Skip to main content
Live chat will not be available on Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor day. We will reply to your request as soon as possible.
Help Center Community Shop

HELP -- computer virus

Comments

34 comments

  • slipgate
    Restart in safe-mode (F8 while booting) and try again.
    0
  • iwannausername
    Download the i386 desktop version of Ubuntu at www.ubuntu.com - its 700mb...

    Once it is downloaded, burn it, and boot the laptop with it. You'll end up at a Linux desktop. Use the "places" menu to go to your computer, then your harddrive (it will show up as a "volume") and then delete the file. Reboot into Windows and you are done.


    Whats happening? Well, the registry entries are starting the process, and the process locks the file. Some will check and see if the executable is still there, if it isn't it will re-create it and put it in a new location and add new registry entries to start it.

    Of course, if you do anything important with the computer (financial records, banking, credit card stuff, etc) then "nuke it from orbit - its the only way to be sure!". Back up your stuff and reinstall windows from scratch...
    0
  • peabo
    Thanx for the info on linux. I will certainly try it, but not being computer literate, it may take me several hours to complete it.
    I am also kinda busy with some other work and may have to wait until I get the time to try it.
    I'll let you know if I get it to work. Thanks.
    I don't have a copy of windows XP, so I don't know if 'Nuking' it is a good idea.

    If anyone has other suggestions, I would also like to hear them, just in case I cannot follow the directions to get this to work.


    Thanks---Peabo
    0
  • LesWVa
    Restart in the Safe Mode
    Then go to
    C:
    Windows
    Regedit

    Close everything until (if not already) it is showing just My Computer.

    Edit
    Find Click it
    Type dfndrff_e15.exe
    Check Keys, Values and Data
    Click Find Next

    If it finds something Delete it then press F3 and do the same until it no longer finds anything.

    What time you are poking around in Regedit.
    HKEY_LOCAL_USER
    Software
    Microsoft
    RAS Autodial
    Addresses Click it
    They will be folders that will have something like forums.gunbroker.com[/b]

    Delete all of the addresses that you do not know or use often.
    Look for such garbage as SB.Google.

    Restart your puter and see it helps.
    0
  • Mercury
    Get AVG anti-virus software. Norton SUCKS, as you've discovered.

    Merc
    0
  • Marc1301
    http://www.2-spyware.com/news/post203.html
    This may help you some as far as guiding you.
    You have a nasty one there!
    If you have financial info on it, it may have been compromised, as well as passwords to bank sites, etc.
    I would not connect to the internet until this is fixed.
    0
  • zipperzap
    Sorry to hear it.

    Fly Mac - 25 years & counting - not a single virus (nor has anyone using a Mac, I know,
    ever gotten one).
    0
  • peabo
    quote:Originally posted by zipperzap
    Sorry to hear it.

    Fly Mac - 25 years & counting - not a single virus (nor has anyone using a Mac, I know,
    ever gotten one).



    Bet you got a Betamax recorder too, huh? Can you still find tapes for that thing???


    Thanks---Peabo
    0
  • Marc1301
    Many more viruses are written for Windows of course, simply because of numbers.
    As Mac gains market share, you can bet it will be targeted more also.
    The main key is watching where you go, and what you click.
    I have always used Windows, and I have never had a virus either.
    But then again,.....I don't open suspicious e-mails, or go to dangerous sites, plus run all the right things.[;)]
    0
  • peabo
    quote:Originally posted by Marc1301
    Many more viruses are written for Windows of course, simply because of numbers.
    As Mac gains market share, you can bet it will be targeted more also.
    The main key is watching where you go, and what you click.
    I have always used Windows, and I have never had a virus either.
    But then again,.....I don't open suspicious e-mails, or go to dangerous sites, plus run all the right things.[;)]



    Me too Marc..
    This computer is used by my Grand daughter and she is autistic and it is hard to keep an eye on her all the time. She has learned a lot by using the computer, so I'll just keep fixin' it for her, if I can.


    Thanks---Peabo
    0
  • Marc1301
    Peabo,......glad to hear this is not a computer with important info on it!
    At least I would assume it isn't.
    Good Luck!
    0
  • Rockatansky
    quote:Originally posted by Marc1301
    Many more viruses are written for Windows of course, simply because of numbers.


    uhm... no.
    0
  • Marc1301
    quote:Originally posted by Rockatansky
    quote:Originally posted by Marc1301
    Many more viruses are written for Windows of course, simply because of numbers.


    uhm... no.

    OK,.......its a combination!
    Mass users, and security vulnerabilities.[:0]
    0
  • peabo
    The only reason there are the number of Mac's out there is because they gave so many of them to schools. This caused parents to buy one for the kids to have at home so they could access their school work at home, too. Great marketing strategy, but a headache for parents.
    Notice that Mac's are now compatible with PC programs? Wonder why???

    Thanks---Peabo
    0
  • 1911a1-fan
    the way mac software is written it cannot load a virus period.

    i'm a ibm format lover {what everyone else has}, but i cannot deny mac is superior in many ways, the way the os is structured it uses far less resources, and has batter graphics

    i think allot of mac haters are falling into "we mock what we don't understand", i would have one if it where not for limited software, i actually think vista has taken a few think from mac, i've been running into some real familiar features
    0
  • Marc1301
    I'm not against Mac either,.....just have never owned one for the software reasoning, and due to the fact that I have very few problems with Windows.
    An ex of mine, that I still speak to, is into heavy duty graphics based work, and she will use nothing but a Mac.
    0
  • beneteau
    quote:Originally posted by 1911a1fan
    the way mac software is written it cannot load a virus period.

    i'm a ibm format lover {what everyone else has}, but i cannot deny mac is superior in many ways, the way the os is structured it uses far less resources, and has batter graphics

    i think allot of mac haters are falling into "we mock what we don't understand", i would have one if it where not for limited software, i actually think vista has taken a few think from mac, i've been running into some real familiar features


    Where in the world did you get that a Mac cannot load a virus? Type in "Mac virus" on a Google search and you'll learn differently.
    0
  • Rocklobster
    I'd be willing to wager that there are a group of programmers on Apple's staff whose job is to attack Microsoft as much as possible because of the way it has stomped on them and practically established a monopoly.
    0
  • pabooger
    It's not Dells fault you keep getting a virus on it!!!!
    0
  • Rusty Shackleford
    quote:Originally posted by 1911a1fan
    the way mac software is written it cannot load a virus period.

    Sorry, but that simply is not true. To think that a Mac is immune is whistling to yourself while walking past the cemetery. But if you'd like to bet on it, I'll send ya a file or two to open....
    0
  • 1911a1-fan
    quote:Originally posted by beneteau
    quote:Originally posted by 1911a1fan
    the way mac software is written it cannot load a virus period.

    i'm a ibm format lover {what everyone else has}, but i cannot deny mac is superior in many ways, the way the os is structured it uses far less resources, and has batter graphics

    i think allot of mac haters are falling into "we mock what we don't understand", i would have one if it where not for limited software, i actually think vista has taken a few think from mac, i've been running into some real familiar features


    Where in the world did you get that a Mac cannot load a virus? Type in "Mac virus" on a Google search and you'll learn differently.





    are you saying you have a mac, and have had a virus?


    read up on it in depth, you would have to purposely load a file with a virus on it to infect osx, it does not load a virus like windows, while it is a potential threat, and mac does offer a anti-virus program, most have been hoaxes, and the few that have been reported have been loaded through a windows based program
    0
  • Rockatansky
    quote:Originally posted by Marc1301
    quote:Originally posted by Rockatansky
    quote:Originally posted by Marc1301
    Many more viruses are written for Windows of course, simply because of numbers.


    uhm... no.

    OK,.......its a combination!
    Mass users, and security vulnerabilities.[:0]


    Still a no. [:D]
    0
  • 1911a1-fan
    this should clear up more than one debate in this thread {but i somehow doubt it[:D]}

    http://www.macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/5393/


    97,467 Microsoft Windows viruses vs. zero for Apple Mac's OS X
    Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 11:30 AM EDT
    "Most Mac users gaze on smugly as reports of each new Windows security crisis break. And they have good reason - research from Sophos PLC showed that 68 viruses have affected the Mac while 97,467 have affected Windows. Of those 68, most are a decade old or older and don't directly affect OS X," Digit Magazine reports.

    "However, although it may seem that there's no reason to worry about security on your Mac, you shouldn't think you're completely safe. Apple's regular Security Update releases prove that there is cause for concern, and common sense suggests that you're most vulnerable when you let your guard down," Digit reports. "So how can you tell the difference between scaremongering and true dangers? We examined nine common beliefs about Mac security - and show you what you really need to worry about."

    MacDailyNews Note: We could only find six, not nine, common beliefs explored by Digit's article:
    Mac users don't need to worry about viruses: False
    You're vulnerable to Windows viruses if you run emulation software: True
    Mac users don't need to worry about spyware: True
    When I'm using a wireless network at home, I'm totally safe: False
    When I'm using a public hotspot, all of my passwords are being stolen: False
    The Mac's default security settings are all you need to protect your computer from hacker attacks: False
    0
  • Rusty Shackleford
    quote:Originally posted by 1911a1fan
    this should clear up more than one debate in this thread {but i somehow doubt it[:D]}

    Perhaps you should reevaluate?
    http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2005/03/66989
    0
  • 1911a1-fan
    quote:Originally posted by csi-cyberspace
    quote:Originally posted by 1911a1fan
    this should clear up more than one debate in this thread {but i somehow doubt it[:D]}

    Perhaps you should reevaluate?
    http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2005/03/66989


    all i read there was speculation, what could, what should, what possibly will, nothing that is positive proof of current viruses like windows is vulnerable to, i truly believe it is the virus companies making 90% of the viruses, this is why symantec is so intrested in mac

    quote:

    Attacks on Apple's OS X operating system, thought by many who use the Mac to be virtually immune from hackers, are on the rise, according to a report from Symantec, an anti-virus software vendor.

    "Contrary to popular belief, the Macintosh operating system has not always been a safe haven from malicious code," said the report, which was issued on Monday. "It is now clear that the Mac OS is increasingly becoming a target for the malicious activity that is more commonly associated with Microsoft and various Unix-based operating systems."

    An Apple spokesman said the Cupertino, California-based company would have no comment on the report.

    Many Mac users have long claimed that their platform has been virtually immune to attack -- unlike Microsoft's Windows operating system, which runs on more than 90 percent of the world's personal computers.

    The Macintosh operating system, the current version of which is based on the Unix operating system, has less than 5 percent of the global market for computer operating systems.

    "All these platforms have vulnerabilities -- it's a fact of life," said Gartner analyst Martin Reynolds. "The truth of the matter is that Mac is only a couple percentage points of (computer) shipments, so it's not an interesting target."

    Apple's recent introduction of the Mac mini, a $500 computer sold without a display, keyboard or mouse, could actually increase the likelihood of more malicious software computer code targeting the Mac platform, Symantec said.

    "The market penetration of Macintosh platforms will be accelerated by the much lower priced Mac mini, which may be purchased by less security-savvy users," the report said. "As a result, the number of vulnerabilities can be expected to increase, as will malicious activity that targets them."

    Symantec said that over the past year, it had documented 37 high-vulnerabilities -- weaknesses that leave the system open to malicious software attacks -- in Mac OS X. They "have been confirmed by the vendor, which, in the Apple case, almost always means that the company has released a patch."

    A patch is a small piece of software designed to shore up a vulnerability or to fix other software glitches.

    At the same time, the report said that while those vulnerabilities in the Mac operating system will increase, "they will likely be outnumbered in other operating systems for some time to come."
    0
  • Permanently deleted user
    We use Nortons, and even though we have DSL, it slows it down something horrid...

    Sometimes I think its easier to do a re-format and not run the damn thing...
    0
  • Zebra
    quote:Originally posted by Mercury
    Get AVG anti-virus software. Norton SUCKS, as you've discovered.

    Merc


    I agree Norton is a waste of money and really slows down your pc especially Norton 2006 with ghost feature. Delete the Norton software, reboot then reload it.
    0
  • JamesRK
    peabo, FIRST backup all data.

    Then I would contact DELL and pitch a fit, through my rattle, and get irate about them not providing an XP disk with the computer, and ask them how you recover when you lose the system.

    After they provide some way to reinstall XP, I would run a DOD Wipe, then reinstall XP.

    Then I would contact Norton and get a little irate with them. I use Norton and have never had a virus, but Norton has taken my system down more time than I care to remember.
    0
  • Colt Super
    Mac????

    Been losing microcomputer/personal computer market share since 1982.

    They have gone to the brink of extinction many, many times. If it weren't for the development of their weird record players, they would be long done.

    But they continue to do little computers, if only to have something to sell to the three remaining users.

    Doug
    0
  • Rockatansky
    quote:Originally posted by Doug Wilson
    Mac????

    Been losing microcomputer/personal computer market share since 1982.

    They have gone to the brink of extinction many, many times. If it weren't for the development of their weird record players, they would be long done.


    You probably haven't been watching the market very well :) Apple has been going up and up since about '98 or '99.
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity