My Machine - A saga!

[Colossus]

Hi there, Over the past two weeks my machine has become a nightmare to use, it has slowed to a crawl, I've had website pop-ups etc (which none of the anti spyware programs are findin the cause of, and when I turn on automatic updates it doesnt do what i tell it to! 9How can i get this to run again) it seems to have a mind of its own! and then theres the browser, I open up i'll load one up and very shortly after, about 60+ will open up!!

Im running xp with firefox, and the Zonealarm firewall. Ive never had any problems before so im really confused about why the last two weeks have been different? Any ideas anyone?

Cant wait to buy a new machine now!

Colossus

[lodore]

hello,
try superantispyware.
spyware may of broken automatic updates.
superantispyware has repair options to repair the most common broken functions.
update it run a scan remove what it finds and then use the repairs to fix any broken functions such as windows update and automatic updates.
superantispyware
also download process explorer its a more advanced task manager.
can you post a screenshot of process explorer showing as many of the processes as possible?

there is no need to buy a new machine. you can get it sorted out quite easily.

i will check this thread tomorrow.

[Zadock]

Perhaps a hijack-this! report as well mate?

Didn't you have a BSOD at one point as well?

I know he has spyware blaster and spybot S&D, whatever it is must have been particularly invasive on this occasion.

He's looking to buy a new machine anyway, current one is getting on a bit.

[patch]

Out of interest, what antivirus are you using?

[lodore]

Perhaps a hijack-this! report as well mate?

Didn't you have a BSOD at one point as well?

I know he has spyware blaster and spybot S&D, whatever it is must have been particularly invasive on this occasion.

He's looking to buy a new machine anyway, current one is getting on a bit.

Hey Zadock,
Thanks for the heads up.
I havent read any of the op's other threads.
would be interesting to know what antimalware programs the op has tryed so far.
drweb cure is also pretty good

[Zadock]

Your welcome...

so far as I know he has got Avast!, though he may have changed it to AVG since I spoke to him last. He rang me up on saturday saying his PC was screwed, I was out so I just suggested that he update and run Spybot S&D. Spybot removed a lot of things but he then got some serious windows errors and a BSOD related to his Sound Blaster audigy control centre. He then used a system restore point and business resumed, it was working but obviously complete with the malware still installed.

I'll speak to him later and see if we can't get to the bottom of it.

[sleepyhead]

Could it be related to this bbc news article?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7842013.stm

[Zak33]

Could it be related to this bbc news article?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7842013.stm

thanks for that headsup....

[Zadock]

Just noticed that myself and it twigged so I checked back here... hopefully he's seen this, gonna give him a call anyway!

EDIT:

Just seen this http://www.efluxmedia.com/news_Watch...cks_33721.html

The software removal tool apparently now works to remove this worm, perhaps a note under news Zak?



Edit:

Got to the bottom of it, or at least I think we have. Couldn't get the MRT to install, something was blocking it... yet more malware, so I got him to download and run malware bytes. Malware bytes found rather a lot! and removed whatever was blocking the mrt installation. MRT now installed and doing a scan to make doubly sure its gone. I'm guessing the connficker worm is on there to.

[sleepyhead]

Well glad I could be of some help. I'm usually last to know about any software issues/problems.

[vinnyT]

A squared 4 supposedly deals with conficker http://www.emsisoft.com/en/

[Zadock]

We managed to turn the tide of malware, the connficker worm was amongst the offending crowd. I'm not sure how he managed to get so many nasties? I don't think he frequents any depraved websites... Colossus?

Torrents perhaps?

Anyway its all gone using a combination of Malware bytes, the MRT and AVG.