Help!! My computer has a nasty virus!

Is there anyone out there that can give me advice on how to get rid of this damn virus without wiping my hard drive and reinstalling?

Here is the problem, it is browser hijacker I guess..whenever I search or google something it will pull up the results but when I click on it Im taken somehwere else totally different!

Ive run multiple virus scans sometimes back to back with malwarebytes, pctools spyware doctor, spybot search and destroy and Norton cooperate and each time they all find quite a few infections.
And Im frequently getting pop-ups from each of them alerting me that it has blocked a virus.

But, I cant seem to completely get rid of it!!

If anyone has any suggesting, other than reinstalling my OS I would really appreciate it.
or if that happens to be your profession and you can get rid of it Id be willing to barter....I really dont want to wipe my drive and start all over!!

Thanks!
1. Reset your IE browser.
•Open Internet Explorer.
•Click Tools, and then click Internet Options.
•Click the Advanced tab, and then click Reset.
•In the Reset Internet Explorer Settings dialog box, click Reset.
•When Internet Explorer finishes restoring the settings, click Close, and then click OK
•Close Internet Explorer.
2. temporary turn off your system restore settings.
3. delete all temp files
4. try your cleaning apps in SAFE Mode, reboot F8

Try that out--
Brass Balls's Avatar
Two things I can think of.

Never, ever use MS Internet Explorer, too many security holes and the bad guys all target it. Use Firefox.

Try Microsoft Malicious Software Removal kit. It's a freebee from Microsoft and sometimes will get rid of these things.

Good luck!
If you can get to it and download it, malwarebytes http://www.malwarebytes.org/

Before you scan your system with it though make sure you close the Web Browser and update the system with ALL applicable updates. Install malwarebytes it will auto update its .DAT file with the current malware, spyware, and nasties definition file.

THIS IS THE IMPORTANT STEP!!!!

UNPLUG THE NETWORK CABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

reboot into safemode (you will know it's safemode it will prompt you and the graphics will look horrible) then scan the system with FULL SYSTEM SCAN and just let it run. When it's done if it has found anything Quarentine it and delete. Malwarebytes will prompt you to save a log file once the scan is complete save the file TO THE DESKTOP (for later ref.) then post the results here.
Guest012211-3's Avatar
Is there anyone out there that can give me advice on how to get rid of this damn virus without wiping my hard drive and reinstalling?

Here is the problem, it is browser hijacker I guess..whenever I search or google something it will pull up the results but when I click on it Im taken somehwere else totally different!

Ive run multiple virus scans sometimes back to back with malwarebytes, pctools spyware doctor, spybot search and destroy and Norton cooperate and each time they all find quite a few infections.
And Im frequently getting pop-ups from each of them alerting me that it has blocked a virus.

But, I cant seem to completely get rid of it!!

If anyone has any suggesting, other than reinstalling my OS I would really appreciate it.
or if that happens to be your profession and you can get rid of it Id be willing to barter....I really dont want to wipe my drive and start all over!!

Thanks! Originally Posted by kayxxxooo27
I had the exact same thing happen to my old laptop a few months ago! I couldn't google or search anything! I had an "expert" come over and try every trick in the book. I never got rid of it and my laptop never recovered, but it was old. Oh, I hope your computer makes it out alive!
Combustion's Avatar
Did some research for you and found 2 similar things posted that may help you.

This one said to run Microsoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool

If that doesn't work try these steps, it will take awhile though.
I recommend SuperANTISpyware or MalwareBytes. I have had good success removing most malware with these two.
You can also download McAfee Stinger. It will scan your computer for common viruses.
Thanks everyone-but i think maybe, hopefully-knock on wood-as of yesterday afternoon-Im good. I guess after running all 3 of my anti-viruses-which includes Malwarebytes that everyone is recommending,and the real -time scans, over and over, something finally cleaned it...
Keeping my fingers crossed!!
Do a HiJack This scan and post the results with the code tags. Here is the link for it http://free.antivirus.com/hijackthis/ DON'T get the BETA version get version 2.0.2

Code:
example using code tags...
xperiment's Avatar
I have used hijackthis before. Its good to a have a few anti-malware tools under your belts since some malware have some counter anti-malware measures.

Highly reccommend loading a new browser too. Firefox and/or Google Chrome.
slap's Avatar
  • slap
  • 02-10-2010, 01:00 AM
I used this website when I got a password stealer on my PC. Post on their forums and one of the moderators will take you through step by step for malware/virus removal...it's free to boot! If they help I suggest making a donation.

http://www.malwareremoval.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=11
mrod's Avatar
  • mrod
  • 02-10-2010, 05:08 PM
i get a bunch of people that bring me their laptops and desktops full of junk..from experience i would use malwarebytes, spybot, hijack, and avg antivirus to clean up. Probably the best thing to do is to keep up with your windows updates. Some are tougher than others but i have never met a virus that made me reload. Ohh by the way did i mention patience.
Hi everybody,

in my experience, once malware comes to a pc, it never leaves it. A recent research paper showed that only 40-60% of the viruses are recognized by the best antiviruses. Sadly, the best advice is to reinstall a machine that has been compromised.
This is normal procedure in any company that cares about security.
Hawkeye9's Avatar
Mcafee