I
Ian
Hello Everyone,
My friend's computer is infected with spyware called "A Better Internet",
which is apparently also known as "Aurora", "VX2" or "Transponder".
I have spent several fruitless hours trying to remove this spyware, both
manually and using Norton Antivirus 2005, Lavasoft Ad-Aware 1.06 and a
program called Webroot Spy Sweeper 4.0. Lavasoft even has a special
"add-in" component called "VX2 Cleaner" that specifically targets this
spyware and even it is unsuccessful.
I find that this spyware is purely diabolical in its ability to evade
termination/deletion - none of these programs came anywhere close to getting
rid of it. When you terminate the program from Windows XP task manager, it
immediately restarts under two new program names.
Doing some research, I have found that you can actually go to the spyware
creator's website - www.abetterinternet.com - and that they offer an
uninstall program (as opposed to instructions for deleting the spyware). I
read in a previous post that someone had tried using the uninstall program
but that it didn't work for him. Being that these people have been so
sleazy / diabolical in how they make the spyware so resilient, I have severe
concerns about running their supposed uninstall program for fear that it
will do unknown things on my friend's computer (e.g. install something else
in addition to the subject spyware, etc.), and so I would only use it as an
absolute last resort.
My questions:
1. Does MSAS have the ability to get rid of "A Better Internet"? Reading
past posts in this newsgroup, I don't think it can (at the moment). Can it?
2. I found an earlier post that referred to a file called NAILFIX.BAT.
Unfortunately the two websites given as sources for this file don't work for
me. Can someone provide a correct location for obtaining the file?
3. Is there any good source of information on this particular spyware?
Searches I've done so far haven't been particularly successful.
Thanks in advance for all your help...
My friend's computer is infected with spyware called "A Better Internet",
which is apparently also known as "Aurora", "VX2" or "Transponder".
I have spent several fruitless hours trying to remove this spyware, both
manually and using Norton Antivirus 2005, Lavasoft Ad-Aware 1.06 and a
program called Webroot Spy Sweeper 4.0. Lavasoft even has a special
"add-in" component called "VX2 Cleaner" that specifically targets this
spyware and even it is unsuccessful.
I find that this spyware is purely diabolical in its ability to evade
termination/deletion - none of these programs came anywhere close to getting
rid of it. When you terminate the program from Windows XP task manager, it
immediately restarts under two new program names.
Doing some research, I have found that you can actually go to the spyware
creator's website - www.abetterinternet.com - and that they offer an
uninstall program (as opposed to instructions for deleting the spyware). I
read in a previous post that someone had tried using the uninstall program
but that it didn't work for him. Being that these people have been so
sleazy / diabolical in how they make the spyware so resilient, I have severe
concerns about running their supposed uninstall program for fear that it
will do unknown things on my friend's computer (e.g. install something else
in addition to the subject spyware, etc.), and so I would only use it as an
absolute last resort.
My questions:
1. Does MSAS have the ability to get rid of "A Better Internet"? Reading
past posts in this newsgroup, I don't think it can (at the moment). Can it?
2. I found an earlier post that referred to a file called NAILFIX.BAT.
Unfortunately the two websites given as sources for this file don't work for
me. Can someone provide a correct location for obtaining the file?
3. Is there any good source of information on this particular spyware?
Searches I've done so far haven't been particularly successful.
Thanks in advance for all your help...
