RPGDX > Forums > Off Topic > Computer crippled by sophisticated spyware, trojans

tcaudilllg

I cannot even download update files for my antivirus software, let alone install it because it insists on updating itself and the viruses have shut off access to the sites themselves. (Firefox reports that the sites "appear to be valid, but for some reason are inaccessible"). Anti-spyware programs exhibit the same problems.

My Google searches has been hijacked for about a month or longer, now. And another thing... every now and then, my DSL completely shuts off... the connection is still there and the lights are all green, but the bandwidth slows to a trickle and then, pages refuse to load or even to reload. (the connection "drops") AT&T has checked it, and confirmed that the problem is on my end....

What can I do to get out of this mess?

Mattias Gustavsson · Posted: Sat May 02, 2009 11:55 am Post subject:

Backup data, full reinstall.
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DeveloperX

Mattias Gustavsson

RampantCoyote · Posted: Sun May 03, 2009 12:01 am Post subject:

Having worked for a major anti-virus / security company, I came to be of the opinion that the only reason Microsoft's operating system(s) appear so vulnerable is that they've got a great big ol' target painted on them. Everything else is merely "security through obscurity," which is no security at all. Few hackers / virus / worm writers will target Ubuntu Linux because:

#1 - There's a (relatively) small base of target systems, and

#2 - Users of this distribution (and Linux in general) tend to be tech-savvy and know to keep their O.S. up-to-date with the most recent updates (many of which are security fixes).
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tcaudilllg · Posted: Sun May 03, 2009 1:24 am Post subject:

RedSlash · Mage Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 331

tcaudilllg · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 3:01 pm Post subject:

OK... six hours ago I reinstalled Windows to another drive. Eliminated the existing installation. Everything was good until I decided to go back on the 'Net. Already I've got a pop-up window telling me to go to regrenew.com. (which I have not and will not). I can't tell if that other drive really has been wiped of all its content... or its just a ruse.... In any case the windows folder appears to have been sealed off by something. I'm afraid to reboot.

Tried installing SP2 earlier... no good. It said it couldn't do it for some reason, that was an error. Antivirus software will not install for lack of an "MSIEXEC" program. Apparently this is an updated version of Windows Installer (say whut!?) which demands SP2 to use. I think this is all a matter of M$ taking their Genuine Windows program a little too far.

RedSlash · Mage Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 331

When installing windows, make sure your network cable is disconnected. I would also have a copy of an offline install exe of SP3 burnt to cd and install that with the network disconnected. You can download this online from microsoft. Also, prepare you anti-virus and firewall software to cd and install those before you connect to the network.

Once on the network, use a lesser used browser like google chrome to surf the net until all your updates are complete.

If even this doesn't work and you're still getting random popups, check your router (if you have one), it can be infected as well.

DeveloperX · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 4:38 pm Post subject:

another rare possibility is your bios can be infected with the virus and it will infect every single drive that you connect.
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Mattias Gustavsson · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 4:52 pm Post subject:

A general advice: be careful about what you download. Only dowload from official sites which you trust, and stay away from anything to do with torrents.
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tcaudilllg · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 6:49 am Post subject:

Did all of the above. The reason my last install went down so quickly is because I hadn't installed SP1 to it. It was a sitting duck. One lesson I've definitely learned is that I need always install the antivirus before anything else. ...I fear that the Google Desktop indexing service may well have been exploited, because I know that viruses tend not to actively seek out programs to affect, but need contact with them someway to spread. I suspect the indexing service may have offered that contact. I won't use it anymore.

I was rather shocked to find that all files not related to Windows were destroyed on the installation volume, and access to the windows directory itself was sealed off.

No problems since SP3 was installed. Still, I've decided to install Linux as a backup to XP. Additionally, I do not intend to move on to Windows 7. When XP breathes its last, probably in the next three years, then I'll be moving wholesale to Linux.

Which brings me to the question, which Linux should I use?

Hajo · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 7:58 am Post subject:

DeveloperX · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 4:08 pm Post subject:

tcaudilllg · Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 7:59 pm Post subject:

What are the differences between the Linux distros? Is software compatible between distros, or do you have to get software specific to each?

For example, what is the difference really between Damn Small Linux, and a larger distribution like Ubuntu?