Korean Job Discussion Forums

[samd]

Hello all,

The computer that I use at home is riddled with viruses, and probably more. It's so bad that I have to disable Norton as soon as I can, otherwise the popup warnings never stop.

I run Norton and Spybot S&D. I run scans all the time, and do all I can to follow their instructions, but I seem to be fighting a losing battle.

I had no problems editing the registry on my old computer, but this one is in Korean, and I don't want to make things worse by fiddling around.

Can anyone recommend a good place to take my computer to have it looked at, in the Gangnam area if possible?

How much should I pay for something like this?

Any help is much appreciated, thanks.

[Hollywoodaction]

Maybe you should download some additional free anti-virus/anti-spyware programs to see what they find out. Get something that scans for rootkits while you're at it.

[Thunndarr]

Honestly? Time for a re-install.

[Demophobe]

I guess the computer was given to you? You will need to get AVG free, do a scan, Hijack This!, AdAware...anything you can get your hands on...

Following Thunndarrs advice is best...just wipe it. Probably infected to the point of no return.

[pharflung]

b.b.

[jazblanc77]

I agree with demo and thundarr, if you have got a system that is super infected, just reinstall your OS and make sure to go with the option to reformat your drive (you will need to backup your files to do this and have an original install disk set for your OS to do this).

When you get the computer up and running again, the first thing that you should do is SCRAP NORTON. Norton is a security blanket for newbies and that is pretty much the worst security software that you could put on your system. And, yeah, you should probably not install two active scanners at the same time; computers generally don't like it when programs compete with each other for file access.

Go to www.majorgeeks.com and check out what they have there for free stuff. Definitely install spywareblaster on your system. For anti-spyware, you can use spybot s&d and adaware SE. For AV and firewall protection, look into software under the names of Sygate, Zone Alarm, Avast, AVG, and Kaspersky for free applications.

My policy has always been to pay for proper security software, though I also use the free stuff as a backup. For anti-spyware, my favourite commercial applications are Pest Patrol Spyware Sweeper. For AV + firewall suites, there are a couple of companies that are good. My favourites are PcCillin (Trend Micro) and McAfee (Network Associates), though Zone Alarm (Zone Labs), and Sygate Pro (Sygate Technologies), also does a good job.

[blackjack]

Have you tried doing a virus scan in safe mode? (when starting hold down F8 )

[mrsquirrel]

What virus is it?

Some of the western virus scanners are slower to pick up Asian virus's.

There were three in the last year that took a long time for the bigger players to issue a fix for them.

However, NOD32 always appears to be up to date on the new virus's even the ones released in asia. You can get a 30day trial with it.

Uninstall NOrton its POS.

Also DL PREVX1 which is a superb anti-spyware program.

Don't forget to scan your USB's and whatever other external storage devices you have.

Still might be time for a fresh install. Don't forget to wipe everything first and not install over the top.

[samd]

Thanks for all the advice! You guys are awesome - much appreciated.

I guess I'll re-install and then get some new software...

[Demophobe]

[blackjack]

The other thing to try before reformating is make sure that you turn the restore points off. otherwise the virus "hides" in there

to do that go to start---> help and support----> Undo changes to your computer with System Restore ----> System Restore settings

then tick the point that says turn off system retore on all drives

this is worth a shot if you don't have the install disks for all your software