[FairyNormal]

I need some help with a virus on our PC.

I run AVG and ad-aware most days but today when I ran AVG it found 2 infected files ....... Java/ByteVerify. I have run AVG several times but it has not removed them and they remain on the hard drive.

A few days ago I noticed something called Atomic was installed. My partner said it just appeared on the PC when he turned it on. It was some programme that has a clock running and supposedly regulates your PC clock. I was suspicious and removed it straight away. He then ran ad-aware which said there had been an attempted something-or-other hijack or something!! (no idea and he is even less techy than me!!)

We also now have this really annoying pop up, some spanish (I think) ringtone etc site. It just pops up in a seperate window now and then. Also, sometimes when I type an address in the address bar, it re-directs to the same site.

No idea what to do now ......... someone please help!!!!!!!

[Rich]

Hmm, I suggest backing up all your important data somehow and reformatting your hard drive.

Is your antivirus software completely up to date? Download all available updates for AVG, and run it again, if it fails to fix the virus, try another anti-virus solution such as ZoneAlarm, which is a free download you should be able to get off downloads.com.

If all that fails, then yeah, reformatting will probably turn out to be your only hope.

Hope that helps

[FairyNormal]

Yes AVG is up to date but wil try ZoneAlarm.

Don't have the XP disks so can't re-formatt :-(

[RPG]

Try a different AV software like:

www.avast.com

or install "hijack this"

http://www.spychecker.com/program/hijackthis.html

[slh73]

Originally posted by Rich
Hmm, I suggest backing up all your important data somehow and reformatting your hard drive.

Is your antivirus software completely up to date? Download all available updates for AVG, and run it again, if it fails to fix the virus, try another anti-virus solution such as ZoneAlarm, which is a free download you should be able to get off downloads.com.

If all that fails, then yeah, reformatting will probably turn out to be your only hope.

Hope that helps

ZoneAlarm isnt an anti-virus program, its a firewall. Reformatting is a bit extreme for this, it can probably be fixed by running avg, adaware, spybot and cwshredder with the computer in safe mode. Or run HijackThis and post the log in the forums at SpywareInfo .

[mr craig]

Originally posted by RPG
Try a different AV software like:

www.avast.com

or install "hijack this"

http://www.spychecker.com/program/hijackthis.html

I use avast, very easy to use and very good too.

[FairyNormal]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I installed ZoneAlarm and a Pop-up-stopper, ran Avast and HijackThis! Now I'm not very techy but noticed on the HijakThis log, something called "123maria.com" which is the site it sometimes re-directs to. I deleted that, cleared my cache and cookies, emptied my recycle bin and ran AVG and the virus seems to have gone.

Still keep getting those bloody ringtone pop-ups though ..... grrrrrr!!

Thanks again folks!

[mr craig]

I used to have a big problem with pop-ups.I ran Ad-aware and installed viewpoint toolbar (which is VERY good) and havent had any problems since.

[matsalleh]

Having just read this thread I did a virus check (avg) and found 1 virus which has been removed.
It is PSW.BRISS.h
Cheers

[HxTim]

Don't click on popup ads.

Don't click anything that says "Your computer is running slowly."

Don't click on anything that isn't the webpage you're looking at.

If anything says "Do you want to install" or "You must install to continue" do not press yes or ok.

[saxon51]

....... and don't try to close a pop-up by clicking on the x. Close it from the task bar or through cont+alt+delete.

[FairyNormal]

Well thanks to all your advice all seems to be fine now.

I never click on pop ups or install anything but can't say the same for my partner unfortunately!!

I suppose this has given me the kick up the backside needed to sort out a firewall etc.

Thanks again!!

[HxTim]

A fire wall doesn't stop infections.

Education stops them. Explain to your partner.

[whisper]

if you need to do a virus check try downloading this,
http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/

[Greybeard]

The free version of A-Squared is also pretty good at scanning and cleaning your system of Malware, registration is required for updates, - but just your name and email addy. Deals with trojans and diallers etc that AV programs often don't see.

http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/

Since switching from IE to Mozilla I don't see pop-ups.

http://www.mozilla.org/

[venger]

I usually use AVG but am going to check out avast

[melthebell]

also use firefox instead of internet explorer, its loads safer, ive barely had any pop ups, no activex / java exploits and no dialers since ive been using it