no issues with them. This program works.

And spyware slows down your computer.

 

[N.V.M.]

also, boot up in safe mode, then do your scans. way betterer.

 

[Adam Pettman]

another option is to download Ccleaner and see whats programs start on boot up. Its possible to do this without Ccleaner but its always nice to have a pretty interace.

 

[JEFF4i]

Another option is stop downloading porn from shady websites. That way you don't have to explain to your wife why the file name is horseandgirlfuntime.xml and you don't get the viruses.

 

[WMitch6]

If your free AV program allowed a virus to infect computer files it's obviously not worth the money you spent on it. I've used Webroot Security Essentials for several years and never had a problem. It automatically quarantines any spyware and virus' before any damage is done.

As for your computer possibly running slow it's more likely a registry problem and now that you've had a dose of cyberclap you are more sensitive to it. Try one of the registry cleaners. I'll bet you'll be surprised at the difference.

Douginga - my first AV program was Nortons and I got rid of it for the same reason.

Prime virus sites -

Porn
Music downloads
Gamers

 

[BigJim13]

If your free AV program allowed a virus to infect computer files it's obviously not worth the money you spent on it. I've used Webroot Security Essentials for several years and never had a problem. It automatically quarantines any spyware and virus' before any damage is done.

As for your computer possibly running slow it's more likely a registry problem and now that you've had a dose of cyberclap you are more sensitive to it. Try one of the registry cleaners. I'll bet you'll be surprised at the difference.

Douginga - my first AV program was Nortons and I got rid of it for the same reason.

Prime virus sites -

Porn
Music downloads
Gamers

I don't think it allowed it, it gave us a pop up as soon as my wife went to get onto the computer. She located the files and deleted them completely from the computer.

It's AVG and it was free and so far it has worked well. I'm just asking if there is something else we should do to be on the safe side, I know a little about computers but am by no means a comp nerd.

And yes, you guys know me all to well and had me pegged as a frequent porn downloader...I think all men are and if they say the aren't they are lying!

 

[warbirdlover]

Sites much worse then the porn ones are the music and game ones. That's where the nasty virus' are passed on. Not that I would know for sure...

 

[ThatCanadianGuy]

Why files did she remove?

 

[BigJim13]

Why files did she remove?

I don't know, we got the pop up listing which files were infected and since AVG wouldn't quarantine it we just deleted the infected files completely.

 

[Pa Jayhawk]

Some of those are not true viruses but spyware and since I've bought SpyZooka I have no issues with them. This program works.

And spyware slows down your computer.

Spyware is far more likely the cause for the slowdown. Both Adaware and Spybot are free, and very good spyware software.
Ad-Aware by Lavasoft - Antivirus software, free spyware removal, firewall
The home of Spybot-S&D!

If you install both, you need to disable at least one that runs resident, otherwise you may get conflicts, but you can still scan with both on occasion. I run Adaware resident, as I think it is a bit more thorough.

I don't think it allowed it, it gave us a pop up as soon as my wife went to get onto the computer. She located the files and deleted them completely from the computer.

It's AVG and it was free and so far it has worked well. I'm just asking if there is something else we should do to be on the safe side, I know a little about computers but am by no means a comp nerd.

Do you know off hand if it detected them in the Cache directory (temp files for the browser) for IE, or whatever browser you use? This is actually not too uncommon, and just getting rid of the files then running thorough full system scans is usually enough. When this happens, it many times did not actually infect your pc, where had the file been later run your AVG likely would have caught it and halted the process. Usually even clearing your browser history will delete the files.

If at a later time you have the name, you can also many times find executable files from AVG, Norton or Microsoft to remove the threat.

 

[BigJim13]

Spyware is far more likely the cause for the slowdown. Both Adaware and Spybot are free, and very good spyware software.
Ad-Aware by Lavasoft - Antivirus software, free spyware removal, firewall
The home of Spybot-S&D!

If you install both, you need to disable at least one that runs resident, otherwise you may get conflicts, but you can still scan with both on occasion. I run Adaware resident, as I think it is a bit more thorough.


Do you know off hand if it detected them in the Cache directory (temp files for the browser) for IE, or whatever browser you use? This is actually not too uncommon, and just getting rid of the files then running thorough full system scans is usually enough. When this happens, it many times did not actually infect your pc, where had the file been later run your AVG likely would have caught it and halted the process. Usually even clearing your browser history will delete the files.

If at a later time you have the name, you can also many times find executable files from AVG, Norton or Microsoft to remove the threat.

Thanks PA!!!

One question though, my AVG says it contains some sort of anti spyware service. Should I still download one of the anti spyware services you mentioned or is the AVG likely enough?

 

[Pa Jayhawk]

I usually feel you can't have enough spyware, and the reason I use both. I have AVG as well, but am usually of the opinion also that I keep the Virus protection up to people who specialize in that, and the Spyware up to those who specialize in such and allocate the majority of their resources to fighting such.

Ad-Aware finds a boatload of stuff that AVG will not detect. If you only intend to use one, and do not want to pay, I would go with Ad-Aware. Just leave AVG as is. Then scan with Adaware maybe every few weeks when you have time.