PC Security help please

[Skyylya]

I just recently formatted my entire PC, in doing so i removed my old virus protection program which was years old that i'd just been updating online.

After re-installing XP and in the process of trying to get a lot of my old programs back i have acquired a few annoying viruses. I went and got a new version of Norton Antivirus, not sure what else is good but it's what i've always used. Anyway, i keep getting these alert balloons on my screen telling me that i have system breeches and need to click on that balloon in order to download the program needed to get rid of it. I never do cause i figure that is just part of the virus and clicking it will hurt me worse.

So anyway, i've isolated a few folders with things that i haven't downloaded myself, but the computer is not letting me remove them, and the virus scan that i just purchased is not finding any virus's, yet i'm still getting these annoying pop ups and warnings.

Anyone have any idea how i can finally get my computer in order?

I used to be really good with computers, but technology has progressed faster than my desire to keep up with it and i'm quite outdated on what to do.

Thanks in advance.

[SephYuyX]

You just reinstalled and have virus' already? You might as well just reinstall again..

If you dont want to, try booting up in safe mode and then remove the files.

[Skyylya]

I'll re-install if i have to, i was hoping for a different route since i've already restored a lot of the old stuff.

[Vertabreaker]

Can you post the exact message the alert is showing please?

[Skyylya]

"
Warning!

W32.Myzor.FK@yf is a virus that infects files with .exe extensions. It attempts to steal passwords and private information from the infected computer.

Type: Virus
Infection lenght: 138,293 bytes
Systems infected: windows( all versions) including xp and all service packs
Technical details: 1. creates files in %Windir%\ directory.
2. Adds values to registry keys:
3. scans the hard drive for .exe files and infects any executable files. searches for passwords/information, which it may send to a remote attacker.

Recommendations: click "ok" to download officially approved security software.
"

It's like that, and it keeps return every time i open IE or even My Computer. I'm also getting a plethora of annoying pop-ups that my blocker doesn't get. The only things i've downloaded are drivers for my video/sound/printer and dvix and a codec which is where i think the problems originated. My computer isn't letting me remove the files of the codec though.

Edit: I have class now til about 3:30, i appreciate your help, hopefully when i get back i can figure it out. I've got a lot of papers to right over the next two weeks.

[Vertabreaker]

Try this out:

http://www.technibble.com/how-to-remove ... 32myzorfk/

It's worked for others so far.

[neighbortaru]

if you've already got viruses after reinstalling, you're obviously doing it wrong.

format&reinstall windows
install your anti-virus program
install your firewall program
(both hopefully not pirated -- who knows what crap that'll have)
update your windows with the critical updates
then proceed to install your old programs

[SephYuyX]

Hell, I dont even have virus protection on my computer, and ive never had a problem.

[Vertabreaker]

I would agree with the above. I would do a fresh install, but if you want to keep what you've installed so far, the link I provided should clean the virus you have.

If you can get your hands on Acronis Drive Cleanser, use that before installing your OS. It will do do 4 federal swipes on your HD and make sure it's completely clean.

[Zigma]

please uninstall norton antivirus. get your money back on whatever you purchased and download this avg antivirus at:

http://free.grisoft.com/softw/70free/se ... 28a818.exe

it is completely free and really one of the best out there. They offer a pay version and I would get that if you're interesed in something pro but the free one is just superb and a lot of people use it.

Update it and do a complete scan. You don't have to get too complicated.

[Aodh]

My experiences with Norton:
- Crash Guard (long time ago) repeatedly recovered from 'crashes' which when the program was uninstalled, no crashes occurred.
- A legit out-of-the-box copy of Norton coming with a Virus on it. It was picked up by McAfee which was installed at the time and was going to be replaced.
- Had a computer grind to a halt, and eat e-mails (gogo security center) instead of sending them. Not only that, but you had to upgrade your uninstaller to remove it.

Experiences with McAfee:
- Old builds were seamless and well trusted.
- New builds expire fast and keep trying to sell you more products. My Mom used it and it asked her to upgrade a 1-year license twice in 5-months.
- New builds have a ton of overhead which isn't needed.

Experiance with Free AVG:
- Simple install.
- Very reliable.
- Daily No-user-input-required updates so you just set it to a time and it will keep itself up-to-date with no interaction.
- Free, full featured. No customer support (Pay version only), not that McAfee or Norton will really give you any either.
- Very low overhead. No lag on the system to have it running.

http://free.grisoft.com << Just use it.

[Devek]

You don't need antivirus software really.. just be careful.

Once infected with a virus there is absolutely no way to remove them with any certainty that they are actually removed.

When you reinstall windows you must do it behind a hardware firewall/router so that no computer on the internet can access it directly. Make sure all other computers behind the router or firewall are also disabled so they can't spread to your computer during the install process.

Get the XP box up and running and go to windows update and fully update it.

NEVER directly connect the box to the internet, ever. Never network your computers with windows machines that have had direct access to the internet or you do not feel comfortable with either.

NEVER use internet explorer for anything besides windows update. The first thing you should do after updating your computer is to open up internet explorer and type http://www.getfirefox.com in the url bar.

NEVER download anything off the internet.. period. If you want something it better be popular as hell as hell and known to be safe already and not something obscure.

If you want to download something like adobe flash player.
1) Close all browsers and windows that are already open.
2) Open up mozilla firefox.
3) Go to http://www.google.com (it should be your start page).
4) Type in adobe flash and hit enter.
5) Examine the first result to make sure it is reasonable.
6) Go there to download the program.

The reason for going to google first is that sometimes it is possible to misspell a product name and end up at a imitation web site, it is rare the first results from google will include malware on something as popular as flash.

Windower is ok.. but everything else can fuck off unless it comes with source code you can compile yourself.

Oh ya, and outlook can totally fuck off. Use gmail for all your email.

If you follow these rules you won't need anti virus software.

[RanDom_ErrOr]

before you put a virgin copy on the internet, make sure that you've got it behind a firewall of some sort, either a router or with software like ZoneAlarm

also, make sure to unplug your other computers on the network if you have one, or if its a wireless network, make sure you secure it using WEP64/128 or changing / hiding the SSID (preferably the first option)

oh yeah and AVG > norton...

[Skyylya]

Thanks a lot, gonna get rid of norton now and try the one you linked.

[Resin]

"
Warning!

W32.Myzor.FK@yf is a virus that infects files with .exe extensions. It attempts to steal passwords and private information from the infected computer.

Type: Virus
Infection lenght: 138,293 bytes
Systems infected: windows( all versions) including xp and all service packs
Technical details: 1. creates files in %Windir%\ directory.
2. Adds values to registry keys:
3. scans the hard drive for .exe files and infects any executable files. searches for passwords/information, which it may send to a remote attacker.

Recommendations: click "ok" to download officially approved security software."...

*Bolded text for emphasis mine*

Generally, in my experience, any time something pops up on your taskbar or in a window that says anything along these lines ("click here to download software to fix your problem"), the LAST thing you should do is actually click the link. Spyware/malware is usually what's causing this message to pop up, and it's trying to get you to download more spyware.

Ordinarily I'd suggest all kinds of methods for removing the spyware, but since you just reloaded your machine anyway, the best thing to do is definitely reformat and reload the thing again.

P.S. Lay off the porn sites!

[Sonomaa]

I use F-Secure as well as my company and I never run into any evil <3 F-Secure
some people like to be safe, I have to be sure since I work and play on my PCs

[Devek]

Thats cool and all to a point I suppose, but the problem with anti-virus software is that it typically leads users into making stupid decisions because they have some false-illusion that they are safe.

How many times has a random download been posted on these forums and some dumbass said "well, i scanned it and its clean."

Anti-virus software only protects you from badly written viruses...

It doesn't hurt to run it(*), but you need to understand how worthless it really is and behave accordingly.

(*Software like Norton is actually worse than a virus. It is the #1 cause for tech support nightmares, system slowdowns, and random computer crashes.)

[RanDom_ErrOr]

my experience with NAV2003 are relatively good, very stable AV product and it gets the regular NAV updates, catches what its supposed to...

of course, like others have said, antivirus software in general is like a condom, sure it might catch most of it, there are times when it breaks and something bad happens

atleast condoms are relatively reliable though >_>;;;