8 replies to this topic

[WannaGo]

I consider myself reasonably computer literate, but I have been having a helluva time with the concept of browser hijacks. If you've ever had one of these, you know it's some kind of virus that takes over your Internet browser and automatically redirects you to a spam page that you can't get out of. If you click on anything on the spam page, you just end up downloading more malware.

I keep having trouble with one called VirusDoctor. It takes me a page that supposedly runs a scan on my computer, finds viruses, then says I have to download their program in order to secure my computer. This, despite the fact that I run AVG anti-virus in real time, and regularly run Ad Aware scans and CCleaner wipes. When it happens, none of the malware or anti-virus programs seem to be able to detect it, although I'm going to try Malwarebytes the next time.

I just don't understand how this virus even gets control of my browser. I use the latest update of Firefox, which is supposed to be reasonably secure, and I don't visit shady websites and never click on unknown links. What's odd is that it only happens two places: when I click links to news stories on newspaper websites, and when I'm playing the Gang Wars game app in Facebook.

I'd love to hear from anyone who's had experience with this problem.

[Thaimo]

WannaGo, on 16 September 2009 - 09:45 PM, said:

I'd love to hear from anyone who's had experience with this problem.

The closest experience I have ever had with something like that is finding myself redirected to some sort of porn page that sets itself as my home page. For me, re-setting my home page and/or using System Restore to restore my settings to an earlier date has cleared it up for me when it happens. It doesn't happen very often for me, though, maybe once or twice in a year.

[smoker]

Facebook aps are often full of viruses and malware.

The best thing to do is download and run Spybot.

It's free and it removes everything.

[WannaGo]

Smoker: You're right, I've just about given up on using any Facebook apps. I've tried Spybot a couple of times -- even ran the scans in safe mode -- and couldn't pick up this Virus Doctor. Apparently, it hides deep and moves to avoid detection.

[Mr Bean]

There are just so many Anti Virus progs. out there, some being free!

They all have diffrent detection rates, so I try a new 'free' prog. from time to time.

You might like to try : A.squared - It's a stand alone prog, so can be used in conjunction with other progs, the
same as you can with Malware Bytes Anti malware.

I've just changed from AVG free to Avira Anti Vir free, and this picked up on viruses that AVG did not find!

If I have an inkling of infection, I'll try the online scanners as well, for example: Windows live online scanner
just to mention one, there are so may if you google for them!

[Thaimo]

Mr Bean, on 16 October 2009 - 02:09 AM, said:

You might like to try : A.squared

Thank you, Mr. Bean. I use Avira too and it has done an excellent job for me. I very rarely get trojans or viruses, but not long ago I did somehow get T-crypt. I tried several methods of removing it, but nothing seemed to work. Avira picked up on it and easily removed it.

I'm going to try A-squared too. I'm downloading it as I write this. It's a large program, 52 megs of it. I'll be very interested to see if it finds anything on my computer that I don't know about.

Several hours later:
I had it do a complete scan of my computer, which took over three hours to complete. It did find some trojans that no other program had ever found. You get a choice whether you want to quarantine or delete the problems if finds. I just had it delete them all. My computer is running faster as a result.

Thank you for telling us about this program. It's hard to believe it's free. It does a much better job than many of the so-called professional programs that you pay for.

[bigears]

I use the net alot and i use two cleaners daily , one called Advanced System Care and Glary Utilities ,Both can be downloaded from www.download.com or your search engine Free .

They are similar to each other, but by overlapping them they find Spies /Hijackers and clean all the rubbish stored.

Very Useful .

[lvdkeyes]

I have Window Washer installed on my PC and it cleans out junk whenever I reboot.

[Beer Chang]

There's a virus going around, UPS virus. Conformed on Snopes, a site that confirms or debunks rumors.

http://www.snopes.co...r/virus/ups.asp