@%#$^%#^ Spyware... I'm getting a MAC.
 

Need some help folks... I tried to install a mass-uploader from tinypic.com earlier, and since then, my computer has been going ape. The file for the uploader was an .exe file... normally I NEVER click those but I thought it was part of the upload. Apparently, it was a trojan.

Now, every minute or so I get the notification bubble seen below. Also, now I have the lovely "Total Vista Security Alert" box in the lower corner, alerting me of a "hack"... Being the skeptical man I am, I haven't clicked anything because "Yes" may be a window into my computer for yet ANOTHER trojan.

Please see below, and advise. AVG returned nothing... F-ing worthless program. :mad::mad:

Re: @%#$^%#^ Spyware.... I'm getting a MAC.
 

1. do a system restore to before the trojan
2. turn off auto restore back ups (clears old back ups)
3. turn auto backup back on
4. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
5. Run

May have to go in to safe mode to restore system
F8 when booting

Re: @%#$^%#^ Spyware.... I'm getting a MAC.
 

Get the Mac.:D

Re: @%#$^%#^ Spyware.... I'm getting a MAC.
 

go to microsoft.com
go to the download center
Top Downloads for:
All CategoriesGamesDirectXInternetWindows Security & UpdatesWindows MediaDriversHome & OfficeMobile DevicesMac & Other PlatformsSystem ToolsDevelopment Resources

install:
Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool
Windows® Defender

these programs have found spyware and the like much better than avg, and other pricey virus programs

and it updates automatically

:cool:

Re: @%#$^%#^ Spyware... I'm getting a MAC.
 

John..... good call on getting a Mac. I got rid of my last PC about 2 years ago. Now I have 2 Macs at home, and would never... ever buy another PC. The funny thing is, is that in my daily life, I write programs exclusively for the PC. LOL

Re: @%#$^%#^ Spyware.... I'm getting a MAC.
 

Okay, I went through this... or at least tried to.

Started in safe mode, and it wouldn't do system restore. So, I said heck with it -- I'll just recover back to factory settings. Tried to do system recovery, and basically "wipe out" the PC (I save everything crucial on externals, so it's no big deal) and figured that would be the safest way.

Nope.

System shuts down, then starts up again, prompting me for my password. I enter it, it comes up to my home screen, and then I get the infamous "RunDLL" dialogue box. Syas "Unable to locate system32"

:mad:

Funny thing is, the PC runs speedy and is acting perfectly normal. That is, except for my reminder every 30 seconds to "register my total vista security alert"... for a fee, of course. A virus that goes away when fed dollar bills, how cute. :rolleyes:

I'm tempted to just take it to Geek Squad and have them dump everything and upgrade me to Windows 7....

That'll only be $150... :(

Re: @%#$^%#^ Spyware... I'm getting a MAC.
 

stop downloading all those funky video's

Re: @%#$^%#^ Spyware... I'm getting a MAC.
 

Hate to see you having such a hard time, but I just bought a Mac...DO IT! You won't regret it. Expensive, but then you get what you pay for.

Good Luck!

Re: @%#$^%#^ Spyware... I'm getting a MAC.
 

Ya, if only I were having that much fun when it happened.

All jokes aside, I'm VERY careful about what I browse. This just happened to be one of those "wrong click, wrong time" occurrences. :mad:

As a rule, I never normally allow .exe files to run w/o permission or full awareness. Since it popped up during the install of the mass-uploader, I thought it was simply tied to that.

Which, of course, had I used my noggin, I would've known that Java files never run on .exe format.

The joke's on me.

If anyone else has any silver bullets, I'm all ears.

Re: @%#$^%#^ Spyware... I'm getting a MAC.
 

This program works good for malware. Download Spybot Search & Destroy 1.6.2 - FileHippo.com

Re: @%#$^%#^ Spyware... I'm getting a MAC.
 

Bob you need to write a program for John to get rid of his Trogan
:p John AVG Sucks you need to get PC Doctor it will keep that trash cleaned out for good ,I tried AVG to no avail it couldn't even deal with the ad malware either .... Good luck

Howard

Re: @%#$^%#^ Spyware... I'm getting a MAC.
 

I double this-good ferret program.

Re: @%#$^%#^ Spyware... I'm getting a MAC.
 

another thing about AVG. You can NEVER get rid of their underlying program, it will always be there. I called them about it, and y'know what answer I got from them. Sorry, can't help you becvause that was the free program, so can't give you any info to get rid of it. It will not remove fully from the drive. Won't use it. I also use firefox as my browser and I have had little issues with the spyware. But that does,'t mean I don't get them. Why the gov't won't "hack" these people's hands off is beyound me.

Re: @%#$^%#^ Spyware.... I'm getting a MAC.
 

so did this work for you?

Re: @%#$^%#^ Spyware... I'm getting a MAC.
 

The absolute best program for prevention of AdWare/MalWare is OS X. LOL

Re: @%#$^%#^ Spyware... I'm getting a MAC.
 

Mac OSX is also the best OS to prevent gaming and fun. At least the really good games. But those all seem to have "Microsoft" printed on the boxes. HALO, Gears etc....:p

Re: @%#$^%#^ Spyware... I'm getting a MAC.
 

I thought that was why they made XBox and PS3. :D I personally prefer PS3!

But hey, if you really need to play your PC games on the Mac, just run Parallels on the MacBook. Problem solved.

Re: @%#$^%#^ Spyware.... I'm getting a MAC.
 

I actually tried this, and did the full computer scan (all forecasted six hours worth)

Started the scan at 11pm last night, and was expecting to wake up to a full scan completion. Instead, my PC auto-updated at 3am, interrupting the scan. :mad:

So I'll try it again this evening.

And I'll agree with the others, AVG blows. I installed it because my Norton subscription ran out and I was looking for a cheaper option.

You get what you pay for...

Re: @%#$^%#^ Spyware.... I'm getting a MAC.
 

the initial full scan takes forever. after that you can set up a normal scan when your not on the computer and it takes far less time.

Re: @%#$^%#^ Spyware... I'm getting a MAC.
 

Good evening, John!

You do, of course, understand that the Total Vista Security "program" is the actual malware that's giving you the issues, right?

If so & if you feel confident enough to remove the infection manually then print out the instructions on the link below & give it a shot.

How to remove Total Vista Security, Vista Security Tool 2010 | My Anti Spyware

Whatever you do do NOT call up their "support" number & pay them anything like my nimrod brother-in-law did and oh, they asked him for his S.S. #, too.......& you'll love this part......he gave it to them.

But hey, he no longer has issues with his rogue anti-virus program!

I'm just waiting for his credit card bills to start reflecting certain purchases made in places like the Ukraine or Bulgaria from some guy with his name.

Good luck, John!!!