Arbiter said:
Running Windows XP SP2 all updates, black ice firewall, no antivirus
yet.
I just got an issue where everytime I try to start IE, nothing comes
up. No error messages, nothing.
I checked black ice and it doesn't give me anything specific except
the time. it looks like everytime I run IE black ice shuts it down.
But then I also shut down black ice completely and reboot with it off.
IE still doesn't run. virus/trojan maybe?
Any help would be greatly appreciated
The best way to determine if you have a virus is to scan with a current
version (not earlier than 2004) antivirus using updated definitions.
Since you don't have one (bad choice), start by scanning with
TrendMicro's Sysclean (instructions below). After you've completed
scanning with Sysclean, have ready to install a full-featured av.
Install it, update it, and do a thorough scan in Safe Mode. Then
continue your housecleaning by scanning for non-viral malware (full
general malware removal steps are also below). You should get the
tools, programs, and updates you need from a different, known-clean
machine with an Internet connection and either a cd burner or have a
usb thumb drive with which to transfer the necessary files/programs.
A. Sysclean - TrendMicro's Sysclean is an extensive antivirus tool which
has the advantage of not needing to be installed. It requires two parts
- the scanning engine and the virus pattern files. Delete all Temporary
and Temporary Internet Files before running the program.
1. Create a new folder on your Desktop or the C: drive named something
useful like "Sysclean".
2. Go here and download the two parts of the program to that folder:
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/dcs.asp - Sysclean
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/pattern.asp - virus pattern files
The pattern files will be zipped - extract them with your unzipper (like
WinZip) or if you have XP, you can just open the folder. You need to
put the extracted files in the Sysclean folder you made. For a more
automated way to get Sysclean, use Dave Lipman's Sysclean_FE from
http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm .
3. Restart your computer in Safe Mode. Get into Safe Mode by repeatedly
tapping the F8 key as the computer is starting up to get to the proper
menu.
4. Go to the Sysclean folder you made and double-click on sysclean.com.
Start the scan. After the scan is finished, look at the log. You may
need to make a note of where any viruses were found if they were not
able to be removed so you can manually delete them.
B. General malware removal - First delete all Temporary and Temporary
Internet Files. For IE's Temporary Files, go to Control Panel>Internet
Options>General tab. You'll see where you can delete cookies and files.
For Firefox, clear its cache by going to Tools>Options>Privacy>Cache>
Clear. For Windows Temporary files, Start>Run cleanmgr [enter]. Then
follow these detailed malware removal steps, doing everything with
updated tools in Safe Mode. You can find all the links to referenced
programs and sites on my website here:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
1) Scan in Safe Mode with current version (not earlier than 2004)
antivirus using updated definitions.
Before you remove malware, get LSPFix or WinSockFix for XP - see links
below.
2) Remove spyware with Spybot Search & Destroy and Ad-aware. These
programs are free, so use them both since they complement each other.
There is a new version of CWShredder from Intermute. I would not
install the other Intermute programs, however. Alternately, there are
CoolWebSearch malware removal steps at SilentRunners.
Be sure to update these programs before running, and it is a good idea
to do virus/spyware scans in Safe Mode. Make sure you are able to see
all hidden files and extensions (View tab in Folder Options).
If the malware remains even after you used Ad-aware and Spybot, you can
scan with HijackThis. HijackThis is an excellent tool to discover and
disable hijackers, but it requires expert skill. See the links on my
website for a HijackThis tutorial and places where you can post your
HJT log. Again, this is an expert tool and novices should get help
with it.
3) If you are running Windows ME or XP, you should disable/enable System
Restore after the system is clean because malware will be in the
Restore Points. With ME, you must disable System Restore completely.
With XP, you can delete all but the most recent (presumably clean)
System Restore point from the More Options section of Disk Cleanup
(Run>cleanmgr).
4) Make sure you've visited Windows Update and applied all security
patches. Do not install driver updates from Windows Update.
5) Run a firewall.
Malke
