I have a redirect virus on my PC :( what to do? - Computing and Networks

OvertheUnder · 29-11-2009, 16:22

My PC recently got infected by a massive quantity of spyware/adware/viruses etc. I somehow managed to activate my anti-virus/spyware software eventually allowing me to remove the majority of the dangerous/system denial spywares programmes off my PC.

I used a combination of Spybot S&D, Super anti-spyware and malwarebytes anti-Malware to get rid of the majority of the infection

However I was still unable to access my internet both on I.E and Firefox. I was however able to restore my PC back a week so regained access to the internet.

The new problem however occurred - My browser every so often would redirect me away certain sites and completely away from Anti-virus sites like Norton etc.

Does anyone know of a solution?

Im probably thinking about dropping the PC into our local shop soon to be repaired.

anniebrion · 29-11-2009, 16:27

Best to backup your important data and re-install windows.

There is no telling what damage the nasties have done and starting with a fresh install is the only way to be 100% sure you're clean.

AVTECH · 29-11-2009, 16:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by OvertheUnder

My PC recently got infected by a massive quantity of spyware/adware/viruses etc. I somehow managed to activate my anti-virus/spyware software eventually allowing me to remove the majority of the dangerous/system denial spywares programmes off my PC.

I used a combination of Spybot S&D, Super anti-spyware and malwarebytes anti-Malware to get rid of the majority of the infection

However I was still unable to access my internet both on I.E and Firefox. I was however able to restore my PC back a week so regained access to the internet.

The new problem however occurred - My browser every so often would redirect me away certain sites and completely away from Anti-virus sites like Norton etc.

Does anyone know of a solution?

Im probably thinking about dropping the PC into our local shop soon to be repaired.

Not being able to access Anti Virus sites and other specific sites e.g. Microsoft, can be a symptom of a virus like conflikr worm.

Use another machine to download one of the good free antivirus programs (AVG,AVAST,AVIRA lots of others, You choose.) and burn it onto a disc (not a usb pen drive), then use this to rid yourself of the nasty. These type of nastys like to use USB pen drives to move around, so disinfect any you have to avoid reinfecting yourself.

Or follow anniebrion's advice above (a bit more drastic than mine) but still run anti virus checks on any USB pendrives you own.

Glaston · 29-11-2009, 16:39

I had something similar, picked up some virus/trojan that the Anti virus took care of but left my main browser being redirected to odd web sites.
I uninstalled my browser, then did a search through the registry to clean any little leftovers.

Finally reinstalled the browser and everything has run fine since.

Though if you are using IE then you might have trouble.

chiller15 · 29-11-2009, 16:44

Boot into Safe Bode with Networking, and try it then.

Or, download a free anti-virus, such as AVG or something on another or someone else's computer, and transfer it to your PC via USB or something. Install it, and run a scan.

OvertheUnder · 29-11-2009, 17:23

Thanks for the advice

I am using I.E via Bt yahoo atm and I have tried AVG to no effect. I might try and unistall my main Browser then have another go at cleaning the system using my set of anti-virus programmes. I am really not confident about booting the system in safe mode though

max99 · 29-11-2009, 18:23

Your main mistake was using System Restore, as this would have brought back a lot of the infected files and registry entries.

The problem with trying to clean up an infected machine is that you have no idea just how badly infected it is or how much damage the malware (or the attempts at removal) have caused. So you could end up spending a huge amount of time trying to fix it and still end up with an infected or badly borked system. This is why restoring to factory settings is often a preferable alternative.

If you know you can backup, restore and reinstall your software and hardware (printers, etc) without too much fuss, you should do so.

29-11-2009, 16:22	#1
OvertheUnder Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,078	I have a redirect virus on my PC :( what to do? My PC recently got infected by a massive quantity of spyware/adware/viruses etc. I somehow managed to activate my anti-virus/spyware software eventually allowing me to remove the majority of the dangerous/system denial spywares programmes off my PC. I used a combination of Spybot S&D, Super anti-spyware and malwarebytes anti-Malware to get rid of the majority of the infection However I was still unable to access my internet both on I.E and Firefox. I was however able to restore my PC back a week so regained access to the internet. The new problem however occurred - My browser every so often would redirect me away certain sites and completely away from Anti-virus sites like Norton etc. Does anyone know of a solution? Im probably thinking about dropping the PC into our local shop soon to be repaired.

29-11-2009, 16:27	#2
anniebrion Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Gender: Female Location: UK Posts: 7,882	Best to backup your important data and re-install windows. There is no telling what damage the nasties have done and starting with a fresh install is the only way to be 100% sure you're clean.

29-11-2009, 16:39	#4
Glaston Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 442	I had something similar, picked up some virus/trojan that the Anti virus took care of but left my main browser being redirected to odd web sites. I uninstalled my browser, then did a search through the registry to clean any little leftovers. Finally reinstalled the browser and everything has run fine since. Though if you are using IE then you might have trouble.

29-11-2009, 16:44	#5
chiller15 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Gender: Male Location: Liverpool Services: Sky+, VM 10Mb, Q6600, 4GB DDR2, 74GB Raptor, 8800GTX, X-FI Posts: 1,054	Boot into Safe Bode with Networking, and try it then. Or, download a free anti-virus, such as AVG or something on another or someone else's computer, and transfer it to your PC via USB or something. Install it, and run a scan.

29-11-2009, 17:23	#6
OvertheUnder Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,078	Thanks for the advice I am using I.E via Bt yahoo atm and I have tried AVG to no effect. I might try and unistall my main Browser then have another go at cleaning the system using my set of anti-virus programmes. I am really not confident about booting the system in safe mode though

29-11-2009, 18:23	#7
max99 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 3,742	Your main mistake was using System Restore, as this would have brought back a lot of the infected files and registry entries. The problem with trying to clean up an infected machine is that you have no idea just how badly infected it is or how much damage the malware (or the attempts at removal) have caused. So you could end up spending a huge amount of time trying to fix it and still end up with an infected or badly borked system. This is why restoring to factory settings is often a preferable alternative. If you know you can backup, restore and reinstall your software and hardware (printers, etc) without too much fuss, you should do so.