Computer Virus or Computer Hijacked

[Guest]

Hi
I have a problem with my computer. Its running windows xp pro. The thing is that when i start the computer ( this even happens in safe mode and even after i ran norton anti-virus with all the latest updates) some programs are opened, closed and things like that. It is as if my computer is being controlled by someone, but its not connected to the internet right now and on top of that my computer wasn't being used for the last 2 months too. So it seems like there is some resident program which is controlling my computer and the thing is it cannot be removed by norton. So PLEASE someone help me out in this matter. I can't even run some other programs because that "virus" closes the window

Can someone please help me out solve this problem. I would really appreciate help in this matter.

Thank
A

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I have a problem with my computer. Its running windows xp pro. The
thing is that when i start the computer ( this even happens in safe
mode and even after i ran norton anti-virus with all the latest
updates) some programs are opened, closed and things like that. It is
as if my computer is being controlled by someone, but its not
connected to the internet right now and on top of that my computer
wasn't being used for the last 2 months too. So it seems like there
is some resident program which is controlling my computer and the
thing is it cannot be removed by norton. So PLEASE someone help me
out in this matter. I can't even run some other programs because that
"virus" closes the window.

Can someone please help me out solve this problem. I would really
appreciate help in this matter.

Try all of this:

Turn on that firewall...
http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsXP/home/using/howto/homenet/icf.asp
(It has been reported that it now works with AOL 9.0+)


Make sure you have all the updates (critical) installed from:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
(Scan for updates, Review and Install)


Get rid of the spy/ad/mal-ware..
(Yes - using MORE than one of these..
I recommend at least the first three.)

Spybot Search and Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.net/

Lavasoft AdAware
http://www.lavasoft.de

CWSShredder
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

Hijack This!
http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/

I also like "The Cleaner" and "SpywareBlaster" and "SpywareGuard".
- http://www.moosoft.com/
- http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/

The first is a PAY product, but useable for 30 days - it has found and
eliminated problems in the past the others did not. The latter two are
prevention mechanisms. I like SpywareGuard for those with enough processor
to have something running like antivirus software - and it prevents browser
hijacking quite well.


And Assortment of Others:
http://www.merijn.org/downloads.html


After you cleanup your PC somewhat of spy/ad/mal-ware, verify your antivirus
software is updated and run a full scan of your computer. If you have no
antivirus software - get one NOW! Grisoft AntiVirus:
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php


Empty your Temporary Internet Files and shrink the size it stores to about
80 to 120MB (seems to be an optimal size for the normal user)
- Open ONE copy of Internet Explorer.
- Select TOOLS -> Internet Options.
- Under the General tab in the "Temporary Internet Files" section,
do the following:
- Click on "Delete Cookies" (click OK)
- Click on "Settings" and change the
"Amount of disk space to use:" to something between 80MB
and 120MB. (Betting it is MUCH larger right now.)
- Click OK.
- Click on "Delete Files" and select to
"Delete all offline contents" (the checkbox) and click
OK. (If you had a LOT, this could take 2-10 minutes or
more.)
- Once it is done, click OK, close Internet Explorer
- Re-open Internet Explorer.


Uninstall any software you do not use often/ever. (If you have something
installed but never use it, uninstall it.) If you go through Control
Panel -> Add/Remove Programs and see things you seldom if ever use, it is to
your advantage to remove it.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Shenan
I will try these things and hopefully it will work. Just for my knowledge has anyone encountered this problem and if they have would they be able to tell me what virus /spyware is there, because i try to end processes that are not critical but it still restarts.