How do you detect and clean viruses?

StarBound · Post by **StarBound** » 19 Nov 2009, 22:20

My sisters laptop has a virus on for a good while now. AVG doesnt say or do anything but every time she plugs in a flash disc the virus spreads. It even went as far as destroying one of our banking usb tokens and once on an oversees trip so I was very upset. What I would like to know is how do you detect a virus and remove it before installing anything else on your drives?

Last night we tried installing avira for her because like I said AVG doesnt detect any threats. On installation avira complained about dll file alteration and deleted the file. On first scan of her pc Avira refused to scan because of the CRC (still dont know what that means) was invalid sized. It was the same file that was supposidely deleted.

So how do I find out what virus is running and how do I remove these viruses?

Koko_Lion · Post by **Koko_Lion** » 19 Nov 2009, 22:24

There is a cool little app called "process explorer". Running that will make it much easier to find the culprit and eliminate it.

Sorry, not sure of a link, but I guess google will help you.

Prime · Post by **Prime** » 19 Nov 2009, 22:26

Run Trend Micro's online virus scan.

StarBound · Post by **StarBound** » 19 Nov 2009, 22:27

I can try that. Will the laptop try infecting my router though? Will it try infecting other pc's on the network?

Prime · Post by **Prime** » 19 Nov 2009, 22:29

Probably infect other PC's. I doubt it can infect the router, unless the router has some place for you to install files.

Also, set the laptop to show hidden files and folders.

PureFire · Post by **PureFire** » 20 Nov 2009, 11:42

buy a good antivirus - kaspersky / nod32.
problem sorted.

Post by **Monty** » 20 Nov 2009, 11:44

Best way to clean viruses is with extreme heat or highly corrosive materials.

Otherwise format the machine, fresh OS install and get a decent AV

Koko_Lion · Post by **Koko_Lion** » 20 Nov 2009, 11:45

...and stay off dodgy websites

rustypup · Post by **rustypup** » 20 Nov 2009, 12:16

Koko_Lion wrote: ...and stay off dodgy websites

honestly, most infections are still through physical media or knuckle-draggers executing dodgy apps whilst ignoring warnings...

i've seen someone click through an infection warning and then gripe about how shoddy their AV is a few days later when they "discover" the infection...

no AV in the world can protect you from silly... silly is the new aids... internet space aids... with bells on...

Prime · Post by **Prime** » 20 Nov 2009, 12:19

rustypup wrote:
Koko_Lion wrote: ...and stay off dodgy websites
honestly, most infections are still through physical media or knuckle-draggers executing dodgy apps whilst ignoring warnings...

i've seen someone click through an infection warning and then gripe about how shoddy their AV is a few days later when they "discover" the infection...

no AV in the world can protect you from silly... silly is the new aids... internet space aids... with bells on...

artificial intelligence is no match for human stupidity

Koko_Lion · Post by **Koko_Lion** » 20 Nov 2009, 12:23

rustypup, True. My flashdrive is such a prostitute, everyday it gets an infection from some pc.

Perhaps people need a license before allowed to operate computers, just like cars, boats etc.

rustypup · Post by **rustypup** » 20 Nov 2009, 12:37

Koko_Lion wrote:Perhaps people need a license before allowed to operate computers

or we can cover every possible license requirement in one fell swoop and require everyone to be licensed to operate a brain...

<You must be this intelligent to use oxygen...>

sorted...

Koko_Lion · Post by **Koko_Lion** » 20 Nov 2009, 12:38

Actually that's a good idea!

StarBound · Post by **StarBound** » 23 Nov 2009, 21:14

Well the laptop has lost its online capabilities (or I used the wrong gateways) and now we took the thing in to be examined and cleaned. If all else fails I will format and reinstall.

PureFire · Post by **PureFire** » 23 Nov 2009, 23:24

stop being a cheap bottom and buy a decent anti virus

Post by **Monty** » 24 Nov 2009, 08:27

StarBound, format and install anyway. Back up important docs, download and install MSE, update it and then restore important docs

ADT · Post by **ADT** » 24 Nov 2009, 09:45

Or just format...that always works for me

StarBound · Post by **StarBound** » 24 Nov 2009, 10:49

She got her laptop back. They reported 17 different virusses. But it seems sorted now.

StarBound · Post by **StarBound** » 28 Nov 2009, 21:19

OK next question. She thinks her cell phone still has the virus on. She has an HTC with windows mobile. I tried housecall but it said its not compatible with that version of windows. What do I use to check if the cell has something buggy on it?

Post by **Stuart** » 28 Nov 2009, 22:09

What makes her think that her phone has a virus on it?

StarBound · Post by **StarBound** » 28 Nov 2009, 23:05

Apparently when she connects her phone to a pc with the usb cable the virus is transferred. I cant confirms this because the home laptop didnt pick up her cell. And she cant scan the phone as a usb device. Is it possible for a windows9x/NT virus to infect a mobile device?

Post by **Stuart** » 28 Nov 2009, 23:12

I suppose anything is possible, but I'm always highly sceptical of the hurried conclusion that a cell phone has a virus.

StarBound · Post by **StarBound** » 28 Nov 2009, 23:19

Considering her laptop had 17 virus and she connects her phone and pc I regularly it is possible. I just dont have any experience in this regard and that the phone uses a windows like OS makes it highly likely.

Post by **Stuart** » 28 Nov 2009, 23:32

Take it to a Vodashop or something for an opinion.

StarBound · Post by **StarBound** » 28 Nov 2009, 23:37

MTN. Will tell her to do that. As long as they don't say "Ayoba" followed by "Eish".

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